Washers & Dryers

[Writing4Fun]

I won't get into the gory details (it involves a bathroom reno and a new workshop for the home-biz - don't ask ), but hubby and I were scouting the stacking washer/dryer pairs today.

Did you know that you don't have to settle for a smaller set of machines if you want to stack them? Most of the front-loading machines with the controls on the front can be converted into a stacking pair! So, I can get a super-mega-family-sized washer/dryer pair and still stack them to conserve precious floor space! How cool is that?

Anyhow, it's a toss-up right now between the Whirlpool Duet Sport or the Frigidaire Affinity. Any comments on either of these sets? My mother would disown me if I got a Kenmore, so please don't suggest one of those. I currently have a Maytag, but I've heard that the new Maytags kinda suck, which is why they're going out of business (says the guy from Sears, but I'm sure the guy at the brand-new Maytag store would beg to differ).

[MyBirdIsEvil]

I currently have a Maytag, but I've heard that the new Maytags kinda suck, which is why they're going out of business (says the guy from Sears, but I'm sure the guy at the brand-new Maytag store would beg to differ).

All of them? I wish someone would have told me that, because I bought a top loader from Sears about a year ago and it SUCKS. It never stays balanced no matter what, especially if I put a full load in, even if I take time distributing the weight perfectly. It's supposed to automatically balance itself from front to rear, but that never works right, I think it makes it even worse.
I would definately never recommend a Maytag. As soon as I can I'm going to get one of the front loaders, so I'm also curious as to what everyones suggestions are.

[chico2]

I have a 6 month old Maytag washer and I cannot leave the house while it's going,out of fear I'll find it walking down the street
I have nothing but good things to say about Kenmore and Sears,my fridge,stove are Kenmore,excellent service,if you need it
I regret buying a Maytag washer

[phoenix]

I'm also a Kenmore fan; but they don't make their own washer/dryers... I think that Frigidaire makes them.

I have frontloaders from Kenmore; Sears service has been amazing (we forgot to remove the crossbars and ran the machine, totally our fault, but they came and fixed everything under warranty). They are stacked and in an upstairs closet (full sized machines) and are quite quiet. Very happy with them.

[MyBirdIsEvil]

I have a 6 month old Maytag washer and I cannot leave the house while it's going,out of fear I'll find it walking down the street

That's how I feel about mine. I've found it wedged up against my dryer and turned diagonally before, and I'm scared it's going to bash into the water heater.

[Prin]

The whirlpool duet scores the best in Consumer reports...

[Puppyluv]

I too have stacking kenmores and I love them. It's a normal sized washer with an extra large drier and they fit into the tiniest cubbord! I love them soo much. My parents have the whirlpool duet washer and drier and they can't say enough good things about them. This is the first time they have been able to safely wash their king duvet at home, and can even fit a full "college kid comin home load of laundry" in one go, without overloading.

[Skryker]

I have a year-old Maytag that is supposed to be self-leveling and adjusting and so on. Ha! There's no weight in the bottom anywhere, so it jumps around all over the place. We usually keep a case of water on top to hold it down.

Oh, and we called for warranty repair-they told us that the machine is fine but really should be in the basement on a perfectly level cement floor. Since it's on the first floor of an old house, the problem must be our floor. No repair, and we had to pay the $65 for the service call. And then my Dad built up a platform under the machine and put an extra brace under it to strenghten the floor-it still hops all over.

So I have to give my Magtag a thumbs down. JMO.

[joeysmama]

I have the Whirlpool Duet washer and if you asked me to choose between this and my husband I would probably choose my husband but I'd have to think about it.

I love this washer. I was so tired of reparing and replacing washers that we bit the bullet and got the Duet. I absolutely love it !! My cousin has the Maytag front loader and she is not all that pleased and has had the repairman out several times.

Don't tell your mother but I also love my Kenmore dryer. I bought it in 1987 and it has seen 4 washers come and go. My Kenmore refrigerator is 24 years old and still running even though I want so badly to get a new one.

I would most definitely say get the Duet. It's more pricey at the outset but it will save you money on water, and repairs in the long run.

[Prin]

Yeah, Kenmores also score very well in general in Consumer's reports. Their dishwashers rock (I "inherited" an old on from my pops when he moved).

[Frenchy]

All I know is that I broke the start button on my dryer weeks ago and now I have to "start" it with a pair of pliers!

[JoshLauraMcGirr]

Maytag = Headache

I have a Maytag Top Loading Washer that I absolutely H-A-T-E. But I cant afford a new one right now. No matter what is in it, it shakes and shakes and shakes..... and I live in a 3 story apartment, I can hear my washer going when Im on the 3rd floor. It's not quiet at all. The service guy told me to put something under the legs to try and level it more.... so I put some weights from my weight bench under it.... it still sounds the same.
My advice---> buy anything but a Maytag!

[raingirl]

Sorryy....didn't read all the comments but I see that Kenmore has been mentioned a few times.

I forget whether it is Whirlpool or Maytag, but one of those makes the Kenmores, but you can get Kenmores for about 25% cheaper than Whirlpool or Maytag. I think Sears sells Kenmore, right?

Anyway, everyone I know says that their Kenmores are AMAZING! Great service from Sears, good warenties, great prices.

[happycats]

I have the Whirlpool front load washer, and just LOVE it!!

It's gentle on clothes, it has many different settings (even boil I guess if the kids ever bring home lice that one would be good ) it uses a quarter of the amount of laundry soap, fabric softener, and water.
someone left a kneenex in their pocket once, and when I took it out of the washer it was still in one piece! (my top loader would have shredded it into hundreds of pieces) The spin cycle is amazing, at the fastest setting, the clothes come out almost dry (just a little damp) but the draw back to (warp speed as I call it) is the clothes are VERY wrinkled.

I would definitely give it a

[chico2]

I have Maytag washer and a Kenmore dryer,I've had the dryer for 20+years,only had to change the belt.
I wll never buy anything Maytag again!
My gas-stove,dishwasher and fridge are all Kenmore.
I only needed a washmachine,so I bought it from Future Shop,bad idea...but you live and learn,even at my age
I believe Kenmore is manufactured by Fridgidaire(sp?)...

[raingirl]

Here is a neat link that tells you which manufacturer makes which Kenmore, based on the model/serial number:

http://www.appliance411.com/purchase/sears.shtml

[joeysmama]

Oh I know what I forgot to mention. When I first got my washer(the Duet) I had to do a load just to make it "clean". (I know I know I'm a germaphobe.) But I felt as though it had been int he warehouse, the trucks etc, and I didn't want to wash our clothers in it until I'd run a load of soemthing unimportant first. So I took a pile of my sons disgusting sweat socks that were headed for the garbage--too stained to keep anymore. I washed those first. And they came out so clean that we were able to keep them. It was amazing.

[technodoll]

wow, i will NEVER buy anything maytag that's for sure! yikes so nice to read opinions from real-life experiences here. before i buy a major appliance i'll be sure to ask for advice here

[rainbow]

Maytag used to have such a good name but weren't they just bought out by someone last year?

[glasslass]

I've had a set of Kitchenaid for the last 6 or 7 years. They are so quiet! Except for the last year in our new house, we had the laundry right next to our bedroom, so that was really an important feature! Now it's close to the kitchen and livingroom, so it's still important not to have to hear it.

[OntarioGreys]

For Maytag just look under "Maytag class action lawsuits" they have had major problems, they were doing good with quality till they bought Amana then they started downhill on their quality, many of the appliances stores around me refuse to carry Maytag appliances, I could only find thru the big stores like Leons, Brick etc

Maytag was bought out by whirlpool recently(may or June this year), in 2005 where sold to Investor's Group
I can't comment though on which is better, whirlpool or frigidaire

I went with the Kenmore Oasis 4.5 Topload Hi Eff when my washer died
I wanted a "big" machine that could even handle the dog beds
http://www.epinions.com/Kenmore_4_5_...r_883049005072

It has only been 3 months but no complaints so far

[HunterXHunter]

Originally Posted by Writing4Fun

My mother would disown me if I got a Kenmore, so please don't suggest one of those.

...story time!!!!