New washing machine

annr

annr

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Our 1988 Maytag washing machine AND dryer stopped working correctly today--smells like something burned out--and when the load was finished, the machine was still full of water.

I'm looking for suggestions on what is good and bad in a washer these days. I like my top loading machine and want with enough capacity that I can do small area rugs and blankets, etc. We wash clothes for 2 people.

I'm more interested in reliability (and longevity) and getting basic things clean. I'm not keen on lots of bells and whistles.
 
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annr said:
I'm more interested in reliability (and longevity) and getting basic things clean. I'm not keen on lots of bells and whistles.
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Uncortunately, that's not the way you're supposed to shop these days.
 
I worked at Maytag for 25 years until they were closed by Whirlpool for the NAME. All Maytag branded washing machines are made in Mexico or Korea. Maytag dryers are made in Ohio for the most part. Personally, knowing an insiders view of how Whirlpool does things, I would buy a LG if I needed anything for my laundry. Just my 2 cents.Steve.
 
My 1987 Speed Queen washer died a couple of years ago... I had the water pump replaced about 12 years ago... good washing machine !

Worst part about buying a new one is finding one that "fits" in the laundry room... too many BIG ones... also decided to replace the dryer, since the laundry room was remodeled a week before the washer broke, and the wife wanted them to match.

Ended up getting a GE washer (top loading) and dryer (front loading) to match... they were about the only ones my wife and I could find that would fit !

So far so good !

I don't think "longevity" is engineered into anything these days.
 
glock45 said:
I worked at Maytag for 25 years until they were closed by Whirlpool for the NAME. All Maytag branded washing machines are made in Mexico or Korea. Maytag dryers are made in Ohio for the most part. Personally, knowing an insiders view of how Whirlpool does things, I would buy a LG if I needed anything for my laundry. Just my 2 cents.Steve.
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Thanks, I will take another look at the LG.

Home Depot claims this one is made in "designed, engineered and assembled in the USA," but I don't know if there is any fine print on that one.

Any comments on whether to get the top- or front-loading? Technology and specs have changed in 25 years:water requirements, high efficiency soap, etc.
 
airmojo said:
Worst part about buying a new one is finding one that "fits" in the laundry room... too many BIG ones... also decided to replace the dryer, since the laundry room was remodeled a week before the washer broke, and the wife wanted them to match.
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Looks like we're in the same boat: the dryer just died, within hours of the washer......(4th appliance in 24 hours).
 
Don't know much about washing machines but front-loading washers use less water than top loading, also be sure to buy Energy Star. Sorry energy management student :)
 
Try to avoid the touch pad/digital controls. We had one, the electronics went bad and cost as much as a new one!

Ric
 
See if you can find the parts/get it fixed.
They don't make them to last 25 years anymore
 
If you are the least bit handy, you can check the appliance forums (no kidding) and probably find information on just how to fix your machines.

Maytag is a good name and you should be able to get parts.

Does not sound like the transmission, if you smell burnt (and you did not say if it is electrical burnt or rubber burnt) it could be a belt or some odd resistor or relay.

Washers and dryers are easy to work on. Roll up those sleeves, get your model numbers and serials, access your google-fu and impress your significant other with your money saving skills.

Then buy a nice knife with the savings.

If you (or your Boss) insist on new, then I like a washer with old-school direct drive transmission and as said above, non-touch-pad controls. These are easier to work on. I had to replace my Whirlpool washer that I bought in 1984(!!) recently. I had replaced the pump and several other components over it's life, and finally the transmission gave out. I was able to find another unit that had the same transmission and dial knobs. I expect to get another 30 years out of this one, but I will also expect to work on it occasionally.

I also had to replace a small resistor on the back of my dryer not too long ago - the dryer would not heat up. Easy fix, cheap, and back in business.

best

mqqn
 
Front loading washers are very very nice. First you get more capacity because you don't have that center spindle. Second, I find it is a lot more gentle on my clothes so fewer ripped towels, jeans, and long sleeve shirts since there is no spindle to wrap things around.

For me, the convenience of washing sleeping bags at home is big too. A heavy bed spread or area rug will fit in and wash nicely in a front loader. If you must use a top load, consider the newer models without a center spindle.

For front load washers, remember to use much less soap. Also, since they use so little water, washing smaller loads is easy on the environment and convenient when you spill something on a shirt or wipe up a mess with a towel that you don't want dried on tomato, wine, etc. on.
 
With the front-loading machines, what happens when the machine stops when it is full of water--like mine did? You can't open the door without the water spilling out?
 
I got a Samsung front load washer about 8 years ago when our Amana top load bit the dust and it has been great. We run the heck out of than thing and it is much more efficient to operate and produces better results. It came down to the LG and the Samsung and we ended up with Samsung because I got another $100 off for a scratch & dent than was on the side that abuts a sink otherwise it was a toss-up. I was so impressed with the Samsung that we replaced our fridge and stove when we remodeled the kitchen 5 years ago and was close to doing the same with the dishwasher but went with a Bosch.

With the front-loading machines, what happens when the machine stops when it is full of water--like mine did? You can't open the door without the water spilling out?
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When our front load is paused or when power is interrupted it automatically drains and we have been plauged with squirrel related power outages over the years and it has never failed to drain.
 
Went with a top-loading high efficiency Kenmore. Thanks.
 
I worked for years doing appliance installation, sales, and minor repair... Washers and dryers are really easy to fix but 9/10 the difficulty comes from finding parts. If you are at least a tiny bit handy I bet your pump is clogged. I once found an entire pair of panties sucked up into one of those things it was crazy. If its already broke, you cant hurt it by just taking it apart... be warned, remove all the water first with a shop vac... you start disconnecting stuff down below your going to get a floor full of grey water... You could have thrown a belt off the transmission/motor, etc etc... Thats about the best I can do for you online...

Now if you are going to buy a new washer and dryer, check your local brick and mortar, ma and pa stores first... These can be better sometimes at giving you good deals and they typically will handle warranty issues for you and have they own service technicians that wont charge you an arm and a leg should things go wrong... Otherwise you know your big box stores and you can get a good price if you pick up and install yourself.

Now, if you want a brand recommendation....

Stay away from GE, Kenmore, and maytag.. This is my 2 cents because I have pulled a lot of these out of homes... the older ones like maytag were tanks... anything newer... well... yah...

Good brands are, Whirlpool, LG, Fridgidaire, And I have had some good luck with Bosch, and Samsung. But the first three would be my recommendation. Fridgidaire will be more basic, cheaper, and heavy duty, easy to work on, and thats what I have in my home. Whirlpool will be your next higher end brand right next to LG... Fancier, prettier, more features, most have a computer in them so... you have to know what youre doing to work on them.

NEXT would be go front load or go home... these days it just makes sense, and some can be found for around the same price as top loads... They use less water, clean better, use less soap, use less energy, can do bigger loads, and are better on clothes. They are by far a more efficient machine.

Good luck out there, and yah, when something breaks like this it is prettier sickening, but you will get it straightened out!
 
annr said:
With the front-loading machines, what happens when the machine stops when it is full of water--like mine did? You can't open the door without the water spilling out?
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Yes, there is so little water in them the effort to empty it is significantly less. Mine use less water on a full load then the previous top loader did on it's smallest/lightest setting. I'm guessing it uses less than 5 gallons on a full load so, worst case wring you clothes out siphon what's left behind into a mop bucket.
 
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