Front Loader set advice

13 years ago

So 9 mos ago we purchased the Samsung 330 Series Washer (model #WF330ANB) and Dryer sets (Model #DV330AEB). The washer recently needed to be repaired because the clothes continuing to be soaking wet after a full cycle. We are a family of 7 (predominately female) with a washer that is 3.7 cf. Repair guy said the pump needed to be replaced and we will probably continue to have this issue as long as were trying to squeeze the load sizes we need to wash. That is, if size is the issue. Lowes has offered us the opportunity to return them and recieve full value toward a trade. So we're looking to upgrade and need some advice. I have scoured the internet and read every possible review I could find, including comparing on Consumer Reports, but I'm still torn. FYI, we're gonna get the Lowes extended warranty.

Here are our options:

Maytag - Maxima

Washer - Model #MHW6000XW - 5.0

Dryer - MED6000XW - 7.4

Whirlpool - Duet

Washer - Model #WFW95HEXW - 5.0

Dryer - WED94HEXW - 7.4

Electrolux - IQ

Washer - Model #EIFLS55IIW - 4.7

Dryer - EIMED55IIW - 8.0

Thanks in advance,

Ray

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (8)

matt.shaver
13 years ago
You know funny this topic would appear, let me tell you our story and see if this helps you. in 2007, my partner and I moved into our home and the laundry room is located in a fully finished lower level that sits on a concrete pad. We purchased the WP Duet Series and within 3 months, Lowes replaced the set because of serious vibrations. We purchased the Bosch Nexxt 500 Plus Series and was pretty happy until about a year ago the washer made hideous sounds while spinning. Now mind you, as you're reading these events, the machines are fully level, HE detergent is used and never a suds in the place, the machines are fully cared for and you'd know because the technicians would be amazed at the care we took with these machines.

Fed up, and after 9 visits with the Lowes appliances repair people (the people who Lowes contracts with), they deemed the machine a lemon and bought the set back.

My partner and I then went shopping and looked at the Electrolux, and they were just Frigidaire machines with some bells and whistles and then I looked at Miele.

We bought the Miele set and never looked back. Yes, they are quite pricey and sure the check from Lowes didn't cover the whole cost, but once you see them in person, you will notice the craftsmanship is far beyond anything that WP, LG, Samsung, Maytag, Electrolux...anyone has out there minus maybe SQ. The machines are built like tanks, their customer service is tops (both in email and in phone call) and the machines clean our clothes like no other.

So, I know the Miele set is not on your list but do yourself a favor, go look at them. I don't know what I like more honestly, the washer or the dryer...they are both GREAT machines!

Just my two cents.
Matt :-)
rdowney79
Original Author
13 years ago
Matt - I have indeed looked at Miele and everything I have read about them has been fantastic, though the largest one I can find in my area (Omaha, NE) is a 4.0 cf and were looking for something a bit larger with such a big family. The models listed are the best ones available at the Lowe's store where we originally bought our Samsung set and they don't carry the Miele brand or LG for that matter, darn them! I just think it would be easier to swap out w/Lowes so they can pick up the Samsung set when they deliver the ones we decide on.

p.s. To boot, my parent bought the Samsung set as a house warming gift for my wife and I on their Lowes card...so that impacts our options as well!

Thanks, Ray
Related Discussions
Top Loaders vs. Front Loaders
Q
Comments (26)
Thank-you, AKchicago, for actual information. I don't mind being disagreed with or set right, just don't find name calling particularly useful. I only piped up to begin with because I've never suffered from the bugaboos that seem to be attributed to top loaders and know that there are some reasons that some people might prefer them. I think the newer front loaders must be more sophisticated than any I've used myself, however. What you've said about the newer top loaders having the function designed out of them makes sense, as well. Mine is nine years old. What I said about ease on the back was for a machine that's the same height--work surface height--as mine. I use the top of my washer and a front loader would have to be raised. Also I'm a fiber artist, so I have other reasons for preferring a top loader, but that's a whole other story that's not applicable to this forum. For the record, I don't get clothes wound around the agitator or a tug of war (I think my machine is self-balancing or something), I have very old, much washed clothes that don't show the kind of overall wear that you're talking about (as opposed to elbow wear, and the like). And my clothes come very clean without fuss. I've had occasion to run clothes through on rinse only and don't get clouds or suds from detergent left in the cloth. This is why I've been so bemused!! My one problem--the reason I started investigating the "cleaner clothes" idea, and front loaders in general--has been hand towels that seem to get gunky with hand soap, but that's the mild detergent not the machine. When I did them during the remodel in my mother's top loader, using her supermarket powder (Tide? All? Something that hurts my skin to touch it...) they came out just fine. So now I add a little Oxyclean to the towels and they're nice and white. I don't use much detergent. I (and some of the friends in the survey) use 7th Generation free and clear, which is the same stuff for either kind of machine. I just checked the label. I use approx. their recommendation for HE (approx. because I'm not compulsive about the measure). It sounds like you would also use less detergent in your Miele ("smaller and smaller amounts"), and Petra said so too, so that does explain the discrepancy in my little survey--the others were probably just using the recommended amount, when, with all else equal, they could have used less. Questions: I know there are some European models (and maybe others as well) that let you set the water temperature by number and heat their own water. That's a definite plus! Is that a normal feature in the ones they sell here? Can you also set the water quantity for more than the sensor thinks is optimum?
...See More
life expectancy for front loaders/top loaders?
Q
Comments (39)
Deborah, Not sure if you are asking for a recommendation or not from your post. I have a 3 year old Speed Queen top loader. Very happy with it. Out of warranty 3 months now...fingers crossed all stays in a state of bliss for years to come. Be forewarned though, Speed Queen has two model lines of TL washers now. You would want what is being referred to as the "classic" line. The other model line swishes the clothes a little bit (my salads see more agitation than clothes in those washers), unlike a classic style SQ washer which gives a rather intense agitation through the cycle. A little too much agitation for our needs to be honest, but ranch apparel needs a beating like that. So far, my washer is built like a tank and has not had an issue to date with anything I've put in it. I do take pillows to the laundromat, but that is because pillows want to float at the top of a TL and I put them through the triple load sized Speed Queen front loaders so they get a better wash (IMO). For note, SQ does make a fine front loading washing machine if you were interested in that. I can't speak to whether it could handle your soils, but something tells me it could based on a few videos I've seen of it in action.
...See More
Top loader to Front Loader
Q
Comments (9)
I made the mistake of washing sweatshirts with sheets and a very large drum... something I shall never do again! :) What happened? I had a GE FL with 3.8 cu ft capacity and washed small loads without issues, and I don't think it would have been thrown by the weight differential between sweatshirts and sheets (I washed sheets and towels together without issues). I have a set of small Miele's now (w1215 for the washer) and quite honestly, I don't think I do anything in particular, except layering in the laundry (which just means I load it one item at a time... something I did with my Kenmore TL ages ago anyway). I've read the manual for fun, but I don't think it needs to be studied!!! Finally, re: detergent, I used to use 1-2 tbsp but I've found that I really get better cleaning results by using slightly more. And I have soft water so if you have harder water (as 85% of the US does) you might try more detergent if the smaller amount is not removing stains etc.
...See More
Samsung WF218 Front-Loader or Whirlpool Cabrio Top-Loader?
Q
Comments (8)
Baseballmom, these washers are my personal preference to but, for their known quality, and performace. If you want a HE top loader, the Maytage is the best in my opinion. Its a super large capasity, not plastic lids, huge opening and yes the ones with internal heater are the 850 series for sure...maybe the 700 series, but not sure. LG is a grat brand too, none of my friends who have them, have any issues with them and they have had them for over 4 yrs. One thing to remember when you read wash performance on any of these HE machines is that many owners do not read the owners manual. They just use it and then complain of poor results. One "poster" on here admitted. "One day I will sit down and read the manual" Its not rocket science trust me. When people talk about mechanical failures brioon machines, it would help if they include a model number. The older bravos, cabrios, oasis has some issues, since then I beleive they have been worked out. Internal heaters are a big plus in a HE machine, of course some people will tell you it makes no differnce. Most Fl issues are operators induced problems, not the machines design.
...See More
ApplianceSalesVet
13 years ago
I think the Electrolux units are not built on the same assembly line as Frigidaire. They are very nice.

I like the Bosch Vision series (I own them) but they are discontinued.

You may want to check GE's largest units. My customers have been happy with them. PFWS4600LWW/PFDS450ELWW or GFWS3500LWW/GFDS350ELWW.
rdowney79
Original Author
13 years ago
AplianceSales - The GE models in my area top out at 4.05, so size is an issue there as were looking for at least 4.5. I'm leaning towards the Electrolux IQ set mostly due to them not having AS MANY negative reviews as the other models.

Thanks, Ray
rdowney79
Original Author
13 years ago
So we decided to go with the Whirlpool Duet (wfw95HEX) W/D set. Picking a washer and dryer has proved to be a very difficult decision, mostly due to limited options available at Lowes. But the Lowe's people were really great in exchanging the old ones. So we picked the Duets (w/extended warranty) mostly due to the combination of size and price (under $1k apiece). It seemed like all the larger dryers (8.0 CF) came with a smaller washer set, usually about 4.05 CF. When considering size and price, it really came down to the Duets or the Maytag Maxima. Based on the reviews I read here, I was more turned off by the Maxima's negative reviews than the Duets...so we pulled the trigger and got the Duets. I'll let you guys know how my wife and I feel about them going forward.

Thanks, Ray
bonesoda
12 years ago
rdowney,

I have the same options as you... maytag vs wp with the same models...

One of the items i read about the new whirlpool was that it does have an internal heater and to make the green folks happy it does not heat up the water enough... i can't seem to find the post or who posted it but they said their hot wash was barely warm.. the one way to get hot was to use sanitize but it takes an extra 40 mins to run.

Can you comment on the whirlpool's ability to clean and or the wash modes for warm and hot and the time it takes and how do you like these so far?
illinigirl
12 years ago
any updates on this washer as far as the water temps or other?

We are getting ours delivered tomorrow. It would but me if the water didn't heat up enough.

(backstory on mine is that my 8yr old HE3t broke down and we ordered a Samsung 511 series and when it arrived this morning it was defective and wouldn't even start for the installation techs. We sent it back and didn't want to risk more Samsung quality issues so we went with the Whirlpool)

i would love to hear more about this washer from the OP or anyone else too. tia
MiMi
12 years ago
I have the Samsung VRT set and I am completely happy with them... but family of two here, 3 if you count the little dog...

Front Loader set advice

Comments (8)

matt.shaver

rdowney79
Original Author

Related Discussions

ApplianceSalesVet

rdowney79
Original Author

rdowney79
Original Author

bonesoda

illinigirl

MiMi

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

Front Loader set advice

Comments (8)

matt.shaver

rdowney79Original Author

Related Discussions

ApplianceSalesVet

rdowney79Original Author

rdowney79Original Author

bonesoda

illinigirl

MiMi

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

rdowney79
Original Author

rdowney79
Original Author

rdowney79
Original Author