I've had so much trouble with the dryer vent clogging up. I was told that the builder didn't meet code and they let him by with it. There were 3 elbows and only 2 are allowed in that city. I had to have new, whatever the tubing is called, because it would get to the point that it was so clogged. I am looking for a house in Austin area now and they are putting the dryer vet straight up to the roof which seems like a fire hazard to me and will be terrible to clean. With on an outside wall you just reach in and clean it when it gets stopped up. My son's house in CA had the room on an outside wall but the washer/dryer were not. They were still able to vent out the side. Bad thing was it was on the back porch and did make quite a mess to clean but it is better than the big bucks to have the ducting cleaned or replaced.

We had Maytags that we bought in 2001 but the washer slowly died over the past year. We had lots of visits from repairmen over that time and they all said to get Whirlpool the next time, that they are called out on the fewest repairs for that brand. So we bought a Whirlpool FL washer and dryer over Thanksgiving and we love them so far. It's the steam set, which is pricey if not on sale (and pricey on sale) but we managed to save about $800 by using a 20% off sale at Lowe's in combination with the $100 rebate Whirlpool was offering. So instead of spending something like $2,900 we spent $2,100 on both. or something close to that. I forget already! (I try to block such $$$ thoughts from my brain!)

I just received my new Maytag top loading washer and dryer. They are the Bravos 800 series. I could not be more pleased. The washer really washes well, my whites are cleaner than they have ever been. The dryer doesn't ever get the clothes too hot, and everything comes out wrinkle free. I do shake all the clothes out when I remove them from the washer and load in to the dryer, but I believe you should do this anyway. The only draw back to all these machines is that they take more time. Still, for now I am very pleased. I purchased them through Home Depot. Even though I planned on paying cash, I filled out a credit card application and received an instant 230.00 off. In addition, Maytag was offering a 100.00 rebate, HD had a rebate going for installation and removal of old machines, PG&E rebated 75.00, and lastly, Maytag gave coupons for 3 years worth of Tide HE, worth almost 250.00. Can't beat that!!!! Another point worth remembering, whatever machine you decide on, use less cleaning product, rather than more. After reading through many threads here, I have not used much more than a tablespoon per wash load. Everything is clean and fresh smelling. I am so happy!!!!!

You will be hard pressed, IMHO, to find a US made (I don't think there are any besides speedqueen) washer/dryer combo that is any kind of quality. Quality costs money. I know you said American, but Miele and Bosch are really the only reliable game in town for stackable washer/dryers. They sell many more of them than any "US" company will. Siemens, which owns Bosch, is also a good brand and considered the premium brand when companred to Bosch. Siems pulled out of the US market a year back and is pushing Bosch only in this country. There are fantastic deals on brand new Siemens units on e-bay and in clearance outlets. Siemens line in the US is called the Ultrastack. I own the condensor dryer with a Bosch was24460uc washer. They are very well built units. The dryer (condensor or vented) is on e-bay now for $349. This was almost a $1000 when it was sold in Best Buy. It is a fantastic deal: http://cgi.ebay.com/Siemens-Bosch-ultraStack-WT36V100US-24-Electric-Dryer-/380245985315?cmd=ViewItem&pt=US_Dryers&hash=item58886d4823 Here is a Bosch Axxis washer (one model down from the one I own) with a starting bid of $399 (originally $1000 washer): http://cgi.ebay.com/24-Bosch-Axxis-Compact-Washing-Machine-White-WFL2060UC-/250654902330?cmd=ViewItem&pt=Washing_Machines&hash=item3a5c32483a Here is an auction format Bosch was24460uc washer that is brand new (but missing a front cover which you can get from Bosch parts for $20) currently bid up to $100. This washer is sold at sears and other places for around $1400 now. http://cgi.ebay.com/BOSCH-WAS24460UC-AXXIS-WASHER-/230491765954?cmd=ViewItem&pt=Washing_Machines&hash=item35aa613cc2 Here is a matching Bosch pair WAS24460UC / WTE86300US for $1199. http://cgi.ebay.com/Bosch-Axxis-Series-24-Front-Load-Washer-dryer-/380245611256?cmd=ViewItem&pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0amp;hash=item58886792f8 I highly suggest you look at these and forget the US brands.