There is an existing message that may provide a response to what you are asking.

However based on my experience, I have been a Maytag owner for years and never had any problems with my products (including refrigerators). I currently have the Maytag 9700 and love it! I have it stacked b/c my laundry room is smaller than expected when building but it works & I am pleased. There is some vibration LR is on the main level close to the garage, but not to the point the whole house or floor is shaking. I have not used the delayed start only b/c when I am washing I am washing. Good Luck!

Here is a link that might be useful: Maytag Epic (9700) vs Whirlpool Duet (9400)

I've actually been through that thread and several others...I often found contradictory information in these threads and not all commenters were owners. I was hoping that if I focused on what I'm looking for and asked for comments from current owners about specifics rather than generalities, I would get a clearer picture.

Thanks for taking time to respond JustMee.

I'm waiting to see the 2nd generation steam washer and steam dryer from LG.

I'm waiting to see some real evidence other than anecdotal stories showing that any stream washer adds some value. I get the wrinkle release capability but remain unconvinced regarding added value for wash. I don't doubt people are seeing good results with their steam washers, but without a controlled test you don't know if just the temperature of the water made the difference. Frankly I think it's a marketing herd instinct leading to the proliferation of steam washers. Vendor "L" has it, so the Vendor "W" has marketing people running around like chickens with their heads cut off telling management and engineering that without steam they are doomed to failure. Was involved in computer hardware development years ago and saw this kind of thing all the time. Reminds me of the Dr. Seuss story - "The Sneetches".

I see maintenance downsides as you have an added steam generator and at least with one popular brand it doesn't appear to have an ability to flush out the hardness minerals left behind. If you have even moderately hard water just boil-off several gallons of water in a small pan and see what is left behind. The crud isn't something you'd equate with an appliance designed for cleaning.

Thanks GordonR...we have well water and while it isn't terribly hard like the water I grew up with, it's not soft either. (I miss the sulphur water I grew up with....and you know it's healthier than soft water...hard waters in general are!)

So, yes, the "crud" would be an issue for me.

buehl,

Anyone who has cleaned a non-flow through, non-flushing whole house humidifier knows exactly what I'm talking about. Kind of looks like a science fair project gone astray.

I know nothing about the Whirlpool (& related brands) implementation. It's possible they addressed this issue but don't know one way or the other. I looked through the service and technical training manuals for the LG steam washer and there doesn't appear to be any flushing of the steam generator. It does have a bleed-off port, but it's only meant to be manually opened if the generator needs replacement (the generator has no serviceable parts).

Fans of the LG machine seem to get good results and always point it's top rating by CR. A careful read of the CR article doesn't show one way or the other if they even tested the steam feature. Often if something has a unique feature they will highlight it in a sidebar, but no such info appeared in the article. I believe CR just tests things in pretty vanilla default cycles so it's very likely the steam was never fired up in their testing. An email to CR brought no additional info. Nevertheless, the LG performed well in their tests (most likely without steam) to the extent CR testing has importance to you.

Have you checked out Epinions.com? They have reviews for FLers on there.

Good luck!

Here is a link that might be useful: Epinions