If reliability were my #1 criterion, which machine?

16 years ago

I've been reading through posts, reviews, etc. and honestly I'm just really disgusted. Pretty much what I'm seeing online is that I could plunk down 2 grand or more, buy a top of the line Kenmore HE5t or LG w/d set, and in a year or two end up with mold, service calls, replacing this or that, burnt out computer boards, broken hinges, etc. So if all I want is a killer reliable machine that doesn't shred my clothes, my machine do I want? I'm tired of the agitator or my decrepit current one, but I'm not opposed to toploaders. I'd just like it to be gentle. We do have a small dog and get fur. (read some of the frontloaders are no good with fur)

So if I wasn't being picky about the "best" cleaning, but wanted something gentle on the clothes, and money was no issue, just wanted RELIABILITY, which machines should I consider?

Thanks. :)

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Comments (17)

premier
16 years ago
Where are these posts on LGs breaking or having mold?
dadoes
16 years ago
http://www.consumeraffairs.com/homeowners/lg_washing_machine.html

http://www.epinions.com/content_346718834308

http://www.epinions.com/content_400822668932

I found plenty more. Do a Google search.
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I have owned a kenmore HE3T FL 8 years now and the only issue I have had is the water pump. It was replaced once while it was still under the extended warranty, which ended 3 yrs ago and it will have to be replaced again since it is making a loud noise at times. Good thing is, its not hard to do and it cost about 72.00 for the pump. What I would look for in a FL is a internal heater. Why? For one, it helps boost the tempature on certain cycles, one my FL, it takes it to 158 degree's in the sani cycle. Front loaders use so little water that if you want to wash in hot or warm, by time that tempature gets to the washer, it may very well be full, and with no heater to boost the water, guess what, no hot water wash. I do have friends who do not have the internal heater in their washer and they usually have a luke warm wash at best. I know this from personally helping them at times with doing laundry. I can see the difference is how much whiter my whites are VS theirs, and I DO NOT use chlorine bleach at all, just Tide HE and thats it. (They use Tide HE too). I also wanted to buy a washer that had the highest rpm spin, to reduce drying time and save more money there as well. A lot todays machines do not offer the highest spin speed unless you buy the top of the line model. Yes I know, people will say spending the additional price of the washer will not justify the savings from the higher spin speed, but Id rather put the money in the washer and not my electric companys pocket. I personally do not think there is a "BEST or WORST" front loader on the market. All manufactures have good and bad ones that get past the quality control department. My parents have a LG FL for 3 yrs now, not one issue out of it, they love it! Neither, me, my parents, or my friends have ever had issues with smelly towels, mold, or scum in any of our machines. People seem to jump on FL's about this issue. I have seem mold, and slime growing in TL's, just check between the porcelen tub and the plastic ring above it. Usually you have to move the wash tub to the side to see it, you will be shocked!! I guess because TL's are not air tight when the lid is shut, that it does not become a problem. I never leave my FL door open after I am finished, and I do check the gasket around the door and such to look for mold as I heard about this issue before I ever bought a FL. I will never go back to a TL again, I got Sweat Shirts and T shirts that are 8 yrs old and still look like new. I do not understand how people say the FL they bought is ripping buttons off jeans, and shredding clothes, no experiece at all with that. All I can say is the manufacture wrote a OWNERS MANUAL, and it was meant for the OWNER to READ. Too many people do not do this.
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the_seven
16 years ago
Try Speed Queen FL or Miele.
chris61
16 years ago
Funny how there are so few responses to this post. It seems there are very few reliable machines out there, which is why I chose not to replace the ten year-old stacked set that came with my condo. Maybe there will be something more reliable out there by the time I move again in a few years.
premier
16 years ago
I don't think that is the reason for few responses. I think people want to avoid a pissing match.

Based on my personal experience and my research, LG is extremely reliable.
peggross1
16 years ago
I've been happy enough with my Whirlpool 9400 Duet for the past two years.

When I move, I will leave it and plan to replace it with a Bosch Nexxt 800 set.

Why not a Duet? I like that the Bosch has an onboard heater that heats every cycle to the proper temp. The heater on my Duet only heats on Sanitary and Whitest Whites cycles. I don't like standing at my utility sink, running perfectly good water down the drain when I start a "Normal" load of laundry so that the wash water temp will actually be warm when I select warm in the cycle. (As you may know, a FL uses much less water, and the washer may stop filling before your household water is warm enough.)

I have had no mold issues, and frankly have had no service calls at all on my Duet. I knew about mold potential, so I always have left the door on my machine ajar when not in use. I also only use HE powdered detergent (Sears); oversudsing is a major issue with FL machines, but not if you use the proper detergent in the proper quantities.

I have a husband and two kids, we all use fresh towels for every shower, wear lots of jeans, sports uniforms, horseback riding clothing, and have a Labrador Retriever, i.e., we give the washer a workout several times a week.

My clothes get nicely clean and due to the high spin speed on the washer, spend less time in the dryer. I've noticed less lint on my lint screen, too.

I expect similar, if not better, results from the Bosch, but won't know until we move in Feb/Mar.

This thread likely is not getting so many posts b/c others may not feel qualified to say which machine is #1 re: reliability.

Good luck to you!
asolo
16 years ago
Ditto smarge...except I don't have pets. Duet9400 for 2 1/2 years. Excellent perfomance and zero trouble.

Reliability on the entire current crop will remain a question for many years. Miele is really the only one that has an established track-record. However, even their latest entries into the American market are getting mixed reviews.

I've said previously that if buying today, I'd buy this one again. Alas, it has already been superceded.
plumbly22
16 years ago
I believe each machine refered to here has its supporters and detractors here! I think you need to decide what you want... do you want a heater option for all cycles? Do you want/need to stack, do you want color, and so forth.... then narrow down your options... when I narrowed down, basically I came to Miele and Bosch and Whirlpool... (LG and Samsung were "new" to the market)... given I wanted the heater and didn't care about stacking... and didn't want to send DH totally over the edge I picked the Bosch....

I'm happy with the machine I have, I've had no problems in the 15 months I've had the set...

I will say make sure you have a level of your own and make sure the delivery guys know you intend to make sure any machine is totally level and square before they can leave... plus pull your manual up online before the machine gets there, and IF you have locking feet, make sure they deal with those too... watch them like a hawk... These will greatly improve your chances for a non-vibrating/shaking machine.
DYH
16 years ago
We had delayed replacing our old washer due to analysis paralysis -- I couldn't figure out the "best" one to purchase. But the exceptional drought conditions prompted us to replace it for the water savings.

I went to Lowe's Hardware last week and bought the Bosch Nexxt 500 for $798 (it lists for $998, but we got a 10% discount, a rebate for $100 and a free delivery with another rebate). We're leaving the door open per everyone's recommendations.

Since mine is new, I can't comment on reliability. We just reached the point where saving 20 gallons of water per load is imperative.
laundry_goddess
16 years ago
I've had my Miele 1918 for going on seven years. Two adults, two busy teenagers, (well one is twenty now...), and an english mastiff that's primary activity seems to be shedding. Tons of specialty loads for dancewear, ski and snowboard gear, and a hubby who wears cashmere and merino wool daily from fall to spring.
Not one service call - no problems what so ever. I love my miele!
Tip for dog fur - The dryer seems to be the key. Garments that require hang drying or to be laid flat / blocked were challenging. Then I tried popping these items into the dryer for a 15 minute cool air cycle. This seems to be enough time to extract the dog fur, and hasn't damaged anything, not even the wool sweaters.
Good luck in your quest!
julieofminn
16 years ago
I have had the Bosch 500 for just over six months and wash over a dozen loads a week; plus a lot more when my son comes home from college. So far, so good. I didn't buy the service plan b/c I felt confident about this purchase.

Consumer Reports rated it well in nearly every category; the sales staff at Lowe's said they had no complaints on these or returns; there's an excellent seal, heavy door & simple controls. Just opening and closing the doors on the models at the stores gave us a feel for quality of some products on the market. There is something nice about how heavy duty this machine door is made which seems to indicate corners are not cut.

I liked that the door opens the front and a portion of the top so even w/o the pedestal, I find it easier on my back and shoulders to remove laundry and toss in the dryer than with my previous TL. This feature drew me to this model initially.

The Bosch has fewer controls than most brands, but I haven't found anything I am missing. We are a family of five with older kids--high school, college & grad. school. No one needed instructions to use this machine, which surprised me. All the colleges have gone to FLs due to efficiency. Both campuses my kids have been at have Maytag Neptune, which is worth looking at as well.

My only complaint, it is so efficient w/ water & electricity, it takes longer to wash clothes than I had anticipated and perhaps you want to ask around about wash cycle lengths as well if you have mountains of laundry to do in one day. Today my small load of towels was 1.5 hours in the washer, set on hot.

Some stores allow a 30-day return policy.
linda8818
16 years ago
Even if reliability were your #487 criteria, do NOT buy a Kenmore Oasis Elite. Not only do the electronics malfunction, but then you have to wait ****weeks**** for a warranty service appointment.
weedmeister
16 years ago
a rock.
linda8818
16 years ago
lol, best laugh of my day, weedmeister
jerrod6
16 years ago
I've had my Miele 1986 since January of 2003. Still works like new, no strange sounds, no mold, no service calls, everything clean and well rinsed.
sweetgf
16 years ago
Whatever you do, stay far far away from Maytag for front loading washing machines. I am the unlucky purchaser of their Neptune, the machine that introduced premium front loading machines to the US market.

The machine has terrible problems draining water after the washing is done. I have resorted to a roll of paper towels on the top, dry the rubber area inside after each wash and leave the door open and the detergent door on the top open at all times. I was able to avoid the mold problems this way but at the expense of the light inside which burned out after being on continually.

So I've managed to get through 7 years being an early adopter, without mold, but to my horror I discovered the other day that the detergent area on the top has rust inside, which is where the water passes. Bring rust to the clothes (!).

Now Maytag never admitted fault but lost a class action lawsuit about 4 years ago. Their offer was laughable. They offered a pittance against a new machine from another manufacturer, or a miniscule (but higher) amount off a new Maytag. Considering that this was the most expensive washer sold in the history of the US market, and given Maytag's reputation for quality, I would have expected that they would replace the machine for free.

Well that having been said the Neptune dryer is fabulous. I just discovered, quite by accident, that setting the heat below the 50% point say to 45% on the slider generates almost *no* lint. Amazing. And I always used 50% and saw lint for all this time!

Overall though I say stay away from Maytag. They don't care at all about their customers.

~Sweet~
sparky823
16 years ago
sweetgf-I too have the Neptune. I don't have any mold either but I leave my door cracked and I don't dry the boot out. It just air dries. I unplug mine so the light goes off. Why does yours not drain well? Do you mean the tub or the door boot? Does your boot not have the hole in the middle for the water to drain?

As far as the rust,my dispensers are all plastic down inside there except for the screws on the top. Where the water enters mine all that is plastic. All in all I have been well pleased with mine for the last 6-7 years. I have had FAR LESS trouble than some of the people with Kenmore HE3's 4's and 5's and some of the others as well.

If reliability were my #1 criterion, which machine?

Comments (17)

premier

dadoes

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