Really hard to give advice to this question. Do you have an unlimited budget? Otherwise suggested brands aren't going to be of much use.

I don't have a dishwasher but if I did buy one I'd probably look at 4 different ones:
- KitchenAid and similar Whirlpool brands. They've historically been good stable units for the moderate price.
- Fisher & Paykel dish drawers. Spendy but I like the concept and like having two dishwashers in one, albeit, you're at twice the price.
- Miele. Excellent reputation. Top end price.
- Bosch. Good reputation, but seems like a love/hate relationship with some.

For me, the best dryer I've ever had is the one I have now - it's a Whirlpool Gold 7.4 cu. ft unit. Size is everything on a dryer. Too many people undersize the dryer for the washer they use and so-called "matching" dryers are undersized for the washers with which they're paired. I built a platform for it so it's up so I don't bend over to use it and the hamper door is a nice folding table so I can stand straight and use it and fold the clothes that need it right out of the drier. I'd like a Fisher & Paykel top load dryer but they're too spendy and too small a capacity for my needs.

And for me a washer, I'd probably buy the Maytag Bravos with the heater. My sister has the Cabrio without the heater and she's very pleased. I like a top loader. Can't bend over and twist to use a front loader and have looked at front loaders. Not right for me (so again, getting suggestions here for your needs is iffy at best.) Fisher & Paykel have good machines too but don't have the heater option. My old GE machine is still going strong after 33 years so no need to buy one yet.

As for where to buy? Find the place that has the best price on what you want, will give the service you need and with whom you're comfortable dealing. I'd want my appliances delivered so I factor that into the price. I also am willing to buy clearance items so that would require some shopping but you can save a lot of bucks or get a lot better machine for your money if you'll look at clearance items.

Howdy!

I agree with Cynic.

I have a Kitchenaid dishwasher, it's bigger than the Bosch I looked at and my brothers Bosch ruined his wood floor venting steam. I don't like the Paykel concept, one drawer to keep your clean dishes in , one your dirty dishes. I don't need the shelf space, my kitchen is HUGE.

I have a Kenmore washing machine, top load and a Maytag gas dryer(Atlantis). Both work great! "IF" it works....and it lasts, I'm happy.

I have GE gas dryer and a GE washer. Both are less than 2 years old and are doing their jobs well. These replace a washer and dryer that were 30 yrs old. We raised 3 children to adulthood using the old ones. The washer was never repaired but the transmission was giving warning signs; I repaired the dryer once and when the second breakdown occured, i decided it was replacement time.

These are plain ordinary appliacnes without fancy electronic controls. Both run off a timer driven drum that operates the electrical switches.

The dryer detects "dryness" by using a simple thermostat. As long as the clothes are wet, the drum stays below a certain temperature, but as the clothes begin to dry out, the temperature begins to rise and this is the signal to start the timer drum to finish the cycle.

I hope to get several years out of these. If they last 2/3 as long as the old ones, at my age I may never have to buy another one.

I have Samsung front loaders with steam and absolutely love them. I bought them at Lowes for a great price for end of year model.
I would only buy Kitchenaid dishwasher I wish I had one here.

Asko stacked washer and dryer and Bosch dishwasher. Both are excellent and have now given years of service.

Do you plan on selling soon? You might ask a realtor for suggestions -- if you plan to leave the appliances when you sell.

Almost all of our appliances date to 2001. I bought the cheapie Frigidaire front load washer & dryer. The washer was about $300. I figured I could replace it twice and still not have spent as much as some of the heavily advertised brands costing over $1000. Indeed, I did replace the washer after three years -- suspect a house-sitter overloaded it. Price was still about $300; I have another $300 "in the bank". The original dryer (gas) is fine. Both washer and dryer are raised on a wooden platform our carpenter built for them.

Our stacked, full size washer/dryer at the condo is a Maytag, also bought 2001. I'm guessing it was one of the last actually built in the USA, so I don't know about the brand's quality today. We replaced the timer on the dryer two years ago.

I have the stacked Fisher & Paykel dishdrawers. With only two of us, I have to remind myself to use the bottom drawer, just to keep it functioning. If you'd need to use both drawers often, I would split them, not stack them. The drawers are also on the short side -- be sure YOUR plates will fit inside. I believe F & P sold to Whirlpool.

If you are planning on not staying too long, I would definitely think about buying used, from craigslist or perhaps even freecycle.

I've been watching our local list for the units for the rental duplex I've been working on, and regularly see machines that are in good condition for less than half the new price.

-Bob

Hi Glenda :)

I haven't heard of some of those brands, but I know I wouldn't use one that has a drawer for clean and dirty dishes.

If I had my say, we would have moved yesterday,lol, can't really say how much longer we will be here.

The dishwasher works well enough to not worry about that, so I guess I need to know only about washers and dryers. They will definitely move with us.

I guess our budget is for middle of the road appliances.

I swear, I don't remember my parents replacing our washer or dryer ever,lol. And we seem to go thru them all the time.

Thanks everyone, I'll do some checking on those brands I'm not familiar with.

Well, I'll be! First I see mimi's name, and now yours! How ARE you?

We have a Maytag washing machine and it has held up well. Remember the old tv commercials of the bored Maytag repairmen having nothing to do??I would suggest if you buy from a major chain store to order it online thru ebates for easy cash back. Did that with Lowes for our fridge and our lawnmower. Lowes will mail you a 10% off movers coupon as well. we used that AND the ebates with no problem. You can sign up for the coupon online and it gets emailed a few days later.

Old uncle's washing machine went for a short stay to a house rented by landlord's young employee that lacked one ... then was stored in the shop, and I thought of making noises about having it returned to the basement ... I'd been using one that I was storing for my kids, that had come out of their Mom's house prior to sale, following her death.

Then ... the landlord bought a cottage something under a couple of hundred miles away ... and it went there. Maybe should charge rental on the one that I'm using while storing ... but can scarcely do that, as I'm getting a good deal on rent. And landlord's a nice guy.

I think that it's a Kenmore, large tub top-loader, suds saver, don't know vintage or model number - it does the job well. I look at it from time to time ... but memory is somewhat lazy?/hazy?

The two dryers (auntie's/uncle's and the kids' Mom's) sit side by side, I use them alternately for a few months ... but hardly ever do. They do the job capably and well.

Only dried a time or two through this (rather long) winter. We were spoiled last year, as we had a week or two of warm weather in March ... long enough to get the apple trees to blossom, then it froze and killed about 80% of the crop. But it was long enough for me to do some washing and hang the clothes on the line.

Sorry - don't remember the names, vintage or model numbers of either ... the kids' one may be a Kenmore, as well.

ole joyful

I can only guess that some ad man came up with the idea you'd use your dishdrawer to *store* your clean dishes, while putting dirty ones in the other drawer. Silly!

I would seriously consider installing a dishwasher. I wouldn't even look at a house that didn't have one. (I'm house hunting now...)

Hey there Gabby!!!! I don't know nuttin' about appliances! You're moving? Where? To Houston?

Or, instead of used, you could take whatever you buy with you. You're not required to leave appliances. As long as whoever is buying the house knows that.

Hi Kat & Bumpkin, we're still in Houston, just know this isn't where I want to retire to! I'm just hoping Lurch could get a transfer in the meantime,lol.

Hi Gabby!! We've used Kenmore washers and dryers for the past 45 years and have found them to be satisfactory for our needs. The set we have now is about 12 years old and there have been no problems. Bettye

I'd go with used and leave them with the house, then buy what you want for the next place. And I'd replace the DW if it needs it--it's going to be a HUGE disadvantage when selling if you have a broken or missing one. Will definitely turn some buyers away.

I needed to replace my range in the old house. Went to the local used appliance store and got a really nice, VERY high-end gas range, INCLUDING the installation and haul-away of the old one--for $325! I couldn't have purchased the cheapest model for that at the local home centers (and then I'd have had to pay a couple of hundred for installation on top of the price) The range I got looked brand new, and frankly had more features than any range I've ever had--hated to leave it behind! but it was a good choice and was a good selling point for the house.

Anyway, I'd go with used for now.

If I was moving I would for sure put in a diswasher...even if it was a cheap model...I always go to Sears for my appliances...I have never gone wrong with a Sears appliance...