4.9 cu ft top loader vs 4.3-4.5 front loader on hot water usage?
M J
8 years ago
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whirlpool_trainee
8 years agomamapinky0
8 years agoRelated Discussions
Is it a mistake to get a top loader?
Comments (52)I'm really hesitant to step between the gunfire on frontload vs topload but after reading the last couple posts, a couple things come to mind. I have no real experience using a frontloader but am considering one to replace my 29 year old toploader if and when the time comes it needs replacement. Now as far as cleaning efficiency being the same, I'm not sure I'd agree. "Efficiency" would take in a number of criteria and not to get overly longwinded on it suffice to say that the efficiency of the tumble action seems to be better, and certainly a heater to bring up the water temp to help clean whites is a demonstrated advantage and using less electricity and water are undoubtedly advantageous and certainly leans toward saying that many FLs are more efficient than TLs. I'm a bit hesitant on a frontload when it comes to cleaning pet hair given the probable advantage of the deep rinse, however there's a lot of FL owners who have pets, so it probably is more hype than reality, just as the claim of topload agitator machines being so hard on clothes. Fer cryin out loud, I have clothes I've been washing for over 20 years that are still in serviceable shape and I don't believe a frontloader would make them last longer so that "clothes shredding" contention is dubious to me, and not the case here. Will I recoup costs on water and electrical savings by buying a FL instead of a TL? I doubt it. But I think that the heater and faster spin speeds would be nice features to have available for certain applications. Will I buy a front loader? I don't know. The price is a factor. The longer cycle times on a FL are a concern, but not a big one since I don't do that much laundry. After all, I generally wait until the load is dry before putting in another washload anyway so I'm thinking that might not be a real concern. Another factor is the ease of loading and unloading a top loader. My physical problems would require a rather high pedestal for a FL or use a TL. I decided against the TL dryer based on cost and went with a homemade pedestal to raise the dryer for ease of loading and unloading. So, was I a betting man, I'd say the odds are 60/40 in favor of me going with another topload machine (which could include a Fisher & Paykel, Harmony or Cabrio) but I'm intrigued by the possibility of a FL. So in the end, there's pros and cons to each style. There's radical views on each side with near-hysterical claims that need to be sorted out. Each person and their need is different and contrary to what some claim, both styles will clean my clothes just fine. I need to decide what's the best value for me and give me the features I need most. There's nothing wrong with getting what you're comfortable with and what you want, as long as you can afford it....See MoreThoughts on Maytag 4.3 FL or other FL?
Comments (42)Here is my suggestion and I will explain why based upon your husband's socks. Get this Maytag at Lowes Maytag Maxima 5500 You are "negative" about Allergen and Sanitary because you don't have health concerns. Hot water is what cleans clothes. The Allergen cycle is P351 NSF and it is required to reach a temperature around 130 degrees. HE top loaders still have dumbed down temperatures (even with steam) because of the volume of water., My Duet has a prewash cycle and I've never used it, even for my heavily soiled kitchen towels. If I were doing your husband's socks with the suggested machine, I would use Tide HE with bleach powder; Power Wash cycle with extra hot temperature selected and steam for stains. If you feel you must do a prewash, just select rinse & spin and let the "rinse" be a prewash with detergent. Other selection might be Allergen with steam for stains and in both instances heavy soil level. Dumbed down temperatures don't get things adequately clean (Hello MamaP), especially heavy soil. Dirty heavy soils, select extra hot and steam for stains. My duet has cycles machines don't have now days because it's a 2011 model. I don't use a cycle based upon what it's intended garment description says. I select the cycle because it give me the tumble speed I want, ste4am for stains and hotter temeratures. I don't use the "Normal" cycle because that the energy star certified cycle--translates to even lower water temps than in the other cycles as well as reduced water amounts per fill....See MoreFront load vs top load washers
Comments (13)Here’s Why I will never go back to TL washer again! it’s been awhile since I’ve had to use a TL and my recent usage only emphasizes the difference from FL washers. I used to have a mid-1980s heavy duty large capacity TL washer by Kenmore, which is the same that my sister has. I’ve been here for almost 2 months helping her while she’s undergoing cancer treatments, so lots of laundry. I didn’t remember how little the TL capability was, even though the dimensions of both type of machines are 27” wide, almost 3.8 cubic ft. The TL Kenmore probably is maxed out at 10.0 lbs - adding more laundry and it’s incapable to thoroughly clean it and rips them up. It uses about 50 gallons of water per load (25 gal wash, 25 gal rinse) but if you’re like my sister and need to do a 2nd-rinse to ensure detergent residue is gone then it uses about 75 gallons per load of 10.0 lbs laundry, which really isn’t that much - about 8 large bath towels (30” x 60”), or 3 queen-size bed sheets (2 loose, 1 fitted) with 2 pillow cases. For bulky items, it’s even more restricted. I could only fit a light full-sized comforter. I currently have a 2009 Bosch Nexxt 500 plus and its’ capacity is also 3.8 cu ft. It is rated at 8kg, so just under 18 lbs. It uses 13.5 gallons of water per load (4.5 gal wash, 4.5 gal 1st rinse, 4.5 gal 2nd rinse). I’ll do a 3rd-rinse so that brings the total to 18 gallons of water per load of 18 lbs of laundry. 18 lbs laundry is about 15 large bath towels, or 3 queen-sized bed sheet sets (3 loose, 3 fitted, 6 pillow cases). WATER USED (for 18lbs of laundry): TL - 150 gallons = 75 gallons per load x 2 FL - 18 gallons DETERGENT USED: TL - 250 ml for 18 lbs of laundry (125 mL per 10 lbs load) FL - 22.5 ml per 18 lbs load TIME USED: TL - 220+ minutes to do same 18 lb load; 110+ minutes for full wash cycle and additional 2nd rinse that requires user to be there to reset machine for the added rinse x 2 FL - 110 minutes for full wash cycle and additional 3rd rinse that can be programmed at start of wash In my instance, my FL will use 1/8 water; 1/11 detergent; 1/2 time...See MoreAnyone buy a new front loader washer lately?
Comments (57)I forgot that one of my favorite things about the Electrolux dryer (although you say you didn't get the dryer) is the lint trap. The mesh is so fine, the design is quite efficient, so I feel pretty confident that not much lint is escaping into the vent. My old set didn't filter as well; the filter didn't sit snugly into its slot, so I could see build up down in the machine that I couldn't even get out with a vacuum....See Moregeorgect
8 years agolarsi_gw
8 years agoM J
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8 years agoM J
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