@poppy214 - you seem to understand the tier ratings, of which I'm totally ignorant. Which tier offers the highest water levels?

What cycle is the Tier rating based on? If it's Normal, I wouldn't be surprised that the machine gets a higher rating. Eliminating the spin before the final rinse means the machine needs less water to refill the tub - that saves water without lowering fill levels.

I am a long time lurker on this forum and have learned a ton from all you regulars over the last year...I also am looking for a new front loader with the same specs.

The Sears Outlet stores have numerous whirlpool 95s, both like new and reconditioned if that helps but I am not sure where mama pinky lives as far as closeness to Ohio or NY etc.

Thanks to all of your research, I may run to Vorhees, NJ and grab one for me.

Here is the link to the list of places with the 95 in stock. (Hopefully it works)
Sears Outlets

Tier I

Here is a decent candidate from Electrolux for perusal. It is Elux EIFLS60JIW

It has: internal heater, allergen, sanitize, rinse & spin, delicates, heavy duty, spin only, and even a fast wash, 1300 spin speed. Of the 234 reviews there is a 4.6 rating out of 5.

Any comments/owners on this one? It looks equivalent to the Whirlpool and may be less problemmatic in terms of availability. No idea about extended waranty or service, of course.

Didn't see water tier info, however. Anyone here have this machine? Comments?

This may be a very good candidate. (The optional pedestal drawer also looks very useful).

Ty rpsinfoman.

Georgect and Larsi are the Electrolux experts. I think the 60 is the IQ. OK based on specs.

Yes and yes. I'm leaning toward the Whirlpool for all the reasons mentioned above, but am still not ready to take Electrolux out of the running. By all accounts quite reliable, highly varied wash cycles, and more than enough love by past and present owners. George -- please weigh in!

I don't want to push Mama into getting an Electrolux as it doesn't have a Soak cycle, door is spring loaded, bleach is added to the first rinse, if you use the Allergen cycle you automatically get an extra rinse (three). But if you add steam to a cycle it omits the (third) extra rinse (one of two things I don't like, the other is bleach in the first rinse, which I work around by making bleach dispense toward the end of the wash cycle).

Don't get me wrong I love my Elux but Miele seems to be the most versatile but the cost is a tough pill to swallow. I like the Electrolux Professional but not sure of the cost or interior cu ft.

I wish we could find a commercial washer for home use for Mama.

I think MamaP has come to accept Soak won't be necessary given the longer wash times; she did this in Queenie because the washes were so short. She rarely uses LCB and could probably use your modification for flushing it down the tube toward the end of the wash phase. Our MamaP monitors the washes so it's not like she's going to "set it and forget it," so to speak. So that eliminates two concerns. The springloaded door, I'm not sure I fully understand. Does that mean that when you open it, the door swings fully open? This machine is going to be in nearly constant use and with lots of hot washes so I'm not sure drum venting is as much a concern.

This will likely come down to price and personal preference, maybe even aesthetics at this point. Both machines seem quite tailored to her needs.

MamaP - leaning any one direction yet?

In the 60, you press the door and it pops open. The detergent door is similar. Eeyore at Lowe's said it would break in 6 months and I'd have to keep replacing the little plastic latch. The independent dealer we talked to said he hasn't had any problems with the push door latch, but he had only been carrying the line for a year or so. He said the newer ones didn't have the push to open door. The new ones look good and solid, but time will tell.

"Eeyore" is a LIAR! We've all had our Elux's for over six months and don't have detergent drawer failures.

No issues at all with the push to open door.

Lol! Poor guy was like that with everything. Even if it did break the latch is just held on with two screws so looked like an easy fix. They sell the Electrolux at Lowe's and Home Depot, so that may be an option. HD still lists the 60 as available, at least locally, and the local independent dealer had the floor model titanium set on clearance. They were beautiful. You might be able to get a deal on that or the duet. Our Sears outlet has some of the duet 95s as well. After reading all the comments about the features I'm about ready to go out and get the duets. They sound great. But you can't go wrong with either model.

I owned an Electrolux set. Moved out of the house and left them behind after three years of use. No problems. The push to open door was fine. Had an added water feature for the wash but rinses were inadequate in my opinion. Nothing came out soapy but I felt they could have been better. I don't believe the unit would spin between rinses, cant remember. I would purchase again in a heartbeat. I believe it was the 70 series. It did not always reach as high of a final spin as it was supposed to although the load appeared balanced. It had the steam option which I did not use and I had the matching dryer which I absolutely loved. Prior to the Elux I had a whirlpool top of the line front loader and felt that the Elux was better quality. Having said this, I feel both Whirlpool and Elux are very good options.

I have no advice since I've always had top loaders but I am following this thread with great interest!

I will be back to answer questions in awhile but I want to verify that I'm correct..the Whirlpool 95 has allergin and sanitize so that means I can get temps of around 130 and 150 correct???

You have no idea how hard it's proving to find this machine..anyone that does happen to have one won't sell it without buying the matching dryer, they simply won't break up a matched set. Whirlpool says they still have this model on stock but won't sell them as they are for warranty replacement only. I did find one private dealer that found one..new in box...in New Jersey..price is 899.00+ the hoses, ect..ect.. he won't order it unless I buy it...LOL. I'm thinking about this...I just don't know...but some gut feeling keeps telling me the 95 is a Mama machine. I can't tell you how many times I clicked on Roc's link to that machine..allergin and true sanitize ...I like

Am I nuts..have I confused models? LOL

MamaP - ABT also has this model available, and will deliver to PA. Please e-mail Roc, Larsi, or me if you'd like us to help you with Abt. They have very good customer service. We could call and ask them what service would look like for a customer in PA, since their warehouse is in Chicagoland.

You are correct. The allergen cycle is not available on the WP87. 899 isn't a bad price if it means free delivery. I know you're not worried about hauling old Roper away. Get the stainless steel hoses, it's worth the extra money. If you've got cash you might try one of the local people with "I have cash and can take delivery NOW." type deal. Home Depot is out of them?

I have found a very similar (current) model under the Maytag name that has identical features to the 95. Here's the run down.

Maytag MHW 5500 has:

Allergen 131F, Sanitary 150F, PowerWash (profile wash from cool to around 140F). It also has a Bedding cycle, for what it's worth.

It does not have:

a soak option.

So I think we can narrow it down to the discontinued Whirlpool 95 or the current Maytag 55 when considering Whirlpool-made washers.

Is there an equivalent of PowerWash on the Whirlpool? That's an awfully nice feature to have (modified profile wash). Maybe that's Heavy Duty on the Whirlpool?

The Maytag makes no mention of an internal heater that I can find. Please correct me if I am wrong. With no internal heater there is no way to reach the temperatures for Allergen or Sanitize.

Internal Heater is a must-have. Also that is a Tier III machine -- very little water.

I did look at Maytag and they are not equivalent in features to the Whirlpool when you really drill down.

Again, if I am wrong on this please say so. But I don't think those are viable.

Expect it will not be easy to get a 95. But where there's a will... Also again, IME what they say on the phone and what they do with a cash customer standing in front of them are two different things. The odds of doing this successfully on the phone are reduced and makes it harder.

Home Depot has them.. Is there a HD near MamaP?

I suggested Home Depot this morning. I don't know how MamaP feels about the Depot or its proximity to her home. There is one in Johnstown, PA.

If my Duet were to die, I would honestly look for a Maytag Neptune. Replacing the bearings myself wouldn't be bad, and since I know how to properly use a front loader I shouldn't have any issues. I love my Duet, but I loved the original Neptunes even more. It is something cheaper to consider, and it uses quite a bit of water.

I Have a home depot about 40minutes away....they said there are 6 of the 95's comming in June 19'th...2 are all ready sold..and they suspect these will all be sold before reaching the store..price at H.D. is 1,079.00. This model must sell like hot cakes....actually Lowes told me this was there best seller......

rococogirl,

"The Maytag makes no mention of an internal heater that I can find.
Please correct me if I am wrong. With no internal heater there is no way
to reach the temperatures for Allergen or Sanitize."

You're referring to the MHW5500? There's an Extra Hot temp choice. Must be a heater to provide for that.

There is reference to "an internal heater" in the What's Inside description.
MHW5500FW/FC at Maytag.com

Also .... the parts listing includes Heater Assembly P/N W10570145.

Oh Mama, what a fun decision to ponder. I hope everything went well with Speed Queen. I'll tune in later to see the next chapter in this serial.

I really like the Whirlpool 95..it does have a heater..allergin and sanitize. .so 131 &150 something....HD made a mistake, I just called to double check..they can find no info on the computer about any comming in on the 19'th or any other day. This small appliance store that's been in business since I think the 80's can get one..that's it and I've called everywhere. Lol. 899.00+ hoses ect...ohhh..and than there's probably extended warranty fee...I'm thinking here folks. LOL.

..

Did you consider the Abt source Alex Chicago mentioned? I have heard good things about ABT.

http://www.abt.com/product/81862/Whirlpool-Duet-White-Steam-Front-Load-Washer-WFW95HEDW.html

ABT reasonable. No sales tax and only a $78 delivery charge.

Found an e ven better deal..Thank you.

This was an awesome thread. Besides the fact that it helped mamapinky, it also showed how to choose a washer logically based on the needs of the user. You all are great!

This thread also shows how needlessly difficult it is to buy a washing machine today. In reading all the descriptions of the washers across the various applicable brands there is so much gibberish it's difficult to get a grip on what, exactly, someone would be buying.

The brands seem to have taken the valid idea of conserving water and electricity and twisted it into the criteria for selling washers rather than sensibly incorporating needed economies into products that actually are intended to wash clothing well. It's all about the appearance of giving more for less. It makes choosing a product very, very difficult since they are mostly copying each other. The emphasis is not getting something that necessarily performs very well.

Are we Americans really that dumb to accept this? Also, in reading the reviews, I must say I can understand why this is happening. One woman complained she didn't like her washer because there were too many hot cycles.

Additionally, to market products, brands add so many options any sense of quality is lost. Basic facts -- like water temperatures -- aren't easily available. Defining options was needlessly difficult and obtuse.

Also, the idea that I had to go to a retailer's website to get accurate information about products shows how little brands understand customers.

It's true I have a bias towards basic facts nor am I a typical buyer trying to match more features to the lowest price. But this experience makes me understand why people a washer, get it home and hate it.

Take a look at the thread of the lady who wants a stacking washer set, but wants it fast, durable, and she does 90 percent of her loads on 1 cycle. She doesn't want to do research. Good luck with that.

Very well put Roco. Even the manufactures product data touch only on the most basic specifications. There simply is not enough hard technical data to make an informed choice. The biggest gripe is none of the manufactures can conclusively provide accurate water temperatures for a given cycle. They will make it up if they have to, but none can tell with any certainty. Even well received testing agencies like Laundry Reviewed, have stop publishing that data or simply do not test.

Apparently, it's how we, as a population, pick our presidential candidates! I couldn't help myself!!!!!!!!!!!!

What I mean by my comment is the selection of a presidential canditate is so similar to the points that rococogurl and rpsinfoman make about the process and options available to we Americans.

Hey, I'm just glad Mama didn't come knocking on my door to get my WP95. I haven't found a setting for it to sing the National Anthem but it might. I have trouble hearing the end-of-cycle chime, lol. Yes, it runs 131F for Allergen and somewhere around 150F for Sanitize. Steam is optional for other cycles using warm or hot water. Accessing and reading owners manuals helps immensely but Google is my friend.

And moreoseaz will be mamapinky's new guru!! The joys of hot water.

131F is such a good temp for so many things -- especially sheets, which I dare say may be the bulk of MamaP's laundry. She is going to love the Allergen cycle. Plus, high water volume IIRC so as to flush out allergens. All good things.

Did anyone find the manual for this washer? Mama needs reading material to help her imagination. I looked but didn't find anything.

Here is the manual though it's not for that model alone. I think it shares with the 87. Wonder why LOL?

Whirlpool WFW95HED Washer Manual

The 87 shares many common traits with the 95 but doesn't have the allergen cycle. We've all become Whirlpool experts. I was in Lowes this morning and so wanted to correct an ignorant sales assistant. But.....

@ Dadoes....WTF? lol What machine is this and WHY?

I really like the fireworks at the end of the national anthem! ETA, then I watched the rest and like all the fireworks. Are these songs all national anthems? Like S. Korea's, China's?

Fisher & Paykel. It's a hidden easter egg the engineers coded for fun in Demo Mode. Demo Mode makes the panel lights flash to attract attention to a store display, and allows setting cycles/options but the machine can't be started (for safety purposes). The songs that play and how to access depends on the model/series of machine. US, NZ, and Aus anthems on the one I have. A particular early-series model supposedly plays Axel F (Beverly Hills Cop). The "fireworks" (flashing lights) are coincidental per the elapsed time since a button was pressed.

Some DishDrawer models also play music, the coding was removed from newer models to allow for more operational functions.

And we wonder why appliances are so weird. People who design them obviously don't pay for them or use them -- except for fun.

Bumping this up because I am now confused.

I was set on the 95 till I saw it discontinued.

My wants are the heater, allergen and sanitize. I think from reading I don't want tier 3 because of low water? I have a husband allergic to dust mites and two young kids who make a mess of their school uniform shirts! nice to have would be the rinse cycle and the load and go.

The 87 model mentioned above is on sale at HD by me. I could just go with that, but is there something better with enough water that replaced the 95?

one other question I dont' see the 87 model listed on this site. should I worry about that? NSF

thank you - and I can start another thread if that is better. :)

oh and I do not want an LG, that is pretty much my only requirement. I have an LG set now and am not sad that we are leaving it behind when we move in a couple of weeks :)