What about these?

http://www.homedepot.com/p/GE-4-2-cu-ft-Top-Load-Washer-in-White-GTW460ASJWW/206355399

http://www.homedepot.com/p/GE-7-2-cu-ft-Electric-Dryer-in-White-GTD42EASJWW/206355459

Out of curiosity what is the complete model number of the HE4T your going to replace?

AnnaLea, probably there's something about your usage habits that's leading to early failure of the bearings (too much softener, too little detergent leading to mineral deposits on the bearing seal, too many cold washes, rarely chlorine bleach ... whatever it may be). Friend of mine has an HE3 (no t) that's 12 years old with the original bearings. Only repair is replacement of the pump approx 3 years ago. She fosters rescue dogs, typically has a pack of 23 to 24 residents + fosters, plus several cats and a 32-years-old bird ... so she does tons of critter towels and bedding. Frequently uses chlorine bleach and cold washes are rare. I did the pump replacement, there was NO mold in the pump sump.

The GE dryer might be OK. GE appliances is now owned by a Chinese holding company. Quality of their appliances and their customer service is poor. First thing to consider, do you have local service to repair whatever brand you select? I MO this washer is too small to support your large family. It doesn't have an on board heater like your HE4T so you won't get a true hot wash. I hope you are aware that the water levels used in current washers are much lower than those in your HE4T. I agree you want something simple especially if children help with wash. I would look for a whirlpool or may tag perhaps a scratch and dent or floor model, but not a ge. LG makes most of the Kenmores now. My HE4T lasted about 10 years before a major computer board failed. Good hunting.

@annalea123...

If you are exclusively going to deal with Costco then you are limited to LG and Whirlpool. Either would be fine. I think LG still has water hammer issues so be aware of that.

I still recommend and Electrolux set, the older series 60 or 70 (IQTouch or WaveTouch). Now that they are being fazed out you might find a good deal on them.

I totally recommend a FRONT loader. I wouldn't even consider a top loader.

With a large family like yours, your need a washer with over 4.0 CU.FT. and a dryer 8.0 CU. FT or more.

I would shy away from GE and Samsung.

Thanks for the info, everyone. I really appreciate it. Especially on the size and info about brands.

The bearing failed on my Hettie because it didn't have enough support from the floor. Once we moved into a home with a reinforced tile floor, and then put it on concrete, there have been absolutely zero issues with the bearing.

I have replaced the pump, and otherwise it seems to work fine. I'm just over-the-top frustrated that it's not working at all now, and I can't get anyone to come fix it.

If you're looking for a FL machine, I would stick to Whirlpool / Maytag / Electrolux. LG parts support for a specific model doesn't extend past year 6. Not sure if Samsung follows the same logic. GE has been hit or miss for quite some time.

MRB

BTW, your He4T is/was probably a whirlpool. LG water hammer issue seems to affect mainly older homes. There are water hammer arrestors that mostly solve this problem if you have it.

One of our members here wrote an article recently on how to pick a machine. I found it very helpful, especially the 11 steps at the end. For me service is very important, and we ended up choosing to buy from a local company with excellent service.

Yes, my Hettie was Whirlpool-manufactured.

I really appreciate the continuing input on this thread. I've been researching up a storm this morning, and I'm leaning toward this set from Costco. The price is $2099 right now, which is a killer deal in my area.

http://www.costco.com/LG-Twin-Wash-Ultra-Large-Capacity-Steam%E2%84%A2-4.5CuFt-TurboWash%C2%AE-Washer-wSideKick-Pedestal-Washer-7.4CuFt-ELECTRIC-SteamDryer%E2%84%A2-with-NFC-Tag-On-in-White-%7c-WM4270HWA%2c-DLEX4270W%2c-WD100CW%2c-WDP4W.product.100277449.html

I wasn't going to be wooed by "fancy" features, but after reading about the steam cycle and thinking about the MANY times that one of the kids has gone and put in a load when I really, really needed to wash something, the pedestal washer is looking really good.

mrb6228: If any washer I buy lasts longer than six years, I'll be stunned. I do 3+ loads a day for this horde I'm raising, and really should probably do more wash than that.

My personal preference is Whirlpool; manufactured in the USA. With 6 kids, you'll need a minimum 4.5 washer, not a 4.3 or smaller. A front-loader is more costly up front but saves money, time and energy down the road. You're looking at something that can handle a variety of wash loads, from cold to hot, light soil to God-knows-what. You've gotten the best years out of your current washer and it's time to move on. The newer machines have more options and appear to have fewer problems than some of the older models.

Oh, and we have PEX plumbing, so the possibility of LG water hammer is a non-issue for us. :-)

An excellent choice.

Those are very nice. The sidekick seems like a great idea.

The reviews at abt.com have been super-helpful. I'm going to go with that set, I think. Thank you, everyone!

Anna..what's Lg service like in your area?.

I'm happy for you and wish you the best. Let us know if you do get this set.

I went ahead and did it. I'm looking forward to doing laundry again!

Mamapinky, I'm not sure what LG service is like in my area. I've never had an LG before. Unless you count the screen on my iPhone, which was manufactured by LG.

Might be a good idea if you make sure you can readily get service if needed. Congrats I'm sure you will love your new toys, I mean appliances lol

You've already made your choice, but I just wanted to let you know that I have an LG pair that is roughly 8 yrs old now. I was washing sleeping bags and scouting gear as well as dog towels and blankets, comforters and laundry for 2 boys and DH and I. I just saw the newer, bigger pair on sale in a Costco ad. I couldn't some up with any justification to buy them (the capacity is larger, but the boys are both in college and rarely do laundry here). I wish my last pair had lasted as long -- but these clean better, are easier on clothes and easier to use. I think you will be happy. Hope you still are at least 8 years from now too.

Lascatx..I'd recommend you keep your current washer as long as possible, as I'm sure you know water levels have changed a great deal since you bought yours. Bet yours works great.

My wife and I recently purchased the 3570, which is a small step down from your new 4270. One thing your new 4270 has that the 3570 does not is a dedicated Wool cycle, if that's important to you.

After using a compact, European washer (Asko) for over 11 years there has been a bit of a learning curve to using the LG 3570. We've got ours on the 2nd floor of our townhouse unit, which is probably better suited for a compact FL washer. Your concrete floor should be more suitable for your 4270.

My two most-used cycles are Perm Press and Cotton/Normal. I use Perm Press for most clothing, and Cotton/Normal for towels and durable clothing. The LG 3570 isn't quite as gentle on clothing as the old Asko was. The Cotton/Normal setting caused some visible wear and colour loss on cheaper clothing, especially those with red or magenta dyes. So, Perm Press is the default cycle for clothing. (By comparison, I could use the Heavy Duty cycle on the old Asko without worrying about excessive wear and tear on most clothing.)

I really liked the old Asko - but as I use the new LG more and more, the more I like it. I hope you like yours.

Amen sister, that is all I want too. I have been through three washers in the last 8 years. I want one that:

1. Is going to last the reported 10 year life span that washers are supposed to survive to.

2. One that is not going to cost me more in repairs than it did in original purchase price.

3. One that won't catch on fire.

4. One that won't lock me out....I own you after all.

5. One that thinks about washing the load, and then actually does.

6. One that has really good reviews, AND once in my house it doesn't turn into a lemon.

Jody, honestly I feel that I've met my match when it comes to washers that..let us down LOL. For some reason I can never remember what machine you currently have, maybe you don't talk about it enough Haha

At the present time I have a Whirlpool TL. It is working ok, but has some strange sounds sometimes. The back panel is gray and has already discolored; I have no idea what caused that.

The discoloring could be caused from hot steam.

I'll come back and give you all an update when the machines are installed and running.

asko_buyer, the Wool cycle was actually an important feature, as my husband is an ultra-runner and wears a lot of Ibex merino running shirts. I also knit & spin with a lot of wool.

And, get this: the repair guy has been out twice now. (Hooray!) Both times he fixed something on the dryer, but the stinking washer behaved like a debutante the whole time! Not a single issue! lol/groan

I'm going to make the most of it while it's behaving, and keep towels handy in case it floods . . .

Mamapinky, I wasn't aware of changes in water levels. Back when I bought mine (best I can remember right now it would have been 2008) there were people saying they didn't think their machines were using enough water. I went back and looked and comments seemed to indicate the water level change may have been 2006-7? Have they been reduced further? They do work great -- I've been very happy and noticed a lot of clothes got brighter after we got them. Love the larger capacity (thought they have an even larger one now --- and the boys are in college, so would only use that when washing king comforter), the ease of use and the cycle selection. Actually use the steam from time to time.

Get a top loading Whirlpool washer with High Spin. Thats what saves energy, not running the dryer to get out excess moisture. I switched from GE because I got tired of repairs. Go ask the local parts house which brands/models they dont sell many parts for.

Lascatx, yes I believe water levels in FL'ers are much lower than they were 8 years ago. .many people say their clothes appear wet but there's no visable water at all in the washer. I just bought my first FL'er about a month ago after a long life of TL washers, I was nervous about what I've heard about current day washers water levels, but think I got lucky as I chose a discontinued tier ll Whirlpool Duet, the newer Whirlpool Duets are tier lll which means they use even less water. I don't have a washer full of water of course but other than the Normal cycle I at least have a small lake and apparently its enough because my whites have never been Whiter. But yes current FL'ers use less water than they did 8 years ago.

Mine doesn't show that much water -- certainly not like you'd see in TV shows or movies long before I had one. Is anyone certain whether they actually use less water or whether larger tubs and possibly a greater reserve below in the outer tub (to make them more friendly to stopping and adding items -- something people resisted FLs over) just mean you see less water -- and possibly helping extract water in the spin) means you just see less water? I don't care if I see water at all as long as the stuff gets clean.

Huh Mama, I never thought of stream discoloring the washer. I can't remember if it started discoloring before or after I started adding boiling water to my wash water to soak my husband's work shirts. In any case, the discoloration appears to be here to stay.

Jody, omg..your carrying soup pots of boiling water Haha...I have to say I do not miss that job, but it sure got the job done. Years ago people kept their hot water heaters turned much higher than we do today so when top loaders filled up they filled with anywhere from 140-160F very hot indeed, this made a lot of steam, it also discolored the consoles on many washers.

Re water usage, it's more complicated than just tightening of the regulations over time. Manufacturers were getting tax credits for selling washers that met optional conservation standards. A direct tax credit of $200 per machine was pretty much irresistible, so many if not most washers on the market met the most stringent optional standards. Those standards are now mandatory, as of 2015 I think. Last time I looked, I couldn't find any evidence of new tax credits for meeting even more stringent optional standards.

I'm curious to see how much the Turbo Wash setting increases the water level in my new machine. Also really interested to see how the steam feature works. I <3 my steam mop for floors, and so the idea of steam in a washer is really appealing to me. (Not so sure about the steam in the dryer, though. We'll see . . . )

One aspect of hot water usage is simply letting it run until the hot water arrives at the device. Current salesmanship is pointing to on demand tanks and appliance local supply devices to contain and even recirculate hot water so all that cold volume is not sent down the drain until heat conditions we set are met by the electronics on board these new machines.

I wonder why someone here has not suggested the Speed Queen front loader? Even though expensive, it is likely to last longer than the others. You could buy a lower priced dryer if you don't might having a mismatched set.

Speed Queen lacks an internal heater. It is functionally and feature wise, sub par when compared to the other units. That is why I dont recommend them personally. In addition the reliability record is overrated. In some respects more problems and quality control issues than some of the other brands.

I also will not recommend a machine that lacks an NSF certified cycle to either of the two standards, Allergen or P172. That virtually eliminates the newest models of Whirlpool and Maytag front loaders.

@trickyputt: while the technique of letting the tap run until hot was indeed a good way to get a full, hot wash in older machines, this is now null and void with all but a few machines. Automatic Temperature Control (ATC) devices on new machines will cycle the cold/hot inlet valves based on incoming water temperature to ensure that one does not get a hot wash, even when "hot" is selected -- especially on the "normal" cycle.