"....after 20 minutes of drying and the clothes felt damp and cold." Well, I'd call that a clue. Have little doubt LG service will have it corrected quickly. "...the loads I'm drying now are bigger, since the washer--and I thought dryer--can take it." Yes, they can. Once the tech has that dryer set right, I think you'll be very satisfied with the performance. Just one caveat.....don't neglect to check that dryer vent once in while regardless of this particular event.. Making sure it's clear and free-flowing should be part of regular maintenance. (I do mine once a year.) If fixing the machine involves moving it away from the connection, I'd certainly take the opportunity to check and verify. Even partially obstructed vents lower efficiency and cost you more. Seriously obstructed ones are dangerous.

I had inadvertently posted this in "Appliance". Thought this would be better served for the "Laundry" folks: OK, top load v. front load. Here's my story. I had the infamous Maytag Neptune W/D front load (tip: if someone tries to sell you a "NEPTUNE" ... run). I had it for 11yrs, going through all the smelly troubleshooting. This past October, I couldn't stand it anymore and started doing my research. My research found: ALL front loaders will exhibit the mildew smell if 1) you don't clean the gasket 2) don't prop the door open 3) use a "sanitizer". I'm all about conserving water and energy and usually wouldn't look twice at a top loader. I was seriously drooling over the new Samsungs ... until I happened upon the new LG top loaders. I found that this new top loader uses about or less than the amount of water that the front loaders use. It also has a great Waveforce technology that doesn't use a "clothes damaging" agitator as the normal top loaders use. I was going to pay the same for a front loader, but didn't want the inconvenience of fighting the mildew. I went for the LG WT5101H (matching dryer) ... and GAVE away the (still working) Neptune set to a womens shelter (and full 'mildew-be-gone' written instructions). Now we've had this for little less than a month. There is no front loader that can handle the loads I can do, using the same amount of water. As previously posted, it also has the Sanitary hot water heater up to 158degrees (that the pricier front loaders have). I also followed many Appliance forums (washer repair specific) and the new GE Profiles, Maytag Bravo's and Kenmore's are on the top of the repair list. I saw nothing for LG top loaders. There is a HUGE 10yr direct drive motor warranty ... that's a big deal. So, yea, here's a vote for this top loader. I won't buy into the overhyped marketing of front loaders too much; although I will agree that they do clean well (not better) and save water. I do not agree that I need to do daily "mildew maintenance" instead of quarterly cleaning. ...and as of today, I just saw Best Buy selling these for 699.00 Here is a link that might be useful: LG WT5101HW Washer

Mike, Yes, you can add water to a regular cycle, and then add even more if you want to (great for bulky items). I don't know how much it adds; the manual doesn't say, but next time I do it, I'll watch and get back to you. Good suggestion with the surge protector. I'll mention it to my DH. We've had issues with our old electronic Kenmore and error codes. Usually, when there's a lighting storm, I unplug my W/D (advice from the Sears guy from years past).

Considering that it's only my wife and I and we don't do that many washing loads, we're very satisfied so far that the LG will meet our needs and expectations (won't know how it holds up until later). With the different cycles available and the ability to modify them to a reasonable extent, we can always pretty much match water level to something that works well on any load we would wash. On the cycles that have a high default fill we will just add enough clothes to match. No more loads than we do, the water usage is not that important to us, and we prefer the choice of using a cycle (and/or the water plus selection) that will use enough water for great results, but use very little water when it's appropriate. On the water temps, we're perfectly satisfied as well. Machine cold (not tap cold which is about 62 deg right now) 80-82 deg is fine, well above detergent performance level. Warm around 102 deg tested after fill with clothes) is fine also, and having 120-124 deg hot water available on hot without using the heater (still haven't tested on sanitize or bright whites with heater available) seems unexpectedly good on an HE washer with a hot water heater setting of 135 deg. Don't know what the future holds, but everything considered, at this point we couldn't be more pleased with both washer and dryer (particularly after reading many HE experiences folks have had). It definitely pays to learn the 'ways of operation' of your particular machine. I'm not sure though, after observing a few wash cycles, our washer even knows what it's doing half the time... but it seems to work out well. Thanks... Quinn