top-load vs front-load

[stateofmind]

We are going to replace our 7 year old LG front-load and wondering if anybody has bought a new high-end washer lately. We are looking at LG, Kenmore Elite, made by LG, Whirpool Duet and Samsung. Sears recommends Kenmore, surprise. Lowe's recommends Samsung. I want the best at cleaning work out clothes and won't smell musty when wet, (problem with front-loads of the past)

 

[Wesley]

We are going to replace our 7 year old LG front-load and wondering if anybody has bought a new high-end washer lately. We are looking at LG, Kenmore Elite, made by LG, Whirpool Duet and Samsung. Sears recommends Kenmore, surprise. Lowe's recommends Samsung. I want the best at cleaning work out clothes and won't smell musty when wet, (problem with front-loads of the past)

Use Oxi Clean or HE soap with Oxyclean or add Dirty Job.

 

[jsb]

I've heard some bad tings about front loaders.

I just got a Kenmore Elite HE top loader this fall and so far love it. I am waiting for my dryer to break so I can get the matching drier.

According to Sears, LG and Kenmore are made by the same people. Reading your post again, I guess you knew this

I ended up going with Kenmore just because I felt like it might be easier to find people to fix it when the time comes. The only cocern I had with it was that it is all 'electric' and those types of things tend to break easier.

My mom got a new washer a few years ago and she specifically didn't want HE because of farm clothes and a little leary about them not getting clean in a HE. She ended up with a Speed Queen which was an old brand when she was young that they started making again, apparently it is made in the U.S. which was a plus for her. She really likes it as well.

 

[ISUME]

I was hoping this was a Nintendo thread.

View attachment 18810

 

[stateofmind]

Whirlpool is made in Ohio, so that is cool. The one Samsung is $1499 for each piece. A bit crazy to spend almost 3 grand on this.

 

[Gunnerclone]

We're top-loaders. Love our Fischer-Paykel.

 

[00clone]

I had a top load, got a front load.

I like about the front load: The dryer doesn't take twice as long as the washer. With a top load, when I was trying to crank out laundry, it ****** me off to have laundry sitting there waiting for the dryer. Now...admittedly, the washer just takes longer, the dryer's not faster, but at least they're matched.

I don't like about the front load: You know how you inevitably find one more piece of laundry after you think you got everything? With a front load, you can't just throw it in.

All things being equal (price, etc.), I'd take a top load washer and a kick arse dryer if given the choice again.

 

[Angie]

The big thing to me is that front-load washers seem prone to mold, so your clothes start stinking sometimes.

Washer Mold Issues With Front Load Washers

 

[bugs4cy]

We've had a front load for 13 years. We're on our second set, as theFrigidare dryer gave out after ~10 years. Couldn't buy another that would stack on the pre-existing washer. Because of the arrangement in this house, we had to get another stacked/front load. We went with Maytag this time. Because of size-constraints where the unit sits, it was the only choice.

I've heard horror stories about the smell - we've never had an issue, with either set. But, we leave the door open when not in use and run one of the washer-tab-things through a couple times a year.

--When we bought the first set set, Neptune ruled the world. I asked a repairman if he had to do much service on them. He said that in the stop they call it 'Old Stinky'.

My Mom bought a top load about a year ago. She's in her 80's - change is not always welcome... When I'm home and do a load for her I find the clothes to be much, much wetter than the clothes that come out of our front load. The washer has no center spindle (plunger?) and she says that he doesn't think it gets clothes as clean. I'm not there enough, so I have no opinion.

 

[fatkid1974]

My mom puts newspapers in her front loader when not in use and doesn't have any smell problems. I've had mine for about 5 years and the only problem I had was replacing the door latch because the door eventually begins to sag and with all the slamming it broke.

 

[acoustimac]

I switched to front load and love it. No smell issues as posted above you are supposed to leave the door open when t in use. I leave it open about 2-3 inches and nary a problem over the three years I've had it. It cleans clothes better and the most important part...a front load is gentler on clothing than a top load. Doesn't wear your clothes out as fast.

 

[yler4cy]

FYI - Electrolux makes the LG and Kenmore.

 

[CyTom]

We went Samsung when we bought our new house this past April, top loader. Had maytags in the old house, top loader as well. Both performed flawlessly thus far.

 

[JP4CY]

FYI - Electrolux makes the LG and Kenmore.

I was a production manager once for Electrolux.
No LG's were made on the dryer line.
I do know that under my watch we made:
Electrolux
Kenmore
Frigidaire
Gibson
White Westinghouse

edit: A big misconception people also have is that there is a "Kenmore factory." Kenmore is just a farmed out, in house brand for Sears. Kenmore always has a sister appliance that is 95% identical to one you may find at HD, Lowes, etc.

 

[DistrictCyclone]

WTF are all you guys talking about?

 

[Cyvilian]

I've been told that if your clothes get dirty--e.g. kids, farm work, etc., the top load HEs won't do a great job of cleaning. We're still on the old fashioned top load type until they break.

 

[besserheimerphat]

We've had different front-loads for a couple of years. I'm not tall (only 5'8") but I hate having to bend over to load the things. Even if they were on stands, that only gets them another 8" off the floor which isn't enough to keep from having to bend over and crawl halfway in to get items stuck in the back. If I could mount them so the doors were chest high, I'd love them. But with all the other advantages of a front-load HE washer, I guess I'll keep bending over to change laundry.

As as others said, keep the doors to the washer open a bit and occasionally run some washing machine cleaner through it and it won't smell.

 

[aeroclone]

Can always count on CF. I am starting to look for a new washer myself. Was leaning toward front lead. Since Electrolux makes the LG and the Kenmore, should I expect the same quality from each?

 

[Jambalaya]

We are going to replace our 7 year old LG front-load and wondering if anybody has bought a new high-end washer lately. We are looking at LG, Kenmore Elite, made by LG, Whirpool Duet and Samsung. Sears recommends Kenmore, surprise. Lowe's recommends Samsung. I want the best at cleaning work out clothes and won't smell musty when wet, (problem with front-loads of the past)

Front load? I have heard water/moisture hangs around inside around the tub and it'll smell moldy/musty/rank.

We bought a top load without the traditional agitator. Works great, holds a hellova lot more (comforters, etc.) uses much less water and detergent

 

[Scott34]

Front load? I have heard water/moisture hangs around inside around the tub and it'll smell moldy/musty/rank.

We bought a top load without the traditional agitator. Works great, holds a hellova lot more (comforters, etc.) uses much less water and detergent

This becomes a problem if you leave the door closed. If you leave the door closed, the seals on the doors can go to crap, they can mold and you clothes can even smell musty like stated above. One of the big things you need to remember if you have a front load is leave the door open. That lets the moisture out and the seals on the door can also dry properly.