Some help please in purchasing a new Washer/Dryer

[Desire]

I know there was some discussion a few years ago on new washing machines, but since models and prices have changed so much I'd like to get some opinions.  Our washer/dryer set is 15 years old, still looks decent but I know they are on the way out and I'd like to purchase a new set before this completely breaks down.  This set has dials, no electronic push-buttons and I'd like to stick with dials.  There are a lot of Labor Day sales going on now and this set would cost more to repair than buy new.

Currently, the washing machine won't drain on gentle/delicate cycle so we need to use the regular cycle or the power-wash cycle for everything we wash.  Those are a bit too fast for delicates and things come out too wound up.  The dryer already had the belt replaced several years ago, but lately it screeches when it's first turned on and the dial to turn the dryer on is way-off.  The dryer will turn itself on as soon as you turn the setting choice dial, without even turning the "on" dial.  I need to hold the "on" dial in the off position manually while I select the dryer cycle.  I fear now it's a fire hazard, that it might turn itself on or not stop and continue to dry and dry.  The set is in the laundry room in the basement so I can't hear the buzzer when done.

All I want is a larger size drum in the washer, a top loading agitator, and a lid that will not lock once the machine starts.  I need the water to continue filling and not shut off with the lid open as it fills, so I can pre-treat, rinse out the soap cup, rinse my hands of soap, etc. while the machine is filling.  I don't care about a detergent soap dispenser cup, I like to add my own detergent directly to the clothes, and don't want the machine to sense and pre-select the water level, I can decide how many clothes are in there and select the fill level myself.  Those seem to be the most complaints of other reviewers also, many complaints of the water not filling up enough, dry patches on the clothes with the auto water pre-set level.

Everything I'm looking at has locking lids and pre-determined water levels, a few basic models didn't, but they were much smaller sized tubs in the washing machines.  If I could repurchase my exact machine, brand new I would be happy.  I start out reading and comparing and then just lose it and can't concentrate on it any longer as I don't know what brand I even want, let alone the model numbers in each brand to compare.  Just tooo much information to absorb.  Are there any brands to avoid?  Has anyone been able to purchase an extra-large size tub without all the bells and whistles on it?  Thanks for any advice.

[staytuned]

You'd have to either find the issue or become a member to access full article with ratings, but here's a Consumer Reports article to ponder:

www.consumerreports.org/appliances/washing-machines/buying-guide/

[denise15601]

My dryer broke after 7 years and luckily, I have an American Home Shield warranty. So I only had to pay $115 for a $700 dryer.

The appliance repair guy who checked it out told me to never buy GE since they break constantly. He said to stick to Maytag or Whirlpool.

If you have the Home Shield warranty, if they can't fix it since it is too old or the parts are out of stock, they will replace it. (hint hint)

My 7-year-old dryer had a start knob that broke so the whole instrument panel had to be replaced But a panel costs $680!!!! So that is why they gave me a new one.

I could have gotten at GE completely free, but instead, I opted to pay $115 for a Whirlpool. I am thrilled.

[chapeaunoir]

I can't say enough good about the Speed Queen Commercial Heavy Duty that we have - we got it several years ago and it's fast, quiet and does a great job, and is made in the USA. Our dryer is 25 years old (KitchenAid) so that probably won't help.

[denise15601]

Speed Queens are really expensive...and so are Kitchenaids. But they both are the top of the line. My Kitchenaid dishwasher lasted for 25 years.
I can't afford one now.

My washer is a Kenmore and I have always gotten those since the tubs are so big. That will probably be the next thing to go since it is about 20 years old.

[pyrexandpearls]

I have a 5 year old Speed Queen and I LOVE it. BUT, I am pretty sure the lids lock on the newer models. Mine doesn't lock but the water stream stops when you open the lid. It works great but you do have to be careful with the soap amount. I think the agitator really suds up the detergent, even if you use HE. I think you're looking at $1300 at least - they have really went up. (Mine was about $900 when I bought it in 2017.)

It is extremely hard to find a machine that used an entire tub or water to wash and an entire tub of water to rinse. TBH, I highly doubt you are going to find a machine on the market today where the water keeps flowing once the lid opens. It is the one thing I wish I could change with my Speed Queen.

My 5 year old Kenmore dryer just broke. Nothing lasts anymore and it sucks. When we bought our fridge we were told to expect 5 to 7 years max lifespan. Our 6 month old Frigidaire stove just had to have a repair. Last year we replaced a 5 year old GE dishwasher as well. We bought an expensive Kitchenaid dishwasher and it was over 1K - the installation crew said they'd expect 2-3 years out of it. WHAT??? Apparently if your dishwasher isn't right beside your sink the pump works much harder.

[labbypaws]

I think the new law is that the washer has to lock after starting. Perhaps with the 2018 models. We lucked out and got a 2017 speed Queen set. The new water saving standards also went into effect in 2018. There is a trick to get the washer to fill higher than the setting but I don’t know what it is.

All our stuff has digital controls so we unplug both when it looks like bad weather.

[pyrexandpearls]

Aug 29, 2022 0:46:10 GMT labbypaws said:

I think the new law is that the washer has to lock after starting. Perhaps with the 2018 models. We lucked out and got a 2017 speed Queen set. The new water saving standards also went into effect in 2018. There is a trick to get the washer to fill higher than the setting but I don’t know what it is.

All our stuff has digital controls so we unplug both when it looks like bad weather.

This would make sense as mine is also a 2017. Kicking myself for not buying the Speed Queen dryer. 

[denise15601]

I never really read the instructions with my washer. The lid does lock, but I can unlock it and then the cycle starts all over again.

I had problems with not enough water in the tub, and then I finally read the manual. The "bulky" setting puts the max amount of water in the tub.

So I use that all of the time now since I just need one washer load every weekend for my stuff.

[Emerald_Door]

Here's a very helpful video with recommendations by an appliance repairman.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=cRgbfxJ8MTQ

[denise15601]

The pull-down door is what I also like on my dryer. My former one had the sideways swing one. So instead of my items going onto the floor when I try to put it into the dryer, it just falls on the lid.

[jesmelric]

I would recommend against GE. I have used GE for YEARS and a few years ago I bought a GE washer and it was just over 1 year old (just out of warranty)and the motor for the spin cycle pump went out. I had a guy come out and replace it ($150) and he said a Chinese company bought GE a few years back and the quality had gone downhill ever since. Less than six months later the stupid pump motor was going out again! I didn't want to have $300 in repairs for a $700 machine that was less than 2 years old.

I wanted a large capacity machine and it was hard to find in 2020 but I got a Samsung (impellers rather than agitators will give you the biggest drum) and knock on wood no problems. It does lock but you just press pause, do what you need then hit start again.

[chapeaunoir]

Our Speed Queen doesn't have the locking lid, but the water does turn off when I open the lid - that's fine with me, I just want to be able to open it if I see a sock I missed on the floor or suddenly have a few more items.  The salesman who showed us the washer said that was a feature he wished he had on his washer - "I'm always forgetting stuff".  

For the water saving, the model we have has an 'extra fill' where you can run an extra rinse cycle if you need to. I usually don't unless I fill the tub or am washing quits, down, etc. - I use washing powder and a little goes a long way, so there's not a lot of soap circulating around. No digital readout, though - I specified analog. 

Ours was about $1250 - that included tax, though (about $125) - we purchased in 2020 from a local small appliance chain - same place the DH had purchased his first washer/dryer 25-30 years ago.