Front Loader type washing machine

[tom p.]

washer next to old dryer:

The Whirlpool machines tend to be deeper, but narrower when compared to standard equipment. The video that comes with the machine shows the stacked setup....pretty darn sexy :werd: :grinno:

 

[Accumulator]

The sanitary cycle on our machine gets the water very hot -- machine has an in-line heater to boost temps to an ideal range. I've never used it, but it's supposed to do a superior job on diapers, etc.[/SIZE]

That sanitary cycle works great on MFs and all sorts of things. We use it all the time :xyxthumbs

 

[JasonD]

Tom or Accumulator,



Can either of you guys give me a measurement from the wall to the very front of your machine, please? I'm going to swing by my house and measure the closet they are going to be installed in, and make sure they will fit with no problem.

 

[tom p.]

I can check this evening. I think it's around 32"...it's about 5" more than a standard washer/dryer.

 

[tom p.]

http://duet.whirlpool.com/pdf/install.pdf

 

[chml17l]

You should also consider energy usage when comparing brands/models. There is quite a spread among many of the different manufacturers based on capacity when you compare estimated kWh/yr and annual water usage (gallons/yr).



See the link for Residential Clothes Washers Product List--

Clothes Washers : ENERGY STAR

 

[JasonD]

tom,



Great link, thanks!

 

[94BlkStang]

You should also consider energy usage when comparing brands/models. There is quite a spread among many of the different manufacturers based on capacity when you compare estimated kWh/yr and annual water usage (gallons/yr).



See the link for Residential Clothes Washers Product List--

Clothes Washers : ENERGY STAR

Yep, that's the main reason I went to a front loader as they had some great incentives ($150.00 energy rebate and a $100.00 tax credit). The nice thing about most, if not all of the front loaders is they have a water sensor that adjust the water used to the size of the load and it extract an enormous amount of water out compared to the top loaders (especially older top loaders) so that the drying time is reduced, thus less enrgy on the dryer also.

 

[Accumulator]

I had different motivations- I wanted a washer that'd get things clean with the least wear and tear. I still think my old agitator-style washer from the late '80s cleans at least as well as the Duet, but it beats stuff up more.



For really *nasty*-dirty stuff, IMO the agitator style probably works better...not that I've been running really awful loads through the new Duet so it's just a guess.

 

[tom p.]

 

[Deenice21]

Tom P.- Heh heh, with all the laundry we do around here (~ three loads/day minimum not counting garage stuff) it doesn't strike *me* as weird to discuss this stuff at all



I'll keep that in mind about the Duet dryer if our Kenmore goes belly-up.



Forget the model of washer we got..[runs to check]..OK, receipt says it's a 9400 too but it sure looks different from yours :nixweiss Must just be a model-year/cosmetic difference.

fat chance. my mom has had a kenmore wash/dryer since 1992 . them things are still kicking. Kenmore stuff is pretty good(we have vacume, fridge wash/dryer ,in wall oven) only one problem i know about . my mother-in law just got a kenmore elite fridge(my mom has what looks like the same but not elite) and the ice maker doesnt dispense and they picked it up a week later and dropped of a new one

keep in mind

(not sure if since it was brand new ,two weeks old, why they had no problem giving her a new fridge, but i have no other experience with stuff breaking from kenmore)

 

[Accumulator]

fat chance ..[of the Kenmore dryer dying]... my mom has had a kenmore wash/dryer since 1992 . them things are still kicking...

Yeah, that's what I'm counting on. The washer/dryer in my shop are old Kenmores from my first houses, the washer from early '90s like your mom's and the dryer is from *1987* Sure getting my money's worth out of that pair! Oddly enough the 1987 washer had all sorts of problems (all covered by warranty); I replaced it with an identical one after a few years (feeling foolish when I did it) and the replacement has been great.

 

[RCBuddha]

Keep the recommendations coming guys, I'm currently in the market for a new washer/dryer.



OT: My parents have had their Maytags since the 70's (I think). Still running strong!

 

[AL-53]

I love my front loader....I had a Speed Queen commerical bfore this one and I had it for 20+ years..it still worked fine ..I was going to keep it to just do towels and stuff..but after using the front loader for them it was final..its gone..I gave my old washer to a friend for his camp.....



When I got my front loader and used it the first time I thought it was broke....I seen hardly any water in the tub...I called a friend who had the same model LG and he said thats they way it is...lol....I use the sanitizer mode for MF towels....it like night and day how they come out....I use the double rinse for towels and with out any vinegar and seen no difference than when I did use it....I just use Tide or Wisk free soap for front loaders....and if they are Grunge towels I spray the soiled areas with LA Awesome APC and wash ..comes out near spotless....nice APC for 1.00 a bottle at the dollar store



So which ever brand you get...i am sure you will be very happy with it....its a big step forward from the top loaders.....



AL

 

[kompressornsc]

I have Maytag Neptunes. Eh, they're ok. Had the wax motor / circuit board issue and fixed it myself w/ a $36 part from E-Bay ($450 for a tech to do it). Of course have the mold on the door seal issue (missed the class action suit on that one). I probably wouldn't buy Neptune's again.

 

[twitch]

Good luck with your rebuilding JDookie! I hope it is going well...



I bought the Duet duo late '03 and have not had any problems with them at all. Mine look exactly like Tom P.'s except that I didn't get the washer with the extra cycle options. I was a bachelor on a budget and didn't think it was worth it



One caution about the front loading washer, which is certainly not a deal breaker, is that the door should be left opened or cracked to allow the interior to dry when not in use. This was weird for me at first but I eventually got used (<-- read as OVER) to it.



Tom P. and Accumulator do you find it better to leave your door open so the washer dries out?



I also found this on Whirlpool's website which I didn't know existed but it will certainly be useful:



Duet Washer Monthly Maintenance Procedure - special cycle stored within the machine’s programming



:2thumbs:

 

[Accumulator]

Accumulator do you find it better to leave your door open so the washer dries out?

Yeah, I do leave the door open and IMO it's a good idea. I leave the lid up on the old-style washer too.



Good tip about the extra cycle for the older models. Mine has it as regular cycle option.