Need a new clothes washer - does anyone make durable appliances anymore?

We had a Fisher Paykal for many years. Finally started to die. Got a Samsung at a local scratch and dent store. So far so good.
I don't trust front loaders.
 
The hard part is to find a washer that actually cleans the clothes. The Whirlpool family lasts me 3 to 5 years. the Speed Queen lasts 10 years. I won't fix a 5 or ten year old machine. The new Speed Queen with out an agitator does a poor job of cleaning really soiled clothing. The cost of the machine over its life isn't that much. A $1000.00 Washer over ten years is $100.00 per year. for the work it does for $100.00 per year is quite the value.
 
Ran the old electric dryer until the groan got to be unbearable, Plastic parts were broken and it hadn't been cleaned for 2 yrs. New GE is whisper quiet and has 3 mechanical controls Timer, temp and start. IIRC, wife got it from Lowes. Washer is a front loading Whirlpool, 2 yrs old and trouble free so far. Dryers haven't changed much since the '50s They all use the same parts. :cool:
 
JeffKeryk said:
We had a Fisher Paykal for many years. Finally started to die. Got a Samsung at a local scratch and dent store. So far so good.
I don't trust front loaders.
Click to expand...
After living with Mieles for 20 years I wouldn't have another top loader.
 
My Samsung washer and dryer have been going strong for my family of 5 for 6 years now. The belt idler died an infant death about a week after purchase and no problems since.

I think a lot of people don't clean them and it causes problems.
 
As long as I can get parts I’ll be running my old whirlpool direct drive from the mid 2000s. They were the last reliable and effective washer made IMO. I can fill it right up and the agitator beats the clothes clean. Modern designs just don’t wash nearly as well. How could they when they only use a thimble of water? Don’t even get me started on front loads.
 
https://www.staber.com/

These guys make one heck of a machine. It's not cheap, but well designed. It's a top loader, with the internals being like a front loader. They are not totally bulletproof, but they are designed to be user repairable.
These machines are so tough, they use them on cruise ships, and some are used in coin op laundries...now that's tough service.

We had one for about ten years before we had an issue. The tub bearings got rough and a bit noisy. Took me about 2 hours to replace them, but it was good as new after that.

Also, MADE IN USA! (Ohio in fact)

Oh yeah, and if you want to save on your water bill this machine is perfect. They use them on ships for that reason.
 
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I bought a GE set from Home Depot a few months ago, I'm happy with it. Top loader, lets you adjust the water level, has an agitator and the lid doesn't lock until the rinse cycle so you can add clothes after it starts. Price was right and it cleans well. I'm not spending $2k plus on a washer and dryer. This set was less than $1400 including delivery and tax.
 
speed queen.
Hopefully, at the end of 2022 I plan to replace my 6yr old samsung HE front loads with a speed queen set. I have never liked the way the front load cleans, even with the water level turned all the way up.
 
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Your first choice is in a container on a ship off the coast of Calif. So you settle for what they have locally or in warehouse.

I would certainly read through Consumer Reports.

Front loaders have their issues, but use less water and get clothes cleaner and less damage to clothes (no agitator).

I am done with pedestals. They just amplify the vibration and provide some storage space we don't use.
 
Tdbo said:
They are all junk.
I have heard that from the last three repair people that I have talked with.
I say that as I will have to be home between 12-3 today to await a repair person to deal with my six year old Whirlpool upright freezer that decided to shut down last week, resulting in its contents having to be hauled away by the city.
Come to find out there was a TSB on this freezer for this very issue. Would have been nice to let me know, so that it could be dealt with. Thought that was the advantage to "Registering" them upon purchase. Guess not.
However, in regard to washers/dryers, there is supposedly one model of Speed Queen that is still old school and is extremely durable. The newer models, not so much. The problem that I had with them (when I finally found one because the only dealers in my area are RTO places) was the capacity in them was so small (especially w/agitator) that it would take forever to do regular loads, let alone anything that required any capacity.
We ended up with a Maytag, and we are not crazy about it. The Maytag that we had before (went 23 years) and I would still be using it if the lower tub had not rusted out (and I could have found a replacement.) Went from always clean clothes, to sometimes clean clothes (if we are lucky on a given day.)
The three repair people all agreed on one brand (even the Bosch repair person who had to come out to repair my 30 day old Bosch dishwasher): Whirlpool. All three said that their recommendation was not based on them being exceptionally better, but that parts are readily accessible. I have to agree with that, because the repair person had the part for our freezer in less than 48 hours. With the current supply chain issues, I was amazed.
Probably the best road for you to follow is to buy the cheapest, simplest one that you can find, use it up, and move on. Higher end models don't buy you enhanced durability, just more costly electronics to replace.
Click to expand...

Just had the repair person here.
I asked him what the best brand to buy is.
He pointed at the Whirlpool emblem on the door.
He also mentioned the ease and accessibility of parts.
Now I'm at 4/4 on repair people answering "Whirlpool."
We talked a bit, and he told me that I should have kept my old Kenmore (rebadged Gibson.)
Unfortunately, I had already figured that out. Oh, well.
 
atikovi said:
Buy something used. Anything new will have critical parts made in China if the whole thing isn't made there and you're lucky if doesn't need repairs during the warranty period, let alone soon after. Still running an 80's Kenmore washer and dryer.
Click to expand...
I also have an 80s or possibly early 90s Kenmore washer and dryer along with a Maytag fridge purchased new in 1998. I replaced the little coupler that connects the washing machine motor to the tub in 2006 and she's still running fine doing 3 to 5 washes a week. OTOH I have had to replace my toaster almost annually...most are Chinese made junk.
Most appliances made today are mostly (over complicated) garbage IMO...
 
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I'm on 17 years with a gas (LP) Whirlpool dryer. I got 10 years from the front load Whirlpool washer. I have acidic and high turbidity well water so my water is harsh on equipment. Even after softener and acid neutralizer treatment. So far 7 years on the replacement Whirlpool. Three teenage kids, me, and 2 dogs. We are 8-10 loads a week most months. Soild clothes with a Tide "pod" gets clothes pretty clean (on cold cycle). Whites with a Tide pod and bleach on HOT come out rather clean. Hopefully, it lasts another 3+ years!!
 
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