Need new washer and dryer on budget

[repairman54]

Amana name is owned / built by Whirlpool and is their low-end price line if money is a concern.
If and when I have to buy a new appliance I go to Lowes. In my previous life as a tech and having to check customer returns there, I've seen them take back stuff with nothing wrong with it for customer satisfaction. Yeah, the delivery is not that great, some hit or miss, I've had both, BUT they gave me back $400 for denting the side of a refrigerator that was not visible in my installation.

 

[Rand]

I'm will go Costco when I get off work.

those were all online models.
the models you can buy and take home from club will be without delivery or installation and cheaper.

although you can still order for delivery from online costco in the store.

 

[Nukeman7]

I'm will go Costco when I get off work.

Keep in mind that you will need a washer with a minimum capacity of ~4.5 cubic feet to wash a comforter or large blanket when shopping around. Also, avoid any Midea made products (e.g., Insignia, some GE's) since they are designed to be disposable, not repaired when something fails. See video below as an example.

 

[Rand]

Keep in mind that you will need a washer with a minimum capacity of ~4.5 cubic feet to wash a comforter or large blanket when shopping around.

comforter maybe.. blanket not so much.

I wash a decently thick king size blanket in my speedqueen frontloader. (3.5cu ft)
is it ideal no.. but not like they get very dirty either.

A king comforter would be packed solid though

I washed the comforter in the 4.1cu ft top loader I had before this... pretty full.

 

[repairman54]

My wife takes king comforters, sleeping bags and heavy spreads to the laundromat. Household washers are too small and rough on that stuff anyway pulling out quilting stitching. Fabrics wear more in the washer than they do in actual use.
My Gen 1 Bravos is a 4.6 unit, sheets and blankets no problem though.

 

[Snagglefoot]

I find some of the big box places have “ scratch and dent sales”. Go on a Saturday. They have weekend staff who’s sole function is to move these things out the door.

 

[Exhaustgases]

Front load washers are a joke, not enough water to wash things. For that matter the best machines would be like some one mentions a refurbished old school unit, that holds enough water and soaks the materials and actually will clean them.

 

[SonofaBoomer]

Front load washers are a joke, not enough water to wash things. For that matter the best machines would be like some one mentions a refurbished old school unit, that holds enough water and soaks the materials and actually will clean them.

I always preferred a washer that has a manual water level setting and soak settings. These things make a big difference in the level of clean you can achieve.

 

[Ranger83]

We found a nearly new GE front loader and dryer for our camp for $500 on CL. Barely used - they were moving. But we had to take it out.

Set was $2,000 new.

 

[Cropduster172]

Have purchased from Lowe's, Home Depot and Costco. Costco is by far the best in terms of schedule, delivery and haul away and often price. Gave up on front loaders years ago. Prefer real agitator vs impeller but the impeller gets the job done. Gas dryers rule.

 

[repairman54]

Its not water that cleans it is the detergent that attaches to soils in the garments that cleans. Water is just the carrier for the detergent. Tumbling or agitation just flexes the fabrics so soils release from them. Washboards did the same thing, flexing the fabrics, not actually rubbing soils out. Once they took the phosphates out of detergents yes, they were not as strong as todays detergents and why they had to increase the wash times, so the enzyme-based ones of today had time to work. And why using the bleach dispenser it important as in a white fabric load bleach actually kills the enzymes rendering them inactive so bleach is added at the end of the wash. Bleach is only active for 3-4 minutes until its action dissipates, smell doesn't though.
Yes, I've been to laundry school and dealt with customers on that detergent evolution back in the day with brand new and older machines.
Many top loader machines have a bulky setting that raises the water level over the normal cycles if one needs the comfort of more water. Bulky setting is there so those items get wet instead of floating on top like comforters and is the one allowed exception to the low water use govt. rules.

 

[MyWifesBoyfriend]

I went through this exercise recently when I replaced a 30 year old Maytag washer and 50 year old Whirlpool dryer, both of which were still functional but had issues. Per Ben's Appliances' recommendation, I went with the Amana NTW4519JW top loader and matching dryer for under $1000 USD. These are basic Whirlpool units with readily available parts and resources for DIY fixes. We've been using them for a few months now and I don't really have any complaints. I'm not sure what you really gain from more expensive units. One thing that I cannot understand are top loaders with glass lids that are not flat. Why?

Anyway, the wash times are a lot longer than the 30 year old Maytag washer, but @repairman54's comment above explains why. My wife claims the clothes come out cleaner too. The tub is freaking huge, so no issues washing bedding etc. The only "gotcha" is the obfuscated eco-setting if you use "normal" cycle and "auto" water level and temperature. Fortunately you can easily bypass this by using "whites" and "heavy" cycles with deep level wash and deep level rinse. There is also a "bulky items" cycle for sheets etc that allow for more water usage with a gentler spin cycle to accommodate large items.

 

[97prizm]

Looking for a set of washer and dryer $1500 limit. Big enough to wash king size blanket and pillow. And dryer

I'd seriously look to see if your local Lowes or if available locally family owned appliance store has a leftovers location. Many times appliance sets are significantly discounted some may have a small ding or nick in the finish but be hundreds of dollars off.

 

[Exhaustgases]

Its not water that cleans it is the detergent that attaches to soils in the garments that cleans. Water is just the carrier for the detergent. Tumbling or agitation just flexes the fabrics so soils release from them. Washboards did the same thing, flexing the fabrics, not actually rubbing soils out. Once they took the phosphates out of detergents yes, they were not as strong as todays detergents and why they had to increase the wash times, so the enzyme-based ones of today had time to work. And why using the bleach dispenser it important as in a white fabric load bleach actually kills the enzymes rendering them inactive so bleach is added at the end of the wash. Bleach is only active for 3-4 minutes until its action dissipates, smell doesn't though.
Yes, I've been to laundry school and dealt with customers on that detergent evolution back in the day with brand new and older machines.
Many top loader machines have a bulky setting that raises the water level over the normal cycles if one needs the comfort of more water. Bulky setting is there so those items get wet instead of floating on top like comforters and is the one allowed exception to the low water use govt. rules.

Funny how the same "soap" worked just fine in the old school unit and not the front load junk we now have.

Bleach ?, not a great idea for septic tanks.

 

[repairman54]

Front loaders are not new, we had them in the '60's and they went away for all the same reasons as today. They only brought them back as a quick fix to meet low water use mandates until technology could create low water use top loaders. Plus they allow for stackables to put in closets in condos which are the technician's nightmare.
A couple of ounces of bleach used in a low water use washer going in a septic will not hurt anything, Clorine dissipates after a few minutes in the washer anyway. Never affected my 27 yr. old system. I used a septic treatment every couple months in it also.

 

[mr_boring]

RIP American Freight scratch and dent stores. I will be lost without them when it comes time for me to replace something. Bought my house in 2020 and piece by piece replaced everything except the stove, microwave, and dryer. Got a nearly $1000 Maytag dishwasher as new old stock in factory box for about $500, my washer had a scratch about 4 inches long on the side that butts up to the dryer for less than 5 - and it is a really nice GE. Fridge also new old stock (Whirlpool) but saved not as much, paid I think 1100 and new it ran about 1400, but 300 bucks is 300 bucks.

I couldn't care less if they all manufacturer match. Kitchen appliances are black, washer and dryer are white.

I guess I'll have to buy one of those Lowes 10% off any single item when it comes dryer time. I think it's next. That being said, my stove will see this post and die tomorrow out of spite.

(I kinda hope it's the stove to be honest, I miss the convection oven unit I had in the old house)

 

[69GTX]

Looking for a new washer & dryer set to replace 30 yr old Kitchen Aid dryer and Maytag washer.
The dryer motor is on the way out, so that's the immediate need. The Maytag runs rough no matter how
many times I've tried to balance it....temp "fix" to calm it down is to place 4 - 40 lb water jugs on the top during spin cycles.

I've done plenty of research. Was initially convinced that a Speed Queen TC5 was the best washer. And maybe even their
matching DR5 clothes dryer ($2800+ for the pair). A few "experts" suggested Whirlpool/Amana dryers in the $450-$500 range
right from big box stores are a better value. But the failure rates on those when brand new is atrocious....and customer service is non-existent. Even with the SQ - their so called 5 and 7yr warranties are carried by a 3rd party insurer, where it takes weeks or months for replacement parts to show up. Electronic failures on the SQ's on pretty new machines seems horrible. Lousy warranties & poor
customer service are now the norm.

At this point I don't think there's a good answer. I'm almost tempted to fix the old machines (dryer with new motor + labor ($300-$400), washer with a major overhaul for suspension, pumps, bearings could be up to $1000). SQ no longer sells a residential washer with mechanical timer.....their TV2000 is the only remaining machine they offer with a mechanical timer....can only be sold into commercial use.

 

[97prizm]

Looking for a set of washer and dryer $1500 limit. Big enough to wash king size blanket and pillow. And dryer

Have you looked at habitat for humanity? They get some real nice stuff time to time.

 

[repairman54]

Whirlpool built dryers, the ones with the lint screen that pulls out of the top are the most rugged and longest lasting dryers out there.
That design is from the '60's BTW. If dryer has a top lint screen it's Whirlpool made. SQ dryer is not even close.
Don't put pillows in domestic washers, they are clothes washers not pillow washers. Can't tell you how many times I had unplug machines from pillows coming apart. Many times having to replace the water pump also.

 

[Nukeman7]

Whirlpool built dryers, the ones with the lint screen that pulls out of the top are the most rugged and longest lasting dryers out there.
That design is from the '60's BTW. If dryer has a top lint screen it's Whirlpool made. SQ dryer is not even close.

^^^^ I couldn't agree any more with that statement. I have owned two such dryer units since 1980 (albeit rebranded Kenmore) and I only replaced the original one with wood-grain control panel in 2009 because the motor burned out and the felt seals were disintegrated. The parts are inexpensive and readily available from every appliance parts store, Amazon and eBay. The 1960's design makes it simple and intuitive to service. In addition, in my experience, it dries clothing faster than other units.