Need new washer and dryer on budget

JeffKeryk said:
Sometimes there are appliance outlets. Maybe some Craigslist deals? Good luck. $1500 doesn't buy a lot these days.
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Here in Kansas City where money still has some value, $1500 will get you a 4.5 cu ft washer and dryer, delivered set up and haul away for your budget. Pick your brand.
 
Personally, I've had nothing but problems with my Maytag washers. Their just re-branded Whirpools. Had 2 of them that lasted only 4 yrs each. Control boards kept burning out, even with surge protectors on them. I gave up and went with Hotpoint that was 1/2 off at HD. Made by Haier. I'll be happy to get 5 yrs out of it, then buy another POS. It was only $ 350 bucks on sale with free delivery.
 
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repairman54 said:
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.
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Good advice. And I was going that exact way UNTIL I read enough reviews to find out the circuit boards and sensors fail quite often on newer Whirlpool/Amana dryers. And the door is flimsy as well. But at this point........all of them are prone to early failure since they all share the same cheap electronics. My current machine from the 1991 has that same design with the screen on the top right.
 
Nukeman7 said:
^^^^ 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.
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Yes the 1990's ones were stout. But things got a lot worse in the past 10 yrs, esp. when the govt came out and mandated electronic
controls for environmental purposes. Today's machines may "look" similar to ones from 10-20 yrs ago, or even the ones from 30-35 yrs ago, but overall they are not nearly as rugged and well built. Even the mechanical timers today fail far more often.
 
We had to get a W/D in a hurry. We prefer the classic style top loader with agitator. Bought at Home Depot, delivered and installed in two days. Several days later Costco had the exact same models on sale. Ended up within a few dollars of the Home Depot price. The washer is big and loud, hard to figure out the difference in cycles, but we like it a lot.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/GE-4-5-...-Plus-Sanitize-with-Oxi-GTW485ASWWB/328425526


https://www.homedepot.com/p/GE-7-2-...Dry-and-Extended-Tumble-GTD48EASWWB/328425540
 
when shopping for a washer and dryer, get the most simple/basic model you can find with the least electronic stuff on it.
 
facility1 said:
when shopping for a washer and dryer, get the most simple/basic model you can find with the least electronic stuff on it.
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Yup ...I have a washer and dryer my Roper/Whirlpool that I have had for 10 years... A very basic set...No fancy digital boards...just basic old fashion controls.....In ten years I replaced the dryer heat element about 3 years ago...It took about 20 minutes to do the job and while doing it cleaned out the lint in the dryer....A very easy unit to work on....
 
rszappa1 said:
Yup ...I have a washer and dryer my Roper/Whirlpool that I have had for 10 years... A very basic set...No fancy digital boards...just basic old fashion controls.....In ten years I replaced the dryer heat element about 3 years ago...It took about 20 minutes to do the job and while doing it cleaned out the lint in the dryer....A very easy unit to work on....
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Timer washers are the way to go in my opinion. No computers for me. My Speed Queen is 9 yrs old and I havent touched it. Whirlpool dryer I put new elements, thermostats, and thermal fuses in every year or 2 and it keeps going. I will buy appliances with timers as long as they exist. I can fix them. No mother boards is good.
 
bovine1 said:
Timer washers are the way to go in my opinion. No computers for me. My Speed Queen is 9 yrs old and I havent touched it. Whirlpool dryer I put new elements, thermostats, and thermal fuses in every year or 2 and it keeps going. I will buy appliances with timers as long as they exist. I can fix them. No mother boards is good.
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2 yrs on heat elements ? You have venting issues. My 20 yr. old Maytag top lint screen machine still has it's OEM heater and thermos.
Vent requirements are max 30 feet long, every elbow is worth a 2 foot deduction from that 30 feet. IE a dryer on the basement wall venting through the ledger board has a vent 12 feet long on average.
Poor airflow out of the machine causes heat element to run too hot shortening it's life along with excessive cycling of the T stats.
2x on mechanical timer in electric dryers not lasting as long as they used to. Mostly the heating element switch contacts being made smaller than they used to be. Gas dryers not so much as minimal load on the switch contacts. Most use the same timer in a specific model whether gas or electric.
 
Agree on the above with venting issues. Had the same problem. House was new construction in 2016. Stuck the washer & dryer in the middle of the basement. Idiots. Measured the gas dryer vent run. Something like 45' !!!!!!! I had to install 2 vent boosters to push out the exhaust. Haven't had a problem since. No other place to move them to either without tearing out walls and re-routing plumbing. Quite the job to clean that long of a run too. Real PITA.
 
Yep, no building codes on dryer venting other than not into a chimney. Helper just runs one outside and nobody has a clue on what's in the ''destructions''.
Most contractors run the vent to the side, rear or through the roof. Can't have that unsightly vent and / or condensation blowing out the front in winter even though that direction would be the ideal setup.
Can't tell ya how many customers I had to deal with having still in warranty dryers with bad vents.
 
repairman54 said:
2 yrs on heat elements ? You have venting issues. My 20 yr. old Maytag top lint screen machine still has it's OEM heater and thermos.
Vent requirements are max 30 feet long, every elbow is worth a 2 foot deduction from that 30 feet. IE a dryer on the basement wall venting through the ledger board has a vent 12 feet long on average.
Poor airflow out of the machine causes heat element to run too hot shortening it's life along with excessive cycling of the T stats.
2x on mechanical timer in electric dryers not lasting as long as they used to. Mostly the heating element switch contacts being made smaller than they used to be. Gas dryers not so much as minimal load on the switch contacts. Most use the same timer in a specific model whether gas or electric.
Click to expand...
You're right I do have venting issues. I have to use flexible pipe with multiple bends. I've lived with it for 40 yrs.. Dryer elements $20ish so I can live with it.
 
very faithful Whirlpool family

bought this set in december 2025 and have used and abused them since. if you have gas, always go gas for dryers.

IMG_9795.webp
 
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