NWR: Appliances- washers and dryers?

Ms.BriarRose

To those who saw/commented/asked/messaged on FB: Yes, I am feeling much better after my trip to the ER.  MUCH, MUCH better.  We got extremely lucky: the doctor at the ER had just taken a continuing education class on RSD/CRPS, and knew exactly what we were talking about, and so we didn't have to wait, and we got the meds I needed (the good meds).  Thank you for the well-wishes (I apologize for not getting back to everyone sooner).

Anyway, the purpose for this post:  Washers and dryers!

We are looking for a washer and dryer!  We want front loading.  We will have about $1200-1500 to spend, total.  We checked out consumer reports, and the one we are looking at an LG at Sears, model #WM2101H (Link).

Does any one have any other suggestions, any other thoughts on where to look, any other brands, etc?  We were going to check out the Sears scratch and dent as well. 

I would really love to get them in either stainless or color, not white (for some reason, the white looks ugly to me), but I don't know if we can afford it.

Paprika, thoughts?  Anyone else, thoughts?  Help, please!!  Thank you!

ButtonsPepper

I know people love their front load washers... but I'm so paranoyed that it will spill. I have been told by some that after a few years the seal on it can decay/get moldy and there have been leakes etc. from them, so personally when we get new one's, it's a top load washer ALL THE WAY.

But, I'd recommend an energy saver. Check to see what kind of write off's are available for energy saving electronics, there may be some for you to file on your 2011 tax return (I havne't been following them enough to know when they expire etc.).

Also, I'd read reviews from people that have had this thing 5+ years, not one's that have had it for six months and it works great. You want to see how the machine is going to hold up LONG term, as those types of things are long term investments for me.

Glad you are feeling better.

dibsontop

Is there an HH Gregg near you?  They'll actually haggle on prices with you, which a lot of the big stores won't.  Plus, they generally have great prices to begin with.

caraellen23

I am also potentially in the market for a new dryer and interested in any energy efficient recommendations!

Bean32

I've had a GE frontload washer and dryer for 2.5 years. They work great. I've heard of some of the problems that BP mentioned, but haven't experienced any yet. Things get very clean and the washer's spin cycle practically does the drying, so the drying is very quick.

dibsontop

Oh, and as far as models go...We've got front loading washer and dryer by Frigidaire.  They're brand new and of course we've only had them for less than 8 months but so far no issues at all with either of them.  Off the top of my head I don't remember the model numbers on them though.

paprika28

Okay. If you're ready for a long one, read away.

LG's are awesome. Hands down. 100%, they're what I'll own when we pick our own. I do have some recommendations in the same price range that might give you more bang for your buck. Check Bosch. And Samsung. BACK AWAY from Frigidaire. Don't go near them, even if the price seems right. There's a reason for it.
Pros on an LG- they're the leaders in w/d technology right now. The avg washer has anywhere from 1100-1300 rpm spin speeds (64-78 mph) which means less time in the dryer.(yay for saving energy!) The front load design does use less than 12 gallons of water per load, (as opposed to 45 gallons/load that a traditional top load with an agitator and 18-22 gallons/load that a top loader w/o agitator use) so there's some great savings there as well. Less water means less time to dry. The seals on the front of the LG's are doubled so they're basically leakproof. The controls are idiotproof, as well as having the technology to save you money if you ever have any mechanical issues. On the front of the washer, there should be a little logo with a phone or something. If you ever have an issue, you just call an LG tech and hold the phone up to the washer. It transmits a signal over the phone to tell the tech what's wrong- whether it's an easy fix like, unplug it, or a difficult one to order parts for.  They're reliable, they're convenient, and well thought out. SOoo many convenience features. (handles on the sides of the dryer, a spot on the bottom front of the washer to clean the built in lint trap out so you don't have to reach over the back and get it off of your hoses, a light in the washer)

They've also put a few well thought out drain mechanisms to prevent mold/mildew. I'm not sure if this one has it, but when I left sears, the newer models of washers were actually being made with a small fold out magnetic piece that would allow the door to stay cracked without swinging open so that they could dry out. (PS- every washing machine, no matter what kind, still contains water in their outer bin. The front load machines get a bad rap for smell because of a few things. A) the excess water in the bin is closer to the door, so it's more noticable. The doors are airtight. So are all of the HE top load washers too now. I have an HE TL washer, and we have a slight issue with smell as well. 3) too many people are under the assumption that you can just use half the amt of regular detergent with a HE washer. This leaves a nasty residue on the outer bin of the washer which basically breeds mold. Promise me you'll always use HE detergent- using regular stuff can actually cause so much sudsing that it'll get up into the control panel and fry the washer. Seen it.

The dryers are just as efficient. I heart LG. Can you tell?

Bosch is pretty stinkin' awesome too. They've got a few nice features as far as their safety systems on the washers. They have a built in protection called 'aqua stop' and 'aqua guard'. Basically, it works like a flapper on a toilet. If water is able to leak out of the washer, (say the underbin cracks) it'll stop the washer from letting water in until it's fixed to prevent you putting a load in the washer and waking up to water everywhere. Such a nice feature.

Samsungs are great too- the biggest downfall to them is that if you want to stack the washer and dryer at all, you won't be able to see the control panel on the dryer very easily because the controls are curved.

Phew. My fingers literally have smoke coming off of them.

caraellen23

Paprika.....holy crap.  lol

paprika28

Sorry. I had to edit a lot out too. I sold appliances for 6 years and I was the only 22 year old that was excited as hell on truck day to unwrap new appliances. I made it my mission to learn everything about each one on my sales floor... and on the website. The only ones I didn't really bother with were the off brand names.

miguelhilary2010

I have nothing appliance related to add.  I'm glad your trip to the ER was successful and you're more comfortable now!

caraellen23

Ahhhh....okay, well that makes more sense, I didn't realize you used to sell appliances. haha.  Thanks for the info!  Our washer is pretty new, but our dryer is from the dinosaur age and is starting to fritz out.

paprika28

MBR- Don't stay LG specific though- Kenmore is made by LG. If you can get a better price or an upgrade on something, go with them. Like these.

If you want to know anymore, please ask. I know I type a lot, but it's an odd passion.

ETA- Cara- it's mainly the washer that makes the dryer more efficient, but new dryers are much more efficient than a dryer from, say, 12 years ago. Make sure you look for something that has a moisture sensor. That way, say, you have your dryer on for 30 minutes at 180 degrees, and your clothes are dry at 15 minutes- you've just wasted 15 minutes of that energy when something with a sensor would shut it off at that 15 minute mark. Definitely a good thing to have. Don't bother with one that says that it has the dual sensors- the other one is only a thermistor in the heating vent that calculates moisture. It's just a fancy way of doing the exact same thing the regular moisture sensor does.

RecoveringActor

Next time I need to purchase any appliances.... you're coming with me, Paps. 

Ms.BriarRose

Thanks Pappy.  I knew you could come through for me   You rock, but you already knew that   Those pictures proved that, LOL.

Couple more questions... Kenmore brand?  Okay or not?  What about scratch and dent?  Is it worth it?  I know you said something about buying the floor models, but I don't know if we will have time to wait for the floor models to go on sale- how often does that happen?

paprika28

Scratch and dent can save you some money, but after working there and knowing what exactly ends up at those stores, I wouldn't really recommend. Don't get me wrong, sometimes you can find some good stuff there that doesn't look like it's been damaged at all! I'm not putting them down at all. BUT- 80% of the stuff that ends up there has either been double stacked on a truck and fallen off, hit with a forklift, dropped off the trucks/bays, or been refurbished. Especially now that the stores don't send their clearance merchandise to them. (I believe that's what it used to be)

If you can buy it at a store off the floor, do it. They offer delivery- it's usually $69. and you almost always get a rebate to make it free. Weekends are a $10 upcharge, but available. The stores use these little black and yellow labels for clearance merch. and hide them behind a 'clearance' sign. If you can. look for that label and look about 3/4 of the way down for a date. If it's more than 2 weeks, they need to reduce the price more. Usually just another 10%, but hey. The prices get reduced every two weeks until it hits 10-20% above cost. Right now? You're really in luck. Summer is coming, and laundry should be transitioning. Don't get attached to anything on the website with an .88 at the end of the price- it means it's discontinued and they may not be able to order it. However- if you see it in the store like that, ask if they can still order it. If not, you might just get first dibs on a floor model.

Kenmore brand is made by LG, btw. They're quality.

You probably won't be able to get a colored pair in that price range unless it's frigidaire, just as a warning. But the average lifespan of a washer & dryer is now 8-12 years, so you won't have it forever. You may want to just settle for white right now and spring for color in a few years.

paprika28

MBR- look at these too- >>Clicky<< Right off the bat, I wouldn't recommend that 1st LG. For a few more bucks, you could get the Bosch with a sanitizing cycle, (great for sheets, underwear, etc.) or the Maytag with an Affresh cycle. (Clean washer- most of them have it, but not the Bosch) The Maytag also has more cycles and a better warranty. Made by Whirlpool. Downside of maytag & whirlpool- they don't come with washer hoses, and delivery won't hook up to old hoses. 

Expect to pay for either a dryer venting kit (34.99) or a gas dryer kit (34.99). It comes with the cord, vents, elbows, etc. or if you have gas, it comes with the gas hookup. Also, know the dimensions you have available, and whether you have gas or electric. If you have gas, know if it's natural or LP.
 

This one is my pick though.


I promise, no more, unless someone else asks for it.

rachelk456

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_pennsylvania-philadelphia_nwr-appliances-washers-dryers?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:105Discussion:e27bf7ac-27d3-4673-b3b2-9bb3e76cf220Post:c064688b-9ab6-4cf8-af9a-2fab9adca33b">Re: NWR: Appliances- washers and dryers?</a>:
[QUOTE]Next time I need to purchase any appliances.... you're coming with me, Paps. 
Posted by RecoveringActor[/QUOTE]

<div>I was thinking the same! </div><div>
</div><div>We have LG front load washer and dryer we bought a little over a year ago. Love them both. FI's parents bought a very similar Samsung set a few weeks after us and they are happy with theirs too.</div>