Refrigerator and washer/dryer recommendation (Houston: appliances, new house, buy)

[krouchchocolate]

We just purchased a new house and been researching on appliances to get. What do you guys recommend? For the fridge, we would like for it to be a side by side. The washer we were thinking a front loader, but I keep reading reviews on how it smells moldy. I was looking to purchase the washer/dryer from lowes (probably lg or whirlpool brand), but keep on reading bad reviews on it. Then I stumbled upon the speed queen brand and was wondering what did u guys think of them? Would rather pay extra now for it to last 10+ years. For you speed queen owners, do u guys have any recommendation on dealers that sells them in the Houston area.

My budget for each item is listed below
Fridge: $1500-1800 (was planning on purchasing the lg side by side, the door within door model from lowes with the extended warranty)

washer: $800-$1000
Dryer: $800-$1000

[right]

I'd stay away from LG and Samsung as they have the worst reliability. GE and Whirlpool, in my opinion, are the top brands however GE just sold their appliance division to Haier (Chinese company). My GE side-by-side is going strong after 11 years. We have Maytag wash/dryers (mfg by Whirlpool in USA) and they have been great

This Maytag front loader is only $599 @ Lowes (CHEAP!) Shop Maytag 4.2-cu ft High-Efficiency Stackable Front-Load Washer with Steam Cycle (White) ENERGY STAR at Lowes.com and it even has Steam washing.

The only times you get the mold smell is if you leave the doors closed--don't ever do that. Running a clean cycle with the Afresh tablets once a month or two helps too.

[77030]

I hate front loading washing machines.

Maytag is good.

Avoid Samsung and LG, as noted.

Whirlpool is good.

#1 problem with refrigerators is the "ice through the door feature". Try to avoid that. Get a simple one with a freezer on bottom. Rough it, and open freezer to get ice. Much simpler.

GE has gone bad.

[Cabot]

I have had LG front loader washer (won't have top loader) and gas dryer plus LG French door fridge for nearly 6 years now and have been very pleased with them. I would buy them again. We bought everything at Fry's and got a really good deal. (We also bought a large screen TV at the same time so that probably helped). No extended warranty. I cannot remember what we paid but I know it was cheaper than anywhere else and I did lots of comparison shopping.

[krouchchocolate]

Thank you for the help guys. Yeah I have been reading a lot about how bad samsung and LG. That's why I figured I would purchase the extended warranty regardless of any brand I choose.

[sonic0boom]

I have a Samsung HE top loader washer and the matching dryer. Going fine for 3 years with 0 issues. The extended warranty from Home Depot was only $20 or so each, so i sprang for that. I would recommend it from my own experience but from looking at the reviews on HD there appear to be some lemons out there....

[stan4]

GE...ours 11 years washer and dryer still going.

My parents' GE drier 31 years old. Washer died after 20+ years.
GE fridge purchased in 1985 still in their laundry room, serving as second fridge (was only fridge 85-89 till they moved into this house that has a Subzero - also still running since 1983).

Our Subzero is from 1987. My laundry room fridge is 2010 (GE) and I stuck with GE for my garage freezer.

[ipuck]

Front load use less water and wash the clothes better.

Samsung and LG make very quality products, I don't know why you guys are so negative on them. I bought a set of LG front load about 4 years ago and have zero issue. That thing is so smart I can bring my phone to diagnose a problem. They weren't cheap but it is relatively quiet and the clothes always come out very clean.

I did bought all new GE appliances (beside a fridge) for a kitchen remodel. The dishwasher had some door issue after 2 month but GE guys came out pretty quick. No problem on anything else.

Food for thought, there is a open box GE appliances place on BW8 by the horsetrack. They sell all GE products that are scratch and dent and open box with full warranty for 10-30% less. I didn't buy anything there as they didn't had the model I want but it is a decent deal if u looking to save a few bucks.

I would buy the Korean products and then GE before Maytag, Electrolux, and Fridgire.

[Rip808]

Just bought a Maytag washer and dryer after having our Kenmore's for over 12 years, great machines so far.

Samsung French Door fridge for over 3 years and we love it as well.

[TexasTony]

Kenmore all the way...