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If you're going to buy new, check the dent and scratch sections at Home Depot, Lowes, Sears, etc. You can save a pretty significant amount of money. We bought a new matching set with the washer being front and dryer being top due to the issue of mildew building up in front load washers. I think they have figured out a way to alleviate that issue now though.
I am in the market for a washer / dryer - what are folks opinions on Top or Front load ?
Leaving out everything else, i think front loaders make sense if you are the type that always has a pile of laundry around (on top) of the washer and dryer, and with a front loader you can put a countertop on top for piling or for soaking stains, etc, and not inconvenience anyone else.
If you are not a piler, a top loader makes more sense since it's easier on the back to load and unload.
BTW, I think this should be in the appliance forum and not Dallas forum.
There seems to be a lot of discussion about washers. I started a thread in the shopping section and I believe there may be another one over there. There is another one in this section.
For me, it has to be a top loader. I have heard a lot of bad things about front loaders. Also, I know that you have to keep the door open which is not an option in my house. I have two cats and I do not want them getting into the washer. As a kid, we had a cat get killed because she decided to take a nap in the dryer and it wasn't checked before being turned on. I know I could check it but I am legally blind and sometimes I just don't see things.
As for brands, good question. I have researched so many washers that at this point they are all running together. I think you are probably better off hitting Craigslist and finding an older model. For my own search, I have decided to stick with my old washer until it dies. I am hoping by that time the newer models will work the way they are supposed to.
Most of the newer dryers are ok from the reviews I have read.
And second, my wife and I are 11 years in with a set of Kenmore Elite front-load units. We had 1 problem, about a month in, which turned out to simply be loose wiring connection (something not plugged in completely on the washer control panel) and absolutely None since then. No smells, no mildew, no noises, no rattling, etc.. Couldn't be happier even though we spent ~$3k on the combo within a month of getting married. Heck, we've moved the dang things 5 times and over 3000 miles.
As someone with a chronically bad lower back, I have to disagree about a top-load being easier on the back. I'd Much rather squat and pull forward than bend over and left up.
If we had to buy replacements today, it'd be another set of front-load units.
Have Samsung brand front loaders. Love them, easy to use and efficient. Have a brother who repairs W&D for a living. He recommended front loader and avoid Maytag.
Top-loaders come in both HE and conventional form (agitator and lots of water). So two people could vote for top-loaders and actually be recommending very different machines. If you are going HE, I'd recommend a front-loading machine rather than a top-load. It seems easier for the front-loaders to balance the load before the spin cycle, since they've got gravity to help them redistribute items. An top-loading HE machine during high-speed spin with an unbalanced load is scary.
This destruction is not unique to LG, although I believe Samsung has metal tub mount brackets. So it holds together a little longer before self destructing.
FWIW, the Kenmore Elite washer and dryer they recommend are basically the LG WM3470 washer and LG DLEX3470V dryer, with slightly redesigned control panels. I have those models LG washer and (gas) dryer and would buy them (or their replacements) if I were buying today.
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