Exciting Topic, long post: Front load or Top Load washer?

[Phydeaux]

Just replaced our GE Profile front load washer. Lifespan: 7 years.

According to my research, that's 1/2 the typical lifespan of a washing machine. Small family, normal use. No, we're not happy - the machine wasn't cheap. And we won't be buying GE again.

Prior to replacement, a GE repairman was dispatched to diagnose our problem. It would have cost 3X the cost of replacement to repair the machine. Repairman & I had the top load vs. front load discussion. Repairman confirmed my own theory: front load machines put an enormous amount of stress on the mounting bracket/point of attachment to the motor drive.
Think: extend your arm straight out, hold a heavy weight in your hand, and rotate the heavy weight many times without allowing your arm to lower. Now, lift arm and heavy weight directly above your shoulder, and repeat. What is easier?

We bought a Whirlpool, top load washer, and thus far we are very happy. Cycle much shorter, spin cycle leaves the clothes nearly dry (GE front load spin cycle sucked) and if I had to guess, the machine will probably last twice as long as the more costly GE front load. I could be wrong, but we'll see.

Moral: sometimes more expensive does NOT mean better. Some times it does, but some times it doesn't. Imho, front load was a gimmick that caught on and stuck. From a mechanical design standpoint, they are inferior to a top load machine that uses gravity to it's advantage. Front load also requires you to bend over to load/unload while lifting. Doesn't exactly scream ergonomics.

Btw, 'exciting topic' was meant to be tongue in cheek

 

[Patri]

Very interesting. Wonder how long mine will last? I like it except for being so low. The mounting unit was expensive so didn't get one.
Really bought it to save on water, but now with an empty nest, not sure that is even an issue. We could probably get by with the apartment size units (except for bedding!)

 

[ace2000]

We've had ours for about 5 years and I recently had to replace a CCU unit (at about $100). Luckily I was able to do it myself.

I also think that a top-loader would be a better choice if I had to do it all over again.

 

[b2bailey]

Somehow being able to see the tumbling action has always given me the illusion that the clothes get cleaner that way.

 

[klpca]

We have an LG front loader that thankfully has been around more than 7 years. I would have been mad if mine quit that soon, especially considering the cost. Our old Maytag (1985 vintage) was still working when I bought the LG. I have RA and problems with my right shoulder unrelated to my RA and I have a terrible time lifting wet laundry out of a top loader. We bought the pedestal bases to raise the front loader to a comfortable height for me. The only issue that we have had has been water dribbling out of the door. LG told me that the loads were too big. I call shenanigans on that excuse.

 

[WinniWoman]

Just replaced our GE Profile front load washer. Lifespan: 7 years.

According to my research, that's 1/2 the typical lifespan of a washing machine. Small family, normal use. No, we're not happy - the machine wasn't cheap. And we won't be buying GE again.

Prior to replacement, a GE repairman was dispatched to diagnose our problem. It would have cost 3X the cost of replacement to repair the machine. Repairman & I had the top load vs. front load discussion. Repairman confirmed my own theory: front load machines put an enormous amount of stress on the mounting bracket/point of attachment to the motor drive.
Think: extend your arm straight out, hold a heavy weight in your hand, and rotate the heavy weight many times without allowing your arm to lower. Now, lift arm and heavy weight directly above your shoulder, and repeat. What is easier?

We bought a Whirlpool, top load washer, and thus far we are very happy. Cycle much shorter, spin cycle leaves the clothes nearly dry (GE front load spin cycle sucked) and if I had to guess, the machine will probably last twice as long as the more costly GE front load. I could be wrong, but we'll see.

Moral: sometimes more expensive does NOT mean better. Some times it does, but some times it doesn't. Imho, front load was a gimmick that caught on and stuck. From a mechanical design standpoint, they are inferior to a top load machine that uses gravity to it's advantage. Front load also requires you to bend over to load/unload while lifting. Doesn't exactly scream ergonomics.

Btw, 'exciting topic' was meant to be tongue in cheek

I always suspected this from the first time they came on the market. I have a top loader and when the time comes to replace it I will get another top loader. Mine is currently about 8 years old I believe. The matching dryer needed a part recently, but even with the repairman coming out for the diagnosis and ordering the part and my husband making the repair himself, it was cheaper than buying a new one. Both are GE Profiles and I actually LOVE GE products! Always had luck with them, and the Hotpoint brand that preceded them. My new range and microwave are also GE's.

 

[PigsDad]

Very interesting. Wonder how long mine will last? I like it except for being so low. The mounting unit was expensive so didn't get one.
Really bought it to save on water, but now with an empty nest, not sure that is even an issue. We could probably get by with the apartment size units (except for bedding!)

There are high-efficient top-load models now that are just as efficient as the front-load models. We bought a new Maytag set last year (top load), replacing a 24 year old Maytag set we purchased when we got married. The old set was still working ok, but needed a $300 repair and decided it was time to look for something new. They don't make them like that anymore!

Kurt

 

[geekette]

interesting discussion. I am not currently in the market, but do have a back injury that makes reaching into bottom of top load washer difficult and painful (I also am not tall, just 5'4", so takes a lot of me to reach all the way down). not so terrible getting stuff out of dryer, I figured front load would be like the dryer. I have no problem building a pedestal for them so "low" isn't an issue.

 

[ronparise]

This is what my mother used in 1950.. It was in the basement and Im not sure my father even knew he owned such a thing. Mom had to carry the clean wet clothes up the stairs to the back yard where they were hung to dry

thats what our kitchen looked like too...metal cabinets

PS I wont buy a front loader either, Our old Maytag from 1985 is still going strong

 

[PigsDad]

This is what my mother used in 1950.. It was in the basement and Im not sure my father even knew he owned such a thing. Mom had to carry the clean wet clothes up the stairs to the back yard where they were hung to dry

Did your mother wash clothes in her high-heels as well?

Kurt

 

[Beaglemom3]

Did your mother wash clothes in her high-heels as well?

Kurt

Only when she wore pearls.



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[Beaglemom3]

This is what my mother used in 1950.. It was in the basement and Im not sure my father even knew he owned such a thing. Mom had to carry the clean wet clothes up the stairs to the back yard where they were hung to dry

thats what our kitchen looked like too...metal cabinets

PS I wont buy a front loader either, Our old Maytag from 1985 is still going strong

We had one until I was a sophomore in high school. Loved that thing and then it died. Had to get a "modern one".

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[GetawaysRus]

We bought a Speed Queen top loader washer recently. We used to have a Whirlpool HE toploader. A computer board in the Whirlpool failed a few years ago. I had the board replaced, but when the machine failed again (10 years old), and the repair estimate was over $700, it was time to replace it. I am tired of disposable washing machines that break down and need expensive repairs every few years, so hopefully this thing will last.

Major appliances used to be built to last. Now all this high efficiency computerized stuff fails after a few years.

I don't need all the bells and whistles. I need only a few wash cycles (delicate, permanent press, and normal) and a few temperature settings (cold, warm, hot). I just want a reliable machine that lasts.

Speed Queens are more expensive than most of the machines on the market. But they come with a 3 year warranty and the parts inside are made of metal rather than plastic. These machines are mechanical - NO computer board.

If you think about it, placing a computer board in a device that works in a moist environment is a recipe for failure. Our dishwasher also has a computer board, and it failed after a little over a year and the board needed replacement. I hold my breath each time we run it. I'm waiting for it to fail again.

Also, Speed Queens are not HE machines. So we are using more water, which will be a little more expensive, but it does wash our clothes. The hardest thing has been finding standard (non-HE) detergent. The only brand we can find that is non-HE is Gain.

 

[rickandcindy23]

My Maytag Neptune frontload, dryer on the top, is 16 years old and running strong, but Rick did replace the motherboard about a year ago when it stopped turning off at the end of the wash cycle. That part was around $250 I always check

Love my washer/dryer, which takes up less space in my laundry room.

 

[Phydeaux]

I distinctly remember a machine identical to this in our basement too. And the soap my mom used was homemade. Always. I don't recall ever seeing a store bought laundry detergent in our home. And, I have never had clothes as clean as those that were washed by my mom. The whites were WHITE, and have never looked the same since I moved away from home.

Miss you mom

 

[KarenLK]

We had a Bendix until we moved in 1959 - it was a front-loader if I recall correctly.

We recently had to get a new machine - a top loader. I am 5'7" and am shocked at how deep it it. I alway have to just about climb in to get the last few things out. And it runs about an hour, instead of the 30-40 minutes or so that the other one did. Not happy. Guess it is not worth putting too much money into it, either, if they die soon.

We had a Westinghouse dryer purchased when my brother was born, as my mother did not want to hand diapers. It lasted 45 years. We really hated to see it go.

 

[bogey21]

I try to buy cheap top loaders. I think I have bought three in about 25 years. Best of my recollection the first one cost about $250; second, about $300; and the last one, about $350. Never had to repair any of them. If one broke down, I would probably just buy a new one. I'm guessing that today it would cost me about $400.

George

 

[LAX Mom]

I had a Maytag washer for 24+ years. That machine was constantly washing uniforms and other children's clothing. The newer machines don't last like the old Maytags.

 

[geekette]

I have had good experiences with Kenmore for most all household appliances, including current w/d bought in 2000. I buy cheapest, and no problems. The w/d I bought in the 80s were left behind, still working fine, in house I sold in 2000. The dryer was very Very old as I had bought it used and it was older than the same model I grew up with !

~ thanks whoever brought up HE detergent. I had not given that any thought whatsoever, I just figured detergent was detergent.

 

[DeniseM]

I have an expensive HE machine, and a cheap traditional machine, and the cheap machine does a much better job. I just don't think things get as clean with a low-water machine - they don't even smell clean - and they take forever. Both are top-loaders.

 

[Beaglemom3]

Several years ago I replaced my top loader with a front loader. The front loader's door latch did not close tightly, so I called the repairman thinking that it was a covered item as it was under a year old, but no. The warranty was only on the motor and drum as I recall.

It stopped altogether about 4 years later. I went to my local Sears scratch & dent outlet and bought a brand new, but with a small dent on the side, top loader with a super-sized basket.

It's wonderful as I can soak items overnight, but could not in my front loader as the water level was so low.



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[Kel]

I prefer a top loading washing machine. Occasionally I dye black cotton clothes and you can’t dye clothes in a front loading machine.

 

[sjsharkie]

Front loaders on average use less water, require less drying time and perform better in independent cleaning tests. I'd post the reports from consumer reports, but those are for subscribers only. Top loaders are generally cheaper and have shorter cycles (again, on average).

Anecdotally, you may think that your top load washer cleans better but versus the technology of today's front loaders, this isn't true for the average washer. I guess it is possible for your particular model to clean better in comparison with a specific model of front loader, but on average -- the front loaders get clothes cleaner.

-ryan

 

[ronparise]

Did your mother wash clothes in her high-heels as well?

Kurt

My mom grew up on a farm, in the 1930's with no running water and no electricity. and most of her clothes my grandmother made from feed sacks. Im not sure she owned more than one pair of shoes... and they certainly weren't high heels...Until she moved to the big city to work for the War Dept (1940). Years later, I remember a closet full of shoes. in particular a pair or bright red pumps

But no she didnt wear them around the house a'la June Cleaver (Beavers Mom)

 

[Phydeaux]

Front loaders on average use less water, require less drying time and perform better in independent cleaning tests. I'd post the reports from consumer reports, but those are for subscribers only. Top loaders are generally cheaper and have shorter cycles (again, on average).

Anecdotally, you may think that your top load washer cleans better but versus the technology of today's front loaders, this isn't true for the average washer. I guess it is possible for your particular model to clean better in comparison with a specific model of front loader, but on average -- the front loaders get clothes cleaner.

-ryan

With all due respect, and I mean that, I truly believe that all of that is pure marketing hype, and steaming BS. Our first hand experience is the exact opposite. And, I trust Consumer Reports as far as I can throw a piano. When I see bona fide data, I'll buy it.