New washer and dryer help!
March 21, 2017 3:25 PM Subscribe
I am replacing my Kenmore washer and dryer that are about seven years old because they are the worst appliances I have ever purchased in my life.
What I am finding so hard to navigate is the abundance of model numbers, etc that exist and how most of those number dont seem to match up with the most recent Consumer Reports rundown.
I reemmber when we re-did our kitchen three years ago I was flummoxed by all the differences in model numbers and how its seems many models that you see listed in CR, just dont exist, but that there are model numbers almost identical. I assumed thgis was some sort of a way to kind of "keep the ball in the air" on the part of the manufacturers. It seems the quality of most applicances has really deteriorated over the last few decades.
With that said, what I am looking to buy are a front loading washer and a gas dryer, I ruled out Kenmore and Whirlpool as I have had REALLY bad experiences with the products recently and Samsung because they had a massive recall on washers recently.
That left LG as far as the CR ratings were concerned.
Then, assuming I cant spend 7-10 thousand dollars on a washer and dryer and therefore cannot look at the highest rated ones from CR, I am looking at these
Washer WM4270HWA
Dryer Dryer
But I also feel like I am just shooting in the dark, I feel it is so hard to get a decent opinion, that I could spend days looking at reviews from websites and not really have any confidence I was buying the best product at this price range ($600-$900)
I don't care about steam in the dryer, but it sounds like a good thing, or is it just one more thing to break?
Mostly we want a washer that actually gets clothes clean. The Kenmore I have now if I do half loads, and put in on "heavy duty" and then make the adjustment every time it gets out of balance, I wind up with some semi-clean clothes. Its appalling.
Any guidance on this appreciated. Hate to make the same mistake twice (I thought I did all the right research last time, but got hood winked on the low water capacity, top loading direct drive machines- stunningly useless and not that cheap
What I am finding so hard to navigate is the abundance of model numbers, etc that exist and how most of those number dont seem to match up with the most recent Consumer Reports rundown.
I reemmber when we re-did our kitchen three years ago I was flummoxed by all the differences in model numbers and how its seems many models that you see listed in CR, just dont exist, but that there are model numbers almost identical. I assumed thgis was some sort of a way to kind of "keep the ball in the air" on the part of the manufacturers. It seems the quality of most applicances has really deteriorated over the last few decades.
With that said, what I am looking to buy are a front loading washer and a gas dryer, I ruled out Kenmore and Whirlpool as I have had REALLY bad experiences with the products recently and Samsung because they had a massive recall on washers recently.
That left LG as far as the CR ratings were concerned.
Then, assuming I cant spend 7-10 thousand dollars on a washer and dryer and therefore cannot look at the highest rated ones from CR, I am looking at these
Washer WM4270HWA
Dryer Dryer
But I also feel like I am just shooting in the dark, I feel it is so hard to get a decent opinion, that I could spend days looking at reviews from websites and not really have any confidence I was buying the best product at this price range ($600-$900)
I don't care about steam in the dryer, but it sounds like a good thing, or is it just one more thing to break?
Mostly we want a washer that actually gets clothes clean. The Kenmore I have now if I do half loads, and put in on "heavy duty" and then make the adjustment every time it gets out of balance, I wind up with some semi-clean clothes. Its appalling.
Any guidance on this appreciated. Hate to make the same mistake twice (I thought I did all the right research last time, but got hood winked on the low water capacity, top loading direct drive machines- stunningly useless and not that cheap
Everyone I know (including me) has an LG w/d. We all have different ones from across the price spectrum. We all love them.
One tip is to buy in white. White appliances tend to be about $50 cheaper than that same one in silver or red or something.
posted by magnetsphere at 3:48 PM on March 21, 2017 [2 favorites]
One tip is to buy in white. White appliances tend to be about $50 cheaper than that same one in silver or red or something.
posted by magnetsphere at 3:48 PM on March 21, 2017 [2 favorites]
There's a link on the blue right now about planned obsolescence in appliances. If you read the comments section of the linked article, the author makes some recommendations about washers.
posted by kevinbelt at 3:58 PM on March 21, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by kevinbelt at 3:58 PM on March 21, 2017 [1 favorite]
Last time we bought one (admittedly a long time ago), there were multiple brands that were making washers and dryers under the Kenmore name. Sears/Kenmore doesn't have any factories, so it's major appliance manufacturers who make that stuff. It might behoove you to figure out who actually made yours, so you know to avoid them (and that could potentially open up some other Kenmore options if they're made by a different company).
Lately we've been sticking with Miele appliances whenever we can, and we've been happy with them, but you do pay the price.
posted by primethyme at 4:09 PM on March 21, 2017
Lately we've been sticking with Miele appliances whenever we can, and we've been happy with them, but you do pay the price.
posted by primethyme at 4:09 PM on March 21, 2017
There's a link on the blue right now about planned obsolescence in appliances. If you read the comments section of the linked article, the author makes some recommendations about washers.
I was curious, so I tracked down the author's comments beneath his article:
10 years is pretty good for those front loaders, LG makes the best front loaders hands down, you made a wise purchase.
...
Best top load washer right now is Speed Queen. You can view them on Amazon and check to see if you have any distributors locally.
I came here to recommend Speed Queen. They're primarily commercial washing machines for laundromats, so they're built to last. My parents love theirs.
posted by bluecore at 4:10 PM on March 21, 2017 [2 favorites]
I was curious, so I tracked down the author's comments beneath his article:
10 years is pretty good for those front loaders, LG makes the best front loaders hands down, you made a wise purchase.
...
Best top load washer right now is Speed Queen. You can view them on Amazon and check to see if you have any distributors locally.
I came here to recommend Speed Queen. They're primarily commercial washing machines for laundromats, so they're built to last. My parents love theirs.
posted by bluecore at 4:10 PM on March 21, 2017 [2 favorites]
I bought the LG washer & dryer recommended by the Sweethome a year ago. The LG pair has been great.
I agree that CR is more confusing than helpful for washers and most large appliances.
posted by GuyZero at 4:34 PM on March 21, 2017
I agree that CR is more confusing than helpful for washers and most large appliances.
posted by GuyZero at 4:34 PM on March 21, 2017
Hello, I got that exact model of washer and I've actually had a very good time with it (and the wee washer underneath which is a consummate luxury), but you might not be able to get that exact model anymore? I think they discontinued it exactly when we ordered it; there was a large delay on our order for CostCo, so much that they offered us a bigger more expensive set for the same price that we had to decline because our laundry room door wasn't wide enough. And you'll notice that it says discontinued on the page. We've had it since October, though, so it's certainly not a long experience yet.
We did put too many blankets in it at once and it shook itself so that a drain tube got lose but CostCo concierge + a tech visit later fixed it in a jiffy, now I'm much more careful about doing that. (Blankets are a different matter than a large load of clothes I think, a collection of them is more likely to bunch up and unbalance the machine than many smaller pieces of clothing, and when I read the manual again later I noticed it's a one-blanket-at-a-time recommend.)
We got that particular model because Sweethome recommended it + CostCo carried it.
posted by foxfirefey at 4:43 PM on March 21, 2017
We did put too many blankets in it at once and it shook itself so that a drain tube got lose but CostCo concierge + a tech visit later fixed it in a jiffy, now I'm much more careful about doing that. (Blankets are a different matter than a large load of clothes I think, a collection of them is more likely to bunch up and unbalance the machine than many smaller pieces of clothing, and when I read the manual again later I noticed it's a one-blanket-at-a-time recommend.)
We got that particular model because Sweethome recommended it + CostCo carried it.
posted by foxfirefey at 4:43 PM on March 21, 2017
I have a 10 year old LG dryer that is still going strong, just as a data point. And we bought a Maytag washer 2 years ago (an earlier version of this) and LOVE it - if you'd consider a top loader instead.
posted by getawaysticks at 5:49 PM on March 21, 2017
posted by getawaysticks at 5:49 PM on March 21, 2017
We are going on year 3 of our lg washers. The steam feature has largely gone unused and has not been impressive when we do. You don't need it. We're otherwise happy so far.
posted by Karaage at 6:20 PM on March 21, 2017
posted by Karaage at 6:20 PM on March 21, 2017
I replaced a piece of shit Kenmore set with LG three years ago and have been absolutely delighted. The washer never once been unbalanced, it has tons of options (the wool hand wash is brilliant), and it sings a little song to me when it starts and ends.
posted by HotToddy at 6:28 PM on March 21, 2017
posted by HotToddy at 6:28 PM on March 21, 2017
I am on my 2nd set of LG washer/dryers (Nothing wrong with the first set, I was moving cross-country and decided to sell them instead of taking them with me. At 9 years old, I sold them for about a third what they cost new, and I had a bunch of calls on them, I could likely have sold them for more) Anyway, obviously I liked the LGs so much the first time, I happily bought another set.
I use the steam function occasionally, but not often enough to say it's an important feature. I also never use the nfc controls for the washer either.
posted by antimony at 6:47 PM on March 21, 2017
I use the steam function occasionally, but not often enough to say it's an important feature. I also never use the nfc controls for the washer either.
posted by antimony at 6:47 PM on March 21, 2017
I have an LG washer and dryer (in snazzy red because I got a great deal on a floor model!) and they've been great. They are about 5 years old, no issues at all. The washer doesn't have a steam function but the dryer does, and it's surprisingly useful for getting most of the wrinkles out of dress shirts. I wash cashmere sweaters on the wool cycle and they come out almost dry - just a few hours of air drying, and they're ready to wear. If you plan to wash small loads on the delicate cycles, don't use detergent pods - they don't dissolve completely and leave sticky blobs on your clothes. I use Persil pods for normal loads, and Method concentrated liquid for delicates.
In addition to the previously mentioned happy melody on cycle completion, mine also has the ability to play a diagnostic jingle if you need to call tech support. Apparently the tune it plays allows the techs to identify the error code. I haven't needed to do this, but I really hope it plays the funeral march or something equally bleak.
My boyfriend has a Kenmore set, and it's crap by comparison. Clothes come out of the washer sodden, and usually take 1-2 of the longest drying cycle to dry. They're also rougher on clothes (things come out of the washer a twisted, tangled mess) so we make sure to wash anything we care about at my house.
posted by ortoLANparty at 6:58 PM on March 21, 2017 [2 favorites]
In addition to the previously mentioned happy melody on cycle completion, mine also has the ability to play a diagnostic jingle if you need to call tech support. Apparently the tune it plays allows the techs to identify the error code. I haven't needed to do this, but I really hope it plays the funeral march or something equally bleak.
My boyfriend has a Kenmore set, and it's crap by comparison. Clothes come out of the washer sodden, and usually take 1-2 of the longest drying cycle to dry. They're also rougher on clothes (things come out of the washer a twisted, tangled mess) so we make sure to wash anything we care about at my house.
posted by ortoLANparty at 6:58 PM on March 21, 2017 [2 favorites]
When our decrepit GE top loading washer finally died in October, I too bought an LG. The 3670, which is one step down from the one the Sweethome recommends as I didn't need a Turbo Wash for an extra $100, but wanted the internal heating element and steam for the allergy cycle.
I did a lot of research. I love it. I sometimes use some of the cycle options just for fun. I wash my fully funky kitchen towels on sanitize with no bleach and they come out perfectly fresh. The allergy cycle for my sheets has been amazing. Everything is so clean. And all I use a single two tablespoon scoop of Seventh Generation fragrance free powder, with a scant two tablespoon measure of Odoban in the softener cup for the rinse. The Odoban is mostly to prevent static.
I kept my old dryer. Because I don't care about matching and it still works. Dryers aren't that complicated.
Whatever you do buy, please read the manual. From everything I found in strange corners of the Internet, the biggest reason people don't like their washers is because they never bothered to read the manual and learn to use it properly.
posted by monopas at 1:38 AM on March 22, 2017 [3 favorites]
I did a lot of research. I love it. I sometimes use some of the cycle options just for fun. I wash my fully funky kitchen towels on sanitize with no bleach and they come out perfectly fresh. The allergy cycle for my sheets has been amazing. Everything is so clean. And all I use a single two tablespoon scoop of Seventh Generation fragrance free powder, with a scant two tablespoon measure of Odoban in the softener cup for the rinse. The Odoban is mostly to prevent static.
I kept my old dryer. Because I don't care about matching and it still works. Dryers aren't that complicated.
Whatever you do buy, please read the manual. From everything I found in strange corners of the Internet, the biggest reason people don't like their washers is because they never bothered to read the manual and learn to use it properly.
posted by monopas at 1:38 AM on March 22, 2017 [3 favorites]
Commenting on the differing model numbers....I've always assumed the model numbers were slightly different so that big box retailers could claim that they were the only retail outlet that supplied that model. I believe the identical items are sold in different stores with just a slight variation in the number. YMMV.
posted by raisingsand at 8:04 AM on March 22, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by raisingsand at 8:04 AM on March 22, 2017 [1 favorite]
RE: Model numbers.
While sometimes Costco does have special model numbers, in this case (LG washers) that is not true. They are the same LG washer model numbers as everywhere else.
(Bought my 3670 from Sears, same model available at Costco and everywhere else. Sears had a sale going, and would deliver, install, and remove the old machine. It really is the one step down from Sweethome's Fave. Looks identical, has everything but the Turbo Wash option. I don't find less thorough rinsing to be a feature. If I do need something washed quickly, the Speed Wash cycle can do a couple of items in less than half an hour if you chose the lightest soil level.)
Did I mention that I love my new washer?
posted by monopas at 11:54 AM on March 22, 2017
While sometimes Costco does have special model numbers, in this case (LG washers) that is not true. They are the same LG washer model numbers as everywhere else.
(Bought my 3670 from Sears, same model available at Costco and everywhere else. Sears had a sale going, and would deliver, install, and remove the old machine. It really is the one step down from Sweethome's Fave. Looks identical, has everything but the Turbo Wash option. I don't find less thorough rinsing to be a feature. If I do need something washed quickly, the Speed Wash cycle can do a couple of items in less than half an hour if you chose the lightest soil level.)
Did I mention that I love my new washer?
posted by monopas at 11:54 AM on March 22, 2017
We have a Huebsch / SpeedQueen pair, front loader and gas dryer. They are boutique, but made in the USA and going on six years without problems. Our previous set was GE and they had so many problems :/ We noticed the difference right away that our clothes were cleaner! Good luck.
posted by Calzephyr at 1:28 PM on March 22, 2017
posted by Calzephyr at 1:28 PM on March 22, 2017
We replaced an ancient washer and dryer about a year ago. The washer we bought is actually the mentioned WM4270HWA and the dryer is the electric one that is designed to match that. Lots of good info up to this point. I thought I'd cover a few miscellaneous points that can add pleasure or pain to the process.
LG doesn't seem to play as many games with part numbers, and I was able to find the same models at Best Buy, Sears, HHGregg, and several other retailers. I used some aggressive price-matching to get both the washer and dryer from Sears, which had a much better installation and haul-away package price.
The LG stuff has been fantastic, pleasant to use, and problem-free. I think we based our purchase on a previous Consumer Reports that had an earlier version of the washer/dryer, and the new model units were the closest match. Just looking at the overall results by manufacturer was enough to convince me that LG was probably the Toyota of washers. The model in question does things like automatic measuring of the size of the load so that it can make intelligent decisions about how much water to use. You almost certainly will never use some of the modes these things have, but the flexibility of having some extra modes and a better tier of washer may be worth a little extra cash.
If you get front loaders, you should know that they do not come with the base pedestals, which the retailers sell for around $250/ea. You can set the units on the floor, buy pedestals, or make pedestals. $250/ea is a bit of a ripoff for what is essentially sheet metal and drawer slides. I instead opted to purchase an LG SideKick pedestal washer (normally $550) and a refurbished pedestal off of eBay for a healthy discount. By doing some price-match subterfuge and redemption of Best Buy rewards, I got the pedestal washer for around $350, and it has actually become the surprise hit of the purchase. It's nice to be able to toss in a small load of one thing while washing a large load of something else. It was about a month before I stopped getting the "you wasted money" glare. About two before I got an admission that it had been a good idea. Honestly I wasn't sure myself at the time. But don't do it unless you have the potential of having a small load once a week or thereabouts.
Get white units to save a little money, $50-$100/unit, believe it or not.
If you are having the units installed, be aware that they will probably require you to buy new hoses, and the hoses will be the cheapest ones possible. You might want to take a visit to Ace Hardware and have a better set ready to go. It's also a great time to replace (or at least clean) all your dryer venting. Sears made us buy all that stuff and then we returned it after the install, which was fine since their hoses weren't long enough anyways.
You will probably want to buy some small bottles of laundry detergent, softener, and bleach to use when filling the compartment on the washer. We fill them from much larger bottles.
READ THE MANUALS. These things have bells and whistles. And play little songs. Seriously.
The LG stuff has been awesome for us. I'm hoping it lasts a long, long time.
posted by jgreco at 6:25 PM on March 22, 2017 [1 favorite]
LG doesn't seem to play as many games with part numbers, and I was able to find the same models at Best Buy, Sears, HHGregg, and several other retailers. I used some aggressive price-matching to get both the washer and dryer from Sears, which had a much better installation and haul-away package price.
The LG stuff has been fantastic, pleasant to use, and problem-free. I think we based our purchase on a previous Consumer Reports that had an earlier version of the washer/dryer, and the new model units were the closest match. Just looking at the overall results by manufacturer was enough to convince me that LG was probably the Toyota of washers. The model in question does things like automatic measuring of the size of the load so that it can make intelligent decisions about how much water to use. You almost certainly will never use some of the modes these things have, but the flexibility of having some extra modes and a better tier of washer may be worth a little extra cash.
If you get front loaders, you should know that they do not come with the base pedestals, which the retailers sell for around $250/ea. You can set the units on the floor, buy pedestals, or make pedestals. $250/ea is a bit of a ripoff for what is essentially sheet metal and drawer slides. I instead opted to purchase an LG SideKick pedestal washer (normally $550) and a refurbished pedestal off of eBay for a healthy discount. By doing some price-match subterfuge and redemption of Best Buy rewards, I got the pedestal washer for around $350, and it has actually become the surprise hit of the purchase. It's nice to be able to toss in a small load of one thing while washing a large load of something else. It was about a month before I stopped getting the "you wasted money" glare. About two before I got an admission that it had been a good idea. Honestly I wasn't sure myself at the time. But don't do it unless you have the potential of having a small load once a week or thereabouts.
Get white units to save a little money, $50-$100/unit, believe it or not.
If you are having the units installed, be aware that they will probably require you to buy new hoses, and the hoses will be the cheapest ones possible. You might want to take a visit to Ace Hardware and have a better set ready to go. It's also a great time to replace (or at least clean) all your dryer venting. Sears made us buy all that stuff and then we returned it after the install, which was fine since their hoses weren't long enough anyways.
You will probably want to buy some small bottles of laundry detergent, softener, and bleach to use when filling the compartment on the washer. We fill them from much larger bottles.
READ THE MANUALS. These things have bells and whistles. And play little songs. Seriously.
The LG stuff has been awesome for us. I'm hoping it lasts a long, long time.
posted by jgreco at 6:25 PM on March 22, 2017 [1 favorite]
Response by poster: This is exactly what I was hoping for MeFites! I was concerned my post was too vague (so weary form doing laundry over and over again).
LG is good for me, makes my Life Good?
Thanks as always.
Henry
posted by silsurf at 7:21 PM on March 22, 2017
LG is good for me, makes my Life Good?
Thanks as always.
Henry
posted by silsurf at 7:21 PM on March 22, 2017
I guess it is worth pointing out that I spend a lot of time reading user reviews of products. This is a tedious but valuable exercise, because so often happy appliance owners don't say a thing, and you're left with a high ratio of complaints. User reviews often suffer from low quality and obvious axe grinding, so it is necessary to separate the wheat from the chaff, but after looking over several candidate models, it became pretty clear that most of the valid complaints about the better LG models were related to installation or repair services, rather than the units themselves.
LG would very much like you to think that LG is "Life's Good", their company tagline, but it's actually Lucky-GoldStar. If you got a chill reading "GoldStar," yes, it's *that* GoldStar. I would never have imagined myself buying something from them back in the '80's-'90's, similar to some other brands like Kia. However, just like Kia (recently ranked for #1 on vehicle new model reliability by JD Power), they've poured craftsmanship and excellence into their products, and so if nothing else, I do think that they've earned at least a "Laundry's Good" tagline.
Good luck with your replacement.
posted by jgreco at 2:25 AM on March 23, 2017
LG would very much like you to think that LG is "Life's Good", their company tagline, but it's actually Lucky-GoldStar. If you got a chill reading "GoldStar," yes, it's *that* GoldStar. I would never have imagined myself buying something from them back in the '80's-'90's, similar to some other brands like Kia. However, just like Kia (recently ranked for #1 on vehicle new model reliability by JD Power), they've poured craftsmanship and excellence into their products, and so if nothing else, I do think that they've earned at least a "Laundry's Good" tagline.
Good luck with your replacement.
posted by jgreco at 2:25 AM on March 23, 2017
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by handful of rain at 3:47 PM on March 21, 2017 [5 favorites]