Top Loading Washer Recommendation

[Tim Malyszko]

Where else would one go for a good washer recommendation? A woodworking forum... DUH!!!

But seriously, our Washer died the other day and we aren't ready to spend $2k to $3k on one of those fancy shmancy front loading washer and dryer sets that does everything except make toast. We are however, looking for another WHITE top loading washer somewhere in the $400 to $600 range.

Any suggestions? There are way too many options out there and I was suprised at how little info I could find on reviews and such. What I do find all seem like somewhat biased reviews.

Thanks.

[Brent Ring]

Whatever you can find that fits your sizing and pricing - at COSTCO. Their liberal return policies have made that a no brainer for me where electronics and other appliances are concerned. I have returned a washer, a dryer, and a waffle iron, and got my money back each time - with no hassle. Most were in the 90-180 day range, although I had a dryer that had problems after 11 months and they did not even blink an eye on refund.

I have a DVD recorder that just went bad that we purchased from Walmart (wifes choice, not mine, and she is regretting it now) and we are basically stuck with the mfg's 90 day warranty.

just my thoughts!

[Rob Russell]

We replaced both our washer and dryer abuot a year ago with an upper end Kenmore pair - rebadged Whirlpool units. The washer is one of the top-loading high efficiency ones. My wife doesn't like either machine as much as the older ones. We've had some cases where the washing machine didn't use enough water to rinse all of the soap out of the clothes.

[Von Bickley]

Tim,
Check out the Fisher Paykel. Lowes carries them. I have a friend that bought one several years ago and they have been WELL PLEASED.....

They are a little more expensive, but they have a good reputation. I think they run around $700, but I'm not sure.

[Tim Malyszko]

Check out the Fisher Paykel. Lowes carries them. I have a friend that bought one several years ago and they have been WELL PLEASED

That is what we have now. The Washer, has performed well, but getting service on it has been difficult. In fact, I'm the service man. I've learned a whole lot more that I ever wanted to on Washer Repair. I'm tired of having to expedite parts for it, so I'm looking for another brand.

[Matt Meiser]

Last year I read an article that said that new federal standards on water use had make top load washers except for the Whirlpools that were basically a front load tipped on their back basically useless. In testing, they found some actually took the dirt from the dirtiest clothes and redistributed it to the cleaner clothes. You might want to read reviews before buying anything.

My parents bought a Frigidaire front load and are happy with it. They didn't pay anywhere close to $2-3K.

[Rob Luter]

We bought a Fisher & Paykel top loader last year and are very happy. It was reasonable priced, is a "low water consumption" version, and has a real centrifuge for a spin cycle. Clothes are almost dry on removal so the dryer doesn't get much use. The tub is direct drive with a stepper motor instead of a transmission and the whole tub assembly is fully suspended rather than sitting on springs. No vibration and it's very quiet. We bought it locally and the one service call we needed (odd noise) got handled the same week.

From an engineering perspective it's very cool and it flat out works to boot.

[Al Willits]

Last year I read an article that said that new federal standards on water use had make top load washers except for the Whirlpools that were basically a front load tipped on their back basically useless. In testing, they found some actually took the dirt from the dirtiest clothes and redistributed it to the cleaner clothes. You might want to read reviews before buying anything.

My parents bought a Frigidaire front load and are happy with it. They didn't pay anywhere close to $2-3K.

I'd remind your folks not to over load that front loader, or they won't be all that happy with the cost of a new drum bearing...
Same for the rest of the front loaders.

For $400-600 I'd get a top load Whirlpool, or a Maytag but with the Maytag make sure it has the two belt drive system not the single belt model.

We have the Fisher Paykel and while probably the best top loader and better than most front loaders, their service/parts network sucks.

Al

[Jim O'Dell]

We bought a Maytag pair a few years back. LOML is pleased with it. No problems what so ever. Jim.

[Al Willits]

Jim, Maytag now has two washers under the Maytag name, their basic one belt washer which is the same as Norge and is the cheaper of the two, and the higher end two belt washer, bit harder to find, but it is the washer our folks used to say lasted forever.

Many washers or appliances do just find untill you stress them a bit, that's when the better made ones shine...or keep working..

Al

[Mike Henderson]

I bought a GE top loader about a year ago and like it. I notice it gets the clothes cleaner than my old (about 20 years old) Kenmore that I had before. It's a high efficiency model and uses less water but certainly enough to clean the clothes well.

The reason we didn't buy a front loader is that you have to put them up on a pedestal or you have a hard time getting thing out of them. And when you put them on a pedestal, you lose the work space on the top of the washer and dryer (for folding clothes).

Mike

[Bob Rufener]

We've had a Fisher Paykel for about 5 years and my wife is very pleased with it. Low water consumption and in really spins the clothes quite dry.

[Kyle Kraft]

I wouldn't buy a Whirlpool at all or any other brand less than 8 years old. I'm sold on the pre-takeover Maytags myself.

[Art Mulder]

My parents bought a Frigidaire front load and are happy with it. They didn't pay anywhere close to $2-3K.

That was one, Matt, not a set. Still, I think the 3K is out of line. Certainly you can get a good set for $2k, probably less.

[Matt Meiser]

Oops, I missed that he said set--I was thinking just washer. Yes, the set would have been in the $2K range.