I got a great message from Craig today. He included a message he received from Whirlpool regarding the crapfest known as the Cabrio/Oasis/Bravos line of washers, but I am going to create a separate post on that issue tomorrow so I don't steal Craig's thunder and detract from his situation.
Craig writes:
Wish I had found your blog a few days ago before spending $30 on a consumer reports subscription that was pretty worthless as it didn't review current products and offered less detail than what I can find on the web. One things for certain, ever washer has about 70% lovers and 30% haters. Assuming the lovers are merely trying to convince themselves they made the right choice, then one focusses on the haters and quickly decides no washing machine is worth buying as they all suck...
Although I wanted a TL unit due to not trusting FL's to smell nice, I'm leaning towards the Samsung FL models. Very few complaints (relatively speaking). As a single guy I tend to do laundry once per week and not large loads. The one question I can't find a good answer to is: Would buying the 4.5 CF model so I can wash comforters a couple times a year be a mistake? I've read a couple of blogs indicating that lightly loading FL's result in inadequate water. The solution seems to be add some clean towels...
Another question that seems to lurk out there is have the bearing issues that were prominent on FL's been resolved or do certain brands still shake apart? If there's still problems, can you state which ones don't have them?
I also included a Whirlpool response that seems aligned with what I would expect from a company that learns from its mistakes. However, the sales person at Best Buy indicated that there is a silent recall on the washplate and is only installed on machines with consumer complaints. After looking at your Blog showing what appears to be the cause of a recurring issue on the Cabrio, my only choices are a smaller TL with stainless drum or a FL. Stainless is a requirement as I occasionally forget to empty pockets which can (and did) scratch a porcelain drum...
Not sure who to trust,
Craig
My response:
Wow, Craig, great message.
I understand how difficult it can be to separate the wheat from the chaffe when it comes to appliance information online. Every manufacturer and model has consumers who love them, just as they all have them who despise them. The trick is to take as many sources of information as is possible to make a decision. Easier said than done, I know.
If you are considering Samsung, then I would say you are on the right track. In truth, most of the frontload washers out there are great machines; some are just miles ahead of their competition. I think Samsung and LG are two brands which are heads and tails above the others (the others being GE, Whirlpool, Frigidaire, and Bosch).
The question I have is why do you want a frontloader? Your wording confused me. Is it a question of size, such as 3.8cf versus 4.5cf? Or is it a question of getting a frontloader at all? You do not need a 4.5cf washer just to wash a comforter. I had a 3.8cf model and my comforter fit in it just fine. If you are wanting a frontloader for the express purpose of washing your comforters, I'd say save the money, buy a cheap top load washer, and go to the laundromat twice a year. If you simply want a frontloader just because you want one, well then rock on and drop the dough for the Samsung!
In regards to the water issue, I guess it depends. Again, drawing from previous experience, I didn't have a problem with too little water on light loads. The comforter, on the other hand, seemed to soak up a whole lot of water, so I solved the problem by adding to the drum through the detergent dispenser. I know the newest LG washers have a feature which will allow you to add extra water to the drum. I think it is a button labeled "extra water". Nice to see they kept that feature simple and didn't call it something stupid like "Turbo H2O" or something stupid like that.
Every frontload washer is going to be prone to bearing issues. The Frigidaire frontload washers (and those they built for the Kenmore label) were notorious for this problem. Five or six years and the machine was shot. I believe they have fixed the problem in their latest models. The old style Maytag Neptunes were also prone to bearing problems. I have heard of it happening to other brands and models, but it is not nearly as widespread as Frigidaire and Maytag. I wouldn't be too worried about bearing problems.
I would strongly advise against the Cabrio/Oasis/Bravos line of washers. I think they are crap. It is probably unfair to make such a broad generalization, but screw it. Whirlpool has seriously dropped the ball on this problem, and they have knowingly shipped defective products and allowed them to be sold to unsuspecting consumers. They have been unresponsive to my requests for information, even when the information I have requested has been in my efforts to provide positive information on some of their products to my readers. I am not on a personal jihad against Whirlpool, despite the way it probably looks on my blog, but they sure do not make it very easy for me to appear otherwise.
Here are my recommendations.
If you want a top load washer, then look at Fisher & Paykel (the models with the agitator), Speed Queen, and the GE Profile Harmony. Those are the ones I strongly believe in. I wouldn't say do not buy anything else; I'm just saying those three are the best. If you do decide to buy something else, then shoot for an inexpensive Whirlpool or Estate top load washer. Four-hundred bucks will get you a decent washer that is easy to fix when it takes a crap. If you want a large capacity high-efficiency top loader, then go with the Harmony. The Harmony is a superior machine to the crapfest that is the Cabrio/Oasis/Bravos line of washers.
You have probably already read my post on the frontload washers I would buy myself. If not, check it out.
In the past, I have tried to avoid making specific recommendations just because I don't want someone pissed at me if it goes bad. Well, it doesn't matter what you buy anymore, the stuff just breaks. Before you pull the trigger, check into what service options are available in your area. If you can find someone who has a machine you are interested in, do not be afraid to ask lots of questions. And yes, I would seriously consider buying an extended warranty. And if at all possible, try and buy from a local independent dealer if you can and you are comfortable with them
Let me know how everything goes.
Brad
Interesting thread over at GardenWeb about the GE frontload washers. Seems a few users were having assorted problems with their machines, and the problem was traced back to a clogged lint trap.
If you look at the picture to the left, you will notice a small panel in the lower right of the machine. This area of the washer houses a trap that catches any debris that escapes the wash tub and gets into the innards. Coins is a biggie, but you will also find lint or even small socks jammed in there.
I think most other frontload washers now have some sort of lint trap on the front of the machine. I know LG washers feature one, as does Bosch. For whatever reason, the manufacturers claim that panel should only be removed by qualified servicers, which is pretty stupid since you, as the owner, should be able to clear that trap out without worry of causing irrepairable harm to the machine.
If you own a frontloader, check to see if your machine has a lint trap. If so, check it periodically to make sure it is free of debris.
On a side note, the linked thread at GardenWeb refers to the GE machines as "Adora". Adora is simply the line of appiances GE makes exclusively for Home Depot. As long as the machine pictured looks like yours, it is essentially the same machine. Adora is not anything special.
