World of Washers

For many people, the most confusing aspect of buying a new washer has to do with capacity. Exactly how big is that wash drum, and what does that even mean to you? I want to take a few minutes to try and answer that question.

I want to make it as simple as possible, so I will say this: capacity does not really matter. At least, not as much as the manufacturers would like you to believe. Americans like things to be big. Big cars, big houses, big credit card balances, big... uhm, you know. And the manufacturers realize this and there has been this race to be make washer drums as big as possible to capitalize on this need for "big".

So I am going to spend this post talking about capacity in top load washers. The next post will deal with frontload washers, and then finally we'll talk about dryers.

Now, I should clarify what I mean when I say capacity does not matter, because it really does. The bottom line is this: the bigger the drum, the larger the wash load, and that means less loads for you to do. But what doesn't matter is the adjectives manufacturers use to market the size of their washers.

For example, Whirlpool offers several washers (under Whirlpool brand and their various other labels, including Maytag) with what they call a "Super Capacity Plus" wash basket. This wash basket offers a usable capacity of 3.5 cubic feet. (The capacities in top load agitator washers are rated by the Department of Energy). In GE's line of top load washers, they offer several washers with a "King-size capacity" wash basket.

So, based on those two descriptions, which one is bigger? The answer is neither as they are both rated at 3.5 cubic feet.

In other brands, Frigidaire's top load washers measure at 3.0 cubic feet, and Speed Queen drums at 3.3 cubic feet.

So there are the major brands and their typical capacities in top load washers with an agitator. As you go down the line in price, you will see different descriptions that correlate to different capacities. Ignore the description and ask the actual capacity. If it's less than 3.0 cubic feet (and there are many out there), do not buy it.