World of Washers

Margaret writes:

I just found your web page and thought it was wonderful however I couldn’t find anything that might answer my question. I have a Whirlpool Washer that is 13 years old. It was working fine up until last night when I found the lid switch has rusted all around the area that holds it so that it no longer operates. My son helped me rig up a temporary solution with some legos last night but by this morning the rust gave way to more area so the legos no longer work. I do realize I can purchase a new lid switch even though what I have actually works if I want to stand and hold it during the entire wash but I’m thinking with the amount of rust all around the top it might just be time for a new washer.

I bought a new dryer about 3 years ago which was a very unreliable Maytag and have spent lots of money on repairs but it currently is working so I’m not quite ready to buy another. My laundry room is on the second floor and I need to go with top loaders for if no other reason, my washer dryer connections are reversed with the gas lines run with a build out into a closet which to make a long story short is easier not to try and switch.

So, finally my question – I am so totally lost now about washers I’m about at my wits end reading and getting more and more confused with all that I read. With it being Labor Day there are lots of sales and as my washer really doesn’t actually work properly I think I need to get moving on this. But I don’t understand what is a reliable good washer these days. At first I thought the fisher Paykel were good but now it doesn’t seem so. I don’t need lots of fancy things but it would be nice to have the energy efficiency and won’t break down like my dryer. The washer I have now just says Whirlpool Super Capacity Plus Supreme but doesn’t say what its capacity is but I have washed a king size comforter and it did fine. So, I would like a washer at least the same size – its width is 26 ½ and the height is 36 ½, if that helps at all.

Can you help me? It seems like most information I find are all on the front loaders. My main problem with them is the door are not switchable and with my connections being reversed it just won’t work. Thank you so much for any help you can give me.

Margaret

My response:

Margaret,

Thank you very much for writing.

If you are looking for a top load washer, and reliability is important, then I would encourage you to take a look at Speed Queen. These washers are built like the Maytags of old used to be built like, and they are one of the few appliances anymore that come with a full three year warranty. These machines are simply built like tanks, and they are easy to fix if something should go wrong.

You will not find Speed Queen at any of the national retailers. You will need to find a local dealer. Even though they are harder to find, and even though they cost a bit more than a typical top load washer, they are worth the investment.

If you are looking for energy efficiency, then I would encourage you to look at the GE Profile Harmony. I know many people who own this washer and are happy with it, and it is the only high-efficiency top load washer I would recommend. It has a lot of bells and whistles, which most people do not need, but it washers well and will use less water and energy.

For frontload washers, there is at least one washer on the market that has a reversible door, and that is made by Asko, a European company. Asko offers the small, Euro-sized washers, but they also make a model made specifically for the American market with the bigger capacity. Again, you will need to seek out Asko at a local dealer, as they are not in any of the national chains.

Aside from the above, if you decide to go with another Whirlpool washer (or even a Maytag, as they are owned by Whirlpool and are of Whirlpool design) then you will get a decent washer for a decent price. Just stay around the $400 price-point and you will be fine. Whirlpool design is proven, and there is no shortage of technicians available to work on them.

So take a look at Speed Queen first. I think you will be happy with what you see.

Let me know if you have any other questions.

~Brad

Margaret replied:

Brad,

Wow. Thank you so much for all this information. I can’t begin to tell you how much I appreciate this. Trying to research on the internet can be great but if there are a lot of choices and too much information then it is just overwhelming and frustrating. You have helped me tremendously and I will start looking for local dealers.

Again Thank You!

Margaret