dcook4
Registered Users
Posts:17
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| 05/19/2008 3:13 PM |
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| recently my washer bit the bullet and I was wondering if anybody could give some info on a very efficient washer dryer set. Brandname and model preferably. I have been looking at steam washers and dryers but haven't heard much on them, any info would be very helpful. Thankyou |
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Alton
Registered Users
Posts:307
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| 05/19/2008 4:12 PM |
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| My local Sears store is selling the steam models. Expensive. |
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Alton C. Keown
Residential Designer and Construction Technology Consultant
Auburn, Alabama
334 329-0957 AT&T Cellular |
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danmtl
Registered Users
Posts:2
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| 05/20/2008 9:23 PM |
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Look up consumer guide's and/or consumer report's web site, a lot of valuable info.
Daniel |
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paulm
Registered Users
Posts:14
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| 05/23/2008 2:55 AM |
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Our old dryer died about two years ago. We bought the Whirlpool "Duet", front-loader set. Love them!
The washer uses a lot less water AND a lot less detergent (about 60% as much detergent as the old top-loader). In addition, you can set the washer for a REALLY FAST spin speed, which means you are putting the clothes into the dryer with a lot less water in them. This in turn reduces utility costs for drying and reduces wear and tear on your clothes. We find less than 1/2 as much lint in the dryer screen as we had with the old system.
The front-loading washer is also a lot easier on your clothes than a machine with an agitator. The washer will clean as many clothes as you can jam into it, and they come out cleaner.
The only thing I'd do differently if I had it to do over again, is that I would purchase the little pedestals to set the machines on. We didn't get them at the time, and now Whirlpool has discontinued the color we have. |
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DallasBill
Registered Users
Posts:119
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| 06/04/2008 4:20 PM |
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| Can you confirm that a "regular load" wash time is considerably longer with the new models? My wife was visiting a friend with a new Whirlpool and she thought it was at least 20-30 minutes longer. On our 7 yr old Whirlpool, it's 30 minutes with one rinse. |
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paulm
Registered Users
Posts:14
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| 06/05/2008 12:46 AM |
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DallasBill,
I was curious, so I just went down and threw a load (12 pairs of jeans), in the washer (Whirlpool Duet). Set it on regular cycle--warm wash/cold rinse, and set the spin speed to "extra high" (the fastest spin speed).
The timer, which displays remaining time, read 40 minutes when I started. Had I set it on "Heavy Soil", I think it would have said something like 52 minutes. I work and play hard, and have never gotten anything dirty enough that it would not get really clean on the regular cycle. Even stuff like shop rags (my wife hates it when I wash them in 'her' machine), come out completely clean from the regular cycle.
As to dryer timing, it's on a sensor, so how long a cycle takes is directly related to how wet the clothes are when they go in (see the reference to "extra high" spin speed above), what kind of clothes you're drying, and the size of the load. My dozen pairs of jeans will take the better part of an hour to dry.
On the other hand, if I load it (pretty large load), with my shirts/socks/underwear, and set it on "more dry", the timer says 55 minutes when I start the cycle, but if I go back down in 45 minutes, the cycle will be done.
Like I said in my previous post, it's a good system. If I were buying another washer/dryer set, I would not hesitate to purchase the duet line again. BTW, I don't work for Whirlpool--I'm a software developer.
Paul
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doug_m
Registered Users
Posts:1
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| 07/15/2008 11:48 AM |
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We bought a pair of high end LG about a year ago including the steam option.
Both models perform very well and we have no complaints.
If we had to do it over however we would pass on the steam option which we have used twice.
The manual isn't very helpuful on what loads would benefit from steam and my wife and I are leary of what items could take that sort of abuse..
The washer is not quick.
I think the range depending on size and temperature is 40-70 mins.
Pedestals are nice as long as your floor is level or close to it.
Ours isn't and it took quite a few attempts to keep the washer stable at all of the available spin speeds.
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thevidy
Registered Users
Posts:6
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| 08/13/2008 2:08 PM |
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| We purchased our LG washer about two and a half years ago and the dryer about a year and a half ago and are very impressed with both of them. As described above they do take a longer amount of time to go through a wash cycle. However, the amount of water you save is close to half and they come out far dryer so your drying time should be shorter. Most of the LG models also have a sanitizing cycle feature that will heat your water to 180 deg F for those really tough stains. You will also use far less detergent as well. I'm a machinist and they do a great job at getting that machine shop smell out of my clothes. Also on any of the front end machines that you may purchase they do better in a basement or the first floor for sound. If used on the second floor they have a tendency to be loud when they go through the high speed spin cycle to wring them out (ours will spin up too 1000 rpm). Also if you want to save some money see if they have any scratch and dent models or open box specials. We saved $300.00 when we bought our washing machine by doing this and still received the warranty. |
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EcoQuester
Registered Users
Posts:2
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| 09/16/2008 11:35 PM |
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I can't really recommend a brand, except I have always used kenmore or whirlpool...lasting long time.
I can recommend a product that hooks to your washer,,,easy install and it eliminates ever the need for hot water and detergent. there is a good non-toxic, organic cleaner(cleans everything).It's called LaundryPure...www.ecoquest.com/freshway. It's worth a look. clothes last longer and kills all bacteria. |
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Manfred
Registered Users
Posts:55
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| 10/06/2008 6:58 PM |
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| We are using a front loader for the past three years. Can't say more good things about these machines. Regardless of the time it takes to cycle they are more energy efficient. |
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jtruck618
Registered Users
Posts:5
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| 11/14/2008 12:07 AM |
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| We have a new LG set, front load style. Washer is WM2455HG and dryer is DLE5955G. We were stuck in an apartment when our washer went out so we actually bought the washer about two months before the dryer. The washer was on the second floor of the apartment and make alot of noise during spin cycle. We moved and now both units sit on a concrete slab on the first floor. No problems now. Pretty quiet. Most noise is when the washer is draining water. Dryer did not work correctly upon delivery. Repair man came and replaced the circuit board and now it works fine. Cycles in washer are longer, but you can put twice as many clothes in. Instead of doing two loads of jeans, you can combine both and do one. Great for washing large blankets as well. Lots of options with both units. You can do a quick wash which is about 20-25 minutes in length. Gets clothes clean. Would recommend. |
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