Happy Birthday to Me

[ksmith]

Washer went bye-bye at 1115 this morning. No agitation, along with the leaking-which-had-been-going-on-for-a while. Truth be told, I think the agitator had been out of a week or more, but I never bothered to check. Clothes were coming out wetter than usual, but not dripping. Until this morning.

Called local appliance store. Went to visit local appliance store. By noon, I had purchased a Maytag washer and dryer--Bravos line, top-loading washer.

By 230pm, it was installed. I hit their delivery sweet spot. I'm washing and drying clothes as I type.

I think this sets some sort of record or something.



Dealer and I talked about the pros and cons of top loaders and front loaders. I was leaning toward a front loader because they are supposedly easier on clothes, but the newer model top loader agitators push the water through the clothes rather than the clothes through the water, so they've buffered that problem somewhat. But, front loaders can vibrate like mad, and there are issues with load size and such. I needed to be realistic--I don't wash 3-4 loads a day. There are times when I only need to fill a washer a quarter full. I don't need the headache of a Porsche washer.

Learned something interesting about the latest hot models, Samsung and LG. They're competitive, price-wise, but they are apparently a stone bitch to try to get repaired, at least in this part of the country. This local place would like to sell those brands, but even they have trouble getting the parts. I had been interested in a Samsung set, but decided I didn't need the service headache.

Comments

[lrcutter.livejournal.com]

yay for new appliances? I'm glad you were able to get your issue solved quickly!

[kristine-smith.livejournal.com]

I am amazed how smoothly it went. I had done some research to that point, enough to know that I had a lot of options. I did have my heart set on a front loader, but the new agitators are supposed to be gentler. The washer and dryer make a sharp-looking set--not that most visitors would see them since they're in my basement--and are, at this point, pretty easy to use. So many options.

[dancinghorse.livejournal.com]

Eh, what? My front loader doesn't vibrate a fraction as much as my top loader used to. That would walk across the floor. This baby stays put, in fact that's one of the things front loaders are supposed to be great for. Nor does it do any of the things that are supposed to be bad, including take forever to cycle and mess up your delicates. It uses a tiny tiny dot of soap, spins nearly dry, and in all ways is an excellent machine. The one thing I do watch out for is damp in the gasket--it is important to wipe it thoroughly after you're done, and leave the door open for a while to make sure it dries out.

Maytag front loaders apparently are not a good thing (I have a Frigidaire, though my dryer is a Maytag and I love it). Is yours one of the new tiny-agitator models? Those are interesting, and supposedly very nice.

[kristine-smith.livejournal.com]

The model I have can have a dampness issue, too. Supposedly it's due to all the rubber gaskets. I received a packet of washer cleaner that I am supposed to run through the system every 35 cycles or so.

Mine is a tiny agitator. It's looks as though they forgot to put the agitator in. It's this model, if you want to have a look.

I read so many poor reviews about all brands of washers, top and front loading, including Maytags. With this set, I kind of went with the fact that the appliance store is local, it's been in business since the 30s, and they've been selling a number of these pairs and received very good comments back.

I just washed the dog towels--yup, brand-spankin' new and the poor thing gets hit with the muddy dog towels. They look better than they ever did with the old washer. Maytag went through some rough times with previous lines, but this is the 3rd or 4th generation Bravos, and they're supposed to be pretty good.

[dancinghorse.livejournal.com]

Very nice!

Is this model as economical with detergent as the front loaders? (If it's HE or high efficiency, that's a yes.) I use a tablespoon of regular detergent for a big load. Two if it's horse blankets. Trick I learned from someone else with a HE machine. The HE detergent is a ripoff--it's all fillers.

[kristine-smith.livejournal.com]

The one in the demo is the top of the line. My model is the B450, which only comes in white, and doesn't have a window or a few of the options, but is still darned nice.

Yup, it's HE. Thanks for the tip on the detergents!

[dancinghorse.livejournal.com]

I experimented with mine--started with a tablespoon and it worked. Yours is bigger (mine is 3.5 cu.ft.) so may take more.

It's definitely saved me money, between the 75% lower water use, next to no detergent, and the Energy Star thing. Let's hear it for technology!

My dryer is a Maytag btw--Centennial. Not as fancy as yours, but I'm really happy with it.

[(Anonymous)]

I have a Gibson front loader. Mine takes loads big and small. It takes one load that's too big for a regular top loader. (A quilt) It uses 1/4 cup of detergent a load. And it also uses a ton less water and a ton less power than the top loader. I love it. It's 10 years old now, and still going strong.

Adrianne

[e-moon60.livejournal.com]

Hurray for instant replacement!

[kateelliott.livejournal.com]

Yay! That's fast.

In our new house (new to us, that is) we have a front loading washer. It's in the garage so can shake all it wants. However, I don't care for its inability to do different sized loads. Other than that, it seems good so far.

[galeni.livejournal.com]

The front loaders available here all spin very fast which isn't good on hang to dry delicates, I'm told (such as silk blouses) so we went with the top load. Supposedly the HE detergents have fewer fillers, and since that's all I can find now in my preferred brand (Cheer) I use it. Heaven knows I don't need much since we have such soft water and a couple tablespoons of it gets everything clean even with the top loader.

I have no pets or critters, and lots of "handwashable"s in the house, so it's not everyone's choice.