New Washer Dilemma: Impeller or Agitator?
Does anyone have terrific experience with a particular brand of washer? If so, is it a front or top-loader, and if top, does it have an agitator or an impeller?
One of the models I'm considering, with either an impeller or agitator:
My old washer still functions, but the normal wash cycle no longer works properly and the repair fellow who came early in the winter couldn't figure out why. Actually, it behaved just fine for him...but not for me. LOL. I've been washing on another setting for months.
Then last week the auto-temperature control seemed to go; I was getting straight hot or straight cold, not a mix. I switched to the manual setting and it's working at the moment.
The machine is the last of the Sears Kenmore (i.e. Whirlpool) mechanical top-loaders, is now 22 years old. I hate to give it up because it's been a terrific "work horse" of a machine, but I don't want to keep paying for repairs, either. (I've already had half a dozen repair visits for it.)
I'm leaning to a top-loader, because that's what I'm familiar with, and I don't want to stoop down to put my clothes in or haul them out, or deal with possible mildew, gasket issues, etc.
However, I see that you can get impeller or agitator top-loaders, and some with removable agitators. I looked in a few stores over the weekend, spoke with salespeople, have done a lot of Googling (reading and videos), and it all seems very daunting, after over two decades with the same machine. Everything has electronics now, and of course those will fail quickly. There are fantastic reviews for every brand/model I've looked at, and utterly abysmal reviews for every brand/model I've researched.
The other thing that completely dismays me is the length of time that it takes to do a load in a new washer; it's crazy! How does anyone ever leave the house if they're doing numerous loads per week? (I average five loads per week, last week I did 13 loads because I was washing curtains, etc., with many more loads to come over the next weeks of spring cleaning.)
Any experiences you've had would be greatly appreciated, particularly with regard to customer service. Thanks!
Below: From a few days ago; my first duck sighting in our neighbourhood. It's great to have most of the snow gone now, except for the banks from the plows, or some icy patches in shady spots. Ducks don't have a dilemma between front/top/impeller/agitator. Lucky them!
Comments
nicely in 33 minutes. But the thing is so big my tiny laundry room is now difficult
to turn around in. I'd go top loader for size. My last GE lasted 30 years. I do not
expect the new stuff to last much more than 15.
I did see a pair of Wood Ducks this past week. And I have had 4 sunny days out
of 10. But it poured all day Saturday and then it was dark and damp all day
yesterday.
I am in the process of weaning the 100 goldfinch off the feeders. I am down
to 3 thistle feeders starting today. And the one suet feeder is high on the
clothes line between trees so no raccoon can reach it. Saves me going out
at 6:30 AM now. Lynn and Precious
How lovely to see the wood ducks, I don't typically get to see them, though they are around, of course.
We got our Miele Washer and Dryer since September 8, 1994 and it is a front loader but very compact compared to all American brands. Would NEVER want to go back to my Whirlpool days... We took that with us to Italy and could only run the washer as the apartment had not enough power for running a dryer... In Indonesia we bought another German brand, a Bauknecht washer and dryer.
Miele is very energy efficient in the usage of water and electricity and does an excellent job! The ONLY thing I've at times considered to get the next size as our down duvet barely fits inside... But how often do you launder that?!
With my CKD stage 4, I've noticed that for squatting down and unloading into the laundry basket, I no longer can veer back up as I used to be able. But that is age and CKD related.
Now I hold onto the top and that works fine!
So I cannot give you any advice about the American brands. Miele is quiet, compact and energy efficient, as in Europe we were way ahead in that aspect. Mom had hers for over 40 years!!! They last forever.
Good luck with selecting your new one!
Those ducks are the first forebodes for spring in your region; enjoy more to come!
Hugs,
Mariette
The duck pictures are lovely.
When I was a young child, I remember the wringer washer we had then; I was fascinated by the clothes being fed through the rollers to wring them out. :-)
I appreciate all the feedback!
I'm starting to think I should just limp along with my old one until it gives out entirely. LOL.
I know they say agitators are hard on clothes but to be honest, I'm hard on my clothes! I've never heard of an impeller so I'm not I'm off to do some reading. Good luck with your search!
within 90 days because it didn't work; she supposedly got "new"
the new machine I "think" is a whirlpool top loader agitator that takes a week to wash and another week to dry; { programmable }
being of Irish descent and superstitious, I'm knocking wood and tossing salt ...my OLD KENMORE is still running; yet sadly trying to find a SEAR"S store that is still open is hard to do
I know a few people who love their front loaders, but I've heard of more who say they wouldn't have one again.
I've looked at some models of Whirlpools, but they're too wide for the very tight space I have in the basement. So I have to take that into account as well.
This is much harder than I thought it would be, and it doesn't help that I tend to overthink everything to death!
Julie and poppyq