Front Loader or Top Loader & Why

[Chuck]

Ok, true to my nature I’m in complete procrastination mode. After 12 years my washer & dryer have bit the dust.

My struggle is front loader or top loader. Brand is not an option, I have a GE meatball tattooed to my forehead not to mention the nice discount they give me as well as my current machines being GE lasting 12 years.

About the only real differences I can find between the front loader and top loader is spin speed and capacity well and price – front loaders are a few hundred dollars more. I have heard that the front loaders twist the clothes up more than the top loaders. Wondering if anyone here has any experience with the front loaders and can give me their opinion, if anyone recently decided one way or the other and why?

[MATBird]

Re: Front Loader or Top Loader & Why

When we moved a few years ago, we bought the front loaders and the stands that raise them another 15" higher. - We prefer them much better than the top loaders. BUT, if you get front loaders, I believe the stands are a must. Makes loading easier and gives you extra storage space in the drawer below. Of course it's another $400. but worth it. IMHO

[Birdlover]

Re: Front Loader or Top Loader & Why

If you can afford the extra cost, front loader is the way to go. Front loaders use considerably less water than top load (less water cost, less hot water cost), they are extremely gentle to your clothes (your clothes last a lot longer saving you money), hold about the same size load (maybe more) as top load, and spin your clothes very dry (less drying cost). Ah, spin dry....how often do you have to rearrange your load because it is off balance in the spin cycle? In nine years with our front loader, I've never been interrupted to rearrange the load! Ours will sense an off balance situation early on and reverse directions a couple of times to re-balance the load. Convinced? I am!

Just thought of another comparison. At our home in Florida, we still have a top loader and I find it does not clean the clothes nearly as well as the top loader. In a few years when we retire and winter in Florida, we will have a top loader there too!

[RustyFrye]

Re: Front Loader or Top Loader & Why

Bought a front loader a few years ago without the stand. I'm good with that. As previously stated, front loaders are more efficient and don't damage your clothes, Faster spin means less water and less drying time.

Also, if your tv and internet go out and you have a buzz you can watch the clothes flipping around inside..... almost looks like they're having fun.

And if you do go the front loader route, be sure to buy High Efficiency detergent. You don't need the suds action the older stuff provides.

[islandtime]

Re: Front Loader or Top Loader & Why

Ditto what Rusty said. We purchased an LG a few years ago (and matching dryer) without the stands (don't need them), and the difference in how clean the clothes are is amazing, let alone how much water & energy you save, and if they're 'energy star', it's even better! Also, front load is extremely quiet! The first time I used mine, I had to check to see if it was working! I could barely hear it! Front loaders are also very entertaining for cats!

[SixPac]

Re: Front Loader or Top Loader & Why

Chuck, don't forget about the "Cash for Appliances" program (if it's out).

[Sweet T]

Re: Front Loader or Top Loader & Why

Go with the front.

If you're putting it on the first floor or above, some homeowners' insurance companies are now requiring a drip pan below the washer and metal hoses.

[JAB02LHS]

Re: Front Loader or Top Loader & Why

So just how does this clean my clothes!

[FUN X 3]

Re: Front Loader or Top Loader & Why

We just got new "green" ones, top load for washer, front load for dryer, not sure why, Judy does the laundry in our household. We will get a tax credit for a portion of the washer purchase when we file next year.

I kinda like watching the washer hop around the floor during the spin cycle when the load is unbalanced...

[Ski]

Re: Front Loader or Top Loader & Why

I have the third choice - wife! It doen't matter if she puts laundry in the top or the front. (Ohhh, I'm going to get it!)

[Ol'Dave]

Re: Front Loader or Top Loader & Why

John beat me to it, but I'm putting in a Top Loader with a 9" Detroit Locker.

[5bird7]

Re: Front Loader or Top Loader & Why

We've always had top loaders but George's mom always had a front loader and the clothes pin line. She swore by the front loader for cleaning since George's dad was a mechanic.

But we make our washer and dryers last at least 20 years before replacing. So I'm not due for another washer for 3 years but it's a Maytag so may go even longer and I don't want to bend over to fill, though a cabinet underneath might be worthwhile.

[yelobird2002]

Re: Front Loader or Top Loader & Why

I'm with John, at the start of this thread I thought we were talking about old 4 speed top loaders transmissions.

[texasbird]

Re: Front Loader or Top Loader & Why

A Whirlpool brand Top Load washer ONLY. It can be a Sears Kenmore IF the Model Number Prefix is 110 (the 3-digit prefix on any Sears item specifies the manufacturer).

WHY?

1. The door seal on a Front Load washer WILL eventually leak. Unless you trade your appliances the way you trade cars, in order to have the latest and greatest, you will eventually have to deal with this, and the results are never pretty.

2. When a Front Load washer FAILS in mid-cycle, the tub is FULL, the door is LOCKED and unless you are a Service Technician... one is REQUIRED.

3. On a Front Load Washer, even at End of Wash Cycle, the Door Lock can fail to release (even on Maytag Neptunes) locking your wet clothes inside.

4. Owners Manuals on Front Load Washers warn that a Technician needs to secure the drum if the Washer is to be relocated, then release it for use once the move is complete. Failure to do this may void the warranty or extended service contract.

I believe much of this to be true because a much younger version of me was a Sears Appliance and Small Engine Service Technician at one time. I still do my own repairs, and have rescued others who have suffered the problems listed above.

[FritsB]

Re: Front Loader or Top Loader & Why

If you go for a top loader try not to have a pencil in your brest pocket. If it falls in its hard to get out. That also goes for false teeth