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We’ve come full circle with washing machines

We just went to Lowes and bought a new matching set. We bought our first set, a whirlpool, from a scratch and dent store when we got married 15 years ago. After trying to fix the dryer to make it dry better, we decided it was time to just pull the trigger. We bought another set of Whirpools, but this one comes with a detachable agitator. For big items like quilts, comforters, and sleeping bags, you can just pop the agitator out. Also, it has a deep water setting that bypasses the weighted basket. Whirlpool and Maytag are also both made in America, but the boards come from China. We looked at the Speed Queens, but the ones we could find only had like a 3.5 cubic foot basket. Our Whirlpool is 4.9 and also has a stainless basket.
 
We’ve gone from the olden days of a scrub board and manual labor to get your clothes clean. Then 50 years of electric models that actually cleaned for you. Now we’re making washers that dont even tumble the clothes. Agitator-less models. How do these models even sell? I just got my first from a friend who upgraded. What a pile of trash. What are the rest of the Odts wives using? We mainly wanted the larger 5’ models for oversize blankets and bedding but the one I got cant even agitate a load of T shirts. Another genius idea from our government Im sure..
We bought a top load agitator washer/dryer set around 2007- they were Whirlpools and were labeled as commercial-grade with a good warranty. In 2020, the agitator quit and I was on the verge of buying a new washer until deciding to look into what caused the failure. It was just a $3.00 part and I have decided to hang on to the set and to follow my neighbor who just repairs what breaks or wears. His set is 46 years old!
 
We bought a top load agitator washer/dryer set around 2007- they were Whirlpools and were labeled as commercial-grade with a good warranty. In 2020, the agitator quit and I was on the verge of buying a new washer until deciding to look into what caused the failure. It was just a $3.00 part and I have decided to hang on to the set and to follow my neighbor who just repairs what breaks or wears. His set is 46 years old!
Yep...I did all that. Belts, pumps, wig-wags (called magnet), transmissions, couplings, switches, timers etc. Even changed out a washtub with a rusted neck spindle. The only problem is getting the damned washer out to work on it. Used to be able to pull it out and put in the garage with plenty of room to work. I've gotten too old to be doing all that now and just replaced my last one with a Maytag. It was quite a departure from the old technology but the wife and I actually like it better. Uses less water (still has the full water option though) spins faster because of a belt driven transmission (belt on the very bottom easier to change). The only bad thing is all the lid switch interlocks and being impatient for it to decide it has stopped spinning.
 
Man really enjoyed that video, very satisfying. Looking at the Speed Queen TR5 right now, any other alternatives in Maytag or other manufacturers? Must be top load, no electronics, ss tube.
 
X 2 on the Maytag top load. It’ll hold a very large load and wash no problem with the agitator. My wife’s only complaint is the automated “cleaning” notification. Every so often it is preset to have you run one cycle with this stuff call afresh to disinfect the inside. I guess from the law suits for the mold inside the washers. (Ours doesn’t sit empty long enough for mold to grow.) So when this cleaning cycle comes up, it will not do anything but the cleaning cycle. If you have already put a load in and detergent, you have to pull it all out and run the clean cycle. I did finally find a way to over-ride it.
 
Speed Queen is the only way to go. They are expensive but should last for MANY years and our TC5 Top Load came with a 5 year warranty covering all parts and labor in home.
Made in the USA!!!!


The side loaders don’t do so well with heavily soiled,( work clothes), nor does the last new set of top loader & dryer purchased in 2015 at the old house.

Ive got a 20 year old Kenmore set that keeps getting rebuilt but Speed Queen will be the final replacement when the old faithfuls can no longer be rebuilt.


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Bought the most old school one I could find- a Speedqueen that is like the ones in laundrymats. Direct drive, no bells and whistles - been good so far (7 years), and we do a lot of clothes washing.
 
Speed Queen is the only way to go. They are expensive but should last for MANY years and our TC5 Top Load came with a 5 year warranty covering all parts and labor in home.
Made in the USA!!!!

We're ready to buy us some Speed Queen, if we can find them locally. So far we haven't. My Mother has had one for decades.
 
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