<p>I’m going to need to replace our machine. I’ve read the front loader Maytag Neptune turned out to have a lot of problems, but maybe the LG front loader is good? I like a top loader, but don’t want to waste a lot of water either. Any recommendations?</p>
<p>I have had a Whirlpool front loader for about a year. It is great! I can do larger loads of laundry, use less water and less detergent.</p>
<p>I like my Bosch front loader. In addition to using less water it does such a great job spinning that drying times are considerably shorter than with my old (Kitchenaid) top loader. It also does a nice job on hand-washables.</p>
<p>No mention of whether you prefer the washer to heat the water.</p>
<p>When my Bosch dishwasher broke I asked the repairman about the LG front loader washing machines as my washing machine needs to be replaced soon.</p>
<p>He said they are great machines, but have no support in my area - that is there were only two individuals authorized to repair the machines in my metropolitan area of 3.2 million! He pointed out that Home Depot and similar stores are marketing the LG machines, but the support to repair and maintain them is not yet in place.</p>
<p>So, look to see who you could call in your area in case you do have problems with a brand new LG washer.</p>
<p>I have a Miele washer. It was quite expensive, but less than an HD television, and it is a super washer. There was a learning curve involved, and there are a few things around the house that it won’t wash - 3X5 rugs with rubber backing, etc - but otherwise I love it. Very gentle on clothes, great stain removal when you learn to use it, gets clothes very, very clean.</p>
<p>I LOVE my Admiral heavy duty large capacity washer, but it’s 13 1/2 years old and they probably don’t make them anymore! (No computer inside.)</p>
<p>Fortunately it has never had any problems cause I don’t look forward to getting a new, 4x more expensive state-of-the-art washer! Shhhhhh…</p>
<p>I wonder about stopping the front loaders in mid-cycle. Can you add/subtract items once the machine is running?</p>
<p>Adding items midcycle - it depends on the washer. My Miele can be paused, and stuff can be added/subtracted. I know that some other brands do not have that option.</p>
<p>I have a Whirlpool Gold washing machine-top loader. It has had to have a direct drive pump replaced each year that we have owned it! It was purchased in July of '04 for around 600-700 $ and we now have another $500 in repairs in it (it is a basic machine that we thought would be durable and easy to maintain!). Would I buy another Whirlpool–probably not–they just don’t make them like they used to, even tho the parts and service are relatively easy to handle. I have heard that the Bosch front loaders are Great! Also, heard that the LG front loaders are hard to service and can be noisy. Consider the difficulty of repairs and whether you truly want a top loader, and of course, cost. Personally, I would call a couple of repair cos in town and talk to the repair tech to find out which brands are the best. It is not fun to mop up the floor and have to wait for repair service/parts.</p>
<p>I DO love my Whirlpool front loader. (and having it on the drawer pedestal to raise it up makes a huge difference) And yes, you can stop it during the beginning of the the cycle to add clothes (there’s an “add a garment” light). It takes getting used to–the fact that so much less water is used; but the clothes DO really get clean–honest! This is the first time in my life I’ve loved ANY appliances (my mother was a freak about that, actually–cried when vacuum broke down etc.!). Loved the Whirlpool front loader, love the Bosch dishwasher, too!</p>
<p>The Bosch can be stopped mid-cycle. I also have a Bosch dishwasher; it is so quiet you can whisper while it’s running and still be heard. I buy my appliances from a locally owned store; they service everything they sell. (They don’t sell LG.) When you are shopping be sure to ask about available rebates from the manufacturer or dealer. I’ve had to buy a new washer, dishwasher and range in the last couple of years and there was always something.</p>
<p>Haha. I fell in love with my KitchenAid dishwasher because it was so quiet. When we finally got rid of the old GE dishwasher it was like kicking out an obnoxious tenant–you can’t afford to lose the rent but don’t like having the loud guy around. </p>
<p>And my little red Miele vacuum is like having a robot to follow me around. :)</p>
<p>Appliances are like part of the family–it’s much more pleasant if we love them!</p>
<p>I hate to say this because bad things will surely happen, but our Maytag top-loading washer and dryer with mechanical controls are nearly perfect. Ten years old and they’ll still clean the rust off a battleship. They probably use more water than a front-loader, but I compensate by never (never) watering my landscape.</p>
<p>EDITED: There’s a certain irony to my nom de plume on this forum, since I am the family LaundryMAN!</p>
<p>Hhhmmmm, I can’t stop my Miele mid-cycle. You can stop it early on, if you catch it early enough, but truly mid-cycle it won’t unlatch, and the clothes wouldn’t get as clean. How do you pause it? Mine is about 5 years old, maybe that’s the difference. I love it anyway, there’s always another load.</p>
<p>I have a LG front loader, and yes, I love it! Didn’t we just have a thread on washers recently? I got mine for a great price after rebates, tax credits, etc. It uses much less water and detergent, does extra large loads, has a great hand wash cycle, is gentler on clothes and leaves them dryer, so less dryer time. Never thought I’d get so excited about an appliance, but since my Maytag top loader died and I got this one, I actually wish I’d changed sooner.</p>
<p>p.s. I got mine from Home Depot and I agree with the earlier poster that servicing may be a problem and that you should check for your area. The first LG delivered started to leak and they did find someone to service it but it took a bit of looking around. Full disclosure, the leak was from someone dropping it in shipping and breaking the plastic casing around the washer tub. The service people and LG/Home Depot were very good in getting a full replacement rather than ‘fixing’ the one that was dropped.</p>
<p>If you have an independent appliance store in your area you should check with them about pricing and customer satisfaction on washers you are interested in. They are generally much more knowledgable than the salespeople at Lowe’s or Home Depot.</p>
<p>BTY, our favorite appliance/home repairman suggests KitchenAid and Whirlpool as brands he repairs less often. Also, those brands usually have someone available to service them and have parts available. Our repairman had KitchenAid and Whirlpool in his own home.</p>
<p>Wow…we still have our original Maytag washer and dryer from 1981! I believe we’ve had to repair each only once.</p>
<p>Whirlpool front loader, cheapest one I could get, though I agree, I appreciate the better service and knowledge at an independent store. With the rebate was no more expensive than at a big box store. The machine can be stopped in the first few minutes to add something else, but not after. I do miss this feature of the old top loader. But my utility bills are much lower with a new washer and dryer, and the water bill was less this summer. Should have gone to more energy efficient appliances years ago, as the payback is far faster than I expected. Since I’m cheap, and my basement is very utilitarian, I put the washer up on a sturdy old wooden pallet rather than a $70 metal box. Glad to hear the repair person likes Whirlpool!</p>
<p>cangel, my Miele is 1 yr old, model W4840, made specifically for the US market (fits kingsize comforter). It has a “Pause” button on the touchpad, which pauses the cylce and unlocks the door.</p>
<p>I thought all washers were the same until ours died and H got the Miele. Now I’m waiting for the dryer to croak. Miele came up with a gas dryer to match my washer, and I just looked it up - it has a “Woolens” button. I’m intrigued…</p>