<p>I know there are several thread on washers and dryers, but they are older or mostly about front load machines. I really want to get one of the new HE top load washers, and have decided on the Maytag Bravos MVWB850 with the built in heater and the glass top. The matching dryer is the MEDB850 and is a steam dryer. I decided to go with the top of the line as we like the added features and my husband wanted them!! This top load does not have an agitator so I feel it will wash somewhat like a front loader, although I realize the clothes will not tumble like a front load washer.</p>
<p>Before you tell me I need to buy a front loader, let me explain why I do not think it is the right choice for me. We have a door in our laundry room that goes to the outside; this is the door we use to go in and out with the dog. I do not have the width to leave the washer door opened to air out and get to the door. I do not want to have to open and close the washer door every time we head out the door. With a new puppy we go out a lot!! There are only a few of the front load washers that I like where the door will stay open just a bit; most swing open the whole way which would not work at all. Even if I get the machine that I can leave the door open just a bit, the area is narrow and the front loads are a bit deeper; yes it is only about 3 inches, but add the 3 inches plus a couple for the open washer door and I now have a tight squeeze to the outside door.</p>
<p>I also have a problem with the mold build up with a front loader. I know with leaving the door opened helps as well as the sanitizing rinse, but I really do not like to deal with mold! Are the front load machines so superior to the newer agitator free HE machines that I should just deal with the negatives and get a front loader? I really would like to hear from those that might have one of the newer top loader, either the Maytag Bravos, Whirlpool Cabrio or any other top load washer without an agitator. I know Fisher & Paykal has one, but I have not seen it in person as no one stocks it here, although I can special order one. While I know the F&P machine are favored, I do not like that the lids are curved. I leave laundry baskets on top of the machines as well as dog leashes at times; if the top is curved, I was told these items will slide off.</p>
<p>Please someone tell me they love their HE top loader so I can quit obsessing over a washer and dryer and move on to something more important!</p>
<p>My last experience with Maytag convinced me that I would not get another of their products if they gave it to me free. We had one of the early Maytag HE top loaders, and while we were lucky with the life of the unit, we did had issues and decided to run it till she died. No surprise, it obliged.</p>
<p>Replaced it with the top of the line Whirlpool HE top loader WITHOUT the digital controls and bells and whistles. I’m a big fan of the old mechanical controls, easy to diagnose and replace. We considered Fisher-Paykel, but opted for the Whirlpool.</p>
<p>Some very well to do relatives of my husband bought Fisher Paykel Top loading appliances (washer/dryer) and LOVE them. There is no agitator in the washer, and despite how deep the drum is, its easy to get the clothes out. When my current w/d die, thats what we’re looking into getting.</p>
<p>Do you have a Lowes near you? I believe they carry Fisher Paykel.</p>
<p>Lowes has the Fisher and Paykel, but not on the floor so I can not see one in person. I have seen the entry level at a local appliance store, but not the one without the agitator for me to see. The other issue with the F&P is it is not a large load machine, and I really want to be able to wash comforters and mattress pads which I can not do in my current machine. The F&P are 3.7 cu. ft while the Maytag and Whirlpool HE top load are 5.o cu ft. Maybe not a huge difference, but I want the largest I can get.</p>
<p>We got a Whirlpool top loader which we partly picked because it didn’t have an agitator and it looked to me like it would have more capacity and wouldn’t have things get tangled or wrapped around the agitator.</p>
<p>This was a huge mistake. This washer creates the, I mean THE, most wrinkled wash you can imagine. It is absolutley stunning and beyond belief what it does to the clothes. In looking up complaints about it on the web, I found that many others have the same observation…not just us. Everything has to be washed on the delicate cycle and low spin speed or the clothes are unuseable. And even then its still a problem. </p>
<p>I would recommend that you google the model name and the word complaint or problem, and maybe throw in the word wrinkled or wrinkles to see if you find anything. I’m not certain that the lack of an agitator is the sole culprit, but I have seen a new model in the stores that seems to have added an agitator and I think this is probably not an accident. </p>
<p>I see someone says they have had a fix for this, but I haven’t looked into it. I’d suggest the googling your model to see what happens for you. I can confirm that the extreme criticisms about this machine are spot on.</p>
<p>I currently have a 7 year old Whirlpool cabrio/senseon? pair. I guess I am the exception because I really love it. The cabrio washer did break down about two years ago requiring a very expensive new part (about $250) but it cleans my clothes well, I love the capacity of the machine and the digital display, and I have not had any issue with how wrinkled the clothes come out (haven’t really noticed much). The spin cycle can sometimes be loud (and sound like a helicopter taking off in my laundry room). </p>
<p>I also have a small laundry room with cabinets above the washer/dryer so I will probably NOT replace these machines with front loaders (since I need the space on top of them to fold laundry). I love the look and capacity of the Maytag Bravos and would also like to learn more about them. I always read these threads because, from what I have learned, my current washer/dryer may die abruptly and next time it does…I am going for new.</p>
<p>Check out Garden Web’s “That Home Site” laundry forum. There are some hardcore laundry people there. There is a ton of information on the forum. Here is a link.</p>
<p>Like you I did not want a front loader when we replaced our washer and dryer a few years ago. I was concerned about the mold issues I read about, and I wanted to be able to pause the machine to be able to throw in the sock that didn’t make it to the machine or the last second kitchen towel, etc. Lower water usage was also important to me as we have a septic system. After much online research we purchased the Kenmore Oasis washer and dryer. The dryer is gas with a connection for propane. There was a problem in the first year with the washer computer, but that was replaced for free. Sears also came out this summer to “upgrade” something in the washer. I suspect some issue was discovered and Sears was being proactive about replacing it without a recall. </p>
<p>The clothes are more wrinkled than my old machine, but they are also much dryer. Drying time is shortened and takes care of the wrinkles. I’ve also found that when I air dry certain items the wrinkles are not really a problem. </p>
<p>I’ve been very satisfied with the Kenmore Oasis set. I appreciate being able to wash the massive loads of towels that accumulate with two swimmers in the house and washing comforters at home.</p>
<p>rrah-Is your Kenmore the one without the agitator; I am assuming it has one as you said it was a few years old; I think the non agitator top load machine have only been around for a short while. I believe they have fixed the issue with the clothes twisting, but I am not 100% sure. I would not be happy with twisted clothes as my daughter and I have many knits and thin tops that would really stretch out. </p>
<p>I have checked the Laundry Room Forum; isn’t it funny there is a forum for anything on the internet! I have read through the past 8 months are so as the model style I want is fairly recent. I think each machine has it’s plus and minus’; it is just a matter of which issue concerns you the most. For me the mold would drive me crazy, yet so would un twisting clothes with each load.</p>
<p>Like rrah we chose the Kenmore Oasis HE washer/dryer … we didn’t have any room in our laundry room for front loaders either. Ours are electric, but our experience is similar to rrah’s EXCEPT that pants wrinkles don’t come out during drying. Our “solution” is to use medium spin speed for washing wrinkle-prone items. Drying times are longer, but wrinkles (mostly) come out, leaving only minor touch up ironing.</p>
<p>I have the original Maytag Neptune front-loader, mold problems and all. H thinks it may be dying, or at least needs some bearings replaced. IF it dies, I know I want another front-loader. Will look at the Bosch.
What is the advantage of the new top-loaders over the front-loaders if you don’t have a space problem?</p>
<p>I junked my HE top loader -too many repairs and things that broke, and it washed like crap – and replaced it with the top-of-the-line top loader WITH agitator. It actually pours water in the washer. I will water the lawn less per week and break even on water use. :D</p>
<p>IMO, the cycle times on the FL’s are too long. Sure, the clothes come out of the washer less wet, but they spin a lot longer…hmmmmmm</p>
<p>Second the plug about gardenweb. The gurus on that site don’t seem too fond of the steam machines…</p>
<p>snowball–Our machine doesn’t have an agitator. It has a small “bump” in the bottom of the washing area that Sears calls an invisible agitator. The Elite Oasis HE model I have was based upon the Cabrio I think. We’ve had it about 3 years. It was a fairly new model when we purchased it. When I was researching washers Sears had “fixed” some of the problems that had been reported with the Cabrio at that time. I didn’t opt for the glass top. At that time it was a couple hundred dollars more for the glass top, and I just couldn’t justify the additional cost to watch my laundry. I see now that it’s less than $100 more. </p>
<p>momtowildchild–For me an HE top loader was about a larger capacity and being able to add items after a cycle began.</p>
<p>Unfortunately the washer I am looking at is too new and there are not many reviews. I am hoping the the problem with the twisting of clothes has been corrected; I guess I will find out if I buy the washer!</p>
<p>bluebayou-you had a top loader without an agitator? Which brand/model did you have? I REALLY want to be able to wash my comforter and have it actually get clean. In my current top loader with agitator, while I can stuff my mattress pad in the machine, it doesn’t move, so I am not sure how clean it really is.</p>
<p>rrah-I hope I will be happy with the Maytag if I get it, which I am close to deciding. Actually I decided Saturday night to get it and then started second guessing my choice again. Assuming it washes well, it does everything I could want in a washer. I do not want a front loader if I don’t have to get one, but also want a larger washer, so a TL with a an agitator is not as large.</p>
<p>I purchased the brand new Whirlpool Cabrio top loader at Lowe’s 2 months ago, it is also an HE non-agitator model. I haven’t seen any of the wrinkled clothes issues mentioned. </p>
<p>I researched both this one and the Maytag and honestly i can’t remember why I went with this one other than my other washer was broken, I needed one desperately, and this one happened to be in stock because another customer had returned it after ordering the wrong machine (normally I would have had to wait). I also got a great deal because it was a returned item.</p>
<p>I think Whirlpool and Maytag are now the same company…? We had a 20 year old Maytag that I loved and was reluctant to NOT buy a Maytag, but I am happy with the new washer. Just make sure you buy the HE detergent - I had lots leftover but lucky for S it all went off to college with him.</p>
<p>we had a Whirlpool calypso. Absolutely miserable machine, and the constant replacement of the wash plate more than offset any supposed water $ savings. Absolute moronic design.</p>
<p>Replaced it with Cabrio with agitator, based on consumer reports. It’s only negative was water use, but that’s ok with me. It’s BIG – we’ve successfully washed a king comforter in it.</p>