Not-so-new Laundry Set

[vacuumlad1650]

When I bought my house, it had this LG "smart technology" washer and dryer set. I never cared for it, but I didn't have a set to put in when I moved, so here it stayed.
Over the thanksgiving holiday, a friend mentioned they were looking at getting a new washer and dryer. Nothing wrong with the old, but they had upgraded all their appliances except those during a kitchen remodel.
I offered them a trade, my newer set for their Kenmore set. They agreed.

It may not be a vintage Maytag set, but it's a step in the right direction!

Next time I switch appliances, I need to get some help! Lugging these up the steps into the house by myself was no small feat!

 

[electroluxxxx]

Excellent machines there! Mechanical and reliable, none of this computer crap. Parts are cheap, and easily replaceable. Congrats on the not so new but new to you!

 

[vacuumlad1650]

Thanks Mike! As much as I would live to have some more vintage machines in the house, I'm trying to exercise self control and not let any of my hobbies overtake my house. 1000 square feet may be a lot for one person, but it fills up quick when you bring too many toys home!

 

[human]

Nice set!

I've got essentially the same machines but mine are Whirlpool branded. Very reliable and easy to work on in the event something does actually go wrong. I honestly think you got the better end of that swap.

Manufacturers have successfully engineered all the reliability out of today's newfangled, circuit board driven appliances. What used to last 20 years or more now might last five. And consumers get dazzled by all the pretty blinkies on the front and blithely buy into the high tech hype, not even thinking once about what they're trading away.

And I know what you mean about filling up space. My house is 1,300 sq. ft. and I can hardly move in it.

 

[suckolux]

For sure you got the better end of the deal! That is some of my favorite machines, what I wouldn't give to have them again. My brother just bought a fancy house in Vegas with a very elegant looking front loading Samsung set, I told him keep an eye on them make sure they're not leaking or vibrating and check to see what they smell like. The next day I got a message I'm going out to buy a top loader what do I get to which I replied speed Queen and he bought that day. No thanks on overcomplicated front loaders here.

 

[vacuumlad1650]

Yes, I would certainly say I got the better end of the deal! Now I just need a chance to do some laundry, and familiarize myself with the setting of this washer. As much as I didn't like the LG smart washer, i was familiar with setting it to wash

 

[suckolux]

You probably already know this, but be sure and check the agitator dogs

 

[vacuumlad1650]

The agitator was actually repaired a year or two ago, and the dryer had a new belt around the same time. Glad it was all fixed before I got them!

 

[vacuumlad1650]

Well, the Kenmore set is now onto its second load of laundry in the house, and I'm definatly pleased with them. They tried telling me I wouldnt want to listen to it running "with that noisy agitator" in my kitchen...it's music to my ears!

 

[kirbyklekter]

Kenmore's

Mom bought that same set in the early 90's. Very reliable.They were rated 1st and 2nd place in Consumers magazines. One year Kenmore placed above the same model Whirlpool who as you know makes them. Go figure! Does your washer have a second rinse setting on the dial?

 

[human]

I dated a lady a few years ago who had a Samsung front loader set that she just loved—at least when they were working. We were together for about a year and during that time she had to have the repairman out twice for warranty fixes and had had to have them out at least once before that. Each time, the repair involved replacing circuit boards. I tried to tell her my theory about circuit boards being little more than self-destruct devices but she didn't want to hear it and would go on and on about how "efficient" they were, whatever that meant. Efficiency is a moot point if they're just plain not working.

 

[vacuumlad1650]

Kirbykelekter

Yep, thankfully second rinse is on this model. Does a much nicer job washing my work clothes than the LG set ever did!

Human, I was leery giving these tona friend because of the circuit board trouble that would be ahead, but they insisted it would be fine. They were leery giving me a 25 year old laundry set for fear it would crap out in a month!

 

[kirbyklekter]

There's a little trick

you can use if you need to ad more water to either wash or rinse cycle. After the machine stops filling and starts to agitate just take hold of the water level dial, assuming you already had the machine set for large full loads, and gently give the dial a little twist to the right as if you were setting it for an even larger load. It will fill as long as you hold the dial in that position. It will stop filling if you get to close to overflow.

A repairman showed me this and also said that as these machines get on in their years they can sometimes not fill with as much water on any setting.One reason is the mechanism(float?) can get clogged with heavy mineral build up from hard water. He recommends once a year to run a full cycle, no clothes, and pour a cup of CLR,calcium lime rust at the start of the wash when it has filled with water.

Let the machine agitate for a couple minutes, stop, drain about a gallon, hit stop and let it sit for half hour or so,then dial back to wash cycle and let it run it's course. It may want to add more water to fill to previous level and that fine.

This can help clean your pump and other places that come in to contact with water where mineral build up can occur. I disabled the lid switch that cuts the machine off if the lid is lifted during use since their aren't any kids at home anymore.Makes for a more user friendly washing machine!

 

[human]

Acceptable Risk...

I guess everybody views acceptable risk differently. You and I see less risk in appliances we can repair ourselves for the cost of parts and your friends perceive less risk with appliances that are newer and more 'up to date'. Whether they are accepting of those machines' inherently shorter lifespan or are merely in denial is open debatable. One thing's for sure, those LG units won't still be in service in 25 years. Still, everybody's happy with what they got in that exchange so it's all good.

 

[panasonicvac]

Congrats Andy! I love these older Kenmore sets, they're my personal favorite! I'm all set on getting myself a new Speed Queen TC5 washer along with it's matching DC5 dryer since based upon my research, they're one of the last GOOD laundry sets on the market today. But if I were to go for a used set, there's no doubt on my mind that I would look into these Kenmores.

 

[justjunque]

Congratulations, Andy!
I find myself in the unfortunate place of having to replace the only washer we've ever owned.
We have a 2001 Amana, built by Raytheon. Very similar to the same year Speed Queen in a lot of ways, as they were built by the same company then. The seal and bearing were the weak link, and mine just started going.
I'm leaning towards replacing it with another "older" machine, but something for which parts are still available.
A Whirlpool or Kenmore, just about exactly like what you have there, is at the top of my list.
Again, congratulations! Nice score!

Barry

 

[jo]

I’ve had these

Had several come and go but for me it’s the Newton factory built Maytags....much quieter, more sturdy, less plastic parts. My sister had so many issues with her 2001 Whirlpool that last year she finally found a nice 1997 top of the line Maytag set on craigslist and bought them to replace it and took the Whirlpools off to the dump for recycling even though they were still working. Hers started stinking real bad like mold finally and she is highly allergic to mold so that was the final straw after several repairs by her husband over the years that actually started early on...lid switch, agitator, 2 pumps, top wouldn’t stay down anymore properly, lid was rusting at the edge seams, bleach dispenser plastic cup would fall off all the time, and the timer was super noisy. It also leaked water onto the floor on the highest water level setting so they couldn’t use that and couldn’t ever figure out why...sometimes it leaked, other times not...that always remained an annoying mystery. I suggested the Maytag Newton set because my Mom has her Mother’s from 1979 and I have two, one from 1985 and another from 1995 and my Brother has a 2006...all of which have been wonderful trouble free machines for the most part. My 85 the agitator seal wore out and was an easy fix and the water fill solenoid went bad and that was easy. The 79 needed belts about 5 years ago finally and the year before last the hose from the tub to pump cracked but was still available so I fixed it for Mom. All others still no issues ever! Those repairs that were necessary were easy and cheap.

Hence, if you ever get the chance to get a Newton built Maytag set (my 85’s were my first and replaced 88 Kenmores) jump on it. I’m glad I did when my friend offered me the 85’s in 1997...and I sold the Kenmores. So much quieter too!

Meanwhile good luck with the Kenmore’s...I’m starting to see that era of those all running into issues now as they reach the 20 plus year mark. Just depends on how heavily they’ve been used.

Jon

 

[ultralux88]

Nice! We have a Whirlpool DD set from 2005. I’ve made a few small repairs to the washer over the years, but it’s been a good set, and does wash well. Better than most new machines!

 

[huskyvacs]

I had the exact same washer and dryer set. Bought in the early half of the 2000's maybe? The washer died in 2013, the motor burned up and smoked out. The motor was layered in rust so it must have been leaking somewhere for a time and never knew it. The dryer is still going but it feels like it is slipping, and the door is held shut with a door lock latch because when cleaning it out I leaned on the lid and that was enough to bend it down.

The washer was replaced with a Maytag Epic Z which was already 7 years old at the time, and now it is going out. I just replaced the door seal myself (never again will I do that - took 2 hours), but the buttons on the control panel are rotting off from wear and tear now and you have to stick your pinky finger through the holes in the fascia to hit the button.

Hoping to find a matching pair of older appliances later in the future when I get a van. Maybe 80s or early 90's.

I love those new washers they have with the clear lid and lights inside - but I just know they are programmed with anti-soaking controls to "conserve water" so I know they are terrible at cleaning. I tried to mess with the water cycle timers on my Maytag but I didn't get anywhere with that idea.