Dearest Hive,
Our 19-year-old Kenmore washer-dryer set is on its way out. I've already replaced the drain pump and the main drum bearing assembly in the washer and the dryer needs some new front pads for the drum. The dryer is fixable but the washer main bearing assembly comes permanently attached to the clothes drum. I'm not doing that job again. It took three months for the parts to get here last time this happened and the replacement bearings are not as good as the original. I may repair the dryer and sell it.
Now I need a recommendation on some new gear. The units are about 27" wide, 36 1/2" high and 25" deep. They shouldn't deviate more than a couple inches from that as our washer closet is, er, unique.
I would prefer something built in this hemisphere with good parts availability. We don't need anything fancy. One problem is the computerized controls on many of these units. They seem to have a high infant mortality rate or go bad a couple of years in. Analog controls like our present units would be great but I think I'm chasing a unicorn there.
We just need something built to last. The units are a real PITA to move and service so it would be nice if they could sit in their spots for at least a few years at a time. If anyone out there has solid experience with any particular units, please let us know. And.....what the hell is an Equator and who makes them?
Thank you in advance,
Jerry
If you are looking for built to last with a washer/dryer these days, you are in trouble. Whirlpool and frigidaire make stacked (top load washer) units, don't know about fitting your compact requirement. I also don't know which whirlpool washer it is. They make 2 top loaders, one is called a world washer and is pure garbage, and the other is usually more expensive and isn't so bad. Cabrios are usually the good one, but some cabrios are world washers. Can't say without looking under one. World washers have a belt, the good ones don't. Maytag is owned by whirlpool, usually Maytag Bravos are cabrios (usually the good one, sometimes the crap one) and maytag centennials are usually world washers. Not always though.
If you are stacking front load washer and dryers, whirlpool/maytag make good ones. Frigidaire/Electrolux is also pretty decent. I would go with a whirlpool over frigidaire though.
If you can go a bit spendy , speed queen makes a stacked front load washer/dryer unit. Speed queen is about the longest lasting machine you can get. By a lot. And they are made in the US, but the parent company is Canadian. They are great, but you pay for it.
Avoid all others. ALL others. Fix your old one before buying anything other than the ones listed above. Most washers right now are pure garbage. We fix a higher percentage of 20-30 year old washers than we do 5-10 year old ones. For those about 20% get sent to the scrapper. Not joking. If you see a weird brand, it's not a new high tech product, it's probably cheap imported garbage. Good luck getting parts for those in a few years. The ones I listed aren't perfect companies and don't have perfect products, but your chances for support and parts availability in a few years is much better.
I agree with Rufledt, but I'll expand a bit. There are front load washher/dryer sets that fit your size envelope, but be careful to consider how they get stacked. Each manufacturer will sell a kit designed to work with certain units, but some kits will offset the dryer to the back a bit, rather than putting them directly above the washer. This effectively makes the stacked pair deeper than the individual units, so make sure you know what you're getting if you buy a set with a manufacturer's stack kit. Also don't forget to account for the space needed for the dryer vent.
Traditional single-piece stacked units are available, but your options may be pretty limited, and their size can make installing them or moving them difficult.
Looks like the Speed Queen stuff has as big of a wash bin (3.42 cubic feet) on the stacking as they do they normal front load.
That was my biggest issue with many stacking units I've used, they were too small.
Then I got some huge front loading units, and they are too big for the closet they were intended to fit.
A true appliance. Use and never breaks down (okay, almost never). We have Speed Queen (side by side) and never have had any issues in over 10 years.
Speed Queen Stackable
$2,800
Thanks, guys. Ruf and STM, I agree there are few choices in our size worth getting. I looked at the Whirlpool washer and will try to find the matching dryer. Trucke, the Speed Queen pictured is two pieces, correct? The overall height is about 6 inches higher than what we have. The roof slopes so I don't know if I have 6 inches on one side (I'm at work). The price was a bit of a shock but if that's what it takes...
Regarding fixing what we have: I've been down this road. The main bearing is integral with the drum. The only source for drums is China. It took three months last time because the first two they shipped were already bad before installation! So I think I'm played there. The dryer can be fixed with maybe 20 bucks worth of stuff. Its bearing may be bad which will make it 50 bucks. My plan was to fix the dryer and sell it to help offset costs.
Yes, I did account for hoses and exhaust. The depth figure is for machine only. We can go a little more maybe but no more than an inch or two.
