Our 21-year-old front-loading Kenmore washer has developed an issue. It’s working, but makes a loud grinding/rattling noise during final spin. Speaking with an appliance repair person we trust, he said (over the phone, since we didn’t want to pay for a $70 visit) it was most likely a bearing going bad. It could also be something else (I forget what he said), but either repair would cost close to the original price we paid for the washer.
So, looking for a new front-loader (without wifi!). Suggestions welcome for a reliable brand, but based on what I’ve read on blog.yaleappliance.com and CR, LG seems to be the way to go.
Our dryer is working fine; no known issues. But maybe now is a good time to replace it, too, if the dryer is going to eventually break anyway. Or can dryers last “forever” (with minimal repairs, such as a belt that I replaced some time ago)?
A matching pair would be “nice”, but I hate to replace something that’s working fine, unless it’s future expected life is minimal.
Our Maytag washer died about 10 years ago and we replaced it with an LG. The drier is still going strong today. Earings I worry about matched pairs. Washer/drier…not so much.
IP,
who tends to use less than the available technology on my appliances anyway
Or can dryers last “forever” (with minimal repairs, such as a belt that I replaced some time ago)?
Well, I bought off craigslist an avocodo green dryer in ~2003. And used it for ~2 years before replacing it because we switched to gas. I sold it for about the same price I paid for it.
So I think they can last a very long time. I’m guessing that thing was probably from the 60s or 70s, so it was probably 30+ years old.
The regular driers (not the fancier new ones) have very limited functionality - a way to heat, a way to move air, and a way to spin the drum. Not a lot that can break and can’t be fixed relatively easily.
Just clean them often to make sure that you don’t get lint build up that can lead to a fire.
…looking for a new front-loader (without wifi!). Suggestions welcome for a reliable brand, but based on what I’ve read on blog.yaleappliance.com and CR, LG seems to be the way to go.
Yeah, I think the Wifi’s ridiculous. That said, given the scarcity of the most popular appliances, if you find something good that’s in stock, I’d say go ahead and get it, and just don’t use the Wifi option if it happens to have it.
…Our dryer is working fine
So, keep it. And whether old or new, keep lint filter and exhaust duct clean.
I used to get matching sets. In retrospect, that was a waste of money. I didn’t really care, personally, and it certainly made no difference in price when the time came to sell.
In fact, for our latest house, when our Realtor was showing the photographer around, when they got to the laundry room, she said, “I don’t show laundry,” and closed the door. Surprised me, because our laundry room was large, well-lit, and freshly painted; and the W&D was a matching set of new front-loading LG’s, so I thought the space was a good selling point. But leaving it as a pleasant surprise for people when they toured the house worked, too. Typically by the time buyers get to the basement they’ve already made up their minds.
Dryers do last longer than washers. The builder-grade GE electric dryer in my dad’s house was still going strong 15 years later. He was on his 3rd washer. (I’d also replaced dishwasher, microwave, water heater, furnace, & AC.)
We are very diligent with cleaning the lint filter after every use, and I’ve tried cleaning the vent going up to the roof a few times with that device mentioned here a while back (but never seem to get any lint out that way).
Maybe I should have mentioned our (electric) dryer (super basic model) is about 35 years old, but based on the replies here, sounds like it should just keep going and going.
I read someone asking if the wifi could be shut off on a particular washer model I was looking at, and the manufacturer reply was, no. So without a manual, I was afraid maybe wifi models actually require wifi in order to run. But even if not, if it can’t be shut off, I don’t want it transmitting wifi 24/7. There seem to be a few non-wifi models in stock around here, so I think I can get something that’ll work for us.
If towels dry quickly (under 50 minutes), it’s probably OK. Longer drying times are usually the first symptoms of insufficient venting. Problem is, if it sneaks up on you, you might not realize the drying time is too long. My SIL’s dryer took two hours to dry four towels, she thought that was OK.
35 years old
Probably doesn’t have an automatic shutoff if overheated. I’d still keep it, just:
We are very diligent with cleaning the lint filter after every use, and I’ve tried cleaning the vent going up to the roof a few times with that device mentioned here a while back (but never seem to get any lint out that way).
Every few years you should open the dryer and clean out lint that has accumulated in the spaces that aren’t easily accessible.
Cleaning the lint filter and the dryer vent is good/necessary.
But that’s not the only spots that lint will accumulate. I often find a thin coat of lint on the “floor” of my dryer when I take off the bottom panel. It’s probably coming from dust that floats in through cracks/vents near the bottom, and settles. Enough can build up that it can be a fire hazard. Especially since there is an exposed flame (gas) or very hot electric element.
“Maybe I should have mentioned our (electric) dryer (super basic model) is about 35 years old, but based on the replies here, sounds like it should just keep going and going.”
You and that dryer have had a very good run. Assuming you paid $100 for it brand new 35 years ago would work out to just above a half a penny a day. If I was in your position I would do two things.
1. Buy a new dryer, that way if there is any delay in delivery/install, you still have a working dryer in the interim and life will go on without any dryer drama.
2. After the new dryer is installed, list the old one on CraigsList for $50 dollars OBO. It's a win win for everyone and you basically got to use the first one for 35 years for the cost of one dinner for two, with two well drinks (yesterday prices) lol.
2. After the new dryer is installed, list the old one on CraigsList for $50 dollars OBO.
A landlord would be all over that deal. Charge $100 and take best offer.
But since you can wait, wait for a sale on something you like. Unfortunately, you just missed many of them for President’s Day, but Memorial Day sales will be here soon.
Another thought, don’t forget about rebates from your local gov’t or electric co if buying energy efficient. I recently bought a programable thermostat which got us $100 each from the city and electric co, one for gas and one for electric as we have a dual system. Another $100 from the city for a low flow toilet. Or given your dryer is still working, your utility co may pay you to take it. Our electric company gives bounties for older working appliances.
foo1bar, excellent idea (I did that during last year’s cleaning, and there was some lint there, though not much). Also I think I’ll follow YewGuise’s advice to install a smoke detector in the utility room itself. That seems like cheap insurance to prevent a potential major disaster.
Thanks, IP, for those ideas. I wonder, though, how many sales there will be this Memorial Day, given the shortages that exist in major appliances. While some do seem to be widely available at the moment, FOMO makes me wonder if it’s worth waiting 2 months or not.
My wife didn’t want to buy a new dryer, and I think I’m going to go with her wishes, particularly since as someone mentioned, there doesn’t seem to be a significant price difference, if any, between buying them as a pair, or separately. (Maybe when there’s a sale that isn’t the case.)
OT: I did check our local utility, but the only appliance they currently offer rebates for is an induction cooktop. We bought an induction cooktop back in the mid '90s (a different house) before they were popular, and loved it. A $750 rebate is immensely attractive, and would cover the cost of converting to electric. But our gas cooktop here is working just fine, and while we use it daily, there just isn’t a good enough reason to switch. The cooktop will probably outlive us.
I wonder, though, how many sales there will be this Memorial Day, given the shortages that exist in major appliances. While some do seem to be widely available at the moment, FOMO makes me wonder if it’s worth waiting 2 months or not.
There were many sales for appliances around President’s day, though I was not actively looking for washer/dryer, so not sure how much inventory was at each store.
Re induction cook tops, we have two induction hot plates in our in-law suites, because 2 regular stoves in one house are prohibited by zoning. Absolutely love them. No fear of them being left on and burning the place down. Our 24 year old son used the suite for a year and the hot plates survived. Pretty great.
What a coincidence – our washer died yesterday after 15 years of loyal service. We went to Lowe’s, looked at and ordered a new LG front loader based on data from that Yale Appliance website. It’s supposed to arrive at the store tomorrow and be installed on Wednesday. Fingers crossed. Old one was a Samsung with matching drier. New one is a couple of inches taller than the drier and a slightly different shade of whatever you call that color but nobody around here cares about that.
Our dryer is working fine; no known issues. But maybe now is a good time to replace it, too, if the dryer is going to eventually break anyway.
After 24+ yrs my washer failed last year. (Mechanical settings/timer stopped working). I replaced both washer and dryer.
My dryer had a bearing failure (very loud screeching sound) at year 11. I had to replace the entire motor/bracket/bearing assembly because the bearing was built into the assembly with no way of replacing it. I did the whole job myself for about $100, IIRC.
I got an LG top loader because I heard you generally need to leave the door open on front loaders to prevent mildew. Too inviting for cats…who one time did get into the dryer and screeched louder than the failed bearing.
Our 21-year-old front-loading Kenmore washer has developed an issue.
21 years old??? Piker!!!
Our matched set Kenmore washer/dryer are well older than 21 years.
We’ve had repairs to the washer. Common comment from repair guys: Keep it***. Repair it. The stuff that’s being sold now is very poor design/quality/cheap.
Side notes:
I replaced the igniter on the gas dryer ~~~15 years ago. Simple job, cheap repair part. (Don’t know why anyone would use other than a gas dryer, unless gas not available at their location???)
***Front loading washer: Have read that they’re supposed to work well; no family users have reported that they like them.
We (including mom and dad way back when) have used Kenmore since “forever”. Way too reliable, serviceable to consider any other. Also applies to refrigerators and freezers.
The stuff that’s being sold now is very poor design/quality/cheap.
Our repair guy said the exact same thing. It’s undoubtedly, sadly, true, but the washer we bought (today, online, coming Wed) cost exactly what the repair guy said the repair would probably cost. Either our old one repaired or this new one are likely to break much sooner than 20+ years, but I think it’s a tossup which would break first. But the new one has the advantage of holding more, which usually isn’t an issue, but for big things like a comforter would be nice. Well, we’ll see.
(Don’t know why anyone would use other than a gas dryer, unless gas not available at their location???)
Exactly that. The house we had when we bought the dryer didn’t have gas. This one does, so if/when the dryer ever breaks, we’ll be moving to gas, of course.
To me, a washer is a washer is a washer. But my wife feels the front loader has been a lot gentler on the clothes. Who knows?
***Front loading washer: Have read that they’re supposed to work well; no family users have reported that they like them.
We had Maytag top loader with agitator for about 20 years. That washer did a fantastic job cleaning clothes. Replaced it with Samsung front loader. It must have been too efficient with water because sometimes there was soap that wasn’t rinsed completely out of the fabric. My wife didn’t like it. Next was Whirlpool high efficiency top loader. With just tiny knobs in the bottom instead of an agitator, it did a horrible job of cleaning. The clothes just sloshed back and forth instead of circulated through the water. Replaced it with a Maytag front loader. It washes great - as good as the original Maytag top loader.
Next was Whirlpool high efficiency top loader. With just tiny knobs in the bottom instead of an agitator, it did a horrible job of cleaning. The clothes just sloshed back and forth instead of circulated through the water.
I bought one of those Whirlpools, and was just as pleased with it as you. The straw that broke the camel’s back was a hot wash followed by a cold rinse. When I removed the tightly-packed spun clothes to put them in the dryer those at the center were still warm! Some rinse job that must have been! My temporary fix was to set it to rinse twice. My final fix was to buy a top-load Maytag with a real agitator and donate the Whirlpool junk to Habitat for Humanity.