Major appliance brands- experience?

[Wayne M.]

Putting the feelers out to the TDR gang regarding appliance brands and feedback. Failures, success, other opinion? Have you bought any of the 3 major items; refrigerator, dishwasher, or gas range? Were undecided on the major brands of GE, Whirlpool (includes Maytag, Kitchen aid), Bosch, and Electrolux (includes Frigidare). We'd like to hear about Samsung and LG, but were trying to stick with American.

 

[seafish]

Here is the TDR of appliances, well worth visiting, fun to read, but also serious info about all aspects of appliance reapir...you'll need to find the section on buying advice...different brands for differnte appliances--


http://appliantology.org/

 

[JLEONARD]

I bought a Bosch dishwasher a couple of years ago because I wanted one that was quiet.
It IS quiet, but it does a crappy job on the dishes, PLUS it has a filter/screen. The appliance store told me the screen only needed to be cleaned once a year, but I have to clean it every 2 or 3 months. Not a hrd job, but a PIA.
I not happy with a Bosch dishwasher.

 

[Jim W]

I have found that the Kenmore line from Sears seems to be the best. We have had May Tag washer/dryer and a May Tag dishwasher several service calls on them for various parts issues. Our Kenmore refrigerator same age as the washer/dryer has had zero service calls, keeps on ticking like a Timex Watch.

The dishwasher has been replaced three times in the last eighteen years (built our house in 1995/96), one Magic Chef and a Bosh unit than replaced with the May Tag dishwasher. Just replaced the silverware basket; the original unit rust out and failed. Replaced the soap dispenser twice would not dispense the liquid Finish product when required.

I have discussed these and several other issues with an independent repairman that I have used for the last thirty to thirty-five years now. He stated to stay away from the Samsung and LG no repair parts in the US if the unit fails it usually means a new product because the repairman cannot buy a repair part.

Jim W.

 

[BIGNASTY]

Wife had Kitchen Aid in Calif for many years not a problem, Son bought KA last year and has had nothing but trouble. Its not like it was in the old days that Mom bought a new appliance and it lasted until she got tired of looking at it and wanted something new JUST BECAUSE.

Our Major appliances are not on your list because we are not Grid tied and that takes some different appliances, You didn't ask but our washer/Dryer are normal kenmore the washer is fine the dryer is a POS the tech. has been out so many times (glad we got the extended warranty) they cant fix it, he comes out and is so frustrated that they just throw parts at it in hopes it fixes it. I can bet that EVERYTHING has been replaced at least twice some parts more. And its not just washer/dryers he works on everything.

He is an independent contractor for Sears so he not only works on their brand but a host of others. Penny has become mad and asked him what he would buy figuring that he works on them all he should know what he works on MORE!! He told her that in his house he has nothing but Samsung the models with the fewest features there is. He asked do you really need all the junk on them its a sales gimmick and just something else to go wrong.

 

[mwilson]

Kenmore here in the Wilson household.......

Parts are easy to obtain, I use RepairClinic.com for parts and info. Also Sears does put information inside of each appliance's cabinet that give wiring schematics and how to read the codes. My washer will also do a cover open self test once you learn how to talk to it.

Mike.

 

[RustyJC]

We've had good luck with a Kenmore Elite refrigerator/freezer and dishwasher, GE Profile built-in microwave, built in oven and range top, and Whirlpool washer and dryer - for what it's worth. The only repair in 17 years since we moved into this house and installed the appliances was a door switch on the microwave a couple of years ago.

Rusty

 

[Wayne M.]

Thanks Guys! She really likes a particular set of GE apps, but here in a holding pattern because we can't find all 3 in the same store! We haven't looked at kenmore at all. Maybe be we should.

 

[Wayne M.]

About a year ago we replaced our first gen Maytag Neptune front loader washing machine. The timer went and the drum bearing was about to explode. We got a whirlpool duet front loader. I'm real impressed with that. We have a death grip on the Neptune dryer since it's an olidie but a goodie. They don't look alike though.

 

[mwilson]

I know that my Kenmore Washer and Dryer (Elite Series) are Whirlpool under the hood.

Mike.

 

[Bill Stockard]

We built our house 8 years ago on a cost plus basis and specified all Kenmore Elite appliances in the kitchen. My wife purchased Kenmore Elite front loader washer and matching dryer and a Kenmore Elite 20 cu.ft. refrigerator/freezer at the same time for the new house. She dedicated our almost 20 year old trouble free Kenmore top loader washer and matching dryer from our previous house to my shop office laundry room. I continue to use them for washing/drying my work clothes. These Kenmore appliances have been trouble free.

Bill

 

[Regcabguy]

I inherited my folk's Maytag water waster washer that never missed a beat for 18 yrs. My wife insisted on replacing it with one of the new green ones. It does a good job,but makes all kinds of noise and takes at least an hour to do a load. My sister in Wa deliberately bought a Speed Queen non-green set up there and loves it. She's on a well and doesn't care how much water she uses. 30 minutes from start to finish.
I don't think we can even buy an old style washer here.
Another friend bought an LG vaneless model that uses water jets. Hates that sucker and I'm sure the mineralized water here will promptly clog the jets up even with an inline filter.

Where I really goofed up was in letting the drivers haul away my old Maytag. I'm sure there's a guy here in town who rehabs these suckers and sells them at a modest profit to people.

 

[Wayne M.]

I know whirlpool actually measures water opacity to judge water clarity in their washers and dishwashers. The timer on my new duet has no bearing on actual time, a regular cycle is 59 min. Add on's add time. It will hang on a time reading for a while. I don't know the logic on how it knows to hang on a cycle, but I think it does a good job. I looked at the industrial speed queen, but they don't offer a big size consumer model. That is the heaviest duty machine you'll find though!

One thing IS for CERTAIN, the days of bulletproof, trouble free appliances, similar to the days of trouble free vehicles, seem to be OVER! Hello software flashes and fried boards!

 

[crispyboy]

We have a Maytag dishwasher (10 years old, very quiet), 1st generation Maytag Neptune Washer and dryer (15 years old - 1 major fix - computer board), Frigidaire gas stove, microwave and refrigerator - had to replace a ignition grid in the oven but has been ok.
Now that I say all that they are all going.
If I was buying a new washer it would probably be a Staber. They are manufactured in Groveport, OH and can be repaired by the homeowner.
http://www.staber.com/

 

[Wayne M.]

Very interesting!

 

[SMcGrady]

We've had a Kenmore range, dishwasher & microwave/hood combo for the last 13 years. the oven has always given us trouble. The dishwasher has broken down 2 times (once replaced control board, & once had to scrap it and start over).
We've had whirlpool duet w/d for a number of years with no problems. We really like them. Also a whirlpool fridge/freezer and a whirlpool freezer. All working very well after several years. I am building a new house and just bought a KitchenAid true convection oven/range, Fridge/freezer & dishwasher. Seem to be good & solid appliances. I hope that they perform as well as the whirlpool products we've been using for years...

 

[jgillott]

We currently have 2 houses. The GE electric dual oven range in this house is from approx 1967 or '68. Getting harder and harder to find elements for it, but still going strong. In our other house, the range is from 1975, it's a really cool '70's gold color, everything works great except for the clock. We had a set of matching Maytag standard washing machine and dryer from the late '70's up until about 5 years ago. It became nearly impossible to find parts. Replaced them with the cheapest Maytags we could find. They are OK so far, but they will not last 30+ years like the others.

On a side note, I have a '40's era GE fridge in the basement that still works. It needs a new door gasket so I have it unplugged currently. I'd love to get it restored and up in our kitchen again at some point.

 

[Wayne M.]

We currently have 2 houses. The GE electric dual oven range in this house is from approx 1967 or '68. Getting harder and harder to find elements for it, but still going strong. In our other house, the range is from 1975, it's a really cool '70's gold color, everything works great except for the clock. We had a set of matching Maytag standard washing machine and dryer from the late '70's up until about 5 years ago. It became nearly impossible to find parts. Replaced them with the cheapest Maytags we could find. They are OK so far, but they will not last 30+ years like the others.

On a side note, I have a '40's era GE fridge in the basement that still works. It needs a new door gasket so I have it unplugged currently. I'd love to get it restored and up in our kitchen again at some point.

Wow Those are keepers!

 

[jgillott]

Wayne, when people come over, they can't believe our "Retro" kitchen. We even have some of the white steel GE kitchen cabinets. One of my friends asked me once how we came up with this style of decorating. I said, it's called Earily American Poverty.

 

[Killgore]

Wayne, we've got the Whirlpool Duet washer and dryer which my wife says she loves. It looks too complicated for someone with my expertise to attempt to run. The Kenmore dishwasher came with the old house when we bought it sixteen years ago and hasn't had any issues. The Whirlpool side-by-side refrigerator has seen the serviceman twice in seventeen years with ice-maker problems related to a worn out gear on the dump cycle. I bought a Kenmore gas stove/oven about twelve years ago when I was brewing a fair amount of beer and we both love it and it has been trouble free.
- Ed