The Epic and the Duet are the same machine. Small differences in features, perhaps, but mostly the same. Either is fine, just be sure it is a recently built machine that has the 6 point suspension - not the 4 point suspension found in the older Duets (and Epics, I think).

The HT in Duet means it has a heater. That is probably a good thing for you if you are washing diapers. May not always use it, but good to have.

There are gazillions of posts here about the Duet - just search for Duet - leave off the Whirpool. Most posters know it is Whirlpool and don't add that in their posts. I have the Duet Sport HT - a slightly smaller version of the Duet - and I love it. The Duet or Epic are much better choices than the Samsung, which may be fine but there is not much data on them and service may be hard to get.

Be sure you can return it if there are problems after installation.

I have a Duet and havent been happy with it. It tangles anything with arms or legs so bad that they are actually braided, whirlpool has replaced it with a new one and it does the same thing.

I had a Frigidaire FL 7-8 yrs before the Duet and it didnt have this issue.

There are some pictures of what I have been going thru on Follow up on replacement washer on page 3 about half way down the page and than half way down the message.

I also had a bad suds problem and quit using soap April 1st in my towels because they were so soapy. I only used 1/2 TBL of Tide HE. I am finally starting to notice a difference. I do think the washer cleans good, it just does'nt use enough water in the rinse cycle to get the soap out.

There are people here that have not had these issues, so what ever you choose Good Luck.

mc58,

I have had items tangle in my washer similar to yours a couple of times. I have found that it only happens when I put in the load all-at-once verses putting in such items (long sleeves and long lightweight pants) one at a time. It only takes a few seconds longer to load. I also put in sheets and large towels one at a time too. Everything else gets loaded in a big wad. :-)

Joe

Thanks for the response. I did the search duet and got 78 entries for roses and flowers. Then I realized that I did the search in the wrong place and got lots of entries even one titled epic vs duet!! Oops, sorry. Although they are mostly from 2007 I think that things haven't changed that much.

Ok, so my delimma continues. I called so many places and got so many quotes (I can't go to too many stores because I have a baby and no car) and then realized that the great duet ht price might actually be for the duet sport. So I called them back and yes it is the duet sport which doesn't have as great a rating as duet. So my decision to cancel my order (still not done yet because the store is an hour by bus...) and go with the duet is changed again. I am even considering the Bosch brand but I don't understand what are the differences and why one is 100$ more than the other.

Now I am so confused and wonder if I should just be patient and get a diaper service for the next two weeks. Or get the drum in my Beaumark (Canadian Bay store brand) repaired. I feel funny calling all the stores back again (for the 3rd time) I am tired of all of these decisions!

MC58 glad to hear that your towels are better. Maybe I used too much detergent too and that is why mine are hard. (although they were washed in a top loader)

I was so looking forward to a new fl but now it seems that nothing is made to last anymore.

Thanks again everyone.

I also put in one at a time, and zip up zippers, button the buttons and turn things inside out and as someone else suggested to fold items in half, mix up different sizes of articles, and it still does it ? It doesnt matter how many items there are, it even happens with the towels, most of the time I have to pause machine and seperate them so they will spin, that is if the pause button will actually unlock the door, that doesnt always work.

They cant figure out why it is doing it, Ive had 5 different techs watch me load it, and watch it happen.

That is why they replaced it once already, now I have to go thru the whole routine again, trying to get them to figure it out.

I know it doesnt make any sence, my old Frigidaire FL did not do this and I dont recall it tumbling in both directions. :(

Why 6 pt suspension? My DH, mechanical technician that he is, asked my why and I have no idea!

mc58...question for you (trying to figure out the tangling).

I'm pretty sure your Frigidaire did not have an angled drum.
Most European washers are "true horizontal axis" (no 10/15 degree angled pitch), they don't have tangle issues either.

It seems it's an American issues because mostly all new American FL washers have an angled drum. (It tilts to the rear of the machine.)
If you have a bubble level, can you see if the front to back is level or is it leaning more toward the back. This would angle the pitch of the drum even more.

Maybe it needs to be leveled with a slight lean toward the front, lessening the pitch a bit so all the clothes wont want to ball up at the back of the tub. I don't remember what type of flooring your Duet is on but your floor might not be 100% level itself (even if it's slab).

It's just an idea but would like to see if tilting the washer a little forward might help.

Now I am confused further.

For the diapers I need lots of water and HOT, the other clothes I don't need any specifics.

Does it make a difference if the EPIC is the 600 model (3,7 cubic feet) and the Duet is actually the sport 8500? They are sister and brother but I am not sure if the reviews refer to Epic 600. Please correct me if I am wrong. the reviews seem ho-hum about the sport although I think that maybe the HT of the sport would be good.

We found a store that matched my special for the Epic in May and will deliver on Monday but now I am nervous about the diapers after the seller said that I couldn't adjust the water in the Epic 600.

Would putting the diapers already wet make the appliance think that it's a heavier load?

For the diapers can these do the job and if so which is better for diapers:

-Epic 600
or
-Duet SPORT 8500?

Or am I on the wrong track and the better one for the diapers to go higher priced and get the Duet 9400 as oregpsnow said the HT was better for them?

Or if none of these are suitable for diapers I guess the Fisher & Paykel top loader where I can control the water is obviously an ideal choice. Should I forget the others and go this route?

Any info about the best direction for diapers is GREATLY appreciated. I have to decide by tomorrow if I keep the order for the EPIC 600 or cancel it and I know that everyone is tired of the topic so I am sorry for dragging it out.

My LG washer has a 10 degree angled drum, and doesn't tangle clothes.

regus_patoff...
Would you be able to check with a bubble level if your machine is perfect flat level or tilted a bit to the rear or front of the machine?

I just don't get why some people have tangle issue and some don't. I'm thinking it may be a level issue...maybe I'm wrong.

I think for washing diapers an internal heater is MUCH more important than the amount of water used.

If you use a clean rinsing detergent you shouldn't have any issues with a lack of water. I get much better cleaning results with my water efficient FL than with the old TL that used four times as much water. Putting the diapers in wet will no increase the water level. A FL fills the drum up to a certan level after the clothes are saturated with water. You won't see a lot of water, but just trust the washer, it will get your clothes and diapers clean.

I am not very familiar with the different modes you are refering to, but I would definitely pick one that has an internal heater.

> Would you be able to check with a bubble level if your machine is perfect flat level

yes, I leveled it when I installed it (on pedeatal)

My washer is on cement floor, and it is level. A couple weeks ago, I had my sister and her husband looking at the washer and we checked the level, and I had wrote here that the left front corner was off about 1/2in. but a few days later I was showing my husband how bad it was off, well GUESS WHAT it was comletely level again???? I was'nt the only one that saw it unlevel.

I DONT KNOW!!! I give up! I think I might sell it and go back to a Frigidaire FL.

This washer is driving me crazy :(

I showed my SIL what it does with the tangling and she said "that is just rediculous!"

She just went and bought Whirlpool TL and loves it. She can put as much water as she wants, the clothes dont get tangled and she doesnt have a problem with rinsing either.

Thanks Looser, I use a non-residue detergent "Claudia's Choices" (a Canadian brand) recommended by the diaper stores but I am still leary of detergent residue which causes leaks, diaper rashes etc. The cloth diaper "specialists" say I need to have alot of water to avoid this.

And for the internal heater aspect, which you recommend and I agree will be great for sanitizing, does F&P have a feature like this?

Also I live in a very old building with UNLEVEL wood floors!;)

Found the F&P hearter answer thanks to dadoes' response in another thread. No it doesn't. It is hard to read everything but I am trying.
Thanks dadoes and everyone for your incredible help and advice.
I still have to make my decision by this afternoon and I am still torn. It is nice to know I am not alone.

Just an update. I chose to go with what I had already purchased, the Maytag EpicZ, and stop looking for the perfect washer, there isn't one.

Well they delivered it yesterday and after they left I opened it and found the plastic bags for the manual and the tubes had rust stains and so did the drum!

They brought a new one this morning to exchange and they didn't even bring it in the house, it too had rust! Seems that when they tested the pump at the factory they didn't properly dry out the machine before packaging it up.

So today being my third attempt at the EpicZ I give up and I had to work hard to convince the dealer that I don't want another Epic even if they verify it before delivery (they just might wipe it down before delivery)

I am back to square one and am going to the store today to choose a new model. I am leaning towards the Bosch (giving up on the stackable dream) but considering just buying the washer as my dryer still works and can't afford to go much higher in my price than my great sale.

They don't install either, it costs another 180$ for installation...
Fingers crossed.

I am sorry for you about your problems with your new washer and dryer washerweary. Please check out the Duet 9400 Vs. 9600 post where the 10th post is mine. No washer and no dryer is perfect but My Whirlpool Duet 9400 is so much better than my top loader since my top loader use to stretch out my clothes, rip my clothes and tangle them. I like having the sanitation cycle in case I must santize a load. I also love the extra rinse cycle that I use despite using the extra rinse during my wash since I have allergies and it also makes my clothes so soft not having residue on them. My Whirlpool Duet dryer leaves my clothes soft and not damaged like my old dryer did. It also senses if I am overdrying clothes and adjusts the dryer accordingly. I am happy with my pair of Duets due to them being so much better than the top loading older Whirlpool Washer and Dryer that I had previously.

washerweary, poor thing. I feel for you. My washer died on me and I needed a new one. Everybody touts the new FL's. I never thought to look for input online before i bought mine. And a couple of the things I was thinking would be draw backs... I forgot about when i was actually out shopping being dazzled by all the new looking washing machines. lol I bought a whirlpool duet sport... but I can't say I'm completely sold on it. I washed a load of towels, my daughters bedding and they didn't smell really clean, like they should have. I used a detergent, that has no artifical scent, just as I did with my top loader. I don't think it uses enough water to rinse. I know they are for the purpose of using a lot less water, but it appears to use much much less, and I'm not entirely sold on, the amount this washer uses is enough.
Although I think I have had only one technical problem so far, (have had it about 3 weeks) there are things I don't like and if I would have had a little more time to think it through, I may have thought about them before I bought. Like the fact that I can't just soak things in my washer anymore.I used to do that for several different reasons: setting colors by soaking in water with vinegar, soaking something in bleach water, or even just presoaking for loosen of dirt and stains. There is no way to check if things really are working as they should ie: water temp or anything like that.(i'm thinking some sort of technical problems that I have read some reviewers having) not to mention the time on the cycles, I never dreamt they'd be so long...different things like that.So I'm confused too,FL's are supposed to be so energy efficient better for your clothes etc... even though I've never had a problem with any of the toploaders I've owned wrecking any laundry. I haven't called about returning yet, but the pain in the butt thing about that is, they are sooo heavy to move. In my head spinning state though, the pull to go back to a top loader is very strong.... what to do, what to do

lynn 2006,
Do you know the difference between the 9400 that you have and the 9200 that I have and wished I never would have bought?
I am happy for everyone that has had good luck with there Duet, I dont know if you have read any of my posts? I have been going crazy with my washer.
Could it be that different that the 9400 acctually rinses all the suds out and not tangle and braid the clothes?

I sure wish I would have bought a different one.

Just a quick update- after the 2nd Maytag Epic 3.7 cubic ft arrived with rust in the same places I went back to the store and they were having a special that week (everyone in Montreal moves July 1st hence the special) and the Duet HT 9400 4.0 was only 100$ more, so I took the leap. I wish the drum was horizontal but I can't have everything.

After weeks of washing,I am happy. Things do look cleaner, but I am most surprised by how soft the diapers are, almost like new. I am still trying to figure how to use it though, fingers crossed this time it works out.

MC58 I am sorry about your duet headaches (I know how frustrating it is when something should work and it doesn't and it works for others)

I had only one braiding issue: when I washed leggings and tights which is asking for trouble. But none with towels or sheets. I think your Duet problem is like my Epic, not meant to be. My friend got her Epic days before I purchased mine and has been on cloud nine since, which is why I gave up and switched. I hope that you can switch yours or if not, that they will resolve soon. Good luck.

mc58 - I had heard such bad stories about the Duet 9200 tangling and not rinsing well I bought the 9400 last month when we finally had to replace our old TLs...I've had not problems at all - towels soft and non soapy - less tangling/stretching out that I had in my TL...honestly I can't tell what would be the difference that makes the 9200 have more problems - but it seems that at least some of them have been mitigated in the 9400. Knock on wood I keep liking them!

washerweary
I am happy that you got to do another trade before it got too rusted out, its agood thing that you seen it.
The tangling happens with anything that has arms and legs and towels, or if I put more than 2 sheets. when it happens with the towels the machine just shuts off, and I dont know till I go down to put in dryer, then I have to start them all over again.
The sad thing is this is a replacement but I do want a different one. GOOD LUCK with your new washer I hope that it continues to work good for you!

jennifer in clyde,
Thank you, I am wondering what the difference is between the 9200 & 9400. I wish I could find more people with such issues as I am having. It really does sound like its the 9200 issue and maybe that is why I am having such problems.
I want soft towels and untangled clothes and really want to love my washer.

GOOD LUCK to you too with your new washer, I hope that it continues to do Good.

Marie

I joined gardenweb to post on hvac but the second thing I have been dying to do is post on the Duet washer. Mine replaced an older front loading Maytag Neptune that was great for our clothes but broke down too often.

Whirlpool bought Maytag and the Epic is the same as the Duet...we bought the Duet. I hate it. What I mean is...I hate it! I have only had it a few months and should have listened to the reviews I read before I bought it. I read about tangled clothes and snagged towels. I have no problems with clothes being clean. I use HE Tide and a bit of Biz (HE amount) and always Spray & Wash stains because my kids are 6, 9, 10 and quite frankly, are little dirty animals. Main issues:

1. The clothes, especially adult size, but long pants and sleeves on kids too, get tangled around each other--alot. Mine look just like the picture posted already. The saleman told me to jam in every towel or 20 jeans, etc. and push the door closed. I have never done that and can't imagine it. Sometimes it is so tangled, I have to pull about half the ball of clothes out and let them fall all over the floor as I untangle each item.

2. There is so little water that things end up nearly dry. Good, you think--but they are so dry, wrinkles are setting in before you even put them in the dryer and then the dryer really sets in those creases--especially the jeans. I also find some things, especially towels and t-shirts are noticeably less soft.

3. Towels, especially the really good, plush (expensive) ones that you love, come out snagged--alot, big long snags. I am guessing there are burrs or something inside the drum holes or something in there catching the loops.

We are building a new house and this machine will not be coming with us because it aggravates me so. Here are some of solutions I came up with to help make laundry less aggravating with this machine.

1. I never pack it too full. I would rather do an extra load than take the extra time to separate the clothes to put in the dryer. I feel they probably get cleaner when there is less to get twisted around each other anyway.

2. To combat wrinkles I never spin on high. I will do normal wash, med spin or I will even go to heavy duty wash so I can access the low spin button. This keeps them wetter. My old Maytag Neptune dryer has a sensor so it runs only until it senses they are dry and works great. I keep a spray bottle of water nearby and spray the jeans and pants legs' creases and smooth out the wrinkles then do a loose fold before I throw them in the dryer. I also shake out the shirts to their normal shape. It takes time but it does help.

3. The towels...well they snag. My only solution so far is to never do a load of strictly towels. Towels alone in a load guarantees snags on some. I try to mix a few towels in my other loads so they have a fighting chance to stay away from the enemy--wherever it is.

As for avoiding problems like moldy odor and the such, I try not to leave things in overnight, or throw them in a basket or leave door open if I don't dry things right away and then leave the door open when not in use. My old Neptune had a class action law suit about mold issues, although I never had the problem, so I am precautionary about that. I also wash my cleaning rags once a week or so in just bleach and that may help.

Sorry for the long drawn out deal but I have been perturbed about this thing and have never joined a forum to vent. Although reviews I read elsewhere before I bought mention the snagged towels, I don't see it as much in this forum so I think it is not a complete design flaw and something in only some of them. We are under waranty and I also have the extended warranty. Maybe something can be done about that...a new drum or find a screw or something. I will make that call today and see what they say.

Good luck to those who choose this washer or if you already have it and have these issues.

If anyone would like to recommend a fantastic front loader with no problems, I am all ears. I may look at the LG or Bosch when we move.

Growingplace,
Im sorry to hear that you too have such issues, I couldnt believe what I was reading, it sounded like I was reading my posts.
I have tried all different size loads except real large loads, I did try with the tech a recommended load that the manual suggests, the tech ended up having to take half out and do them again. I havent had the snagging towel problem, I didnt know that there could actually be another issue, I know what you mean about the jeans, I washed a brand new pair and now they have permenent crease marks in the wrong places, I even tried to iron them out before I put in the dryer. Its so wrong for any of these problems when we spend so much money to have a good washer, I thought I was buying the best.
What Duet do you have? I have the 9200.
I wish that I could find everyone that has these issues and all of us get together and complain at once to Whirlpool. As you have probably read I had my washer replaced after having it for 10 months, 7 service calls, 5 techs, 2 repairs that didnt fix the problem, and finally letting them know that it was not exceptable, I dont know how many times I called, but I finally got the right person and they replaced it, but the new one does the same thing. When I first called for service, the techs "all of them" said they had never heard or saw anything like that, Whirlpool told me the same thing. When I called them back on the replacement they told me I would have to go thru the whole thing all over again. I have a tech coming out again on Tues. I am going to ask him about the water level, maybe that has something to do with it.

Good Luck on finding something that works, if you do, let us know how that goes.

Marie

I have the Whirlpool 9600 and have had no problems...we've done large loads and small loads....we've used Tide and Charlies Soap, still no problems. Maybe they fixed the problems of the older versions. Good Luck.
Troy

Troy

Maybe that is the difference, I know that others have the 9400 that are 3-5 yrs old that say they dont have any problems, so I am wondering if they had changed something in the past yr or so that would be causing such problems.

I have the Duet 9200.

growingplace
Thank you,
Now I do really think that something is different between the older models and the newer ones? What do you think?

mc58,
There must be a something between models if they don't have the problem. I haven't followed this like you--just been grumbling about it at home since we got it. Is it just the 9200 people complaining? I can't imagine anyone could have the 9200 and not have the tangling/wrinkled problem. Someone mentioned levelness...I checked and my machine is level on the concrete floor but the drum inside definitely tilts down toward the back...not sure if this means anything or that it can be adjusted. Are the other models' drums tilting or level?

I have to leave for church--I'll pray for forgiveness for all of the cursing I have done because of this stupid machine:)

growingplace
I read alot of complaints on consumer affairs "whirlpool washers" and it seems like most of them were 9200s but the complaints were mostly leaking and mold issues, some would mention suds and not enough water to rinse plus the tangling in a ball, I cant imagine them all not having the tangling. But there are people out there that are saying that they should have a class-action law suit, that is how mad they are. Also I think you are only the 2nd person that has wrote telling me that you have the same issues.

I have been checking my machine and it has been level, except one day I was showing my sister and her husband what was going on when washing a load and they said it looked unlevel, so I put the level on and it was off about 1/2 in. so when I went to show my husband, it was back to level again? the guys who set it up for me told me that it was self leveling, all I can say is "it must be"?
The drum does have a slight tilt back, They told me they make them that way so they wont be so prone to leaking out the front door. I think that the drum tilted is causing the tangling! I am wondering, what water would leak out the front door? there isnt any!!!

Here is the site and their horror stories. After reading them again I told my husband I dont even know that I want the tech to come and check it on Tues. I told him to just sell it and get it out of here, it has put me thru too much stress and pain, I have had enough of it.

I hope that people will do research on the Duets before purchasing, I did when I found this web site and read about them and didnt find too much bad, so I bought it, I think I was reading about the 9400s.

http://www.consumeraffairs.com/homeowners/whirlpool_washing_machine.html

mc58,
I can't imagine I could sell it and not have to deal with the person afterward. I still haven't made calls for service because we are so busy with our new construction...but maybe this week I will. I at least need to figure out the snagging thing because that is actually ruining my towels. Thanks for the link, I will check it out.

Growing place,

Try and use a nylon and rub around in the washer and see if it snags anywhere.

I know about selling and feeling bad for the next person. I just cant handle the tangling because of my back and neck problems, and some posts I have read say that there washer tangles things up too, but they say its not too hard to pull apart, so I will let them know that problem and for the suds issue, it could be the water softner too? Plus it is only 2 months old and has a yr warranty, I will be selling for alot less then what I paid for it.

Good Luck!