The major problem with the FriGEmore washers appears to be a pretty-much-random failure of the rear bearing, which puts the machine beyond economic repair. I will admit to not continuously chasing down the history, but at least according to the experience of folks on this board (some of whom have suffered the problem and some [like me] who have not), there's no solid known cause -- not excessive suds, not overloading or exceeding the duty cycle, not a bad production run, ...

So I would think it's hard to say exactly why the problem existed, which would make it hard to fix. You might want to use a Web search engine to look for Frigidaire front-loader (or FL) "rear bearing" and see if there's more recent history.

I can't speak to the 3.5 cu. ft. version.

I have 3.1 FriGEmore which I like a lot. I've had it for 4 years now and it's still working great. I paid about $600, which is about the same price as some higher-end Top Loaders; when I thought about cost that was my price comparison point. (If I had chosen a TL instead, I would have selected one in that price range.)

There are some real savings in water, electricity to run the machine, less energy to heat the water, less energy to dry the clothes, less laundry chemicals, and clothing that lasts longer (and is cleaner). If my machine lasts for 5 years, and saves me just $10 a month, it will have completely paid for itself in that time.

I'm almost there.

Zillions of these 3.1 machines were sold and I am aware of the bearing problem. IF there is going to be a problem with a 3.1 FridGEmore, it will most likely be the bearing, but there are lots of machines of this model that don't have any problems.

CMC

Thanks for the replies. I can see how it would be difficult to track down a problem that appears to occur randomly. I looked up the reliability figures for these brands, but since they only cover machines purchased in 2002 and later, they're not applicable to a problem that might occur after about five years.

I think I can buy the 3.1 locally for $498, and the top-loaders I would consider are over $400. The savings in water and energy are marginal for me because of the small amount of laundry here, although my house does have an electric water heater (gack! The furnace is gas and the WH is right next to it).

I'm probably going to jinx myself by saying this, but I've had a fridgemore 3.1 washer for over 7 years and I've never had a single repair or even a noise that might scare me into calling a repair man. It's been moved cross country, up and down countless sets of stairs, and has reliably cleaned hundreds, maybe even thousands of loads of laundry. When it dies on me, I'm gonna buy another. I do not believe that you have to have one of the high end FLs to have clean clothes--these 3.1 fridgemore washers and Sears Ultra Plus detergent work exceptionally well and at about half of the cost of the super high end FLs.

I bought the Kenmore-branded 3.5 cu.ft. FriGEmore washer and dryer set in July of 2005. Before buying it I read all the online reviews and commentary for a couple of months. I was aware of the rear bearing problem, and the tub spider breaking problem. (heard of that one?) I downloaded all the parts lists and diagrams from the Electrolux FTP server and compared them. Many of the parts look highly similar between the 3.1 and 3.5, but I think all the part numbers are different. Despite all the negative vibes, I went ahead. The only other machine I seriously considered was the Maytag Neptune, which had much worse of a reputation on the net. In the end the FriGEmore set was cheaper and that decided it. For the two years I have been on pins and needles lest I oversuds it, or use chlorine bleach too often. I learned that I do not care for liquid detergents and fabric softeners because they leave slimy residues on the surfaces beneath the detergent drawer. I sop up all the water left in the bottom folds of the boot. I remove the detergent tray and dump the water out between loads, and leave it out after washing is over. And I leave the door wide open all the time. I am rewarded for this (I hope) by a machine which has given no trouble and has no musty or moldy odor. After a couple months I learned what cycles to use and how much detergent to get the clothes clean but still rinse out. I hope this continues, and I expect that it will. It's as quiet as everyone says, and it doesn't shake very much most of the time. When it does it is for brief intervals, and the machine doesn't move along the floor. I have the 15" pedestals, and the big windows in each door provide a good show while operating. I'm happy with my purchase and only time will tell how wise it was.

I've had the fridGEmore washer for about 6 years, no problems. The dryer on the other hand has been gone for some months now. It was always too hot, and the size was marginal, until its brain finally got fried by a power failure. Now we have a nice big Kenmore gas dryer that I really like.

However, as with any machine, you never know from day to day when your number's coming up (*smile*).

-Roger

It's great to hear from so many happy FridGEmore owners!

I've loved my FridGEmore from day one. Got it in the summer of 2001 and it's still going strong.

I check it once or twice a year to ensure it's still level. I always leave the door and detergent drawer open between wash days. I don't bother wiping the boot and have had no problems. Most of my loads are warm or hot. The machine is fairly quiet.

The manual and video on for my machine suggest using small amount of non-HE detergents (HE soaps were not always easily available in 2001). For years, I for years have used 2-3 Tbl. of NON HE Tide or Cheer *powder*, which is virtually sudsless in my water/laundry conditions (unlike Tide & Cheer *HE liquids*, which I have tried). In the past, I used liquid All Free & Clear (non-HE) at half dose with no oversudsing. I've switched to the fairly new HE version.

A friend of mine bought a FridGEmore in late 2002 or early 2003. Her housemate consistently overdoses on non-HE liquid All Free & Clear, despite repeated warnings. The bearings on that machine are going -- it goes thump thump when it spins.

Roger is right -- you never know when your machine's number is up. HOWEVER, most of the shot-bearings stories I've heard involve regular oversudsing.

I think they is a justification on TCA (total cost of acquisition) and TCO (total cost of ownership) that really works for machines priced like the Frigidaire.

However, it seems like over the last few months the price of relatively high-end machines like Kenmore HE5t have come down in price (around $1000 sales price), so the TCA spread is not quite as large today, or so it seems to me. At some price point, depending on your budget, your personal desires and supposedly higher quality of a more expensive machine, color, style, snob appeal (do I dare say), and just your emotions, you decide to spend more money than a purely functional Frigidaire.

Of course, this "logic" is what sales a Lexus ES350 for thousand more over essentially the same car as the Camry V6 XLE. I drive a Camry.

And why I initially brought a Meile W/D over the Kenmore W/D. And the same "logic" that made me return the Miele for the Kenmore when the perceived value difference that justified the higher TCA collapsed.

Just a note to thank everyone who relied. I purchased the Frigidaire 3.1 and companion dryer. They're here but not installed, because the flooring isn't down in the laundry room yet.

Does FriGEmore equal Kenmore? I've been around a long time, but don't understand this lingo.
Thanks!

Does FriGEmore equal Kenmore?

Certain front-loader designs, all manufactured in the same factory, are sold with Frigidaire, GE, and Kenmore labels. The models usually have slight differences in the controls or selection of cycles, but are otherwise the same.

However, other Kenmore models are made by other companies, especially Whirlpool.

Just to add to the confusion, the factory is owned by the Swedish appliance manufacturer Electrolux, but it appears that the Electrolux vacuum-cleaner line in the U.S. is from a different company altogether.

Thanks for the info. Not that I'm totally clear on it you understand...That really must make shopping fun. Find the manufacturer!

I am confused and interested too. Exactly what machine or company is a FriGEmore?

Exactly what machine or company is a FriGEmore?

Any of several models of front-loading washer and companion dryer manufactured by a division of Electrolux and sold in the U.S. under the Frigidaire, GE, and Kenmore labels.

See the FAQ of this forum (link below)

Here is a link that might be useful: What is a FriGEmore?

Thanks okmoreh.

I purchased a Basic Frigidaire FL about 4.8 years ago. No issues, although I do have an extended service plan. I also did the water-level mod I found on this site as I was not happy with the amount of water in th main wash cycle. Overall I am very happy with it.
-Alex

I read the FAQ definition of FriGemore. Interesting. I always thought there was some White-Westinghouse design in this washer but I guess there isn't.

My grandmother had a Westinghouse FL and it cleaned and rinsed very well. It did have a tilted drum which caused things to twist.

Later I had a White-Wstinghouse which looked similar to hers but had a completely horizontal drum. This thing could clean and rinse like a champ. 16 minute wash, spray rinse, spin, 2 deep rinses spin...everything was clean and well rinsed and using regular non HE detergent and no LCB. In-fact they didn't even make an HE detergent back then as there were instructions on regular detergent for using it with FL. I sometimes wonder why we now have so many pre-treatment products, and so many other things that are thrown at us to get something clean--never needed it before.

My next washer was a newer model of this FL only this one had the alternating tumbling the Euro's had and like todays FL have. I cramed the thing full--everthing came out clean.

These older "cheapie" things even with no heater did a very good job. I will never forget those washers. sounds like the FriGemore may wash just as good.

I've been very pleased with my FriGEmore (the Frigidaire 3.1) so far - I've washed three loads now, all with good results. Only one went in the dryer, but it did a nice job, too. There was an assortment of things that typically require different drying times, but the moisture sensor got everything evenly dry.

My mom has the GE model of the FriGEmore 3.1 and going on it's 3rd year with no issues.. I just made sure she use the HE soap since I've read alot of issues of oversuding that cause the bearing to go out. No musty issues on her's, I've given the machine a once a year good srubbing with dishwasher detergent, and HOT empty wash with it to clean out any build up inside.

I myself own the newer FriGEmore GE 3.5 since Jan, and been pleased with it as well. I did get the extended warranity from Home Depot.. Can't beat the $90 4 years plan.

NIce to have a peace of mind for the next 5 years if something did go wrong.

I used the Tide HE powder, and never been a fan of liquid. Also with the 3.5, it has time delay, so nice to keep the soap back till it washes, where the liquid will drip down into the clothes. This model does not have a "Dam" or "cup" to hold the liquid back like the upper ends would have.

I think there is a big misunderstanding here. The GE front load washers are not made by Electrolux. The frigidaires are. Kenmore front load (low-end) washers are made by either Electrolux (frigidaire) or GE. This FriGEmore stuff has been bothering me since I've been here. It's a misunderstanding. Is there a factory rep here that can straighten this out??

There is no misunderstanding - GE used to source their frontloaders from Electrolux before their Adora models. Hence the name FriGEmore which has become a well used word in the laundry room forum's dictionary :-).

Jon

This is the model of GE washer that has been a FriGEmore for years.

Here is a link that might be useful: wsxh208

Here's another, pretty new in the GE lineup but a FriGEmore nonetheless.

Here is a link that might be useful: wssh300

Our FriGEmore is a Kenmore model 42142. We've had it since 2001 or so with no problems until now. It seems to be leaking in the joint between the front and rear housings. Not a flood and it doesn't do it all the time.

Loads such as towels seem to create some water leakage. Perhaps because they hold more water to start with so in the final spin there is more water to be forced out against the joint between the front and rear housings. More water for a longer period of time = more chance for leak.

Everything else is fine so I hate to buy a replacement for what seems like something that can be repaired.

Has anyone ever done (or had done) a repair like this?

Can I simply separate the two halves and use good quality RTV sealant on the joint when I put it back together? I don't see a gasket/o-ring on the parts list.

Lucius

I have had the 3.5 cubic foot model since April 2005 and moved with it once. so far no repairs, the only thing on it that has troubled me is the front service panel below the drum came loose once and made one hell of a racket during the final spin. I tightened up the screws and its been fine since.
I did get best buy's 5 year extended warranty just in case.

We have had the 3.5 Frigidaire branded version since October 2005 with no issues. It is on the second floor of a 150-year old house and I had a raised platform built for it when the room was stripped down to its floor joists. Very sturdy and hardly any vibration at all is communicated to the other rooms and floors.

We run just 3-4 loads per week. I routinely use warm water wash w/ cold rinse and HE detergent at about 1/3 to 1/2 the package instructions to good effect. We run a bleach wash once every 2 weeks. Wipe off the rubber gasket after every use and leave door open overnight, less time in the winter with the heat on in the house. No smell, no mold, no detergent deposit in the dispenser. The warm water temp is set at the wall valve and is just warm enough to dissolve the soap nicely but not so warm as to shrink the clothes. We always run extra rinse and spin. No fabric softener ever.

We have the matching dryer and it has been fine too, but it doesn't collect the lint well and needs to be taken apart and vacuumed out well every 3-4 months and the lint tends to fall out on the floor because it sticks to the door as well as the lint screen.

Hope this is helpful to anyone thinking about the newer versions of this soon to be classic machine.

I almost got one of these. So you guys are pretty sure the problem with these machines dying is owner error by too much detergent/suds? I have a duet that is 4 yrs old....I've had one repair on it, they changed the circuit board because of the error codes and its been fine since.