Poppy, that's how I switched to a FL too - my favorite dress got caught in the impeller in the TL! That was back in the 90s. The rest is history, as they say...

@poppy, My poor husband lost a pair recently to our Top Loader, but honestly our old machine did a pretty decent job of not tearing up much and if it is small/delicate I try to put it in a little laundry baggie to wash.

And izeve, I have never heard of the magnet. I have heard the electrolux is either open or closed... that you can't crack it, but that seems odd to me.

Oh the little door on the front, to access a drain tube is that important?

The Whirlpool 8740 is no longer made. You may find one if you look hard enough. The replacement appears to be the WFW87HEDW; specs below.

Controls Cycle And Options

Number of Wash Cycles

10

Washer Cycle Selections

Clean Washer, Cold Wash, Delicates, Drain & Spin, Heavy Duty, Normal, Quick Wash, Sanitize, Towels, Whites

Pre Soak

No

Option Selections

Control Lock, Delay Wash, End of Cycle Signal, Extra Rinse, Presoak, Steam Clean, TumbleFresh™

Number of Soil Levels

3

Soil Selections

Heavy, Light, Normal

Spin Speeds

4

Spin Speed Selections

Extra Fast, Fast, Medium, Slow

Temperature Selections

Cold, Cool, Hot, Warm

Display Type

Cycle Indicator Lights with Digital Time Remaining

LED Color

Green

Feedback-Status Indicators

Add Garment, Clean Washer Reminder, Delay Wash, Done (Clothes Clean), Door Locked, Eco Monitor, Estimated Time Remaining, Sensing, Steaming, TumbleFresh™

Drum Material

Stainless Steel

Hoses Included

No

Motor Drive Type

Direct Drive

Pedestal Options

Yes

Stackable

Yes

Out of Balance Sensing

Yes

Suspension System

2 Springs 4 Dampers

The door magnet on the lGS might be called a magnetic prop. It's on both the branded LGS and the machines built for sears. It's handy, but not a deal breaker. The front filter access depends on your family's needs. It is easy to clear the stuff left in pockets if the prewash sort misses something. I've cleaned out pipe cleaners and something from the pets that shall go unnamed. The whirlpool has the same filter but it's a lot harder to access. Depends on your personAL preference.

AJ..access to the drain tube can be important..but not as much if your careful to check pockets and watch for loose buttons. Some people won't buy a machine without front access..I don't have access in the front but I'm diligent on checking pockets.

I have been very satisfied with my LG built Kenmore. Excellent machine! LG has the least frequency of repair among brands. Makes sure service is available in your area. Whirlpool also makes a very durable machine, although there is some question about there Sanitary cycle not being up to it. Determine your needs, price point, and must have options. Look for Allergen or Sanitary cycles if super hot washes are your priority. In all instances get a FL with an onboard heater. Good Luck and do a lot of research.

Re the LG WM3370HWA - Tier 1 machine, 1300 spin, prewash, extra water (can be added) and you can save frequent settings - nice. No NSF cert I can find for Allergen. It has something called "extra hot" and steam, and internal heater. But I would still call them and ask them the temp for Allergen. Here's the abt page. Over 300 reviews. 4-1/2 stars overall. $809 on abt.

Whirlpool WFW8740DW - nothing shows for this.

I do find WFW87HEDW - Internal heater but no allergen. No NSF. I would pass on this despite good reviews. Only TOL Pools are highly rated.

@roco - that's 143F for that machine.

Electrolux EIFLS55IIW - NSF certified. Great ratings 4.5 by 295 entries. Link

4.2 capacity. Water heater but no Allergen cycle. Has fast wash, heavy duty, sanitize and others.

Has 3 year waranty on parts; 1 year on labor -- but check on this as it says something else on listing.

1200 spin speed

I cannot locate or bring up the user manual for this manual on the Electrolux website. Perhaps someone else can. Failing that I would call and ask them key question -- wash temp of sanitize and heavy duty -- and ask for a link to the relevant manual.

Didn't check for Tier rating on this but I would. If Tier 3 and no "add more water option" then smaller capacity looks better to me than a larger drum.

sin - Which machine are you referring to: "@roco - that's 143F for that machine."

@ roc - the LG 3370 That's a NSF P172 certified. Sanitary is well over the 152,spec.Its also a Tier I so not stringent on water. Nice!

In my LG both Allergen and Sanitary get into 150+F range. The Allergen is not NSF certified. It has a different wash pattern than Sanitary. First it only adds enough water to saturate the load, then tumbles and heats up, and then adds quite a lot of water (to flush out the nasties, I assume :-)

They are rarely if at all certified for both. The P172 satisfies both.

Tier 1 would be a plus. I can't imagine less water usage than my tier 2.

Do you ever shop at Sears? The front loads there are 30-40% off. Nice Km elite LG made was $1300 now under $800 best I remember. I looked online a little while ago. Has all the top features. I would for sure get the turbo wash that sprays while tumbling, but that is just me. Kenmore calls it something besides turbo, but same thing.

AJ how is the decision coming? You reading?

I am! I wasn't able to get online much last night and now that I am at work I am fitting in some research. I have named my washer shopping "As the washer turns"... I did speak to a repair guy I trust today. His advice was to get a speed queen though. Why are those so darn ugly???

Your repair guy loves old fashioned top loaders. Besides, Speed Queens don't have heaters either the top loaders or the front loaders.

Everyone wants to keep themselves in business. Logical.

We had the same issue with SQ, not as attractive. Though really it should be function over form. I think the electronic version looks better and has a longer warranty. Our repair guy said whirlpool or Maytag, as parts are more available and less expensive. Speed Queen was third in his opinion. I think it's just ask half a dozen people, and you get half a dozen answers.

Funny, that LG had so many great features. I was impressed. People seem to like them a lot, too.

The repair guy did say avoid Samsung and LG at all costs... But went on to tell me to only expect it to work 3-6 years. Honestly I am still leaning toward the front loader. The great news is Lowes and Home Depot have them all on sale today! I plan to re-read your comments on the models above and compare them now at the sale price. And the funny thing is most people I have talked to really like their front loader. The one negative I get a lot is the having to leave the door open or it molds and in my laundry room that just isn't an issue at all to me.

ETA: @rocco, YES everyone with an LG I know really has good things to say, and two ladies at my bible study last night sang praises on the Samsung. So despite trusting the repair guy I think the best thing is to buy what I like/want/feel happy with and get that extended warranty.

Ok so I think based on all of this I am going to go with the LG3370... I can get it today (should my husband be able to install it??) and I even have found the matching gas dryer at the local sears scratch and dent, it is not a return/refurb, it just has a dent on the side. Gas is very hard to find around here, normally it is a special order.

That LG is a tier 1 old stock. Don't wait too long.

@poppy don't worry my husband has set today as my deadline! In fact it is in stock so I hope to just go get it today. My husband is somewhat handy so I hope he can install it.

I think that LG will be a good choice for you. I would have the store install it - it's not complicated but the washer is heavy so it needs two people to do it. Make sure the installer is very diligent about leveling (have them check side to side and back to front).

Great! Can't wait to see how you like it. I've heard good things about the LG machines as well!

And in another small miracle the dryer is actually in stock at Lowes too. I checked Sears online and the dented one went up in price from $550 to $750 and Lowes has it brand new and in stock for $750 so I will just get it from there... Lowes also offers a discount to my veteran hubby. Thank you all! I can't wait to join in the fun on other threads discussing my new set!

Congrats..a Tier l..nice.

Can't wait to hear your review and hopefully see pics. Only thing that really swayed me from LG was service in my area.

AJ..is this your first FL...I just can't remember.

@AJ if you DYI the installation and there is a problem, the store will blame it on you, no question. If the store installer screws it up, they have to come back and fix or give you a different machine. There are several threads about FL installation including leaving the shipping bolts in place until the washer is in its permanent location, leveling the machine back to front and side to side (very important) before you hook up the water and test. Have a load of something for testing at installation. They usually want to run the quick/express wash. Make sure you have some towels for them to try the spin on. You will know immediately if the machine is unbalanced or dances across the floor. That's frequently a leveling problem. Don't expect the installers to know any of this. Meet the truck and keep those bolts in until the machine is in the house. We're all going to tell you to get the manual and memorize it. Just kidding. Good Luck.

Yes read the manual..its beneficial..I keep a copy above my machine and I often browse thru it. Some day I will have it memorized lol. I'm also working on a Tips&Tricks chart for my machine, LOL.

@mamapinky, yes this is my first FL. I have been using the equivalent of a Speed Queen for the last 15 years.

@poppy, I will download the manual and read it today! My mom still keeps her manual on her washer and does use it a lot. As for installation I will try to hold off my husband. No doubt he can get it level, he fixed my Dishwasher that was NOT put in level by a pro.. I know I will likely have to pay the $150 for the gas dryer install since it has steam and we don't have a steam dryer right now. Unless the dryer is easier than the washer? I may go search threads for info on that.

@AJ - Congratulations, that is a very reasonable choice and a lot of washer for the price. Do purchase the extended warranty, and take advantage of the free delivery and hookup. I think you will really like it!

AJ..even more reason to congratulate you since its your first FL. ..you are going to have so much fun..and wait until you see how WHITE your whites are using the heater. You just can't possiably understand until you see it first hand.

I noticed the 3370's are on sale here, too. From my readings on this model yesterday, it should work for your needs. Congrats!

Well Lowes won't install the washer just deliver.... He claims the warranty is good no matter who installs it. I decided to just have them delivered and read the Install instructions. i did get the 5 year warranty and they will arrive Friday. Hooray for a washer!

You'll be fine. I, and others, have self-installed our washers with no ill effects; the key is just to level, level, and level. There are some YouTube videos you could watch to prepare yourselves. Good luck! Look forward to hearing how you like your new machines.

So happy to see a decision made- and lots of support here. Best of luck and make sure you let us know how delighted you are:)

Ok, I've been making phone calls today and learned something interesting, assuming it's correct information. I called LG to investigate the "water plus" feature and was told that it could be used up to three times per load, adding 1 gallon each time.

@AJ, does this sound right to you? Would love to know what you think about your new set and whether they can actually add that much water.

twobelles, if this machine works anything like the LG I used to have with the same feature, then the answer is no. The Water Plus button is an on/off type feature. You press the Water Plus before the cycle starts and it adds more water (about a gallon each) into the wash portion and each of the two standard rinses that the machine does. So in total about 3 gallons per cycle.

I don't have it yet, fingers crossed that Lowes keeps the scheduled delivery date of today. But I printed the manual, I could look there and see what it says about the water plus feature.

Even 1 gallon more in the cycle is a lot in a FL'er LOL.

Can't wait to find out if your LG came today..such fun.

They arrived yesterday and we got them installed without issue. Our floor was level tile so no problems with leveling it. I ran a quick wash last night, so far so good! Today I tackle all the laundry that stacked up this week. I will be reading my manual as I go!

Can't wait to hear what you think....happy laundering!

Woo Hoo AJ. Please give us updates. Interested to hear how they work.

Waiting impatiently for your reports. LOL. What detergent are you using? Did you buy some HE?

I had HE persil so I just am using that. I do have the pearls by persil for whites, how do I use those in the front loader? My first load is still washing right now.

You can put the pearls in the detergent dispenser.