I would get an LG or Kenmore made by LG. Saw LG in Best Buy today for $549. Might want to look at Electrolux also.

I think you have the same link for the two Whirlpool washers but I checked out the one on the Lowe's site that goes for $649 (on sale) {Item # 803261 Model # WFW8540FW} and this model has a Sanitize cycle which means it should heat the water to the 150 degree range.

The other one has a "Sanitize with Oxi" cycle which is not heating the water to a higher temp.

You may not use Sanitize often but it's good to have and it may help other cycles by engaging the water heating element to help hold temps. or to slightly raise them.

Even though Maytag is now owned by Whirlpool I keep hearing dissatisfaction with the new Maytag's (early breakdowns).

Also look into Electrolux (although not carried at Lowe's).

Personally I would stay away from HE (high efficiency) top loaders. If they use a lot of water then the temps. are dumbed down a lot. If they don't use a lot of water then there's hardly any turn over and the clothes on the bottom get beaten while the clothes on the top just sit there.

Stay away from anything Samsung.

I'm tall so I love having the pedestals. If you're not tall you probably can get away without having them.

Sparky and George-- thank you both- quite helpful comments. George you are right about the wrong link-( I tried to correct it and it will only repeat the wrong one) thank you for doing the work to look at the 8540. Yes, I am not sure if I need the sanitize but I guess for the $50 it's certainly worth it. I also thank you about the Maytag comment because I was not aware of that. I am keenly aware that the whole appliance industry has changed and the tried and true of the past has no relation to the current options.

I am staying away from Samsung anything (though I do have their cell phone) just because. I would consider LG but while I thought it was favorable review, I somehow think I recall hearing repairs if needed are a big issue. Will have to look again.

Electrolux is on my radar, but I am not sure if the small 417 will work for me and it seems a tad too pricey.

I am not committed to Lowe's, but all things being equal will probably purchase there or at a smaller chain.

This is just the feedback I am looking for. Thank you- keep it coming.

FWIW--I have GE washer w/Sanitize feature--didn't buy it--came w/house we bought 5 yrs ago and was several yrs old then...I use it for pets' bedding... I would also use it to wash bedding/towels/clothing from anyone with flu... The dryer also has the Sanitize setting--runs for over an hour at hi temp... Washer is being replaced because the shocks have gone out for 2nd time---dryer is a gem...going to our daughter...

not recommending GE which my appliance repair guy said to avoid--He said LG was better for durability. So getting LG 3670 (w/extra water option) via Costco for the 90 day return policy and the 3 extra/free yrs of warranty coverage. I plan to wash my daughter's laundry and ours for first month to see any issues that might come up... We travel between TX and FL--this is for FL house. Daughter lives next door and can use W/D with minimal effort...We go back to TX second wk of August so she can even do laundry with our set after we are gone...

Want to make sure before the 90 day return is up that it is not a lemon...

Roc's advice is very good.. she's spent much time looking into this sanitize/allergen/heaters.

I have a Whirlpool 95 it does have a sanitize cycle however the highest temp this cycle reaches is 111 degrees and my machine does have a heater.

I would never buy a FL'er without a heater that's actually going to boost the temps. A FL uses to little water to expect a hot wash will be hot without a heater. The drum and clothing are going to cool tap hot down very fast. I can't even imagine not having true hot for many things not to mention the nasty bed mites that require at least 131F.

Our appliance repairman was here yesterday, to repair something other than the washer, but I asked him about which washers are the least trouble. He said Speed Queen, both their top loader and front loader, are the best made. He said among the rest, Whirlpool is most dependable and Samsung is the worst.

@mamapinky said "I would never buy a FL'er without a heater that's actually going to boost the temps"

Solid advice as she always gives.

So it looks like from my oriignal post, the whirlpools do not have the allergen feature (heater to proper temps?) and only the maytag does. I can re-examine some LGs to consider but what is the deal on maytags? Does it seem true to what you hear experience et that Maytag is more problematic?

(so confusing)

Have you ever had a front loader? The guys I lived with did not like it as they were always leaving some item of clothing out, and could not just open the door, like a top loader, to add the item to the wash. Ours also only had a quick 30 min cycle or a full cycle would take about 2 hours to do. We now have a top load washer again.

The deal on all these machines seems to be that you make your decision and take your chances.

I'd personally spend a little more and get a top of the line Whirlpool WFW92. It has a heater, plenty of cycle selections, a wash and dry cycle, and a built in detergent dispensing system. The matching dryer has steam and a beautiful stainless steel drum.

I considered WP but the detergent dispensing system just seems something that will be a likely problem in future...everyone knows that FL have problems w/detergent/fabric softener dispensing trapping moisture... I am not sure that using a larger holding system for those will be any better than dispensing in the traditional way...Reviews for that system seems to show there are problems w/some machines dispensing too much and going through a filled container much sooner than listed time...plus it is part of the overall complicated design.

It's not required to use the the Load & Go detergent dispenser. Powdered detergent for a single load, remove the cartridge and place powder directly into the compartment. Liquids are not recommended because they'll run out prematurely (which may not be a concern if not using Delay Start) ... but a standard detergent cup can be purchased if desired to be used in place of the Load & Go cartridge.

The wash and dry on my Duet is the biggest load of gimmick I've ever seen...doesn't even begin to dry a very thin silk scarf.

Just thought I would stop back and let you know I did nothing. I was mulling it over and reading and reading and was busy comparison shopping ( on my couch- you know via the internetthingy). Well I could have sworn the sales were through July 12.

So I looked again last night, thinking that maybe today I would do it.

To my amazement- the sales really were very good for July 4! And, while there are always sales, there are no really good ones currently that I have seen. There are no comparable good sales this week. (maybe next week or whenever). The same machines I was considering, are now about $100 more though still on sale.

So lesson learned.

Labor Day isn't far off. Those sales may be even better than July. I swear they start Christmas on Labor Day now IYKWIM

As it happens, we got an email that today and tomorrow Lowe's is doing 10% off with their credit card. But I have a question- on the Whirlpool85 (at Lowe's it s 8540--- it says on board heater but I think Rococogurl wrote only the Maytag has this feature of the 3 I listed. I am earnestly trying to make an informed decision. It says it has the heater- did you mis-read or am I more confused than ever? And, I did read lots of stuff about the temperature etc but to be truthful, I rarely wash in HOT water. Is this going to be more important and necessary because of the front load vs top load

Sheilaaus122...

Just so you know in regards to front loaders...a HOT wash will help keep your washer cleaner preventing mold from forming along with using bleach (in a wash cycle or using bleach in the "Clean" cycle). Also doing a "Sanitary" wash every few weeks (or once a month) will also help keep mold at bay.

Today in high efficiency machines (top or front loading) most do NOT allow the hot water your hot water heater puts out to be put into the tub. They have something called ATC (Automatic Temperature Control). The machine will mix hot and cold to reach a specified temp. that the manufacturer programs into the machine. So if they program hot to be 120F and your hot water heater is set to 130F it will mix hot and cold to reach 120F.

Today's temps. are not what they were back in the day. Today's warm is more like lukewarm and therefore hot is not as hot as it once was.

Someone will have to chime in on the on board heater.

I am helping a friend pick out a new washer/dryer. I am confused by the discussion here about Whirlpool and onboard heater. On a recent different thread, Mamapinky0 said Whirlpool FLs no longer come with thermal sanitize. On this thread, you are saying the top Whirlpools do? Or, are you saying they do, but they're not really as hot as they should be? Can someone clarify?

I think the bottom line question is which FLs have the NSF certified allergen cycle that Roc discussed, without costing the moon? Just Maytag?

Sheilaaus122,

Investigation finds there's a bit of disparity between cycle/options per the photo of the control panel on Lowe's web site vs. the linked user guide. The user guide covers multiple models, and the 8540FW may be a Lowe's exclusive with slightly different cycles/options that doesn't directly match Whirlpool's "native" offerings.

8540FW does have a heater, confirmed by parts diagrams (assuming the diagrams aren't wrong).

The Sanitize cycle is called "Sanitize," not "Sanitize with Oxi," so presumably it reaches a reasonably high temperature. Both the product description and user guide advise the cycle "eliminates 99% of common household bacteria" and the user guide indicates it runs at "Extra Hot" temperature.

The heater will run whenever Steam Clean is selected (with Warm, Hot, or Extra Hot temperature choices).

@fredajune - none of the new Whirlpool front loaders have a "thermal sanitize" Whirlpool discontinued that feature across all nameplates manufactured by Whirlpool and all models. Your remaining choices that do offer that feature are Electrolux, Samsung, Kenmore, and LG in the domestic market. I can't speak for GE or others with certainty. If a machine carrys an NSF Allergen certification, that guarantees an operating temperature of at least 131-135F. If it is certified to the NSF P172 standard, WHILE NO TEMPERATURE IS EXPLICITLY guaranteed, thermal sanitation greater than 152F will be available. This applies to the LG,KENMORE, ELECTROLUX, AND SAMSUNG.

Re Lowe's website-- I was shopping for washer w/heater--the LG model I chose 3670 HAS an internal heater but the Lowe's site does not show it as having one. Go to the MFG site for specific info about models' features and cycle options. Retail sites are created by people OTHER than the mfg--sometimes they copy/paste and sometimes they "create" their own copy...

Very helpful everyone (but still a bit confused). Thank you for explaining the need for hot wash- I dont think I put all the dots together previously.

I did go to the whirlpool website and ifor 8540 by clicking more and more and more details, it does say: below:

(Sanitize Cycle with Heater

The Sanitize cycle with Heater eliminates 99.9% of common household bacteria7 . Bacteria tested were S. aureus, P. aeruginosa, and K. pneumoniae

However to be noted I guess it does not say NSF allergen . But it's all very helpful. And on the Maytag I too am confused as it does have on board heater/sanitzie but then above someone said only LG, Kenmoer Electorlux and Samsung but doesnt' mention Maytag.

Maytag is a nameplate of Whirlpool.

Ok well I bit the bullet-Lowe's was having a 10% off in addition to the usual 5% off for using their credit card---so I bought the Whilrpool 8540. It is supposed to come tomorrow. I know there will be a learning curve- but I will report back once I have used it a few times.

The help on this forum is truly superb.

My Duet says the same thing in the manual about sanitize however the warmest this cycle gets is 111F.

Good Luck can't wait to read your reviews. I hope you love your new washer.