What makes a good washer / dryer

a1an

3 years ago

I suppose this is like a Prius vs Tesla debate and honestly, I haven't gathere much of my thoughts on the matter.....

As I was driving in to work today, it got me thinking

But I'm sure someone here over at GW has all the bullet points they can point out

Space /machine fit aside, internal volume aside, what merits does one look at when looking at washers or dryers.

These things are just containers that move water in a drum or move hot air in a drum

Build quality obviosuly being important cause one would rather have a working machine than one that is waiting for parts

Onboard heater is a must have

Cycles. Does the ability to make a custom cycle count.

Or the dryer, which is even more simplistic in function than a washer in cycles type needed.

Is steam in a dryer a must have necessity these days.

In my 1st house we purchased, while we're on our 3rd laundry washer, it still has the Original Neptune Dryer( it does see very limited use so I suppose that does add to it's longevity).

Anyhow, I welcome to hear what fellow GW laundry nerds take is on what matters in a machine.

Featured Answer

dadoes

3 years ago

last modified: 3 years ago

"Toronto Veterinarian: I don't care much about cycles in the dryer, as most of the time it's just a function of temperature and duration - the exception is a good bedding cycle, which can keep things from getting tangled . "

The only way a designated Bedding cycle on a dryer could prevent tangling vs. other cycle choices is if the machine has reversing tumble feature (which may be an on/off option) and the Bedding cycle forces it on.

Or perhaps if the dryer of question has a multi-speed motor with different tumble speeds on various cycles. I'm not aware of any current models with that feature*.

Otherwise there's no mechanical way to vary the tumble pattern on one cycle vs. another.

*Whirlpool featured three tumble speeds in the 1970s, then reduced it to two speeds, then eliminated the feature in 1978. It worked mechanically by shifting the belt to different positions on a tapered pulley.

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Comments (6)

Toronto Veterinarian
3 years ago
last modified: 3 years ago
Quality build, as you said, which includes history of longevity (and history of ownership)

Effectiveness - it's not just moving water or air in a drum......There are effective and ineffective ways to do that.

Efficiency - I want it to be effective while being efficient and not (comparatively speaking) wasteful of water or energy.

I don't care much about cycles in the dryer, as most of the time it's just a function of temperature and duration - the exception is a good bedding cycle, which can keep things from getting tangled . Cycles in the washer are nice, but I don't need more than 2 or 3, honestly.

Controls should be easy to access and understand. Lint filter in the dryer should be easy to access and clean. I don't want to require internet connectivity for anything......I know that many (most? all?) units come with that now, but it should be an option I can choose NOT to activate, not a default that's there.
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Toronto Veterinarian
3 years ago
" has reversing tumble feature "

Yes. It's a great idea, IMO.
colle
3 years ago
Currently, I have/using full-size "large capacity" 27" Bosch Nexxt W/D for 10+ years.
I love them.

Had TL GE for ~25 yrs before & it was a workhorse, but I did not know what I was missing. LOL

They're sturdy, easy to maintain (clean drain pump), reliable (15 years old so far) & can do profile or boil washes with onboard heater.

They clean clothes well with minimal detergent (i only need between 1.5-2.0 TBSP per load, which is about ½-⅔ of detergent manufacturer suggests).

IDK how "dingy white" some clothing were before, until after several washes in the Bosch brought back their former brightness.

It offer lots of cycles from 25 min quick wash to soaking to delicate (great for "dry clean only" items) to xxtrasanitary.

It normally uses only 4 gallons per cycle, but I do an extra rinse (at touch of button) which brings that up to 5.5 gallons.

Anyhow, I'll be moving this year & can't take them with me as these Bosch Nexxt W/D can't stack.

Some have mentioned buying older (10 yrs) Bosch Vision if I want stackable, but resellers here are asking $1000 pair for used non-refurbished, which is ridiculous.

LG seem to be recommended also but no specific models cited.
luna123456
3 years ago
Miele dryers have reverse tumble and have for decades for the reasons indicated above.
Toronto Veterinarian
3 years ago
" no specific models cited. "

I've had 3 different models in 3 different homes, and haven't preferred one over the other. You may want certain features available in some models, but it's not been an issue for me.