Need all new appliances after 9 year - suggestions and ones to stay away from

[tvguy]

Never heard of this. My GE profile front load pair had a 1 year warranty - previously, I had a Fisher Paykel pair, one of the selling points was the 2 year warranty, when other manufacturers only had 1 year warranty..

Just go to the manufacturers pages. Front loaders are direct drive, no belts or transmissions to break.

 

[bluezy]

Just go to the manufacturers pages. Front loaders are direct drive, no belts or transmissions to break.

Whirlpool, GE, LG, Samsung, and Maytag all list 1 year parts & labor warranties on their front loading washing machines. I didn't bother to look at any others since it seems like a 1-year warranty is pretty standard.

 

[Shanna-like-Banana]

Why does it seem like appliances just don't last as long as they used to ?

We built our home, 8 year ago, I don't remember the brands of the appliances off the top of my head, but they are all common named brands.

Our microwave/ over head oven vent conked out after 2.5-3 years, it started going on the "fritz" a few months before hand, If I unplugged it from the outlet, let it set, it would work again. The popcorn function on that microwave actually worked ! Popped perfect, and never burnt. I just wanted a simple replacement, 3 years later, they don't make it anymore ? Ended up with the most similar, the key board is different and I liked some of the key functions of the old one better

We have a smooth cook top. No matter how much I wipe up right away, it never seems really really clean, I even purchase the glass top cleaner-razor scrapper from the company, just doesn't get as clean as I want it to be. A feature I like is the front two burners have two heating zones, a smaller element within the larger zone. A few weeks ago the inner element zone doesn't heat anymore, leaving only the outer zone to operate. Now I only have 1 large spot, 2 small spots and the outer ringer of the dual zone. I do like the "warm spot" zone on it. I've used it for parties to help keep food hot, or a hot dip to stay melty.

The "computer" on both the washer and dryers have odd quarks.

The washer is a top loader without the agitator. On the washer, I can only use hot on the "rapid wash" setting, any other freaking setting, the computer "throws a code" and will not function or proceed" It will bring up errors that don't exist. UL= Uneven Load, open it up, all's good, nothing wonky going it, fluff stuff around, close lid. beeppp bbbbeeeeeppppppp bbeepppp

On the dryer, it seems like the quick dry and timed dry are wired to the control panel backwards. The timed dry will only 15 minutes exact, you can not dial anything up or down to adjust more or less minutes, it's set to strictly 15 mins only. The quick dry automatically selects 23 mins and you can dial it up or down as much as you want. They are wired backwards

 

[tvguy]

Whirlpool, GE, LG, Samsung, and Maytag all list 1 year parts & labor warranties on their front loading washing machines. I didn't bother to look at any others since it seems like a 1-year warranty is pretty standard.

My LG has a big 10 YEAR WARRANTY sticker on the front. It is a direct drive, and that is covered.

 

[bluezy]

My LG has a big 10 YEAR WARRANTY sticker on the front. It is a direct drive, and that is covered.

That's the drum motor only. And it doesn't cover labor. All other parts on the machine have a 1-year warranty.

 

[DizMe]

I've been repeatedly told by dealers that appliances are simply not made the way they used to be. Cheap parts, cheap overseas labor, and planned obsolescence is the way things are now. Small appliances, too. Just look at toasters--I cannot for the life of me find a decent toaster; no matter how much or how little I pay, they never toast evenly, they break or simply stop working. I bought an old toaster off ebay from the 1950s and it works great. Unfortunately, it does not work for bagels or large pieces of bread.

I think another factor in this is the newer energy/water regulations. I'm sure that having to make everything more efficient has affected the durability and functionality.

When we remodeled our kitchen 16 years ago, we put in all new appliances. I gave our 2-year-old Bosch dishwasher to my SIL and it's still going strong. We put in mainly Fisher-Paykel appliances. FP is a New Zealand company and I loved the idea of having dishwasher drawers. I do love my dd's, which are now 16, but they have not been without issues. If you look at reviews, they are all over the place. One of the main problems with them is a lack of knowledge on the part of installers and repairmen. Kitchen Aid now makes them as well. I have asked myself if I'd get them again and I haven't really decided! I *think* I would. My Bosch had issues, too--mainly things breaking inside (soap holder, pieces of the rack). I really don't think there is any brand that won't have negative issues somewhere. There are some very highly rated brands but the cost is prohibitive for most people (Thermador, Wolf, Miele, Gaggenau, Sub-Zero, and those gorgeous European stoves I drool over like La Cornue and Aga, for example).

But anyway, I have loved my FP cooktop, double ovens and washer/dryer. We got a built-in Kitchen-Aid fridge which has also been great.

 

[tvguy]

That's the drum motor only. And it doesn't cover labor. All other parts on the machine have a 1-year warranty.

That's the biggie, the motor.

 

[bluezy]

That's the biggie, the motor.

But there are other parts. It's kind of like having a 10 year warranty on the transmission in your car...there are other things that will most likely fail before that and *aren't* covered by the 10-year warranty. And on the washer, it's only the part that's covered, not the labor. Who knows how much the manufacturer will charge for labor -- certainly not less than $150-200. It would probably be cheaper to buy the part online and do the repair yourself rather than go through the warranty (or you <that's a general "you", not you personally> could hire a local independent repairman if you can't/don't want to look up the procedure on Youtube). A 10-year warranty on one part -- even if it was the biggie -- without labor being covered wouldn't sway me to buy that particular brand. I do understand that it *would* be a big deal for some people, though.

 

[tvguy]

But there are other parts. It's kind of like having a 10 year warranty on the transmission in your car...there are other things that will most likely fail before that and *aren't* covered by the 10-year warranty. And on the washer, it's only the part that's covered, not the labor. Who knows how much the manufacturer will charge for labor -- certainly not less than $150-200. It would probably be cheaper to buy the part online and do the repair yourself rather than go through the warranty (or you <that's a general "you", not you personally> could hire a local independent repairman if you can't/don't want to look up the procedure on Youtube). A 10-year warranty on one part -- even if it was the biggie -- without labor being covered wouldn't sway me to buy that particular brand. I do understand that it *would* be a big deal for some people, though.

No, it wasn't a factor in our brand decision since all the brands we looked like offer the same warranty.

 

[JohnDaleswife]

I work for GE Appliances and no appliance is made to last like they used too. No matter the brand.

 

[DebMcDonald]

I want to thank everyone for their suggestions. We ended up going to our local appliance store vs a big box store and ended up with an Electrolux dishwasher and washer and dryer, front loader again even though I didn't want it, he said I will not be disappointed and he also mentioned that most of the mold issues that people have with front loaders are using too much soap. If you are following the instructions on the soap bottle you are using too much, the correct amount is 3/4 of a coffee scoop crazy2: - been using way too much ). We were close to going with the Bosch, but there was something about their drying mechanism and that discouraged us. We've also picked out a new electric stove and french door fridge both by GE professional that we will get in a couple of months. Our sales person said that if you get 10-12 years out of your appliances you are doing well, after spending $10,000 I would hope to get much more than that! This time around we also bought the 5 year service plans - more money, but hopefully more saving if they break.

Thanks again -

 

[bluezy]

I want to thank everyone for their suggestions. We ended up going to our local appliance store vs a big box store and ended up with an Electrolux dishwasher and washer and dryer, front loader again even though I didn't want it, he said I will not be disappointed and he also mentioned that most of the mold issues that people have with front loaders are using too much soap. If you are following the instructions on the soap bottle you are using too much, the correct amount is 3/4 of a coffee scoop crazy2: - been using way too much ). We were close to going with the Bosch, but there was something about their drying mechanism and that discouraged us. We've also picked out a new electric stove and french door fridge both by GE professional that we will get in a couple of months. Our sales person said that if you get 10-12 years out of your appliances you are doing well, after spending $10,000 I would hope to get much more than that! This time around we also bought the 5 year service plans - more money, but hopefully more saving if they break.

Thanks again -

Great! I hope they all perform well for you! Along the same lines as the "too much soap" issue with the front loading washing machines... Most people also use way too much soap in their dishwashers as well. The dispenser will usually hold about 1/4 cup of dry soap but the manufacturer instructions will say to use 1 tablespoon for a normal load. Too much soap in the dishwasher will cause cloudy glassware and causes issues with the dishwasher itself over time. I know the service guy who came out to work on my Samsung dishwasher explained all of the issues, but I can't remember what they were specifically. I just heard "only use 1 tablespoon of soap" and tuned him out. I've gone from buying a box of dish washing soap almost every month to buying it about twice a year.

 

[DebMcDonald]

Great! I hope they all perform well for you! Along the same lines as the "too much soap" issue with the front loading washing machines... Most people also use way too much soap in their dishwashers as well. The dispenser will usually hold about 1/4 cup of dry soap but the manufacturer instructions will say to use 1 tablespoon for a normal load. Too much soap in the dishwasher will cause cloudy glassware and causes issues with the dishwasher itself over time. I know the service guy who came out to work on my Samsung dishwasher explained all of the issues, but I can't remember what they were specifically. I just heard "only use 1 tablespoon of soap" and tuned him out. I've gone from buying a box of dish washing soap almost every month to buying it about twice a year.

This is great to know because I wasn't aware of this but will now use this going forward.

 

[tvguy]

I work for GE Appliances and no appliance is made to last like they used too. No matter the brand.

Yeah, in part because people will put up with the decline in durability.

 

[JohnDaleswife]

Yeah, in part because people will put up with the decline in durability.

Right, and it makes the company more money. Its pathetic.

 

[agavegirl1]

All the computers built into appliances are making them less reliable and giving them a shorter expected life span. I am kicking myself for giving away the Kitchen Aid large capacity washer and dryer (12 years old) that still worked perfectly and putting in my Kenmore front loaders. The Kitchen aid appliances were largely mechanical and less could go wrong. I have had to call service (under warranty) a couple of times due to electronics.

 

[ronandannette]

This is great to know because I wasn't aware of this but will now use this going forward.

That's one of those pieces of advice that really needs to not be taken as gospel. In areas where water conditions are very hard, not using enough detergent will really decrease cleaning performance. Maybe experiment a bit to see what works best for you - not everybody's water is the same, by far.

 

[xlxo]

My appliances are over 30 years old.... still working. They just don't make the new stuff like they used to. No plans to toss them. Big difference is the lack of computers/electronics.

http://www.cbc.ca/marketplace/episodes/2014-2015/appliances-repairmen-unplugged

 

[bluezy]

That's one of those pieces of advice that really needs to not be taken as gospel. In areas where water conditions are very hard, not using enough detergent will really decrease cleaning performance. Maybe experiment a bit to see what works best for you - not everybody's water is the same, by far.

I agree and I guess I should have been a little more detailed in my response. The instruction manuals for both my Samsung and Bosch dishwashers said that 1 tablespoon of detergent will work for most situations. If your water is hard you may need 1.5 tablespoons. And it will also depend on the brand/type of detergent one uses. I have a Bosch 800 series dishwasher; I use 1 tablespoon of Cascade Complete powder per load; we have very hard water; my dishes come out spotless. YMMV. My point was that most people will just fill up the dispenser without ever reading the instructions and end up using 3X as much detergent as they need to.

 

[Cadiewampus]

Was just curious if anyone had a Bosch Dishwasher with the top pull out rack for silverware. Was thinking I would love that. Any drawbacks?