Want basic top load washer, no HE or fancy controls -help!

[Snoozan]

My 18 year old Kenmore washer is one it's last legs - trying to get it to drain as timer apparently no longer working. Just started researching new washers and realize they no longer make a no-bells and whistles kind of washer. Is Speed Queen the way to go? I do not want HE after reading all the horror stories about getting unwashed, beaten up clothes with detergent on them from those new-fangled washers. Anyone have a Speed Queen? Why can't they make things that way they used to?

 

[BellePrincessBelle]

Speed Queen is the way to go.

 

[NotUrsula]

Not sure where you are looking, but pretty much all of the major manufacturers except Whirlpool still make a basic model, though usually they only come in white finish. (Whirlpool does make them, but they are badged as Amana, and their reliability ratings are not very good.)
Maytag: http://www.maytag.com/-[MVWP475EW]-5527097/MVWP475EW/
GE: http://products.geappliances.com/appliance/gea-specs/GTW460ASJWW
Samsung: http://www.samsung.com/us/appliances/washers-dryers/WA40J3000AW/A2
Kenmore (cheapest of the lot): http://www.kenmore.com/kenmore-3.3-...p-02620222000P?prdNo=4&blockNo=4&blockType=G4
LG also makes a fairly simple top-load model, but the controls are electronic and mounted on the front, which doesn't seem to be what you want.

 

[mom2rtk]

We bought a new washer a few weeks ago. Most of the models are HE now. Just make sure you get one that can add extra water with each cycle.

What caught me off guard was the lack of models with an agitator.

When I said I wanted a top load with at least 4 cubic feet, with an agitator, ability to add extra water with a budget of $500, I really didn't have many options.

 

[Southernmiss]

Bought our Speed Queen in September to replace a 13 year old front load Kenmore. Love it! Won't go back to anything else. When the dryer goes, we're getting a Speed Queen. Washes any load in 29 minutes or under. Has an agitator. Uses plenty of water. All clothes-kids play soccer and come home with nasty uniforms-are clean first go around.

 

[Disneychick75]

Yes to Speed Queen- we really like ours. It was recommended to us by an appliance repairman. We've had 2 or 3 front loaders and each gave us problems. When I told the repairman I wished there was an old fashioned plain Jane machine, he told me about the Speed Queen. It works so well that we got rid of our fancy schmancy dryer and bought a Speed Quuen dryer too.

 

[disneypofq05]

My mom wanted a simple washing machine and Speed Queen was recommended to her by an appliance store that has been in business since the 1950s. She bought it and we love it. It's simple to use and does it's job. I highly recommend it!

 

[smokeyblue]

I manage a dozen rental houses. I've replaced a lot of appliances in the last few years and have spent a lot of time with the installation/repair guys. They told me Speed Queen is the best.

 

[SUSIEQ]

We bought a new washer a few weeks ago. Most of the models are HE now. Just make sure you get one that can add extra water with each cycle.

What caught me off guard was the lack of models with an agitator.

When I said I wanted a top load with at least 4 cubic feet, with an agitator, ability to add extra water with a budget of $500, I really didn't have many options.

What kind did you end up buying, and do you like it?

 

[Hisgirl]

Oh yes, definitely. We kept replacing washers and I finally started calling repair people. They ALL said Speed Queen. I know it's more expensive, but it's plain, made in the USA has a great warranty and steep parts. We got our years ago and not one blip. I will NEVER own any other kind of washer.

My sister has a rental house she is selling with all appliances and she is removing the speed queen washer to replace with something else. It's a keeper, always!

 

[Poohlove]

I am also looking for a new plain washer. I have a newer Kenmore that came with my house but I really don't like it. It is too small for us and I really hate that I can't soak my laundry. Once the cycle starts the lid locks and that's it. I am going to look into the Speed Queen,ni have never heard of it.

 

[FINFAN]

another Speed Queen owner, VERY HAPPY owner~Also it is made in the USA!

 

[tvguy]

Funny, Googling it, Speed Queen gets strong comments in support, but no enough non-commercial models are sold to calculate reliability.
A friend is office manager for a company that owns 40 pairs of Speed Queen Commercial Washers and Dryers in their apartment complexes.
The have a few other brands mixed in, and they don't feel the Speed Queens are much more reliable, but they are very easy for their handyman to fix, something the other brands are not.
And if you are looking for a profitable business venture, own the washers and dryers in an apartment complex. They pay for themselves in about 3 months.

 

[mom2rtk]

What kind did you end up buying, and do you like it?

Sorry, I guess that might help!

We got a GE Deep Fill HE washer. We've had it about 3 weeks and I have been very happy so far. I was surprised by how little water it puts in for a medium or large load, so I just set it for one load size larger than I would expect to. If I'm truly doing a super size load, I hit the "deep fill" button for extra water. That seems to be just about right.

Without the "deep fill" setting, I don't think I would be happy.

As a bonus, it seems even larger than our old "king size" washer. (This one is 4.2 cubic feet). It was $469 at Best Buy with free home delivery. Sears had the same washer at the same price but no free delivery ($69). It was $15 to take away the old washer.

 

[HM]

We bought a new washer a few weeks ago. Most of the models are HE now. Just make sure you get one that can add extra water with each cycle.

What caught me off guard was the lack of models with an agitator.

When I said I wanted a top load with at least 4 cubic feet, with an agitator, ability to add extra water with a budget of $500, I really didn't have many options.

Did you actually find options? When I asked about agitators at Lowes, they told me that they don't make them in the units anymore. I wish my washer had one.

 

[mom2rtk]

Did you actually find options? When I asked about agitators at Lowes, they told me that they don't make them in the units anymore. I wish my washer had one.

I think there were a few options at Sears, but not many. We actually had worked our way down to the same GE washer we ended up getting at Best Buy. At Best Buy it was the ONLY washer that met our criteria (including an agitator).

I have a friend on the fence about replacing an older washer. When I told her most of them don't have agitators now, she look at me like I was crazy. I told her if she really wants an agitator it might be better to get one sooner rather than later.

 

[georgina]

I'm glad I saw this thread! Our washing machine is the same age as my DS, almost 24 years old, and I like my old fashioned top load agitator machine.

 

[SUSIEQ]

We got a GE Deep Fill HE washer.

I was looking at this one. Is it "relatively" quiet? Thanks.

 

[scrapquitler]

My 18 year old Kenmore washer is one it's last legs - trying to get it to drain as timer apparently no longer working. Just started researching new washers and realize they no longer make a no-bells and whistles kind of washer. Is Speed Queen the way to go? I do not want HE after reading all the horror stories about getting unwashed, beaten up clothes with detergent on them from those new-fangled washers. Anyone have a Speed Queen? Why can't they make things that way they used to?

I have an Admiral brand no bells and whistles, inexpensive top loader (with an agitator) that I bought about three years ago at Home Depot. It is made by Maytag (or maybe Whirlpool?, I don't remember) in the USA, and has been working great for me since I got it. And it was under $300. The lady at Home Depot told me they sell more of this machine than any other one and never get these returned, whereas the pricier front loaders get returned quite often. I think it has about 4 different cycles, no fabric softener dispenser and nothing else fancy I'm very pleased with it.

 

[mom2rtk]

I was looking at this one. Is it "relatively" quiet? Thanks.

Sometimes I think it's a little louder than my old washer, sometimes I think it's about the same. I think it's a different sort of sound because it seems like maybe the agitator has more action than our old one.