Need recommendation for best front load washer/dryer combo

[Dino]

I will be purchasing a new front load washer/dryer. Can some (preferably a technician) recommend
The best pair of machines on the market. Please keep in mind that the dryer will be gas.

I was told that Samsung makes one of the best machines. Not sure.

Thanks

[domain]

LG... Do your homework.

[john63]

LG front load washer

LG gas dryer---only---if the venting is 8 feet or less.

[domain]

AGREED ON SHORT VENTING ON LG GAS DRYER. Go John!

[Bailey]

My Samsung built gas dryer has the same problem. Our vent is about 12 feet, but it has to drop below the floor joists and come back up to exit. It is a couple of years old and takes longer to dry than the previous Maytag.

[Dino]

Are there any known issues with the LG. bearings, leaking door seal, circuit boards, pump, smell.

[domain]

Imho one of the best front load washers on the market is lg. Bearings and pumps are almost consumable items on ALL makes of front loaders.  All pcbs are suseptable to damage. Door seal and odor are completley up to the care of user. Period. Take care of it properly, it will take care of you.

[Dino]

Thanks domain. But what sets the LG apart from the others with respect to reliability, performance or just from a servicing point. Is it easy to work on, take apart and replace bearings etc.. Does LG use good quality parts.

[john63]

In 2008---numerous improvements were done to LG products (appliances).
These improvements further enhanced---what was already a good design (with few exceptions).

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<<<Are there any known issues with the LG. bearings, leaking door seal, circuit boards, pump, smell.>>>

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BEARINGS: No issues. Current Tub Bearings (inner & outer) are significantly larger than pre-2008 models.

DOOR SEAL LEAKS: None.

CIRCUIT BOARDS: Fairly robust---compared to other brands. Can be further protected using *whole house* Line Conditioner / Surge Protector.

DRAIN MOTOR: Lasts about 60 months (five years) for a family of four using the washer 8 loads per week/416 loads per year.

MUSTY ODOR: Virtually none---as long as the ***correct*** amount of the following HE (High Efficiency/Low Suds) detergent is used...

HE: (2) Tablespoons Per Wash (all load sizes)

HE 2X (double concentrated): (1) Tablespoon

HE 3X (triple concentrated): (1) Teaspoon

OTHER ADVANTAGES: Super-Simple Design (teardown/serviceability) / Diagnostics so easy---a "caveman" could do it) / Parts availability is very good and continues to improve year-over-year.

I've serviced WHIRLPOOL / GE / BOSCH / FRIGIDAIRE / SPEED QUEEN / MAYTAG *NEPTUNE* / SAMSUNG / MERLONI (and other odd/rare Euro-design front load washers---too many to count).

Despite what many *Old Skool* Service Techs post/write on this forum and others----the LG brand appliances are utterly and completely heads above the competition for the reasons (among a few) that I've posted above.

[go400]

Thank's for the article, never knew how good LG front loaders are.
 Two questions
 1) So the expected lifetime is more than 10 years?
 2) If you overload the washer with a lot of cloths, will it damage the machine, or cause drop out with error msg. ?

[Dino]

John, I like your feedback as its based on your experience with the LG products and competitors. Can you recommend a matching LG pair with gas dryer. Preferably 7cu/ft model. Nothing too small.

[john63]

<<<So the expected lifetime is more than 10 years?>>>

*****

This is a tough one to answer accurately for several reasons...

1) LG entered the North American market in 2003---coming up on 10 years.

2) All LG washers built *before* November 2008---did NOT have "True Balance" (anti-vibration technology).
Consumers with *concrete* floor laundry rooms---did *not* have issues/complaints with moderate-to-severe vibration/noise during the spin cycle---and were otherwise generally satisfied with their purchase.

Owners with pre-2008 LG washers---on a *wood* floor not only tended to be unhappy with the spin cycle noise/shake---but typically experienced Tub Bearing/Trunnion failure at an earlier/faster rate than those with the washers on *concrete* flooring (higher-than-normal bearing stress).

3) Beginning 2008...

LG washer Bearings were changed (larger).

Hall Effect Sensor was (rotor position sensor) improved---larger resistor

The Rotor (part of the motor assy) was strengthened (steel splines vs plastic spline)

Recently---the internal/inside of the Outer Tub Assy was re-designed. The bracing/lattice-work type ribbing on the tub (for rigidity) was switched from being on the *inside* to the *outside*.

This allowed for a smooth surface area inside the tub---to eliminate pockets/holes/crevices---that could  allow for scum accumulation/build-up.

Suspension Struts were improved

A new drain hole was added to the Door Gasket (6 oclock position) to allow water from the gasket to drain back into the tub

Various software changes occurred (mostly to improve wash results)

Thermistor design was changed---virtually eliminating those "tE" errors (nuisance error) caused by poor/weak plug connection at the Thermistor

Newest models have a Door Magnet at the 6 oclock location to allow keeping the washer door open---if desired. Useful for those consumers with the washer in a small/high traffic area laundry room

A large vent was added to the bottom/rear of the tub---which runs/routes up the right corner of the washer---for additional venting/airflow---when the washer is not in use (odor elimination when washer is used infrequently).

That's just a few of the updates/upgrades that I can think of

Bottom line---it's too new of a design to judge----using the 10 year benchmark.
To properly grade/critique the LG washers---we need to look at them as two versions...

Pre-2008 models and Post-2008 models


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<<<If you overload the washer with a lot of cloths, will it damage the machine, or cause drop out with error msg. ?>>>

*********

Overloading a front load LG washer will usually/simply result in---poor wash results.

If the washer cannot stabilized during the spin cycle (too heavy/overloaded)---a "UE" error will be displayed and the spin cycle will be aborted.

Infrequent overloading of the washer (we're talking excessively so) will *not*damage the washer.

[john63]

<<<Can you recommend a matching LG pair with gas dryer. Preferably 7cu/ft model. Nothing too small.>>>

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Nearly all LG washers and dryers are identical---internally.

In other words---other than the Main & Display Boards and few other components---almost all model washers use the same DRAIN MOTOR / STATOR / ROTOR / STRUTS / etc

Same with LG gas dryers.

Knowing this----it's really a matter of finding the options/features/price-tag that best meets your needs/wants

Good Luck

[Dino]

Okay thanks John.
I will go with the LG based on your recommendation that it's a solid and well build machine and easy to work on.

At least I can write you when I have an issue outside of the warranty period and get some free advice. Ha!Ha!

Take care

[Dino]

John,

What are your thoughts on the steam feature for washers or dryers?
Is it better to have that feature with the washer or dryer?
Is the feature worth having or is it just going to cause more issues than it's worth?