Seven years, tops.

HeatingHelp

Seven years, tops.

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Robert O'Brien

Seven years is pretty good, a PC Richard sales guy told my mother no more than 5 on a dishwasher. This was just this summer

Fred

Five years on a dishwasher is about right. My son got exactly five years out of their dishwasher. We replaced it this past year after the control board went out and the replacement board was just shy of a new dishwasher. I'm telling you it is engineered/designed failure to keep the replacement cycle generating a revenue stream for these crooks.

Paul48

No more bearings. They use nylon rollers. They use thermal imaging on control boards, and put components in that make them run hot. I've had the pleasure of repairing many washers and dryers. My kids can kill one in 6 months without even trying.

GW

Good one

GW

Well that's odd I typed out a whole schpeal and it didn't go through

Gordy

It's happend to me too Gary.

Bottom line the longer things are made to last the less product that is manufactured, and sold. This transcends into employment base, and the over all health of the economy.

Think if everything we bought lasted even 20 years. My old house had some crane faucets 64 years old.

Paul48

That's the short-sighted way of looking at it. You fall in line with other manufacturers making garbage. Out of the 10 (hypothetical) manufacturers, you fight tooth and nail for your 10% of the pie. Why not make the very best, and let the other 9 manufacturers fight over 5%?

Solid_Fuel_Man

You know it is interesting. My parents had a maytag washer and electric dryer given to them as wedding gifts. That washer lasted 25 years, it was replaced when I was in college. They bought a front- load Bosch from the big box store and that has been working for 17 years. That just revealed my age.....

When I got married and was in search of appliances I scored a maytag top load from the mid 80s on craigslist for 80 bucks. It was of the same design, but a bit "updated" from that one they had. Theirs had a failed transmission due to oil leaking from a failed seal.

When we moved out of our two room apartment and I moved that 80s maytag, I noticed oil around the drum belt. Quick online search yielded 30bucks for all the seals. A couple of hours later it was all spanking clean and as rebuilt as I was willing.

With upkeep on things along with parts availability, one can keep almost anything working as long as it's not crap to start with.

@ChrisJ ? Thoughts on old appliances?

Taylor

ChrisJ

> @Solid_Fuel_Man said:
> You know it is interesting. My parents had a maytag washer and electric dryer given to them as wedding gifts. That washer lasted 25 years, it was replaced when I was in college. They bought a front- load Bosch from the big box store and that has been working for 17 years. That just revealed my age.....
>
> When I got married and was in search of appliances I scored a maytag top load from the mid 80s on craigslist for 80 bucks. It was of the same design, but a bit "updated" from that one they had. Theirs had a failed transmission due to oil leaking from a failed seal.
>
> When we moved out of our two room apartment and I moved that 80s maytag, I noticed oil around the drum belt. Quick online search yielded 30bucks for all the seals. A couple of hours later it was all spanking clean and as rebuilt as I was willing.
>
> With upkeep on things along with parts availability, one can keep almost anything working as long as it's not crap to start with.
>
> @ChrisJ ? Thoughts on old appliances?
>
> Taylor

I don't really have much of an opinion other than on monitor tops. But it certainly seems like the appliances my parents used to have were a lot more durable and longer lasting than what I have now.

GW

4 years ago we redid our home, poured more money into it than any normal person would. Seems fine, i got what I always wanted, and we aren't planning of moving

I spend over 10,000 on kitchen and laundry appliances. Kitcheaide in the kitchen, Maytag in the laundry. I was trying to be a loyal customer with the local small town appliance vendor.

The dishwasher was the first to act up, water dripping onto the floor. After the appliance repair guy came once or twice, and struggled for another year or two, I bought a Bosch, $1000, and the extended warranty from a regional chain store.

The microwave was next, we bought a smaller cheaper unit.

The fridge was next, ice maker stopped working, we are surviving with no ice maker

$5000 stove, 6 burner duel fuel, the ovem door spring mechanism stopped working, fine as long as the operator doesn't let it slam their toes.

Laundry is fine

It's a joke out there

Gordy

Paul48 said:

That's the short-sighted way of looking at it. You fall in line with other manufacturers making garbage. Out of the 10 (hypothetical) manufacturers, you fight tooth and nail for your 10% of the pie. Why not make the very best, and let the other 9 manufacturers fight over 5%?

Not really short sighted. Think about it. Most people are ready for something different anyway in say 5-10 years. Especially with how rapidly some things change with technology.

It's a different world than 30 years ago. White appliances were it. Then came avacado, and brown.

Solid_Fuel_Man

My wife gets all stary-eyed when we go to the big box and they have those LG front loaders in a metallic candy apple red. They have digital controls with LED triangle "play buttons" and about 50 different settings. The dryers now have a water hookup for steam press....

My thoughts, you will use one setting for the vast majority of all clothes, and the water into the dryer.......need I say more?

I like quality, and am an apparent rarity in that I will pay for quality and longevity. Not just show, and sparkles.

Most of the high end stuff shares the same internals as the low end stuff, just with more doo-dads on expensive models.

Taylor

Gordy

Oh me too Taylor. However you have to look at the broad consumer base. I had an Electrolux front load washer /dryer. They are pretty amazing machines. The dryer burned elements out every couple years due to the very fine mesh lint filter, and bounce sheets that my wife thought were so great. The washer was trouble free.

I told my wife I would give her two rocks to use at the river across the street before I would by the set. Guess who won....

Tim McElwain

Water heater 22 years old, furnace 66 years old, dryer 19 years old heavy duty), washer 20 years old (also heavy duty). Forget dishwashers they are a waste of money. I wash the dishes or the wonderful Judy (my wife). They do not make stuff like they used to. Sorry! Of course it goes without saying that these things need annual care and love to keep them going just like my marraige (57 years).

Paul48

Gordy said:

Paul48 said:

That's the short-sighted way of looking at it. You fall in line with other manufacturers making garbage. Out of the 10 (hypothetical) manufacturers, you fight tooth and nail for your 10% of the pie. Why not make the very best, and let the other 9 manufacturers fight over 5%?

Not really short sighted. Think about it. Most people are ready for something different anyway in say 5-10 years. Especially with how rapidly some things change with technology.

It's a different world than 30 years ago. White appliances were it. Then came avacado, and brown.

Sure....there's no sense in having cars that run over 100000 miles because people want a new car every few years too. So, the manufacturers are actually doing us a favor.

Fred

I have a Sub-Zero Frig/freezer and a Wolf six burner range. Both are 25 years old and never had a service call on either. I will pay to have those fixed before I buy the crap made today. I bought a Sansung front load washer and dryer eight years ago. They are still going fine but I bought the top of the line and they seem to be made fairly well. Korean made and probably when Samsung was trying to make a name for its appliances. I also have an American six burner/griddle/double oven range in the basement that is about 20 years old. Again, never any problems. I usually buy commercial products because I think they are a little better quality that the stuff you can buy at the big box stores. One exception is a commercial Fridge and freezer I bought for the basement about 10 years ago. They look great and heavy duty but they have been trouble since day one. They are both sitting in the basement right now and niether of them work. Compressors have been replaced, evaporators replaced, various other parts. I spent as much on parts and service calls as I paid for those units. I need to replace them but when I look at what the big box stores have, I just can't bring myself to do it. The last service tech that worked on my commercial units told me "when it comes to commercial refrigeration, you are getting a heavy duty cabinet, stainless steel interior/exterior but the manufacturers are using the same components as the consumer grade products and they just don't last. I don't know if that's completely true but I know my Sub-zero has two compressors in it, one for the fridge and one for the freezer and they both look like cast iron housings. If they are still made the way this one is, I may have to bite the bullet and buy Sub-zero for the basement Too. Like @Solid_Fuel_Man , I want quality. I am not one who needs every new bell and whistle every five years. Just give me reliability and quality.

GW

Nice Fred, I had eyes on the sub zero and wolf but got cold feet at the time to pull the trigger. I wish I had. We all get to decide where and how to spend our dough. Or not spend it all all.

We get used hockey skates for my kid though

Gordy

What I want to know is who likes to cook in Freds house? I'm thinking, or hoping not Fred since we all know he thinks tar tastes like black licorice.

BobC

I bought a front load Frigidaire washer about 12 years ago, I got one with mechanical controls but I know it has a Triac based speed control on the motor.

I replaced the door switch about 5 years ago and that has been it so far BUT it sounds like a bearing is going so I I'll probably have to replace it soon. Getting at that bearing will be a bear so I suspect it's not worth the effort on a machine of that age.

In general I prefer simple controls, less to break.

Bob

Gordy

Paul48 said:

Gordy said:

Paul48 said:

That's the short-sighted way of looking at it. You fall in line with other manufacturers making garbage. Out of the 10 (hypothetical) manufacturers, you fight tooth and nail for your 10% of the pie. Why not make the very best, and let the other 9 manufacturers fight over 5%?

Not really short sighted. Think about it. Most people are ready for something different anyway in say 5-10 years. Especially with how rapidly some things change with technology.

It's a different world than 30 years ago. White appliances were it. Then came avacado, and brown.

Sure....there's no sense in having cars that run over 100000 miles because people want a new car every few years too. So, the manufacturers are actually doing us a favor.

Vehicles are major purchases. Most would put 100k plus on a vehicle. For some that's not long after it's paid off. Commuting is huge these days. Not to say after 100k the body is rust in the snow belt.

Fred

Gordy said:

What I want to know is who likes to cook in Freds house? I'm thinking, or hoping not Fred since we all know he thinks tar tastes like black licorice.

@Gordy, reheats tar to perfection!

Gordy

I couldn't resist Fred

hot_rod

Solid_Fuel_Man said:

My wife gets all stary-eyed when we go to the big box and they have those LG front loaders in a metallic candy apple red. They have digital controls with LED triangle "play buttons" and about 50 different settings. The dryers now have a water hookup for steam press....



My thoughts, you will use one setting for the vast majority of all clothes, and the water into the dryer.......need I say more?



I like quality, and am an apparent rarity in that I will pay for quality and longevity. Not just show, and sparkles.



Most of the high end stuff shares the same internals as the low end stuff, just with more doo-dads on expensive models.



Taylor

Take a look at the Fisher Paykel washers and dryers.

We bought a washer after the store sales person told us every employee at the small appliance shop owned one. They were confident that it will run 20 years

Top loader, clothes is barely moist after the high speed spin.

Gordy

That's the key to HE. High speed spin less time in dryer, and less water to do it all. I was amazed by how much less water HE uses through cycles. To me saving water is huge.

SWEI

Commercial washers have been available with 400 G extraction cycles for several years. Sheets & pillowcases will take about 300 G's before they start to shred.

Solid_Fuel_Man

I figured it was nearly 30 gallons of water for a load of laundry. Here in Maine with a private well, the water does not concern me. It's the clothes still wet that costs money and time. I'm curious to what RPM the new top loaders spin. I'd guess my old maytag is around 400-600 range.

My parents Bosch front load is ridiculously fast spinning as I assume most VFD controlled direct drive units are nowadays. Those clothes are about dry when they come out.

Taylor

dean_20

Got to love it.

hvacfreak2

Chlorides is my guess.

Add 2 Steamaster Tabs per load outta do it.

KC_Jones

We recently replaced our washer and dryer, went with a front loader. My water is billed quarterly and we had the washer for one month of the 3 month billing cycle. When I got the bill it had dropped by $20.00. We have been a pretty steady ~$220.00 for a couple years that bill was $200.00. Prices did not change it was savings from that front load washer. To say they use a lot less water is an understatement. I am anxiously awaiting the next bill for a full quarter with it. And the spin cycle sounds like a jet engine spooling up.

Gordy

They get clothes cleaner with less water also.

Paul48

They require some care, or they wind up smelling very bad. Beyond keeping the door gasket clean, you should leave the door open when your done washing. Also, doing a load of "whites" in hot water with a little bleach helps.

Fred

KC_Jones said:

We recently replaced our washer and dryer, went with a front loader. My water is billed quarterly and we had the washer for one month of the 3 month billing cycle. When I got the bill it had dropped by $20.00. We have been a pretty steady ~$220.00 for a couple years that bill was $200.00. Prices did not change it was savings from that front load washer. To say they use a lot less water is an understatement. I am anxiously awaiting the next bill for a full quarter with it. And the spin cycle sounds like a jet engine spooling up.

@KC_Jones if you try to do many small loads, watch you electric bill go up to make up for the water savings. At least with my front loaders, with anything less than a full load, the washer spends an inordinate amount of time rolling back and forth trying to balance the load in order to go into that high speed spin. If it can't, it finally does a slow spin and the clothes are extra wet and then the dryer runs an inordinate amount of time drying them. There are trade offs I guess. I like my Samsung set but no more just washing a single pair of jeans.

KC_Jones

@Fred I have 3 kids and I wear shirt and tie to work everyday, small loads don't exist in this house. The electric bill is already high since the wife is a stay at home mom, this house is never "shut down".

I have watched it run and all the loads I have watched it doesn't spend more than a minute or so with the balancing portion of the cycle. I also have a gas dryer.

Gordy

The amount of electricity to balance a load is insignificant.

My Electrolux washer had a clean cycle every 50 loads. Dump a cup of bleach in the tub hit the sequence for clean tub. Never had a problem with it stinking, or having to leave the door open between loads.

Kurt mentioned high g extraction shredding sheets. I've had more clothes shredded with top load washers than anything. I don't know what the Electrolux pulled for its extraction G's, but never had a problem tearing up fabrics. I remember when we first got it I sat there watching it go through its cycles to spin out. I thought it was going to take off........

Solid_Fuel_Man

At 300G's I'd weigh 55,500 lbs.

KC_Jones

Ours is in the first floor bathroom. Watching that thing run was better than a newspaper. The one thing that still boggles my mind is how quiet they are. The one we have I seriously think I could put in the living room and the noise level would be fine. The loudest thing is when it fills with water.

Paul48

@Gordy

I notice you refer to the Electrolux in past-tense. Why is that?

Gordy

Went with the house I sold. The set was purchased in 05

FranklinD

My mother has a Fisher-Paykel set and she swears by them now. Even withstood 12" of sewage/rainwater backed up during the "great rainstorm of 2012" around here. Of course she had the machines disassembled and gone through, gas valve and electronics replaced in the dryer, but they're still going strong.

We moved into this house in January 2011 and brought my wife's ancient "Admiral" washer and dryer set...I think they're just rebranded Whirlpools? Anyway, they were already 10 years old and had sat in storage for 3 years while we rented a house that had laundry included.

The dryer (electric) is still going strong, I replaced the belt once ($7) and the lint trap once ($6). The washer died on Fathers Day 2013, so I got to spend some quality time at my local "Hometown Sears" store.

Actually, the staff was awesome. This branch is privately and locally owned and they seem to really care about repeat business. Don't buy the warranty, he told me, we can usually repair any issues that'll crop up in the first 3 years for less than $50 anyway. And no issues have cropped up yet. Free delivery, set up, and haul-away of the old unit included.

We bought the cheapest high-capacity washer they had, a top loader, simply because we have 3 kids and had no money at the time. No electronics on the control panel, just three knobs and a switch. Perfect. It has so far survived 3.5 years of 3-4 full loads per week.

Then, about 3 months ago, a good friend (his wife, actually) decided that they needed the fancy Samsung dryer that matches their new Samsung washer. So he gave me the "old" dryer - literally 20 months old - for free. It's a real beauty with touch-panel controls, little dancing led lights, plays music when it's finished, I think it even dispenses margaritas while-u-wait. Haven't plugged it in yet.

Meanwhile his Samsung washer has been recalled and the new dryer spits out "trouble codes" when it feels that its friend, the washer, didn't spin enough moisture out of the clothes.

Ah, technology.

Zman

I agree that appliances don't last as long as they should. I think if you do your research you should do better than 7 years.
I have trouble getting more than 7 out of dishwashers and microwaves. My others have gone 10 years and counting.

The real question is, what would possess a smart couple like Dan and the lovely one to go within 500' of an appliance big box?
It made for a humorous story but is there not a descent knowledgeable appliance store near by?