Frigidaire Front Load Washer - I'll Never Buy a Top Loader Again!!!
Written: Feb 27 '02 (Updated Jan 08 '04)
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Pros: Uses less water, stainless steel drum, no ring around the tub, see thru door
Cons: After 3 1/2 years, two problems occurred, see update
The Bottom Line: I highly recommend the Frigidaire front loading washer. Energy cost savings alone makes up the difference in price from a top loader.
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| mountainhigh's Full Review: Frigidaire FWT449 Washer |
I have always had an extra large capacity top loading washing machine until we moved into our new home in June of 2000. After a lot of research on top loaders versus front loaders, I decided to buy a front loader. Then I had to decide what brand of front loader. I researched the Frigidaire, Maytag, Kenmore, and the European models. What I didn't like about the Maytag was 1) there is no see thru door to see how your clothes are washing, 2) it cost several hundred more, 3)heard complaints that since the inside drum was on a tilted axis that some water would stay and start smelling. What I didn't like about the European models, was the inside capacity was smaller than the Frigidaire and Maytag and they cost even more than the Maytag. The Kenmore is made by Frigidaire, but it was costing more at the time than the Frigidaire, so I decided to get the Frigidaire front loading washer, model FWT449. I will never buy a top loader again after having a Frigidaire front loading washer.
The Frigidaire front loading washer uses 40% less water in comparison to the top loader, therefore, less heating costs of the hot water. It has a 2.7 cubic foot inside capacity space with automatic water level fill and a stainless steel drum. Although my Whirlpool top loader was 2.9 cubic foot capacity, I actually have found the Frigidaire holds more items since it does not have the agitator. I have even stuffed a King-sized comforter in this washer which I never could have with the top loader. I used to wash 3 loads of clothes every other day with my top loader. Since I got my front loader, I wash 3 loads of clothes every 3 days, which is saving energy, detergent, and fabric softener costs. The see thru door allows you to determine how your wash is doing, for instance, using too much detergent or not enough.
Another plus I have discovered is there is no cruddy water level ring inside on the drum like my top loader would get that I would have to scrub off and take toothpicks and cotton swabs to get all the crud out of the holes in the drum.
The automatic detergent, bleach, and fabric softener dispenser pulls out easy to clean unlike my top loader which I could not remove the bleach or fabric softener dispenser to clean.
Before I bought this, my big concern was that I was told by the salesperson that once I started the wash cycle, I would not be able to open the door to throw in a forgotten item like you can with a top loader. One day, I left out an item and decided to take a chance to see if I could throw it in quickly without flooding the floor. So, I pushed in the knob for the door to unlock and found out that the water did not come flooding out, so you can throw in a forgotten item.
Another plus is this washer has never gone out of balance. I now can wash a thermal blanket that always made my top loader go out of balance and start walking the floor. This washer washed it without any out of balance problems.
This is a quiet washer. The only time you will hear it is when it goes into its spin cycle which sounds like a jet engine.
Update - After Owning for 3 1/2 Years
I am updating this review to let you know that I have had two problems with this washer so far.
1) The jet sounding high speed spin stopped working and left my clothes quite damp in which a control panel had to be replaced. Luckily we have the extended warranty and this was covered.
2) The knob that you turn to move to your selected wash cycle and that you pull out to start fell off, along with the compressed spring. Again this is covered until the warranty and I am waiting for repairs at this time of update. I am using the knob to turn to the selected wash cycle and using pliers to pull out the shaft to start the washer.
I would highly recommend that you purchase a long extended warranty for this washer.
I still recommend the washer and still really love it but I am also happy and relieved that I bought the extended store warranty as the two repairs would have been costly.
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 585.00
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