Home

[Nuttmeg]

---

@Abrowneyegirl wrote:

---

@Ms X wrote:

---

@Abrowneyegirl wrote:

Our house is going on 8 years old, so I am on the hunt for scratch, dent and clearance sales.  I have 3 appliances that are making very strange noises and a dryer that is taking forever to dry.  I am really annoyed about the dry because less than 2 years ago I paid several hundred dollars for a new heating element, tune up and thorough lint removal.  I should have just replaced it then and saved the money.

See my earlier post for tips

Lessons from an appliance executive:

http://community.qvc.com/t5/Home/My-lesson-from-an-appliance-executive/m-p/1904222#U1904222

---

@Abrowneyegirl  I read somewhere recently that when a dryer stops drying clothes properly it can be due to the ventilation hose being full of lint,  Try changing that and see if it improves.  It's an inexpensive fix.

---

Yes it is a common problem.

I should have made clear in my comment when I had the dryer cleaned of lint I also had the vents and ducts cleaned.

I have the vents and ducts cleaned on a VERY regular basis.  A co-worker had a house fire due to dryer lint and lost 2 of her children.  It still makes me sick to this day to think about it.

---

I live in a condo. They HOA makes sure we have the dryer vents cleaned.

[SouthernBee]

@Abrowneyegirl: We have the Speed Queen washer and dryer. Very basic no bells etc, but American Made with 3 year manufacture warranty and very sturdy with stainless steel tub. I wish they made stove and refrigerator.

[SouthernBee]

I appreciate all the responses and information. Still praying and doing research. We went shopping Sunday. Very hot afternoon . Came home and physically sick and upset, No purchase was made. I did not like any of the products, sales people and definitely not the prices. First stop: Lowe's- for me had only one product and did not like it. Then on to HHGregg: items interested in were  not in store and would be Special Order: Want to see and touch appliance before ordering. Told the salesman did not like anything stainless steel. He wanted me to look at Samsung stainless steel. I told him that my BFF had the Samsung and loved it but it always took a long time for the repair man to get the parts . Sales rep told me: Your BFF was passing on false information. I told him that I have known friend since childhood and trust her more than you. I walked out of the store.

Final stop: Sears. Why do all the gas ranges have the heavy ruff cast iron grates over the burners: this would be heavy to lift and very difficult to keep clean. First sales rep was a lady. Told her not interested in anything SS, not interested in Whirlpool or Frigidare. She walked directly to Kenmore SS: 5 burners with heavy ruff grates and middle griddle. The oven racks were thin and concerned because I bake pound cakes. Bottom storage drawer pulled out like a foil pie plate. Next item Maytag and liked this but very concerned about  steam clean feature. I noticed the kitchen aid just wanted to look but price $1599. Sales lady then said she wanted the expert sales rep to talk with me. I repeated what I did not want. He took me directly to the SS Kenmore Elite Pro for $1999. I liked the grates because the were low profile and not ruff surface. The range top control knobs were large and round. I have joint problems all over and had difficulty turning the knobs. Salesman started his hype: this product will last along time without issues. I will be 62 this month and he indicated it will last for my life time. However, not available in any other color . He suggested that I stand there and fall in love with the SS. Really!!! $1999 -need to love more features for that price!!! Walked out of store.

Later at home: Tried to turn Stove on. Spouse decided to turn the fuse on and off. Stove came on and hotter than previous days. Therefore was able to finish my baking for today. One thing noticed: when the timer would end and if needed to cook for a few more minutes when I reset the timer it would cut the stove off and all the lit up controls would go off. Decided since stove covered under extended warranty will call for repairs and hope  with this information some parts will be replaced. I need more time before making purchase. Will look for scratch and dent sales and used appliances. Please forgive the long  post and pray that everyone can understand. Thanks again, Southern Bee

[SouthernBee]

@homedecorator: Thanks for the info on what Whirlpool makes. Sad because I was interested in an Amana refrigerator. More research needed.

[Tyak]

GE appliance division was sold to Heier.  A Chinese company.  Enough said.  

[AuntG]

SouthernBee, I totally understand what you are saying.  If I find one thing I like, then it isn't in the color I want.  Or I find it isn't in stock so I can't see the appliance.

[Peaches McPhee]

When we were looking, the appliance salesperson told us all middle-of-the-line brands were basically the exact same thing with slightly different wrapping.  (Not the cheapest models, and not the most expensive -- the middle brand like frigidare, whirlpool, maytag.) 

[Campion]

It makes no sense to repair an old stove. The cost of a visit, let alone the repair approaches the cost of a new one. While this is a recycling disaster, it's the economics of it and very sad. A new stove will cost around $400 and up.

Maytags are fine. I have a new Whirlpool and I'm quite happy with it. If it's a builder grade stove, you can expect about 10-15 years on a model, probably more on a better grade model you can buy in the store.

I never bother with warranties on any appliance that doesn't have moving parts or water running through it.

[novamc1]

@SouthernBee

Perhaps someone mentioned this already, but the August issue of CONSUMER REPORTS magazine discusses kitchen remodeling and their recommendations for appliances.

The magazine should be on newsstands now (mine is delivered) and has recommendations for ranges and refrigerators  in various price ranges and sizes.

[novamc1]

GE looks pretty good among other brands, according to Consumer Reports, both for ranges and fridges.   You really need to look at the rating charts that are provided.........too much to summarize here.

Quote from magazine......

<<No brand can be called out as having the most or least reliable electric range, though GE/GE Monogram is significantly more reliable than Samsung, LG, and KitchenAid.>>

GE is also on their short recommendation list for gas ranges.

<<<Of the 285 refrigerators we bought and tested, the highest scored 87; the lowest, 29.

Electrolux and Frigidaire are the most repair-prone brands of bottom-freezers with icemakers.  Whirlpool and KitchenAid are among the more repair-prone brands.  KitchenAid is the most repair-prone brand of side-by-sides with icemakers. >>