Want To Buy A Clothes Washing Machine

[NewGuy]

Hi All,

I live in a rented Pattaya condo and want to get an adequate (dependable, does the job, local service) washing machine but don't know what types-brands-models are best. I will put the unit on the water-serviced balcony. There are just two of us, but in this weather we each go through two set of gear a day, plus weekly sheet and towel loads. I've used the neighbouring laundries for years but I'm tired of having my stuff destroyed or lost, my gf won't send her's out, spending too much time time and effort hand washing, and I think I can save money, even after the additional water and electric expense. I seem to remember cold water washes take care of most needs but that the ladies like warm water for bright colour stuff. I've looked in Home Pro, Carrefour, Big C, and a few stores in Naklua near the wet market and I'm off to Numchai on Sukhumwit tomorrow - it's Nakula branch didn't have a wide range of models. The 7-8.5 kg size cold water top loaders (Hitachi, Samsung, LG, Panasonic and brands I haven't heard of) go from 8,500-12,500 baht and look fine to me, although none of them have a centre agitator. My gf wants (I think) a front loader with built in heater but they start at about 14,000 for a 5 kg model with poor controls - she'd have to properly interpret the complicated English instructions and set two dials. My max is 16,000 baht; "better" top loaders are out of my budget.

I also want to buy a fairly large refrigerator with separate auto defrost top freezer compartment. 16.3-18.5 (cubic somethings) size. The Mitsubishi Prezia models (one is at about 21,000 baht - last year 17,000, looks neat); imported models would also break my budget. I don't want a unit dispensing cold water from the front door or filtering water inside. Here, my max is 26,000 baht.

Recommendations please.

Thanks,

NewGuy

ps Can you tell I've edited this for clarity at the cost of overwriting? ha ha

[torrenova]

I've replied to you here:

links to other site not permitted

[bkk_mike]

We bought an LG fuzzy logic top-loader 6 years ago, and have had no issues with it.

As for a fridge-freezer, stick to brands you've heard of (Sharp/Toshiba/Hitachi/LG/Samsung/Electrolux), and you should have no problems. Just make sure it's frost-free. (defrosting is a pain - especially in a country where you have to keep loaf and biscuits in the fridge too.)