Hitachi Front Loading Washer

[cigar7]

I was wondering if anybody has any experience with Hitachi front loading washers? I am considering purchasing a front loader. Any experience or opinions about BD-W85TV or BD-W85TAE. I see BD-W85TV for 23,904b at power buy in Pattaya, delivered and installed, with an optional 3 year all parts warranty for 1,998b.

[happynthailand]

I wouldn't buy any front loading washer,if something goes wrong with it

the parts are $$$$$,and they don't have the parts in stock,they have to order them 2-3 weeks

had a nice front loader lasted 1 year,had it repaired 3 times, finally just pitched it bought a top loader been running for 3 + years

wife loves it

[cigar7]

I wouldn't buy any front loading washer,if something goes wrong with it

the parts are $$$$$,and they don't have the parts in stock,they have to order them 2-3 weeks

had a nice front loader lasted 1 year,had it repaired 3 times, finally just pitched it bought a top loader been running for 3 + years

wife loves it

Thanks for the reply. I have a top loader already. I just heard the front loaders use less water, electricity and detergent, and do a better job of cleaning.

Edited December 27, 2014 by cigar7

[cigar7]

I purchased the front loading washer Hitachi BD-W85TAE for 19,000b from Power Buy in Pattaya, includes, delivery, installation and a 3 year extended warranty, and a free electric kettle. They have a special sale on now which ends this Sunday. Machine was 17,518b and the extended warranty 1,489b. List price is 20,490b.

Also got the Hitachi R-H200PA refrigerator that has an inverter compressor, for 8,025b. List price is 9,190b.

[Bpuumike]

The bearings in a top loader are turning smoothly in a vertical plane, whereas in a front loader the bearings are rotating in a horizontal plane putting them under a lot of stress and reducing their life much more rapidly.

I would always go for a top loader. Am due to buy one myself in a couple of months but haven't checked out brands yet.

[DaffyDuck]

LG front loader - now has been lasting me for over 12 years. It's the brand you buy, not the type you buy.

[KittenKong]

Top-loading machines have always seemed more sensible to me than front-loading ones. Apart from the question of bearing strain already mentioned, I see no point having the clothes opening below the water level when this can be completely avoided in a top-loader. Unless of course you need to position the washer under a counter-top. I suspect that this is the main reason for the popularity of front-loaders: lack of space. Luckily I have plenty of space in my bathroom.

I recently replaced a 12 year old top-loader with another similar model for 7000B and I expect the new one to last another 12 years, without requiring any attention at all.

[wpcoe]

The bearings in a top loader are turning smoothly in a vertical plane, whereas in a front loader the bearings are rotating in a horizontal plane putting them under a lot of stress and reducing their life much more rapidly. I would always go for a top loader. Am due to buy one myself in a couple of months but haven't checked out brands yet.

I would have thought it were the other way around?

[jacky54]

are there any top loaders that use hot water?

[alantheembalmer]

are there any top loaders that use hot water?

I recently replaced a crappy Toshiba with a top loading LG that has only a cold water feed, but has a very good heating element. See here:

http://www.lg.com/th/washing-machine

Edited December 28, 2014 by alantheembalmer

[jacky54]

you just can't get towels and whites clean in just cold water

[alantheembalmer]

you just can't get towels and whites clean in just cold water

Jacky,

I bought a big plastic box with a lid from Tesco, in which I have a reasonably strong mixture of water, bleach and detergent. I put all my whites into it before washing, for however long it takes to whiten them, or until I remember to put them all in the washing machine! It works a treat.

[jacky54]

Yes I do similar, but you should not have to with a proper washing machine

[alantheembalmer]

Yes I do similar, but you should not have to with a proper washing machine

Jacky,

I completely agree with you on that. Unfortunately, as you know, a hot water feed is only usually found in the bathroom, (if you're lucky), and not in the kitchen or laundry room, which is why I chose the LG washing machine, as I can now do a 40 degree regular wash, or a 60 degree, with steam, knock the living daylights out of it wash. I must say that I have noticed an appreciable improvement in the cleaning of my clothes and sheets, particularly the whites. The LG also does up to 17 kilos at a time, so I can put a really big load into it, which is much higher than similarly priced front loaders.

[nelson bunker]

Top-loading machines have always seemed more sensible to me than front-loading ones. Apart from the question of bearing strain already mentioned, I see no point having the clothes opening below the water level when this can be completely avoided in a top-loader. Unless of course you need to position the washer under a counter-top. I suspect that this is the main reason for the popularity of front-loaders: lack of space. Luckily I have plenty of space in my bathroom.

I recently replaced a 12 year old top-loader with another similar model for 7000B and I expect the new one to last another 12 years, without requiring any attention at all.

Could we know the manufacturer and model of this 12 years old washing machine please?

The GF wants me to buy a top loader WM but coming from France i am not familiar with the american style top loaders...

The only top loaders i have seen in France have the drum revolving along an horizontal axis.

Back home, i own a 1974 Phillips front loader which comes from the family home( 6 kids in the home), i replaced the water pump in 1999 and it is still working fine...

I guess it was made just before planned obsolescence became the norm in the industry...

[DaffyDuck]

Same here - back in Austria I have only ever know front loader washing machines, and was amazed at the top loaders (which I considered as backwards).

[keeniau96]

Have a Siemens front loader, has worked with no service or problems for six years now. That one replaced a 4-year old Japanese top loader. Also have a Samsung top-loader that wifey uses for the rougher stuff (towels, etc). Also working fine.

[KittenKong]

Could we know the manufacturer and model of this 12 years old washing machine please?

The GF wants me to buy a top loader WM but coming from France i am not familiar with the american style top loaders...

The only top loaders i have seen in France have the drum revolving along an horizontal axis.

Both the old and new machines are LG.

The new one is this one: http://www.lg.com/th/washing-machine/lg-WF-T9055TD and I got it for 6999B on special offer in BigC a month or two ago. Not sure what exact model the old one was. It was similar but only 6 or 7kg capacity.

You are correct about the French top-loaders: they work very differently.

[Pib]

http://housewares.about.com/lw/Home-Garden/Home-improvement-renovation/Top-Loading-vs-Front-Loading-Washers-Which-is-Better-.htm Top-Loading vs Front-Loading Washers - Which is Better? Helping You Choose the Right Washer for Your Home

By Kris Jensen-Van Heste

See Update 2012 below.

If you're in the market to buy a new washer, one of the first decisions you'll want to make is whether to buy a top-loading or a front-loading washing machine.

Until a few years ago, front-loading washers were seen almost exclusively in laundromats, but these days, you can find them in more and more conservation-minded homes as manufacturers begin offering a broader array of choices.

The traditional top-loading washer does its job well, compared with the washing drums and rollers previous generations used. The washer's tub sits vertically in the machine and has an agitator in the middle that churns the water and clothes together, forcing water through the items. It drains, refills with clean water, agitates again, drains, rinses and spins. The front-loading machine follows the same basic method, but has many advantages over the standard top-loaders.

The front-loading machine's greatest advantage may well be its energy efficiency, no small advantage considering an increasingly environmentally aware marketplace. Nearly every model bears the US Department of Energy's "Energy Star" label, setting it apart as an appliance that meets or exceeds the stringent efficiency standards set out jointly by the Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Energy.

Here are some of the other differences between top- and front-loading washers:

Efficiency:

While a top-loading machine requires enough water to cover all the clothes in its drum, a front-loading washer needs only a third of that amount because its drum is set horizontally in the machine. As the drum turns, it uses gravity to drop the clothes back into the water. And while a top-loading machine will empty the soapy water and refill for a rinse agitation cycle, a front-loading machine just sprays clean water on the load as the drum continues to turn, saving gallons. Since there's no agitator in a front-loading machine, there's a lot more room for dirty clothes - and larger loads means fewer loads.

Finally, the front-loading machine's spin mechanism can reach up to 1,000 rpm, as opposed to the standard top-loader's average 650 rpm. That means less water left in the laundry, which in turn gives you a shorter drying time, saving energy there, too.

Space:

Most front-loading washers can be stacked with a companion dryer, an impossible feat for standard top-loaders, except for a mere few models. If floor space is important to you, a front-loading washer is the better choice.

Clothing life:

There's no question that agitators are tough on your clothes. Because only gravity is at work in a front-loading machine, you'll save a lot of wear and tear on your laundry, extending the life of your clothes and linens.

Cost:

In this department, the front-loading washer is at a significant disadvantage. Typically, they cost a minimum of several hundred dollars more than their top-loading counterparts. This initial outlay will be recouped, of course, in energy costs over the long run, but if you can only budget $500 or less for a washer, you'll have to go with the traditional top-loading model.

Ergonomics:

If bending or kneeling is difficult for you, stay with a top-loading machine. You'll need to kneel or bend to load the clothes as well as remove the wet load from a front-loading washer. When the machines are stacked, the washer goes on the bottom, so there's no relief there, either.

Last-minute lid-flipping:

We've all run back to the washing machine to toss in a just-found pair of socks or T-shirt after the machine has started. But with a front-loading machine, there's no turning back once you push the start button. The door locks until the cycle has ended. There are however, a few models that allow a few seconds to add a garment, but once that light or time has elapsed, your clothing has to wait for the next load.

Detergents:

Although you can use any kind of laundry detergent in a top-loader, your detergent selection may be a bit limited with a front-loading machine, depending on the manufacturer. Most manufacturers of front-loading washers recommend using an HE low-sudsing detergent; these are becoming more widely available all the time.

In the conservation department, the front-loading machine is a clear winner, saving water, energy and, of course, money over the life of the machine. The major detractor for most consumers is the larger initial cash outlay; front-loaders often cost $800 or more compared with around $350 for a good top-loader.

Update March 2012 by Mariette Mifflin, Housewares Guide

Since this article was written, there are notable changes when it comes to top-loading and front-loading washers. High efficiency (HE) washers are now available in both front-load and top-load design. Many models have advanced spin cycles of up to 1400 RPM's, which results in less drying time and more energy savings.

When front-loading washers were first introduced a few years ago, prices were high, making this style of washer unaffordable for many. With competition came more affordable choices with some models now being comparable or close to the price of top-load washers. While front-loaders have gained a steady audience, there are many who still prefer the familiar traditional top-load washer.

And for those who like to add to the load at the last minute, most front-load washers have pause settings that give the homemaker a chance to get all the laundry in. For those who prefer the top-load design, many of those now have a safety feature that locks the lid during operation.

Another thing you might want to consider is the care and maintenance, which differs considerably from top-load to front-load washers. Read About HE Front-Load Washers - What You Need to Knowto get an idea of what's involved with this style of washer.

Still undecided about your washer choice? Keep in mind that top-load brand and model availability has already started to decline somewhat, as manufacturers and dealers opt for the more high-efficiency washers, rather than the conventional top-loading washing machine. You might also want to check out the following articles to help you with your buying decision.

[Bpuumike]

Amazing what you live and learn about what you expect to be the most mundane subjects.

I say thanks to all for some good contributions the the OP's question.