14 points userbinator 19 hours ago 8 comments

aidenn0 58 minutes ago | parent

SoftTalker 35 minutes ago | parent

I have fixed a couple of washing machines and other appliances over the years. It's satisfying although likely not money-saving unless you don't put a value on your time. But I like working on mechanical things so it's closer to a hobby for me.

Liftyee 24 minutes ago | parent

It surprises me how the US loves their top-loading washers. Here in the UK, there isn't the complex (though interesting) "transmission": the drum has fins to act as both agitator and spin-dryer. This means it's just a boring belt drive between motor and drum (or direct drive, for newer machines.)

emmelaich 17 minutes ago | parent

Top loaders are higher capacity and cost less. And open air drying is preferable to machine drying.

aidenn0 11 minutes ago | parent

Top loaders also act as spin dryers...

olyjohn 1 minute ago | parent

[delayed]

aidenn0 6 minutes ago | parent

Mainly it's just everybody grew up using top-loaders, though it's also easier to get clothes in and out of a top-loader than a front (unless you have a huge machine). [edit]Oh, and also the up-front cost of a top-loader was about $100 less when I last bought a machine.

I've used a front-loader now for years and the only thing I really miss from my top-loader is that I could just leave the lid open for it to dry out. The door of the front-loader is perennially in the way if you leave it wide open, so we have to prop it open to prevent mildew.

jacquesm 3 minutes ago | parent

It works well but takes up more space because you can't stack washer/dryer, in Europe apartments and houses are a bit smaller so if you can save a square meter then that's good.

chiffre01 3 minutes ago | parent

It's my understanding that top loaders are less prone to breakdowns.