Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP
Posting-Version: version B 2.10.1 Fluke 8/7/84; site fluke.UUCP
Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!burl!ulysses!mhuxl!houxm!houxz!vax135!cornell!uw-beaver!ssc-vax!fluke!vince
From: vince@fluke.UUCP (Craig V. Johnson)
Newsgroups: net.consumers
Subject: Re: Washers and Dryers
Message-ID: <1220@vax2.fluke.UUCP>
Date: Thu, 9-Aug-84 20:04:22 EDT
Article-I.D.: vax2.1220
Posted: Thu Aug  9 20:04:22 1984
Date-Received: Sat, 11-Aug-84 00:47:58 EDT
References: <1771@mhuxd.UUCP> <1570@pegasus.UUCP>
Organization: John Fluke Mfg. Co., Everett, WA
Lines: 31

My recommendation is for Whirlpool washers and dryers.  I have also had
favorable experiences with Kenmore.

I feel that Consumers Reports is biased too far towards reliablility
and not enough toward features and practicality particularly with
regard to their recommendation of Maytag.  My folks bought a Maytag
about 5 years ago, and even though it has been very reliable, I have
been unimpressed.  It has a very short wash cycle, poor agitation, and
few water level, temperature, and cycle options.  This was the top
rated washer by Consumers Reports in that year.

Last fall I researched washers and dryers and ended up getting a
matched set from Whirlpool.  They were of the 7800 model series.  I
have had no trouble with them and have had no regrets.  The best
feature of the washer is a water level control that is continuously
variable.  It also has four temperature settings and four cycle
selections.  The dryer is electric, has three temperature settings and
four (or is it three?) cycles.

My conclusions when looking at washers and dryers were to avoid the
top-of-the-line models (too many unnecessary bells and whistles adding
to the likelyhood of a breakdown) but instead to concentrate my
attention on the second and third level models.  I also didn't bother
to look at bottom-of-the-line models since they typically lacked the
features and perceived durabability that I wanted.


Craig V. Johnson
John Fluke Mfg. Co., Inc.
{uw-beaver,decvax!microsof,ucbvax!lbl-csam,allegra,ssc-vax}!fluke!vince