Kitchen Large Electric Appliances - Kenmore reviews

Both our Kenmore washer(16 years old) and dryer(14 years old) need to be replaced. We live in a rural area on septic and the washer is one that recycles water to a sink and back saving the amount drained to the tank. Unfortunately, those aren't made anymore so in order to save water we must go with a more expensive front load machine. I have read the opions here and know the drawbacks. The one retailer in our area is Sears. That's not a problem but this is: the basic front load, Kenmore # 44102, gets terrible reviews on the Sears web site. Really bad. I can't see going from a machine that has made it 16 years to one that people say has bearings go, leaks, among other things, after 2 or 3 years. Are there any professionals that work on these washers that can confirm these ratings? The next model up is the he2 #47532 which gets better reviews but is an extra $300. The matching dryer is an additional $300 as well. Any advice would be helpful. Guess the plasma will have to wait :-)

We are also on well/septic and bought the HE2. We loooooove these machines. (A fellow HE owner said if she could marry an appliance, she would marry her HE washer and dryer.) They got great ratings on Consumer Reports and all my research said they have a great repair track record. The folks at Sears said these are the units the sales and service folks buy (even though I was considering the next price range up, so it wasn't a push to buy more or anything). The HE2s are plenty big for most folks. 1/4 less water usage, woohooo! Personally I'd skip the TV and get the HE2s... Then again, we don't watch TV ;-)

coastview,

I am a service tech for appliances and the model number you mentioned 44102 is bulit by Frigidaire. These products are not built to the quality that some other products are. Now, this is only my opinion based on what I have seen in the field. I agree with the report you found about these washers. I am sure the Consumer Reports would indicate similar results.

The Kenmore HE2 and HE3 washers are much larger in capacity and are built by Whrilpool. These are a much higher quality product and are WELL worth the extra money spent. We have a customer that is a Veterinary Clinic. They use the Whirlpool Duet front load which is basically the same machine as the Kenmore. (Sears just ads a different look to make it look like their own). Their washer and dryer washes primarily towels and runs constanly when they are open for business. Their unit is about 2 1/2 years old. It has about 10-12 years of standard household use on the washer and dryer. No failed bearings, leaks, etc. A little while back we did have to change out the drain pump, but based on the use that machine gets, it is no suprise.

Hope this helps....

Actually I work at a vet clinic and I think we have an older Kenmore front load set. What a test: day after day of fur, pee, and all sorts of other unmentionable yuckies. The filter got gunked up by, of all things, mop head strings. So no more mop washing for us (maybe a lingere wash bag would help?) but that washer keeps on going with no issues.

I'd consider putting in a seperate drain for the washer, keeping it out of the septic system.

Looks like we will be getting the HE2 washer and dryer. If only I could watch the Super Bowl on them!