Hi Forumers,

Do you know where can i get a stacking kits for front loader washing machine and a dryer?

~deleted~

This post has been edited by dayalan86: Jul 16 2013, 10:43 AM

For Electrolux, avoid the models with filter built into the drum section as there are many reports online on the filter getting clogged with coins and requiring service call, and I the cheaper 6.5kg machine is not very durable this is based on what the Electrolux sales guy at the Electrolux store told me (ie if you hardly wash jeans in it then its fine otherwise look for 8kg above model and the price is very expensive). The reason I went for Panasonic is the bigger sized door (makes it easier to load and unload) and at the time of purchase they were giving 3 year warranty on the PCB board, hence the decision on the Panasonic.

Look for Inverter washing machine, not so much on energy saving but inverter washing machine can vary the motor rotation speed to suit the type of clothes and its also very quiet (you don't the high pitched sound of universal motor).

This post has been edited by dayalan86: Jul 16 2013, 01:58 PM

Agree on most counts except that Electrolux just released new models for 2013 (already in SG from Aug 2012) with inverter motor (not necessarily direct drive) and better water saving efficiency per kg load vs the outgoing models. The only gripe I foresee is that if when used in kitchen, washing machine space is limited to only 85x60x60. The washer will stick out if placed under kitchen cabinetry which might inhibit full opening of adjacent kitchen cabinet doors (drawers not an issue). Otherwise should not be a problem in dedicated laundry area.

Seng Heng and Jintex (online) has a few models for show. Onking@The Strand has a full range of them.

Panasonic and Samsung Inverter are not direct drive as well, only Hitachi and LG are direct drive. Provided if the price is reasonable, Electrolux should be better buy but the Asian counterpart offers more features for less. That being said, Electrolux remains as one of the more reasonably priced European brand compared to the likes of Bosch and Beko. Bosch sub 3k models are manufactured by Hitachi (the ones not made in Germany).

Also worth mentioning, that some of this modern washing machine will refuse to spin if they "think" that they are not being level properly or even on flooring which vibrate. Had to spend extra to get vibration absorbtion pad for our Panasonic washer, some of these machines are too critical because of the higher spin speed.

This post has been edited by dayalan86: Jul 16 2013, 02:00 PM

Yes, Electrolux has quite a lead in local white goods salesman opinion (and most probably share market). Thanks for sharing esp re:Beko. I always thought Beko primarily manufacture in Turkey. Some of Electrolux and Sharp's french door fridges are from them. I was also told some of Bosch's products are OEM from Beko.

Re: absorption pad, are these like those use for water pumps or automobile sound dampening pads which is cut to size and located under feet of washing machine or specially made for washing machine? Kindly share...this is quite good info.

Yeap something like that, but I did not get the specific ones for washing machine as this are expensive. I got mine from RS Online, and looking back you could even use thick rubber mat (which are not smooth to touch) to increase the friction between the washing machine feet and the floor (esp tiled floor). This can be bought from hardware shops.

This post has been edited by dayalan86: Jul 16 2013, 02:39 PM

Really good info. Thanks again! Dumb question though... what led you to conclude of the vibration related problems with the Panasonic WM not spinning and having to get a vibration mat? Was it in the manual?

How did you know that particular washing machine is with filter built into drum ?
Actually I'm still targeting Electrolux Time Manager 7kg.
http://www.rakuten.com.my/shop/bestdenki/product/EWF85761/

Best quote I got is RM1500, not sure if this is a good deal or not. Haven't firm up my decision yet.

Just got my Hitachi Big Drum 510 delivered to my house yesterday and it is the non inverter model. This is the 1st time i bought my own washing machine after i got my own house. Kinda disappointed with the noise because the spinning sound is very annoying. Initially I thought all new front load machines are supposed to be quiet like my parents' Panasonic inverter series which is almost silent when it runs. Apparently only the one with the inverter type is less noisy. I bought the Hitachi because of the price, 8.5 kg load for RM1799 which is a lot cheaper than Electrolux with less specs than Hitachi. Added RM260 for addition 2 years warranty from Senq.

Overall, everything works fine except the noise it produces.

This post has been edited by hezda: Jul 16 2013, 09:53 PM

The main advantage of Inverter is being noiseless, probably direct drive produces even less noise, I am not sure. But universal motor has the high pitched sound

You can check at the shop, just look if there is filter inside the drum section. Usually the washing machine should have a filter door in front, and these are the conventional one. Just search online for Electrolux model you're looking at and you can see the reviews on them Mine the filter issue was confirmed by the Electrolux store sales guy, hence the higher end Electrolux also does not have the filter built into the drum section.

This post has been edited by dayalan86: Jul 16 2013, 10:54 PM

Yes, the non-inverter one is likened to (but not exactly) an air plane taking off from the runway but never lifts off and only to abort takeoff at the end of the spin cycle. That's common. Mine non-inverter 6kg vibrates a little on uneven loads at the beginning but stabilizes at high speed.

My old 6kg never vibrated even on overload but as it grew older and I think the failing motor cause it to make weird sounds and a even higher pitched spin with squealing (motor bearing was the cause).

But once with Inverter there is no looking back, now we can do laundry at anytime of the day and I think the cheapest Inverter model is currently from LG and in terms of specs I think Panasonic. Does the Hitachi retain water on the underside of the door gasket? The thing that I liked on the Panasonic is the gasket design which is completely dry after a wash cycle. The two previous front load machine owned by parents always left water in the door gasket, causing mold to grow and it stains the gasket as well.

I think the Hitachi BigDrum washing machine owners have to answer that but thanks on enlightening on the Panasonic one. It goes up a few notches now in the select list.

What's wrong with having a filter anyway? Although, I have yet to see a front-load washing machine with a filter. I find filters ( for top load ) good for trapping lint.

which model ?

Almost all Front Loaders have filters located outside the washing drum, which is usually found in front of the machine for trapping lint and coin from entering the water drain pump. But one or two particular Electrolux front loading machine have the filter located inside the drum (in one of the paddle beaters), this design while is good in trapping lint but is pretty much troublesome if coin gets trapped in it and do require service calls. And some cheap front loaders do not have lint or coin trap in the filter section, just a hole to examine the drain pump, the drain filter is also something that needs to be checked while buying a front loading machine.

For top loading, the filter has to be inside the drum because of the way a top loader works (pushing the water from the bottom to the top of the drum) and catching the lint using that filter.

My Panasonic NA-14VA1 front loading just die after 3 years of operation. PCB burn. Replace cost RM7++. Plan to buy top loading. What brand recommend??

Sorry to hear that. Do you use hot water or just cold water for washing? Anyway, with these I would always take extended warranty to ride it out and sometimes it's the bad batches of components.