Front loaders and capacity question!

[LizLemon]

Yes I would say 6.5kg is too small for a family of four. I have a FL 6kg and am eagerly waiting for it to give up so that I can buy a bigger one. I seem to do a lot more loads in a simply because I can't fit in everything i want to.

We looked about a year ago at bigger frontloaders but they all seem to really go up in price once you get over the say 7kg mark. For my family (of four) I want at least 8kg. And every machine we looked at seemed to have lots of negative reviews on product review. When this one dies I will be looking seriously at a toploader, as much as I hate the idea.

Will be interested to see if anyone has any recommendations.

[Tinks]

I was watching A Current Affair the other night and the Samsung washing machines came out on top of the Choice reviews. I have a Samsung, it's 5 years old now and has never missed a beat. I got my washing machine on sale because it was a model being phased out, it was around $600.

I wouldn't go under a 7kg myself, mine is 9kg and I find it's still too small at times lol.

[~me~]

I was watching A Current Affair the other night and the Samsung washing machines came out on top of the Choice reviews. I have a Samsung, it's 5 years old now and has never missed a beat. I got my washing machine on sale because it was a model being phased out, it was around $600.

I wouldn't go under a 7kg myself, mine is 9kg and I find it's still too small at times lol.

Is the 9kg Samsung a Front Loader? I haven't seen a 9kg Front Loader before.

[Tinks]

Is the 9kg Samsung a Front Loader? I haven't seen a 9kg Front Loader before.

Sorry, Ijust looked and it's 8kg.

[Three Graces]

I'll just be the cat amongst the pigeons and say that I hate my FL. We changed from a tiny 4.5kg top loader to an 8.5 LG F/L. It definately spins the load much better, but that's about all i like about it. After we'd had it for awhile, we realised that it doesn't drain all of the water out of it, like a T/L does. So if you don't do a load everyday, the water gets stinky and then makes the next load of washing turn out stinky. If you're sitting there reading this, thinking but I do a load everyday, just think about the times where you may go away on holidays or for the weekend. We then turn to the manual which tells us that it needs regular cleaning and put it on a clean cycle which takes over 1.5 hrs. Actually, most cycles on this F/L take forever and you cannot add to it, once you've pressed start.
We're on tank water, so we thought we'd save some water by getting a F/L but I think our electricity costs are going through the roof with this machine. Sometimes DH will put it on the Normal Cotton cycle and that takes 2.5 hrs!!! By then, we've usually gone out and forgotten to hang it out and have to put it on again. And did I mention the high needy machine needs regular cleaning. pfff stuff the silly machine. I'm sure other brands may be better or drain better, but I really miss my T/L.

[luna moth]

Sorry, Ijust looked and it's 8kg.

My mum has this one and it is awwwwwwwesome. I'm kinda jealous, I have a 7kg Electrolux, which is good, but not as fast, not as many options as the Samsung.

[~me~]

This thread has been very helpful, we have 7.5kg Fisher and Paykel Top Loader, it has been great. It's over 10yrs old and I want a new one. Just need to convince DH a new one will actually do a better job. I want a bigger one like a 9 or 10kg.

Who needs choice when you have BB


Thanks!!

[briggsy's girl]

we have just picked up the same washing machine you're looking at - admittedly it's smaller than our top loader was, but it's far more efficient.

i guess your needs in terms of load size will be determined by how often you wash. i don't mind doing a load a day (which is all we really need for clothes) and then a few loads on the weekend/RDO to catch up on linen etc. it works for us.

i found having the bigger top loader made DH more likely to "wait" for a full load - and missing the nice drying days - then having to wait for a nice day to dry everything that had accumulated. the smaller washer is actually making sure the washing gets done more frequently so it's better for us!