Does this pic say it all?
I am very happy to say I am very happy with the washer. Very surprisingly, it's QUIETER than the front loader I had, and it seems to extract just as much water out of the clothes as well. I'm sure it does use more water than the front loader, but considering front loaders only have an average life span of 5-7 years, the small amount of money you save is pretty much wiped out by having to BUY ANOTHER WASHER. I am presuming this one will last longer! (See my PSA about Front Loaders for more about how I'm not the only one whose washer only lasted 5 years - costly repairs are a big problem with front loaders in general, not just my model and brand. If you're a member of Consumerreports.com go and read the USER reviews for different models if you don't believe me - titles like, "Good While It Lasted", "Good Machine But Not Worth The Repair Cost", and "Nothing But Trouble" to name just a few.) The clothes seem very clean, and there's no problem with it going off balance. The wash cycle is shorter than my front loader's was, and it holds more clothes, so I actually feel like I can get through all my laundry quicker. Two thumbs up from me!In case you're thinking of buying a new washer soon, or you just love washing machine photos, here's a couple of pics of top and inside of this washer:
I ordered this washing machine through Lowe's (I looked everywhere - Sears, Best Buy, Home Depot, and Lowe's and no one carried this model in their store - anywhere I went it had to be ordered). It cost about $450.Two morals of the story:
#1 - Do not buy a front loader!
#2 - The GE WJRE5500 *is* worth the wait! :-)
Gee - I have a Maytag front loader and LOVE, LOVE, LOVE it! Of course the washer it replaced was some 15 years old, but this one uses so much less detergent, water and power that it's almost embarrassing. My only "complaint" is having to bend over to get the wash out of it, but that would have been alleviated if I had purchased one of those pedestals for it.
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry you had a lemon, but don't paint them all with the same brush. There are some great front loaders on the market.
ê¿ê
There probably are some great front loaders, but if you search out "front loader bearings" you find a lot of people out there unhappy with the short life of the drum in front loaders. Also check the reviews of front loaders on the Consumer Reports website - you'll see the same complaints there. Also, our appliance repair guy said it's a chronic problem with front loaders, he sees it all the time - the machines on average only last 5-7 years. I'm not ragging on front loaders just based on my experience - upon investigation, I discovered that I wasn't the only one who had a washer that only lasted 5 years, and for the price of front loaders, I would definitely expect them to last longer than that.
ReplyDeletethanks for the help! :D
ReplyDeleteWhile I do agree with ê¿ê about the less detergent, less water, and power, I am wondering how long she's had it. I loved mine too until it went south after only 5 years. When a front loader costs more than a top loader, you'd expect to get more for your money, but since we needed to replace ours after only 5 years, we never got our return on investment. I too think a top loader is the way to go.
ReplyDeleteI wanted that same washer 6 months ago but had a terrible time finding one (ended up with a great Maytag though at the same price). Congrats on getting your hands on one! :)
ReplyDeleteWOW this post is SO helpful, Carole! I have a 15 year old top loader, and have been considering getting a front loader. I did not know the short life span of those doosies. Thank you, I think you saved me a future $1500!
ReplyDeleteHey Carole I like the top loader over the front loader also, but it's the same with any product where you can get a lemon and someone else has no problems, no biggie, but I am concerned with Lowe's since I worked with them for awhile and the complaints and returns would boggle the average mind, hope every thing works out and I worry more about Lowe's than top and front loaders.... Have a great weekend.
ReplyDeleteI've had my front loader for nearly 3 years now and give it a work out and a half with the dog bedding I wash every week.
ReplyDeleteIt hasn't missed a beat. And even if it does die at the age of 5 or 7 years, I'm pretty sure I've saved enough on electricity alone (not to mention detergent!) to have paid for the washer a couple of times.
My old washer really used the electricity and because it left so much water in the clothes, the dryer worked itself to death. I was routinely paying $300 per month electric bills and they are now $170-$210.
Maybe I just have a plum :P
ê¿ê
yay! I'm so glad you got a great washer.
ReplyDeleteI was not aware of the front loader problem. That's good to know.
Since your washer is so awesome, I'll be over with my laundry at 9 am... ;)
ReplyDeleteFabric softner: I just bought this machine and I was wondering about something. I put the fabric softner at the beginning of the wash inside its compartment as instructed. But I noticed that by the time the rinse cycle comes along all the fabric softner is gone, it looks like it was used up during the final wash cycle (which becomes pointless since the fabric softner is supposed to be used in the rinse and not wash stage) Any comments on this would be appreciated.
ReplyDeleteAnonymous: I presume you're putting the fabric softener in the center well and NOT the compartment at the bottom left corner (which is for bleach)?
ReplyDeleteI've never actually looked in my machine during the wash to check on the fabric softener, however, my clothes come out soft (and I do know the difference if no softener is used) so I can't say for sure when it's being dispensed, but it seems to be working properly. Hope that helps...if not, leave another comment and next time I do laundry I'll look in there for you. Enjoy your new washer, I love mine, it's been great!
One negative about the top loader is the leakage with this washer if you use too much detergent! I was using the regular 2x concentrated gain...approx 3 tablespoons in the highest capacity setting. I had water all over the floor from the suds! I have adjusted the detergent to use less and am also not filling the washer as full with clothes to alleviate the overflow. I think it is just a matter of me getting accustomed to using less detergent. I am now using approx 1 tablespoon per load--no matter the size. Carole, is this what you found also? I am interested in hearing your take on this. By the way, my water is not particularly soft or hard. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteCarole, I can't disagree with you more on this washer. Mine made a squeeky noise and started leaking right away. I had a repair man tell me it had 2 defaulty parts which would cost as much as the machine to replace as it would be almost completely disassembled. I have just not found it to be reliable. I love the concept and hate it was't dependable. I am just trading it in for another whirlpool toploader that is more reliable. Good luck with yours. I love your site, by the way!
ReplyDeleteDoes anyone else have the problem that Anonymous had. My washer squeaks loudly during the wash cycle and then leaks out of the bottom of the right side. It has happened twice and I haven't used excess detergent. What's up? Is it messed up or does this happen alot? Do I have to be super careful with the detergent? Thanks.
ReplyDeleteHi Anonymouses and Ann: I also use the ultra concentrated detergent and I probably use about 2 tablespoons, but sometimes maybe a little more and I have not had any problems with too much suds or water leakage, even on the super size load and heavy setting. It doesn't squeak at all. I load my clothes first and then pour the detergent over the clothes as it's filling with water. I'm so sorry, believe me, I know how frustrating it is when an appliance is not working properly, but I've had no problems with mine at all...
ReplyDeleteWe bought that same machine 18 months ago. My wife and my daughter LOVE it! I like the fact that it is SO quite! HOWEVER........... after only 18 months, the thing quit working. It just stopped. The authorized GE service guy says that the motor crashed. 182 bucks for that little item and a total bill of $272.02. Oh yeah... the warranty on that part expired 6 months ago, 1 year after purchase. My wife, "Atilla the Hun", is now at war with the GE folks over that issue. I'll keep you "posted". By the way... still love the machine. It's the humans at GE that gives us grief.
ReplyDeletePromised update re "Bad motor": WILL WONDERS NEVER CEASE? My wife just phoned and said that the folks at GE are paying for the motor, 6 months AFTER the warranty expired! The service center should receive the replacement motor from GE on Friday. The machine made a believer out of me and now GE gets my vote as well.
ReplyDeleteYour experience with the GE WJRE5500 is the exact opposite of ours. It is the worse washer we have ever had. The first one they delivered was DOA. The replacment worked for a while but is now broken--and just out of one year warranty. Glad you like this washer. We will never buy a GE washer again.
ReplyDeleteHello everybody.
ReplyDeleteMy mother has one of this, GE. and I she has a question... how can she close the valve so that the water does not drop out? I mean, she want to use it but she does not want the water to gone.
any answer would be appreciate.
I had this machine for less than 2 years and the transmission on it died - what a hunk of junk. The warranty is only one year (tho some "parts" are warranteed for 5 or 10 years, but NOT the transmission). GE's attitude is "too bad." I'll never by anything made by GE again.
ReplyDelete