I Need a New Washer!! What Do I Need To Consider??

I was driving home from work one night last week,  listening to The National on my Prius's stereo, when I received a text from my wife.  A friend of hers was in dire need of a new washer, and she wanted buying advice.

Now, that really is a difficult question to answer without more information, such as budget, family size, space limitations, turnaround time, etc.  I relayed this concern to my wife, who then had her friend call me to help decide what to get.  She was interested in the differences between front and top-loading washers, and also wanted to know if anything was new in the laundry industry.  It occurred to me that these two subjects might make for an interesting blog subject as well.

That being said, let me address the first question:  "What are the pros and cons of front vs. top load washers?"

Essentially, there are three categories of washing machines:

 Front loading  (below is the Maytag MHW6630HW)

Then, we have two types of top-loading washers:

1. Top Loaders with traditional agitators 
2. Top Loaders with an impeller type wash plate.

(Shown above are the agitator driven Speed Queen TC5003N, and the impeller driven GE PTW600BSNRS)

If you haven't had to purchase a washer recently, you'll find significant changes in 2025 era clothes washers.

The four major changes are:

1. Capacity has increased.  For example, in 2000 a "super capacity" washer was 3.0 to 3.2 cubic feet.  Today machines can be as large as 5.5 cubic feet in capacity!  In fact, the smallest capacity on a normal, 27" full sized washer is 3.9 cubic feet.  In short, all washers have larger tubs!
2. Water consumption has greatly decreased.   Today's machines use approximately 12 gallons of water per load on front loading machines, and about 20 gallons on top loaders.  By contrast, washers a generation ago could use over 40 gallons per load!
3. (And here we mention the negatives!)  Cycle times are longer.  The tradeoff for using less water and having a larger capacity is that it becomes necessary to have a longer cycle time to properly clean a load of laundry.
4. All washers have electronic controls, vs. mechanical.  All machines employ a water level sensor to measure and limit the amount of water used per load.  The days of turning a dial, then pulling the dial out to start the machine are gone.  Having dealt with many hundred customers over the years selling washers, I can attest that many people miss the old mechanical washers!)

Now, back to the differences between the three washer styles. Note that I'm discussing typical, American sized 27-28" wide washers.  "Euro-style" compact (24" wide) units are available, but they are mostly a specialty application product in the US.

This article below from Energystar.gov does a nice job explaining the difference between front and top loading machines.   Granted their perspective is heavily biased toward the more efficient front load styles, but I still found it to be a balanced look at the pros and cons of front vs. top loading washers:

https://www.energystar.gov/products/ask-the-experts/which-clothes-washer-should-i-choose-front-load-or-top-load

Likewise, this article from The Spruce does a great job explaining the pros and cons of the two different types of top loading washers:

https://www.thespruce.com/impeller-vs-agitator-8387026

I hope all this helps you understand the difference between the three washer types, and can help you make a decision that is "right" for your home and needs.

Now, to the second question:  What's new in the industry?

Two new products have appeared in the past couple of years.  The first is an "all-in-one" unit that will wash and then dry a full (4.5 cubic ft. capacity washer!) in about two hours.  These units also run on a standard 110v circuit instead of the usual 30 amp 230v dedicated dryer line.  These two features allow the all-in-ones to be placed and used in locations such as a basement or in-law apartment without having to upgrade the electric line or create a duct hole in the wall.

The GE Profile model PFQ97HSPVD, retailing for $2199, is shown above.

While this product is admittedly on the pricey side, and its use falls under the category of "special application", the second innovative product has a much more universal appeal:

Behold! The removable agitator! 

Not sure whether to purchase an agitator driven machine for its more aggressive washing of everyday items, or the impeller driven machine with the wider space ideal for bulkier items?  Whirlpool recently released three models that have removable agitators!  Leave the auger shaped agitator in for every day loads. But if you need to, say, wash a king-sized comforter, then the agitator removes with a simple twist!  This will give you a little more capacity, and also allows the bulky item to spread out more, providing  more even cleaning without tangling.

Below, Westfield store manager Patrick Barrett demonstrates this easy-to-use feature:

The model above, the 4.7/4.8 cubic foot capacity Whirlpool washer, has been by far the best selling of these hybrid models.  It currently retails for $699, placing it solidly in the center of washer pricing!

I could easily go on about other facets of today's washers (maintenance and care, potential smells, longevity, noise, and so on), but I'll save that for another article!   

If you have questions about any of the above, feel free to reach out and speak with any of our sales professionals in any of our eleven (soon to be twelve, as we add Pittsfield to our lineup!) locations; phone numbers and addresses can be found on the front page of our website.

Your Manny’s Experience Doesn’t End at Checkout—Here’s What’s Next! (Why buy from Manny's Part 2)

In my last entry I highlighted some of the many reasons you should consider buying your next appliance from Manny's.  I focused on sales-related issues (expertise, price, exclusive rebates for example.)

Let's say you decided to make an appliance purchase from us.  

First of all, thank you!!

So what happens next? Here's where our delivery department goes to work!

On most delivery days (generally Tuesday thru Saturday) we have anywhere from 10 to 18 delivery teams on the road.  Each team will carry anywhere from 8-12 deliveries daily.   Order sizes range anywhere from a single piece replacement dryer all the way up to full kitchen suites!

What can our delivery teams do (and just as important, what can't they do?)

Essentially, after verifying that each unit will fit in the requested space (don't forget to check your doorways and hallways!!) we uncrate each appliance and check for concealed damage (yes, hidden dents do happen!), and put in place.  We do the basic setup of items such as refrigerators and clothes washers, and we will attach power cords (if purchased through us) on electric dryers and ranges.

What are we unable to do?

There are certain procedures that we cannot do, such as gas disconnections and reconnections, due to legal liability issues.  Also, there may be cases (wall oven or dishwasher installations, for example) where we can arrange a professional installation for a nominal fee.

Rather than go down a rabbit hole of dos and don'ts, I've included a link to a page in our delivery brochure, which does an excellent job explaining what we can and cannot accomplish on a normal delivery.

(If you have questions, or if you have an unusual situation, feel free to reach out to any member of our sales teams!)

Let's move ahead, say six months into the future. You've been enjoying your new washer, and it has given you excellent performance for those six months.  

All of a sudden your machine has stopped draining.  What to do?

With very few exceptions, we service any brand that we sell.  I absolutely realize no one wants to have to make a service call, ever.

But -- if you do need service, you can call one of our two service centers (Greenfield and Wilbraham), and they can assist you.  

If your product is still covered under manufacturer warranty, you can be assured that you won't be paying for the service call!

Mike from Greenfield service

Mary from Greenfield service

If you had the foresight to purchase one of our premium service contracts, then once again you're in luck!

Our warranty covers parts, labor, and servic calls for up to five years.  Just make sure you're calling our service departments!!

I've included a page from our extended service brochure below in case you were curious about the plus-benefits our service plans offer,

)

If your appliance is out of warranty, we can still service it.  

You can place a phone call to either of our service centers, and we will dispatch a trained technician to diagnose your problem, and to discuss a a course of action (on older appliances, replacement may be a more cost-effective option.  There would be a service/trip charge involved, but be assured that you will be dealing with a local company and speaking with people from your area who care about getting your problem resolved! 

And yes...we know... nobody wants to talk about, or deal with, a broken appliance.  We get that.  We've all become used to, and dependent upon, the convenience of modern technology.  We will do our best to try and minimize the stress and anxiety of having to deal with a malfunctioning appliances.

If you have questions on any of the above, you can always email me here, or reach out to any of the sales professionals in our eleven (pssst... soon to be 12!) showrooms.  Phone numbers and address are on the front page of our website.

Why should I buy from Manny's instead of a Big Box store? (Part 1)

As I sit in front of my computer on one of these miserable New England winter afternoons writing this blog, sleet and freezing rain keeping me indoors, I wondered who the biggest "players" in the major appliance industry were.   A quick Google search provided the answer:

1. Lowes
2. Home Depot
3. Best Buy
4. Amazon
5. Costco

Inside an Amazon DC

There's a pretty clear trend here.  With a national presence, and with a combination of "brick and mortar" stores in every major market, combined with an easy to access online presence, it's not surprising to see national/online chains listed at the top.

Now before circling back and answering the lead-off question,  I want to share a conversation I had some time back:

A few years ago I was at a Christmas party held at an in-laws house.  Being in the appliance industry, I couldn't help noticing that my in-laws had bought a new refrigerator and stove.  At some point when the obligatory small talk was at a minimum, I politely asked where they purchased the new appliances, and I was told they bought them at one of the "Big Box" stores.  I nodded my head and said "OK", or something like that.  A couple of minutes later I went into another room, and I heard my wife asking her brother "Why didn't you buy them from David?"  The reply: "Well, aren't the big stores cheaper?"

This preconception, that you have to pay more if you want to support local business, is challenging to us. It's also a bit unfair, because...

Well, the short answer  is a resounding "NO!!"  

NO, No... No....Not at all.  This apparently is still a preconception with a lot of people (including people who know what I do for a living!), and a preconception that I sometimes have to try very hard to debunk.

So, let me proceed with the debunking:

First of all, the ease of Internet shopping has essentially leveled the playing field when it comes to price. In recent years the majority of shoppers have learned to use their smartphone or laptop to do a quick price comparison on items, whether it be a refrigerator, hotel room, or the price of a gallon of gas.  You no longer have to be a computer expert to do this.  

And just as you, the consumer, have the ability to to do instant price comparisons, so do we!  I think you'll find that in the overwhelming majority of instances pricing on a given appliance is remarkably consistent from store to store - big box stores vs. independent retailers included!

In fact in many cases, especially when our "independent retailer exclusive" rebates are factored in, we  wind up less expensive! 

Additionally, we can offer services the bigger stores cannot. 

I'm going to touch on a few examples.

First - product knowledge:

I am one of many salespeople at Manny's with - literally -  decades of experience.  Perhaps you have an unusual setup in your kitchen.  Maybe you have a range that's only 27" wide instead of the standard 30".  Perhaps you want one of the contemporary French Door refrigerators, but are limited in height (or you have narrow doorways - a factor many people don't consider until it's time to make the actual delivery!)  Or you're considering bringing your laundry up from the basement into a bathroom.  We've been through these scenarios (plus countless more), and can help you by presenting viable options, as well as pointing out potential challenges (space, power, etc.) that you might need to consider.

Second - support:

Did you know that Manny's has their own service department?  Well, yes we do.  We provide in-home service on broken appliances out of both our Greenfield and Wilbraham, MA locations.   

And, I am fully aware that there is nothing pleasant about having to deal with the cost and hassle of addressing a broken washer or refrigerator.  At least with Manny's you get to talk with one of our own employees, working out of a local office, who will be scheduling and dispatching a Manny's service tech to address (and hopefully) solve your problem.   Anyone who has encountered the hell of multiple touch-tone options and dead ends when trying to get assistance from a larger, faceless national companies can surely appreciate the convenience of speaking with a real live, local person!

Third - buying power:

This goes back to my anecdote at the beginning about the mistaken perception that because we're small, we must somehow also be more expensive.  Just how do we stay price-competitive?  A fair question.

Manny's is a member of the New England Appliance Group (NEAG).   We pool resources with over a hundred independent retailers in the northeast.   This billion-dollar-plus buying power allows the Group to go toe-to-toe with the giant national retailers when it comes to purchasing.  It also allows Manny's to warehouse many more models and colors in NEAG's distribution center than would be feasible otherwise. 

In other words, we have access to thousands of products, in a variety of colors, and can ship these to you home (or to a store if you prefer to pick up) in a timely manner, at a price that is very competitive vs. our big box competition.

Throw in the exclusive rebates we frequently offer on multiple piece purchases, and the end result is usually a faster, more satisfying experience for you, the customer... and often at a LOWER PRICE!!

If you have questions on any of the above... or if it's time for you to make an appliance purchase, please reach out to the sales professionals in any of our eleven showrooms (phone numbers and addresses can be found on the front page of our site, just to the left of the "Read our blog" link you recently clicked on.)

Common Questions about the Care and Maintenance of today's appliances

Appliances have evolved over the years!  

If you haven't been in the market for, say, a range or dishwasher in many years you will undoubtedly find that 2025 era appliances will differ - in some cases markedly! - from your existing piece.

I'm going to discuss a few of the most common questions (or criticisms; the attitude toward change for one person can sometimes be the opposite of another's reaction) I get when I'm speaking with a customer looking to replace an older appliance.

Let's take a modern gas range.

Larger oven capacities, more powerful burners, better simmering - there are a lot of very positive features on today's gas stoves!  You will also find that pretty much all gas ranges use cast-iron grates, as opposed to the porcelain covered grates of yesteryear.  The reason:  the porcelain coating tended to chip easily.  Cast iron can't chip, and won't rust if taken care of properly.  

"old style", porcelain coated grates

So how does one take care of their cast iron grates?

Per Maytag, follow the two steps below.

STEP 1: REMOVE THE GRATES AND SCRUB THEM

Make sure the grates are cool before removing them. Scrub them gently with a non-abrasive scrubbing pad or cloth and mildly abrasive cleaner or soap. Don’t worry about using water and cleaners on cast iron grates; they are mainly for heat conduction and durability, so they don’t need to be treated like a cast-iron pan for cooking

STEP 2: PUT GRATES IN THE DISHWASHER, IF NECESSARY

Many gas stove grates are dishwasher-safe, but check your oven’s owner’s manual before placing them in the dishwasher. If you’re washing them in the dishwasher, make sure to place the grates in the lower rack and select the most aggressive cycle. Scrubbing the grates by hand ahead of time can improve the cleaning process.

I think you'll find these grates will "age" better than the porcelaing grates.  They also tend to thicker and heavier, adding to the stove's apperance.

Next, let's take a look at today's dishwashers. 

 

Historically, US dishwasher used a mini-disposal built into the bottom of the dishwasher to trap, grind, and eventually flush out debris. Nowadays, nearly all units utilize a cleanable filter system, something along the lines of the dryer lint filters we've always used. The idea of using a filter vs. a disposal in a dishwasher isn't new; European based brands such as Bosch and Miele have always employed filters in their units. 

These filters are quieter, and effectively trap food particles that are non-soluble.

(An aside here: I hope you aren't still prewashing your dishes if you have recently purchased a dishwasher!! Between the higher wash temperatures that are acheived and the filtering of food particles, today's machines will do a better job than you can do hand-washing, and the water savings is huge!  As I mentioned in a past blog (10-18-23; "What's new with today's dishwashers?") you use more water in 90-120 seconds of hand washing than today's ultra-water stingy models use through the entire cycle!)

filter in GE dishwasher

Above is a picture of the filter in my own dishwasher.  Unlike a dryer filter which needs to be cleaned after every load, you'll want to clean your dishwasher's once every three to four weeks (more or less, depending on usage) to maximize the machine's cleaning performance.

What's the best way to do this?  I defer to this article from Bosch.  While every brand's filter is a little bit different, the principles are the same:

https://www.bosch-home.com/us/owner-support/get-support/support-selfhelp-dishwashers-cleaning-dishwasher-filter

 

Finally, let's address the inside of your microwave. 

inside of over-range microwave

Whether you have an over-the-range venting microwave, or one that sits on the counter or shelf, cleaning the inside is really easy.

Did you know that you can steam the built-up debris that adheres to your microwave cavity by simply boiling a cup of water for 2-4 minutes?  (To be truthful, I only learned this a few years ago!)  This really does work; the steam loosens the built up food splatters to the point that you can wipe them off with a damp cloth.

I'm attaching a link from Whirlpool which expands on this procedure, and also gives advice on how to clean the micro's turntable.

https://www.whirlpool.com/blog/kitchen/how-to-clean-a-microwave.html

I hope some of the you find these suggestions useful.  If you have questions regarding the care and maintenance of your appliances, please reach out to any of our eleven stores (phone numbers and address are listed on the front page of our website, immediately to the left of the link for the blog you're currently reading), or reach out to me via email.

Am I Really Saving Energy With My New Appliance? And, If So, What am I giving up?

The short answer to the above

 question is "YES, DEFINITELY!!"

To give you a sense of just how much you can expect to save, I'm going to compare the energy use of three GE appliances (side-by-side refrigerator, top-loading washer, and dishwasher) between 1998 and 2025.

(By the way, a shout-out to GE and their website: they archive older models and allow links to operation manuals, spec sheets, and even Energyguides.  I wish all manufacturers would do this!)

The first dishwasher pictured is a mid- level 1998 GE dishwasher, model #GSD4030, along with its energyguide.  Let's compare that to their current model GDP670 (inside pictured just above.)

The difference is quite pronounced.  Newer models have other improvements as well.  For example, note the "kickplate" on the 4030.  Dishwasher capacity has grown over the years (internally - dishwashers still are built for a 34" X 24" opening.  As the interior tub has grown to allow more dishes to be washed per load, the kickplate has disappeared - that space is now primarily tub space!  Also, note that many dishwashers now include a third rack, useful for tongs, serving spoons, etc.  In other words, more dishes per load!

(And yes, I know, I know, dishwashers take much longer to complete their cycle.)  

This is the biggest complaint I receive on modern units.  And there isn't really anything we can do about that, other than to use the short (usually 1 hr. vs. 2+ hrs.) cycle!  At least you can take comfort in the fact that these machines use far less energy, use less water than you would use in your sink in two minutes of hand-washing, are quieter, and clean better.

For more discussion of the dishwasher's evolution, check out my link below to a prior entry.

https://draft.blogger.com/u/1/blog/post/edit/5695512488839797470/4445341536753491062

Next, I'll compare a 1998 top load washer (WJSR2070, above) to a modern top load washer (GTW485 pictured below). 

I want to keep this comparison "apple to apple" by comparing two top-loading machines.  Today's front load machines are even more efficient than the sample model! (In 1998 front loading washers were just becoming popular in the market.)

Besides holding almost 50%  more clothes, spinning out more water in the spin cycle, and using far less water, the savings on your electric bill is not insignificant:

Now, just like the dishwasher, cycle times are longer on today's machines.  Also, I still get customers who wistfully remember their old machines from the last century, with the simplicity OF mechanical dials and timers, and rue today's all-electronic, sometimes even Bluetooth-compatible, machines.  DOE mandates over the last twenty plus years have forced manufacturers to employ load sensors to prevent using more than necessary (which is why only a handful of machines still have a direct water-level knob). 

While I can empathize with people's fond memories of these past machines, I prefer to focus on the many improvements (such as increased capacity, energy savings, better cleaning) that a modern washer offers!

Finally, the Beast of your electric bill, the refrigerator!

 I'm comparing two full-sized, side-by-side units (the popular French Door models that inhabit so many modern kitchens didn't become readily available until the mid 2000's.).  The first picture is a 1998 model GE # TFX25

In 1998 the side-by-side fridge, with an ice and water dispenser, was the trendy style of the typical kitchen. While not as popular today as the French Door style, they still enjoy some popularity, especially with customers who don't like the occasional bending down into the freezer of FD style units, or that prefer the larger ice resevoirs that the freezer side of the SXS models can deliver.  Below is a current model, the GE GSS25IYNFS:

Notice the difference in the energy usage, and think about what that means to your electric bill!  Today's refrigerators also have brighter LED interiors, maintain temperature more accurately, have a little more capacity, and are more environmentally friendly.  

There really isn't much downside to newer fridges!  

The most common obstacle we find when helping a customer replace an older fridge is size.  Be aware that today's modern styles can be a little taller, deeper, and sometimes wider.  New England had numerous kitchens with 68" in height alloted for the refrigerator, and often 33" alloted in width.  Many contemporary styled units are built for a 70" x 36" opening.  If you have one of these kitchens with the older, smaller space (as in my own house!) you can still find appropriately sized units, but your choices are more limited.

The sales professionals in our eleven locations (addresses and phone numbers are on the front page of our website, immediately to the left of the "Read our blog" link) will be more than happy to help you out with any space restrictions, and will be able to discuss the many positive changes in today's better performing, super efficient, appliances