GREAT value, GREAT washer! We're BLOWN AWAY!, May 23, 2009
I conducted a LOT of research before we decided on this Amana front load washing machine. Our 13 year old Kenmore top loader finally died, and we were in the market for a quality washing machine in the four hundred to eight hundred dollar range or so. 'Consumer Reports' rated this machine highly, as did actual owners/users of it on various other ...read full review
I conducted a LOT of research before we decided on this Amana front load washing machine. Our 13 year old Kenmore top loader finally died, and we were in the market for a quality washing machine in the four hundred to eight hundred dollar range or so. 'Consumer Reports' rated this machine highly, as did actual owners/users of it on various other sites, including Home Depot's. Even if the reviews may be 'carefully culled' (as a previous reviewer stated), certainly the excellent user reviews on the 'Consumer Reports' website were not. There were many negative reviews written up for other washers on that site as well. In any case, we were smitten by the price, features, and excellent reviews the Amana garnered, so purchasing this machine was a 'no brainer'. It uses much less electricity and water than a conventional top loader, has an automatic reservoir dispenser for laundry detergent, fabric softener, and bleach, and a second rinse cycle, as well as a 'quick wash' and other longer washes, which is perfect. Our clothes and comforters (full and queen sized) came out smelling great, and best of all, the spin cycle got our clothes the driest i've ever seen in all my years of using commercial and residential washing machines. Consequently, drying time has been cut down substantially. The 'knob issue' that some people bring up is really a 'non issue', since you can re-start the washer by re-pressing the knob if you accidentally bump into it. But truth be told, unless your laundry room is extremely cramped, or you have to reach over and above the washing machine to get something off a shelf, most people will never bump the washer to the off position. Also, the previous reviewer's mention of the washer not turning off is nonsense. Of course the washer turns off when the spin cycle ends. The LED indicators that stay on are just there to remind you that the wash is done, and that you have to open the door and retrieve your laundry. This doesn't mean the machine is actually on. It is not. Another non-issue. All in all, my wife and I are ecstatic and floored by the cleaning ability and sheer value afforded by this phenomenal machine! Amana truly hit a 'home run' with this unit in all respects. If you don't believe me, go read all the online reviews, including 'Consumer Reports'. Buy with confidence. minimize
Quirky washer, May 6, 2009
This washer is pretty good for the price; I got mine at Home Depot for under $500. Both it and the matching dryer are quirky, though, and you won't see that reflected in the carefully culled reviews posted on Home Depot's web site. I'm accustomed to setting my washer and dryer to operate at bedtime and then waking up the next morning and folding ...read full review
This washer is pretty good for the price; I got mine at Home Depot for under $500. Both it and the matching dryer are quirky, though, and you won't see that reflected in the carefully culled reviews posted on Home Depot's web site. I'm accustomed to setting my washer and dryer to operate at bedtime and then waking up the next morning and folding the dry clothes and moving the washed clothes to the dryer. However, in these appliances, they stay on until you manually turn them off, so they are still on in the morning--not a very energy-saving feature for an Energy Star appliance. I didn't pay much attention to the fact that there is no console on top of these, but now that I have them installed in my very narrow little laundry room, that is a problem. Every time you walk past them, they turn on because you're brushing the knobs. If you lean down to put in or take out clothes, you inadvertently hit the knobs as well. In addition, although there is a place in the pull-out detergent drawer for powdered or liquid detergent, fabric softener, and bleach, if you pour a granular product into the drawer from a box, it will be all over your floor because the drawer is narrow. Instead, you need to carefully scoop it in. I finally resorted to just throwing the powder into the machine, which I'm sure is not the best way to do it, but the powder never dissolves completely in the drawer anyway.
I would say that the washer does a pretty good job of getting the clothes clean, but I'm not in love with it. For the money, it will do until I can get a better one. If you can afford a nicer machine without all the quirks, I would say get it. The delivery men that brought my washer said they don't sell too many of these (I can see why); they told me that most customers are buying LGs. My sister has an LG and loves it, but of course, her dryer alone cost more than both my washer and dryer together.
If all you want is a machine to wash things in and you really don't care about the convenience of using it, you'll probably like it. I like it a lot better than I like the matching dryer, which has a lot of issues. minimize
It does have control lock people., October 27, 2009
I think both the washer and dryer are great! My previous dryer went out and I needed a new new one pronto! I was skeptical about buying this product because it was so inexpensive, but I wanted to save the money. So I bought it and I love it. For all the people who keeps bumping into the knobs, you can lock the controls. That seem to help me....read full review
I think both the washer and dryer are great! My previous dryer went out and I needed a new new one pronto! I was skeptical about buying this product because it was so inexpensive, but I wanted to save the money. So I bought it and I love it. For all the people who keeps bumping into the knobs, you can lock the controls. That seem to help me. Although I didn't have a problem knocking into the power off button. Just wanted to give my review on this product. minimize
DEFECTIVE DESIGN, October 17, 2009
This washer has a FATAL defect in its design: if the washer fails to drain, there is NO WAY to override the door lock. So Amana warranty service will tell you, wait 4+ days for service or force the door. Then the service people will tell you they don't preorder parts, so won't come with a new lock when they do show up. So wait again. Otherwise,...read full review
This washer has a FATAL defect in its design: if the washer fails to drain, there is NO WAY to override the door lock. So Amana warranty service will tell you, wait 4+ days for service or force the door. Then the service people will tell you they don't preorder parts, so won't come with a new lock when they do show up. So wait again. Otherwise, let clothes sit in dirty water for days. DO NOT buy this machine: first time it goes wrong the door is locked and can't be released. Plus the serial # and model # are, you guessed it, inside the locked door that can't be overriden. FATAL DESIGN FLAW. DO NOT BUY THIS WASHER.
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Great washing performance, September 19, 2009
This washer performs like a champ. We are very happy with the washing performance. Don't know how it gets them so clean with so little water or agitation. Wish we would have bought it a long time ago.
(7 total reviews)