Reader Mail: Cabrio vs Fisher Paykel vs Duet front loader

From Jeremy:

I am torn between these three washing machines (2 new generation TL's and 1 front loader). My last purchase was a top' o 'da line stainless steel drum model from Amana with a true three-speed motor. It set us back a fortune as newlyweds and the darn thing developed a leak after 7 years. I was very disappointed and have come to the conclusion that I don't think I want a machine with a seal at the bottom of the drum which will leak sooner or later. I hear the Fish Paykel does not have the same leak potential as the Cabrio, is this true? I hear it has some sort of magnetic drive and the tub has no agitator hole to be sealed. Is this true? I can't seem to confirm. My gut tells me to go with the front loader but I like the capacity of the new Gen TL's. I got a schematic from Whirlpool showing the Cabrio hole for the agitator/plate - Strike one for the Cabrio. I know the new models are all electronic and that is probably more likely to go awry than the mechanicals but the three people I know who have had to replaced washers did so because of water leaking from the seal.

Any thoughts?

Thanks - Jeremy

Jeremy,

A leaky tub seal is a common problem with top loading washing machines. To my knowledge, any washing machine with an agitator will have to have a tub seal. And while I am not an engineer, I would go so far as to say any washing machine period will have a tub seal which could fail. Even the top load machines that do not have an agitator would have to have a tub seal because there is a shaft extending through the outer tub to connect to the inner tub. Therefore, a seal must be present between the outer tub and the shaft.

I cannot say that the F&P washers are less likely to leak compared to the Cabrio washers. While I like to think my knowledge of washing machines is more than layman, I am not educated as to the detailed engineering of specific units.

However, I am extremely wary of high-end top load washing machines. There have been far too many designs on the market that have been utter failures, or at best mediocre washers. If you are considering a high-end washing machine, I would urge you to go with a front loader. I understand the temptation of the 4.5cf Cabrio, but in my opinion, there are too many unknowns to endorse these machines.

Granted, much of the front loader technology is new, but the machines are based off of designs which have been in use far longer than the latest high-efficiency top loaders.

If you are considering the Duet, I would suggest you take a look at the Maytag Epic. This washer is made by Whirlpool (which now owns Maytag), and is basically the same machine they used to sell under the KitchenAid label, with a few alterations. The Epic is very comparable to the Kenmore Elite models. The reason I suggest the Epic is because the construction of the machine is just a bit more solid than the Duet washers.

Thanks for writing, and if you have further questions, let me know. Likewise, if you pull the trigger and make a purchase, let me know!

Brad