I'm from the UK so top loading is a quaint concept. We have just bought a Samsung front loading washing machine, an upgraded vesion of the one we have been running in the UK for about 5 years.

 

I would go for the Panasonic, Whirlpool has had too many recalls recently with machines etc catching fire.

 

A friend of mine bought a Speed Queen, but he said he made sure it was knobs, not a circuit board. This place is hell on electronics.

 

Not sure I understand why you need the water heated? Are you saying the soap does not break down without heat, maybe try other detergents before investing in a machine that can heat water.

I have no issues with washing clothes in cold water. My only issue is drying close on a line. Seems to stretch out all my shirts. I thought about a dryer but at 60,000 pesos and up I thought about all the new clothes I could buy.

 

Since childhood I've had issues with the detergents on my skin I get itchy and the well water is a mineral type or hard water so without heat to break it down,it doesn't break down enough and also wastes the detergent, the clothes don't smell so nice either so my wife has to drain them 3 times it's getting old doing this manually, we have the Sharp manual washer and spinner, the spin side though gets the water out and it's nearly dry, I hear you on the damage to the clothes they don't last long.

You mentioned the dryer, I did come across a dryer for 20,000 pesos a branded one, forgot the name, I was searching I think on Abensons appliances and notices they were affordable. I'm looking at both front loaders and top loaders and also trying to find information on mechanical issues, so far both the front load and top load both seem to have their own mechanical problems.

I had a real nice Whirlpool set in the US for a couple decades and for sure it still needed repair after only 4 years.

 

I have never had a problem with PCB's with washing machines only gearbox, clutch or drive belt over the last 40 plus years with top loads and bearings with front loads in our furnished rental properties, perhaps the tenants overload. In Oz I have a large Fisher and Paykel top load for 13 or 14 years, my ex wife took the previous F+P when we divorced so I purchased the same, never missed a beat, in saying that there are usually only 2 of us living there and away often so probably only 7 or 8 years of use for a normal family. Hot water wash? What for? I, even my ex wife always washed with cold water and happy with the results, saves energy etc.

https://www.geappliances.com/ge/lifestyles/6-reasons-to-cold-water-wash.htm

As for researching Mark, try this forum. If you can't find what you are looking for then create a thread.

https://forums.whirlpool.net.au/archive/2764282

I have to laugh though, here in PH Ben purchased a Samsung 12kg top load machine while I was in Oz, I looked at the specs and agreed to buy. I arrived back here a week later, the new machine was still in the box so my first job was to install......... The 12Kg machine here has the same size bowl as our 8Kg machine in Oz. I had to put another tap over the wash trough to connect water, connected the W/M drain into the trough and proceeded to wash,,,,,,,,, doh. Turns out this expensive Samsung didn't have a drain pump but instead a drain operated with a solenoid, I had to knock a hole through the wall to drain the machine to the garden...... frustrating but it works and we move the drain hose around to water the garden. No where in the sales brochure did it mention this, The machine seems to wash well but is slower than the one in Oz.

Sorry for the waffle.

Cheers, Steve.

 

We only expect to use the dryer function during the rainy season. We bought the washer dryer because we don't expect to use the dryer only occasionally. Saves the cost of an extra dryer and more importantly the space.

 

 

Update on the washing machine, we tried to purchase an Electrolux 10 kilo inverter top loader and the appliance store said they'd give us the same discount if they could verify online and they did and then it came down to paying and it was going to be the full price because I was using my credit card, so I grabbed my ID, credit card and this form they had me fill out and walked out no use talking.

We tried a major chained appliance and came away with an LG 9 kilo top loader, inverter and so far it's really nice and my wife is happy, I added a two year warranty just in case. What a change from the manual washing machines.

 

Congrats on the LG. Bought an LG front loader washer dryer combo in January and it's great. Does everything I need and very efficient; wife is happy because I do all the laundry lol; well its usually only 2 buttons to press. John

 

One might do some research before using hot water in some of these machines. We are in part of the world where hot running water is not commonly available and not so sure that the components used in the manufacture of these units would be compatable with hot water. We recently(couple months ago) bought a new Whirlpool double tub (wash/dry) manual washing machine and I don't recall any mention of hot water use. The entire unit is plastic and I would be concerned about hot water causing some warping if it is not designed to handle the temperature. All that being said, we only use the cool water from our well anyway and so far it seems to do a decent job.

Fred

 

Good point Fred, for twin tubs or the likes but I assume that if an automatic machine has a hot water connection it should be fine. We only use cold water from the well.
My ex wife used to use hot water in the washing machine (35 years ago) and went to cold water saying she couldn't tell the difference. I'm sure there are studies on this but I'm more than happy with cold water.

Cheers, Steve.

 

Even in places with no water heater the so called cold water supply can be very hot from the sun on a storage tank. I would expect that these units would no0t have any problem with the temps that a in line unit can reach. I typically shower with mine on hottest setting and often throttle the supply to get them hot enough.

I have been places where you always showered first thing in the morning because the "cold" water was too hot to shower in.

 

Even in places with no water heater the so called cold water supply can be very hot from the sun on a storage tank. I would expect that these units would no0t have any problem with the temps that a in line unit can reach. I typically shower with mine on hottest setting and often throttle the supply to get them hot enough.

I have been places where you always showered first thing in the morning because the "cold" water was too hot to shower in.

 

Does anyone know of a top load washer that has a drain pump? Other than the huge US sized washers.

My Electrolux front loader recently died (wouldnt power on) and when we had the Electrolux tech come out, he said the fuse on the main circuit board was bad and the main bearings were starting to go. Total cost would be around p14500 for parts and labor so I've been looking at new washers recently.

I thought about going with a cheaper top load washer (around p15k-20k) but it seems that most of those do NOT have a drain pump. Our current washer drain hose goes to a sink drain through a hole in a cabinet about 18" off the ground so I think we'll need one with a drain pump.

I cant seem to find ANY top loaders with drain pumps though. I've looked at about 10 online and downloaded the installation manuals and they all say dont let the drain hose rise over about 2 inches, so it looks like those are all gravity fed drains.
Our dead Electrolux DOES have a drain pump with the little door on the front you can open to check the trap for coins, keys, etc.

If anyone know of an inexpensive washing machine with a drain pump, please let me know.

 

Does anyone know of a top load washer that has a drain pump? Other than the huge US sized washers.

My Electrolux front loader recently died (wouldnt power on) and when we had the Electrolux tech come out, he said the fuse on the main circuit board was bad and the main bearings were starting to go. Total cost would be around p14500 for parts and labor so I've been looking at new washers recently.

I thought about going with a cheaper top load washer (around p15k-20k) but it seems that most of those do NOT have a drain pump. Our current washer drain hose goes to a sink drain through a hole in a cabinet about 18" off the ground so I think we'll need one with a drain pump.

I cant seem to find ANY top loaders with drain pumps though. I've looked at about 10 online and downloaded the installation manuals and they all say dont let the drain hose rise over about 2 inches, so it looks like those are all gravity fed drains.
Our dead Electrolux DOES have a drain pump with the little door on the front you can open to check the trap for coins, keys, etc.


If anyone know of an inexpensive washing machine with a drain pump, please let me know.

Hard to find I performed a quick search and came up with a Samsung 7 kilo (kind of small) with the drain pump. https://www.samsung.com/hk_en/washing-machines/top-loader-wa70m4200swsh/

 

LOL, well we are probably going off the OP but since we are there I am envious of HondaGuys awareness of this problem with washing machines here in PH. something that I learnt the hard way. 8 years ago we brought an American Home front loader and dryer package,,,,,,,, the outlaws wore that out over a 5 year period but the dryer is here with us and simply is a shelf that takes up space but they both performed without a problem,,,,,,, well not sure the dryer as it's probably been used 6 times. The WM had a drain pump and for me, an Aussie that is standard and never heard of this system until I arrived here,,,,,, a little like only being able to buy a fridge with a left hand opening door here, don't worry I searched.

Ben flew back to PH. 3 weeks earlier than I did to set up the house, buy the white goods etc. he did show me online what he was looking at and the prices,,,,,,,, cut to the chase the Samsung 12 KG washing machine we purchased doesn't have a drain pump........... Groan. I only found this out after I installed it and did the first wash, boy it's taking a long time Ben, anyway a trap for young players that made me Chisel a hole through the 6 inch rendered block wall at floor level to make the washing machine work.

Good thing that you are all over this problem HondaGuy and a learning curve for others.

Cheers, Steve.

 

The problem I have with the outlaws is that they just run the water onto the floor or backyard, whichever, because they can't be arsed to lift the special drain cover I put in next to the machine to take the hose.

 

I asked the SM Appliance Sales Agent which Washing Machine he would buy. Speed Queen with manual function controls. He said he's never seen a return but has seen many customers complain, try to return the ones with the electric panels.

We bought the 10.5KG TOP LOAD WASHER STAINLESS STEEL WASH TUB
Brand: Speed Queen

I took a magnet with me to test the stainless steel and it was not attracted to the tub. We've had it for 5 years now, no problems with it so far.

Speed Queen PI Sites:

Home-style Machines | Tysons Global Exchange

https://www.facebook.com/SpeedQueenPH/

https://www.lazada.com.ph/shop/speed-queen-philippines/

 

Haha thanks! I dont know if I'm really that aware, I was just trying to find a top load that would work in my house and despite several hours of googling, looking at appliance store websites and downloading the installation PDFs, I couldnt find anything.
I seriously considered chiseling through the "cabinet" too but I think its made of concrete and even with a hole around ground level, the sink drain is about 18" up and goes into the wall to the kitchen, so I would need a drain pump regardless.

Those Speed Queen models with the manual controls are VERY well regarded in the BIFL (buy it for life) community as they seem to be fairly bulletproof; but with a price of around p60k, I just dont want to spend that kind of money right now. If I was getting ready to retire though, it'd be a different story.

 

Those Speed Queen models with the manual controls are VERY well regarded in the BIFL (buy it for life) community as they seem to be fairly bulletproof; but with a price of around p60k, I just dont want to spend that kind of money right now. If I was getting ready to retire though, it'd be a different story.

We bought ours during an SM Appliance sale, paid in the low P40K after discounts.

 

Hey_Joe, thats not a bad price. If I can find one for that, I'd certainly consider it.

 

Do you happen to know the model # of your Samsung? The 7kg MCA linked to appears to only be available in Hong Kong; at least I couldnt find it online at a Philippine reseller.

 

HondaGuy I made several attempts online also to find a washing machine with a pump drain and no luck... I also read several comments on some of the machines and many if not all the top loaders seem to be draining from the bottom.

I was convinced that my LG top loader 9 kilo washing machine had a pump in it from all the video's I watched on YouTube and so I chiseled out an upper hole between 60 - 90 cm and ha haa after reading the manual, the manual shows two different drain hoses the hose with the HOOK has the drain pump but all other's with the straight hose are hooked to the bottom... so... I had to chisel some more the lower area to make room for the much larger drain hose.

Contacting these stores would be a wasted effort also because they don't even know their own products recent example:

- I purchased a two year extended warranty and the store rep couldn't find the S/N while in the store and jotted down the wrong S/N he called us and said he had the wrong S/N but I found it and gave it to him and updated my documents.

- I asked sales rep in the store are the bottom pegs adjustable... he said no, but it turned out they were and good! when I got home.

The only way to verify that the top loader has a drain pump would be to check the floor models for that hook drain hose... your family members located here would check for this.

 

I hear you Mark, we have a wash trough next to the washing machine and sadly like you had to bang a hole through the wall at ground level, attached a 32mm hose 6 metres long and we water the garden with it so while we remember the plants within 6/8M get watered and have prospered even with detergent. As said a little like buying a fridge here with a L/H opening door. We improvise and move on.

BTW I also made several attempts to find something with a drain pump and nada.

Cheers, Steve.

 

I dont know if I can really blame the salespeople in the stores; I would guess 80% of the manuals I downloaded didnt say if the washer had a drain pump or not. I had to look for the installation instructions and if it said not to raise the drain hose more than 2" off the ground, I went ahead and assumed no drain pump.

That's exactly my plan; I'm going to wait until I can get there and then go store to store looking at the top loaders on display and see how the drain hoses are routed and if any have that little door to clean the drain pump filter.

 

hogrider, thanks!
I downloaded the manual for your Samsung and it looks like it covers models both with and without the drain pump.
The one way I've been able to tell if a particular model has a drain pump or not is if there is a door or plug to clean the pump filter. In the manual for yours, on page 32 it shows the pump filter. If your model has that, it should have a drain pump. If it doesnt, then it probably doesnt have the pump.

 

FYI to anyone interested....

S&R Dau has more American brand full size washers & dryers now. Sorry, don't remember all the prices. All washers were top loads.

Speed Queen, matching washer and gas dryer, around 50 k each, I think

Maytag - Matching washer and gas dryer, I think, in the 40's?

Whirlpool - Matching washer and electric dryer. The dryer is only 32 k.

There was also a Whirlpool industrial looking washer like you would have at a laundry. 48 k I think.

 

If SnR is you only option then ok but you have to watch their prices. When we bought our Samsung it was on a special, checking online it was a few pesos cheaper in Manila. When we went back the special had finished, that's when we realised it had been on a special. Got the Samsung a couple of thousand cheaper from SM.

 

I will stick to doing laundry by hand for now. Since all I usually wear is a pair of gym shorts, only put on a shirt on grocery shopping days, it is pretty easy to wash them in a bucket when I shower, hang to dry and ready to go next day.

 

We bought a top load LG automatic washer last year. It has inverter technology, and we have been happy with it. 8kg capacity, load, add soap, push a few buttons, and walk away.

The typical washers are way too much trouble.

 

Welcome to the forum Moonunit, I agree with you we had a Kelvinator automatic washer for several years but it kept breaking down, it was the circuit board and after two times at 5,000 pesos cost for each visit we went back to the manual washer and dry spin unit it cost us 6,000 pesos... what a mistake is all I have to say and its sort as bad, actually worse than having a TV with no remote control, so much work and damages to clothing, you have to lift the clothes or comforter out wet in order to stick it in the touchy dryer side, so wev'e destroyed several comforters with the manual washer and spin dry unit.

Our LG top loader washing machine it's quiet and I hear the neighbors and In-laws noisy machines, I won't go back to those units again, plus our manual machine was interfering with the sound system.

The tough part was coughing up the 21,000 pesos plus two year warranty for an additonal 2,700 pesos but well worth it, if they can't find the replacement parts then they have to give us another brand new washing machine.

 

I bought a bucket for 149 p. So far no electrical issues with it except that I cannot use it during a power failure due to the building water pump not working. :clap2:

It does triple duty, I can use it when I wash the floors or I can keep it full in case of need to flush during a power failure.

 

We had a bucket in the old house, not allowed in the new house, I'm trying to civilize the mother-in-law. We have a 350 lts tank in the roof which will last a couple of day and gravity feeds through the pressure pump.