Washers, Dryers and Refrigerators

[WBU ALUM]

Where's the best place to buy these, and what brands are the most dependable?

I've been told that the cheaper washing machines just stir things around and don't do a very good job of cleaning. What about the dryers?

Anyone have good experiences with any particular brands from any particular stores in Udon?

[Guns482]

Phillips, they offer servicing as well.

[WBU ALUM]

Thanks, Guns.

Do a good job in all departments (washing, drying and refrigerating)?

Any particular stores carrying that brand in Udon?

[mortiboy]

I bought a cheap and cheerful " LG" twin tub 10+years a go.Its still going well!! I think it was about 2,800 baht. Ony thing went wrong was the ticker switch last year broke,Took it out and replaced it .It works really well and spins clothes out really well.Still sell them in Big C.

[arjay]

I favour front loading washing machines, which do a better job of cleaning and without tangling clothes. Do look for the faster spin speeds though. Many here only offer speeds of around 600 rpm.

I currently have a Samsung which will spin up to 1000 rpm according to programme. Some will even spin up to 1200 rpm or even 1600 rpm. Have previously had Electrolux and Zanussi, (though slower spin speeds) without problems.

Faster spins are particularly useful in periods of wet weather.

[saint]

is this new age man week or what ? chatting about washing machines and spin speeds , isnt that womens work ? instead of doing the frigging laundry you should be out drinking beer and being men !!!!!

[BKKSTAN]

10 years ago,I bought a heavy duty Whirlpool washer and dryer set in Bangkok,around 45-50K(I thought the Thai washer looked inferior)!The washer was top loading with a strong agitator the wore the clothes out faster ,but really spun dry!The dryer has a large drum,but uses alot of electricity and takes longer to dry than I think it should,although I have never regretted buying it!The drum is turned by a 3/8" width belt that lasted for about 7 yrs. and I couldn't find a replacement for it here,luckily Rito was coming from the states and picked up a belt and screen for me!

The washer broke down(plastic lid on and off switch fell apart)and while I had been trying to find a replacement part,I picked up a 6.0 kg Samsung washer(top loader) for 6K baht at Tesco-Lotus!It does such a fine job of washing the clothes and spinning out,that I have put off my search for the whirlpool part(not listed on internet sites)!

Most people don't use dryers here,but we are very happy for the constant convenience of it.I have not seen them for sale up here,although I would think that some of the big supply houses like Home Pro and Global might carry them!
I see top loadeing washers for sale from 3-20K baht!I guess that depends on tub size and spin speeds plus gadgets,but we are very happy with our 6K one!

[WBU ALUM]

is this new age man week or what ? chatting about washing machines and spin speeds , isnt that womens work ? instead of doing the frigging laundry you should be out drinking beer and being men !!!!!

YES! You are correct, saint.

She's doing the shopping, but I'm paying for it. Just want to make sure that the technology is sound, and I won't be buying another one in another year. You know the drill.

[WBU ALUM]

Thanks, BKKStan for the info.

Appreciate all the input, guys! I'll wait and see what ends up being presented.

[BKKSTAN]

I change clothe once,the daughter changes twice and the wife uses about 2-3 changes a day!With towels and such,the 6kg. tub handles the one wash a day(no seperation of colors)easily!I know because I usually do the washing,drying and folding while the daughter is in school

[laphanphon]

Thought many times about starting a thread on product recommendations. Maybe we can keep this going and create a sticky in shopping thread for future reference, if mods have time to pick the BS out and organize.

Washing machines, front load would be a good choice, as it forces some agitation while moving the water. Mine is top load, entry level, and cleans ‘clean clothes’. Work clothes with any amount of ground in, well, break out the bucket and scrub brush. I don’t care for dryers, but since bad weather seems to follow you around, a good idea, as this week, it’s been damp all day and night, not good for drying clothes out.

Electrical appliances are tough to judge, either many are not made good, or not made well for the inconsistent electric here, via power surges, and the surge protectors are sh*t. I plug in the electric, and my printer lights up, doesn’t turn on, but lights up, then off. And it has 2 surge protectors on it. Go figure. I only use them, because they are better extension cord, as everything else has crapped out.

Ok, enough of that. My list of appliances, ones that I really like and have stood the test of time and use. Others still working as expected, and couple good, but not past the test of time yet, and of course, the sh*t.

Passed the test of time, and good product:

Fasa Exxel water pressure washer

Quik Fire SS Deluxe BBQ grill

Makita power tools, (not a Crap & Decker fan)

Sharp & Mitsubishi AC’s

Pure water filter, countertop, 2 cylinder (long lasting inexpensive filter replacement charcoal/ceramic 0.3)

JVC DVD/Stereo, 7 speakers, heavy bass

JVC 25” TV

Panasonic DVD player, 5 disc enty level

Whirlpool frig, important thing with frigs, is the Frigidaire compressor. Industry provider of excellent internal parts/compressor.

Hitachi, sm frig, no defrosting, defrost 2 year, lot of use, as in open/shut door. Beverage frig.

Philips rice maker

Samsung washer, entry level, good, lasting, see above. More a water mover, same agitation/movement as go go girls at Wolverines , not much.

Now the good, but still waiting to pass test of time.

Samsung LCD 32” 8000/1 TV, very nice, less than a year. Pakwala has same I believe, and much longer. TV that is .

Hatari fans, Troy fan (clone of Imaflex, but still working as Imaflex made the sh*t list)

Aiko, hot sandwich maker

Philips ‘cucina’ fancy hot sandwich maker/waffle/steak grill w/interchangeable grill surfaces. Very nice, but not used much, so waiting.

Kashiwa toaster, ok, thermostat iffy, have to set low and push twice, so not to burn.

Emma 2 burner gas cooker, one burner just starting to show signs of clogging a bit, but will confess not using cleaning function.

Now the SH*T, either junk, or didn’t pass test of time.

Sharp microwave, still works, but door contact faulty, needs bbq skewer to press contact to work, don’t use much, too cheap to replace . Reheat only.

Otto counter top oven, hot air fan type, worked very nice, failed test of time.

Imaflex fan, junk.

LG DVD player, entry level, serviced a couple times, still junk.

Philips toaster, junk.

Electrolux, guaranteed for life, 2 burner gas tabletop, junk

One item, jury is out. Mazuma water heater, old house, still going strong, works well. New one, catastrophic, possible fatal failure. Sent for repair/replace. Maybe a one off.

Many items were bought and crapped out very fast. Some name brand, some no name and no surprise. Keep your warranty and receipt information close . Big C and Tesco/lotus will refund or credit, but like pulling teeth.

HP computer fan, though everything bought in USA, int’l warranty, and service shop in town. Though after warranty expires, expensive to repair via HP.

Good luck shopping.

[saint]

man youve got some stuff !!!!!!! hope no burglars are reading this thread !!!!

[BKKSTAN]

I just can't find his house and now he has moved

[Guns482]

My list of appliances, ones that I really like and have stood the test of time and use.

Are going into competition with Phillips

[papaguido]

Toshiba washer and Electrolux dryer. Waiting for the washer to crap out and then going for a front loader for same reasons Arjay stated above. Also, read some where that front loaders were more efficient. In comparison with the Japanese models here and the US (such as Stan's Whirlpool) the US models are larger capacity.