Washing machine info

iheartloonisland · 08-02-2015, 01:42 PM

We are needing to purchase a new washing machine for our island property. The machine will obviously spend the winter in unheated space. Looking for recommendations for brands, features, things to avoid, etc. I have researched winterization techniques, with most recommending using RV antifreeze. Do you have other recommendations?

LSBA Joker · 08-02-2015, 08:36 PM

On the mainland, but similar situation as our machine is left in an unheated area for the off-season. I actually run non-tox thru my entire water system including enough thru both hot and cold water lines to completely purge intake side as well as the pump and drain trap of water. In the spring, I let the tub fill with a few gallons of water and set the dial to spin/drain. Good to go for all those beach towels!
This for an older Kenmore top loader. Good luck.

ursa minor · 08-04-2015, 07:40 PM

We're islanders too, very familiar with this. We use a wet / dry vac to pull as much of the residual water out of the pump section and compressed air on the pressure side. Switch the hot / cold temp control a few times while blowing it out to get both the hot and cold sides of the water solenoid valve. Final step is pouring some RV anti freeze down the hoses (flip the temp control a couple more times) and then roughly a half gallon into the tub to dilute any remaining water in the pump. Only takes 5 to 10 minutes. (Not including horsing the shop vac and compressor around...)

Wait, why are we talking about this??? It's still summa!

Happy Gourmand · 08-05-2015, 07:32 AM

I disconnect the supply lines and drain them. Then I disconnect the drain line and empty it in a dishpan. I pour RV antifreeze in the tub till I see it come through the drain line. I leave the supply lines disconnected but put the drain hose back in the drain. Never had a problem when I reconnect the supply lines in the spring and run a short cycle to clear out the antifreeze from the tub and pump.

Orion · 08-05-2015, 07:59 AM

Don't forget to put RV antifreeze in the washer drain pipe trap. We've been using a Maytag Neptune for 13 years and just drain it per mfr instructions each year. No problem yet. I also add some RV antifreeze to the tub and run it through a fill and drain cycle with hoses disconnected as others have said.

iheartloonisland · 08-05-2015, 12:56 PM

And I do know it is only early August! At least 8 weeks more of this glorious weather which is such a relief from the steamy Southeast.

songkrai · 08-06-2015, 07:14 PM

Your choices are basically

Whirlpool and all of it's sub brands such as Amana, Maytag and some Sears.

and

General Electric - GE and Hotpoint. And I think GE appliances was sold to Electrolux.

Then the Korean brands, German brands, etc.

08-02-2015, 01:42 PM	#1
iheartloonisland Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 7 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	Washing machine info We are needing to purchase a new washing machine for our island property. The machine will obviously spend the winter in unheated space. Looking for recommendations for brands, features, things to avoid, etc. I have researched winterization techniques, with most recommending using RV antifreeze. Do you have other recommendations?

08-02-2015, 08:36 PM	#2
LSBA Joker Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Meredith and SE Mass Posts: 56 Thanks: 7 Thanked 4 Times in 2 Posts	winterizing washer machine On the mainland, but similar situation as our machine is left in an unheated area for the off-season. I actually run non-tox thru my entire water system including enough thru both hot and cold water lines to completely purge intake side as well as the pump and drain trap of water. In the spring, I let the tub fill with a few gallons of water and set the dial to spin/drain. Good to go for all those beach towels! This for an older Kenmore top loader. Good luck.

08-04-2015, 07:40 PM	#3
ursa minor Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Tuftonborough & Franklin MA Posts: 265 Thanks: 99 Thanked 143 Times in 64 Posts	We're islanders too, very familiar with this. We use a wet / dry vac to pull as much of the residual water out of the pump section and compressed air on the pressure side. Switch the hot / cold temp control a few times while blowing it out to get both the hot and cold sides of the water solenoid valve. Final step is pouring some RV anti freeze down the hoses (flip the temp control a couple more times) and then roughly a half gallon into the tub to dilute any remaining water in the pump. Only takes 5 to 10 minutes. (Not including horsing the shop vac and compressor around...) Wait, why are we talking about this??? It's still summa! __________________ " Any day with a boat ride in it is a good day"

08-05-2015, 07:59 AM	#5
Orion Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Cow Island Posts: 914 Thanks: 602 Thanked 193 Times in 91 Posts	easy to forget Don't forget to put RV antifreeze in the washer drain pipe trap. We've been using a Maytag Neptune for 13 years and just drain it per mfr instructions each year. No problem yet. I also add some RV antifreeze to the tub and run it through a fill and drain cycle with hoses disconnected as others have said.

08-05-2015, 12:56 PM	#6
iheartloonisland Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 7 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	thanks for replies! And I do know it is only early August! At least 8 weeks more of this glorious weather which is such a relief from the steamy Southeast.

08-05-2015, 07:32 AM	#4
Happy Gourmand Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Ruskin FL Posts: 1,027 Thanks: 188 Thanked 322 Times in 179 Posts	I disconnect the supply lines and drain them. Then I disconnect the drain line and empty it in a dishpan. I pour RV antifreeze in the tub till I see it come through the drain line. I leave the supply lines disconnected but put the drain hose back in the drain. Never had a problem when I reconnect the supply lines in the spring and run a short cycle to clear out the antifreeze from the tub and pump.

08-06-2015, 07:14 PM	#7
songkrai Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 732 Thanks: 35 Thanked 147 Times in 99 Posts	Your choices are basically Whirlpool and all of it's sub brands such as Amana, Maytag and some Sears. and General Electric - GE and Hotpoint. And I think GE appliances was sold to Electrolux. Then the Korean brands, German brands, etc.