Need recommendations for dishwashwer, washer/dryer, and shelving

[Annabel Lee]

I've got some appliances that are about to kick the bucket but before I shop, I'd like to get your recommendations for a good dishwasher, washer & dryer, and shelves.

 

My current dishwasher takes almost 4 hours to run one cycle, and it doesn't clean anything off the dishes - I have to scrub them first and then the dishwasher is basically just a sanitizer. I don't want those problems in a new one; I want it to be fast, even on the "pots & pans/heavy" setting. Quietness & energy efficiency are important, but they are a close second to cycle time.

 

I'd also like a large capacity washing machine that doesn't take forever and handles everything from hand wash to heavily soiled. The dryer needs to dry the clothes in a timely manner with the usual options of air, low, or high temp drying. Really, time efficiency is the biggie for me.

 

I have had the hardest time finding decent bookshelves (for the paper kind of books that you read - I find it funny to have to clarify that). I need solid, heavy-duty wood bookcases that will hold a lot of weight on each shelf (as in shelves full of encyclopedias and then some). My current bookcases are made of press-board (or particle board, or Sauder) and are bowing badly, and I worry that they'll break and hurt someone. Where do people buy good bookshelves?

 

TIA!

[LaxMom]

We've had our LG washer and dryer for 8 or 9 years now and I love them. The washer does everything from hand wash to sanitize, and the dryer does the same (air fluff to sanitize).

 

I can't help with the others. Our dishwasher is... meh. (Whirlpool) And our bookshelves are built in.

[gardenmom5]

I"ll second the LG front load washer/dryer. they're rated well, and I really like them. (and Ilove that I can wash down and it comes out like new.)

[Ellie]

I have a mid-line Whirlpool dishwasher that's about eight years old. Love.it. I will always have a Whirlpool dishwasher. I had one in my previous kitchen in California, as well. No problems of any kind with either one. FTR, I always, always use Amway's auto dishwash detergent.

[lifesadream83]

I have had the Kenmore He4t kingsize washer and dryer since January 2005. In the last year it has had to have the tumbler replaced but I have a warranty on all my appliances through our electric company. We also have Whirlpool appliances in our kitchen. Our dishwasher is amazing. I wish I could give the specs of exactly which ones I have but right now they are all in our house in MD that is rented out at the moment. I would not even dare to advise you to get what we have here in this supposedly "luxury apt" because it is anything but. We did purchase a Cabrio washer and dryer for the apartment... I will advise you to stay away from them... While the dryer is great (although it has a steam setting we cannot use because when we hooked up the water supply to it we could not keep it from leaking everywhere) the washer shreds things and doesn't wash as well as my Kenmores. Needless to say I cannot wait to move back home in 2014! Good Luck!

[KungFuPanda]

When I was looking at dishwashers a few years ago, it seemed to me that the new energy standards translated to '"all dishwashers now that an entire year to cycle.". I got a cheap Amana, but I'd hesitate to recommend it. The dishes do get clean, but even the quick cycle takes forever, it sounds like a jet engine, and it doesn't dry as well as the ancient Kitchenaid I killed.

 

I DO have a new Speedqueen top loading washer that I'm IN LOVE with :-) It has a 3 year warranty and NO electronic components.

 

For bookcases, I just have Ikea stuff. I cram them full of heavy hardbacks and they're not bowing yet. Ive had some for 5 years. My sister takes it a step further and puts wood on the back of hers.