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Daddy_Tablecloth t1_iv6h7qx wrote

For the vacuum its a matter of budget. A used commercial vacuum is generally worth it pending price. At least if it breaks you can get parts for a little bit as they generally make the same models for a few years.

Alternatively I have bought what id call very simple no frills somewhat inexpensive vacuums for the last two ive had. If you go for one that is simple and easy to take apart and clean thats a good step in the right direction.
Dont get the auto retractable wire as its less reliable also. I bought a 70 dollar name brand vac 6 years ago and its still going strong. Mostly because its easy to maintain and cheap to fix if it does break which it hasn't yet.

Dryer i have is the model you have a stereotype picture of in your head because its been made for so long by so many sub brands its just ultra common. The parts all are real cheap other than the control board. Gas valves and ignitor are both like ten dollar parts. Ill find the current model its being sold as and link you later.

Same w the washer. Basic top loader. No frills , no fancy display just knobs for controls. The more basic you go the more reliable it tends to be. All those fancy bells and whistles are nice until they fail.

Both washer and dryer are over ten years old. If i had to guess closer to 20 yo.

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5spd4wd t1_iv6j3dr wrote

>"Same w the washer. Basic top loader. No frills , no fancy display just knobs for controls. The more basic you go the more reliable it tends to be. All those fancy bells and whistles are nice until they fail."
>
>100% truth. Well said.

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Daddy_Tablecloth t1_iv6oj9e wrote

I dont do it for a living but help friends and family out. The last few other people's washers or appliances ive worked on had something silly break and the sheer cost of replacement wasn't worth it. They both ended up buying new machines.
I do engineering for a living. I always try to design things as simple and reliable as possible because I am aware of how often poor design is the cause of an item or brand getting a bad rep. Also the saying that all moving parts eventually fail is absolutely true so minimize things that can wear out or make them beefy as hell so they at least make it awhile before breaking.

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5spd4wd t1_iv6q58d wrote

The older appliances are easier and cheaper to repair. Of course, "older" means different things to different people. To me "older" in trems of large appliances means made in the 2000s or earlier. People will think "oh, that's too old, I need something much newer" and my thought is "why"? If it still works well why not use it?

Right now there is is an awesome Whirpool washer & matching electric dryer set on my local Facebook Marletplace for $450. An upscale top-loading washer and a dryer with a door that drops down from the center (important!) Lots of dials & settings which means a deluxe model. If had room to store them I'd buy them myself, I just don't need either one right now.

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Daddy_Tablecloth t1_iv88xb0 wrote

I guess I should have been more clear. Its more about simplicity than anything else. The older stuff is def simpler for sure though.

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