Why is a laundry machine that you can't open midway, more advanced that the one you can?

It is a safety mechanism.

Only because it is a front loader. If it remained top loading, it wouldn’t have been a concern.

I agreer. I don’t get the advantage of front loaders or why they make them so big now!

Front loaders use less water, but if you open them mid-cycle, soapy water might spill out.

Front-load washers aren’t more advanced than the top-loaders. They are just different. The more current versions of each will more likely be more energy efficient than the older models.

You have already mentioned many of the advantages of the top-loaders. Some of the ones for front-loaders are:
* They do tend to use less water, but it will depend upon the size. Some of the FL are massive compared to the TL used in some housing with very limited space.

* FL can easily fit under a counter. In England, they are commonly installed in kitchens. Dryers are uncommon.

* Some of the FL washers have a dual option where it has a dryer setting as well. TL are not equipped to do this.

I have a new top-loading machine and you can’t open it once it starts it’s cycle. You have to actually stop the cycle and then it unlocks. Since there is no agitator in the machine, I’m not sure why I can’t open it to drop more washing in or whatever. I invariably find another top, sock, pair of undies or something that should be in that load after I’ve started the dratted thing.

Have you ever been tempted to stick your hand into a top loader while it was on spin? These new, advanced front loaders are designed to prevent you from getting a Darwin award.

No, I haven’t ever been tempted to stick my hand in on the spin cycle and I’ve been using washing machines for over 40 years. I can quite see the lid lock being instigated during the spin cycle, but from the moment the washing machine starts to fill is overkill.

@RocketGuy of course it would spill out because it is designed that way, the question is why?
@Pied_Pfeffer Those features ( fits under a counter, dual option dryer too, uses less water) can be added to the top loader kind right?
@Earthbound_Misfit I agree with you completely.
@RocketGuy I mean if I we go by that logic, sticking the hands in there will be no end people stick themselves in the street and get run over and all kinds of things.

And by the way don’t the top loaders stop the activity (even the spin cycle) when you open them? The ones I used do anyway.

Well, to answer one of your questions, you couldn’t really fit a top loader under a counter now could you?

@Flo. Mine now locks from as soon as it starts and you have to stop the cycle to drop a pair of undies in (or whatever). I’ve not tried to open it during the spin cycle but yes, that used to happen with the old twin-tubs didn’t it. You opened the lid while the spin cycle was happening and it stopped. Although, in fairness to @RocketGuy, it would still be pretty dangerous to stick your hand in there while it was slowing down. I do take his point about idiots and the spin cycle.

Hey @flo, imagine that you had a washing machine in your kitchen (like a dishwasher, if you have one). How would one open a top-load washing machine in that scenario? As for a clothes dryer that is top-load, it may be feasible…I just have never seen one.

Front-load washers and dryers allow clothes to tumble about freely, versus the agitation process used in top-load washers.

@RocketGuy and @Earthbound_Misfit The solution to the danger of hands sticking in the machine is to have the after version (the front loading) remain top loading, and have it stop as soon as it’s opened i.e no slowing down period.
@janbb and @Pied_Pfeffer For example, people who work at x, y, z go between behind the counter and in front of the counter by lifting part of the counter. In new constructions would keep that in mind, and old ones a handy man or handy woman can fix it easily.

@flo I understand what you are saying (I think). Imagine if you had to cut your kitchen counter op to form a portion that lifts up in order to access the top of the washer. It might work if the counter-top is made out of Formica. It wouldn’t if it is tiled (ours is) or marble. Plus, imagine all of the food prep bits falling down between the cracks.

Wouldn’t it just be simpler to purchase a front load instead?

@Pied_Pfeffer I understand about the tiled or marble counter, and the people who have no choice space-wise. But the food prep thing, I think the dweller would know about the crack and would avoid prepping food over the crack, or place something over it. I don’t see it as a problem to go with the front loader over.

Very few people in this country have washing machines that are under kitchen counters so it would seem to be a fairly nitpicky issue. However, if I did have to put one under a counter, I would certainly go with a front loader so as to not have to retrofit my kitchen or lift up a counter piece each time.

As an aside, the front loader has the thing for the detergent, bleach, etc. on top (the ones I know so I wonder does it nothave to be pulled out in order to put them in?

I would much prefer to go with a front load washer than to have two open splits in the counter top. And think about it – if the counter top flips up, then it’s awkward to grasp it and bring it back down once finished. If it flips up from one end and folds over to the other, then that means that there is an exposed hinge on one side that constantly needs to be worked around. It just doesn’t make logistical sense.

Our front loader has the drawer for detergent, conditioner, etc. on the front. The appropriate chemicals are released at the appropriate time based upon the cycle. I suspect that all of them do.

Our front loader has the drawer for detergent, conditioner, etc. on the front. That’s good

“How would one open a top-load washing machine in that scenario?”
”...you couldn’t really fit a top loader under a counter now could you?”

If a washing machine is going under a kitchen counter, then it needs to be a front load. It’s a simple as that. For those of us in that situation, we just learn to ensure that all pockets on clothes items are checked first and that all articles are placed in before the machine is started. Otherwise, it has to wait for the next load. I don’t consider this a burden.

Would it help if I shared a link of what some typical British kitchens look like? If so, here are some. $133,000 home, $150,000 home (the empty space next to the sink is for a dish washer, washing machine, and/or refrigerator, and one more at $150K.

In the US, I don’t think it’s too common to have a washing machine in the kitchen. I could be mistaken.

@jca, Here in the US, there was both a washer and dryer in the apts. I’ve rented in three different complexes. They were all in the kitchen area, all top-load. I would have preferred front end loaders and more counter-top space.

The only house I can think of where the w/d were in the kitchen was my sister and BIL’s 100+ year old farmhouse. I bet there are plenty of homes though that, while they may not be in the kitchen area, have front end machines that stack upon each other due to space limitations.

I wash my clothes in a nearby creek. It’s the original top loader.

@Pied_Pfeffer I was answering your question how a top loader could be under the counter. I answered that question. And you added to it, i.e that as long as the counter is made of Formica.

“If a washing machine is going under a kitchen counter, then it needs to be a front load.” No, see that’s just it, for you for sure, not for everyone. Some people prefer to pay less for the top loader (front loaders are overpriced as some have said, which I agree) and have all the freedom, options.

By the way why do I want a machine whose maker is telling me that something or other would be harmed/damaged by suds and that it is not compatible with other detergents, that the machine rinses better that the top loader? which is laughable and maybe more. I do not want.

And that is the beauty of options. We all can choose the style, size, color, features, price, etc. that meet our needs. With this said, I’m bowing out of the discussion.