I never understood front-load anyways. Topload fails safe. Front load fails in a giant puddle all over your floor.
Also, after growing up with a top-loader, and having a front-loader at my current apartment, I'm amazed at how much water is used and wasted by a top-loader. It's like filling a damn bathtub.
By law, though, as GP mentioned? That surprises me, given my recent purchase...
> You should double check that there's not something wrong with it.
I'm 10000000% sure that the thing isn't designed to lock.
> When that thing spins to drain all of the water out, it moves dangerously fast.
Sure. We don't have any kids or pets, and it's in the basement where visitors have no reason to be. NBD, for us.
> I'm amazed at how much water is used and wasted by a top-loader
I'll definitely keep this in mind if I ever move to a water-poor region or a city with bad infrastructure debt.
Mildew. Having to leave it open so that the seals air out. Gravity - undefeated champion.
Replacement parts and repairs. Get ready to open up your wallet. Good luck working on anything yourself.
Source: owned a front-loader, several cheap "old school" top loaders, and a modern, High Efficiency top loader. The last one, is the best by far.
I enjoy being able to wash my blankets. When I had a front loader, it was impossible to get anything large clean, especially with how many fabrics here in America at least are all synthetic so water beads off rather than being adsorbed. The only way to clean cheap linen here is to completely immerse it in water.
If you're willing to live without a lock or spend a few bucks for new parts then you can keep your machine running perpetually but you basically have to buy an old or commercial unit for the availability of parts.
I can't think of more time-tested electrical components.
