Product review (4 stars): So far, so good
We got off to a bad start with this washer when it wouldn't even complete one load after it was installed. Then my husband read the manual and discovered that the delivery guys had installed the drain hose incorrectly and it was siphoning. We called them back to re-install and it has worked fine ever since. They said that this brand has a quirk to installing that part, so I would advise anyone buying this machine to pay close attention to that part of the installation to ensure proper functioning.

I've had the machine now for about 10 days and I've done about a dozen loads of various sizes, types, and soil levels. I've been using Nellie's detergent, which I love. That combined with this machine means my items have been really clean and I'm thrilled with it so far. Haven't had to run even one item through on a second pass yet. It's efficient, cleans the clothes beautifully, has lots of features, and looks sleek.

I got rid of our previous pair not because they were broken, but because the washer was really loud-- you could hear it in every corner of our 4,000 ft2 house when it was spinning. We have a baby on the way, so I realized nobody was ever going to sleep if we didn't get a new one. I have been absolutely thrilled with this F&P machine's low noise level. If I close the door to the laundry room, you can't hear a thing anywhere else in the house. A couple times I forgot that it was running, and was startled by the noise when I went into the laundry room for something during the cycle. Just what I was looking for!

A couple of things I don't love about the machine, but are not enough to keep me from recommending it are these. It has gotten off balance twice since I've had it-- once during a load of sheets and once during a load with the cushions from the dog beds-- bulky items. The machine stops (does not try to correct itself as some machines do) and sounds an alarm to get your attention to remedy the situation. I was upset about it at first, but then I read the manual and see that I could have loaded the items differently and selected a different cycle and maybe it wouldn't have happened, so I'm going to wait to try those items again to make my final judgment.

I also don't like the locking lid. I realize it's intended to keep children safe and I should appreciate that. But I frequently realize there is one more item I want to add and prefer to just be able to toss it in quickly. There is a pause button on this machine that will unlock the lid, but because of the dual tub design, you lose a little water every time you open it and it increases the cycle time also. I guess I'm going to have to learn to round up every wash item and get them all in there at the beginning.

So far so good with this machine. I have to wait to see what the long-term durability is like and if more problems arise with time, but I'm hoping I just love it more!