A gorgeous new Whirlpool is coming my way!

[murando531]

Okay. Trying this again. When using the multiple uploads, the pictures look horribly grainy, even when clicking Full size. So I'll just do a handful individually.

First, LOVE the insulation on this thing. The padding is dense. I think the quilted texture looks quite nice, and may help with sound reduction? I'm not sure. But with all of this adhered padding, in addition to the blanket and the thick padding on the kick panel, it should be extremely quiet.

 

[murando531]

Super excited to have a cable and spring suspension for the door. Definitely nicer than the little rubber friction pads they use on the plastic tub models. My Maytag has those, and I already had to replace them once because they eventually break off.

 

[murando531]

Next, partial money shot, but I hadn't taken the packing and handle out yet. I don't think I got a picture of the interior as it's intended to be seen, but there will be plenty of time for that when the new one is here.

 

[murando531]

The new dispenser design. All TOL Maytags and KAs are using this new version as well. I've always liked the flip open design, but every manufacturer seems to be going with the sliding door. There is a rubber seal that can be felt under the cover, and you can see where the "top" of the cup is partially open for water to run down and collect to begin dissolving the contents. It definitely has a Bosch look to it, but it's growing on me. The prewash section can't be anymore than a tablespoon, but honestly I'm surprised new machines even have one with the push to use tablets and pacs. The Soak & Clean cycle instructions do say that adding prewash detergent will help though.

 

[murando531]

I like the sturdiness of the racks. The lower has the adjustable front rows, and the collapsing/tilting rear row for the TargetClean spray. I tested each of my large soup plates (?) and it allows them to stand up without tipping, which should be nice. I've never had adjustable racks in any machines I've owned so it should be fun to test them out.

*funny note: I was pushing down on the door just so the rack would sit level. Because the door was warped so badly, the rack would always derail off the side when pulled out.

 

[murando531]

Money shot of the tub bottom. There's something about the color blue they are using that is just gorgeous to me. Very clean and modern looking. And that wash arm is just fascinating to me. The holes do look bigger than I expected them to be. It's also quite heavy and balanced, which pleases me even more with regard to build quality.

I've had quite a change of heart over the past could of years for the removable filters. I mean, in all honesty, I've never been one to leave giant chunks of food on dishes in the first place. As long as I can load it to the brim with scraped but still filthy dishes, just as I do with the PowerClean and Voyager, and have clean dishes, I will be happy. I'm sure it will have no problem back flushing the filter, and compared to the early manuals for this design when it first came out, the instructions are that the filter only needs cleaning every 4 months or so if you scrape but don't rinse. That's a pretty decent indicator that they've worked out the kinks over the years.

 

[murando531]

Now for the under business.

The motor is larger than I expected, but unless mistaken I'm pretty sure it's shaded pole. Rated .9 amps. At least it's not the same drain pump style induction motor that the BOL models have. I have to keep an open mind about its power though. The BPM motors in the Oasis and in most TL/FL HE washers are slimline and compact, but they dish out some major torque for their size. Perhaps this motor will prove that size isn't everything.

I'm digging this chunk of concrete on the bottom. Their claim is that it helps absorb sound and vibration and it seems to add to the sturdiness of the pump assembly. Also note that almost the entire tub bottom has padding adhered to it.

 

[murando531]

[No message]

 

[murando531]

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[murando531]

And then this new style power connection box. Now there's a bolt close to the foot to unscrew, and then the whole box tilts out to give a little more flexibility when setting up the wiring.

 

[appnut]

Mine has the same detergent dispenser design.  I like this much better. 

 

[a440]

Sorry to hear about your damage!  That always is a huge let down when you have been waiting so long to get to use your new machine.

 

Looks like a very well made machine.  It looks as though the design and casing is made by Whirlpool.  Everything else appears to be made in China.   Are the Pumps, electronic boards, etc. made by "Whirlpool of China"?  If not I can't get over that 1/2 of these new "American" machines made by Whirlpool are parts from China.  It all puts a spin on "Made in America" to me. 

 

I hope your replacement will be perfect. 

 

 

[askolover]

Yeah I was just thinking about the Chinese aspect myself.  Looks good on the surface though!  I looked at an Elux at Lowes a while back and was surprised to see it was made in China.  I hope it holds up well for you Andrew.

 

[logixx]

Thanks for the detailed pictures! I must say American dishwashers sure look different externally than their European counterparts.

 

[mark_wpduet]

I wonder what will happen

to this beautiful machine when it gets returned to Whirlpool? I wonder if they just trash the entire thing, or use parts? Such a waste if they trash it....

Oh, and Andrew, I'm like that too. My dishes do not get rinsed at all, and sometimes they are in there 3 days before the machine is on. But I don't put a plate in there that has servings of food or whatever on it. Like if someone eats, and they clean their plate with basically nothing left on it but a dirty plate, that goes straight in....there may be a crumb on it, but if there is any food left, it gets scraped off, then loaded.

 

[johnb300m]

Very nice. It looks as sturdy and tank-like as the GE Profile dw I just got.
I will say, WP's legs and rear wheels look much better.
The GE's feet threads weren't even made straight so the legs are crooked. No wheels.
They both seem to use the same VERY thin poly drain hose.
Seems very easy to crack and leak over time >:-{
Like this, my GE has all Chinese motors, but the optic sensor, door latch and diverter seem to be NA or EU.
I do know that GE makes all the arms, racks, tubs, panels, themselves.
Possibly the same for WP.
But all the parts that all manufacturers see as "commodities" now, like boards, motors, switches, harnesses, tubes, etc, are all bought from vendors now.

It IS interesting at least, that the GE main pump is a custom design.
I hunted it down at Johnson Electric's website and they have no stock equivalent. (Yes, a Chinese firm with an "American Name, becoming popular to thwart their source)
I'd imagine WP does the same in order to customize flow and pressure.

All in all, can't wait to see your test runs.
And can't wait to share about the GE when I finally move in.

 

[appnut]

I've never used Normal.  I'll opt. for the Sensor Cycle as first choice and it does quite well making adjustments based upon soil sensed and ensuing results.  Based upon previous conversations with you, I doubt you would ever have anything needing the Heavy Cycle.  I've been impressed with how well the 1-Hour cycle cleans--even oatmeal that's had a bowl with remnants sitting in there for 24 hours.  It's a huge improvement over my old machine's 30 minute cycle.  Plus I can opt. for heated dry too. I use my dry cycle a lot more.  Usually during some point of the dry cycle it has a little fan that comes on and stays on for an hour after cycle completion.  I almost get giddy because it reminds me of old KAs and RR Maytags.  Even concave tops of mugs, cups, and glasses emerge bone dry. And what really blew me away was the big dimple on my 6 quart KA mixer's bowl bottom (when facing down) is bone dry.  Never happened on my old machine. 

 

[murando531]

The fan drying is the only thing I'm disappointed Whirlpool doesn't offer. There isn't a vent at all on this machine. There is a vent on the left side of the door but looking through it, there looks to be cables from what I can tell, so no way it's for carrying moist air from the tub. It won't be horribly missed though. Neither of my machines now have any sort of active venting, and I never use heated drying. I just prop the door open once the cycle is finished, and everything usually airs out over night.

I am eager to try the Sensor cycle on this though. And you're right, I doubt I'll need to use the Heavy cycle at all. Loads are typically fully packed and filthy, but nothing baked on. Usually just sauces and such that may be dried on for a few days.

I found it interesting looking at Reviewed.com's opinion on this machine. They judge its cleaning power by how well it removes cheese that has been burned to a concrete char, and while they gave this machine an "okay" on cleaning, they gave an Electrolux a raving review, and the picture of the bowl and remaining burnt cheese they showed were very similar. I myself never put anything in that has been scorched to a crisp. That's what a little hot water and soap and a little soaking is for. Despite reviews by them and Consumer Reports, user reviews seem to rave about it. There is even a blog run by a lady that wrote an entire article about hers and how she's amazed that there's no need to rinse anything.

Another thing that I find interesting is the lack of a top-rack or bottom-rack wash only option. As a matter of fact it's not available on any Whirlpool models, or on the comparable Kenmore Elites with the same PowerWave spray arm and such. I guess that has become a premium KitchenAid feature or something, who knows.

 

[appnut]

To my knowledge, mine is the first Kenmore Elite to offer both top rack and bottom rack only options. 

 

[mark_wpduet]

Appnut -

I'm guessing Auto clean on my Maytag is the sensor cycle? That's all I use and it works great. Mine doesn't have a vent either, which I found ODD because I thought dishwashers needed a vent. If my dishwasher had a fan, I would LOVE that..I've never EVER used a dishwasher that had a fan. I never use the drying cycle either, I just prop the door open and let them dry on their own which is pretty fast.....With heated dry, there is always water left in gaps so I just never bothered with that.