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Well my temporary purchase of a Baumatic BOL machine is really starting to annoy me, it has decided to only do two rinses on the cotton cycles and as these only fill the drum up with about 3ins of water its not much use. I have to reset the machine for extra rinses ( 3 rinses, no intermediate spin and 800 final spin ) and then reset for another final spin ( default at 800 for some reason ). Laundry is ( god strike me down! ) becoming a chore!! BTW all other programmes only do two rinses as well, apart the baby cycle which does 4 warm rinses but is no use for coloured or dark clothes as it washes at 50 deg.

Anyway, I am in the process of looking for a new machine.....and Iam driving myself crazy! It has to be something that will keep me amused for years to come because I don't think my partner could stand me grumping about another machine!!

Ideally I would love a miele but the model I want is 64cm deep and would stick out too much. Iam considering the 1600 spin zanussi essential or Jetsystem.......or an LG 1200 as we had one in our last house and I loved using it.

My questions are, really, does a Jetsystem make that much differance to the wash?

Does anyone have experiance of Smeg washing machines?

Does anyone have any other suggestions for a quiet ( we have open plan kitchen / living space ) machines that don't cost the earth but are sturdy and have interesting wash options that I will not get bored of?

I know its a tall order guys but please help me not to get sectioned trying to decide!!

( BTW my partner wants an Indesit Moon...have told him as a second machine maybe but as a daily driver over my dead body....I like wasting hours watching my washing get clean!)
 
Hey

I would get a miele if you could afford one, I have a zanussi Jetsystem and its nearly 7 years old (2001) in october, its an XC model, it washes things really well and its fun to watch and it hasn't broken down as of yet.
 
The Jetsystem

Hi Paul

I can definately recommend the Jetsystem. I'm not sure if the Jetsystem does make any real difference but it does seem to help and the wash is fantastic! You can also add extra rinses and the levels aren't too low. I love this machine because

It's fun with so many different programs

It's very quiet, look at the vid, that's a 1600 spin

It has a nice big drum

Of course we can all be unlucky but this does seem to work really well for me. I would have liked the Miele too but this was £340, add £500 to that for the equivilent in Miele!

All the best and good luck

Rob

 
Thanks for the advice guys. I would love a Miele but they are too deep and would stick out too far into the kitchen. I think Iam probably going to go with the Zanussi Essential 1600 as cost is also an issue. Won't be getting it for another few weeks anyway as my partner and I are having a civil partnership so will have to wait until that is past. A least it gives me more time to trawl the internet and visit the electrical retailers ( yeah!!!! ). Will keep you all posted.
 
Oh Paul, you and I are so in the same boat! Even down to the partner starting to get grumpy about procrastination.

Unfortunately, since last week when I last posted, my tumble dryer has also gone which makes it even more complicated as I want to buy a matching set!

I had decided on the Zanussi Esssential 1600 ZWF16281, but unfortunatley it is out of stock with the manufacturer until 26 September which is too long to wait. The other 1600 - ZWF16581 - the one which Rob has - is still available and is a great choice but I'm not keen on `jetsystem' personally so probably won't choose this one. Any other Zannussi 1600 you have will be a brush motor model and although probably a decent machine will make a dickens of a racket at top speed,I'll bet. So probably not a great idea if you want quiet.

The other issue with Zanussi for me is that I need a vented dryer to match and only the current condensor dryers match the washers.

So, let me give you my short list...in order of probability....

1) I recently used a brand new Bosch Classixx washer and dryer on holiday and just loved them both ....so I'll probably get these.

2) There is a `fully loaded', great value Electrolux `Inspire' dryer on the market for about £230. I think is the best value dryer around right now and has nothing but good consumer reviews, Which were impressed etc etc.... I may get that with the Electrolux `Inspire' 16581 (1600 invertor) to match. The washer can be around for around £380 I think but I have no experience of this range of machines so it would be a bit of a gamble. I don't like the look of the washing machine either but I'm trying not to be swayed by that.

3) The Zanusi 16581 and `matching' TOL vented dryer which doesn't really match at all. Infact the Zanussi 16581 and Electrolux dryer is no worse of a match and may be a nice set to have. They're the same make really anyway, both say `Electrolux' on them and they have the same dial, silver buttons.....

So you're thinking of an LG? I'm selling my LG 1200 on Ebay. Link is below, incase you might be interested. Will be quite frank with you about what I like about it and what I don't like, why I'm selling it etc if you'd like to know.

Good luck with the decision!

Oh, BTW, I had an integrated SMEG in 2003 badged as Hotpoint and loathed it. I am very hard to please with washers though as I guess most of us on this site are.

Cheers

Nick
 
Hello Bryan

I hope that you are keeping well.

I brought up the issue of the LG as OP said he was considering buying one. Of course I will describe what I like and what I don't like about the LG 8kg/4kg washer dryer. I wonder if your experience compares to mine, and if you are happy with yours or not?

OK..

LIKE

- Fairly quiet motor
- The dryer part of the `washer dryer' is superb, I have never liked any washer dryers previously. However, the laundry does still come out smelling like burning rubber - AFAIK all washer dryers do this because of the door seal?
- You cannot get this machine to sudslock. It is SUPERB about spinning off a shedload of suds.
- The spin cycle is very efficient and it is a smooth machine

DON'T LIKE (in order)

(1) Very fussy about balancing. The first time I used it I nearly wept. I ran a 40 degrees synthetics cycle with a mattress protector. Admittedly a tough load to balance, but the old Zanussi would have coped fine. Anyway, the wash portion took 20 minutes, it then took 40 minutes trying to balance for spin then aborted and went to rinse. I just thought `This ain't gonna work out!' When it does balance, often if the load is slightly off centre you hear `chuga chuga' from the suspension as it starts to spin and sometimes it knocks. I am reduced to using `no spin' for most cycles to save time, and then just resetting for a spin afterwards. Therefore I have to use Rinse + (or even Rinse ++ LOL) as the spin rinses are omitted.

(2) If you use tablets or powder via the dispenser drawer they are not washed down toroughly and sometimes when you open the drawer bits of detergent mixed with water cascade down the front of the machine - really annoying. The old Persil tablets (dosed via the net) get stuck on the door seal in this machine. So detergent choice (if you're a perfectionist like me) is limited. Not that I'm too bothered about Persil non bio tabs any more BTW, they changed the scent and I think the new scent is vile. Smells like musty old cupboards.

(3) It has a sort of recirculating system like a jetsystem, but it uses the main drain pump to achieve this, I think it just spins it the other way. It cycles on and off (every 10 seconds or so) throughout the cycle and the noise constantly going on and off drives me insane.

(4) You never see any water. Not on any cycle. Only on a cottons boil (95) wash does the water come above the door rim for about 1 minute, to cool the wash water before it drains. I believe this is so as not to crack plastic drainage pipework

(5)The quick wash is rubbish and even though you can supposedly select 40, sometimes the machine just ignores you and washes cold.

(6) The cottons rinsing is rubbish to the extent that I never ever use the cottons cycle. IT uses less water to rinse than it does to wash. Sometimes the water doesn't come through the tub perforations at the bottom, there is literally enough to soak the clothes and work the spray thing. Grr. So when the pump comes on after a rinse it is literally sucking air after about three seconds, you just hear one `glug' of water go down the sink.

(7) It doesn't have a 50 wash

(8)Sometimes it looks like it struggles to turn (though I've seen other LGs do this so I don't think mine is at fault) and makes a horrid sort of metallic noise. It also frequently sort of `whines' as it tumbles as if something is rubbing. Again, I have seen other LGs do this and I think it's a characteristic, I just don't like it.

(9)I just don't like the fact that it's a washer dryer, I'm gonna get seperates.

(9) I like appliances to be matching and wouldn't buy other LG products for the kitchen. I don't think you can even get an LG dryer.

(10) I can't turn off that bloody cuckoo thing at the end of the cycle, and if there is a no spin condition the cuckoo bleeps at double speed and it just makes me want to stick my head in the blender.

(11) I have found LG service to be extremely rude, poor and unhelpul. They are not a company, at least in this part of the UK, that I want to have to deal with again. I needed to deal with them as the blue flap over the FS compartment was delivered faulty, so the drawer just pulled right out. They said this was `cosmetic damage' and refused to help or send someone. I had to fix it myself.

I could go on... but I think it's fair to say my LG experience has not been positive and I'm ready to move on.

Take care all

Nick

Sorry if this post is poorly written, I'm trying to get two children ready for a day out and haven't time to check it. I'm also waiting for the LG to spin the bath mats so we could be a while. Who says guys can't multi-task ;-)
 
Hi all

Paul - Please be aware that the Zanussi may stick out, you might want to check this first, they are quite deep.

Nick - Remember that the Inspire is also Jetsystem, only it goes by another name. Also the Zanussi and I imagine Inspire have a beep at the end. Reevoo customers have moaned about this. I must admit, I too think the Inspire's have an ugliness about them. I personally think the Bosch may be for you as you've already tried and tested it!

LG - My nan has similar problems with balancing on her LG. She used to have a square door Bendix from 82ish so the fussy overlong programes of the LG get on her nerves.

It appears the makes for over long balancing are

Samsung - Apparently awful
Merloni/Indesit Co - Darren will testify
LG

Here is some details, starting with the Essential

 
Nick long time no speak!,
The LG sounds particularly similar to the samsung i had. A waste of material and a hinderence on my hobby! The only thing was mine had senstive programmes so i never used the standard cycles it would fill 3 inches up the door for the rinse without tumbling but it would not refill throughout the rinse even if it was really absorbant!!!

Not to mention 20minutes to balance a full load for every ****ing spin. I hated that machine, shame cause i loved the look of it.

The one thing i DID like was the paddles as they were angled and had a great rain action that really did pour alot of water out of them!

Think your best off without your LG! lol!

The current bosches! are good! I've used my bros classix 1200rpm, he got it a couple of years ago when they first came out! It was between that and the zanussi ZWF1621.

I always use aqua plus on it when i use it, so you get 5 seal level rinses on cottons! with fast interms. the wash action is good, the programmes are really reasonable! The only thing is the motor is a little whiney, especially on spin! Good choice though!

I personally like the Electrolux machines, before i recently left my trainee manager postion at euronics, i plugged the TOL insight model in and ran it on a spin! It was lovely and quiet and their was plenty of power in the motor, just like Robs new zanussi....speaking of which!

Hey Rob! Hope your well matey! Love your new zanussi, i can't wait to see some wash and rinse action from it when you get chance! I would recommend the zanussi's, the only thing with the more basic ones is they are just that, no countdown which is a bit annoying, no progress indicators which is reeeally annoying. Apart from that thought they're great!

Hmmm Yes don't get me started on my hotpoint!! I've been making my way through our babie boys clothes and blankets ready for his arrival, i did a jam packed 7kg load of blankets and with the pathetic "redistribution" it does it kept bundling everything up! Real pain. Its making a bloody racket though, Hopefully Mr Hotpoint will condem it on weds!

I've got the week off to go round washer shops and play with my collection:D

Hope everyones well:)

Darren
 
Nick

Well you have convinced me against the LG! I had one a few years ago when they first brought out the DD system and loved it but it didn't have the jet feature. I had wondered if that is why its now stated to be 54 decibels when washing, the same as some of the brush motor Zanussi's.

Rob, the Zanussi should be ok depth wise, anything over 60cm deep would stick out too much.I do quite like the Electrolux machines, they had a TOL Time manager 8kg machine in comet last week for £286, discontinued model, also a discontinued miele for £430 but I was totally skint!!! GRR. Went back on pay day and both machines had gone.

Darren, you have my sympathies re: the Hotpoint. I had an Aquarius 1400 washer dryer and it was awful. So poorly made, the cabinet had dented whilst i was pushing it into place after cleaning one day, it was noisy as all hell and as for the balancing!!! Well you will know what I mean!
 
Hello

About LG's, yeah but the machine which my gran has seems to balance in the first two attempts unless you've put one item like a towel etc it will need 5 to 6 attempts but it's always quick, and by the way the lg in the pic which robm gave is not direct drive.
 
Nick,

I can see why you are frustrated with your machine! I didn't realize it was a washer/dryer combo. I don't think I could go for one of those.

I have had my LG's for a couple of years now, and have been very happy with them. When I first bought them, my plan was to pair the stacked LG washer and dryer next to the Fisher & Paykel washer and have both washers hooked up at the same time. I never bothered to hook up the F&P, however, because I didn't believe that the drain pipe could handle both machines at the same time, since it is rather small. Just today, however, I finally brought the F&P in from the garage and was able to hook both machines up to work at the same time! I'm doing a load of whites in the LG and a load of towels in the F&P while I write this.

Here is what I like and dislike about the LG washer:

LIKES:

1. Large Capacity. This machine will hold quite a lot, and actually get them clean at the same time.

2. Excellent cleaning. I am very pleased with the performance of this machine. My whites always come out very white, and there is rarely a stain I can't shift with this machine along with high quality detergent!

3. Sanitary cycle. As you know, not all machines here in the US come with an internal heater. This machine does, and it works very well.

4. Style. It looks great in my utility room, which is adjacent to the kitchen (it's really almost a part of the kitchen, so it needs to look nice).

5. Recirculation. This option is not found on many front-loaders in the US, and I feel it improves cleaning performance. (Though I wish it were more like the one you had on the old Zanussi).

DISLIKES:

1. Heater. It only comes on during the sanitary cycle, or when the "Stain" feature is selected. Therefore the only temperature I can get is hot, or very hot when the heater is used. It does not work on warm temperatures, nor does it do a profile wash unless you want a hot water wash.

2. Low water level. Though it seems to rinse okay, the water level is very low unless I use the Permanent Press or Delicate cycles. Even with the Water Plus option, the water level is not very high at all on the Sanitary or Cottons cycle.

3. Price. Looking back, I could have purchased a Miele 1215 pair for about the same price, which I'm sure I would have enjoyed much more.

All in all, I'm very happy with my purchase and I wouldn't trade them in for a while. Though I would love to find an old Miele (220V), the size of these machines fit my utility room better than the Miele's would.

Now that the F&P is hooked up again, it's like having the best of both worlds! After some comparison cleaning, I do believe that the LG FL cleans much better than the F&P top loader, though the clothes come out much softer in the F&P after only 2 rinses than they do in the LG with four. I suppose when used at the same time, though, I've got a great laundry room!

BTW, which detergent do you prefer now that Persil Non-Bio tablets have gone bad?

Bryan
 
N

nickuk

Well-known member
Joined
Sep 15, 2005
Messages
629
Location
chelmsford UK
Hi Bryan, I'm pleased with your machines and it looks like LG in the US are basically different machines to the UK ones from your description, unless I just got a lemon.

Re: Detergent...I did a test a few months ago with tablet detergents which is my preferred format. I tried 4 detergents....

(1) Ariel Bio Liquid Capsules
(2) Ariel Bio Tablets
(3) Persil Bio Gel Tabs
(4) Tesco Bio 2 in 1 Tabs.

I tried (1) because Which? rated it No1 `tablet or capsule' detergent. It didn't perform well enough on the range of stains my children throw out due to the lack of bleach. But it is good as a liquid and has a nice scent IMO.

Number (2) came second in the Which Tests. My own testing provd that I think this is a pretty average detergent. It doesn't rinse clean and the `white sock' test ( (c) Lavamat Jon) was a little disappointing.

Number (3) cleaned well and performed brilliantly on the `white sock' test. But I find them slow to disolve and have had enough of using the dosing net, scooping it off the door seal mid cycle etc.

Number (4) was the suprise winner! When hanging out the white not only was I amazed at the `white sock' test, but nearly tripped over my basket when I noticed that it had also removed months worth of yellow suntain stains from Luke's vests. Same cycle, same variables....

I didn't actually want this one to be the winner. I'm not unspired by the scent, but I couldn't argue with the results. Furthermore it is about half the price of branded stuff. It is dosed via the drawer. It clean rinses. It leaves things a little softer than with regular detergent but I throw in some Surcare softener if I need antistatic. This is entirely phophated detergent, there are no zeolites at all. This detergent is no longer made by McBride as most store detergents traditionally were. It's made by Persan in Spain who apparently (I don't know much about it) make the premium detergent in Spain. This is obviously a budget version, but it seems it has some of the good stuff in! There are three scents. The yellow sunshine one is a lemon scent, uses about 100 fake perfumes to achieve this and though I like it, find it a little sneezy. The blue `ocean clear' only uses three synthetic scents and while not being all that great, thankfully doesn't last and blows away on the line. So prefer this. Haven't tried the third scent `Lavender' yet.

Leafing through some washer instruction booklets recently, I am fascinated to note that manufacturers such as Hoover are saying `Cloudy final rinse water is not an indicator of poor rinsing' and same re `specks left on dark clothing'....I can't help but wonder if zeolites are the culprit.

So that's where I am with detergents right now.

Anyway, once again I've hijacked the thread, so back to Paul C and the new washing machine dilemma!

I am now considering buying a nearly new Bosch Classix from ebay.....

Nick
 
Trawl

Well, I have been trawling appliance sites one the net, watching loads of youtube vids of washing machines and I think I might go for an Aqualtis. Sainsburys online have the 1200 spin model for £289. I actually prefer the styling to the Zanussi ( would look nicer in the kitchen ).
 
Aqualtis

Having spoken with my repairman when he was round on wednesday, the only major issue with the aqualtis is if their is a motor fault it blows the module, and he'd only encountered one with knackered bearings. The only thing i will say is the Out of balance sensor may drive you to destraction.

Me. I want to get rid of my current hotpoint and get a WM hotpoint. Or something along those lines.

Darren
 
Hi Paul

Well, I guess you may have seem my Aqualtis and Zanussi vids (plug, plug, plug LOL)!

I have no issues with the Aqualtis, other than, the pump can vibrate (but they may have repaired this), it does have a rather fussy out of balance and lastly the 1200 does not tell you how long it has to go until the end of the program.

On the plus side, it's fairly stable, has a great look and some interesting programs, is quiet and does take a large load (bigger than the Zanussi). It is also cheap compared to some of it's rivals, namely Hoover.

Having had the Zanussi, I prefer it, but then it's early days. The Zanussi has a much better distribution and isn't too fussy. But then the Aqualtis opens the door as soon as you stop it (Zanussi waits and has an annoying buzz at the end).

Let me know what you decide and the best of luck.

Rob
 

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