Advice from UK guys

[paulc]

Thanks Rob. Yeah I watched your Aqualtis and Zanussi videos and am pretty sure I will go for the Aqualtis...will keep you all posted, if anyone else has any other machines they might recommend I would be pleased to hear from you.

I did see a Gorenje machine in black in our local independant electrical shop but it was £400 and I was not sure how their after service is.

Anyway, would just like to say thanks again to everyone who has given advice, much appreciated.

 

[nickuk]

Paul, what I'm about to say will probably reinforce your decision!

Based on Rob's video of the Zanussi, I had decided to go for that machine. (Thanks for those BTW Rob I just loved that distribution rinse! I'm easily bought.

But now the ZWF16581 is out of stock with Zanussi, so good luck sourcing it anywhere, even the online retailer with the Green `In Stock' tick grrr. So that's probably the decision made for you, if you're in a rush for it.

I took the plunge and ordered a Bosch washer and dryer from Kitchen Science online, who are a very nice company to deal with. I hope I'll be pleased with them, but I know the washer noise will be an issue.

Sticking my nose out here, I don't think that a Gorenge would be a good use of £400, even if it is black ;-)

Cheers

Nick

 

[dj-gabriele]

SMEG

I love SMEG, my grandma has one bought last year and it is a great performer, most of all it rinses with real water and clothes are always perfect... that's a basic model, sorry I can't tell you the name right now.
Also my mother had one in the earl 90s but it broke in a house moveas it tipped over in the street when it was unloaded from the truck. If you want to know, they (my parents) have an all SMEG kitchen and no single falult has developed since 1979, only the fridge was changed for an A+ energy bigger model.

Personally I love this model, and I'm pushing mother to get the washer-dryer combo of this, but in white because we hate stainless steel.

http://www.smeguk.com/Catalogue/Product/WMF16AX1.aspx

 

[dj-gabriele]

Oh, btw, I've seen that they offer 5 years (parts AND labour) of warranty if you get the washer/dryer.

http://www.smeguk.com/Catalogue/Product/WDF16BAX1.aspx

 

[rolls_rapide]

NickUK: Re: Cloudy rinse water

Zeolites are the culprit; they don't dissolve, leaving a chalky residue at the bottom of basins, sinks, buckets, etc. Try soaking something overnight in a solution of Ariel, Bold or Daz powder/tablets. In the morning, there will be a chalky residue at the bottom of the container.

You don't get the residue with phosphate detergents.

Has anyone noticed that the zeolite content of P&G's powders has been reduced? Instead of consisting of 30% or more zeolite, it is now in the 5-15% range. Noticed it first with Daz: "New lighter powder" blurb on the pack. Bold is the same.

 

[robm]

Hi Nick (and Paul)

I'm sure the Bosch will be fine. The Zanussi has a few things I would change about it! 1, it beeps at the end of the wash and rinse hold?? Rinse hold is supposed to be left?? Also, although it fills quietly the pump could be a little quieter. I noticed the pump does go on and off on certain prgs like the Easy iron option. This doesn't bother me as it isn't plumbed into the sink, but it might be annoying if it was! All in all I love it though!

I know the Bosch have whiney motors but then nothing is perfect. Maybe we should all design our own make??

I think this is one?

Rob

 

[nickuk]

Hello all

Rob, that Bosch in the picture is similar to the one I was going to get but in the end I went for the simpler Classixx with a 1400 spin. I was never entirely sure about the large display in the centre of the panel, and I decided that I wanted simplicity so went for the Classix. An odd decision, I surpised myself. I only got the 1400 as, for some cyberspace type reason, it ended up being I still haven't got 50 degrees, but I haven't had it for a year now and we're still clean and bright ;-) You'd be amazed at what's actually fine on 60. Most of my children's really grubby stained coloured stuff goes in at 60.

I also bought the Classix dryer (most basic model) and am expecting delivery on Wednesday. Together the cost was £550. This is about the cost of a basic Miele which I'd still love, but even the basic Miele doesn't do 50 anymore! Plus if I bought a Miele, I can't stand the thought of not legitimately doing any washer shopping for 20 years!

The bust Hotpoint dryer was actually bought on ebay from a guy who lives 20 doors down the road (£32) and the LG washer was collected today, went for £180. So I was quite pleased with that result.

Re: detergents...yes, those Zeolites are a pain for rinsing. But recently with all phosphate detergents (tabs, the Tesco ones) have had some blotching left on blacks. Might need to go back to liquid for darks...

Nick

 

[paulc]

I have decided.......

After a lot of deliberation and trips to John Lewis I have decided to get a miele W1613. I know I said that a meile would stick out too much but having looked at all other machines there was just no comparison and I thought "sod it, I want that Miele!!!". So am off to John Lewis on saturday to order it........Iam very exited!!!!!

 

[paulc]

Miele

Just been and ordered the W1613, it will arrive on the 29th, am very exited!!! Full write up once I have played with it for a bit.

 

[newwave1]

Congrats on the purchase paulc! I'm sure you'll be more than pleased! Will you be posting any piccies?!

Darren

 

[paulc]

Hopefully posting pictures when my new digi cam arrives, although Iam a total computer blonde and it may take a while. Hope also to put some vids on youtube. I did have a bit of a crisis in John Lewis as the prestige 1300 was £599 but I decided I much prefer the W1613's simpleness and the styling.

 

[retro-man]

Something I don't understand. I have had a set of Maytag Neptunes for over 9 years now. Both are front loaders. I usually do 3 load a day for lets say 300 days out of the year. Thats 900 loads a year, for 9 years thats 8,100 loads with no problems. I just had to take the dryer apart for cleaning, but there was nothing inside to clean out. No problems with the washer either. So are the full size front loaders made better than the smaller versions? I sometimes max out the loads and some are normal size. Balancing is never an issue. Maybe 2 or 3 times at most then off to the races. So guys can you explain the length of time I get out of appliances versus the comments above in this thread. Thanks.
Jon