Cold Fill Only Washing Machines and Dishwashers

[logixx]

My washer also has hot/cold inlets. I really liked using the hot-water capability - however, my previous and also the current laundry room only have cold water available. When connected to hot, the washer will initially flush the detergent drawer with cold water and then alternate hot and cold to achieve about 40C in the drum and heat from there.

I have never bothered with hot water for any of our Bosch dishwashers. They preheat the water before it enters the tub and also rely on cold water for the drying cycle. Connecting and setting the dishwasher to hot fill saves a little time and energy during the cleaning phases but extends the drying portion - so the overall time saved is like 5 minutes or so.

As for BIO options. My Big/Duet has a Clean+ option that raises the temp gradually on a 40C wash along with stain remover dispensed later in in the wash. I don't think I've ever used it. The phases are optimized for enzymes -> surfactants -> oxy bleach.

 

[henene4]

All current EU Whirlpool machines excluding the Hotpoint based machines should do an enzyme stage in any cotton and synthetic cycle at 40C or above.

Heats to somewhere slightly below 40C then continues heating after a few minutes.

 

[logixx]

Yea but...

Clean+ heats in three distinct steps. It also won't heat above 42C even with a higher temp chosen.

As for Bauknecht and Hotpoint: four out the 30 front loaders offered on Bauknecht's German site are Hotpoint washers, it seems. I know Bauknecht washers dont have the best rep to begin with - but since they are Hotpoint units now... gurl bye.

 

[henene4]

Just ment that as an additional comment.

Though they did kill of Clean+ for a long time and when they did their cycle times for cottons all got longer as well.

The new models do have a Clean+ function as well, but their cycles still take 3 or so hours non the less.

Our Bauknecht had a bearing failure after 2 1/2 years or so (and service was horrible), so I don't think they trade much blows compared to Hotpoint.

Only thing is their INSANE cycle times.
4h, for the NON eco cottons cycle...

 

[launderess]

On at least the older Miele washers sold in North America (W770, W1070, W1065) had the "Extra Pre-Wash" which really is a soak cycle.

Starting with cold water is gradually heated up to 140F.

https://www.manualslib.com/manual/353756/Miele-W-1070-Washing-Machine.html?page=28#manual

Maddening thing is being a front loader one cannot determine if this soaking period was long enough because cannot open machine and examine laundry.

Once completed one must manually move timer to "drain". This and or if wished start cycle again, however thermostat won't reengage unless water temp drops below setting.

What one loves about these old "three dial" washers is vast amount of user control over cycles. That is within certain limits it is possible to create a bewildering array of choices that match or exceed today's offerings. If one wanted to do Permanent Press at 200F, that is possible. Can do a "Normal Cottons/Linens" wash cycle, but then stop/reset timer and have rinses done as "Permanent Press".

The pre-wash on these older Mieles does heat water up to at least 100F, but only if thermostat is set. In other words IIRC if the thing is at nil, then washer will not heat in any of the cycles period.

Am not sure and would have to research further (maybe in my copy of service manual) heating pre-wash water to at least 100F means washer can fill with "hot" water for main wash and not have to worry about setting certain marks. It also would make for faster heating since not starting completely from tap cold water.

Also to my mind it would make no sense to dump cold water onto laundry that was just heated to 100F, only have to begin to reheat the load again. Mind you these washers had heating power of 3200 watts, thus more than capable of doing so in relatively short time.

 

[launderess]

My AEG/Lavamat toplader has a "40-60 Mix" cycle which IIRC is designed to give 60C results at 40C. This is achieved (from what one has gleaned via internet postings) by careful manipulation of heating giving modern enzyme (and presumably perhaps bleach) laden detergents best working time and temperature working conditions.

Interestingly the "Stain" option on my Lavamat 88840 can be used with any temperature. OTOH the toplader limits it to cycles at or below 40C.