Consumer Reports tests the 2008 washers

[rp2813]

Cycle Times

One complaint I have about my Duet is that on the Heavy Duty cycle, the default/shortest cycle time is 40 minutes. If you want more time, you can push the appropriate selector button and it will leap to an hour & 20 minutes. That's DOUBLE the regular wash time! Push the button again and it only adds 5 more minutes to the cycle time. However, I swear that in one instance I saw it display 55 minutes after pushing the button only once, but it quickly "corrected" itself to 1:20. I'm thinking maybe there is an issue with the electronics, as it would make a lot more sense to add 15 minutes when the soil level button is first pressed as opposed to 40!

 

[phillygrl]

CU Online for Free

I found a great resource that has many publications on line for free, including CU. They are text only versions, but I can deal with that. I can get the jist of an article without driving miles to the nearest library that has a subscription. You either give them a library card number, or if your library does not participate, you can join for free. A good resource, link is below.

http://www.accessmylibrary.com/

 

[funguy10]

On Line for free my foot. I clicked on a "See full article button and it is asking me to give what libaray I go to.

 

[launderess]

You Aren't Missing Much

Finally sat down and read CR, and have to say this W&D review is the most poor effort to date. So poor in fact editors don't bother to even mention they are reviewing washers and dryers on the cover.The whole thing takes about two or three pages, IIRC and seems hardly worth the effort, again IMHO.

L.

 

[frigilux]

They mention in the opening paragraph that some toploaders have improved their cleaning scores through innovations like a midwash soak, but then don't bother to tell us which machines offer that feature. They also don't bother to mention GE's new Hydrowave technology, which uses a slow, 360-degree agitation arc.

Also: Why no test of the Speed Queen toploader?!

I still have faith in their tests, but they've lost the desire to really explain anything to us. And I've come to hate those little bullet ratings. Give us the actual numeric score for each parameter. A rating of very good, for instance, could mean the score is as low as 51 or as high as 74.