Danby Opinions?

[mistervain]

Hey I'm new to the forum, hello everyone! I love the site.

I bought a Kenmore FL for the family I was staying with (as a gift) and was not happy with its cleaning performance (didn't use enough water, and my clothes came out with strong odors. Energy Star is absolute garbage!)

I moved out and am now looking for a different brand FL for myself -- one which has a visible water level during the cycle, and basically does plenty of "sloshing". Do these still exist in the American market? I was looking into the Danby DWM5500W which supposedly offers 3 water level settings and a "water plus" switch.

Has anyone had experience with Danby DWM5500W and could offer feedback, or recommend something else?

 

[mayken4now]

HI and welcome to this club. Yes you will find many of these here and also very pleased customers.

I have the Kenmore and am quite satisified with the cycle settings "I CHOOSE".

Hope you find your washer.

Steve

 

[toggleswitch]

WELCOME

 

[SactoTeddyBear]

Re: Laundry Needs:

Welcome, to this great Club, first of all. It is interesting and sad to hear that you bought a Kenmore Front-Load for your Friends and it isn't Washing as well as one would expect for any Kenmore Washers. Next, what kind of Laundry are you looking into doing, as far as being just for youself and do you have any fairly large items that would need a larger size Capacity Washer and Dryer? I still really like the original "Fridgemore" Washers, but specifically in the Kenmore Model Series of them, or maybe the Frigidaire Models. I've had some Friends around here that have bought them and are real happy with them, even the Dryers. Some of my Friends have also adjusted the Water Level in these Washers, to allow a higher Water Level for the Wash and Rinsing and supposidly they are the only Models that you can adjust the Water Level's on anyway. Some of the Guys on the Club Site have thought that the Dryer's Capacity could be somewhat larger, but most all of my Friends that have the Matching Dryer Set, really like them. These can also if you might not know already be Stacked, with the Dryer on Top of the Washer. These are also on a Close-Out now, because of the new Models arriving, they are discontinued, but not for a wrongful reason. I think and feel that they are still one of the best Models of Front-Load Washers and Matching Dryers, other than the older Maytag Neptune's, unless you really want to go back into time, then most of the original Front-Loaders were much better than the newer ones, especially for using more Water, allowing more Splashing.

As with everyone else, it is basically your decision and I'm not trying to just add info to you as with everyone else, to confuse you, but just to give another opinion of some Brands/Models to check out. Good Luck with your research and decision.

Peace and Happy Front-Load Washing, Steve
SactoTeddyBear...

 

[mistervain]

Thanks to all who replied. SactoTeddyBear I am just looking for something regular, as it's only myself. I agree that the older FL's were much better than what's being put out now and would be willing to get something used. Would like to check the Frigidaire/Frigemores you mentioned, any model numbers?

Basically the FL must have a visible water level, or at least something I can adjust to maximize water use. I should go with a TL for these reasons but I like that my colors don't fade and the fabric doesn't seem to get as stretched when I use a FL. Plus I love the window....hehe.

 

[SactoTeddyBear]

Re: Fridgemores:

Hi! Mistervain I just sent you an E-Mail with some more info, hope it helps. "BTW" I can't blame anyone for not wanting a Washer or even a Dryer without a Window, to watch what's going on with the Laundry. Even though I've got one of the 2nd Generations of the first "3000" Neptune's if I had it to do all over again, I would never get a Front-Load Washer without a Window and probably no any Dryers now either, without a Window...

Cheers, Steve "STB"

 

[lavamat_jon]

Mistervain,

I think the Danby's have a water plus button which raises the water level for the rinses - bear in mind that whilst rinses are best off being deep a low level of water in the wash is best for most laundry loads.

Of course if you could afford it Miele's can always be programmed in to do high level rinses (water almost halfway up the drum for rinsing), but then they are just a *little* bit expensive LOL. But even so, the TOL Asko, which IIRC doesn't cost *that much* when you consider the potential lifespan of the machine (although they haven't exactly been proven as Miele have), has an extra water button which raises the water level up the glass for both the wash and rinse.

FWIW, I much prefer dryers, at least European ones, with solid doors. Not only do these solid door dryers have a filter in the door which gives for better filtration of the exhaust air from lint, but the solid doors also prevent heat loss which can occur with dryers that have glass, or even worse plastic windows. IMO I think seeing the action doesn't really matter with dryers, but is definitely a must with a washer just for the sake of checking on suds levels.

Hope this helps,

Jon

 

[stephenr0]

Actually, Danbys don't have a water plus button. That is documented in the online manual, but the current models don't work that way. That button selects a gentle wash on cotton cycles. They had to change it to keep the energy star rating. It's unfortunate, but the government won't let them increase the water level and keep their energy star rating. There may be a way to hack it by adjusting the water level sensor, but nobody has done that so far.

Steve

 

[SactoTeddyBear]

Re: Hi! New Person:

Hi! Stephenr0 welcome to this great Club of sharing, caring, loving people that have helped each other out with problemed Machine Repairs.

There is also a lot of us who have either "via" E-Mail or talking on the Phone with each other, besides the ability to get to meet in person, that have gotten to know each other better.

What if any Collection do you have of Vintage Washers, Dryers and/or other Appliances?

Peace and Happy Fun Times, Steve
SactoTeddyBear...

 

[stephenr0]

Thanks for the welcome. I can't say that I have much experience with vintage machines, but I do have a Danby. I like it. It basically seems to be a good value.

Steve

 

[mistervain]

Steve whats the water level like on your Danby?

 

[stephenr0]

As I think is usual for these things, it takes a while to decide how much to fill it. When it finally gets done, it seems to be somewhere a little below the door. It seems to be enough, though. The fact that the drum is not tilted probably helps. The capacity of these things is deceptive. I had a mid-80s Speed Queen before. I get almost as much in my Danby as I used to in the Speed Queen. Actually, I was probably overloading the Speed Queen at that. And doing a small load in the Danby is way more efficient. I think that's a real benefit. The Danby dryer is a good match for the washer. It seems to not get as hot as my old dryer, but gets the clothes dry nicely. I have found that I can put enough t-shirts in the washer that the dryer gets them wrinkled trying to dry them. I've decided that I overloaded both the washer and the dryer when this happens.

Steve

 

[launderess]

Danby washers like Miele's no longer have the "extra water" option. IIRC this feature was discontinued on North American sold models a year or so ago. The button is still on the panel though, but it has been renamed and does something else.

Think Danby had to drop the extra water option in order to gain the Energy Star rating.

Launderess

 

[mistervain]

Everytime I have used the Kenmore FL I get nothing but underarm-odor residue .... these machines don't use enough water. Never had this problem with a TL obviously. In the meantime I've looking into a commercial FL but that poses another set of problems with the installation, etc.

Would like to complain to whoever decides this "Energy Star" nonsense! And if anyone knows where to get this Danby with the magic switch please let me know....

 

[mistervain]

Also, is an Energy Star qualification legally required for a new FL washer to be allowed on the market? I'm wondering why all these manufacturers are boasting of what is turns out to be a serious flaw with their machines.

 

[tolivac]

the Gov't determines the "energy Star" nonesense for appliances-I am hoping the Republican administration will kill this useless requirements.Let the MARKETPLACE-not gov't determine what washers and appliances will be in the marketplace.Its the older design TL machines that don't meet the Energy Star requirements.I can agree-you need WATER to clean and rinse both clothes and dishes.If the Energy Star requirements contin ue-most traditional TL designes cannot be made any longer-would suggest contacting your Senators and Congressmen on this issue.Tell them you don't like these laws and to defeat them.I feel it would allow more flexibility in appliance designs if the regs were thrown out. Again the customer is in a better position to determine what machine fits his needs.

 

[appnut]

Mistervain, regarding underarm odor residue, I would suggest adding some 20 Mule Team Borax or Borateem as an additive. Tomturbomatic does this to his shirts during the summer for this reason, makes htem very clean smelling. Tom has done this for years. I hope this doesn't come across the wrong way, but don't put all the blame on the machine's design. Is enough detergent being used; how hard is the water; is the fabric being washed in hot enough water.

 

[mistervain]

Cool will check out the Borax. I have tried everything else. I just need more water!

Meantime has anyone looked at this site? www.bestbuylaundry.com they sell refurbished commercial washers. Am interested in something like this, but have been told I need an 8" high platform to set the machine on, a gravity drain in the ground, and a stainless steel mount to bolt down the washer too !! The lengths I'm considering for what I want....

 

[foraloysius]

Mistervain,

It's a general misapprehension that you need lots of water in the wash phase in a frontloader. It's important that while tumbling the clothes fall on the side of the drum, not in the water. In that way they get a similar treatment as clothes beaten on a rock, but more gentle than that. If you have ever watched people in other countries do laundry that way you will have noticed that the rock on which they beat the clothes is above water level, not under it. Beating the clothes on a rock that is in the water isn't very effective, the water would cushion the wash effect. Ofcourse you the clothes need to be wet, some kind of circulation system helps with that.

As for rinsing, that's a whole different story.

BTW, may I ask what detergent was used in the Kenmore FL?

 

[mistervain]

I have tried everything, HE detergent, powder, liquid, you name it.

The low/non-existent water level has worked fine for dirt removal, but I would rather wear clothes with stains than ones that reek of underarm, even after multiple washings. The consumer ought to be able to decide the water level based on their needs. There's no way clothes are getting clean when there's not any water coursing through them.

 

[launderess]

Underarms stains on shirts need to be treated BEFORE laundering for best results. White vinegar for old stains, liquid detergent or pre-treatment product for fresh. If you use liquid detergent, subtract the amount used for pre-treatment from the total for laundry. Or, just pre-soak your shirts in a tub with a good enzyme product for an hour.

Regarding commercial untis: there are "soft mount" commercial washing machines about which have built in pump/drain systems and some even run on 120v/single phase power.

If you want "more" water for washing shirts, get yourself a twin tub washer, vintage or modern. Not exactly "automatic" washing, but you have more control over the washing process.

Launderess

 

[washoholic]

Steve, welcome to our club!

Jon is right about the Danby not having a way to raise the water level in the rinse. The water plus button raises the water level in the cotton wash cycle. The water level is automatically raised in the other cycles, the rinse and in the pre-wash.

Steve, I’m not sure where you’re getting your information about the government not letting Danby raise the water level anymore, but my Danby has the water plus button rather than the gentle wash button and it’s energy star compliant. I purchased it from a Danby dealer. I have seen the ones with the gentle wash button at places like Home Depot and have only seen the ones with the water plus button at dealers. The dealer told me that dealers are the only ones that carry the model with this option, and do still have them (my information is coming from what the dealer said which may or may not be correct). I tend to believe Laundress more since I’ve never seen Laundress write anything that was incorrect or grammatically incorrect on this site.

Jeff

 

[washoholic]

Correction

That’s Launderess not Laundress.

 

[mistervain]

JEFF thanks for the info....what's the highest your water level gets? Could you post a picture of it during the wash? And when did you buy your Danby?

 

[stephenr0]

Jeff,

Well, when I got my Danby, I noticed the difference between my machine and the manual on the Danby web site. When I called Danby to find out why they were different, that's what they told me. Of course, I'm glossing over a lot of discussion with them about it, but that's what they came up with. They agreed that it was unfortunate that they hadn't updated their web site. Actually, they still haven't changed their web site. I suppose they fall back on their disclaimer that the specifications could change. However, I'm very interested in how your machine is wired. I suspect that the change they made was a relatively simple wiring change. From examination of my wiring diagram, it appears that the water level switch has more than one level available. Is there any way that you could make a picture of your wiring diagram available to me? It's on the under side of the top of the machine.

Steve

 

[washoholic]

I bought mine about a year and a half ago, and I love it. It holds more than you would think. It holds a 10 lb. cotton load. I put 10 lbs. of towels in and it seems to work a little hard, but they all came out clean. The drum volume is 1.69 cu. Ft. My Neptune is 3.34 cu. Ft. (1.69 + 1.69 = 3.38) so it’s about half the size of the Neptune. I tried to put a king sized comforter in it, but it just won’t fit through the door (the drum is bigger than the door opening).

Here is the water level on the cotton cycle. It is well below the door (washing is a long john top and bottom on each picture).

 

[washoholic]

The water level on the cotton cycle with the water plus button pushed. It is just at the door and the door can still be opened without a flood. I use this for washing my 2 roommates work clothes. They are plumbers and sometimes their clothes are covered in dirt, mud, sweat, or plumbing glue. The Danby does take out odors, too. The water plus button seems to cause a showering effect which is great for washing work clothes. I do not use with towels since it seems to cause excessive foam.

 

[washoholic]

The water level in the perm press cycle is just above the door. The machine will always let you open the door about 1 to 2 minutes after the power button is in the off position, but if you open it now you better have a mop handy. Also, I have noticed that when a full load is washing the machine uses more water. The clothes absorb the water and if you stop the washer for a few minutes the water drains out of the clothes and the water level rises.

 

[washoholic]

Steve, I’ve seen the inside of the machine and I have noticed that there are 2 water levels and they seem to be adjustable, but I did not mess with them since there are many places to adjust them. I think three screws on each one. Wait until the long johns finish and I’ll see what I can do.

 

[stephenr0]

Jeff, by two water levels, I assume you mean two water level pressure switches. I noticed that. I believe the one with the red dot is to make sure that the heater doesn't turn on without enough water in the drum. I currently believe the one with the green dot is the one for the normal wash, but I suspect that it is capable of returning more than one level depending on how it is switched. That's my current theory anyway. I saw all the adjustment screws on the switches and the glyptol on them and was scared off messing with them. I'll be interested in what you find out.

Steve