Electrolux EFLS617STT review

[pezzy669]

So I have had my Electrolux EFLS617STT for ~10 months now so figure it would be good to post some honest real world observations. Electrolux has updated the machine as of recently which appears to have added a pod slot in the detergent drawer and has updated some of the cycles, appears it was not much more than a mid-cycle refresh vs a full redesign.

Pros:

Capacity on this machine is a beast. One basket of laundry looks like absolutely nothing once you load it in the machine. Same with towels, what feels like a full load of towels (10-12 towels) is dwarfed by the capacity of this machine. For my 2 person household I can say I bought the equivalent of a minivan for a compact sedan job.

Cleaning - no matter what cycle you choose this washer cleans clothes quite well. 95% of the time I use the normal and casual cycles, whitest whites and heavy duty are reserved for towels, sheets and dog beds. My partner is hooked on the 15 minute quick wash which he says works just fine for turning around his work uniform.

Reversible door - I was backed into a corner due to the unique situation of my condo. I was set on getting a Samsung set but after measuring the openings in my condo it narrowed down my selection to Bosch or Electrolux which required 0" clearance on each side, all the others required .5" on each side. Additionally my laundry room incorrectly has the washer on the right, while reversible door was not on my mind when selecting a machine I am so thankful I have been able to flip the door on my Electrolux as I would have been up the creek with most other machines.

Design - The matching set I bought are fine looking machines.

Cons:

No easily accessible drain filter

Noise - I don't think Electrolux pendulum balancing system is as good as the active ball bearing system of other machines. It's been quite a few years since my last front loader (circa 2006 Frigidaire base special at Lowes) but quietness is not something Electrolux should tout. The drain and mixing pumps sound like they are about to walk off the job.

Energy use - yeah the needle on my electric bill does not move if I run normal cycles. If you select sanitize or PerfecfSteam your electric usage will skyrocket. My power company sends me daily usage updates of typically $1-2 per day, the times I wash dog beds on sanitize cycle I get a $4-5 usage email.

Overall it is a great machine and I am very happy with it. Despite the cons I wouldn't hesitate to buy another Electrolux.

 

[appnut]

Thank you for the review.  Nice to have observation from someone who knows washers.  Is the water heater in your condo gas or electric? 

 

[gelaundry4ever]

good question

Inquiring minds want to know.

 

[henene4]

That increase

Seems a little harsh to be only caused by tge washer.

Assuming you don't pay 1$/kWh, more like 0,30$/kWh, if the washer alone would have to run 9h straight with the heater on to cause that increase.
Even with an electric water heater, you don't need 9kWh more per cycle on Sanitize.

For the dryer however, that would only be about 2-3h of operation if it is electric.

Maybe something else you are doing during the day ups the usage.

 

[wishwash]

How well does this machine move wash water through the clothes? Every wash cycle I've seen online makes this hard to see.

 

[mrb627]

Same Laundry Pair

I have the same Elux pair. They clean very well. The only issue I have, which isn't much of an issue, is the circulation pump tends to get quite loud if your detergent foams.

Malcolm

 

[pezzy669]

My condo is all electric so that could possibly contribute to the additional usage, my water heater is set at the standard 120 or 125. The steam and sanitize cycles are painfully long at 145 minutes and I will say the glass on the door gets quite hot to the touch, I'm actually now curious what temp it gets the wash water up to. One day I decided to "max" out runtime (didn't actually in the cycle) but with StainSoak set on chocolate or any stain and all the options checked it will run a comically long 199 minutes. I don't think the display can accommodate a 2 in the first spot as the chocolate stain soak cycle is actually shorter than any stain when you back out some of the options.

For the ? about water distribution there is the typical fill nozzle in the upper left corner but the washer seems to divert some/most of the fill water and detergent/bleach/softener down to the mixing pump, after some noisy mix action has occurred that then ejects into the tub in the upper right corner. I think the mixing/recirculating pump operates off and on through the cycle but haven't paid that close attention.

 

[appnut]

Were you actually meaning 145 minutes or 1 hour and 45 minutes.  Does the display say 1:45?  I live in an all-electric house too.  My water heater is set at 120, but by the time the water enters the tub, it's less than that.  It is far more cost-effective to have your dishwasher or your washer heat the water as needed than keep your water heater at 140 to 150 degrees.  As much as possible, I use cycles on my washer that engage the heater.  For me it's whites, allergen, bulky items, and sheets.  Default temperatures are hot, hotter, around 85-95 for warm respectively and I will change to hot if default is warm if the load needs it.  I purposely bought a washer that will maintain water temp, and boost it, when needed as it would be4 cheaper for the washer to heat it than keep my water heater set so high.  Hot is 125-127.  Hotter for allergen is 130-135.  Santize is 153-155 degrees.  My dish loads are soiled enough it will auto temp for heavier soil at 130 or 140 degrees for the main wash.  Final rinse is always 140 degrees.   I don't stress about running hot or sanitize loads in my front loader like I used to with my traditional top loader.  Your dryer uses more electricity to dry that load than it used to wash the load. 

 

[henene4]

199min comicly long?

EU norm cycles take UPWARDS of 180min, often 210-300min.

Those are eco cycles, though.

 

[pezzy669]

Appnut: It is in minutes. The most economical cycle that the energy label is based on is the Normal cycle at a reasonable 47 minutes which is my most used cycle, this model will display a leaf when you select "economical" cycles and options. The 15 minute fast wash cycle doesn't give a leaf but I think that is more a function of water consumption similar to dishwashers with sensor cycles that last 2+ hours vs the 1 hour quick wash.