First Impressions Kenmore 28102

[joeypete]

All I can say is WOW. This machine is a beast!

If ya'll remember I was looking for an HE machine to replace my HydroWave to save on my light bill. After an exhausting search I finally decided on this one. It's on clearance at Sears since the new Cabrio has come out. I got it for just under $550…a great deal IMO. They only had white available, which was ok since I kept my white GE dryer.

I waited all day for it to come yesterday and finally did, about 2 hours after stated delivery window. Delivery guys were stretched pretty thin and apologized like 10 times. No worries except that they also didn't level the machine and hooked up the water lines wrong (backwards). But I got that fixed no problem.

This machine is identical to the Maytag Bravos XL 880 (no steam), though the cycles are a bit different (and it has the BLUE impeller!!!). Many thanks to Andrew (murando531) for helpful info and videos. After starting mine up, it sounds just like the Maytag too (duh).

I had a blast last night washing my first loads. BIGGEST improvement I saw from my reg top loader was how an amazing job it did cleaning my whites. My white socks have been stained despite many wash cycles and soaks with bleach, oxy, detergent, baking soda, vinegar, etc etc. I washed them once on the whites cycle with all the extras (prewash, extra heavy soil level, stain boost, bleach (no oxy), 2nd rinse) and they came out nearly stain free. I plan on washing them a second time just to see if the stains come out completely, but I am absolutely amazed at the job it did.

I know many people don't like the HE top loaders, and I was one of them, until now. They really are smart machines. They do have to work a bit harder I think than a front loader just because of how they are set up, but they work. I was waiting and waiting for the bleach dispenser to be flushed and it didn't until the start of the first rinse cycle. I was like WTH? BUT when the machine was done, the stains that were on the socks as it was adding bleach, were gone at the end of the spin. There was no bleach smell at all on the clothes either. It just knows the best time to dispense the additives. Really takes the thinking out of doing laundry, but I don't mind that so much. haha

I absolutely love this machine. It's quiet (even on high spin) and cleans awesome. I really really like the recirculating spray too…I think that adds a lot to its great cleaning performance. It spins so fast that my dryer finished (on low heat) in less than 30 minutes. Way cool.

I'll be making some videos soon and I'll post when I do.

[this post was last edited: 4/24/2015-08:51]

 

[criswan]

Congratulations on the new machine. We are loving our new Kenmore's! The one thing you will find with an HE Top Loader vs a FL is you can use pods(if they are your thing) with less danger of them getting caught in clothes and not dissolving. I had a stash of pods I had bought when they were on sale but after a few disaster loads with the FLs I was cautious to use them. They dissolve like magic in my 29132.

The balancing thing must be a Sears thing. They didn't balance my machine either and I had yo pull it back out and break out the level.

 

[joeypete]

Thank you! I had really narrowed it down to mine and the one you have. But after thinking, I decided not to spend as much since my "old" set is not old at all. lol. Besides then I would have wanted the matching dryer since the new design is so sleek. The matching dryer to the 28102 is no longer available so that made it easy ;-)

I don't use pods but I figured they would work good in this setup. Like Andrew said, I will have to adjust my detergent levels. I use the Sears UltraPlus most all the time and the directions call for 1 full scoop for HE machines. I had to rinse my towels 3 times because they had too much suds. That could be residual too, so who knows. But I think I'll go down to half a scoop and see how it does.

 

[murando531]

Dude!!!! It looks gorgeous!! And I'm so glad you like it already!! I LOVE that blue impeller. I think it may be something that has stuck with me since growing up with a teal agitator KitchenAid Superba washer. I may even buy one as a part in a year or so, and pair it with the chrome MCT cap on mine!

One thing I meant to mention in the emails: you -may- want, after a week or so of breaking it in, to adjust the level so that the machine tilts ever so slightly forward. This is so your basket will be centered with the cabinet opening. I've read in numerous places that this should be done if the basket hangs back a little like that (a common characteristic), because it will place the detergent reservoir directly under the dispenser to prevent splashing over. Keep an eye on the left side under the machine for any little pools of water. My last B725 was just like that, as is the 880 but not as bad. Still, the machine is leveled perfectly side to side, but ever so slightly forward, and the tub ring matches up beautifully with the cabinet. It may take a little balance; if raising the back or dropping the front causes your level's bubble to go any more than right against the line, I'd cut it back a hair. If I leveled the 725 so that the basket was centered, it put my bubble right in the middle of the line, and the dispensers wouldn't empty out completely. Just finagle it a bit to get that perfect in-between. Doing this does not affect performance or vibration in the least, and I was told to do this by WP, and by all three techs that came for the 725's drama (that last one was convinced that the problem was that it wasn't leaning forward enough STILL, and adjusted it to where it looked like once of the dancers from the Smooth Criminal video, which caused the dispenser problem, along with all the other minor damages he caused, bless him).

You may also find that while it's level now, after a few heavy fills it may gain a wobble. This is because the rubber on those feet is so thick and it has settled and compressed a little. I put the machine on the Bulky cycle and allowed it to fill the tub to its 3/4 mark or so, and then let it sit for about an hour to let the suspension springs compress into place a little better and for the feet to adjust. After letting it spin out, I actually had to adjust a leg probably a millimeter because it started to wobble. Now after fine tuning everything, the tub sits centered perfectly and there is barely a vibration during the spin. I could put a wine glass on top with no problem. Just a few more tidbits of advice from an old soul.

The machine looks gorgeous! And I have a feeling you'll fall in love with it just as I have, especially because, just like myself, you were skeptical of HE top-loaders. It really is a brilliant design.

I'm eager to learn what that Deep Wash cycle does differently. That's the one cycle that Kenmore adds that its WP and Maytag sisters don't offer. If I hadn't fallen in love with the robust styling of the Bravos, I probably would have chosen the Kenmore.

 

[joeypete]

Thanks for the leveling tips Andrew. My basket (giggle) does tip a bit back. It's such a tight squeeze in my laundry room so I may have to take out my dryer to get at all the legs.

I think the blue impeller looks great with the stainless steel!!

After looking at the Maytag models, the Kenmore kind of has features of all of them. Similar cycles to the 700 but more rinse/spin/water temp options like the 880. I assume that the Deep Rinse is like bulky, but none of the cycle descriptions in the manual mention anything about which is best for comforters. Sheets uses more water too so I guess I'll have to try it out. I read a review that stated they found Deep Rinse best for comforters. I'm washing my bedding next!

I'm very happy so far. My HydroWave is sitting covered in my office for now. I might wait a bit to sell it, just in case. I wish I had room to store it, but living in a condo my space is limited.

I LOVE the Maytag's design too. Lowe's actually had your machine with the matching dryer on clearance. The sales guy said I could have the floor models. $729 each. But cheap me decided to find a better deal. lol

 

[joeypete]

Well I did both the Sheets and the Deep Wash cycles.

Biggest difference between the 2 was the Sheets cycle didn't use the spray as much. It was mostly agitation. In fact it didn't do a prewash/soak spray like the other cycles. Water level was a little lower too. I only washed 1 set of queen sheets however.

The Deep Wash I did a queen size quilt, so nothing enormous. It sprayed quite a bit more than the Sheets cycle and water level was high enough that the top of the quilt was stick out of the water a bit. The rinse cycle however filled the tub up to about half way. It left the quilt spread out over the impeller and it spun that way. Was kinda weird :-/

Both came out fantastic!
[this post was last edited: 4/24/2015-14:57]

 

[murando531]

The sheets cycle was surprising the first time I used it. From videos of the older Oasis machines, they would fill around halfway and use a mixture of long and short strokes to keep everything from tangling. The new machines actually fill with just enough water to make the basket float, and then agitate the almost dry sheets for a bit, and then it adds more water. I'm not sure what that does differently than using the recirc.

The Bulky cycle does what yours did with comforters. It's usually spread across the bottom during the spin. With the almost 3 rotation agitate motion, it seems it's designed to roll the large item around rather than bloom it. My only complaint is that there are no shorter strokes to even the load out, so using it for normal clothes or towels is a no go as they just ball up and get lumped to one side.

How was the agitation on the Deep Wash cycle? I've wondered what it does differently than the Bulky cycle. If it uses a combo of aggressive to quick gentle strokes, it would be great for normal clothes when you need a little more water because it would keep them evenly distributed.

 

[joeypete]

The agitation on Deep Wash was pretty much like other cycles from what I noticed. I was cleaning at the same time so I didn't watch it too carefully. But when I looked it seemed like just normal agitation. I think it would work well for anything you'd want to wash in deeper water. Like i said, the manual doesn't mention "bulky" items in regards to that cycle so it's probably multipurpose I guess.

 

[appnut]

Bleach being added to the first rinse is a modern "He" type of scenario rather than adding bleach to the last 4 minutes of the wash cycle the old-fashioned way.  Allows enzymes in detergents to do their thing as the chlorine would kill the enzymes. 

 

[murando531]

You'll notice that the Whites cycle is the only one to behave this way with the bleach. The other cycles flush the dispensers at the last 5-10 minutes of the wash. I suppose this is so that heavier items that may require bleach can get fully soaked, as the mixture with the small amount in the bleach spray rinse may not be enough to saturate thicker fabrics like towels adequately. I will say that like you, I was amazed at how white the whites were. Armpit stains and the bottoms of socks were nearly like new after the cycle.

Also, you should notice that the only cycles to restrict water temp are the Normal and Rapid/Speed Wash cycle, and probably the Delicates but I haven't tried it yet myself. On my Bravos, the PowerWash, Heavy Duty, Whites, Sheets, and Allergen cycles all fill with only hot water. A pleasant amount of steam will waft from the lid seams. When I used a candy thermometer to test the water a few minutes after the wash action had started, it read 118, and my heater is set to 130. Still felt nice and hot/very very warm to the touch, and the lower temp was obviously from the cool clothes and components. It seems to only add cold water if the lid is opened during the actual wash, and it adds a few seconds of water, I suppose because it thinks something was added past the Add a Garment stage.

 

[joeypete]

I washed my socks a second time and they didn't get any cleaner unfortunately. But they have been stained for a while so I imagine they're set in. But still did a great job!

I liked how the tub spins slowly while it's soaking, then all of sudden it fires up! haha. It's def fun to watch :0)

Have you washed pillows in yours at all?