GE “Fresh Vent” Front Loaders

[rp2813]

I have to say, 5 cf is enticing for things like king size comforters.  I have to cram my comforter into the Neptune, and add water because I don't trust the machine to do so sufficiently before its own water level sensing window closes (assuming that at some point the add water mechanism does time out).

 

I couldn't stick with the video posted above.  The guy's voice and blathering became tiresome, and after a couple of fast-forwards, I bailed before he even bothered to open the washer's door. 

 

[DADoES]

 
<blockquote>Meanwhile, I'm a bit perplexed by all this brouhaha about keeping the washer fresh. My 20 year old Maytag Neptune never seems to have a bad odor. There is a little black discoloration on the door boot, but it's not major. Maytag figured out that mold could be an issue, and so they designed the washer so that the door "breathes" and allows air to circulate into the wash drum even with the door closed. I also typically leave the lid on the detergent compartment open all the time, as I think this also enhances air flow. Plus I run at least one hot wash (130F) a week. I also use a tbs of STPP with most loads, which I think cuts down on any mold friendly sludge in the washer.

YMMV</blockquote> YMMV is the crucial part.  Your usage habits are not typical.

 

[pierreandreply4]

i have ask via the ge appliance facebook page the washer my mom and i have lacks 2 things 1 an internal washer heater and 2 it do not have a sanitize cycle and i also would not like that after 16 years if the washer broke a neighbor had to replace her washer dryer set just beside where i live and thank you for answering my question i hope they become avalable in canada

 

[mtn1584]

@kenwashesmonday

Let me clarify, I know GE sold to Haier, I meant it’s not designed or assembled in Appliance Park in Kentucky. Pure Haier, pure Chinese.
Mike

 

[sudsmaster]

@mtn1584

So what?

If the new GE Ultra Vent Fresh washers give a better wash, are durable, and meet customer needs better than the rest, why complain?

It's not as if laundry products are essential to national defense. Lots of people buy German made washers here and nobody seems bothered by that.

For my own situation, if I were to replace my Neptune 7500 today, I'd give a serious look at the TOL GE models as well as the Electrolux models because they meet my needs in a way that no other brands do.

Perhaps other American laundry manufacturers need to pay more attention to what American consumers want.

 

[petek]

according to the GE(Haier) website 74% of a GE washer is American content https://www.geappliances.com/ge/usa/#mia-laundry

https://www.geappliances.com/ge/usa/#mia-laundry

 

[littlegreeny]

Not made in America anymore

The new Fresh Vent washers appear to be 100% made in China. I wonder if that's only temporary as the tariffs are still in place?

 

[sudsmaster]

GE content

Well, yes, many of the GE washers are made in the USA. However these ultra fresh vent washers - the current top of the line - appear to be 100% Chinese made, according to reports here. Perhaps that will change as their mfg is moved to the USA. The next time I'm at HD or Lowe's I'll look for the Ultras to see if:

 

1) The doors really can be reversed

 

2) Where the machines are really made.

 

But since the Neptune soldiers on I'm in no great hurry.

 

[mtn1584]

With everything else being Made in China, I see no reason why an American built or German built washing machine and dryer can’t be purchased instead. Just my opinion.

 

[gansky1]

5 cu ft is impressive capacity for a home washer, I've wondered about the LG and Samsung offerings in this size-class for a while now. The dryers are topping out at ~ 9 cu. ft. which would be a great

The GEs are nice looking, the blue accents are attractive. Keep us posted on your opinion of your new set, Harry, and a tour of your other new GE appliances would be appreciated as well. I know a number of people that are quite happy with their GE kitchen appliances.

American "built" is the key, parts are sourced from the global market, just like most products now.

 

[sudsmaster]

Photos of GE Ultra Fresh Vent Washer manual

I made it to the Home Depot in Union City yesterday. I couldn't make it to the nearby Lowes - the shopping center where Lowes is located had traffic barriers up at all the entrances on Alvarado-Niles road (closest to the Lowes) and traffic to get to Dyer/Whipple for the other entrances was completely gridlocked.

 

But Home Depot had the model 650 on display, for about $900. It's an impressive machine. The matching gas dryer is about $1000.

 

I took photos of the pages in the Use and Care Manual dealing with reversing the door swing. But I don't need to upload them here because the same info is available in the PDF file from the HD web site.

 

AFAIK, only the two TOL models, 650 and 850, have the features I need, mainly door swing reverse. The manual indicates this is an "optional" feature, although I'm not sure if that is an extra cost feature that must be specified on purchase. Mainly there's a locking bar one must use to stabilize everything before switching the door swing. Also the 650 capacity appears to be 4.8 cu ft, while the 850 capacity is 5.0 cu ft. This may account for the two extra inches in depth of the 850 (34 inches vs 32 inches). However the matching 850 dryer is "only" 32 inches deep. Additionally only the 850 washer has the "One Step" wash and dry feature of "smaller" loads. That might be a good feature for people in a rush or who just like all the bells and whistles.

 

 

PDF of manual: https://images.homedepot-static.com/catalog/pdfImages/f4/f4c69785-6122-478d-821c-9ccfd0fc4154.pdf

 

GE Appliance website address: https://www.homedepot.com/p/GE-4-8-...h-Sanitize-and-Allergen-GFW650SSNWW/311972518

 

Also I see mention of Canada in the manual, but the associated Canadian GE website does not list these Ultra Fresh models. Here is the website address for Canada: http://www.geappliances.ca/products/category/Washers

 

And the 800 number for GE Canada: 800-561-3344

 

Lastly, I saw NO "Country of origin" stickers on either washer or dryer. Perhaps they were removed for display, or were never there to begin with.

 

 

https://images.homedepot-static.com/catalog/pdfImages/f4/f4c69785-6122-478d-821c-9ccfd0fc4154.pdf

 

[pierreandreply4]

could it be that for canada this model is special order then because i see they added the instruction in french?

 

[sudsmaster]

Perhaps if you call the GE Canada office they can help you? I'm sure they will speak French as well.

 

 

[gelaundry4ever]

ge fresh vent

I believe I saw these at home depot. Now, i'd love to see a full cycle video of these in action. I'd like to see what they can do.

 

[mitchleitman]

I think that GE Canada is separate from USA. GE Canada was acquired by MABE (from Mexico a number of years ago). I don't know how that interconnects with the Haier-owned US company. I believe that GE were a minority shareholder in GE Canada.

 

[jaums]

US Engineered, China Made

On their website, GE interestingly answers the question "where is it made" by pointing out these washers are engineered in the US and made in China. The matching dryers made in the US.

Have seen posts complaining that the whites of the washer vs dryer do not match. Hmmmm.

 

[jaums]

GE Ultrafresh Reverse Door Swing Vid

GE's video on how to reverse the washer door swing.

 

[appnut]

Whirlpool had similar color mismatch issues

Duet/Kenmore He T front loaders were made in Germany until the direct drive models produced in Clyde Ohio were released in late 2010/early 2011. Over the years saw complaints the colors of the dryers and the washers didn't match between the product produced in Germany vs. dryers produced in the U.S.

 

[sudsmaster]

Jaums,

Thanks so much for that video. I was trying to figure out how it was done before I buy one of these units. The video also answered the question of whether the "lock bar" comes with the washer. Very nice.

 

[guidelines]

Is this spin noise normal?

We just had a GE UltraFresh installed. It's the mid-level model, GFW650SSNWW. Please have a look/listen at a short ramp from early in the spins cycle... is the grumble from the motor normal? To my ears, it's shockingly loud.