GE Traditional Top Load Refresh

[user 3941]

Just noticed on the GE website they refreshed their top load washer! This is the one I have, though now it says it's 3.6 cu ft instead of 3.7 cu ft. They changed the cycle/selection wordage and new knobs. Also the load sizes updated. Mine says SMALL-LARGE-EXTRA LARGE-SUPER-RESET. Now it makes more sense SMALL-MEDIUM-LARGE-EXTRA LARGE-RESET Looks nice!

http://products.geappliances.com/ApplProducts/Dispatcher?REQUEST=SpecPage&Sku=GTW180SSJWW

 

[ken]

How does Deep Water Rinse compare to regular rinse? Is it just longer? Looks like they switched back to a plastic inner tub rather than the more recent stainless steel? My 2003 GE has a plastic inner tub.

 

[user 3941]

They used to call it "PowerRinse" that's what mines says. It's just a normal old school rinse lol. It spins after wash and fills to the selected level with fresh cold water. As opposed to just draining after wash and partially filling to rinse. My 2014 has the plastic tub too. They use it on the BOL version of theirs, and all the Hotpoints. The stainless steel is available on the higher models.

 

[logixx]

Power Rinse

 

[user 3941]

Thanks for the video!! I took my dual action agitator out and put in the straight vane "FlexCare" one, so I forgot how it washed!

 

[ken]

Did GE do something to the drive or speed? My 2003 doesn't make that sound and it definitely turns the clothes over better even on low agitation. I wondered if the use of a plastic or SS tub might be a model line feature. Mine has the PowerRise setting. Its part of the Soak/Extra Heavy wash cycle. Its two rinses with fresh water each time.

 

[user 3941]

Yeah Ken, it's the "HydroWave" wash action. It came out in 2008 I believe. Belt drive motor, no transmission. It's very quiet on agitation..drain is a bit noisy though. It has a 360 degree arc now so the clothes don't roll over like the older shorter arc models. They claim the clothes wash by being pulled and pushed through the water, and rubbing up against each other. It does clean very well I have to admit. There is roll over, it's just slower but the clothes get dragged through the water well. It's fun to watch. Some of the higher models do have a 2nd rinse option.

 

[nmassman44]

I would think that in 2003 that GE was still using the SteelDrive transmission so it would move the agitator at 150 opm on high speed...you get that chug, chug,chug sound. This new washer is the HydroWave system, no transmission needed. This washer moves the agitator 360 degrees at 30 opm.

 

[user 3941]

I have some videos of mine on my YouTube channel if you want to watch.

http://https//www.youtube.com/channel/UCLp13mv5JsFbq_UAe7dUJGg

 

[ken]

Joe: Your washer does have good turnover. The washer in the first video must have been set on gentle.

Mine definitely has a transmission. On the Cotton/Sturdy setting it really moves. I usually use PP cycle unless Im doing a large load. [this post was last edited: 2/27/2015-14:15]

 

[user 3941]

If it's the one with the knit blankets, yes it was PermPress, which is recommended for "gentle". These don't actually have a real delicate cycle. PermPress has a less aggressive wash action. Though the blankets kept floating to the top too haha.

It does do short/fast strokes when it's adjusting the load for drain or rinse…then the roll over is pretty quick, but it's just for a short while.

 

[ken]

I meant the first video which was posted by logixx.

I noticed in your video you added two scoops of Sears Ultra Plus. I just picked up two boxes this week which is first time Im trying it. Im curious that the instructions on the box refer to how much to use based on capacity and type of washer rather than the size of the load. After all you could be doing a small load in a large capacity machine. Would you still use as much for that small load as for a large one? Strange IMO. I tried calling the questions phone number on the box to ask but its no longer in service.

 

[user 3941]

Sears Ultra Plus

I like the detergent…the smell doesn't linger on the clothes after washing (which can be good or bad depending on what you like). Basically I use half to 1 full scoop for smaller loads…1.5 if it's a little bigger, and 2 if I'm filling the machine full which is SUPER on mine. It suds at first but it dissipates as it washes. I think the directions are geared more towards HE machines. I found the traditional washer instructions kind of vague too.

 

[yogitunes]

have to admit it, the HydroWaves are decent machine for washing.....I like the way it will adjust the speed of oscillation based on the size of load, or rather the strain on the motor....smaller loads get gentle versus a larger load moving faster

got to use one in a Summer shore rental....wasn't bad at all, actually did very well with towels and the sand......

the water level was set to Super, but only filled 2/3rds of the way......we popped the top and adjusted it up.....it gave for a better wash, and allowed you to take full advantage of the large capacity.....

 

[ea56]

Martin, did you raise the water level the same way the You Tube videos show how to raise the water level on the Speed Queen toploader? If so I'll do this to my GE. What I have been doing the few times I've needed more water is just hold the reset on the water level control until I get the fill level I want, but to have the machine do this on its own would be great Thanks for any info you can give.

 

[yogitunes]

yeah, was easy as pie.....if I recall we did it with a standard phillips screwdriver....I know some use a 1/4 inch nutdriver....

but was simple to do, and there a number of ways to do it, probably the most easiest was to turn the screw 1/4 increments at a time until you get the desired level.....

other machines I held the reset to fill the machine....turned the screw....and then hit the reset again, until I got the click to stop, then back off the screw until it clicks one last time.....

usually turning the screw clockwise increases the water level.....

and make sure you unplug the machine while doing this....

and then pay attention to the machine for the next few fill ups to make sure its where you want it, and not overfilling....

 

[ea56]

Thanks Martin, I'll give it a try this weekend if I get the time.

 

[washer111]

It almost seems as if newer machines forsake rollover for "dwelling."

My assumption (which I've developed after watching this):
- Clothes leave the agitator, and 'flow' thru the water, rubbing against each other and the tub, gently removing stains
- Clothes are slowly pulled into the agitator, and once there, hang around much longer, so they are "beaten" for longer, and perhaps cleaned better(?)

I don't know if this works well in practice. I'd prefer a nice rigorous turnover and good agitation rather than pathetic "stop-start" agitation and rollover. Is it even good for these motors to be turn on and off and continuously reversing?

 

[tolivac]

I like the traditional agitation better-but this would seem to be better than the fast,choppy blender like action of the WP-KN DD washers.
The permenent split cap motors in these machines are designed for this.Would think the circuit board and its devices would suffer more stress than the motor-esp if the washer has a VERY heavy load.Or on those long,slow agitator strokes of this machine-esp for large items-WRAP-UNRAP-RERAP-and so on.

 

[user 3941]

I like the traditional agitation better too but this is pretty cool. It seems to be a reliable design too from what I've been told.

 

[logixx]

Here's a - GE made - video of the two agitation types.

 

 

[gelaundry4ever]

my 2000 GE...

I have a 2000 GE set. Mine has a steel driven gearbox. I use the cotton/sturdy/normal/fast more often than not.