Good Ideas Twin Tub Washing Machine

[ibaisaic]

Hello,

I'm mainly into vacs, but I do like other appliances including washing machines. I have a perfectly good Bosch automatic, but when I saw this compact twin tub on offer, I just had to get it.

After completing a few loads, I must say I am very impressed with it. I haven't tried washing bedding in it yet, but it coped with towels and a bathmat with no trouble. The instructions were pretty useless, so I intend to film a full review and demo for Youtube soon. It won't be on my vacuum channel "Ibaisaic" but on my other channel. A link will be posted here when I've uploaded the video.

Anybody have any experience of this or similar machines? Any tips for best results that I can share on the video will be gratefully received.

Roger.

 

[mattywashboy]

I had a very similar one to that only a bit more basic. I loooved it! Great for just doing your socks and undies in steaming hot water while your other clothes wash in the automatic. Did a brilliant job! I'm considering getting another one as now some of them have pumps and the ability to run water into the spin tub while spinning for rinsing.

I made a video of mine when I had it. ill embed it below.

Matt

 

[ibaisaic]

Hello Matt,

I watched your video when I was researching these compact twin tubs and found it most useful and interesting.

My machine does have a pump and a water inlet into the spin dryer and takes a bigger load. I was surprised how big it was when I received it, but still light enough to carry around. It could certainly be used as a main washer for a single person, but I don't know how long it would last with frequent use.
I have been using it in my ensuite bathroom as the fill and drain hoses are a bit too short to reach my kitchen sink comfortably and the fill hose doesn't fit my kitchen tap. I have to use an extension lead to plug it in, but the fill hose is a good fit for my ensuite sink tap and the drain hose is placed on the floor of the shower cubicle.

It is fun to use, but once the novelty wears off I will probably use it less, but it's nice to have especially since I don't have anywhere to store a full sized twin tub. This one sits in the bottom of my built in wardrobes and is carried a few feet into my ensuite when I want to use it.

 

[arbilab]

I have the nearly-identical Panda version, highly satisfied. The wash disc does tend to knot large objects like sheets. I agitate intermittently during long (30-50min) soaks.

Would rather the 'wash mode' knob had two speeds as it implies. It doesn't. The 'gentle' has a shorter duty cycle at the same speed, "generous". It does abrade dense items like jeans. Hence the intermittent/soak operation.

These small inexpensive machines have much the same utility as the much-larger Easy Spindrier. Despite the instructions implying otherwise, both tubs can be used independently at the same time. Most things that fail in 'modren' (sic) automatics-- computer, valves, suspension, transmission-- do not exist so they tend to be trouble free.

'Some' parts and service notes are available from the original sellers if they choose to do so (from extensive reading of user reviews on Amazon). Do NOT use water above 120F with these plastic machines. Excess heat can cause leaks or outright failure. The plumbing is glued PVC.

The spinner in these are the bomb. Direct drive, not even a belt, and towels come out after 3 minutes dry enough to use.

 

[liamy1]

I had

That machine, it was crap. Broken from the minute it came out the box and everything on it felt cheap.

 

[ibaisaic]

Demo video now on Youtube

Here's the video I made of the twin tub. I have been using it exclusively for all my washing since I got it and I am still very happy with it.

 

[aquacycle]

Thanks for sharing, Roger, I shall check this out when I get home.

Out of interest, what is your "proper" washer (for lack of a better term)?

 

[ibaisaic]

My main washer is theBosch below and I have a Zanussi condensing dryer in the garage.

 

[ibaisaic]

Just over two years old, the Bosch breaks down.........

When my partner discovered I had purchased this small twin tub, he wasn't best pleased, especially as we have a Bosch automatic that is barely two years old. I told him that I got it cheap and it would always come in handy if the Bosch broke down, but he wasn't convinced.

Well, my dear husband (Well he's not my husband, but he rubbed up against me in a sports jackets, so he's as good as) has had to eat humble pie this morning after the Bosch went kaput while washing his precious Boden shirts. What an inconvenience! Yes, for most people, but not for the sensible folk that happen to have a compact twinny in their ensuite.

So this afternoon I will be washing his shirts and a couple of loads of my clothes and tea towels in my little twin tub with a very smug expression on my face.

Not happy about the Bosch though. Fortunately we extended the guarantee so the repairs are covered, but the last Bosch we had went for 8 years before giving any trouble. We have both agreed on getting a Miele next time, but only one that has a 10 year guarantee as I hear if a Miele goes wrong, you need to arrange a second mortgage to pay for the repair.

 

[aegokocarat]

Oh dear!
I've never heard of a Bosch going so quickly mind, whats wrong with it if you don't mind me asking?
Tom

 

[ibaisaic]

Well I am currently doing a rinse and spin in it and all seems fine, but my partner tells me it was making a horendous noise when he had it on the easy care programme and the display was flashing no.

 

[aegokocarat]

If the display was flashing "No" then wouldn't it have been paused accidentally?
only saying that because we know a few people who have a similar machine and if the start reload button is pressed then the machine will flash "No" and then "Yes" to signal that the door is unlocked/locked.
Hmm :/
Tom

 

[oliveoiltinfoil]

Hmm, disappointing for Bosch, but probably just bad luck. Bosch make quality, well made reliable products, and their washers score second to Miele on dependability according to Which? magazine.

I have just got a Serie 6 washer which looks similar to this, only with a larger digital display and a new design knob lol. It has the same imprints on the side of the washer which apparently reduce vibration, but at the very least they add strength to the body. I am well pleased with mine.

I had to have a Bosch engineer out recently as my drum was banging and crashing around the kitchen (nearly) which turned out to be transit tab like things, the bolts go into. Some thin plastic whatever you call them was causing the problems, but I must say he was very polite and more importantly was an actual Bosch engineer, not a third party contractor. Hopefully yours gets sorted out okay.

How did it go kaput? Just stopped working? Any error messages or smoke?

 

[ibaisaic]

The start button is sometimes activated accidentally when the machine is on, for example if one was to brush against it for example, but recently it has been going into pause mode when nobody is in the kitchen and it has to be restarted by pressing the button again.

Anyway, I decided to try the Bosch myself because I wasn't in when it started having a hissy fit.
I first tried rinse and spin using some shirts that I had washed in the twin tub and everything seemed fine.
I then washed a load of tea towels and selected a 60 degree cotton wash, speed perfect and again it went through the whole cycle with no further incident.

I think that there may be something wrong with the Bosch, but it seems fine for now. It is still under warranty, so if anything major happens at least it is covered.