Gorenje or Fisher and Paykel??

[mattywashboy]

Hi Guys.

So myself and my partner are about to move into our new rental home. Our previous landlords decided to sell our current home so we had to made a quick decision to move. For about nine months last year my partner was out of work and we were in a pretty dire financial state. To combat this I sold my brand new Fisher and Paykel top load machine and bought the second hand Simpson I am currently using. I also sold quite a lot of my collection of machines to get some fast cash. Now my partner is back in work again and we are in a drastically better place financially, its time for a brand new machine again.

I have two choices. Originally it was just one choice but Gorenje have appeared in Australia and now I am considering one of them. My only choice before that was the new Fisher and Paykel WashSmart front load machines made by Haier. They are wonderfully stylish and just look great. I have watched a recent video of one and they seem to do a wonderful job.

I have however discovered that Gorenje have started to sell their new machines in Australia now and they look really good and have a few features I like in a washer such as an Extra Water button. I am a little torn with my choice now as either one could be great.

My question is...what would you choose? I will link in the video of the Fisher and Paykel and also attach a link to the Gorenje machine I am considering.



http://www.appliancesonline.com.au/75kg-front-load-gorenje-washing-machine-w7523/

 

[foraloysius]

While I wouldn't advise anyone to buy a Haier product, I'm even more reluctant to tell anyone to buy a Gorenje product. Lately Gorenje has brought some very cheaply made washing machines on the market. Just go to a store and look at those washing machines. Open the door and close it again. If it sounds cheap and hollow, like you put a lid on an empty metal box, it's one of the cheaper series. So to answer your question: Neither! lol

 

[dascot]

One of the F&P machines just got a 35% "Don't Buy" rating from Which? so I would be rather reluctant to buy one of them. Well, that and Haier's unproven reliability record as yet. They slated it for average to poor cleaning, poor at rinsing, being very noisy and expensive.

 

[askolover]

Gorenje

I'm curiously awaiting the future reliability ratings of Asko now that Gorenje owns them too.

 

[washer111]

Matt,

I think there are far better picks than these two. Even as an avid Fisher and Paykel fan, I will 100% admit their fruits come from the tree of the Top Loader, and the Dishwasher in a Drawer, not from Front Loaders or traditional Dishwashers.

If you can afford to do so (or can wait a while), I would urge you to look into one of the more prestigious European brands.
I haven't checked the prices, but I would recommend something from Bosch, Miele, Asko or Whirlpool perhaps.
Not sure what the second-hand market is like either, but these machines would be good buys secondhand.

 

[mattywashboy]

Thanks for the input guys.

I feel I may go down the Gorenje route or Miele. The base model of the new series Miele is not too bad at $1500 so I may get that. I was thinking I would try something different but might be very worth while going with something known to be reliable.

Lets see what I end up with lol

Thanks again.

 

[twinniefan]

What about Beko

Hi Matt,
Have you had a look at the Beko range, I am quite taken in by the 6.5kg model, in fact if and when the LG T.L. dies, this will most likely be it's replacement.
As for F&P, I tend to agree with Washer 111, the top loaders seem to be their forte, and Haier, well my twinnie is a Haier and it worked quite well for the time it was in use, don't really know about their automatics though.
Just as as an aside, I am sooo totally in love with the Beko fridge/freezer range too.
Also forgot to mention the Euromaid front loaders, there is a 5kg and a 7kg model.
Happy shopping whichever one you choose.

 

[gorenje]

Hi Matt,

I'm sorry to hear about the hard times for you and your partner. I'm glad now it's going better.

Well I cannot say much about the Haier made Fisher and Paykel but I can tell you my experience with the new Gorenje washing machine.

My father owns a new Gorenje Senso Care washing machine.
I personally would not say at all that they are cheaply made.
At least the model he has. It's the W8665K.

Maybe the only thing that I don't like that much is how the handle of the door is made.
But the detergent dispenser is sturdy and it opens and closes very well and so are the other plastic parts.
The volume of the drum is really big (64 litre) so it is a real 8 kg machine.
I like the big waterfall recirculation and the spin-wash.
It really washes very well.
I've discovered the "BIO wash" that uses high water levels. Now it has become the program that I use the most.

It has different washing modes (Normal, Time, Eco and Allergy). So you can choose how your wash will be done. For example you can chose the Time mode with higher tumbling and shorter cycles.

The only thing that could be better on the machine is the distribution during the spin cycle, because sometimes it takes some time to start the spin.

I know that the machine you mentioned is a bit different from the one my father has but at least you heard a first hand opinion.

Ingemar

 

[mattywashboy]

HI Ingemar.

Thanks for that.

I have got the model your father has in my sights too as that is also available here. I could very well get that one because I do like all the features and looks quite sleek.

Thanks
Matt

 

[henene4]

QuickWet

I'm not sure how its called, but the higher end Gorenje has a recirculation pump. Something that usually improves washing and rinsing quite well. Not sure about the one you posted, though. It *should* be listed as QuickWet under the features list.

 

[Hooverpom69]

Haier owns F&P

It will be interesting to see what happens to the F&P brand over the next few years. Haier acquired F&P a couple of years ago. I believe TL design is still being done in NZ but all production moved to Thailand some years ago.

I have had an Ariston Washer/Dryer for the last couple of years and that seems to be performing well. These are the machines that are sold in the UK under the Hotpoint brand name.

 

[washingpowder]

WHAT?

It took me three cigarettes to get over that fact.
Was planning on buying a loft(ish) apartment withing the next 5 years, and getting almost everything from F&P (only thing would be a Miele G7856 I absolutely loved using a couple of years ago).
Why on earth would F&P sell their brand to Haier?
In my first rental in Queens I had a Haier combo washer/dryer and their fridge. Both were a nightmare, one could literally feel that chintzy lack of finish.

 

[washer111]

Yes...

Its a sad truth. I can only hope their present range of TL washers and DishDrawers are still being built to equivalent quality, else they aren't worth it anymore, IMO.

Our Fridge/Freezer pair are from 1999, and must have been some of the last variants to be manufactured right here in Australia (In Cleveland, Queensland). Then off to China/Thailand/Taiwan/Mexico.
The DishDrawers are from Mexico. At least its close to the USA... LOL

 

[laundromat]

The FP looks a little like a PhIlco Bendix with the door handle similarity as well as the actual door itself. However,I'd never consider anything made by FP. They just don't send me.

 

[mattywashboy]

Thanks guys for the input :-D

I went with the unpopular choice of the Fisher and Paykel because it scored an 80% rating in the Choice tests they do here. I know that might not hold much significance but I'm willing to give the machine the best chance possible to prove itself and maintain some semblance of Fisher and Paykels dignity.

Plus it looks very sexy lol

I get the machine tomorrow and it's got a lot of washing to get through in its first couple of days so I will report back when I have given it a bit of a work out lol

Matt

 

[dascot]

Matt - good luck! I'd be interested to read the Choice test - is it available online anywhere? Just curious to see how two consumer magazines could test with such wildly different results, given the 35% score from Which?!

Worth a try anyway, and if you don't get on with it then you can return / resell it and buy something different

 

[mattywashboy]

Hopefully the link shows the review... I'm not sure if the ones manufactured for the UKmarket are different or not. Choice tests all of their machines on a cold water wash I believe. Anyway I will see how it goes

http://https//www.choice.com.au/pro...g/Washing-machines/fisher-and-paykel-wh7560j1

 

[washer111]

Not sure if you're a paid member there, Matt, but it seems any useful information about the machine is barred for non-paying members visiting the site.

And you're right about the cold wash thing... I can't spend too long there, lest I end up construing a huge letter/email to them about why they're wrong LOL.
(What's funnier for me is the majority of Australians have solar water heaters, yet we are still being pushed to cold water washing... Doesn't make any sense to me!)

 

[foraloysius]

Congratulations on the new washing machine! It looks indeed very sexy. Ofcourse we want a full report!

Did you see both machines in a store?

 

[mattywashboy]

I saw the Fisher andPaykel in the stores but the Gorenje was only available onlineso could only see pictures online.

So far so good with the F&P! It has wonderful Vortex spin wash sequences and great deep rinses. Very quiet too! It does like to make sure it's balanced properly before spinning which can take a while to achieve but not that noticeable when your not stood over it watching it!

When I get full internet service in my new house I'll post it to YouTube.

 

[washer111]

Interesting...

Well, if this turns out to be a positive experience for you Matt, I may well have something in the realms of affordable on the list.

Also a bit surprised to hear you've moved/moving!

 

[mattywashboy]

Yes I moved house on the weekend my old rental was sold so I had no choice :-/ I've hit the F&P with a few tough loads over the past two days and it's handled them realky well. I'm very happy with it thus far so I hope it continues

 

[gorenje]

Hi Matt

congratulation for the purchase. It's nice to hear you are happy with it.

Enjoy the washing with your new Fisher & Paykel.

 

[ronhic]

One thing to note

Choice now only tests with a 3.5kg partial load.

 

This is because the average sized load done, regardless of machine size, is between 3 and 4kg.

 

I believe Which? tests with either an 80% or 100% loading based on the stated capacity of the machine.

 

 

 

[washer111]

While its been mentioned before by Ronhic, I'm actually surprised machines perform better with half loads.

Sure, there is plenty more tumbling going on, and maybe the cycles end up being too long for what is actually in there, but the consensus here seemed to be that more clothes meant for rubbing, and therefore more cleaning?

Anyway, just an "interesting" point I wanted to bring up.

I myself am trying to get into "full loads," only trouble is you end up running out of that one thing (work shirts or undershirts). Then you have to find a place to hang it all. LOL

 

[northernmary]

which? review

just been browsing through this month's which? Magazine

Northernmary

 

[washerman250]

I won't be buying one of them then I need good rinsing

 

[washer111]

Everyday Cycle and Synthetics

Ever try getting the stains out of that?

Not an easy task. Cold water, warm water and even hot soaking over several days, followed by warm and hot washes can prove difficult in removing stains.
So a cycle designed with these fabrics in mind will be washing to remove fresh stains and odours - not treat stains like a regular cycle might. Also, since synthetics often dry easily, I can't imagine a standard testing load would yield good rinsing - they're very easily rinsed fabrics (I wear these sorts of collared t-shirts for work).

Another example: "Robe" for altar server's at Church. Having recently started this, one of the "robes" (cannot recall the proper name). Clearly not washed for years, or not washed properly for years. Made out of shower curtain material, so I knew what I was probably in for.
Started with a warm soak, with plenty of product (Detergent + Stain remover). That did well. Then it went into the Miele for a Quick20 wash at 40º for rinsing purposes, mostly. Hung up to dry.
Next day, washed our shower curtains, so ran a Delicates programme in hot (60º) water. That tidied the rest up reasonable well. There is still some slight yellowing round the collar, but far less noticeable than before. And no grime around the cuffs, either. Still, a lot of work for some minor stains.

 

[mattywashboy]

Well the UK machines must be programmed differently or have different motors. Mine is silent other than when it's draining, rinses wonderfully and everything thus far has come out clean. It would be interesting to see a UK one in operation but if people buy machines based on these test reviews then noones going to buy one lol

 

[aeg03]

Mattywashboy,

I would not take what WHICH say seriously. Their reports are not accurate and I've complained to them in the past.

They recommended a crappy Zanussi Flexi Dose over a Jetsystem model. I had experience with both and the Flexi Dose was very poor in comparison yet WHICH rated the Flexi Dose higher. I was puzzled.

They also rated my Hotpoint machine as having poor cleaning and rinsing - again I have no issues with it.