I LOVE my KitchenAid!

[geoff]

Spin and fill...

Andrew, The spin to me is PHENOMINAL considering what I used before was a Super Capacity BD Whirlpool. going from that to the KitchenAid things feel SOOO dry when I take them out in comparison to the WP. They also dry much faster.

Bryan, Thanks. I'll tell you, the water pressure in my house could sand blast the paint off the walls, but in the KitchenAid, it takes FOREVER to fill. My WP would fill up in 2 minutes or less. This one takes FOREVER LOL. that is my ONLY complaint.

 

[andrewinorlando]

I see these machines regularly at the Sears Outlet store for under $400, many times with the matching dryer. I always wondered why they weren't more popular, and why Sears doesn't sell them in their retail stores (at least they don't here in Orlando) as they look like solid, sturdy, reliable washers.

 

[frigilux]

Geoff--- I recall my KA also was slow to fill. I wonder if they limit the force of incoming water in order to keep the noise down---as do new dishwashers.

 

[mrb627]

Lid Switch

Does this machine agitate with the lid open? I thought maybe because it was the wide lid that it wouldn't agitate with the lid up.

MRB

 

[zipdang]

Does this machine agitate with the lid open?

I had this exact same machine, and it does agitate with the lid open during both the wash and rinse. The only time it doesn't agitate with the lid open is during the wash after the second of the two timed-release bleach flushes (last few minutes of wash time). After that, the lid has to be closed in order to complete the wash and advance into the drain phase.

 

[mrb627]

Lid Switch

Thanks zipdang!

MRB

 

[geoff]

Umm, a little different

They must have updated mine then because mine does nothing except fill with the lid open. They tell you how to defeat the switch but I haven't gotten around to it yet. It is now trying to become like a Maytag LOL

 

[tomturbomatic]

Geoff, My mom's 1958 Lady Kenmore explained why the woolens setting was on the normal cycle. The settings gave warm/warm, slow agitation and fast spin. The warm wash and rinse was so that a temperature shock would not cause the wool to "draw up"; think anatomy and cold versus warm water. The fast spin was to spin out the great amount of water that wool and many similar knits hold. Many deluxe machines with programmed cycles like the GE washers from 1958 on, combined those settings in their cycle "5" for woolens. Frigidaire used it in their "Special" cycle a year later.

One thing I do not like about my KA 760 is the tall agitator. Mine has no electric dispensers like yours (sorry for assuming it was a Catalyst when I saw those dispensers. So much happens in 15 years.) The fabric softener dispenser sits in the top of my turquoise agitator. It gets in the way when loading and unloading so I just keep it out. I don't care for the tall agitator in my 806 either, so it's not just the KitchenAid.

I, too, long for the days when control panels, at least on TOL models, had some styling, but I think we are beyond that. Most people do not care how the laundry appliances look, don't like using them and don't need any extra light to read the panels since most don't care. Once they get it set for cold wash and rinse, the rest does not matter. The makers of appliances know this. And they probably know that in most households, hired help and /or often unwilling children are doing a lot of the laundry so it's not a situation where the proud owner is going to be looking at a beautifully styled wonderful washer, so crank them out as cheaply as possible. Don't waste money on good industrial designers for bringing flair to the control panel. All the users care about is getting the load stuffed in, starting it and getting back to something that they enjoy or at least dislike less.

 

[frigilux]

Tom-- That's interesting, as our 1960 Model 80 Kenmore (with the great pushbutton cycle selectors) had a Washable Woolens cycle that gave you 2 minutes of slow agitation and slow spins. In fact, the only difference between the Washable Woolens cycle and the Light Soil Delicate was that the final spin on the woolens cycle was 4 minutes in length; the final spin on the delicate cycle was 6 minutes in length (and therefore had some spray rinses).

Funny how things change! I would think the fast spin speed makes more sense for wool.

 

[zipdang]

Geoff, it makes sense that they've redesigned the machine not to agitate with the lid open. I seem to recall Jason mentioning that his mom's Kenmore Elite, which is a very similar machine, also doesn't agitate with the lid raised. Oh well, I became very adept at reaching underneath and tripping the switch so I could watch the machine drain and spin. Such safety measures are no match for me.

 

[agiflow]

spray rinsing

Hi again Geoff. I was meaning to ask about the spray rinsing with your KA washer. Does it spray twice in each spin or just once. Would be the deciding factor for me as i want to upgrade to this machine.

 

[toggleswitch]

PAT: Consider a front-loader (ducks and runs) Even WP makes them .... (whoosh) runs for the hills........

 

[geoff]

Pat..

It spray rinses twice on the final spin. I'm really surprised, the final rinse water is completely clear in just about every load. Even if I want my clothes to have some amount of fragrance to them, They almost always come out scent free LOL. This machine rinses better than my belt drive WP. I'm quite satisfied with it's rinsing.

 

[surgilator]

Superba in Action?

Geoff:

I'm just noticed this thread. The the superba is awesome. I've been admiring it at the appliance store. Would you be willing/able to show us a video the machine in action?

Rob

 

[geoff]

Hi Rob!

Sure you can see some vids. I have some posted on You tube. They are a little dark, I apologize but they do show the dispensers and you can see the wash action pretty well. Later today I'll get around to posting more.

 

[surgilator]

Thanks Geoff!

Thanks for posting the vids. That is a superb machine. I want one bad!

 

[washininct]

Geoff,

Just wanted to let you know I am relying on your love of this machine! I am getting mine delivered tomorrow. I have never been so excited about an appliance in my life before! But after this past nightmare with my MOLDY LG I CAN NOT WAIT to get my new machine!!!!!!! And after back orders and mix ups...I am happy to announce I got the phone call tonight it is in and being delivered tomorrow AM...woooohoooo! I sure hope I am as thrilled after doing some laundry in it! I'll let ya know!

 

[geoff]

WOOOOHOOOOOO

I'm sure you will be absolutely THRILLED with your machine..Seeing that you are in CT, if you want the in's and out's I would love to have a little wash in

 

[agiflow]

Thanks Jeff for the update....computer has been down for 2 weeks,....and YOU....YOU TOGGLESWITCH,...i'll get you my pretty,...how dare YOU...( mandatory evil laughter) ;-)

 

[DADoES]

A post on KA's discussion forum says their TL laundry pairs are being discontinued by end of this year. So if you want one, get it now.