LG Front Load Washer

[powerfin64]

the video is of our own Mickeyd's LG washer

that is a older LG model washer. spray rinses were longer, but fine water mist.

Newer LG's that have spray rinsing are shorter but heavier water spray. Older

LG washers also didn't have the dark plastic door covering, which is for looks

mostly, you could see clearly what's going on inside.

I wonder if Mickeyd still has that Red LG washer?

 

[appnut]

Thanks Rich. I knew I wasn't imagining what I'd seen before. And I better understand what I don't see very well with the new ones but glad to know the feature is still essentially there with a design change.

 

[powerfin64]

your most welcome Bob!

 

[mark_wpduet]

I just watched

an LG w turbo wash normal cycle. I can't remember the model # but it's a recent machine. The video was only 1 yr old. Normally, I would avoid Normal, but in this case, I didn't think it was that bad of a cycle at all. Actually, one thing is did reminded me of my current duet in that when it spins after the wash and goes into the first rinse, it slowly spins while adding water while filling up the tub for the first rinse. It does this for maybe 2 min's or more, really sloshing water into the clothes. It does this on the other rinses as well, just not as long as the first rinse. Anyway, this LG did a similar thing. Also, I saw the spray rinse. Yes, it's 5 seconds long (LOL)...but I swear, I think the LG's add more water during rinses than washes (thank goodness) lots of sloshing during rinses and more turbo wash action. It also used the nozzle for the spray rinse to help fill the tub for rinsing. I really do like these machines from what I've seen much better than the other machines I've watched.

 

[golittlesport]

towels cycle with turbo wash

After reading this thread about LG washers, turbo wash and the spray rinse, I thought I'd try turbo wash on the towels cycle on my six year old LG today. I never used turbo wash on that cycle before because I was afraid it might suds lock during the spray rinses with a full load of heavy towels.

I was surprised to see that it did no spray spin rinses, just three deep rinses with recirculation. It did use the higher water level, even with the turbo wash selected. I like this cycle for towels because it uses a higher water level and reaches the full max spin speed between all rinses. Really does a good rinsing job on towels. I'm thinking the machine drops the spin spray rinses on Towels cycle for the reason I was thinking -- the possibility of creating a suds lock situation.

 

[appnut]

Rich, that's exactly why there are no spray rinses on Towels with Turbowash. My only complaint is because there's no steam option for Towels, one cannot engage the onboard heater to maintain hot water temperature, or even raise it some. LG models back in 2011 DID have their models/cycles programmed that towels did engage the heater when needed.

 

[mark_wpduet]

instead of towels

couldn't you use bright whites for the heat? Or does that engaged the heater? I don't know

I'm wondering about cycle option combinations that would work or NOT work. Take Perm Press....You can choose turbo wash/more soil/ extra rinse/high spin speed with that cycle?

Speed wash: Can you choose that cycle and add extra rinse/more soil/high spin/turbo wash

I think (unless something's changed) that if you choose the bulky cycle, you can't get HIGH spin.....the highest you can get is medium.

 

[appnut]

Mark, you need to study the use & care manual to answer those questions. There's a table/chart which shows options available for cycles.

And yes, you could use the Whites cycle as well as Normal or Heavy Duty and select Ex. Hot wash temp for those two cycles. But I want as much flexibility of steam and hotter washes just like I have in my Duet. And back in 2011 when I ordered my Duet, the only other brand that had comparable offerings/flexibility was LG at the time.

 

[mark_wpduet]

If your duet is 10 yrs old........mine is 6 years older. You could potentially still have it a long time. I know mine is German made. Not sure if they were still making them in Germany then or not. The ONLY sign that mine is ageing is (once in a while, when the drum rotates, it squeaks in one direction..but it's like baby birds chirping type of squeak....not a loud squeak.. and it's done it periodically the past 3 years......completely stopping for months at a time only to start back randomly then stop again for months. Otherwise, it's still very healthy sounding. But I just don't see how it could possibly go much longer. I feel like something HAS to give any moment. Who knows though, I might get several more years. You just never know. But I like to keep up with what's out there just in case.

 

[appnut]

Mark, I am like you, I like to keep up with what's out there. My Duet was the first the first direct drive Duet and was also the first ones to be produced in Ohio at their laundry facility. I hope I get another 5 years from it too.

 

[trappn]

appnut........

......stay with the Duet for as long as it makes you happy. That's what we would do.

Many thanks for all the feedback. Keep it coming.

 

[lakewebsterkid]

towels cycle

I wish my Kenmore had a towels cycle. That is one disadvantage of the Kenmores over the LGs. No cycle on my machine reaches the full spin speed on interim spin. However, the Sanitize cycle actually uses higher rinse levels in comparison to the Normal cycle and defaults to 3 rinses with TurboWash off. That has been my to-go-to for towels. So far it has been excellent. First interim spin is slower than the others. Perhaps to prevent either wrinkles or sudslock.

 

[logixx]

Does the Steam option engage the heater during the actual wash, or just the steam phase? Older posts on Houzz indicated that, once the initial steam phase was over, the machine would fill for a cool-down and then continue washing. It was not mentioned, if the water was reheated thereafter.

Also: how long does it take for a larger load to be saturated with steam on? I've seen a video on YouTube where it took quite a while for the clothes to be saturated with water/detergent, while the machine was boiling the enzymes underneath the drum.

 

[appnut]

Alex, I've always wondered what LG's approach was to accomplishing this function. On my Duet is the following sequence: Selecting steam option has the cycle fill with warm warm water. Then the wash load gradually heats the water to hot--this can be up to 50 minutes depending upon soil level. Then the wash water is drained and load receives a distribution speed spin. Then the steam generator is engaged and the load is steamed for up to 20 minutes then does the cool down. When Sanitize wash temperature is selected outright, the machine fills with hot water and the heater is engaged to boost the water temperature for 50 or so minutes. Then the wash water is drained and goes through the above mentioned sequence. It's my understanding that both LG and Whirlpool used a steam generator to accomplish all this back when this feature was first on the market. And that both brands discontinued the steam generator. But never clear as to how the tsk was executed now.

 

[henene4]

LGs aim on the Steam cycles is to get the benefit of a hot wash hygienicly, not the cleaning performance.

They say otherwise, but they don't actually want to saturate the load before steaming.

At least over here.

Never thought LGs approach to steaming was much use.

When they still used a separate steam generator, it was activated only during cold wash stages in the EU.

Even if it wasn't in the US, heating that way wouldn't get you very far I'd say.
The separate generator was only 1000W or so, that limits its use for heating.

Now steaming dry clothing seems just useless.

Steaming after a wash cycle before rinsing (either before or after interim spin) might seem more useful as it might boost already hot laundry higher and extend temp hold without much power usage.

But in general never saw much use in the steam thing for wash treatment.

For anti crease it is awesome, though!

 

[appnut]

I've made the following comment before either here or Gardenweb laundry forums. It's my opinion "steam" is/was used as a relatively low-energy, inexpensive way to raise the temperature in front loaders. If I remember correctly, when Whirlpool released their front loaders to the American market back in 2001 Sears was the first to offer the onboard heater and Whirlpool followed shortly thereafter in order to give Sears the marketing advantage of onboard heater. (Remember those of us at the August 2001 Wash-In going to a couple of Sears in Minneapolis to see in person their new front loaders and some of us "arming the Hettie" (giving a hello wave to ChestermikeUK) Sears version were named He and the HeT -- the T indicating onboard heater. Sears also offered the exclusive feature of stain treat button--which engaged the heater to gradually heat wash water from warm to Hot or Sanitize. Both Whirlpool and Sears models with the heater mentioned in the user manual that the Heavy Duty cycle provided stepped heating to allow the treatment of various types of stains as water was gradually heated. With Sears offering the stain treat button, that forced the gradual heating on other cycles rather than simply the single Heavy Duty cycle.

 

[egress]

if either the extra hot or steam options are selected the water heater turns on. I know that for a fact, though i am not sure how hot it actually gets in practice. the water heater is effective though, i'll give it that. when a steam cycle finishes the drum is often still pretty hot and lets out a nice fresh burst of air. the drum door also fogs up significantly and the door will not unlock until the washer has determined it has cooled to a safe temperature to open.

 

[appnut]

As for Whirlpool's approach after removing the steam generator, I may be imagining this, but I seem to vaguely recall asking someone how the washer steams different than mine, I htink I understood that there is a small amount of water put in the outer tub near the heater and that pool of water is heated to such that it reaches a steaming point and the steam raises up through the load. Unfortunately, no one with newer Whirlpool versions has videoed and put on YouTube their washer doing a steam cycle. I'd like to believe (hope) their approach is different than LG and is similar to the sequence of my current Duet.

 

[mark_wpduet]

Honestly, I think I could live without steam......as long as I have a heater, it sort of creates steam anyway....especially in sanitary...

The reason I'm no longer looking at Whirlpool is the door being plastic and them taking away the glass. That move just screams (let's cut corners throughout the machine to meet the best bottom line)...Now, I know LG is no Miele, but it doesn't feel nearly as cheap and according to Youtube, they are incredibly easy to take apart and service.

 

[vacerator]

Many of the lower end

machines have steam, but it uses the heater to safely remove stains. They don't actually inject steam.

 

[gelaundry4ever]

I have seen

the lg turbowash360 videos. I did notice the cold fill goes through the spray rinse nozzle.

 

[egress]

yes, the spray rinse nozzle and i believe all of the detergent/bleach/softener dispenser shower nozzles are cold as well.

As for the ease of disassembly, ours seems quite easy. few screws on the front and the door gasket needs to be unhooked, and then i believe the front just can be pulled off.

 

[henene4]

LG machines are quite serviceable and parts are usually OK-ish price wise.

Especially the typical parts (hall sensor, pumps, PCBs) are quite easy to get to.

They have splittable tubs and even often have drum spiders available as a separate part.
So basically everything can be done at a reasonable cost if you do it yourself.

 

[trappn]

Splittable Tubs........

I agree the LG's seem like they would be easy to work on; but, remember reading somewhere that the tubs are no longer splittable.

Not that we're that eager to find out, though.

 

[henene4]

You are correct

The WM3900 appears to have a sealed tub unit since they no longer offer separate parts for that, same for the WM4200.

Would be a shame!

Lorainfurniture on YT has a video of the WM3500 where he takes it apart, and you can see a bolted together tub.
The WM3900 should use the same tub unit, though not sure if the WM4xxx series does so aswell.

So splitting it should still be possible for a bearing exchange

 

[egress]

hmm, maybe i'll have to take a peek inside my 3900 to verify this. seems like we don't know for certain if its one or the other.

 

[trappn]

Today's The Day........

Home Depot's holiday price for the 4200 is $848. Matching gas dryer, $948. That's $50 less than Best Buy & Lowe's. We're going to jump on it.

Only thing we're on the fence about is the extended warranty.

 

[lakewebsterkid]

steam

In our Kenmore it fills with 40C water and heats up to 65C. It will then add water to appropriate water level of the cycle, and continue heating and washing for a certain amount of time. No 'steam' phase like in the Duets where a small amount of water is super heated. I never understood that.

 

[trappn]

I'm Glad I Called.......

We originally tried to order the WM4200 set in the local Homer Depot store, but they wouldn't allow us to use PayPal at checkout.

Then, I tried ordering from HD on line, but noticed the installation kits I chose weren't appearing in the cart.

Called, today, to ask whether I could pay for the kits + dryer installation separately. They agreed, but insisted I purchase a dryer power cord since it must be hardwired.

After performing the math, concluded neither the store nor the on-line order calls for a separate power cord to be purchased. Makes us wonder how any of these dryers ever got installed by Home Depot's agents?

 

[mark_wpduet]

I wonder -

if there is a difference in the exact same cycles between different models. Example, say, the towels cycle on the 3900, 4000, 4200, 4500. Would they all be identical, such as spray rinse length, rinse levels, etc?

That's a GREAT price for the 4200. I'm trying to remember, but when I got my standard Whirlpool dryer a couple of years ago, if I had to buy the cord separate...I totally forgot.

Whirlpool must be really far behind because of COVID as I noticed a lot of the Maytag/Whirlpool's are out of stock. Do the Maytag FL's have plastic instead of glass? I remember a while back (I think it was Frigilux) said that after a while, their interim spins started acting up in the Maytag. Like it was a software issues or something. I finally got to see a Maytag FL in action and it wasn't bad at all. I feel like it used as much water as much current DUET and it had recirculation.....

The thing about recirculation that I don't understand with some of the videos I've seen is that it will actually not engage for a while, then it will engage. I wonder when I'm watching why the recirculation isn't on during the entire wash/rinse phase, but more sporadically