My new AEG Protex Washer and Dryer

[suds]

Hi all!

I recently moved to a new place and decided to treat myself to a new set of laundry appliances - after exhaustive research (that is actually how I found this site) I decided on the attached AEG Protex Washer and Dryer. As space was limited in the kitchen I decided to install them in on of the 2 hall closets and it seems to have worked out really well. I did buy the stacking kit however as the washer which is heavy (82kg) is standing on a wooden floor there was still too much wobble for my liking (despite some reinforcement). I thus installed a shelf for the dryer which has made moving the items in and out for maintenance etc. a lot easier, and still use the stacking kit shelf.

Sofar the the washer is exceptionally quiet and seems to be a master at balancing virtually any load, something which my previous LG 8KG seemed to have hassles with fairly often, there were some load combo's that one knew would just not work, I tried the 3 most troublesome loads first on the new AEG and not even a whimper! She just seems to get on with it! I am so impressed. Dryer is good too - nice big drum for items to fall around nicely.

Anyone have any experience with these of have any questions please feel free to ask

B

 

[ozzie908]

Very nice !

May I welcome you to this lovely corner of the net )

A nice pair you have there and so much better looking than previous models.

Austin

 

[suds]

Thank You...

..Austin

Yes I have to say they have done a nice job on the new design - very neat.

Here's another view, doors closed this time. (apologies for the bad quality photo - bad lighting at this closet mucked about with camera)

 

[ozzie908]

Clever use of a cupboard !

Such an excellent idea using that space to put the machines.

Austin

 

[lavamat_jon]

That AEG set looks lovely in the cupboard - my first laundry pair was an AEG washer and dryer from 2004 (the dryer still lives on at my partners house, the washer is in storage), and I absolutely loved them.  The Sensitive rinsing was the best option on that machine, as well as the flexible time saver option,

 

Hope they last you well, and welcome to the forum!

 

Jon

 

[splittub]

The AEG Protex range sure looks great. Only problem is that these washers have sealed outer tubs, something one wouldn't normally expect from TOL washers.

 

[stevefromsydney]

Hi Suds,

Great machines. I bought the same pair 7 months ago and absolutely love them. They are so quiet, wash, rinse, spin and dry fantastically and as you say never faff on distribute. I probably do 7 loads a week and not once has the washer faffed on distribution.

The heat pump took a little getting used to after having a regular condenser dryer but all good now. It's super quick to dry, quiet and love how it uses a lower temp to dry everything.

Hope you continue to enjoy them as much as I do..

I've included the link to my post when I purchased them.

I Purchased new AEG Protex Exclusiv Washer

Hey all, I decided to treat myself to a new machine and went with the new AEG Protex Exclusiv weight sensor washer. It arrived a few days ago and I have to say I'm really impressed.It's built like a tank. It replaced a 7KG AEG of about 6 years old. The new washer takes a 9KG load but the drum...

www.automaticwasher.org

 

[foraloysius]

That's a pretty set! You're all set for a "Mona Lisa smile" moment! Open the door and show it off. Surprise!!

 

[ronhic]

Steve.

We've been considering replacing a Westinghouse dryer with a heat pump one from either Electrolux/AEG or Beko. Could you give me an idea how long things take to dry?

Say 6 towels or a QS set of sheets/pillow cases and doona cover?

 

[logixx]

Nice set!

Is this one of the dyrers that run at higher drum speed to dry wool and silk?

 

[chris74]

What does Protex mean?

Aren't they Elux machines? I think the AEG is the only dryer to dry woolens, the other brands offer just something to finish it, our BOSCH does that in three minutes time which is therefore a totally useless programme.

 

[suds]

Hey

Thanks for all the feedback -so enjoying this

Austin - thanks, yes it was the best solution I could come up with in the absence of a utility room which is maybe just as we'll as I would be tempted add to the collection - ideally I would have like the matching washer-dryer as well giving one maximum flexibility, I found the straight through wash-dry on my previous machine handy for smaller overnight loads.

Jon - I have always been a fan of AEG and am well aware of those high-water-level sensitive rinses which are fun to watch on YouTube. This washer however lacks the sensitive option but I am pleased with it's water levels which was not the case with my previous machine which I topped up with a bucket through the soap dispenser fairly often when doing down filled pillows, outerwear etc. as the "duvet" program seemed way to feeble and used Colton 60 but with manual filling otherwise left to its own devices one would have a damp item plopping about in there not doing anything useful - I need to see bit of water and a few suds! Lol. Those AEG' s as per your profile pic were the first one's I came into contact with many years ago - I liked the chunky purposeful buttons and they were well regarded in South Africa where I am from originally being the appliance of choice in all the posh people's home's so I kind of equated them to owning a BMW or similar and something to aspire to.

Splittub - ah well what can one do, having taken the sealed tub into consideration vs price vs 5 year warranty vs machine specs (I was only educated about this tab situation with your and other's posts re this) i still decided it was worth it, to be honest, for the brilliant results and money I paid I would be happy with 5 years service and curious to see what new technology is available in 5 years time.

Steve!!! So pleased you commented - it is due to YOUR thread that I stumbled upon via google search that tipped the scale in the AEG's direction, before that I was dead set on going Miele or Siemens only, 2 things that made my eyes wander to other manufacturers were the solid doors on the Miele dryer ( I need/like to see what's happening inside!) and the lack of a steam function on the Siemens although their current TOL washer and dryer are very nice looking and I was quite intrigued by the I-dos automatic dosing feature - however I do prefer powder detergent. I kept clicking on the AEG on the John Lewis website as they are attractive and seemed to have everything I wanted. The price , 5 year warranty, cash back promotion (£150 on the 2) and chiefly your comments on sounds levels and lack of distribution hassles sealed the deal -so once again thank you very much! Have you seen the variable comments on customer feedback tho on the JL site? I wonder what the hassle is -user error?! Would be great to swop more notes with you

Ronhic - drying times times for my weekly loads of: bedlinen (super king flat and fitted sheet and 2 pillowcases around 1 hour 15 mins) towels (2 bath towels, 6 hand/guest towels, 1bath sheet and 8 facecloths 1 hour 30 mins, also approx same for a 4 kg mixed load of synthetics - all spun at 1200) I do select the maximum drying program as i like to pack things away straight out of the dryer, both cotton and synthetic program's have a iron dry, cupboard dry or extra dry setting and on top of this there is a "drying +" option on the touch display one can select with an extra 2 increases in dryness (hope that makes sense!?) I select one dry+ for the synthetics and 2 x dry+ for the cottons which seems to get things soft and just nicely dry.

Logixx - thanks I am really pleased with them! Yes this does the faster drum rotation for woollen items to avoid too much friction resulting in those annoying little bobbles! It pins the items lightly to the drum (somehow managing to distribute them just right -amazing) and then stops every so often to reshuffle the time as to get the dry all round, I recently dried two down filled outerwear jackets which worked a treat

Phew! How's that for a posting! Time to kill with miserable lengthy commuting hassles to work allowed plenty of blabbing time

Brendon

 

[ronhic]

Brendon

Thanks for that.

My Westinghouse badged Zanussi spins at 1200, so those figures are a good indication for me.

 

[stevefromsydney]

So glad you are pleased with them Brendon. Maybe the reviews are from people that are replacing 10 year old machines and are peeved at how long the wash times are if time saver isn't used?. I usually let the washer decide how long it needs and how many rinses and spin length , but if in a rush it's great that you can wash a 9KG load of cottons in 55mins. It's a shame there isn't an option to keep the interior light on during the wash cycle though. Always happy to swap notes.. fire away.

Ronhic - I dried 2 bath sheets, two hand towel, two face clothes and the bath mat yesterday in 1.05hr. I used the cottons programme and they were spun at 1600. A regular load of cottons ( about 3.5KG of singlets, t.shrits, socks etc) takes about 35-40 mins. For bedding I use the bed linen cycle on the dryer. This seems to have slightly slower and shorter reverse patterns which means bedding never balls up together. Something that used to always happen in my old condenser dryer and used to drive me nuts.

The dryer seems to have a very strong airflow current which seems to dry things fast without the need for too much heat. In fact the heat only really kicks in half way through the cycle by which time the clothes are almost dry.

There's also an 'extra quiet' option button. These dryers are very quiet anyway, but using this option the dryer almost emits no sound at all. All you can really hear is the gurgle of the heat pump.

 

[chris74]

Is it a heat pump dryer?

Does it offer a self-cleaning condenser as the BOSCH/Siemens dryer does?

 

[suds]

condenser etc

Chris - yes it is a heat pump and no it does not have a self cleaning condenser - three filters which are easily removed and cleaned ( I find my handheld Dyson very handy for this - it now lives in the closet with the appliances). Steve kindly provided pics of the various parts in his thread shoud you want to see them. I'm intrigued with the self cleaning condenser however not completely convinced (does anyone have any eperience with the Bosch/Siemens self cleaning condensors?) that it will work 100%, surely one little piece of fluff will remain and then all it's buddies will join it casuing a build up and affect the machines efficiency? I'm much happier fiddling/cleaning it myself and do so after each load (kind of out of curiosity) as to keep efficiency to a maximum.

as for the finishing program - my guess it is only a "fluff-up" function.

regarding "Protex" - in my opinion it is a version for the word "protects" as the marketing information is aimed toward the machines being careful not to damage the laundry - smaller loads are washed in shorter times etc.

 

[chestermikeuk]

AEG

Welcome to the club Brendon, your AEG Protex set are looking great in their own laundry, they are once smart looking set. I love the full size display and the LED red gives a good glow..

Any different programme features like say the Wool wash?

We had a meet up over in Nottingham at Jons place and we all besieged John Lewis to try these out, much to the annoyance of the staff!!!

Cheers, Mike

 

[suds]

Steve - Notes

I thought the same thing re: the light being on as I really enjoy seeing whats going on inside. It's a pity about the smokey glass 2nd door that impedes one's view - it does make the machine attractive though overall. I find the dryer noise just a tad too much - that said it is in a smooth walled cupboard which sort of echoes and sends all the sound straight out - I shut the door when the washer is going (which isn't really needed as its virtually dead quiet on the wash) but leave it open for the dryer in case it kicks in the second condensor fan for some cool air. The instructions state it needs air and thought it produces some dry heat its not enough to be any hassle. Does yours also make the little er... what shall I call them... micro rotations/blips/movements before the drum fully starts rotating? I laundered a super king 6 tog duvet today and was flabbergasted at how easily the drum swallowed it and it actually moved about getting a proper massage, once fully sodden/wet it filled the drum to what looked like about 60-70 capacity and "sensed" it was quite a large item and nicely adjusted the time for a much longer wash after it's initial estimation and approx 15mins sensing and filling stage, it's fantastic to be able to now again wash everything at home, she has no hassles washing my down and synthetic pillows either - i stood ready to do the "suicide spin rescue/reshuffle" and nearly shed a tear as she simply jiggled the 4 pillows a few times, evenly distributed them and accelerated into the 1600 spin effortlessly. This machine's ability to distribute a load properly astounds me daily, its not so much being able to handle and unbalanced load as it is the expert distribution as she varies the drum rotations to distribute the load, never the same sequence twice - so clever. The above mentioned duvet used to choke my 8kg LG (bought in 2005), I tried it twice and didn't bother as it just sat in a ball turning but not moving at all (also had to manually add water despite the shower spray and "duvet setting"), managed the interim spins but never managed the final spin, did a few balances at almost maybe 400 and needed me to pause and repack it maybe 5 times to get it to spin - drove me crazy. Which brings me to another thing I like, the door lock that releases quickly if one pauses the washer, so handy - opens up virtually immediately. the 45 seconds on the LG felt like an eternity - 3 mins if a 60C cycle was running...I have to state though that the LG gave me 7 years good service (worked hard but not abused (I often hunt for things to launder) - regular service washes and no overloading except for the duvet ...) not bad for a washer-dryer, it must have sensed it was being replaced as the power unit (I'm not too up-to-speed on the mechanical bits) gave up 1 DAY after I ordered the AEG's - coincidence!? hmm I'm not convinced. Another 2 things I noticed was that the fluff carryover from a previous load is much less than my previous appliance which must point to superior rinsing, previously a dark load (having forgotten to run a rinse in-between) after say the towels covered everything which then needed manually intervention (me with fuzz roller in hand), now the carry-over is minimal and sorted by the dryer anyway. Also have you noticed that the clockwise rotations are a little faster on the cotton programs, 17 versus 21 in the same amount of time - noticed this when doing a foamy service wash and then heard the scoops/paddles hitting the foam (ploomf-ploomf) as the drum turned at different frequencies...am I sad for having noticed such a small thing?! *blushes*

 

[suds]

hey Mike

Thank you very much, I do stand and admire them fairly regularly, I really like the look of them. The Logicontrol display is lovely with all its options/symbols and wash stage info, has certainly got the wow factor for me. I do touch and wipe with a soft cloth afterwards though as I do not like fingerprints on the touch sensitive display - "what was that? did someone say OCD....." It's great to talk to people who are actually interested in the same things! My work colleagues/friends/family etc do tolerate me - but only just! lol. I can only imagine the poor staff at John Lewis with you lot storming in there - I do like to test the staff's knowledge and catch them out regularly - in a nice way though, I would love to work in the appliance dept of JL but there are none closeby.

I'm not 100% sure about your extra features question - would you mind elaborating?, I have used the woolwash which had a nice water lever but seemed a bit feeble with a lot of soaking and very little agitation - so switched it to the delicates program. I have also successfully used the steam refresh program which drops wrinkles out of my outerwear (down filled jacket) and suits. Do not use the quickwash - as I am dubious about the results - whats the point of simply wetting the laundry? It is a waste in my opinion and lulls the general public into a false sense of security having them think their laundry has been washed when in fact it's just adding more detergent etc. to the clothes which might make them smell clean but thats about it - then again that is only my opinion, I could be wrong.

One of my colleagues recently approached me at work asking for washer and dryer purchasing advice which resulted in a verbal explosion of information and questions which made him glaze over almost instantly, he said he would check with his brother (whom he bought the apartment with) what their budget was, they came back to me with a budget of £400 for purchase of a washer and dryer - I simply stated I couldn't help (they were astounded at what paid for my AEG's which I oddly enough thought was rather reasonable given their dashing good looks etc - lol) them as I could the bear the thought of a cheap laundry appliance noisily bouncing all over the place with mediocre washing results - ugh...good luck to them, being young single lads they will probably do little laundry anyway - their bedlinen will probably eventually walk to the washer by itself!


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