My new LG 4000 series washer and dryer
- Thread starter nmassman44
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Is there an advantage to use the normal cycle with the temp set to extra hot vs. using the sanitary cycle? And does the steam option just extend the wash time on those extra hot settings?
Good question and I think that I can answer that since I have had some time putting the washer thru he paces here. One thing is that the Normal Cycle is one of the cycles that uses the AI feature. Now I thought that it was just a gimmick but I was wrong, it does indeed work. The Normal cycle allows the Extra Hot wash temp to be used and it changes the cycle depending on what one is washing. I use this cycle for towels and on the Extra Hot temp the washer senses the load and the display will show a 1 hour 35 min for the duration. The wash water temp does in fact get up to a toasty 154F and holds it there for the duration of the wash cycle. Then cold water is added to temper it down. The washer also sense just how much water that the load is absorbing and also adds more spin time between rinses and gives 10 mins for the final spin. I have not used the Steam option since the Extra Hot wash temp in my mind is plenty for what the load would need.
One thing that this washer does during the wash cycle, as the water is heating in the sump of the outer tub, the load will not move, then the jets kick on and throw that heated water on top of the stationary load then after a few seconds it will tumble the load and do it over again until the water temp hits the target temp. One can check what the water temp is by touching the Delay button and then the Temp select button and it will show the water temp in Celsius. The Normal cycle adapts to what ever you are washing and changes up the wash action profile to match the load it is sensing.
So far this set is alot of fun to use and the performance has been outstanding. The dryer is very quick in its task of getting the job done and I use the Normal cycle for most loads and I dont have any shrinkage on anything dried in that dryer.
One thing that this washer does during the wash cycle, as the water is heating in the sump of the outer tub, the load will not move, then the jets kick on and throw that heated water on top of the stationary load then after a few seconds it will tumble the load and do it over again until the water temp hits the target temp. One can check what the water temp is by touching the Delay button and then the Temp select button and it will show the water temp in Celsius. The Normal cycle adapts to what ever you are washing and changes up the wash action profile to match the load it is sensing.
So far this set is alot of fun to use and the performance has been outstanding. The dryer is very quick in its task of getting the job done and I use the Normal cycle for most loads and I dont have any shrinkage on anything dried in that dryer.
Thanks for the explanation Mike. What does the steam button do?
Mike, how did you find out the dryer has a variable heating element?-- akin to Kenmore Soft Heat? Is variable heat only used for Normal cycle or other cycles?
The steam option fills only to cover the heater and then steams before the wash starts.
I don't think it has a variable heater per se.
It might have 2 heater banks and pulse the heater on/off.
Never seen a truly variable heater as in more than 3 power outputs.
I don't think it has a variable heater per se.
It might have 2 heater banks and pulse the heater on/off.
Never seen a truly variable heater as in more than 3 power outputs.
I'll say it agan
The one thing I still don't like about the dryer is the pathetic cool down. Drying my compression stockings on Ultra Delicate, the cool down phase was actually shortened by 2 minutes. I did a BobLoad of towels last week on Towels and the cool down was extended 9 minutes (while watching the app on my phone) before it shut off. Once it did, I started the dryer on air fluff and let it run for 30 minutes. Used the residual heat to take care of any possible damp spots in the load. I've also gotten used to selecting the cycle that has the specific temperature I want to dry a load on rather than actually selecting the specific temperature I'd prefer. Perm Press and Bedding both use medium, but Bedding dries the load almost bone dry before it begins cool down. Same with Towels vs. Normal--both cycles using medium high.
The one thing I still don't like about the dryer is the pathetic cool down. Drying my compression stockings on Ultra Delicate, the cool down phase was actually shortened by 2 minutes. I did a BobLoad of towels last week on Towels and the cool down was extended 9 minutes (while watching the app on my phone) before it shut off. Once it did, I started the dryer on air fluff and let it run for 30 minutes. Used the residual heat to take care of any possible damp spots in the load. I've also gotten used to selecting the cycle that has the specific temperature I want to dry a load on rather than actually selecting the specific temperature I'd prefer. Perm Press and Bedding both use medium, but Bedding dries the load almost bone dry before it begins cool down. Same with Towels vs. Normal--both cycles using medium high.
Dryer Cool Down......
You're not imagining it. As stated before, nothing very sophisticated going on here compared to the old Whirlpool.
Have tried experimenting with the Wrinkle Prevention option to improve finish on permanent press dress shirts. Doesn't help much; so, after the main cycle finishes, these shirts go for another 10 minutes or so on the Steam Fresh cycle. This actually improves the finish quite a bit.
Recall someone mentioning they loved the dryer's permanent press cycle, but it seems inferior to what we used to have.
You're not imagining it. As stated before, nothing very sophisticated going on here compared to the old Whirlpool.
Have tried experimenting with the Wrinkle Prevention option to improve finish on permanent press dress shirts. Doesn't help much; so, after the main cycle finishes, these shirts go for another 10 minutes or so on the Steam Fresh cycle. This actually improves the finish quite a bit.
Recall someone mentioning they loved the dryer's permanent press cycle, but it seems inferior to what we used to have.
I find that as the the load dries on the Normal cycle that the dryer throttles back the heat so that that nothing gets fried out much like the Soft Heat/ Gentle Heat feature that Whirlpool dryers have. If one is concerned about the heat then one can use the Energy Saver button and that will drop temps even further, but the heat does not kick on until a set period of time once the dryer is started. That will extend the drying cycle. I used it once and once was enough for me.
The Steam feature on the washer will extend the cycle depending on load size it can add a cool 35 to 40+ mins to a wash cycle. Now steam in a dryer is helpful if one does not want to iron or they want to refresh a load that was forgotten for a few days on the dryer...that never happens here since I am on top of it on laundry day. The cool down on a cycle is very dependent on room temp that the dryer is in. If the dryer is outside like mine is in my laundry shed and if the air temp is a toasty lets say 90F, the dryer will take longer to cool down a load to get to where the dryer thinks its good to shut off. I have seen the dryer hit the one min mark and not shut off for another 5 mins. But, with the cooler weather here and I did laundry yesterday, the dryer had no issues with holding at the one minute mark.
Getting back to the Steam Feature for the washer, in my opinion , its kinda useless unless you need to sanitize something. As far as stain loosening I would think that it would not do much. I normally will pretreat a stain and let the washer get on with the wash process, but that is me.
The Steam feature on the washer will extend the cycle depending on load size it can add a cool 35 to 40+ mins to a wash cycle. Now steam in a dryer is helpful if one does not want to iron or they want to refresh a load that was forgotten for a few days on the dryer...that never happens here since I am on top of it on laundry day. The cool down on a cycle is very dependent on room temp that the dryer is in. If the dryer is outside like mine is in my laundry shed and if the air temp is a toasty lets say 90F, the dryer will take longer to cool down a load to get to where the dryer thinks its good to shut off. I have seen the dryer hit the one min mark and not shut off for another 5 mins. But, with the cooler weather here and I did laundry yesterday, the dryer had no issues with holding at the one minute mark.
Getting back to the Steam Feature for the washer, in my opinion , its kinda useless unless you need to sanitize something. As far as stain loosening I would think that it would not do much. I normally will pretreat a stain and let the washer get on with the wash process, but that is me.
Mike, thank you. After I downloaded the app, I wanted to try the remote start feature. It was a load of towels and defaulted to Normal. With the app, you cannot cancel the energy saver option. And I knew it would tumble in room temp air for a while before heat turned on. All said and done, that load of towels took almost 2.5 hours. I obsrved the sensor adding time to the cycle twice to gt the towels dry, thus the very cycle. So, no more remote start for me. But I like the app so that I can keep track of how each load ends up adding or reducing cycle time. Plu I downloaded the Ultra Delicate cycle.
I've gotten spoiled with the Duet not having to go through the process of huting for and treating stains. With both the F Flo and the LK toploaders, I'd spend marahon laundry days with the time each wash cycle took, going through the pile for the next load hunting down and treating stains. And the subsequent Fridgemore wasn't much of an improvement either. The Duet became a Freemom Maker with not having to tie myself up to hunting/treating stains. I could do other things while loads being washed. So for difficult stained loads with an LG, I just use the prewash and then select hot or extra hot wash temps on Normal to give me an even better profile wash. Hence my disdain for topoaders that don't deal well with stains and requiring front loaders to include onboard heating.
Also, I haven't had an indicator from the app that I needed to download updated software for the dryer.
I've gotten spoiled with the Duet not having to go through the process of huting for and treating stains. With both the F Flo and the LK toploaders, I'd spend marahon laundry days with the time each wash cycle took, going through the pile for the next load hunting down and treating stains. And the subsequent Fridgemore wasn't much of an improvement either. The Duet became a Freemom Maker with not having to tie myself up to hunting/treating stains. I could do other things while loads being washed. So for difficult stained loads with an LG, I just use the prewash and then select hot or extra hot wash temps on Normal to give me an even better profile wash. Hence my disdain for topoaders that don't deal well with stains and requiring front loaders to include onboard heating.
Also, I haven't had an indicator from the app that I needed to download updated software for the dryer.
Dryer
I much prefer our Duet dryer over the LG Dryer we have in the house now. You have to use either Normal or a higher heat cycle to actually dry anything. I don’t find that it runs hot enough. Not sure why. Permanent Press on Very Dry does not fully dry. The longer cool down is welcome, though not effective enough. I have had the same experience with other LG dryers I have used as well.
I much prefer our Duet dryer over the LG Dryer we have in the house now. You have to use either Normal or a higher heat cycle to actually dry anything. I don’t find that it runs hot enough. Not sure why. Permanent Press on Very Dry does not fully dry. The longer cool down is welcome, though not effective enough. I have had the same experience with other LG dryers I have used as well.
The Emperor Has No Clothes........
Once again, two (2) engineers attempting to peacefully co-exist in the same household.
We sort of like our new LG dryer; but, would never choose to love it (as, it is currently programmed.)
We sort of love our LG washer for a number of reasons; but, we don't believe LG buys in to steam as an effective option for stain removal.
We like one or two of the dryer's steam options; but, would never advise anyone else to depend on these units for wrinkle-free clothes.
To be sure, the LG dryer has the capacity to handle our California King bedding;
and, the dryer's steam options are useful under certain circumstances; but, the LG dryer, in our opinion, offers no real benefit to anyone outside of it's superior capacity.
We already know that politics rules most things on this site, but we just couldn't mange to contain ourselves.
w
Once again, two (2) engineers attempting to peacefully co-exist in the same household.
We sort of like our new LG dryer; but, would never choose to love it (as, it is currently programmed.)
We sort of love our LG washer for a number of reasons; but, we don't believe LG buys in to steam as an effective option for stain removal.
We like one or two of the dryer's steam options; but, would never advise anyone else to depend on these units for wrinkle-free clothes.
To be sure, the LG dryer has the capacity to handle our California King bedding;
and, the dryer's steam options are useful under certain circumstances; but, the LG dryer, in our opinion, offers no real benefit to anyone outside of it's superior capacity.
We already know that politics rules most things on this site, but we just couldn't mange to contain ourselves.
w
mark_wpduet
Well-known member
Well....dryers
are sort of unexciting appliances - like a refrigerator or an oven (for me, anyway).. The action is in the clothes washers and dishwashers.. But I guess you could LOVE a dryer/refrigerator/oven if they perform well.
I hope to have an LG turbo wash when/if my Duet ever dies....But whirlpool classic dryers are my favorite.
are sort of unexciting appliances - like a refrigerator or an oven (for me, anyway).. The action is in the clothes washers and dishwashers.. But I guess you could LOVE a dryer/refrigerator/oven if they perform well.
I hope to have an LG turbo wash when/if my Duet ever dies....But whirlpool classic dryers are my favorite.
That LG TurboWash feature that my washer has is quite effective I must say. The 3570 washer that I had only used two jets at the 4 and 8 o'clock positions and it was effective. But the 4000 washer that i have now has the TurboWash 360 and it uses two additional jets at the 10 and 2 O'clock positions and if the load is big the lower jets can sometimes get drowned out, but the top jets throw quite a bit of water on the load all the way to the back of the drum. and
I agree that dryers can be kinda boring but the LG dryer does the job well and is very well made I might add. the Whirlpool dryer that I had for a year, the drum itself was out of round so when a load was drying in would thump and the dryer was much louder than the LG. The Whirlpool dryer was not as sensitive as the LG dryer with the sensor drying. If the LG dryer senses that the load is already dry or that there is nothing in the dryer it will shut off within 5 mins...the Whirlpool, not so much. The LG dryer is much faster drying a load...think Maytag Stream of Heat ...the original design where the opening was in the upper right corner of the drum, before Maytag put the opening in the upper center of the drum. Plus the LG moves quite a bit of air thru that drum at 220 cfms...
I agree that dryers can be kinda boring but the LG dryer does the job well and is very well made I might add. the Whirlpool dryer that I had for a year, the drum itself was out of round so when a load was drying in would thump and the dryer was much louder than the LG. The Whirlpool dryer was not as sensitive as the LG dryer with the sensor drying. If the LG dryer senses that the load is already dry or that there is nothing in the dryer it will shut off within 5 mins...the Whirlpool, not so much. The LG dryer is much faster drying a load...think Maytag Stream of Heat ...the original design where the opening was in the upper right corner of the drum, before Maytag put the opening in the upper center of the drum. Plus the LG moves quite a bit of air thru that drum at 220 cfms...
220 cfm
I still highly doubt that number.
That would mean the whole drum volume would be exchanged every 2 seconds.
Further, some rough back of the napkin math leeds me to believe that would mean the 5kW heater could only raise the air temperature by not even 40C.
I know I read some service literature somewhere that sad that.
But still don't trust it.
I still highly doubt that number.
That would mean the whole drum volume would be exchanged every 2 seconds.
Further, some rough back of the napkin math leeds me to believe that would mean the 5kW heater could only raise the air temperature by not even 40C.
I know I read some service literature somewhere that sad that.
But still don't trust it.
Mike, I keep forgetting to tell you this, but it looks like the downloadable cycle Jumbo Wash has the same cycle demographic as Bulky/Bedding, but it adds the option for a high speed spin rather than limiting to just medium.
The majority of the dryers here in North America are vented dryers, not heat pump or condenser dryers like what is available on the other side of the pond. Those dryers are also much smaller drum wise. Miele compact dryers come in at a cool 4.6 cuft if that and the mega Miele dryer was just 6.2 cuft and that dryer was pulling up to 275 cu ft of air a minute and that dryer had a hard time drying a load no matter what was dried in it and the load had to be spun at 1000+ rpms in the washer. I did an experiment once and used my Maytag 613 washer that spun the load at 618 rpms....the load was tossed into the Miele T9800 dryer and took well over 2.5 hours to dry.
Anyways, the LG dryer has this neat feature where I can turn the drum light on when the cycle starts and I can see the load billow open with sheets , T-shirts and other items when the load is being tossed into the airstream. I have seen dryer sheets ride the airstream on small loads, so yes i do believe the 220 cfm specs. The heater for this dryer is in a tube at the base of the dryer on the right side so there is plenty of time in the tube to raise the air temp...
Anyways, the LG dryer has this neat feature where I can turn the drum light on when the cycle starts and I can see the load billow open with sheets , T-shirts and other items when the load is being tossed into the airstream. I have seen dryer sheets ride the airstream on small loads, so yes i do believe the 220 cfm specs. The heater for this dryer is in a tube at the base of the dryer on the right side so there is plenty of time in the tube to raise the air temp...
I know that manufactures throw around these huge airflow numbers.
Yes I am aware that these vented dryers are huge.
Just on paper, there is simply not enough energy there for heating at those massflows.
So, 220 cubic feet per minute convert to pretty much 6330 liters of air per mimute.
That is just about 105l of air per second.
105l of air weigh almost exactly 130g.
The energy needed to heat 1kg of air by 1K is just about 1kJ spot on.
So, to heat the amount of air flowing through the heater per second by 1K/1C/~2F, you need about 130J.
The heaters in these are roughly 5kW.
5kW translates to 5000J per second.
So, the heating energy available can only raise the air temperature by a maximum of 5000/130=~38.5K/C or ~77F.
No heater design or anything can change basic thermo dynamics.
If it only produces that amount of energy, that amount of air can only get so hot.
And 77F above ambient is maybe just shy of 150F - and these dryers can from my knowledge get quite a bit hotter than that.
And as they don't have a variable speed blower, 220cuft just don't make sense on paper.
That doesn't mean they aren't good dryers.
It's just that number that just seems off.
Yes I am aware that these vented dryers are huge.
Just on paper, there is simply not enough energy there for heating at those massflows.
So, 220 cubic feet per minute convert to pretty much 6330 liters of air per mimute.
That is just about 105l of air per second.
105l of air weigh almost exactly 130g.
The energy needed to heat 1kg of air by 1K is just about 1kJ spot on.
So, to heat the amount of air flowing through the heater per second by 1K/1C/~2F, you need about 130J.
The heaters in these are roughly 5kW.
5kW translates to 5000J per second.
So, the heating energy available can only raise the air temperature by a maximum of 5000/130=~38.5K/C or ~77F.
No heater design or anything can change basic thermo dynamics.
If it only produces that amount of energy, that amount of air can only get so hot.
And 77F above ambient is maybe just shy of 150F - and these dryers can from my knowledge get quite a bit hotter than that.
And as they don't have a variable speed blower, 220cuft just don't make sense on paper.
That doesn't mean they aren't good dryers.
It's just that number that just seems off.
According to the data sheet, the 6.3 cu.ft. Miele Professional dryer has a "nominal air throughput in vented mode of 188 cfm".
