I was browsing Lowe's website earlier today and spotted a new GE machine. It's just like their VMW clone, however it seems like a more BOL version. Model gtw330askww. The lowest used to be the gtw460asjww. The new one has a 3.8 cu ft tub vs 4.2, and the agipeller has 4 vanes instead of 3. I'm curious if this machine has any mechanical differences warranting the smaller tub. The control panel only has a cycle selection, load size, and water temperature. Looks like a good deal for $449.
New addition to GE lineup
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joeypete
Well-known member
Cool! They aren't loaded on GE's site yet but I was able to peek on HomeDepot.com too. I imagine this machine will be replacing the HydroWave models as the "BOL" line.
It does sound similar to WP's machines, but not as "smooth" sounding if you ask me. Still, they seem to do a good job.
It does sound similar to WP's machines, but not as "smooth" sounding if you ask me. Still, they seem to do a good job.
These machines
Are in fact on GE's website if you Google search the model number. They look pretty much the same as the higher end one to me. Only thing that looks different from a parts diagram is the agipeller which doesn't even have a listing in the parts supply yet. I haven't checked to see if the tubs are different.
Overall looks like a good little machine for the price. Better than the vmw's in terms of flexibility. It would be sad to see the hydrowave go though. They're so quiet!
Here's a video of a complete cycle. I found it interesting that the spray rinse spins the tub faster than a whirlpool VMW would, and runs the pump as well. Looks a bit more effective overall. The agipeller even fans quite a bit of water out onto the clothes at this speed.
Are in fact on GE's website if you Google search the model number. They look pretty much the same as the higher end one to me. Only thing that looks different from a parts diagram is the agipeller which doesn't even have a listing in the parts supply yet. I haven't checked to see if the tubs are different.
Overall looks like a good little machine for the price. Better than the vmw's in terms of flexibility. It would be sad to see the hydrowave go though. They're so quiet!
Here's a video of a complete cycle. I found it interesting that the spray rinse spins the tub faster than a whirlpool VMW would, and runs the pump as well. Looks a bit more effective overall. The agipeller even fans quite a bit of water out onto the clothes at this speed.
joeypete
Well-known member
Cool, I'll look again. It didn't come up under the listing...hmmm.
Yes the HydroWave is actually a great machine. I really liked mine...and yes it was very quiet during agitation. Sad to see them go.
These new machines look good though. I wouldn't be opposed to getting one.
I'd love to see a video of the version without the agitator and the recirculating wash spray. I've seen a few of the bigger model but not this size....
Yes the HydroWave is actually a great machine. I really liked mine...and yes it was very quiet during agitation. Sad to see them go.
These new machines look good though. I wouldn't be opposed to getting one.
I'd love to see a video of the version without the agitator and the recirculating wash spray. I've seen a few of the bigger model but not this size....
drive system parts
It sounds like this washer has a planetary gearbox.
It sounds like this washer has a planetary gearbox.
mrb627
Well-known member
WHAP-WHAP
She failed to select deep rinse for fabric softener.
Malcolm
She failed to select deep rinse for fabric softener.
Malcolm
It looks and sounds like a crude direct copy of Whirlpools VMW. It's obvious they even have the drain pump vertically mounted directly to the bottom of the tub because of that incessant coughing sound. I have no earthly idea why WP or anyone imitating the design would think designing the drain system like that is a good idea because it adds to the already noisy personality of the machine. I do think WP's machines sound and feel much more solid. With this GE I'd have to line the cabinet and the floor underneath with sound dampening material. Yeesh. What happened to appliances having solid thunks and relaxing hums and not sounding like hollow boxes of tin metal? Oh wait....
glomain
Well-known member
you should of known
a solid cabinet & a relaxing hum = a Speed Queen set. oh and clean cloths too.
a solid cabinet & a relaxing hum = a Speed Queen set. oh and clean cloths too.
mrb627
Well-known member
WP's machines sound and feel much more solid
Maybe not that much more solid...
Are the GE's front serviceable? Or do they require flipping over like the WP?
Maybe front serviceability is being abandoned as most people are going to chuck the machine and by new when it has a failure.
Seems like most of these manufacturer's are going backwards...
Malcolm
Maybe not that much more solid...
Are the GE's front serviceable? Or do they require flipping over like the WP?
Maybe front serviceability is being abandoned as most people are going to chuck the machine and by new when it has a failure.
Seems like most of these manufacturer's are going backwards...
Malcolm
But can you really blaim the customer, especially on these BOL machines?
You see, that machine is 500$ MRSP, makeing it a, lets say, 300$ purchase? Maybe 350$.
If you get a service person to come over and check it, you'll pay something like 50$ for them just getting there. About another 25$ in time for diagnosing.
If they are smart and have the part on hand, lets say, the troublesome mode shifter and speed sensor combo units like on the VMW, the part is something like 50-75$.
Add another 50$ for installing the part.
That would be about 200$ on a 300$ machine. And that would not include an eventually 50$ on top for a 2nd visit if they have to order the part. (Yeah, some service companys are such people.)
In these cases, buying new might actually be the better option.
You see, that machine is 500$ MRSP, makeing it a, lets say, 300$ purchase? Maybe 350$.
If you get a service person to come over and check it, you'll pay something like 50$ for them just getting there. About another 25$ in time for diagnosing.
If they are smart and have the part on hand, lets say, the troublesome mode shifter and speed sensor combo units like on the VMW, the part is something like 50-75$.
Add another 50$ for installing the part.
That would be about 200$ on a 300$ machine. And that would not include an eventually 50$ on top for a 2nd visit if they have to order the part. (Yeah, some service companys are such people.)
In these cases, buying new might actually be the better option.
The new GE top load washers use the same setup as their newer stack units. A planetary gearbox bolted to the bottom of the outer tub. The stack unit uses a wax motor controlled shifter for agitation and spin. The stack unit that I looked at on Monday was leaking through the center tub seal. It sounds like a freight train in spin. It was less than 3 years old. SAD!!!
gearbox
I imagine the gearboxes on the new GE's will have problems down the road, such as leaking extra heavy oil. I wonder what the drive system setup looks like. Is the gearbox behind a plastic or metal cover like the whirlpool/maytags?
I imagine the gearboxes on the new GE's will have problems down the road, such as leaking extra heavy oil. I wonder what the drive system setup looks like. Is the gearbox behind a plastic or metal cover like the whirlpool/maytags?
lotsosudz
Well-known member
To much like WCI
The turnover with the full load, looked weak to me. it would have helped if like the WCI,they would have locked the tub during agitation. The dark clothes load did not get pulled under well at all IMHO. Ill stick to my 90"s series Maytag.If they die, I will get a Speed Queen FL.
The turnover with the full load, looked weak to me. it would have helped if like the WCI,they would have locked the tub during agitation. The dark clothes load did not get pulled under well at all IMHO. Ill stick to my 90"s series Maytag.If they die, I will get a Speed Queen FL.
Turnover
Turnover is slow, but if you watch all the way through it's very thorough. The cycle is extra long to compensate. If you watch that full cycle video, the wash agitation starts around 8 minutes and continues till about 30. A 22 minute wash cycle with this slower rollover is plenty. This is just something we have to get used to with these modern washers I guess.
Turnover is slow, but if you watch all the way through it's very thorough. The cycle is extra long to compensate. If you watch that full cycle video, the wash agitation starts around 8 minutes and continues till about 30. A 22 minute wash cycle with this slower rollover is plenty. This is just something we have to get used to with these modern washers I guess.
maytags
The Maytags have the exact same drive system as the whirlpool, yet they call it commercial grade. To me, it sounds like marketing to me.
The Maytags have the exact same drive system as the whirlpool, yet they call it commercial grade. To me, it sounds like marketing to me.
Whirlpool vs GE...
Yes, that article does have a video showing a loud GE and a quiet Whirlpool, but it's not really an apples to apples comparison. The Whirlpool is a higher end model, whereas the GE is a low end machine. This gives the consumer a bad impression. The lower end whirlpools are only slightly quieter than the GE's from what I can tell, and the higher end GE's are very quiet.
I'm starting to wonder if Whirlpool compensates these companies. Lowe's for example seems to always have Whirlpool machines on sale and push Whirlpool in their sales. The others? Not so much.
Yes, that article does have a video showing a loud GE and a quiet Whirlpool, but it's not really an apples to apples comparison. The Whirlpool is a higher end model, whereas the GE is a low end machine. This gives the consumer a bad impression. The lower end whirlpools are only slightly quieter than the GE's from what I can tell, and the higher end GE's are very quiet.
I'm starting to wonder if Whirlpool compensates these companies. Lowe's for example seems to always have Whirlpool machines on sale and push Whirlpool in their sales. The others? Not so much.
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