NEW! - Frigidaire Affinity

[tgodel]

Cycle Assessment: The 2940, Precursor of the Affinitys

I definitely praised the large number of cycles on the 2940, and I remember others saying that they preferred the simplicity of just a few choices. Now, when I delve into the 2490 manual, several cycles are so similarly defined that their difference apears to be in modifiers only:

- Bulky vs. Permanent Press (10 min)
- Handwash vs. Wool (10 min)
- Silk vs. Sport (6 min)

Several of the 2940 cycles are essentially meaningless:

- Rinse & Spin - same as Drain & Spin with an Extra Rinse
- Touch-Up - 3 min wash for clothes that are already clean (?)

One cycle that ISN'T meaningless is Soak, as mentioned elsewhere. Soak amounts to a gentle pre-wash, and there is no equivalent in the Affinitys. However, the Affinitys offer a compelling trade-off: instead of a Soak cycle, they offer a "Stain Clean" option, which adds a 5 minute soak to any qualifying wash.

--Trip

 

[tgodel]

Cycle Migration: From the 2940 to the Affinitys

Here's the complete cycle migration of the 2940 to the Affinitys. Several cycles were lost but have approximate equivalents (noted below). Two cycles have no solid equivalent: Touch-Up and Soak. The Quick cycle migrated to the 6000 but not to the 7000 (the Sanitary cycle displaced it).

A previous poster hinted that different wash times might be due to different RPMs for the wash tumble; that analysis is likely.

Heavy ---> Heavy (4 min. longer)
Normal ---> Normal (2 min. longer)
Permanent Press ---> Permanent Press
Quick ---> Quick on 6000 (3 min. longer) / Omitted on 7000
Delicate ---> Delicate
Handwash ---> Handwash
Silk ---> Omitted: Use Delicate (4 min. longer)
Wool ---> Omitted: Use Handwash (4 min. longer)
Sport ---> Omitted: Use Handwash (4 min. longer) + Stain Clean
Bulky ---> Omitted: Use Perm Press (same wash description)
Soak ---> Omitted: Add 5 min. Soak with Stain Clean Option
Touch-Up --> Omitted
Drain/Spin --> Drain/Spin
Rinse/Spin ---> Omitted: Use Drain/Spin + Extra Rinse

 

[tgodel]

Wash and Spin Tumble Speeds: 2940 vs. Affinitys

Over at GardenWeb, the_seven hypothesized that the different wash times might be related to wash RPMS. It certainly could be a factor.

The slowest 2940 wash speed was dropped on the Affinitys, and the remaining wash speeds were brought closer together. This gives the 2940 the slowest AND fastest wash speeds in comparison:

2940 - 32/47/55 RPM
6000 - ==/48/52 RPM
7000 - ==/48/52 RPM

The top spin speeds indicate less change:

2940 - 1050 RPM
6000 - 1050 RPM
7000 - 1100 RPM

I do not know which wash speeds used the slowest 32 RPM on the 2940. Only the Sport cycle is described as tumbling "slowly" in the operating manual. The Sport cycle was promoted heavily by Kenmore, so if that feature wasn't compelling I can understand why it was dropped. Why should Sport tumble "slowly" and Silk, Handwash, or Delicates not?

Frigidaire has dropped fabric-specific delicate treatments with the Affinitys, and I agree with this approach. The Delicate (10 min. gentle reversing / Med spin) and Handwash (10 min. occasional tumble / Slow spin) cycles are enough for me. Simply stick with the default cold water and git 'er done.

--Trip

 

[peteski50]

Frigidaire Affinity

I have checked out the new Frigidaire Affinity and like it but I am not in complete agreement with the cycle configuration. The normal and heavy should be the same. The soil level should modify the wash time. I think their should be a regular rinse / spin button even though this can be obtained with the spin only button. I also feel their should be a prewash or soak cycle.
The thing that gets me about all these new front load machines like the Affinity 7000 is they only heat on the sanitary cycle. I think this should be a option on most cycles. For example if you want a warm wash you should be able to choose from tab water or have the machine heat to 40 degrees celicous.
Only my 2 cents.
Peter

 

[tgodel]

Now in Stores -- Affinity 7000

I had been eagerly awaiting the retail arrival of the Affinity 7000s as they were at the top of my shortlist for several weeks now. However, finally seeing the machines at my local Best Buy was kind of a bummer.

In my opinion, the "upgraded" exterior of the 7000 actually looks downgraded. The platinum trim is really just dull gray paint--so dark that the white trim of the 6000s reflects far more light. I think that this matte trim fooled the Best Buy employees into thinking the 7000s were the lesser pair, as the 6000s were prominently displayed on pedestals on an endcap, while the 7000s were placed off to the side facing other appliances. It actually looks like the 7000s have unfinished plastic and the 6000s complete the brightwork. Just like with the 2940s, these Frigidaires look better in pictures.

The 7000 washer shows a few changes compared to the 6000. The Deep Clean/Sanitary setting is now shown on the dial (it replaces Quick Wash). More interesting is the wash drum light, which is indeed mounted within a rubber nook at the top of the boot (right where we were thinking). That feature is almost unique at this price point, even from a global standpoint. Both machines supposedly have additional sound insulation, but I was unable to test that.

The 7000 dryer features a stainless steel drum which--believe it or not--darkens affairs even more. Compared to the white drum of the 6000, the metal drum surrounded by dull gray paint simply looks dismal. But surprise! This 7000 dryer had the upgraded hinge. It is a much larger chunk of metal (at least twice as much mass at the previous hinge) and it does seem to cut wobble by about 50%. Yet the door still requires a semi-hard push or a gentle uplift to seat and latch. I'm still not thrilled, but the door is at least within the broadest performance range of similarly priced models. An important question is whether or not this hinge is replaced on ALL models--or is just a strict feature of the 7000. It should be standard equipment across the board. (Buyers note: the old hinge is shiny and thin, and the new hinge is dull gray--just like the darn trim.)

For reasons I'll discuss in a separate post, my enthusiasm had waned for these machines in the last week. That's actually quite logical, as I was admittedly very enthusiastic. But seeing the machines in person made things worse. We have analyzed these machines from a features and engineering standpoint (and I've done a bit more analysis that I'll share soon). But from a strict aesthetic basis, placing them front-and-center in my kitchen now seems a lot less exciting.

--Trip