New Whirlpool FL Washers Use MORE Water

[launderess]

My Lavamat

Will do spin fills on rinses using the famous "jet spray" as well. Yes, it does whip up quite a bit of froth. Sometimes you think the water will be clear but soon as enough is in the tub that the load becomes saturated, out comes the suds if detergent residue is present.

 

[mark_wpduet]

Joe - in - Philly

I can't remember if it was you or someone else, but on my Duet, I can hit a certain sequence and get a real clean washer cycle. I posted this a few years ago, but it wasn't working on some other people's machines.....So either my machine has old or new software.....

It's been a while since I've used it on mine, but I think it's :

Rinse/Spin Warm/Cold/ Low Spin speed/ Cycle signal softer, and press extra rinse three times.

 

[joe_in_philly]

Thanks. I tried again now, and still haven't been able to get it to work. I even tried adjusting the settings up and down a position since my HE3t has extra settings (like extra slow spin/tap cold), thinking maybe it is a positional thing. I think my washer is the first version of this line.

 

[mark_wpduet]

Yes

For example, mine doesn't have prewash......so on the machines with prewash or autosoak, I think those buttons are used in the sequence.......but since you tried that, it must be a software thing......Mine was built in Germany in Oct 2004.

Too bad, because it's an AWESOME Cycle. The only thing I don't like about it is it doesn't use very hot water. More warm water and a lot of it and the motions are crazy and fast with water going everywhere. It would be better if the water got hot. The drum is barely warm when it's over.

 

[zipdang]

hidden clean washer cycle

I've got the KitchenAid version of the Duet and have tried every combination of buttons I can think of but can't get any clean washer cycle to activate. It was made in Germany in 2006.

 

[mark_wpduet]

There is a thread I posted about this

a few years ago.......I think we ended up determining that perhaps that cycle was added perhaps for a few months on the production line, then taken off? Only to be added again with a dedicated clean waster button..I'll see if I can find it.......Hold....Found it

Hidden Clean Washer Cycle in Older Duets

I'm not sure which Duet Washers this applies to, but it totally worked with mine. Mine is almost 7 years old and (with the Redish pink and green start and stop buttons). There is a hidden clean washer cycle 1. Empty washer. 2. Take out detergent divider in dispenser drawer 3. Select POWER...

www.automaticwasher.org

 

[zipdang]

Hey Mark, thanks for the link. I reread the old thread and tried all the suggested sequences, plus a bunch of variations of them, but came up empty. Since most of the parts in the KitchenAid are the same as those in your Duet, and they were probably both built in the same factory in Germany around the same time, it's weird that the hidden cycle is on some machines but not others. I can understand why it wouldn't show up on a Kenmore branded version, but Whirlpool and KitchenAid are brandmates and it seems like they'd share programming or something. But no, apparently not.

 

[mark_wpduet]

I know

strange indeed.

But I can say this..........

I really could do without that cycle, even though it's fun to have. The only time I use it is if I've washed something like the cat blankets or something the cat has slept on......and the machine will have hair in it.....it flushes all the hair out.......but it still doesn't clean down in the door seal as good as it should, I think because the temp of the water never gets above warm. It needs to be HOT HOT HOT, then it would do much better. (at least on mine)...I still get coffee maker hot water and a clean rag with rubber gloves to clean the inside of the door seal every so often.....doesn't take much time.

 

[logixx]

None of the European models ever had a cleaning cycle either. :-/

 

[mark_wpduet]

Logixxx

Do the door seals in the Euro machines still need to be cleaned? I can imagine that they would, even though they use more water. I notice the area that needs to be cleaned is from the 4 o'clock to the 8 o'clock positions (for me very occasionally) and I'm sure more often for those with bad laundry habits.

 

[logixx]

I don't think I'd really need to clean the door boot unless I oversuds the machine, while washing something in there that sheds a lot of lint. Once the suds are gone, lint will still stick to the door boot (yes, four and eight o' clock) and needs to be wiped off. I still do, however, wipe everything with a small towel just to keep the washer in immaculate condition and to avoid these pesky water spots that we get here from the well water.

 

Oh, and about my comment on the universal lack of cleaning cycles: that was just referring to our "Duets" - other washers have them now. Generally, Euro machines also use little water - it's the extra cycles that will get the water level up like this rinse on Delicates:

 

[footleg]

Does this help my choice

New to the game, and intrigued by the additional water usage of the impending new Whirlpool (WFW95HED*), because the paucity of water has struck me (from afar) as a detractor for the FLs.

A new machine for me is in the cards (due to the constellation of difficulties which beset the aging Maytag TL), and SWMBO has an ax to grind with the destructive qualities of the agitator on her dainties; and not to hijack this thread in the SQ direction, but I'm drawn to its vital American-ness.

So the question I pose is this: SQ TL (AWN542) or FL WP (WFW96HEA or WFW95HED when it arrives) or do I go toward the Fisher & Paykel? My searches have narrowed the decision to this tripod. To me the relevant aspects boil down in this order:

1. Does it get the clothes clean without destroying them?
2. Is it reliable?
3. Is it Made in the USA?

I would have to go with the F&P if it could fulfilled the requirements of #s 1& 2 and the WP-FL and SQ-TL could not, but #3 matters. Am I right in thinking that the SQ & WP are American made? Will they clean and not destroy (the clothes or themselves)?

Help me Obi-Wan Kenobi... you're my only hope...

 

[DigAPony]

3. Is it Made in the USA?

Home Depot specs for their current Whirlpool Duet line states: "American Pride. Buy with confidence knowing this model is dependably designed, engineered and assembled in the U.S.A."

Note: Key word is "assembled" many parts could be still be sourced elsewhere, but still sounds better than Made in Mexico.

I say go with the WP to keep peace in the house and meet your other concerns as well.

Loading…

www.homedepot.com

 

[pulsator]

The tv show How It's Made is broadcasting a segment on washing machines tomorrow at 9pm EST. The segment was filmed in Clyde, OH at Whirlpool's washer plant. They filmed Whirlpool front load washers. (The platform is called Alpha for those interested...)

 

[georgect]

Pulsator...thanks for the heads up.

I got the DVR ready to record that episode of "How It's Made", should be interesting.

 

[mrb627]

Saw it

Just finished watching the how it's made episode and I have to say, I'm not very impressed. Very short piece. Did they have to blur the brand name? Sadly, it appears that LG has surpassed Whirlpool in machine design. The tub bearings on the LG are a modular unit that connects to the tub and not pressed into the back requiring the rear portion of the drum to be replaced after a failure.

May not prove anything long term for LG, but it does seem like a step in the right direction.

Malcolm

 

[georgect]

I feel you Malcolm...

I didn't think it was that interesting either.
They just showed the big parts being put together, not how the drum was made or the control board being put together.
You can see the same thing on Youtube of a washer being dismantled and put back together.

I noticed the blurred Maytag logo but they showed the Maxima XL name.

 

[mark_wpduet]

Yes - just watched it

I don't have that channel on Directv because I downgraded my package a while back - but, I found it online and watched it......

Yep - that's Whirlpool. I could see a LOT of similarities with my Duet from 2005. God , they need to put an access panel for that drain pump! WTH??? Why don't they do that? So stupid!!

I do like Whirlpool..I've hardly had any trouble with my appliances that are all WP....and I will have lived here 10 yrs in Sept. KNOCK ON WOOD!!!! - But, I think the LG washers look cooler to me. And the cool way they operate, with the jets, etc.

Still torn on what to get when I do ultimately have to replace my washer.....

Oh, and PS! A friend that has had a Frigidaire front load washer that is 5 years old sold hers and she replaced it with a TL washer. She felt it didn't use enough water and wanted a TL......(Whatever), but anyway......I went to look to see what the Fridigdaire FL washer looked like........I thought it looked and felt cheap as hell. It must have been a BOL.. But hey, she had no trouble out of it for five years and no someone else will be using it.