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Got this from tomsappliances.com

Whirlpool Once Again Comes Out With New Front Loaders
(by Tom on May.24, 2009)

What’s the difference compared to the other models? There is increase capacity of 4.4 cu. ft. Higher RPM, Night Quiet mode, Different steps of Rinses, and new feature called Tumble Fresh

As there are many other machines out there Whirlpool are catching up with LG and Electrolux washers and dryers. The spacious 4.4 cu. ft. tub is pretty big! Compared to the LG 4.5 cu. ft and Electrolux 4.7 cu. ft. Whirlpool is not much smaller. For example for every .1 cu ft. you can put in 1 average size towel. If Electrolux can hold 3 more towels, how would that affect 30 bath towels in a Electrolux vs. 27 bath towels in a Whirlpool in one load? I don’t even think I have 30 bath towels in my household! The higher RPM is pretty interesting. Before the 4.4 cu. ft washer of the 9700 series was only 1000 RPM and now increased to 1300 RPM, I will do some research on this, once the part layouts are online and see what they have done to get it up to 1300 RPM.

Another interesting Feature is the “Night Quiet” mode; this feature will automatically reduce the spin speed when higher vibrations are present. Now you can do laundry when children are sleeping or when you don’t want to wake anyone up.

“TumbleFresh” feature will tumble your clothes, keeping wrinkles from setting in for up to 6 hours after the wash is done. If you don’t trust me go to this Whirlpool website and click on the features, they are pretty much right when writing on a professional company website. Each model with a lower number will have less and less features as described above. The 9550 has all these features I have talked about.

The rinsing feature has been changed; you can no longer just push “extra rinse” they have put in a new feature where you have three sets of Rinse options, “Normal” rinse are for normal rinsing, extra rinse adds another rinse making three rinses in one wash and the “Max” rinse uses higher water levels to help clean out the clothes. I think this is a great option for Whirlpool to put on, because I know there are people who can get their clothes really dirty or even have really sensitive skin.

Whirlpool Matching dryers have not changed much on these pairs. Supposedly the Dryer has a new “Eco Normal” cycle; I have no clue what that does, but Whirlpool claims it saves 40% more energy when using the pair’s “Eco Normal” cycle. I also noticed a smaller drum. It’s now 7.2 cu ft. and their last one was 7.5 cu. ft. I think this promote the “Eco Normal” cycle.

I know many people have asked about the 9700 series. Now that washer has fewer features then the ones above. I personally think the Whirlpool is making a new washer (prolly a 9750 series) I think the capacity will increase and maybe more energy and water savings and a higher RPM, you would think 1300 is pretty high but in Europe, their highest spinning washer is 2000 RPM (Revolutions Per Minute) which is made by Asko. I will post another article when Whirlpool makes another move in the laundry room.

A Few more Washers and Dryers Added From Whirlpool (by Tom on Jul.10, 2009)

Through some research I have found a couple more new washers and dryers they are adding on the market, the last article “Once Again Whirlpool comes out with new front loaders” well here we go again!

I just knew it they would come out with a new 9700 series and they sure have, the 9750 is pretty neat looking with a hint of gold door gives an added expensive touch! Although I am not as impressed with the 9750 as I thought it would be, really the only difference is a few more cycles, .1 cu. ft. bigger and a “Fanfresh” to air out the washer to help prevent mildew. I am not sure about the washing and the spin speed yet, I would assume and hope the washer would have higher RPM’s it would make sense because it’s a “Top of the line” When I get more info on this washer and dryer pair I will post another article on the 9750 Check back soon!

The New Duet Sport are upgrading, They are allot like the Regular Duet pairs. Just a few less features and a little smaller. Here are some of the features this Sport Pair has

Whirlpool Duet Sport 8400

“TumbleFresh” feature will tumble your clothes, keeping wrinkles from setting in for up to 6 hours after the wash is done.

New Eco Heavy Duty and Eco Whitest Whites are cycles that use lower water temperatures to maximize efficiency; although these cycles will take more time to wash to make sure clothes get clean!

“Small Load” is the new name for “Quick Wash” many consumers have used this wash for big loads and don’t get the results they want. I think this is a great idea and it makes more sense.

The Dryer Duet Sport just has the New Eco Normal Cycle, nothing more has changed. The Eco normal once again lowers temperatures to maximize efficiency.
 
Close-up

FanFresh = Dynanic Venting Technology

The buttons on the washer say: Delay Wash, Fan Fresh, Deep Clean Steam, Oxi Dispense(?), Night Quiet. Water Temp, Spin Speed, Soil Level, Cycle Signal, Rinse (Normal, Extra, Max).

On the dryer: Reduce Static, Adjust Manual Dry Time, Wrinkle Shield Steam. Temperature, Dryness Level (More, Normal, Eco), Number of Garments (1-4, 5-8, 9-12), Cycle Signal, Button Sound.

logixx++7-14-2009-21-44-33.jpg
 
perferation

I am a real stinker when it comes to different features in front loading washers.

1)The arms or fins have to be perferated.This draws water upwords and sprays it onto the clothes as they are being tumbled.It also is much more efficient in removing lint and sand.

2)There has to be an interior light that will come on during the entire cycle from start to finish or a button to press that will turn it back on if and when it goes out.

3)There has to be a button catcher or as most of us call it,an ACCESSIBLE sump trap, where the consumer can open it and remove anything that gets caught without having to call for service.

4)Either a strong,recirculating spray OR water level selector that will increase or decrease the desired water level if the preset level from the factory is not acceptible by the consumer.

The closest ones to my own personal favorite features of new machines are the L.G.s.I am completely confused on why Whirlpool has yet to come up with not only those features in their front loading Duet washers but also the PAINTED dryer interiors that I have seen all rusted out after three years of use.Why they haven't switched theirs to stainless steel to match their washers and eliminate the rust factor is beyond me.LG,GE,and Frigidaire have them available.
 
Sorry how long I've been gone. My washer interest has kind of dwindled. But anyway, Those are fancy looking machines! I like the nice gold around the doors. It adds a touch of class to the new machines. Could you post a higher-res pic of the new Bravos control panel and the dryer panel?
 
tumble fresh ...

nothing new on earth ;-) ......

since the middle ages mieles make short tumbles after the final spin (except on woolens) for half an hour

Some Bosch/Siemens/Neff do it too
AEG Lavamats did (still do ?) it

Just can't catch up the need of this "tumble fresh" action going on up to six hours.

Maybe it makes sense here in Europe where people load the machine and often forget about it.

But this sure doesn't happen in US households where laundry is all done in one day when people have a Mount Everest in their laundyroom ;-)
 
Could you post a higher-res pic of the new Bravos control panel and the dryer panel?

You have to go to Whirlpool's Digital Library: click on Maytag -> Laundry -> Washer -> Top Load. There are hundreds of pictures of Whirlpool-made appliances.

I'd like to know more about this Fan Fresh thing. Maybe they added a PC fan somewhere to the washer to air it out?
 
new Duets look a bit like the Hanseatic

... whose door looks like a toilet seat, doesn't it ?

favorit++7-15-2009-19-21-20.jpg
 
whose door looks like a toilet seat, doesn't it ?

Well said Carlo!

really nothing new on earth ;-) ......

Speechless.......:((((((

Diomede
 
Front Vs top

I love the debate about front vs top loaders!

I fin it SO interesting listening to many American people say how they hate their front loader and tell stories such as smells and mould etc.

Here in the UK as you know we really only have front loaders and have for years, however I have never known any such problems. And I have had several washing machines myself, my mother several machines and I have never had any problems. My mum only buys basic cheap machines so none of the fancy features on these machines above, you twist the dial and it washes for 30 mins and clothes are clean!

I wonder if some of the problems Americans have is that all the brands seem to be re-engineering the machines for an American market? Do you guys just have normal cheap front loaders over there, or are they all these big expensive things?
 
mould : short wash bath and low temps

hi John,
many US frontloaders don't heat water, they are just hot filled. The ones with an internal heater use it only for "sanitary" cycles (...our fast coloured 60°C or @ most eco-whithes 70°C). Those cycles take a long time cause laundry has to stay @ 60°C for 20 mins at least to be sanified and because of the low wattage of coils (they run @ 110/120 V, so the amperage is double than ours @ same wattage - their secret dream are those 6000 Watt vintage mieles that ran a boilwash by 70 mins :-)

So many people, used to the 40/50 mins normal cycle, never use this 2/3 hour cycle. In the frigidaire/e'lux "normal" the max washbath time is 21 mins, just 5 mins more than express/30-minute cycles in euro frontloaders. Detergent and bleach have no time to sanyfy the inner tub and the gasket

Anyway also here in EU producers starded warning about having a very hot/boiling wash now and then to sanitize the washer
This began when people started doing whites no more with 60°C hot water but with warm or even cold water
 
Ohhhh

Oh I never knew that US front loaders did not heat the water, I assumed that all front loaders only have a cold fill and heat the water a little themselves like washers in the UK / Europe.

I never wash hotter than 30 degrees C, maybe 40 now and then but I find its not really needed, and I do not feel the need to boil any of my clothes for sanitation.

Do you run many cold washes in Italy? I know in most of Europe we wash pretty low temp, in Spain they wash cold but was interested in what Italy does?

I would love a top loader myself, and may get one but the BIGGEST hurdle for me is the water use! Knowing the tiny amount of water our modern A+++ energy rated washers use, I have a hard time convincing myself that I need to fill that massive drum full of water, it just feels wrong to me! I guess we have had it drummed into us in Europe about water waste etc.... Hmmmmmmmm But I love top loaders!

I forget that in the US they only run appliances at 110v, I wonder if that causes a major problem with electrical appliances. I hear that some homes are wired with 220 like we are, but I dont get why 110 was used to begin with? Was it just a saftey consideration?
 
Italian wash habits

Everyone makes it differently but more or less is like below:

- 30/40°C Non-colourfast and delicates, sometimes cold wash specially for wool
- 40/60°C Colourfast and low/medium-soiled whites
- upper than 60°C is used fo sanitaze or for heavy-soiled but very very rarely. I know very very few pepole used/using 90°C, mom's never done, but 70°C was is favourite temp cause she used to soak (with BIO-Presto) 1 night all whites!

Sometimes a prewash is added by users in low temperature cycles to be the wash more effective but honestly not so often.

Bye
Diomede
 
110V In US Homes

Aside from perhaps ranges,hot water heaters,heaters (air, boilers, furnaces, dryers and perhaps air conditioners, most USA homes do not have appliances that require 220v power.

Electric power was first used in US homes for lighting, then clever persons (including power companies and or their builders) wanted to increase demand and started designing and building all and sundry sort of consumer appliances to run on electric power. When it came to laundry, most homes got their hot water from a central boiler/heater.

Since the United States has abundant natural resources of coal, petrol, and natural gas, these were what was used for heating and hot water, then when the switch was made to electric, fuels were used in power plants to generate electric power. Far better to have one large power plant supply electric power for running boilers and heating in area homes, than all those homes burning coal themselves.

Where one lived also played a role, as there were "all electric homes" in areas where power was quite cheap. However coal and oil normally were cheaper still, so unless things were being given away....
 
Oh Mr. Sparkle, you appear to have missed so many debates regarding electiral systms in different regions and how that has influend the evolution of appliances and laundry methods.

~I forget that in the US they only run appliances at 110v, I wonder if that causes a major problem with electrical appliances.

There is no problem whatsoever. As a matter of fact our American dryers use 5,000 watt heaters and a dedicated special-purpose 220v 30a electrical line precisely because we can't plug-n-play into any ordinary socket/outlet (power-point) as 220v lands can.

~I hear that some homes are wired with 220 like we are.

Yes and no. We do not use 220v except for high-draw high-wattage appliaces. Regualr electical voltage is 110v in ALL homes in this coutnry and Canada. Since the 1950's most residences have 110/220v three-wire service. Hot #1 to neutral is 110v. Hot #2 to neutral is 110v. Hot to hot is 220v

But I don't get why 110 was used to begin with? Was it just a saftey consideration?

JUST a safety consideration? A Cypriot electrician (now living in ht U.S, once said: The only difference between electricty in Europe and the U.S. is: if you make a mistake in the U.S with electricity, you get to live to be able to do it again.

IIRC this was the first country to electrify and that was the standard chosen. There were very few appliances at first:

Lamps
Fans
Toasters
Vacuum cleaners
Radios

Electricty was, at first 110v, in other lands as well. It was decided that 220v was more economical, more flexible (to shoot more wattage through wires of the same gauge,as opposed to 110v) and needed less copper. But perhaps the most important realization was, one still needs 220v for big draw appliances anyway so why bother with 110v? Europe converted to 220v slowly as it was easier to do as electricity and appliance ownership was not as well saturated as it was in the the U.S -- was making conversion here impractical.
 
Cold fill in Europe evolved in that constant hot water was not avaible until a few decades ago there. Similarly front-loaders use so little water by the time a hot fill reaches the machine the water may not have yet warmed up in the pipes, especially in long pipe-runs.

Washing variables:

1- Plentiful Water
2- Mechanical wash action
3- Chemcials /additives
4- Heat
5- Time

Top-loaders provide #1,#2 & #3
Front loaders rely upon #3,#4 and #5.

So you see 220v facilitates large-wattage heaters and make front-loaders more practical and a more workable option.

So from what I have seen in these endless debates over whose system is better- here it is in a nutshell.

That which one is accustoemed to is believed to be better.
But let's not forget that eletrical and mechanical system in one's reigion play a HUGE role in how laundry machines and indeed laundry procedures evolved.
 
thanks Toggles

just now i realize your 220V supplies aren't plug'n'play like ours . I have always been thinkin' : "Why don't they unplug the dryer, plug the 2000 or 3000 W washer in the outlet, then swap it all when it's time to dry ??"

Anyway vintage euro FL filled with plenty of water even while washing (I'm thinking of such tanks as the Constructa - google it on youtube it's real fun, expecially the sudden spin with the tub full of water )
And you're right (about #1) : some wintage mieles performed a boilwash within 70 minutes . The 6000 W heater boiled water from tap cold within 6 or 7 mins ...
 
One Must Understand

"Boil Washing" went on well past WWII in Europe, and indeed the health standards for commercial laundries in most countries still mandate wash temperatures >160F for at least 10 minutes. Previous to electric powered heaters, early washing machines in Europe had fuel fired boilers. Early washing machines without a way to boil laundry did not sell well at all.

Consider also much of Europe, was in ruins after WWII, thus it was quite easy to "build from scratch" as it was not only an power stations, and infrastructure, but to wire homes and buildings. As Toggles stated, for various reasons it makes more sense for appliances that require hot water to heat it themselves, and for that to be done quickly it requires 220v or even 400v power. I've seen ironers and washing machines in domestic use in parts of Germany that run on 400v power, something one would NEVER see in the United States.

Wholesale switching over to 220v power would cause chaos in the United States. Some local areas to get out of the need for more power plants needing to be built are trying to get consumers to chuck electric heated dryers, hot water heaters and the lot.
 
Coal fired Miele

Just about the fuel fired washers Launderess mentioned,
here are, from the German Forum pics of the day, some mieles from the fifties. They could be coal/gas/steam/electric heated. The cylinder was made in copper.
At those time the 1st rinse was operated in very hot water, the 2nd in warm water the 3rd in cool water
So in the coal/gas models the fire was on even after the wash bath drain.
To do the same thing, electric heated models (4500 W) could have an additional boiled (total power n i n e KW ,just like four modern frontloaders)

http://www.waschmaschinen-forum.de/....php?Sprache=Deutsch&Tag=13&Monat=9&Jahr=2006
favorit++7-18-2009-09-25-45.jpg
 
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