Out with a Whirlpool, in with a Zanussi Jetsystem

[robm]

Hello all

Haven’t been around much but I thought I would give you a low down on this machine. I have recently acquired a new Zanussi Jetsystem 1600 ZWF16581W. It was delivered yesterday and I had it up and running yesterday evening. It replaces a Whirlpool 1400 (not sure of age) which was left in my flat when I bought it. The whirlpool was fine and dandy but had a rather noisy brush motor and I thought it would be nice for a change. My brother now owns it.

Back to the Zanussi! Well I’m suitably impressed and it is nice and quiet, even at 1600rpm. The distribution is far more intelligent than the Merloni/Hotpoint machines. It does sense out of balances but does a much better job at getting the load even by using different drum rhythms and speeds. The Hottie’s just repeat themselves and go into distribution too fast, literally flinging the clothes to the sides.

The jet seems thick and strong and seems to help with the wash. It has many different programs and different drum speeds and rhythms, the most fun being the Superquick Cotton wash where it starts the rinse in a fast distribution. While it turns it fills and sprays the clothes, it fills a few inches up the door so water levels are not too low. Program times are also not too long, the jetsystem plus programs start by saying 2 hours but quickly sense the load and readjust to about 1 hour 10 mins. The Superquick washes are about 45mins.

Pros

Great spin, distributes well, gets clothes really dry
Very quiet, even when spinning fast (considering its speed)
Lot’s of fun programs and settings
Good quality powder drawer compared to other makes
Powerful jet, water levels not too low
Programs not too long, with shorter options
Rinse hold on most progs and night selection (spins suppressed then rinse hold)

Cons

Short progs could have better rinsing, only use small amount of detergent
Beep at end can be annoying
Minute wait for door lock (Aqualtis opens immediately)
Deep, so sticks out slightly (but then the drum is big)
Slightly difficult to level as feet set back a few inches
Goes from 1600 to 900 I would like 1200 inbetween
No 50 wash

I have only had this an evening so am still learning. Any questions feel free to ask!

Rob

 

[robm]

The Whirlpool

The Whirlpool was fine. It had a 1400 long spin and washed and rinsed well. I just got a little bored with it. It is also quite loud so night time washing was out of the question. My brother now has it!

Can anyone date it?

 

[robm]

Here is the fascia. Unfortunately it is quite blurry. The kitchen also looks rather beaten up in the first pic because I had a bit of a nightmare screwing the taps as the gap is quite small.

I have done some vids of both machines which I will post later.

Rob

 

[newwave1]

Wow! Looks lovely rob! Congrats on the new purchase! Thats cool that it does the distribution fills on superquick! My mums aeg with quick selected does 2 deep rinses! Does this one have the extra rinse option?

You happy with it overall?

Darren

 

[robm]

Hi Darren, good to hear from you! I must find out when you are free so we can have a natter.

Yes it does have the extra rinse option. I have used, Superquick Cottons, Superquick synthetics + extra rinse and finally Jetsystem Cotton. I want to try Superquick Cottons + extra rinse next time as I felt this could have rinsed a bit better.

Really pleased so far, I'm glad I stuck to my guns and got what I wanted.

 

[lavamat_jon]

Hi Rob, great machine! I like those new Zanussis, my sister has the basic 1200 Essential one and she's been very happy with it so far.

One question to ask - what is the difference between the Jetsystem + programmes and the standard Cottons/synthetics programmes?

Jon

 

[samsungfl]

Nice Machine!!

Hey Rob! Congrats on your new machine it looks really nice!! Makes me miss mine! Though mine didnt last very long I still think Zanussi are one of the best buy brands in my opinion as their affordable and built well. There much better than some of the other stuff out these days!

Happy Washing !!

Richard

 

[nickuk]

Zanussi

Hi Rob

Hope you're keeping well.

Congratulations on the new machine, looks great! I was gonna buy one like that, then changed my mind, but now am considering it again!

Have sold `old' LG and have a budget for new machine of £320. I am looking at two machines within budget. Firstly, was considering buying the model under yours (ZWF16281)as I don't personally want jetsystem, but I do want 50 c. I was also (like you) put off with the big jump in spin speeds, but the main reason I decided against it was the `Reevoo' comments several of which mentioned a noisy spin. This made me wonder if Zanussi were falsely claiming it had a brushless motor on their website spec, just as they did when I bought my previous Zanussi in 2004 (and admitted this). However yours obviously does have the invertor motor, so perhaps I should consider the ZWF16281 again.

The other machine I was considering (and had pretty much decided to get) is a Bosch WAE24467 which has a universal motor anyway!. This is because I used a new Bosch Classixx slimline on my holiday and I just LOVED it. Why?

*Short standard cycles with the option to extend (prefer it this way round)
* Up the door rinses on all but cottons, where the door only reaches the `boot'. It goes nearly halfway up on delicates! This lovely rinsing level may be to do with the shape of the drum...
* The only machine I've used for a decade (all major makes) to wash every last grain of tablet from the drawer and drawer chamber
* Can do a fast spin (1200) on synthetics
* Lovely quiet fill valve and pump.
* I really like all my appliances to match. and I like the Bosch dryers and dishwashers but have had previous poor experience with Zanussi dryers and dishwashers.

The biggest drawback to the Bosch is obviously the standard, noisyish motor but I can live with that and sometimes even enjoy it. It also spins comparatively slowly (1200) but that's fine for me. I wasn't interested in the Zanny for the fast spin, that just kind of comes with it!

The only reason I'm not buying that particular (slimline) model is because it doesn't do 50 degrees and can't fit duvets, and that's not so good with young kids. Hopefully I'll like the larger Excell washer just as much but probably not LOL.

So thanks for this thread, it puts Zanussi back in the equation for me and I hope you really enjoy the machine!

Take care all.

Nick

 

[lavamat_jon]

Nick - nice to see you again! Hope everything's going well .

Jon

 

[platinum6]

Congratulations on your new Zanussi and may I say it looks very nice.

I like the fact that it has the Jetsystem and also that it has plenty of programmes and features, just what 1 needs in this modern day and age lol.

 

[foraloysius]

Rob

Nice machine! And so many options. I'm interested in the difference between the Jet system programmes and the cotton ones too.

Zanussis in the UK are apparently the same models as the Electrolux overhere. Zanussi in the Netherlands have become Electrolux's BOL machines overhere.

I'm looking forward to your videos, especially one of the speeding up from 900 to 1600rpm. Sounds like washer drama!!

Louis

 

[chestermikeuk]

Zanussi Jetsystem+

Hi Rob

Congratulations on your new Zanuusi, I think they have incorporated a lot of good stuff in this latest machine, sturdy as well!!!

Interesting about the spin speed selections, havnt had too many customers complain about that feature, I suspect most people use the fastest speed (except laundry officionados)although I`m prone to select fast for all!!!

The one feature I would want is the 50d wash, and on the Duvet wash it only does 30d & 700rpm, now for me if washing a duvet at home I`d want 60d & fast spin...The panel is a little confusing for some customers, the first one I sold had the customer ringing up saying the jetsystem was faulty as it was working across all programmes instead of only the "first 3 as stated on the programme selector!!!

Looking forward to seeing the vids, enjoy, Mike

p.s. Louis, did you get my mail??? also BOL is officially ditched!!!! its now called "Multi Brand Positioning" according to the brand ethics team!!!...Lol

 

[robm]

Hi all and thanks for all your comments!

Great to see some old faces again (Jon and Nick) haven't spoken to you in ages.

I must admit there was a Bosch on in Allders so I could see the program times and I was very impressed. It did sway me but I have never owned a new Zanni and wanted a jetsystem and something quiet. The video of the spin is really quiet even at top speed. Will upload over the weekend and will also film some more rinse action when I get the chance.

Jetsystem Plus Programs - These sense the size of the load and adjust everything to fit that! For the first few minutes the machine senses everything and displays the longest time possible. It then readjusts itself. I was washing a double set of towels and it went from 2.15 down to 1.15. It really seems to work well. In fact this machine really seems to sense everything particulary well, including the balance. It may not be a Miele but for the price of £340 it really is worth it for a top of the range Zanussi machine.

Rob

 

[foraloysius]

"Multi Brand Positioning"

Mike,

So we need to talk about MBP now instead of BOL? No matter what you say, it's still the cheap stuff! LOL

Here's a picture of the Dutch TOL 1600 rpm Zanussi.

BTW, you have mail.

 

[paulc]

reevoo

I don't think the reevoo site is that accurate, have noticed the same review from the same people for differant models of Zanussi's

I saw I similar machine to the dutch Zanussi branded as Tricity-Bendix

 

[newwave1]

Ahh yes, i'm sad to say i had this confirmed to me that zanussi was going to be a bottom of the line machine! If you go on the sainsburys website you'll see the new tricity bendix machines in that styling of the dutch zanussi machine!

Apparently the new structure is Zanussi, Aeg & then Electrolux, with electrolux being particularly pricey too!


Can't wait to see more of your zanussi rob! What are the standard rinse water levels like?

Darren

 

[robm]

Well last night after a dinner party, I did a smallish, Superquick Cotton wash. I selected temp 60, spin 900 and extra rinse. It was fascinating as it acted a bit like an old fashioned Bendix/Zanussi. The program lasted 1hr 5mins and the first 30mins was the wash. The rhythms are long with very short pauses. It washes fast then slow, then fast, then slow again followed by a pause and reverses and does the same thing.

It did 4 full rinses. It did not spin after the wash or rinse 1 but on rinse 2 and 3 it did a standard 500 1min spin, just like they used to do. The rinses were very short and filled to the bottom of the door. The final rinse differed as it filled in stages a few inches up the door. It also started with the jet on distribution until it was half full. The final spin was in 3 stages with a gradual build up.

The 900 spin lasted a few minutes. This is perfect for me as I want things reasonably dry but not too creased. I find personally 900 for 2mins is about right for me. I do now wonder what the 1600 spin would have done and if the interims had been different. This machine is fascinating as it really does change all the time. The superquick cottons on 1600 without the extra rinse was completely different with distribution rinsing and profile spins. So Darren it’s hard to give an answer to your question as each rinse is so different. So far the highest has been a few inches up the door, but then bear in mind the size of the drum and it is not mean on water at all. The water was pretty clear at the end of the wash last night. Noise at 11.30 was also not a problem, even at 900.

Bear with me and I will film what I can over the next few weeks.

BTW Nick, I always thing that the best way to confirm what type of motor a machine has is to give it a good hand spin in the shop. You can definately tell the difference between the Zanussi's. So if you don't mind me asking, what happened to the LG? Did you just fancy a change?

 

[aeg03]

Hi. I have an AEG Lavamat 72640 which is almost 6 years old. It has a water jet similar to the Zanussi as well its the same company that builds it. I like the water jet as I think the machine washes and rinses much better with this.

My machine does a distribution and 'spin rinse' cycle to drive the detergent out of the clothes usuing very little water.

I find that the machines has 2 different rhythms during the wash cycle a kind of normal, slow thing going on thou its not as noticable as the Miele, it is notices by the change in motor sound and slight slowing fasting of the drum.

The Spin rinse in my machine works on the priciple of there being absorbant items it will do this 3 times, if the items do not absorb a lot of water then the machine will not do a spin rinse, the drum always speeds up to a sort of distribution on the last part of the rinse cycle it creates a 'pinning' effect on the clothes. I like the machine, I find the spin cycles are very similar to the Zanussi models but my machine does spin when unbalanced as the machines tries to balance the load then it appears that it is programmed to just continue into a spin if it cant balance it after 5 mins or so which means the machine sometimes makes a bit racket in the kitchen. lol. I like ur Zanussi.

 

[nickuk]

Rob, you were asking about the LG - it's still fine I just wanted a change! I think it's a good machine in many respects. How's the old Hottie doing? My mother in law has bought the LG from me as she wants a washer dryer and I think it's great in this respect as the dryer is good and the drum big.

Well I ordered the Bosch last night after much deliberation but am seriusly considering retracting the order and going for the ZWF16281. LOL - yeah I liked your idea of spinning the drum to feel for the type of motor and have done this, alas there aren't any of these machines on display anywhere local. If you spin the drum fast you start to here a brush motor make a distribute type sound whereas an induction motor stays silent. That's also a sure fire way of getting a salesperson to approach !

The Bosch has some fun cycles but no child lock (I don't think) whereas the Zanny has full child lock and is probably quieter.

Some more questions for you Rob, if you don't mind and only if you have the time to answer!

* Does the Zanny have a `hissy' (noisy) fill valve?
* How would you describe the motor noise? How does it compare with the Aqualtis?
* When it drains does the pump cycle on and off or stay on throughout? The LG cycles on and off and drives us mad as the kitchen sink `belches' every 15 seconds or so during drain / spins.
* Is the jetsystem noisy? My 2004 hade a jetsystem which buzzed and I had to keep shoving the machine or leaning on the front to keep it quiet. This is why I was planning on the model underneath yours.

I was aware after submitting my first reply that it could be perceived as a thread hijack but hopefully you don't see it this way, as the thread is still very much about the type of machine you posted...

If anyone else has opinions about the Zanussi versus the Bosch WAE24467 please feel free to volunteer them as it's starting to do my head in, making the decision.

Hi back to all old friends

Nick