Possible New Washer!

[chrisbsuk]

Hello Guys,
so, I am currently still using the "Diplomat" (AKA Servis) intergrated washing machine that came with my flat.. I am going to replace it in the next couple of weeks, mainly because the 1000 RPM max spin isnt good enough for what I need; I have to tumble dry pretty much everything (top floor flat etc) so need a machine with a decent RPM and I guess at least a "B" rating, if not "A" rating for spin.

I have looked at three machines, and will get one of them:

Miele W1714, 1400 Spin
LG Steam F1402FDS6, 1400 Spin
Hotpoint Aqualtis AQLF9D 69U, 1600 Spin (with auto detergent and softner dispense)

So what do you think...I know we all have mixed views on Hotpoint BUT i have used the Aqualtis machines before and they are excellent and see to get good reviews. In terms of money, there is very little between these machines.

Appreciate your input as and when you have the time!

Chris

 

[chrisbsuk]

also meant to say....

that the Diplomat machine really isnt that bad at all! It just has a rubbish final spin.

It's hot and cold fill, still has a "clock work" timer, just has the basic HLC programmes (1-9), variable temp, high water levels, fast rinse distribution...if I had a garden I'd keep it!

 

[ariston4life]

i really like those diplomat (servis machines) sold over here as Powerpoint that same machine is still available over here under the powerpoint name.... BTW id say go for the hotpoint....

 

[paulinroyton]

Hotpoint Aqualtis

Hi

I had a Hotpoint Aqualtis and found the machine to be a good washer. Very quiet on wash and spin. Washed the clothes very clean.

Sadly I reversed into the door, and broke the machine, LOL.

 

[hoovermatic]

Isn't the cost of a new washer going to be far more than the energy used by slightly longer dryer use due to a 1000rpm spin speed?

 

[ronhic]

Welll.....

....my heart says Miele if you can afford it...

....or, shock horror, Beko....one of the dearer ones around GBP350...

They get good reviews from Which?, my mother has a Fisher and Paykel rebadged version and they seem to rate well from a reliability point of view (also according to Which?)

 

[chrisbsuk]

ariston4life: Hey, I agree with you, they really are not bad machines at all; and to top it off, they are actually near silent when spinning too (think they have induction motors)

Paul: I had one too, couldnt not fault it.

hoovermatic: yea, clearly I am not going to save the purchase cost of the machine in reduced drying times, but I will be saving precious time, and I guess the machine being on for half an hr less a load over the course of a few years will have an impact.

Ronhic - my heart too says Miele for obvious reasons, but I just like the additional functionality of a steam option, or auto dosing etc! Beko; yea I have read a lot about them, yet to see one in action though

 

[earthling177]

Far be it from me to dissuade anyone from a new machine if that's what they want, but it sounds to me that if you like the one you have except for the residual moisture, you'll probably spend less money and less time if you buy a high-speed spin dryer and use it right after the washer cycle is done. About 5-10 minutes later, you'll have extracted more water from the load than most automatic washers (make sure you get a spin dryer that is over 1750 rpm).

Good luck!

 

[dj-gabriele]

To me you should get the Aqualtis, I love those machines!

But if you're satisfied on how your current machine works and it only doesn't spin as fast as you wish, you can get one of those cheap extractors that spin at 2800 rpm and use it before the dryer, may lightweight clothes after that can be directly ironed or hanged!

 

[gizmo]

I'd avoid LG.

I have a basic model, it does what I need it to, but:
it needed bearings and main seal at 4 years old (which is when I got it);
It isn't very good at balancing, it messes around for ages, then finally spins and still leaps around the laundry room (a known problem with my model);
if the incoming water from the hot tap is very hot (which it sometimes is, as I have solar hot water) then steam and hot air builds up inside, pressurising it and water starts to flow out the front drawer, down the front;
it is noisy when trying to get balanced, if the drum moves around unbalanced, the rubber door seal flaps and makes odd "woob-woob-woob" noises. As it often messes around for ages trying to balance, it gets very annoying.

When I did the bearing replacement I was fairly impressed as the machine seems designed for easy dismantling and repair, and parts were cheap, but having used it for a year or so I don't think it's much of a washer and I'm thinking of replacing it soon.

Also the white plastic parts are yellowing badly, which looks bad and isn't good enough for a machine about 5 or 6 years old.

 

[ariston4life]

yes they are fair machines...my dad had one for 10 years...no breakdowns...yes most of them use induction motors.

 

[fl1012]

Of the three....

Id get the Miele. If there's not much in it as far as price goes then the Miele has gotta be the best value. Even if the LG & Hotpoint are totally reliable, they won't last as long as the Miele.

The extra features of the other two are good to play with, but if they come at the expense of quality then i wouldn't bother.

That said, i think i'd try & keep the machine you have if i could, as it looks very tidy & they seem to last well. Also, from experience, the newer machines with faster spins don't always spin as well as their older, slower counterparts. When we had to use my Zanussi FL1012 with 1000rpm recently, my Mum commented how stuff seemed just as dry as when it leaves her Zanussi Essential with 1400 spin.

I would bet that the 1600 Aqualtis spins no better than the Miele with 1400 spin. Afterall, 1600rpms is no goos if the pump can't get the water down the drain quick enough.

Just my two pence!

Liam.

 

[bertrum]

Yes Liam,

I agree spin sped is very over rated. There are so many factors such as the size of the drum, the perforations in the drum and the length of time the machine spins at top speed, not to mention the drainage setup.

As Im sure you are aware the giratory effect of the motor on the drum will mean a small drum will spin faster than a large drum when the motor is at say 1000rpm.

Basically I tend to go for a low spin speed as posible to lenghen the life of the machine.

 

[keymatic3203]

spin dryer

Hi Chris, being a bit bias towards the older machines, I would say to pop down to your nearest junk shop / House clearence and get yourself an old creda debonair or similar spindryer, 2800 rpm. I've spun a small load of towels in a standard 1600 hotpoint and then got a quarter of a pint more out with the old creda. So when you spin your wash out and see the water coming out of the spout (if garavity drain type) you can think, how long would the tumble dryer take to turn that volume of water into steam?

Meanwhile your diplomat is built in and looks in good shape.
If you are in a spending mood, then I would go as liam says for the best quality over gimmicks ( sorry, advanced technological laundry solutions lol ).

And whist your in the junk shops remember us over on the vintage forum, keymatics, square door bendix, english electric liberator, servis toploader for mike, etc etc you know the sort of thing lol.

Enjoy the wash

Mathew

 

[dyson2drums]

Miele would be my choice, however spin efficeincy wise hotpoints is the best as at 1600 its only got 38% water remaining where as the 1400rpm miele has 50% water remaining. Plus you get the steam function and a bigger drum but quality and reliability wise miele is the best.

 

[liberator1509]

Hi there

I've got the Aqualtis Dryer which is rather good - slow in comparison to a vented job, but good none the less. I'd suggest the Aqualtis washer, but have no experience of it as this is a top-loader house!

Have you considered a Maytag front-loader washer?

 

[mieleforme]

Miele

I would get the Miele. They're simply the best.

 

[fl1012]

Bertrum.....

Would the increased size of drums lately be why spin speed has also increased do you think? To keep up with the effect that a bigger drum has on effectively slowing the speed (as it takes longer to complete each revolution)?

Keymatic - Gimmicks?! LG & the like will be onto you for slander

 

[joe_in_philly]

I don't think increased spin speed has anything to do with increased drum size, but rather as a way to improve performace.

A larger diameter washer drum rotating at the same speed (same RPMs) as a smaller diameter drum will exert more g-force on the load, and will extract more water than the smaller diameter drum(assuming all other variables are equal).

As a result, a larger (diameter) drum could spin slower than a smaller drum, and extract the same or more water from the load - depending on the size and speed differences of course.

Below is a G-force/RPM calculator. You need to enter the RPM and radius of the drum (half the diameter). Ignore step 4.

http://pacer.calpoly.edu/tri/pacer/gforce.html