Questions for LG Steam Washer Owners

[decodriveboy]

I am curious if any members own this washer and what they think of its features and performance. My brother has an LG front loader (not the steam version) and I was very impressed!

I noticed the Normal and Sheets/Towels are very economical, whereas the Permanent Press cycle fills with water to the top of the metal rim of the wash basket--even on a small load. Is this also true with the Steam Washer?

Does the Water Plus feature add significantly more, and is there a "quick cycle" feature?

Thanks, some feedback would really help my decision to buy the set or not.

 

[Acerone]

Yes the permanent press cycle uses more water but not as much as my old LG 2277. The water plus doesn't really add much more water, maybe another 1" or two. And yes the 2688 has a quick cycle.

 

[peteski50]

LG

I have the LG 3677 combo I like the machine. The cycles are long and does a lot of pulse spins before spinning before going into a full spin. Has a lot of options and does a good job cleaning. HOWEVER stay away from LG it's a service nightmare. See my other postings. Believe me it's not worth the hassle even though the products are good.
Peter

 

[decodriveboy]

Acerone, I think my brother does have the 2277, I really like that PP cycle (but I want the "cherry red" color only the Steam Washer has!) With water plus on, how high does the level get maximum?

Peter, I read the LG nightmare thread and I am just going to keep my fingers crossed. Thanks for the advice.

 

[peteski50]

LG

Isn't the water plus button on the steam machine only and how much water does it add?
Peter

 

[Acerone]

decodriveboy, I'll do a load today and check it out for you. I haven't used the PP cycle at all yet on my 2677.

 

[Acerone]

If you seen the washer in person the water lever is just over the edge of the drum. So maybe 4"

 

[decodriveboy]

Nice!

That's a good amount considering the size of those drums. I'm assuming the cotton cycle doesn't get that high though, even with the Plus button.

 

[Acerone]

About 1" and that's about it....

 

[decodriveboy]

What's the deal with the Bulky cycle....could it get a thick comforter completely wet and sloshing around?

 

[Acerone]

That's another cycle I haven't tried yet. I'll try it tomorrow when I was my large size blanket.

 

[Acerone]

It's uses about half the amount the PP cycle uses and also the spin speed default is low. I prefer the PP cycle and plan on using it more often.

 

[decodriveboy]

Thanks for checking that out Ace. I wonder why they tuned the Bulky cycle that way....

 

[Acerone]

Bulky heavy items don't spin so well so that maybe the reason for it.

 

[washoholic]

Decodriveboy, I have a Steam Washer and I love it (WM2688HNM)! The service depends on the area you live in and the person they send out.

The water level varies w/ the cycle. Pushing the WASH/RINSE button and SOIL LEVEL button at the same time and holding them while the machine is running displays the data screen. The water level is displayed in numbers. 60 is when the machine is empty (no water) and the lower the number the higher the water level. I’ll post some of the cycle details.

 

[washoholic]

BULKY/LARGE

(Tumbles for 10 sec. pauses for 10 sec. then reverses)
In wash, it fills to 32 which is to the metal band on the tub and the door can be opened (W/ STEAM selected it fills to 40).
In rinse, it fills to 30 which is just above the metal band on the tub.
W/ WATER PLUS selected, in wash it fills to 28 which is above the metal band on the tub, to the top of where the grey rubber door seal meets the glass, and the door cannot be opened.
In rinse, it fills to 26 which is 1/8 of the way up the glass door. The water touches the bottom of the part of the glass door that protrudes into the tub.
Maximum final spin is a Medium 13 min. spin (it tumbles/reverses, spins at 100, 170, 100, 500, 105, stops and reverses, 100, 400, then spins at 590 for the remaining 9 min., then tumbles/reverses to distribute).

 

[washoholic]

PERM. PRESS

(Tumbles 8 sec. pauses for 8 sec. then reverses)
In wash it fills to 30 (W/ STEAM selected it fills to 39.)
In rinse it fills to 29.
W/ WATER PLUS selected, in wash it fills to 28.
In rinse it fills to 27.
Maximum final spin is a High 13min. spin (it tumbles/reverses, spins at 100, 170, 101, 490, 106, stops and reverses, 105, 400, 590, then spins at 1160 for the remaining 6 min., then tumbles/reverses to distribute).

 

[washoholic]

COTTON/NORMAL

(Tumbles 18 sec. pauses for 8 sec. then reverses)
W/WATER PLUS selected, in wash it fills to 40.
In rinse it fills to 37.
Maximum final spin is EXTRA HIGH at 1320 RPM.

It’s an Outstanding Washer. If you’d like to know anything else just ask (post or e-mail).

Jeff

 

[decodriveboy]

Thanks Jeff for all the info.... I think it sounds pretty good from how you described....

 

[kacyc1]

Should I go LG or Bosch?

I'm torn between 2 worlds... I like that the Bosch has the ability to do a profile wash, but like the fact that the LG has "water plus" and steam. Can anyone tell me any pros and cons or either, not including service as I have plenty of service for both (I'm in the Sacramento CA area). Maybe tomorrow I'll go check out the HE5t @ Sears too.. Thanks, KC

 

[launderess]

Pity One Cannot Obtain a V-Zug

"Steam" washer on this side of the pond. At 240v or even 400v those machines must make short work of any steam making.

L.

 

[logixx]

@ Launderess

The V-Zug washer has two steam cycles: "steam smoothing" and "appliance hygiene".

Steam Smoothing fills the tub with one liter of water and continues to tumble the load (up to 2 kilos) for 18 minutes to release wrinkles after the spin cycle. Energy consumption: 0.1 kWh

Appliance Hygiene uses 6 liters of water, 0.6 kWh and takes 22 minutes. The tub heats to 140°F during this cycle.

Alex

 

[launderess]

Ok, I'll Bite

Why pray tell does an appliance need a "hygiene" cycle?

 

[logixx]

Marketing...

Well, actually the web site claims this cycle is necessary because of changed laundering habits (lower temps / no disinfecting bleaching agents). "This is why V-Zug came up with the "Appliance Hygiene" cycle, which utilizes the efficiency of hot steam at 140°F to give you an immaculately clean and hygienic Adora*) anytime."

*) Adora being the name of the washer

http://www.vzug.ch/v-zug/medien.nsf/imgDE/dampfmaschine.mpg/$FILE/dampfmaschine.mpg

 

[tomturbomatic]

I just have trouble with these machines using lower water levels to rinse cottons, which are usually heavier than perma press items and would need more rinsing/diluting of the detergent because the heavier fabrics would hold more detergent than the lighter weight blends of the perma press articles.

Jeff, Thank you for gathering and posting all of this data. Does your machine give cottons a good, fast spin between wash and rinse? How many rinses on the Cottons cycle, please? Does the machine spin well between the rinses? Thanks in advance.
Tom

 

[decodriveboy]

Tom, I also am not of fan of the extremely low water levels on cotton cycles.

Luckily the permanent press uses plenty of water even if the load is very small....as long as I have that option I'm satisfied.

Some people are perfectly happy with very economic cycles but consumers ought to decide how much water they need to use, not the machine.

 

[washoholic]

Decodriveboy, there’s 2 ways to do a profile wash (start w/ cold water) w/ the LG.

1. Select the “STAIN CYCLE” option. This forces a cold fill, an additional rinse, 15 additional minutes of tumble in the wash and heats the water to [158F (70C) in the SANTIARY CYCLE], and [113F (45C) in the BULKY/LARGE, PREM PRESS, COTTON/ NORMAL, and I’m not sure about the BABY WEAR CYCLE since I don’t have a baby.]

2. Select the “PRE-WASH” option. The LG fills w/ cold and heats the pre-wash water as long as the wash temp is not set to Cold. Then it spins and fills for the wash at the selected wash temp.

Tom, you’re welcome. It does give a good spin in between the wash and all rinses. It’s about 6 minutes and it spins at: 170, 102, 410, and then revs. up to 790 R.P.M. before going into the rinse on the SANTIARY, BULKY/LARGE, PREM PRESS, COTTON/ NORMAL, and BABY WEAR CYCLES.

There is even a good hard spin between the pre-wash and wash in the SANTIARY, BULKY/LARGE, PREM PRESS, COTTON/ NORMAL, BABY WEAR, and DELICATES CYCLES which most front loaders lack.

There is only a final spin, and no spins after the wash or rinses in the DELICATES, HANDWASH/WOOL, or SPEED WASH CYCLES, however there is a spin between the pre-wash and wash during the DELICATES CYCLE.

Tom, the SANTIARY, BULKY/LARGE, PREM PRESS, COTTON/ NORMAL, and BABY WEAR CYCLES have 2 rinses. They have 3 rinses when EXTRA RINSE or STAIN CYCLYE is selected and 4 rinses when STAIN CYCLYE and EXTRA RINSE are selected together.

The DELICATES, HANDWASH/WOOL, and SPEED WASH CYCLES have 2 rinses and 3 when EXTRA RINSE is selected.

Jeff

 

[sudsmaster]

Steamwasher vs. Bosch?

It's probably a toss-up. CR gives the Steamwasher top ratings, with a score of 83. Second place goes to the Bosch Nexxt 500, at 79 score. Still better than the best rated top loader, the Cabrio. The main difference in performance seems to be that the LG has more capacity. CR doesn't yet list repair history on either LG or Bosch.

Interestingly, no washer scored "Excellent" in washing performance. Lots got "Very good", and a few got dinged with "Fair" or "Poor". the Frigidaire Affinity distinguished itself by being the only front loader tested to rate "Fair". Frigidaire (Electrolux) top loaders distinguished themselves by being the ultimate bottom feeders, rating either "Poor" or "Fair", nothing better.

 

[washoholic]

The only washer rated w/ an excellent in washing performance was the Maytag Neptune TL. Consumer reports said that it set a new standard in cleaning and ever since they have not rated any other washer w/ a score of excellent.

The steam washer uses less energy and water than the Bosch and the steam washer has the “Steam Fresh” cycle that gets wrinkles out of clean clothes. The steam washer also has a drum light.

 

[user 12105]

Correct me if i am wrong, but didn't the calypso also get the best washing score ever when they first tested it several years back?