Re: New Kenmore HE-2 Washer & Dryers:

[SactoTeddyBear]

I just went to one of our local Sears on Friday, September 30th Afternoon and saw the newest "HE" Washer & Dryer. They were just delivered to that Sears on Thursday, September 29th but my Salesman Friend hadn't enough time to contact me before I showed up to let me know about them arriving. They are the HE-2, the Washer Model Number Sticker says that they are made in Mexico, but the Dryer's didn't indicate where they were made. They are identical to the German-Made "HE" Series Washers & Dryers, but "scaled-down" somewhat in size. The Washer Model Number is: 110-46462500 with a Stock Number of:#46462 and the Dryers Electric Model Number is: 110-86562500 with a Stock Number of:#86562 and the Gas Dryer Model Number is: 110-96562599 with a Stock Number of: #96562. The Washer was listed at: $899.99 and the Electric Dryer is: $799.99 with a Gas Dryer being $50.00 more.

The Washer Capacity is: 3.3/cu ft and the Dryer is: 6.7/cu ft and the Max Spin on the Washer is: 1100-RPM. There is a Pedistal, but no Drawer, that gives an extra height of 10-inches for $149.99/each. They can also be Stacked, since they both do have Front Controls. They are pretty impressive to me and are in the Middle, between the original "Fridgemores" and the newer German-Made "HE's" Series Washers & Dryers, for Capacity Size. At this time at least, they only come in White. They have the similar Black Shield Cover on the Doors, but they also have the same Doors, with a Reversible Dryer Door, just like their similar larger Capacity Models have. They are listed on the Sears Web-Site, if you can figure it out, since K-Mart took over and have removated the Site, making it harder at least for me to figure out how to get to all of the Washers and Dryers there.

My Salesman Friend told me that they should sometime soon go on a Sale Price, after their inital introduction.

Peace and Happy "HE-2" Laundry Washing and Drying, Steve
SactoTeddyBear...

 

[foraloysius]

Here's the link to the HE2 on the Sears website. The main picture doesn't work, but if you click on Photo Gallery you can see ten pictures. Nice looking machines, but I hate those black windows.

http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/product.do?BV_UseBVCookie=Yes&vertical=APPL&pid=02646472000&subcat=Front+Load+Washers

 

[nurdlinger]

The main picture doesn't work

Once the window opens up, if you click on the "reset" button the image appears. You can then zoom in and pan around.

 

[mayken4now]

Nice to see you posting Steve!

Steve

 

[foraloysius]

Nurdlinger,

That trick doesn't do it here.

 

[frontloadfan]

Already On Sale

I just checked out Sears web site and apparently the HE2 is already on sale. The site states regular price is 899.99 but until October 8, the price is 799.99.

I also note that they have their Kenmore front washer (new style Frigidaire branded Kenmore) on sale for 759.99 (regular price 799.99).

It is interesting as the Kenmore/Frigidaire is actually larger (3.5 vs. 3.3).

Does the HE2 have an internal heater? In the specs it mentions that it has Automatic Temperature Contol, but no mention of the heater. It better have the heater or it will be a hard sell, selling a smaller capacity machine for more money (and both branded Kenmore).

Does anyone know who is making the HE2 for Sears?

 

[launderess]

IIRC Whirlpool

Is behind this as they are introducing a smaller version of the "Duet/HE" series. Currently Whirlpool does not have a small front loader in their line up and obviously they wised up to the fact not every one has room for a huge front loader.

Whirlpool's current small front loader is a rebadged Servis (IIRC), and is supposedly NOT very well built. Whirlpool had stated this was a temporary set up until they could begin production in Mexico of the smaller units. Do not know if Whirlpool has a plant south of the border for these units, or if they are rebadged. My guess is since Kenmore is buying the same units from Whirlpool, the factory is Whirlpool's.

As for an internal heater, the current small Whirlpool does have one, but water temps are set by cycle. In other words if one choses "Cottons/Sturdy" one gets hot water. "Delicates" is cold, and so on. You cannot simply choose cottons and warm water, for instance. If these new "HE2" models are built on the same platform, then expect the same. Mind you many laundromat washers have water temps set by cycle, but I prefer a tad more flexibility in laundry appliances.

Launderess

 

[SactoTeddyBear]

Re: Manufacture:

Hi! frontloadfan and everyone else, as I mentioned in my original Thread Posting, the new HE-2 Washers are being made in Mexico. The Model Number Sticker on the Dryers didn't indicate where they are being Manufactured though.

The Washer does have a 3/4-HP Motor and the Dryer has a 1/3-HP Motor in them. I don't believe that these Model Washers do have a Heater, just the "ATC-4" Auto Water Temp Option selections. I do agree, that they should as a "help" feature of Sales at least 1-Model available with a Water Heater in it, if not all of the Models available.

It wouldn't really matter to me, I've grown-up without a Water Heater in any of our Washers, so I guess what you don't have, you most likely won't miss having later on either.

I do have the "Sani" and Normal Cycles on my "LG" Compact Combo Washer/Dryer, but since I've only used it like a Portable Dishwasher Hook-Up to my Kitchen Sink and I control the Water Temps, I've never used that feature. I've also most of the time used the Perm Press Cycle, because of it using more Water for the Fills of the Wash and the Rinses, where the "Sani" and Normal Cycles use less Water, although I did a few White Loads on the Normal Cycle, but I think that only the "Sani" Cycle is the one that does any Water Heating anyway and they did come out quite impressively Clean, but I just as with a lot of us, prefer more Water to Wash Laundry with.

Peace and Happy "HE-2" Washing and Drying, Steve
SactoTeddyBear...

 

[spiraclean]

Hi Steve,
Those Kenmore HE2 Front Loaders look really stylish I am sure they will be popular for smaller families or homes with limited space. They are still much larger than standard European washers.

All the best.
Hugh

 

[gansky1]

I just saw these at Sears yesterday. I couldn't get a good look at them "up close and personal" because there was a family there who looked to be ready to buy so I stepped out of the way and just listened. Aside from cringing at some of the nonsense the saleslady was spouting, she did a fairly good job. The customers seemed to be quite impressed with the price point ($799 for washer, as above) versus the HE4 series and the Maytag import machine. What I thought was most interesting was that the drum isn't tilted at an angle like the TOL models. They didn't have any literature on them and I haven't checked out the website for stats and figures but they do look like a strong competitor to the Frigemore models.

The capacity ratings are quite interesting, I was amused at the new baffles in the HE4 series drum - I hadn't noticed them before!

 

[Brent-Aucoin]

This is really a handsome pair.
At first I thought it looked just like the new Electrolux models. They are different though.
Greg, next time you look at the new HE4T's, look at the drum really close. It is a totally different drum. Along with the smaller baffels, the holes at the back of the drum are different. Where our holes start of the bottom of the tub, then new drum does not have them at all. The holes on the HE4T start about 1.5" from the bottom. I wonder what that is suppose to do?
Can't wait to see this new set of the Mexico made "Whirlpoolie"
in person.
Brent

 

[launderess]

Strange thing

Is Whirlpool still has the Servis/Indsist(sp?) made washer on their website. Wonder why Kenmore/Sears is being allowed to launch before Whirlpool? Maybe to take the heat if things go wrong? *LOL*

Launderess

 

[agiflow]

It seems to be a pattern with Whirlpool. WP released the calypso first through sears and the catalyst also first through sears. Not to mention the Hetties were first also.

 

[jetcone]

Brent

I agree with you it looks to me exactly like the Electrolux machine but I have not seen them in person. Are you sure it is a different platform than the Electrolux???

jet

 

[appnut]

Cimberlie, WP pretty much uses Sears as it's product launch/testing ground for its products. Like mentioned above, this also included the new Tall Tub dishwashers. The original UltraWash (PowerClean) design Sears was used as initial launch back in 1982 or 1983. Also the TurboZone feature first came out with Seaers. Now KitchenAid has it in their two highest end models. One exception comes to mind, the Whirlpool Polaris range.

 

[DADoES]

There's also no Calypso under the KA label.

 

[laundromat]

I will bet you this is the same machine as the new stackable 3.3 cu ft Maytag Neptunes.They are made by Samsung and have a 3.3 cu ft capacity in the washer and a 7 cu ft capacity matching dryer.The dryer has a white interior.We just got them in @ The Homo Depot.The washer retails for $899 and the dryer retails for $699.I am off tomorrow.I'll go to Sears at the mall up the street and check them out.

 

[foraloysius]

Launderess,

The little Whirlpool machine is from Antonio Merloni, so similar to the Servis machines. In Italy they are sold under the Ardo label. Other names they have in Europe are Baumatic, Edy and EBD and perhaps even some others.

The Indesit company makes Indesit, Ariston, Hotpoint and Scholtès appliances. There is no connection to the Whirlpool machine.

Louis

 

[gansky1]

The new HE2 washer is assembled in Mexico with German parts. Dryer was listed at 6.5 cu ft, but obviously both were WP products. I did a double-take when I saw them, thought they might be Elux products, but on closer inspection the door hinges and boot, drum and the dryer features scream Whirlpool, not Asian made.