Recent opinions on F&P Aquasmart / Aerosmart

[mysteryclock]

Well I managed to disassemble the back of my Nexxt dryer and reset the high-temp switch, which brought it back to complete working order...for about 2 days. Now I think it is starting to develop "Dryer Dementia" since it refuses to heat about every 3rd load, but works perfectly the rest of the time. It has been making a noise for a few years like a plastic playing card in a bicycle's wheels ("ticka-ticka-ticka-ticka") which hasn't impacted performance and which appears to be related to the drum spinning vs. the blower operating, but I couldn't find the source of when I was working on it. And that noise isn't getting any quieter. Add to this the fact that the matching Nexxt washer has starting make bearing noises every now and then (squeaks & groans), has a drain pump that keeps getting a bit louder all the time and occasionally refuses to balance and I'm starting to believe that the pair is about to reach their EOL after 6+ years of *very* frequent use.

So...I will probably be in the market for a new HE washer soon.

I've been looking at HE FLs, but none were really knocking my socks off. I'd consider Speed Queen except for the fact that we have no dealers worth a darn in my area (local furniture stores with a few random appliances in the back, really!) and as a result I'm concerned about service, etc. Plus they are pretty spendy relative to the flexibility they offer.

Quite unexpectedly I started examining the TOL F&P models and I find myself very intrigued. I know Dadoes is a big fan of their products so I'd be interested to hear his and others current opinions of these models, specifically the wash plate versions. I like the idea of a TL dryer, and especially one that reverses every so often since our Nexxt one can really "log up" a set of sheets in no time! I haven't had a TL washer of any kind since 2001 so I'm a bit iffy on that part though.

My questions are:

- How reliable are these models? Opinions online range from "awful" to "years and years with no problems", but considering the brand's reputation and the age of the designs I tend to think they'd be more reliable than other newcomers to this market.

- Are they almost as gentle on clothes as a FL? Their cleaning performance seems to be quite good from what I've read.

- I know water usage is somewhere greater than a FL but much less than a traditional TL. Has it been an issue for anyone in expensive water areas?

- The TOL models seem to have a really wide variety of cycles with customized water usage levels for each. Are these genuinely useful or total marketing fluff?

- How is the parts / repair availability?

Our laundry room is very skinny so having a TL would actually be sort of nice, not having to squeeze past open doors, etc.

I appreciate any and all feedback - thanks in advance!

 

[twinniefan]

Aquasmart

Hi Mysteryclock, the Aquasmart gets many bad reviews here in Australia,due to a big linting problem.
If you go to www.productreview.com.au and click on the reviews you will see what I mean.
Sorry I dont know how to do links.

 

[logixx]

Another source

Washers:

http://www.washerdryerinfo.com/cont...-cu-ft-Top-Loading-Washing-Machine-Review.htm

http://www.washerdryerinfo.com/content/Fisher-Paykel-Eco-Smart-WA42T26GW1-Washing-Machine-Review.htm

Dryers:

http://www.washerdryerinfo.com/content/Fisher-Paykel-SmartLoad-DE62T27GW2-Dryer-Review.htm

http://www.washerdryerinfo.com/cont...DW2-6-2-Cu-Ft-White-Electric-Dryer-Review.htm

Alex

 

[ronhic]

Aquasmart products appear to get a pasting.....492 reviews and a rating of 1.8/5

http://www.productreview.com.au/p/fisher-paykel-aquasmart.html

 

[mysteryclock]

Well the washerdryerinfo.com site is an interesting one. They seem to be very scientific with all their test strips and measurements, but then when you go to look at the actual stain removal results they would say "really good" when it looked just awful to me, or "as good as brand X" when it didn't' appear to be close. That could just be a photography thing with how they're taking pictures, but it was very confusing. For instance, their review of an Asko makes it look like it was by far the best at stain removal, but it ranks towards the bottom of the pack. Overall, I appreciate the info, but I can't always untangle how they reach their scores and conclusions.

Anyway....

I'd read the plethora of negatives on the Australian site, but it seemed really unusual that model that's been around ~so long~ could fare so poorly and still sell well enough to remain on the market w/o a major redesign. It is that logical disconnect which is confusing to me, which is why I asked you guys.

A more general question - is lint removal an issue with TL HE designs in general, the F&P "family tree" of theirs, the Bravos and the Cabrios, or is it all a bunch of hysterics washing white flannel with black dress pants, so to speak?

 

[twinniefan]

Aquasmart linting

Hi Mysteryclock,
I have no doubt that soem of the linting problem would be caused by some people loading and sorting incorrectly, however I also think a big problem would be an agitator/washplate washing system combined with small quantities of water resulting in constant rubbing and friction on the clothing.
I understand that F&P advise people to use extra rinses or a higher water usage cycle to avoid this problem, but doesn't that defeat the purpose of being a high efficiency washer?.
Apparently there is a similar problem with the Whirlpool Cabrio models.
I guess with it being a popular model might be due to top loaders are still the higher sellers here in Australia and F&P are usually regarded as a quality brand.
Hope this helps you.
Steve.

 

[liberator1509]

Aquasmart

Hi there

I have an Aquasmart TL washer and I love it, though as we have moved house to a short-term rental while we wait to purchase, it is in storage and we're back to a Front Loader. The Aquasmart review from me:
Pros
1 Good capacity
2 Great wash results and good rinsing (as good if not better than the current rental house FL)
3 Short wash times (by Euro standards - regular warm cycle about 45 mins)
4 Good spin (1000rpm - fast for a wide tub TL, and as good as a 1400 spin FL)
5 Variable water temp (though it limits hot to 60c by adding cold if the intake is set to anything above 70c)
6 Wide range of cycles - great for duvets, cushions etc - I have the TOL LCD model
7 It seems no rougher than a FL - I'm not convinced that FLs are particularly better in this respect (except perhaps high speed agitators like WPs) - FL action is achieved by throwing the loads against the tub wall repeatedly for long cycle times, and the clothes do twist together in a FL - the Aquasmart cycles are much shorter than an equivalent FL and I would argue no less gentle
8 It is a TL so easy to load and unload

Cons
1 It tangles - mixed loads with shirts usually end up with a medusa of sleeves, however it is no worse than the FL, and a damn-sight easier to untangle close from above than yanking a sodden pile out of the front loader (and invariably onto the floor). The instructions suggest washing shirts on a special cycle (higher water level - about a 1/3 of the tub), but I am happy with the results in mixed loads and can cope with the tangling. White sheets go in with white towels on hot and are fine, though again there is a special sheets cycle
2 Lint - not so much a creating lint issue as a disposing of what naturally occurs - it has a recirculation system, but doesn't filter this - a real shame. If it filtered throughout (it only recirculates for the first part of the wash) the wash cycle it would be as good at lint removal as an old Hotpoint Fliter Clean/GE Filter Flo TL (none better). Lint created is no worse than FL however
3 Soak time is fixed to an hour...cannot see why this is so - it should be programmable
4 Rinse/Spin only cycle involves multiple spray rinses, but again this is not programmable
5 No see-through lid....
6 An in-built heater would be good for EU tastes and allow a 90C wash, but not really a consideration for the machine's market, so an unfair criticism
7 It is wider than the EU standard and won't fit in the rental house laundry space (stacked FL washer and dryer)

So, IMHO, a fantastic machine and I'd can't wait to get it back from storage - 45 mins to complete 8KGs as opposed to 2.5 hours to complete 6 in the FL (progress indeed...). I have noticed no saving in utilities in the time we have been using the FL in rental btw. I bought this machine 2nd hand from someone who imigrated to the UK from Australia - my biggets issues is if it ever dies - F&P UK/IRL don't import this machine as the market for TL is almost non-existent. I'll have to find some way of getting one from Aus/NZ myself I guess - ditto the TL dryer - I would love one of those too!

Anyhow, I hope this experience helps - I think it is a great machine and would certainly buy another. Other may disagree...

D

 

[mysteryclock]

liberator, thanks for your comments. Your comparison to a FL was especially interesting - stuff occasionally gets tangled in our Bosch FL but it is usually the longer sleeves /leg items, so I'm sort of used to that.

And your observations about lint were also helpful. I've often wondered where all the lint goes in my FL since I never seem to have much on the clothes unless I really mis-match the load, or unless my dryer is just amazing at getting it off (doubtful.) For comparison, at the place we rented for vacation recently they had a BOL & compact Whirlpool TL with an agitator, and it really kicked out the lint. I washed a (probably ill-advised) load of beach towels and swim trunks and the latter came out absolutely plastered with stuck-on lint. I've done the same load at home and usually don't see any. So I guess the TL form factor in general has me a little nervous in that area.

One other question - do you or anyone else happen to know if the tub mounts in the F&P are plastic or metal? Most of the recent (hyped) press about "exploding" washers seems to center on the LG that uses plastic mounts, so I'm curious what F&P chose. The Cabrio and Bravos I ~think~ use metal ones...but fee free to correct me on that, anyone.

 

[liberator1509]

Hi again

The tub mounts are metal - the tub assembly floats, being hung from four suspension struts. Out-of-balance is detected by the motor, not by a bump switch - I'm not totally convinced by this, but that is the way to do it with DD motors and sophisticated electronic control.

Tangling is down to load combinations in all machines I think - I load by colour, wash temperature and detergent, not by garment type, so happily put up with shirts in with other items. As said before, far easier to deal with a tangle form above rather than from a FL.

Lint isn't a major issue with the Aquasmart except for the partner's habit of hiding the occasional paper tissue - which only ever emerge in loads that include black socks, or dark fleece hoodies. Tumble dryer usually solves that - admonishment of the partner has made no difference in terms of turning out pockets before dumping clothes in the laundry bin. Nonetheless, I'm sure F&P could add a filter to the recirculation system if they wanted Do manufacturers ever read this stuff I wonder?

I think the Aquasmart is great - if the Maytag Bravos (with heater) were exported to Ireland I would seriously consider getting one - they are (were) based on the same principle as the F&P, though I think Whirlpool have developed their own drive system (with lower spin speed?) since? Perhaps someone can enlighten? The F&P floating basket drive system does seem to imply some wasted water just to engage the wash drive system...

D

 

[iheartmaytag]

A co-worker has the Aqua-smart. She calls it a towel shredder, but my Nephew's wife calls her Kenmore (whatever it is) HE_TL the same thing.

Co-worker just had her drain pump go out, which caused the PCB to burn out as well. $500 repair bill.

Here's the good news. She went back to the store where she bought the F&P looking to buy a new washer not of the F&P variety, when they said "wait just a minute" "I remember when you bought that machine five years ago." "Let me call F&P and see what we can do."

Withing 10 minutes a rep from F&P offered to pay parts for the repair, acknowledged it was a mfg flaw that the PCB went out, asking her to only pay labor. I felt this was something very unheard of, Whirlpool certainly would never do that.

So with the knowledge that F&P will stand behind their machines, even out of warranty. I would recommend one.

 

[mysteryclock]

Thanks for the updates guys...I really appreciate the continued feedback.

Iheartmaytag, my wife had a late-90s Kenmore TL (non-HE) before we got married that was of the "Shredmore" variety - great cleaning but really REALLY rough on clothes. As long as the F&P is within the same roughness range as a FL (so to speak) then I'm fine with that.