The Conundrum - Miele Little Giant (PW6068SS) vs Speed Queen (FF7005SN)

[westtexman]

I posted earlier of the tragedy that has befallen my LG WM8000WVA washer. Barring a miraculous resurrection of said machine, I think I'm in the market for a new set.

A member of another forum has a Miele Little Giant dryer in like-new condition that he is selling as he has replaced that machine with an Octoplus dryer. If I were to buy his dryer and get a new Miele Little Giant washer, I would have quite a nice, commercial-grade set. The con with this set is that I would miss the larger capacity I have with my LG washer, though I do realize that the LG washer is not meant to handle a large capacity anyway.

I'm also considering a Speed Queen front-loader, now that they are selling those again. I can get a decent deal on a set here locally, but I don't love the fact that the Speed Queen doesn't have an on-board heater. I have my Miele W1215 in the garage that heats up to a lovely 95-degrees Celsius, but I would hate to end up not loving the set for a lack of a heater on my primary washer.

Costco has great deals on some LG sets that would cost a fraction of what the Miele's or the Speed Queens would cost, but I think I might be ready for a change. I've also thought about the Miele W1/T1 set, as well as the Whirlpool Front Load set with the Load & Go XL dispenser. And then one could do the responsible thing and just get the same LG washer that matches my current LG dryer and just get on with things. But that sounds like the most boring option of all! I'm only allowing myself to purchase a new machine because my old one died! I'd hate to waste this opportunity for a new and exciting change! LOL.

I'm afraid I am with washers like I am with stray dogs. I'd take them all home if I only had the room, the time and the money!

Anyone care to make any suggestions?

 

[appnut]

You know what I think.  NO front loader should exist if it doesn't have an onboard heater.  So that knocks out the SQ.    I would never own one just for that reason.  I know you well enough and how you feel about that.  I don't think you could deal well with the primary set not having a supplemental/onboard heater.  I also think you know you can get more than you realize in a Miele despite the cu. ft. of the drum.  Is the Little Giant bigger or about the same as the W1215 in the garage.  And of course, you know how to reach me if you ant to talk on the phone.  

 

[aamassther]

LIttle Giant owner here.

First off, let me just say @larsi’s LiGi will be in perfect condition. I would buy it myself if I could.
I was skeptical of capacity at first, it took me awhile to pull the plug. But being a member of this group, I wanted what I wanted and was willing to pay for it. My must have, as Bob states, is an onboard heater, what’s the point of paying a premium otherwise? At least in my opinion. I’m a full time caregiver for my parents, I need hot water! The LiGi gives you the most control over temp of any washer on the market. I regularly use the Cotton Hygiene cycle at 75C. It has a 5K watt heater- I can do a 95C wash in 1:40 or less. It also reaches target temp, I've measured with an infrared thermometer. You also get a lot of control over water level, especially in Cottons and Minimum Iron, not just the choice of a little extra, as my 2011 Frigidaire did, but up to 35mm higher in Cottons. You can also control the number of rinses, permanently, up to 5 in Cottons. These are just a few notable features.
Capacity wise, I’ll admit you’ll notice a difference, especially if you regularly wash full loads. I do, but it really does hold more than you would expect. The capacity shouldn’t be a deal breaker, it almost was for me, I’m glad acquiesced. I can wash our king size down comforters without issue.
I regularly wash a load of 35 or so microfibre towels, without any issues. The Frigidaire choked on spin and timed out, unless I lowered the spin speed a lot and then reset spin to a higher speed- never a problem in the Miele, as you’ve stated as well. So the blanket that choked your LG would be a normal load in the LiGi.
The only issues I’ve had with the machine is detergent use. Ive had to cut way down on detergent, not a bad thing but it surprised me, we’ve had front load since 2000 and used them in the late 70’s when we lived in England. Though our water is naturally very soft.
I hope this helps in your decision. I’m happy to answer any questions you have.
Good Luck! Todd

 

[tomdawg]

In the market too for a new washer

Currently using my Neptune but waiting for a deal/saving money for a new set.
I did once own a Bosch Axxis and loved how that washer could handle full packed load- so I would believe your miele would handle the load, if not better.
Question
Washing a king sized comforter, is the tub jammed packed tight? I can’t fathom a comforter fitting into those little things.

Tom

 

[combo52]

Best FL Washer For Heavy Duty Use

I would get the SQ FL hands down, there is nothing else on the market that is a rugged and easy to work on that will wash king size comforters all day long.

 

I have had my SQ FL washer for 15 years now and never a single problem, and while this older model does have a booster heater I almost never use it. I have never even wiped the door boot let alone done any type of cleaning to this washer and it still smells like a new machine, I see very little need for a built in water heater.

 

If you really see the need for extra hot water at times just buy a 4-5 gallon 120 volt electric water heater and connect it to the cold water inlet on your SQ FLer. Then if you want5 a really hot wash plug in the WH 15 minutes before starting the washer and set he washer for CC and it will fill with 120-160F water depending how you set the WH.

 

Doing this is much faster and the washer will last much longer than models with built-in heaters that often have problems with burned up boards and wiring issues because of the high current draw of built in heaters.

 

John L.

 

[gansky1]

I have a Miele 1918, a 2004 SQ with boosted hot (heated) cycle and recently picked up a 2018 SQ f/l with no heater.  I've been using the new SQ for work rags, clothes and bedding for the last month and haven't missed the heater.  When I saw the year-old SQ on FB and debated spending $400 to buy it, no-brainer really, one of the things I stumbled on was the lack of a heater.  After giving some thought about how I normally wash, I came to the conclusion that I rarely need or use the higher heat settings of the '04 SQ or the Miele.  Typically, the hot water I already have paid to heat and store in the tank is sufficient for most laundry tasks.  The heated machines are always there if I need them, as well as heated Sanitary cycle on the 2016 Whirlpool Duet that I've used exactly once since I've had it two years.  

 

Pics of the new SQ are from the week I brought it home, playing with cycles.  With all of the options and rinses selected, the cycle was just over two hours.  I rarely need all of that for normal washing, but knowing it's possible is gratifying

 

 

The SQ is equally as well built as the Miele but is larger capacity, and the new SQ balance system makes the washer nearly silent running and smooth as silk.  Though skeptical in the beginning, I'm very impressed with this new SQ and would recommend highly.

All that said, the LG is a formidable competitor when price and features are lined up and I know several who are very happy with their LGs.  I realize that most don't have half of their basements committed to modern and vintage washers and dryers so must make the choices that work best for them in day-to-day use, but I wouldn't be stressed if the SQ were my only washer either. 

 

[dylanmitchell]

Dedicated tankless for washer vs onboard heat

Has anyone installed a dedicated tankless water heater for laundry? I've thought of doing that so I could set it at 140 or so vs the 125 or so I keep the main water heater at.

 

[brisnat81]

Speaking as someone who runs a Duet, and W2xxx, W3xxx and a W1 Miele, I wouldn’t discount the capacity of the W1.

For years my biggest load of the week is the darks, and it is always an overly stuffed load in the W2xxx, W3xxx, (IE cram it full and push the door shut) so I’ve always 3/4 filled the Duet instead. I’ve gotten a W1 recently and the same load that 3/4 fills the Duet, is a not stuffed load in the W1, so the drum size has gotten significantly larger than it used to be. That is evident when you have the W1 opened up, the outer tub now almost touched the cabinet in all 4 directions. Oddly it has no issues spinning, it’s just as pragmatic as the earlier machines.

If you have plenty of hot water at 140 and the tank is close to the machine, then you might cope without a heater. I don’t use bleach however, so I couldn’t imagine going back to warming washes for whites and needing to pretreat to get stains out.

Having said all that, I wouldn’t try to wash a thick King Size comforter in the W1, I’d still use the duet for that.

 

[launderess]

Am thinking better electronic/computer control of wash container movement and motor has allowed Miele and others to increase drum size, but keep basically same overall footprint. There might be a few inches here or there, but nothing dramatic.

Earlier washers likely needed a bit extra room to allow for greater movement of tubs that came with OOB loads and things. My Miele like others of same vintage *will* spin even if badly OOB. Later things were done to that maybe after first "leap" washer would shut itself off, but now things have progressed even further.

 

[launderess]

Have said this before

Internal heating for washing machines is a debatable subject.

Commercial/industrial laundries in North America largely do not used steam or electric heated washers unless they are doing certain sort of laundry. Healthcare and other such loads that require sanitation/disinfection.

Nor do such places engage in long "profile" wash cycles either. Indeed wash cycles are comparatively short.

Thus you have a cool or warm pre-wash, two or three main washes (with piped hot water at 140F or 160F) that last between 8-10 minutes tops. A hot rinse (may be heated, maybe not) where chlorine bleach is added, one or two more hot rinses (maybe warm depending upon fabric and or chemicals used), sour/antichlor then extract. All done in < 35 minutes.

On other side of pond washers that self heat came about more as way to deal with a combination of limited hot water supplies, and or given cost of various fuel sources it is cheaper to have washing machines and dishwashers heat their own water. Where instant hot water heaters reign instead of tanks holding vast supplies, it is far better to have washing machines and dishwashers heat their own water.

While my AEG front loader (made for North American market) at least has one "tap cold" setting thus avoiding use of a heaters, the newer toplader (for European market) does not, which is sort of annoying.

 

[mielerod69]

New W1

Hey Nathan,

Which W1 model did you get? I have the WMR861 and it's great.

Cheers
Rod

 

[ozzie908]

Miele W1

I have bought a W1 power wash 2 washer which has a 9kg loading for cottons and recommends 5kg for minimum iron. It does a 40c or 60c cycle for 5kg cottons in an hour it has a recycling jet and I have to say having used the quicker cycles for a number of washes it does an excellent job of stain removal and it will spin at 1600 rpm if it has an OOB situation it stops spinning and tumbles back and forth until its resolved this has never taken more than a few tries ... Its so quiet I have to use the buzzer or would never know when it had finished, Now to save up and get the matching heat pump dryer.

Austin

 

[askolover]

If/When my w1986 dies I'll probably get a LiGi myself since Asko reliability is still questionable these days (my old faithful Asko is 22 years old now).

 

[mieleforever]

kings size down duvet

We have been owning our Miele W5740, for the last 9 years or so, more recently we have upgraded to a king size bed with a king size down duvet. With my obsession in always getting things cleaned to the bone I just had to wash the duvet, so in goes the duvet in our Miele and I think it is rated at 7.8 kg. I must admit that I was a bit apprehensive about washing that big thing and it being made out of a bunch of feathers.

However once the initial soaking has been done the machine carries on as per normal rinse and spin at the usual speed. We have done this now about once every quarter and all seems fine, I hope I am not damaging the machine and or the duvet, only time will tell.

SO that has been my experience with regards to king size duvets being washed in a regular old Miele.

Regards.

 

[jerrod6]

I have the W1 washer and love it. You can stuff it to the top, select more water and get the job done, even on a 120V heater. Before this, I had the w1986, same thing with stuffing it except it had a 220V heater and got the water heated very quickly.

If it was my choice I would not hesitate to get the Little Giant. These machines are really intended for small businesses such as farms, vets, gyms, and so forth so they are made to be more robust internally than most washers sold, and they include the strong heater.

The above post described the flexibility these have. The W1 has almost the same flexibility but not the same internal build duration or in the USA the 220V heater. You can stuff this full and it will perform. For everyday loads, the cycles should complete in 1 hour or less, even with three rinses. The Little Giants also have more flexibility in Energy Star standards because it does not fall into the category of residential washer use.

Someone mentioned Larsi. Is this his set? If so it should have been well taken care of. If it is his do you know why he is selling the machines?

 

[logixx]

He's selling his dryer in the Facebook "Family Laundry Room" group because he's got the larger OctoPlus dryer now.

 

[freshnclean]

Larsi listed on eBay one time

I remember it was posted on eBay several months ago . Didn’t realize it was his profile until it reappeared on the Facebook forum . I was about to buy it but don’t understand how shipping can work for local pickup when I’m located out of state . Has anyone had this experience?

 

[launderess]

Local Collection Only

Isn't an issue for out of state purchases if seller is willing to work with a shipper. Nearly our appliances came to us via UShip or another transport company from outside of local area.

Two exceptions were the AEG set from CA where a very wonderful Secret Squirrel who was in local area offered to collect, prep and hold appliances until shipper arrived.

OTOH however things can go wrong if owner/seller wants appliances gone and you cannot get act together/messing about with shippers. Lost out on a vintage AEG washer because owner simply gave it to someone else due to my negligence. Should have made the trip myself, but lesson learned.

Take away points are that you have to know owner/seller, and then basically rely upon their word will hold something, and or work with your shipper. The shipper must also be reliable and arrive when scheduled, as some sellers simply get ticked off about rescheduling or whatever and simply move onto another buyer/person who wants appliance.

Keep in mind persons often list things as "local collection only" in order not to deal with rigmarole which often comes with non-local buyers. That and want cash in hand, not dealing with PayPal, Venmo, or whatever.