The Slimdepth Stories: a hunt for a washer that fits!

[lavamat_jon]

Recently I have moved house, and thus into a new kitchen with limited space constraints.  The problem is that despite there being room widthways for a washer and a dishwasher, the way my back door opens puts a limit onto how deep the washer can be.  Naturally I didn't want to get rid of my dishwasher (nor go to a slimline - I bake/cook a lot so often wash big loads, as well as fridge shelves oven shelves every couple weeks so need the full size capacity), so at first I opted for the Bosch WOK2001 toploader.  However this would only fit in one corner of the kitchen, and had trouble pumping the water out (it was too long a way to the sink), so a new solution had to be found...

 

[lavamat_jon]

After much thinking - the next solution was to look for a suitable slim-depth machine.  This narrowed my choices down to Beko or Hoover; I came across a nearly-new Hoover Optima OPH714DS locally on eBay for a good price, so opted for this:

 

(please excuse the cut-off worktop, it needs to be covered with edging although it does show the reason why I needed a slimdepth machine as this is where the back door opens!)

 

[lavamat_jon]

In situ with the dishwasher next door.  You can see the difference in depth between the dishwasher and teh washer - both are pushed back as far as possible under the worktop!

 

[lavamat_jon]

The control panel.  A very flexible machine, as flexible as my beloved Miele I had before.  The only downside is (as others have mentioned before) that you can't have a 95 wash without a prewash - however seeming as the only time I use 95 is for grubby kitchen towels which I always prewash, for my habits of use this isn't much of a problem.

 

The cycle times are very decent indeed - most loads are done within an hour, and also rinsing is adjusted to the load - on some loads it will do 2 rinses on others it will do 4.  The rinse levels are very good - the low level for smaller loads touches the glass whilst on big loads and synthetics the level is always a good 6 inches or so up the window.  The spin cycle is also very good; it doesn't mess around spinning (it does 2 bursts within about 30 seconds distributing between), and then will go up to the main spin more or less immediately after without any in-between tumbling.  The final spin is a 10 minute long spin, gradually maxing out at 1400rpm for the last 2 minutes.

 

I like the wash time selector; again very flexible and for most loads the lowest level will do.  I used the full cycle time on this load just to see what the long cycle was like, and it was complete in just over 2 hours.  the stain blaster option is good - it basically changes the tumble rhythm to a faster pace with very short pauses as well as with a higher water level without extending the wash time.  The Sensitive Care option is also superb - it will do 5 rinses at high level and will also wash at a higher water level with a slightly gentler tumbling action.

 

[lavamat_jon]

My verdict:

A very impressive machine, for what I paid for it on eBay I really cannot grumble.  I am very pleasantly surprised, after being somewhat dubious after some of the horror stories I have heard about these machines.  I have to say my eyes have been opened, and whilst I do miss my Miele machine (who wouldn't), this is a very good runner up and of course being slimdepth solves the solution to my space issues!

 

I would go as far as to recommend these to anybody wanting a new, mid-ranged machine.  Well built (no worse than Zanussi and even Bosch I daresay), well-performing, and smart looking - flexibility is it's forte without any over-the-top cycles for cuddly toys, lampshades or leather-bound academic year diaries, with good cycle logic guaranteeing perfectly washed, rinsed and spun laundry.

 

Credit should be given where it's due, and controversially (especially from me with my, strong lets say views I've had over the years), I think HooverCandy are doing something right.

 

Jon

 

[hotpointfan]

Jon

Excellent washer, would like one myself as a back up, my grandparents have had the OPH714D white version for 4 years this October and there have been no major problems, and it performs washes quickly and efficiently.

The only snag is that the PCB timer is slightly unreliable, the last minute on the clock can last for up to 10 minutes, but the spinning is good, even things washed on the Synthetics cycle at 800rpm don't really need a second spin.

Hope you enjoy...

hotpointfan

 

[lavamat_jon]

A couple of quick videos;

Washing:

 

[lavamat_jon]

And an interim spin:

 

[aegokocarat]

Hay Jon!
what a stylish machine, wishing you many happy wash days ahed
Tom

 

[haxisfan]

Fantastic!

I love the design of that washer... and the icing on the cake: a nice silver finish! I got such a cosy feeling inside reading about your experience with my favourite brand... maybe I ought to print this article out and frame it

I find it astonishing that you've managed to appreciate this product in spite of the fact that you would've been spoiled by her majesty queen 'Miele', being as you are, a consolidated user of the latter. I also remember that you had a not very positive experience with another Hoover in the past: it certainly takes some guts to trust a brand again ;-)

I wish you many exhilarating days of trouble free squeeky (figuratively speaking... noisy garments?) clean laundry with your Hoover machine!

 

[lavamat_jon]

Haxisfan - I think you may have me confused with Rich (homelaundrycentre) who had a Vision before, this is the first modern Hoover I have owned (all my others have been the original square door British design).  I actually got introduced to these machines on a real life basis at another collectors house who has a 9kg Vision, which I was suitably impressed with and he has also had 4 years trouble free washing with it .

 

But yes many would probably say they wouldn't see the day I own a modern Hoover washing machine lol.

 

Hotpointfan; yes I've noticed that with this Hoover too, sometimes the last minute is more like 3 minutes lol.  The only minor gripe I have with it is that it has the standard delayed door interlock, but for the sake of a minute I can't complain about it too much :-D.

 

I will update more as and when I get on with it, however I have used most cycles (apart from Sports and Silks), and have been more than impressed.

 

Jon

 

[hotpointfan]

Jon

I think it gets worse as they age, the one my grandparents have, the last minute lasts for seven! Another slight snag is the soap tray is awkward tho clean, and it gets very mucky very quickly

 

[haxisfan]

Sorry lavamat_jon!

Bingo!! You're a mind reader man... thanks for clarifying that for me!!

As for the time remaining, my Hoover has got a good alibi, cos' it's time countdown display is only an indicative gathering of LEDs and the shortest time it tells me is when the machine is 15 minutes away from the end of the cycle... so even on a drain only programme it'd still say 15 minutes!

As for the door release, I'm not 100% sure but I fear that all Hoovers have the time-delay even the top of the range models. Another thing you may find odd on a Hoover washing machine is the lack of anti-crease at the end of a cotton programme, there's only a very quick soft-disposal at the end of the delicates cycle. I don't personally mind this, as I haven't noticed any real difference in terms of creasing, but you still have to peel your garments off the sides of the drum.

Later.

 

[fido]

Zanussi used to do a reduced depth version of one of their popular models, it might have been the FL1084. A friend of mine had one in a small kitchen, together with reduced depth units. He didn't mention this when he was later selling the house so the new owners were probably a bit dismayed when they tried to fit their appliances in !

 

[aegokocarat]

out of curiosity, have you tried the sensitive care option yet? i think you will be very impressed
it adds more water to the washes, rinses and it adds an extra rinse too
Tom

 

[chestermikeuk]

Hoover Slim

Well done Jon, looks great in its new home, better than faffing with the bosch and will be dryer as well, didnt recognise the worktop without it looking like a bar!!

Was great to see you in your new place, next visit coming soon!!

For those Oovah sceptics out there, these new machines since the 5yr old Visions has been great (IMHO) and while theres always a rogue one, the only problem I ever had was with the black colour matching on the washer & dryer!!