User Review: Frigidaire 4474 Front-Loader

[3beltwesty]

I thought CR's score of a model was how it scored with respect to the swarm of products they compare it to. Thus my FL 1976 washer LT570 was #1 with lowest water usage in a 1978 CR test with 30 gallons total. As newer FL washers come out; my drops because other beat it. Thus a great product gets a lower score with time. They do this sometimes with stereos, cameras etc. The daring of the moment becomes old hat with time

 

[peteski50]

Frigidaire Review!

Hi Eugene,
I can't understand either my friend Louis has the simular model FAFS4272L and is very pleased. Please see post 32200. I saw it run a few loads some weeks back and I was very impressed. It seems CR favors the machines like LG that are useless.
I also have 2 other friends that have the previous affinity models and are very pleased with the results. My Mom has the square door gallery model for almost 6 years and is very pleased with the results. I think they made a lot of improvments with these newer models.
Please keep us posted
Peter

 

[frigilux]

3beltwesty--- I realize that Consumer Reports occasionally 'raises the bar' when products show an overall improvement. That usually happens every few years. But that doesn't explain why previous-generation Affinity and Gallery Frigidaires were ranked lower than the new machine in August, but now out-rank the new machine in January. Obviously nothing major has changed to either generation since August. I'm not aware that any updates were made to the 2940 since August.

Also, I remember clearly that the top-rated model back in August was the LG-made Kenmore 4027, scoring an 84. While that machine has since dropped to third place---the current top-rated model is the just-tested new Whirlpool WFW94HEX, scoring an 87---the 4027's score is still 84. Why would the Frigidaire drop from the upper 70's to a 65 within five months? When CR retools their testing standards, they usually state those changes in print, and then the 'red dot' ratings generally change, too. For instance, a machine that earned an Excellent (full red dot) score for water usage in 2004 would probably only get a Very Good (half a red dot) score in 2011.

Did they mistakenly score the entire new Frigidaire series too high in August, or is the current score incorrect? I'm assuming they did their usual full battery of tests on it last summer---they always do that before placing a model in the ratings.

Again, why do other machines still have the same numerical score they did last summer, except for the new Frigidaires? One of the scores must be an error; which one?

 

[passatdoc]

I wonder if they ever admit to errors or inexplicable rating changes (same model, same year) as you are now describing. I remember the earlier ratings from the summer. By chance, I looked at the ratings over the weekend and noticed the changes, with most of the Frigidaires now ranked below 70 points. The major "con" seemed to be only "good" cleaning ability, but I would value your opinion (large loads of kitchen whites) over theirs.

<span style="text-decoration: underline; color: #ff0000;">I did notice that the results were based on test washes with "Normal" cycle, no options.</span> Perhaps they are running heavily soiled loads on "Normal" cycle for all machines, which then might favor those models with higher water levels. A low water-use machine like the new Frigidaires may only clean better with extra rinses and extended wash options. Maybe they are forced to test on "Normal" because some models don't have extended wash options like Sanitize or Stain Clean or whatever, so by testing everyone on "Normal", they think they are conducting a fair test...but maybe stripping some machines of their ability to clean better if extended wash options are used.

 

Note: I also noticed that the Electroluxes---similar to the new Fridigaire line---also dropped in the ratings from their formerly higher scores.

 

Question for Frigilux: does "Anti Static" setting allow you to dispense with dryer sheets to end static cling? I know that the wax from those sheets can coat moisture sensors and cause them to malfunction. So I use only 1/3 of a sheet per dryer load (minimizes wax build up but is enough to eliminate static cling), and I regularly clean the sensor with rubbing alcohol.

 

[laundromat]

So, Frigilux, which way does the new model spin??? Clockwise or counterclockwise? inquiring minds want to know.

 

[frigilux]

JIM-- I think they test washers using the Normal cycle because that's the "go-to" cycle for most people. It's also the one the energy use ratings are based on. I've stated a couple of times that the normal cycle on my Frigidaire has too short a wash period for the size of load it can handle. I always use the Max Soil level option, which boosts the wash time on the normal cycle from 15 to 21 minutes, and the heavy cycle from 20 to 26 minutes. In fact, I use the Max Soil level for all cycles (although you can't select that with the Delicates cycle).

The giant loads of highly-stained kitchen whites get the Sanitize cycle, which tumbles the clothes in detergent for about an hour, boosting the temperature up to 152 degrees from a lukewarm fill. It's provides a great profile wash, and has yet to leave even a trace of a stain behind. The cycle, at Max Soil setting with an extra rinse (I use liquid chlorine bleach) is 1:47. It has dawned on me that I could drop the soil setting to Extra Light and save 12 minutes on the cycle, but I haven't changed the setting, yet.

The Anti-Static option on the dryer eliminates the need to use fabric softener. The air in my house is bone dry this time of year due to the forced-air heating system. Since buying the new washer and dryer, I haven't once used any type of fabric softener. When drying loads of dress shirts and pants, I choose the Add Steam option plus the Anti-Static option. An item or two will emerge with sizeable damp spots when using the Anti-Static option, but those spots dry quickly and have never left a water mark on my mostly solid-color shirts. But there is absolutely no static cling. I dry big "permanent press" tablecloths, which used to generate static in the winter even when using fabric softener. Not a bit of static with the new dryer, and again, no fabric softener.

Although I run a Clean Washer cycle when it prompts me to (every 50 cycles), I've heard enough stories of waxy, stinky build-up in ultra-low water use machines that I just decided not to use softener any more. And due to similar build-up stories about dryers---clogged filters, etc., I figured it would be best not to dry clothes with softener residue. And I'm saving some $$ by not having to buy Downy, anymore.

LAUNDROMAT-- Spin direction: I actually had to go downstairs and run a spin only cycle to find out, LOL! The answer: Counter-clockwise. Funny, though---had I not checked, I could have guessed it was clockwise.

 

[passatdoc]

What do you use to clean the washer? Does the user manual give any direction in terms of what to use? I never use liquid softener or liquid bleach. To clean the machine, I run a Heavy cycle on Hot setting and toss in 1/3 cup of citric acid powder. Seems to work great.

I'm aware that some user manuals recommend use of bleach to clean the machine (the Frig 2140 manual does not mention cleaning whatsoever, other than keeping the dispenser clean and the gasket crease dry between use), but I'm afraid to use any bleach after reading about the corrosive effects of bleach on aluminum (as in SPIDERS).

I understand the need to have standardized testing on "Normal" cycle, but it seems as if their method short-changes the ratings of machines that use less water. It appears that they achieve their best results when extended wash options are selected, presumably to compensate for lower water use.

 

[frigilux]

Jim---I use Tide Washing Machine Cleaner, simply because it is the only one available in my tiny burg. The manual says to use a huge amount of liquid chlorine bleach---2 or 3 cups, if memory serves me---and while I use bleach in one or two loads a week, it's only about 1/3 of a cup per load. I just can't shake my bleach habit, LOL!

I blame Frigidaire for making the default cycle wash times too short. I predict that, after the downgrading by Consumer Reports, they'll lengthen wash times and improve that cleaning score. The machine tests so well in other areas, but the cleaning score---as it should---gets the most weight in scoring.