Water in the Window

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rinso--- I guess this is why many of the newest machines have 'Bulky' cycles that add extra water when washing comforters, etc. My 2003 FL Frigidaire isn't as stingy with water as a new Hettie4 (and some others), but it also uses less water per fill than my old WCI-era FL Gibson/Westinghouse. I embrace appliances that use less water/energy, but if it gets to the point (and apparantly it has) that cleaning is compromised, then we've taken water conservation in washers as far as we can.

As I get 'washer fever' every few years, I keep thinking I should invest in one of the newest FL models from Whirlpool, GE, LG, Maytag or Frigidaire (all of which are available in or near my tiny village). With the gripes I keep reading here concerning compromised cleaning and cycle length issues (usually due to long pre-spin balancing acts), I think I'll hang on to my '03!

By the way, with which brand did you replace your old FL Frigidaire pair?
 
Jon

It appears that consumers are offered machines that fill with an acceptable amount of water outside the US, based upon photos I have seen posted here.

The photo you showed is something that I have NEVER seen on a recent, domestic front loader here -- usually they fill with enough water only to get the clothes wet. You will never see a water level in the window.

So here in the US, we have 2 options: a top loader which uses too much water, and a front loader with not enough. There needs to be a happy medium offered somewhere.
 
Well, there's always the Miele's :-P. Even though the manuals skimp over the programmable functions, the same programmable functions that work on the European and Australian models work on the US Touchtronics, so you can mod the Sensitive button as it's called on the US Touchtronics to deliver not just an extra rinse, but a high level rinse too :-).

The standard rinse level on the AEG is just so it touches the door, but that level is achieved by pressing the Sensitive button.

Take care,

Jon
 
Nick

Yes, the Bosch actually died, and at a point where I wish it didn't. It still works *so he says*, but you can't use the extra rinse cycle as it likes to get stuck on the extra rinse, and also it attempts to spin then just aborts. On top of that bearings are wearing out, door sometimes takes ages to unlock, makes horrible grinding sort of noises, struggles to go up to spin (when it actually does spin), has never flushed powder down properly, drain pump is getting weak etc etc it is getting beyond economical repair. Seeming as we bought it for £350 just over 3 years ago, and it has been put through 15 loads or so per week plus was shoved around quite carelessly by the builders when we were having the renovations done, I think it's safe to say we've got our money's worth out of it, and it has a place in appliance heaven, god rest it's soul. (If only the bugger had rinsed properly!!! LOL).

Mum and I are looking at a Miele to go downstairs, probably one of the new W1000 models, also been looking at AEG's as a cheaper option. Not really a priority at the moment though, as mum is busy studying for her degree, plus my nana and my dad have both been in hospital over the last week so the washer has been the last thing on all of our minds, and have just been churning laundry through in the Miele up here :-).

Take care,

Jon
 
Miele

I have looked at the USA Miele website, but I'm suspicious as it proudly advertises using as little as 8 gallons per cycle....this is definitely what I DON'T want!

I would be interested in Miele, but only if I could be assured that it could be reprogrammed to offer high water levels on both the wash and rinse cycle.
 
Their are definitely dry spots in a very large load on my LG at the end of the prewash cycle. I've gotten around this by starting the cycle with the Permanent Press WASH cycle, interrupting the machine and then setting it to a full cycle starting with PREWASH. The machine drains the tub to a preset level, but by then the load is completely wet. I've found after a couple of years I tend to use the Permanent Press cycle more than the Normal. I know we have very soft water down here on the CT shoreline; maybe that makes a difference but I always have clean laundry. Nothing works on heavily stained laundry than the FL program of cold prewash, wash, several rinses and a fast spin. You can't beat it. It was interesting to note, at least on the LG that the most heavy duty cycle, COTTONS AND LINENS, the water level is at its lowest and the tumble interval is greatest. With less water in the tub to buffer the fabrics, there is more "action" on them. As long as the fabrics are totally wet, they're going to release soil.
 
European vs US water levels

After hotly defending the level used here in Germany in LGs I have since heard from many folks that they don't use nearly the same amount in the 'States. Since they are considered very efficient here, I am not surprised to hear that so many folks are unhappy about that.
Almost all modern washers can be adjusted - either electronically or on the mechanical level sensor - to use enough water to get the job done.
The question is, though - why should you have too? We are talking about serious money here.
I am especially curious about reprogramming Miele - can anyone describe the process in more detail? To reprogram mine involves a very expensive service call - and since it has always worked perfectly, I have never been tempted.
 
I would also like more detail on reprogramming Miele, is this only available on certain models, etc? And how much are the services calls?
 
AU Manual

Follow the link below and go to page 56 - Water Plus Functions

This whole section on programmable functions explains how to get into the configuration mode on the AU Mieles.

You'll need to look at the control panel layout on the AU machine and compare the button positions with the US machines as the labels are different.

Please note that any settings you change, you do so at your own risk.

Loading…

www.miele.com.au
 
Interesting. Hopefully the US versions are adjustable as well, though it wouldn't surprise me one bit if the Energy Star police ruined it for us Americans.
 
From what I've read in THS the functionality is there, you just have to explore the programable functions to find it.

When the High level wash and rinse is engaged you get water up to the curved part of the door. This is about 2-3 inches above the boot.

I found with the high level for wash, that things didnt come as clean and the additional time required to heat the extra water was a pain. However I'm now very happy with standard water levels and Water Plus is set to give an additional rinse at standard levels.
 
Frigilux: I replaced my 2000 Frigidaire pair with 2005 Kenmore Elite HE3's. They are great looking, and convenient to use, and are able to easily hold a queen comforter, but not wash (or dry) it all that well. My HE3 does do a good job of stain removal by virtue of its high concentration of laundry additives to its small amount of water. However, when it comes to really purging the laundry of sand, dirt, lint, pet hair, and other more solid soils, it fails miserably, especially when compared with my Frigidaire. If you have cats like we do, you'll need lots of sticky roller tape with the HE3s.
 
That looks just like my T-1213

That machine is exactly like mine!! I have looked on the UK website and never saw like it.I never thought to look on the AU site. I personally have never had any complaints as far as the water levels are concerned, it always does a fine job, however, on some programs, you can choose a "sensative"---or in other words "water plus" option, and others you cannot. I like having the extra rinses. I find myself using the "costom option" whch is what I wish that i could do on more of the programs. I wash alot of sheets for my side business and like the Sanitize option, but the spin speeds are to fast for sheets. It is also nice to have an internal water heater;I am always amazed at the stuff that you can see when they come out of the dryer that you are not wearing, namely dirt. . You do not see that on very many US made front loaders. I have also had the Maytag neptunes home version.When I had a roomate who overloaded it. he also had dry spots on his clothes. I was told that the rule of thumb with a Maytag Neptune was when the machine was full, i should still be able to touch the back of the drum with my hand. If I could not, i should take out some laundry. Comercial Neptunes I am asuming can have the water usage can be programed in to be stingy.It would make perfect sence in Seattle, my second home.
 
Miele washers start at around 1300 USD give or take a few hundred. They can be found sometimes on Craigslist or eBay for less, but unless the units are local shipping is a bear because Miele's are HEAVY. Also you have to reinsert the shipping braces, and not all owners keep them after install.

L.
 
rinso-- Thanks for the info! The more I hear about the newest FL'ers, the more I'm convinced I'll stick with my '03 Frigidaire until it gives up the ghost. The first generation '96 Frigi/Lux I used to have is still going strong, now servicing a 3-apt. building. Hope my '03 proves to be that reliable!
 

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