your opinion about maytag bravo or whirpool cabrio

[colas]

I want your opinion about this machine.....

thank you in advance

 

[laundromat]

Bravo/Cabrio

I have seen them work and noticed two things 1)they are easy to overload and 2)the cycles take a long time.

 

[funguy10]

Why does everyone here pronounce the Maytag version wrong? It is called the Maytag Bravos with an "s" on the end. Also there is a Kenmore version of the machine called the Oasis. All 3 are manufactured by the same compnay.(Whirlpool Corp.)Laundromat, do you actually oen an Oasis/Cabrio/Bravos? Because if you don't, you can't just sy that. It is like when I hazed Front-Loaders. The 3 machines have a whopping 4.5 foot "Canyon Capacity" because of 1 big thing-they have no agitator! Instead they have a specially designed washplate(Which the Oasis calls the "Invizible Agitator".) The agitator creates a sort of vortex action where the laundry is pulled down at the sides of the basket and pushed up at the center. This creates a "reverse rollover" process which the Oasis calls the "Gentlewash Cleaning Action". The machine has a high-tech(Yes, you CAN have high-tech in the laundry room/laundry area!) cycle that spins the laundry while a solution of water mixed with detergent is sprayed on top to begin dissolving stains. The Kenmore Oasis calls this the "Catalyst Cleaning Action" and the Whirlpool Cabrio calls it the "Deep Clean Function". This helps to begin to clean your laundry so that the agitation does not have to do as much work. This is great because the agitation is not as strong as normal rollover(It's part of the fact that the machines are designed to be as gentle as a Front-Loader.) and the machine does not use as much water.(It's part of that energy-saving design.) Yes, I just said the machine does not use as much water. It automatically detects the size of the load and fills up with water to just cover it. Also, the Automatic Temparature Control targets the warm and cold water temps to a certain temparature. This also helps to ensure the water temp for cold can help detegent to dissolve. Just for reference, detergent does not dissolve well in water under 60 degrees F. The machine has s 1,050 R.P.M. max speed spin. This extracts a lot of water from your laundry to majorly decrease drying time and drying energy. The machine has a glass-lid which is great to see what the machine/your laundry is doing because the lid is locked the entire cycle. The lid is made of tempered auto-glass. My appliance-expert aunt says they are easily scratched but I second-guess her opinion. There is also a version without a glass lid but I've seen more negative reviews about the cleaning preformance of that one because of a universal rule: Machines don't seen to clean as well if you can never see inside. Also, the machine is the #1 rated HE Top-Loader at Consumer Reports. Yes, it is an HE washer and it needs HE detergent. The most concers about the machine I've seen are that some people qustion its clening quality and have problems with the electronic control panel such as it showing the dreaded F50 or F51 error codes. The Oasis was the first to come out back in late 2005 so it has now been out for about 2 years. I've seen more negative reviews of this machine but I'm sure after 2 years they've worked out all the kinks in this version. I've seen mixed reviews about the Cabrio bacause it came out in mid-2006 where they had since worked out some kinks in the Oasis and have probably worked out the rest by now. I've seen mostly positive reviews of the Bravos because it was the last to come out. It came out in March 2007 right after Whirlpool finished buying out Maytag. All the kinks in design were probably worked out by this time. Oops, Look at that I've taken too much of your time with this rant. Sorry about that.

 

[funguy10]

Also, Laundromat, they are not easy to overload. You should not load them above the bottom of the white ring at the top of the tub. Also, the cycles are longer than a standard Top-Loader whic has an agitator and electromechanical controls where a whole normal cycle takes about a half-hour but they are not as long as a Font-Loader where the normal cycle can take 1 hour.

 

[laundromat]

I don't dislike them.It's just when I went to use the Oasis Lisa bought, asking me to come over and show her how to use it,I noticed the big difference in clothes turn over among different size loads.The larger loads seamed to just swish back and forth.Very little,if any,turn over.I didn't overload the machine.I used GainHE detergent and Clorox bleach where needed.The sound made during the movement of the impeller sounded like the motor was being strained as it reversed.The outcome was o.k.I still like front loaders better.

 

[funguy10]

Yes, the machine does have less rollover if the loads are larger. This is okay because the Catalyst Cleaning Action means less work for the agitation because it starts to clean clothes ahead of time before the agitation starts. Also, the sound it makes during agitation is normal for the machine because it does not have a transmission.

 

[washerman8]

I had the Oasis (Sears version)

I had the Sear's version and this washing was a complete and utter mess. It didn't clean well and my control board arrived with a defect. If you want some real opinions, go to www.epinions.com and www.sears.com. Read the reviews of real owners who have or have had these washers.

 

[DADoES]

As (most) everyone on this board should know, JasonL and Helen have a wash-plate Oasis. Jason hasn't said anything about the machine recently, but he gave it a good review in the past. Perhaps he could offer an updated opinion.

In regards to the motor being strained by large loads ... seems unlikely if my F&P machines are an indication. The Oasis/Cabrio/Bravos use the same "SmartDrive" motor as F&P, and my machines (agitator-style) can handle 10 pairs of jeans if pushed that far, 8 pairs with ease.

 

[funguy10]

Don't forget about jonv112. He also has a washplate Oasis which was gotten when the machine first came out. Go to Youtube and type in "Kenmore Oasis" and you should see the Sheets/Towels cycle fully videoed in 7 parts. Those are his videos. You can see several more fully videoed cycles by clicking his user name. I don't think he has ever had a problem with it. We have the Agitator Oasis in my house and the only problem we've had with it is that the fabric softener dispenser would pop out during the final spin. We called up a repair guy who ordered a new one which we replaced and we no longer have that problem. I did get a mini-camcorder for Christmas and once I get it to be able to download videos to the computer I will video a full cycle.

 

[andrewinorlando]

Glenn - you can get 10 pair of jeans in the F&P? I didn't think it held that much bulky laundry like jeans, but I guess looks can be deceiving!!