I came across this new GE Profile frontload laundry pair while bouncing around the GE website. They definitely caught my attention with the very different design of the door! You can see more photos at GE's online photo gallery (champagne color is linked). I checked the websites of a few retailers and have not found them for sale at the major chains, so they must not be available yet.

It looks like the machine is very different from the frontload washer they sell under the GE label. If anything, they took a few features from the very successful GE Profile Harmony and incorporated them into a frontload washer.

A few features that GE has included in the machine:

SmartDispense Technology: Optional pedestal is required to utilize this feature. The detergent is held in a reservoir in the pedestal and automatically dispenses the proper amount into the machine. They originally incorporated this feature into a few GE Profile dishwashers a few years ago. I am somewhat ambivalent about this feature since I am a proponent of powder detergents. (Liquid must be used to take advantage of the SmartDispense.)

In addition, I am thinking that high-efficiency detergents are far more efficient than most people understand. I am chugging through a bottle of concentrated Tide HE and am finding myself using a tiny fraction (about two tablespoons) of the recommended amount. Otherwise, the suds get out of control. If this thing dispenses the full recommended dosage, I think there will be problems.

CleanSpeak Communication System: Another feature incorporated from the Harmony. A serial cable connects the washer to the dryer. The cycle selections you made on the washer get transferred to the dryer. All you have to do is pop the clothes in and press start. The dryer already knows what to do.

Stain Inspector System: The Harmony owners I have talked to love this feature. The washer holds a database of over 40 different stains. You select the stain you need to wash out, and the washer makes the appropriate settings.

The website also make mention of "Steam Assist" in the listed features. However, I looked through the use and care guide and could find no mention of any steam functions.

The washer also offers an internal water heater, a max 1300 RPM spin speed, and a capacity of 4.2 cf.

I have sent an email to GE requesting more information on this machine. If I get a response next week I will update this post.

In the meantime, more information can be found at GE's website.

Some pretty striking images can be found here for champagne, here for white, and here for vermillion red. The vermillion red gallery also offers pictures of the Smart Dispense set-up.

Finally, the use and care guide can be viewed here.

Update 7/14/2008: I sent an email to GE via their website last week. On the 8th I received a response offering a few details about the new machines. Unfortunately, it pretty much looked like a cut-and-paste job right out of a corporate press release.

I replied with a few more questions, hoping to get a bit more detail, and today I received a response. The responder was brief in answering my questions, to say the least. To summarize: the new laundry is slowly being introduced to retailers; there are no steam functions; the design of the doors are strictly cosmetic; the SmartDispense must be periodically disassembled and cleaned; they have redesigned the door gaskets which were prone to tearing.

So there ya go.

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So I was feeling a little froggy the other day and decided to drop Whirlpool Corporation an email. You know, just say hello to an old friend, see how things have been (I used to sell the hell out of Whirlpool appliances when I worked for hhgregg years ago), see what they would tell me about their shitty Oasis/Cabrio/Bravos washing machines and the infamous f51 error codes.

I don't really think I was asking for much. The email is below.


I went to the Whirlpool website and found the contact information, filled out the form as requested.

My name is Brad and I write a blog about washing machines. I am writing to inquire about the f51 error codes that many users have experienced in their Cabrio/Oasis/Bravos machines. I have a few questions that I would like to ask, and a response would be greatly appreciated.

1) When did Whirlpool Corp realize there was a problem with the RPS on these machines?

2) Was a cause determined as to the cause of the problem?

3) Was this problem ever realized during the development phase of the machines?

4) How is Fisher & Paykel related to this problem? What I mean is, to what extent was F&P involved in the development/production of these machines?

5) For people who experience the F-51 after their warranty has expired, how will they be handled?

6) This problem has been ongoing for over a year, and yet machines are still hitting the market with the problem. How is this possible if the problem has been known about for so long?

7) When will the problem be fixed at the production level to ensure machines currently shipping do not develop this problem?

Thank you for taking the time to respond. I do not wish to be confrontational. Rather, I am simply trying to gather as much information as is possible.

I sent the above on Thursday of last week, and received a response this past Monday, 7/7/08. The response:

"Dear Brad: Thank you for visiting the Maytag web site. We appreciate hearing from you. We are sorry to learn of the problem you are experiencing with your Whirlpool washer. In order to further assist with your inquiry, please respond to the email with the following information. Model Number: Serial Number: Purchase Date: Thank you for allowing us to assist you today. You are a valued customer and we apologize for any inconvenience this concern may have caused. If you wish to schedule a service appointment, please contact our preferred service provider, A&E Factory Service, blah blah blah..."

Needless to say, that wasn't exactly the response I was looking for. I mean, I figured I would get a can of corporate bullshit, but I wasn't exactly thinking I would get it in such a manner as to completely bypass every single question I posed in the message. Silly me, I am so naive.

My reply:

I am not an owner of a machine. I write a blog about washing machines and have some questions which are listed below. Thank you.

Whirlpool's reply, which arrived today:

"Dear Brad:

We appreciate the interest you have in our products and services. However, each situation is evaluated at the time that it is reported. Consideration of assistance is dependent on variables such as past service history by a factory designated service representative, age, time lapsed since the last repair, nature of current problem diagnosed by a factory designated service representative, etc., at the time that the concern is reported.

According to our records Fisher & Paykel has not been involved with any aspect of production or design of our washers.

Thank you for allowing us to assist you today. We hope you find this information to be useful."

Surprisingly enough, I did not find the information to be the least bit useful. And as I write this, my phone just rang and it was an automated message from Whirlpool asking me to take part in a brief survey. At first I was mildly surprised, and I figured Whirlpool was letting me know (in their bland, corporate way) that they know who I am, and know where I live. Then I remembered I gave them my phone number when I sent them the email. Dumbass.

Anyway, the thing I found most interesting was the statement that Fisher & Paykel has not been involved "with any aspect of production or design of our washers". Now, I'm willing to give this person a pass, since it's not exactly common knowledge, although maybe it should be since she works for Whirlpool and all. It's been almost five years since Whirlpool and Fisher Paykel formed a strategic alliance in distribution and technology in order to stave off the Asians (LG, Samsung, and the ChiComm's Haier). The technology used in the Cabrio/Oasis/Bravos washers is the same technology used in the Fisher & Paykel washing machines.

I'm going to keep plugging away, moving up the ladder, and will keep you posted.

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The subject of warranty is one that is often overlooked when purchasing a new washer/dryer. Most consumers will ask what kind of warranty comes with the machine, but that is usually as far as it goes. Besides, about a third of all consumers purchase an extended warranty with their new laundry set (that percentage is probably higher with higher-end HE laundry), which in many cases makes the terms of the manufacturer's warranty a moot point.

But it is still important information to have. I have taken the time to research the manufacturer's warranties of every major manufacturer to give you an easy reference when shopping for your new laundry set.


Before we dig in, a few notes.

1) You need to understand that beyond the stated return policy, retailers have no liability or obligation to what they sell. What I mean is if you buy a Whirlpool Cabrio washer (despite my many instances of saying not to buy the Cabrio/Oasis/Bravos) from Lowe's, and you have problems four months after buying it, Lowe's has no obligation to take care of the problem for you. They may refer you to a servicer, but that is likely the extent to which they will go. Not to say they will not do anything, because Lowe's does tend to offer pretty good customer service. But they don't have to.

2) The terms of the warranty, usually spelled out in the use and care guide (the owner's manual), spells out the terms of the warranty and each party's obligations. If you purchase the product, you are also accepting the terms of the warranty, except in states which may prohibit certain exclusions or have other requirements.

3) A warranty is not always all-inclusive. There are two aspects of a repair and a warranty: parts and labor. You need to know what is being covered and for how long. Every manufacturer provides at least one year full parts and labor. What this means is if you have a problem during the first year, all trip charges, costs for parts, and labor charges are paid for by the manufacturer. Some manufacturers offer additional coverage beyond the first year, but those are usually on specific parts and cover only the cost of the part. The consumer would still need to pay for any trip and labor charges.

With that, following is what I have found. I have separated information by manufacturer and listed them in alphabetical order. This made the most sense, since some manufacturers will provide different warranties based on the individual product. Please remember I assume no liability in providing any of the following information as it is subject to change without notice. Consult the warranty documentation that comes with the machine.

Amana (Whirlpool): 1 year full parts/labor. No coverage beyond the first year.

Asko: 2 years full parts/labor. If the appliance is registered within the first 90 days, an additional year is added for a total of 3 years full parts/labor.

Bosch: 1 year full parts/labor. No coverage beyond the first year.

Fisher & Paykel: 2 years full parts/labor. No coverage beyond the second year. More information about Fisher & Paykel can be found in these posts.

Frigidaire: 1 year full parts/labor. No coverage beyond the first year.

GE Profile frontload washer, WPDH8800 (General Electric): 1 year full parts/labor. 4 years additional on the suspension strut assembly, motor and motor controller (parts only). 9 years additional on the outer tub and drive pulley (parts only). More information on the WPDH880 can be found in this post.

GE Profile Harmony (General Electric): 1 year full parts/labor. 4 years additional on the suspension strut assembly, motor and motor controller (parts only). 9 years additional on the motor and outer tub (parts).

GE Profile WPGT9150 (General Electric): 1 year full parts/labor. 4 years additional on the suspension strut assembly, motor and motor controller (parts only). 9 years additional on the motor and outer tub (parts).

GE Profile top load (General Electric): 1 year full parts/labor. 4 additional years on the suspension rod and spring assembly and main electronic control board (parts only). 9 additional years on the shaft and tube assembly and outer wash tub (parts only).

GE (General Electric): 1 year full parts/labor. No coverage beyond the first year. Includes frontload and top load laundry.

Kenmore: 1 year full parts/labor. No coverage beyond the first year.

LG: 1 year full parts/labor. 1 additional year on the electronic control board (parts only). 6 additional years on the motor (parts only). Want to read more on LG? Then check out these posts.

Maytag (Whirlpool): 1 year full parts/labor. No coverage beyond the first year.

Samsung: 1 year full parts/labor. 1 additional year on the electronic control board (parts only). More information on Samsung can be found in these posts.

Speed Queen: 3 years full parts/labor. 2 years additional on the motor and cabinet (parts only). 9 years additional on the transmission. Read a bit more on Speed Queen in this post.

Whirlpool: 1 year full parts/labor.

If I am missing any brands, it is safe to assume the machine comes with 1 year parts/labor, with no additional coverage.

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From Shelby:

Hi,

I am looking at purchasing the LG WM0642H(W) front loader. They got a great rating on CR, but obviously you can find anything from people's reviews, both good and bad. The one thing I hear is that it is hard to get them serviced. Do you know anything about these, whether it be positive or negative feedback? Maybe it is too early to tell with this model?

thank you,
shelby

Shelby,

I am familiar with this washer, and would not hesitate to recommend it to anyone looking for a good, basic washer without a bunch of bells and whistles. Relatively speaking of course, since this washer offers a lot of bling when compared to less expensive models.

The reason I like this washer is it offers a lot of bang for the buck. LG lists the MSRP at $949. I am seeing it online for as little as $809. If you go with this model you will get tremendous capacity, great washing, and an internal water heater. I am a huge advocate for the internal water heaters. You also get all the benefits of the LG warranty. (I am going to address manufacturer warranties in a new post within the next day or so.)

In regards to the service aspect, yes, LG can be difficult at times. It depends on a number of factors. I would encourage you to follow this link and check to see how many servicers are in your area. (Click on the "service centers" button at the top center of the page.) Pick up the phone and call any servicers that pop up and ask them a few questions. You want to find out their experience with LG, whether they are familiar with the machines, and what their experience has been with parts availability.

If you are satisfied with the answers, then don't be afraid to pull the trigger.

Let me know if you have any other questions.

~Brad

Note: Shelby mentioned that the LG WM0642HW was rated well by Consumer Reports. It was rated very well, #2 overall, in fact. It scored identical across the board to the much more expensive LG SteamWasher, and even scored better in the "gentleness" category.

More information on this washer can be found at Epinions.com.

Also, here is a link to a sell sheet from LG detailing the various features of the machine.

Finally, here is a link to the WM0642HW on Amazon.

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Anyone searching the Internet for information on washing machines will find many references to mold and mildew build-up leading to a horrendous stench that eventually permeates anything washed in the machine. While most of the cases of smelly washers seem to be related to frontload washers, build-up of mold and mildew is not exclusive to them. Yes, you can still have the problem in top load washers. The thing is, the problem is much less noticeable so people don't even realize they have the problem.

But never fear, for I am going to lay out for you exactly what you can do to prevent the problem, and how you can fix it if you've already got it.

Wanna see something gross? Check this out. That, my friends, is the inner wash tub of a Maytag Neptune frontload washer. For those not aware, the first and second generation Neptunes were notorious for developing a pretty nasty case of mold on the interior, and this is a perfect illustration. And while you may discount the Neptune as an anomaly, a worst-case scenario, I would urge you to reconsider. It is very likely the interior of your washer has a build-up, also. It may not be as extreme, but it is there.

So what causes it? Several things.

1) Washing primarily in cold water. This is bad, so very bad. And also pretty much useless. In older machines without automatic temperature control, the cold setting on your washer will give you water at whatever temperature it comes out of the ground. So if the water temperature is fifty degrees (or colder) in the winter, that's what it is going into the drum. And that is bad because if the water is less than 65 degrees or so, the detergent will not properly activate or dissolve. This is especially bad if you use liquid detergent as the waxy chemicals used to create the detergent do not dissolve properly and build-up on the inner workings of your machine.

You need to do warm and hot water washes in order to keep the machine clean. These temperatures will help to prevent the build-up of crap on the inside of your machine, and that build-up of crap is what leads to mold and mildew. Besides, warm and hot water washes simply do a better job of cleaning.

2) Liquid detergent and liquid fabric softener (LFS). These are just as bad, or worse, than cold water washes. The three combined are just asking for trouble. Use a high-quality powder detergent, and skip the LFS. If you must use a fabric softener, try a quarter cup of white vinegar in the rinse cycle.

I have a few different detergents available that I have used and like. Yes, a few are liquid and I am guilty of having used them myself, but I also took extensive measures to eliminate any build-up that may have accumulated in my machine. Of the ones I have listed, I liked Persil and Win the best. I also used a product called ecoVantage, but that is harder to find. I also believe people who wash with OxyClean, or a similar product, will have less instances of mold than those who do not.

3) Not performing routine maintenance. The prospect of having to perform routine maintenance on your brand-spanking-new $1,000+ washing machine tends to piss some people off. The common argument is that they shouldn't have to "do anything special to a washer" they just spent over a grand on. After all, they didn't have to do anything with their old top load washer!

In all reality, they should have. Top load washers are just as susceptible to the problem; people just don't realize it.

The routine maintenance is really quite simple. Wipe down the inner door and gasket with a clean rag after you are done washing for the day. Also, it is best to leave the door open for a few hours to allow any remaining moisture to dry out. A lot of people do not want to leave the door open because they have cats and do not want them getting into the machine. Well, if you are worried about that, then check the drum before stuffing it full and starting a load to make sure Fluffy doesn't go for a joyride.

Finally, once a month or so, you need to clean the inside of the washer. To do this, I recommend running an empty load on the longest, hottest wash cycle available. But instead of using laundry detergent, I want you to use Cascade Complete powder detergent, about a half cup. Why? Dishwashing detergents are formulated with enzymes to help break down and dissolve food particles. These enzymes are equally effective on particles inside your washing machine. Do this once a month, and you will likely never develop a problem.

But what if it's too late and you already have a problem? No need to drag the washer out to the curb or start doing Google searches for "x-brand class action lawsuit". If your washer or clothes are smelling a bit funky, then get a box of Cascade Complete like I suggested above and get to it. Run a complete cycle and let it do it's thing. If your washer has a sanitary cycle, use it. You want the hottest water you can get. Try doing that a few times, let the washer dry out, and then stick your head right in the drum to see if you smell any mold. Still there?

There are a few products available on the market designed especially for cleaning washing machines. I have a couple available, Affresh and Washer Magic. There is an interesting thread over at GardenWeb about Affresh and the results from people who have used it. The product does work. It's just a matter of how severe the problem is that determines how well it will work and how many times you have to use it. There is also a product called Smelly Washer available online. This product was mentioned in the thread linked above, and the results appear to have been good.

Do not let the prospect of mold or mildew scare you away from a frontload washer. Follow my advice above, and you likely will not have a problem. And remember, just because you have a top load washer does not mean you do not have a build-up of crap inside your washer. I guarantee I could rip that thing apart and you would be disgusted. Top load owners should follow my advice above.

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If you are considering the purchase of a frontload washer, you should do yourself a favor and check out the machines from Samsung. With tremendous capacity, high efficiency, excellent cleaning results, and Vibration Reduction Technology, I am convinced these machines are definitely worth a look.

So what's the low-down? While these machines are still relatively new, and reviews online are less available than their better known competitors, the majority of the reviews I have read are overwhelmingly positive. See for yourself.


This thread at GardenWeb offers several comments from a few owners of the machines. A sampling:

"First thing I noticed was how quietly they run. The noisiest part is during the washer fill cycle. Amazing how quiet the high spin cycle works -- the VRT vibration reduction really works."

"Last night I tested the VRT feature. Took TWO heavy full length bathrobes and many hand and bath towels. Pretty much stuffed the drum -- I know this is not recommended... With this Samsung FL, I let it go through the cycle. At each spin cycle, I can hear it speed up, start to vibrate, slow down, rinse, then speed up again. Each iteration brought a higher spin speed and less vibration. Soon it was up to full speed as the load balances. At max speed, vibration is minimal and the washer seems to have plenty of power to handle such a difficult heavy load."

Then there is this other thread at GardenWeb:

"I have had this for a few days - so far, the washer is as advertised: very quiet, minimal wobbling. The machine is on the 2nd floor and I am quite happy w/ it."

"I have had my set for a month and LOVE them. They are on the second floor. There is no vibration and the do a great job!"

"I got this set yesterday and am amazed at how well it works. Our basement flooded over a week ago and I had laundry in a basket on the floor and during that week my 12 year old washer machine called it quits on me. So I had a basket of stinky wet laundry that I thought for sure I would have to throw away because of the horrible smell. But I washed it yesterday in my machine on sanitize/silver care option and my laundry smells fresh and clean. Also the VRT seems to work great."

And then there are the reviews at ePinions.com:

"It's on the second floor of our house and I can't tell when it's running. No shaking or vibration at all thanks to the VRT."

"The VRT really works and the largest/heaviest loads are spun nearly dry with whisper quiet efficiency."

Judging from the praise from owners who have installed the units on upper levels, I am inclined to believe that Samsung's VRT actually works. There is also anecdotal evidence that the SilverCare feature offers legitimate function, although it is tough to tell what other impact the use of silver in wash cycles may have.

Before dropping down a couple grand on a set of Samsung washers, though, you best check availability of service in your area. I have read a few reports when a Samsung owner needed service, only to find there were no authorized servicers in the area. I checked my own area to see if anyone popped up, and sure enough, the local guy who has been around long enough to have probably serviced the first Maytag washer is on the list.

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