One of the basic fundamentals to succeed in the business world is to identify a need, and then design a product that fills that need. LG does that perfectly with their AdaptAble Controls laundry center.
Part of the reason front load washers are popular is because, with many models, you can stack the dryer on top of the washer. This is ideal for homes which have limited space in the laundry area. But for some people, after the dryer is installed on top of the washer, the dryer controls are difficult to use.
In fact, most of the larger domestic front load washers, and their matching dryers, are about 38 inches tall. That means the stacked set is over 76 inches tall, over six feet. For petite users, operating the dryer can be problematic.
LG solved this problem. With their AdaptAble Controls, the dryer can be stacked on top of the washer, and the control panel of the dryer moved to the lower part of the machine, directly above the washer control panel. This puts all controls in one location, within easy reach.
So many companies fill their marketing with buzz words like "innovative" and "revolutionary", when the end product is anything but. Here, LG has filled a very real need with a simple solution. That is innovative.
Friday, June 8, 2007
Now this is just freakin brilliant...
Speed Queen: built like Sherman tanks
I hate to give the impression that if you're not buying a front load washer, you're buying a piece of crap. The fact remains that top load washers comprise the bulk of the market, and there are a few good machines to be had.
Speed Queen is one of the oldest names in laundry, and the past couple years have seen them re-emerge from the neighborhood laundromats and into select retail outlets.
Laundry nerds will find many similarities between Speed Queen washers and machines built by Maytag under the Maytag and Amana names. This is because, at one point, Speed Queen was (I believe) part of Amana. In fact, just a few years ago, Maytag was making washers under the Amana badge that offered a 710-rpm spin speed just like Speed Queen. Of course, the Amana models had a habit of busting seals at this speed. Oops!
Speed Queen manufacturers top and front load washers that are simple machines that clean well, offer great capacity, and are built like tanks. In fact, Speed Queen is the only domestic manufacturer that offers a full three-year warranty on their product. And the transmission is covered for seven years (parts only) beyond that!
Speed Queen laundry is not cheap. Expect there mid-range models to set you back about $500 or $600 for the washer. But if you are looking for a dependable washer that cleans well that doesn't have more computing power than you're old Gateway desktop, then look at Speed Queen. You won't find them at the Big Box stores, but you will find them at your local independent dealer.
Thursday, June 7, 2007
Do you REALLY need an internal heater?
I was going to nerd-out and write a lengthy, detailed dissertation on the benefits of an internal water heater in front load washers, but then I remembered this post at GardenWeb which does an excellent job of explaining the benefits.
I would add my own experience.
My Maytag Neptune featured an internal water heater, and I found myself using the hottest wash cycle far more frequently than I thought I would. The heater allowed the washer to do an amazing job on getting items clean that I thought were shot. White t-shirts came out blazing white. Stinky, mildewed towels that I left laying outside came out fresh. Sneakers covered in grass stains came out looking almost new. Khakis that I thought were ruined by grease stains were saved. And not once did I ever use bleach in my machine.
If you are considering a front load washer, I would highly recommend you get a model with an internal water heater. You will only spend $100 to $200 more over the base model (including a few additional bells and whistles), and you will quickly realize it is a very useful tool.
Wednesday, June 6, 2007
The HE top-loader scam
I have a lot of ambivalence about high-efficiency top load washers. I've clerked a few in my time, and I say clerked because I could never really bring myself to "sell" them to a client. I was just too unsure whether they worked as well as the manufacturers hyped.
I didn't care for the machines for a few reasons. For one, they cost far more than I felt a top load washer should, with little return on the investment. The average cost on these machines, excepting the models made by Fisher & Paykel, is around $800. For $800, you can get a good front load washer with all of the bells and whistles that are extremely efficient, and are built from proven designs.
Second, how well can these things possibly clean? A large part of the cleaning process involves mechanical action, meaning movement of the clothes. If you do not move the clothes, you cannot get them clean. In some models, despite all of the whirling and spinning of the drum, very little movement actually takes place.
Thirdly, how gentle are these machines? The Whirlpool Calypso, a total piece of shit that Whirlpool clung to for far too long, was notorious for ripping items up. The Maytag Neptune TL didn't last but a couple years, and really should never have made it into showrooms across America, what with the incessant tangling and knotting of clothes.
The facts remain that top load washers perform worse and worse with each passing year due to federal guidelines on efficiency. In order to meet standards, they must produce a certain number of machines that meet the fed's criteria. They do this by reducing hot water consumption and overall water usage, particularly on rinse cycles.
The only top load washer, that can be classified as HE, that I would recommend is made by Fisher & Paykel. They are efficient, are easy to use, do a good job of cleaning, and are of a solid design. Plus, the machine is right around $600.
As for the other HE top load washers, I offer the following advice. Thoroughly research the models you are considering. Look for testimonials by people who actually own the machines. Be sure the store you are purchasing from has a fair return policy. ONLY buy from a store that offers in-house service, or be sure you know of a reputable local servicer you can rely upon. Lastly, if it is offered and isn't outrageously expensive, consider the extended warranty.
You just might need it.
Tuesday, June 5, 2007
Give 'em points for style
I owned a Maytag Neptune washer that was built by Samsung. It was a great machine (recalls aside), and the Samsung-brand washers are very similar.
I'll definitely give them credit for building an aesthetically pleasing machine. With people dumping more money into their laundry rooms, their is a demand for laundry machines that are more than just basic white. Samsung, along with a few other manufacturers, have hit a home run in that department.
Not certain about this SilverCare technology, but I'll try and dig up some more info on that for a later post. *END*
Just when you thought they thought of everything...
LG has filed a patent with the government for a washing machine which doubles as an mp3 player.
The design calls for a washing machine with built-in speakers and a dock to plop your iPod into while doing the wash.
Of course, this idea is being ridiculed across the Net. But you know what? If LG actually takes this to market, people will friggin buy it, just like they bought the reefer with the TV built into it.
*END*
There's mold in them thar drums!
'Tis a fact that if you do not properly care for your shiny new front load washer, 'tis possible to develop a nasty funk that will defeat the purpose of using the thing. It is well documented that mold can develop in the drum and around the door gasket of the machines, and no manufacturer or model is immune.
"What?" you say. "This washer cost me a small fortune. I shouldn't have to do any extra work to prevent mold!"
Yes, you do.
The simplest method of prevention is to leave the door open a while after you use the washer. This will allow the drum and gasket area to dry out. You can also give the gasket a quick wipe with a hand towel to wick up any water.
If you do develop a funky odor, then you are likely developing a problem. To try and clean it out, run an empty cycle on the longest and hottest wash cycle available. Instead of detergent or bleach, use a half-cup or so of power-based dishwashing detergent. The enzymes in the detergent will (hopefully) go to work on any nasties growing in the machine. This can also be done periodically, once every couple months or so, to help maintain the machine.
Don't let the prospect of mold (or sheer laziness) scare you away from joining the ranks of happy front loader owners. Just understand you need to put a wee bit more effort (we're talking minimal here) into keeping the machine clean.
Monday, June 4, 2007
Dr. Laundry... is he kinda like Mr. Clean?
This blog popped up in a Google search. Seems to be a pretty good resource put out by Clorox. *END*
Laundry Rooms Going Upscale?
Maybe not upscale, but Americans certainly are dumping more and more money into their laundry rooms, particularly in new construction. Working in the biz for a builder-distributor of appliances, and dealing with a lot of new construction, this is something I saw a lot.
Laundry facilities used to be relegated to the basement, usually in some dark corner where the spiders tended to make their homes. Over the last few years, they have been pulled from the basement and placed either on the main floor, or more commonly on the upper floor, near the bedrooms. This made sense, since you would not have to lug baskets of laundry up and down a flight or two of stairs.
Laundry rooms are also becoming larger, with homeowners installing premium cabinetry and countertops. It is not uncommon to find the same design integrated into the laundry room as the kitchen!
Moving the laundry room to the upper levels, particularly on the second floor, does create the potential for problems. Should a hose on the washing machine break, it can lead to thousands of dollars in damage. Floor drainage should be planned if you are putting the washer on an upper level. Also, many people spending their hard-earned dollars on deluxe laundry rooms are usually purchasing the hardware to go in them, such as high-efficiency front load washers. These machines can cause a lot of vibration if not installed correctly on a reinforced surface, so watch out there.
If you need repair parts...
If you are the do-it-yourself kinda guy (or gal), you can head on over to RepairClinic.com and order any repair parts you need. They have a pretty intuitive system to help you find the part you need.
When I was managing the store for the small indie dealer I worked for, I used RepairClinic quite a bit just to help me find the stinkin part my service tech needed. A great resource! *END*
Sunday, June 3, 2007
Another great value in HE laundry
There is another great value on the market, and it came as a result of Whirlpool's idiotic acquisition of Maytag.
No doubt Sears was hellatiously pissed when Whirlpool released the Maytag Epic, since they are virtually identical machines, and the Epic set will run you about $400 less than the Kenmore set.
Whirlpool, with a few modifications, based the Epic off of their KitchenAid Ensemble. The differences? Primarily, the construction. Consumers have long complained about the plastic-y (ie, cheap) feel of the Duet and Kenmore Elite washers. The Epic features a more solid construction. Basically, the door handle isn't going to break off in your hand if you give it a good tug.
If you're looking for a well-built, proven machine at a good value, bypass the Kenmores and Whirlpools and take a look at the Maytag Epic!
There is a thread over at GardenWeb that talks a bit about the Maytag Epic washers. There is some information to be found, if you can make it past the laundry nerds bitching at each other over trivial minutiae.
The best value in HE laundry
If the redesigned GE Profile had come out a little bit sooner, I would have purchased that set instead of the Maytag Neptune pair. I sold a lot of these washers and dryers, and not just to the "What's the cheapest frontloader you got?" shoppers, either. I sold a lot of them because they were (and still are) a tremendous value!
For about $800, you can get a frontload washer with great capacity, excellent cleaning, and offers an internal water heater. (Read more on the importance of the internal water heater.)
So that brings us to the next questions: why are they so cheap? Well, I prefer the word "inexpensive", and the answer is they are made in China.
More information from real owners can be found at the GardenWeb forums.
Another review thread on the LG SteamWasher
I hate to sound like a cheerleader for this washer, but here ya go. *END*
Read More......Which detergent to use in my frontloader?
One of the biggest questions asked in regards to owning a frontloader is "What kind of detergent should I use?". Believe it or not, it makes a difference.
Forget using anything that is not "high-efficiency". These will be designated with "HE" prominently displayed on the box. Many people object to buying a HE detergent; the cost per load is usually a little bit higher. So they decide to stick with their typical Purex or Gain or Tide, and just use less. Well, you wouldn't use Dawn dish detergent in your dishwasher, right? It's the same premise with your washing machine. HE detergent is low-sudsing.
When I had my Maytag Neptune, I used a product called EcoVantage. It was completely unscented, so there were no overpowering perfumes. But most importantly, it worked great.
There are also a couple threads at the GardenWeb forums here and here that provide a lot of information. Keep in mind, the posters at the GardenWeb laundry forum... well, some of them are fanatics when it comes to laundry, so they may go into a bit more detail than most of us.
Bottom line: always use a HE detergent. I recommend EcoVantage, but there are some other good ones out there.
Whirlpool Duet Steam Dryer
Whirlpool Corp. is following it's Standard Operating Procedure of ripping off another company's idea, making a half-ass attempt at developing a product from that idea, and then creating a marketing plan full of hype and exaggeration in order to sell said product.
Their idea for a steam dryer is not original. Granted, the old axiom of "lead, follow, or get out of the way" certainly applies to major appliances, so it probably isn't fair to ridicule them for following the lead of Maytag (with their now defunct Neptune Drying Center) or LG with their SteamWasher.
However, watching the video below, I cannot determine whether the dryer sprays a mist of water onto the clothes, or actually releases steam into the drum. The bland PR lady refers to a "mist vapor", but what the hell is that? Either the water is a mist, or it is a vapor.
I've found an equally effective method of refreshing and dewrinkling clothes in the dryer. I wet a sock, wring it out so it's not dripping wet, throw it in the dryer, and press start. Voila!
WHIRLPOOL BRAND MOVES FULL STEAM AHEAD WITH NEW DUET STEAM DRYER -
Uhm... why is the dryer so much?
This was a question I heard a lot when I was selling appliances. People would come in looking for a frontload washer, fully expecting to drop anywhere from $800 to well over $1000 for a machine. But many times, the companion dryer cost $700 or more. And yet, most dryers that went with plain-jane topload washers went for $300 to $400. Is there a difference in the dryers to justify the difference in the prices? Yes and no.
Some of the more expensive dryers sold with frontload washers may offer a bit more capacity. I have read some comments from people claiming the capacity in a dryer is irrelevant. This is bunk and bad advice. A larger drum equates to less wrinkling, pilling, and usually faster drying times. If you are purchasing a large capacity washer, you need a large capacity dryer. End of story.
Most of the more expensive dryers offer a stainless steel drum. This is not really a critical factor, but stainless steel is going to automatically add to the cost.
Most of the premium dryers will also offer greater air flow. This is important. Air flow is critical to effective drying. The higher the air flow (evacuating the moisture from the drum), the shorter the dry time. Instead of just baking the clothes dry (like cheap Frigidaire dryers), premium dryers rely more heavily on airflow to do the job.
The biggest difference, though, is in the use of thermistors as opposed to thermostats. This is where the electronics come into play. Older or less expensive dryers use a thermostat to regulate the heat in the drum. (Most modern dryers also use moisture sensors, but these are not related to the actual drying temperature.) Thermistors are important because they are able to more accurately control the temperature within the drum. A thermostat will trigger the element when the air temperature drops below a certain point, and disengages it once the temperature reaches a certain point. This can result in a pretty high degree of swing within the drum.
Thermistors are able to create a much tighter tolerance in the air temperature, resulting in a much more even heat. The end result is the average temperature is more consistent, as opposed to fluctuating wildly, and that equates to a faster dry time.
Premium dryers are also able to maintain a lower temperature to help you dry delicate items safely.
So does that mean the difference in price is justified? Not necessarily, as not all "premium" dryers boast all of the above features. There is also this: most people want their laundry to match, and are willing to pay a premium to achieve this.
By the way the best dryer on the market is the GE Profile DPGT750. Check it out!
LG SteamWasher
LG makes the washer rated #1 by Consumer Reports. (The validity of the Consumer Reports ranking is for another discussion and another day.) There is no question that LG makes a great washer. There is question as to the usefulness of some of the features they put into their machines. But these questions apply to all manufacturers, since it is difficult to separate the marketing from the engineering.
This thread at the GardenWeb forums offers some information from an actual owner of the machine.
Facts remain that LG washers are well-built, clean very well, offer tremendous washing capacity, are extremely efficient, and of course are very stylish appliances.
The uncertainty arises over the usefulness of the steam features on their upper-end washers. The SteamFresh feature is apparently useful for freshening a few garments (up to five) by injecting steam (no water) into the drum as the drum slowly tumbles. This is supposed to remove wrinkles and odors, and the feature apparently does that. The feature in question is the SteamWash feature which adds steam to an in-progress wash cycle. LG claims this feature "improves washing performance" and offers "higher water and energy efficiency".
Dubious claims aside, the LG SteamWasher is a high-performance machine with useful features. The only caveat to buying LG is the lack of service in some parts of the country. Check into that before you plunk down your dollars.
Another Great Resource
I've been reading The Samurai Appliance Repair Man for years now. He is very entertaining, while at the same time offering a LOT of information in regard to appliance repair. *END*
