I looked at one of the neighbor's machine recently, and it had more buttons and settings than Microsoft Word. I had no idea how it worked. That's what I don't want, I want something simple and user-friendly, but good quality.
If somebody has a good tip, I'd be grateful. A web search was not so helpful.
(The space for it under the kitchen counter is 60 cm deep, 60 cm wide, 88 cm high.)
Also, a tip about a good UK dealer for these things...? I live near a Currys and a B&Qs. I'd like a dealer which will install the thing and has good service.
Update:
The Miele W1613 seems to be the thing. (Also it's the first time I've come across the revoo review site, it seems to be very good.)
Update 2:
I've ordered it at M&S Large Appliances (see comments for my steam-of-thought entries on this decision) (I don't much see who it'd interest, but heck, I wrote it so there it is.)
Update 3:
Well, at least one reader was interested, that's nice. I must say the "web 2.0" thing has us spoiled with reviews and such research options these days. It's just five years ago I last need a large appliance, a fridge/freezer, and I did not think to research it, I just went to Currys and bought the one that looked like a good one. (Fortunately I got lucky with that.)
Update 3:
Well, at least one reader was interested, that's nice. I must say the "web 2.0" thing has us spoiled with reviews and such research options these days. It's just five years ago I last need a large appliance, a fridge/freezer, and I did not think to research it, I just went to Currys and bought the one that looked like a good one. (Fortunately I got lucky with that.)
24 comments:
There you've got a really earthenly problem, haha! Don't go for bargain machines, they'll start causing you headaches soon enough. LG (do they really manufacture washing machines), Miele, Constructa - these are brands like, erm, Apple.
(:-))
Have a good weekend, Eolake, and thanks for your well-mixed posts: there's something for everybody.
Tata.
Thanks, my man.
Yes, I want the quality brands, but have little idea what they are, so thanks.
I've been very happy with my Miele.
I like the fact that it has a command line interface (as opposed to Microsoft Word like buttons).
Seriously? Wha...?
Anyway, all the machines I found at first cost like 300 GBP, which seems very cheap. The Mieles I see now cost three-four times that, so they might be good bets.
I see them here.
They all seem to have the same features, though. Why so damn many models?
I like the look of this one here better than that one here. The first one looks modern and reliable somehow.
Ah, and very good reviews too, see here. I think I could just take this one.
(Though I see I can get it rather cheaper than at M&S.)
... It's 84 kilograms! Holy frig.
(Oops, some listings say it is 99 kilos!)
But M&S includes the five-year warranty in the price, which a lower-priced one did not, that would cost £75 extra.
The model I have is W 254. I'm not saying it's the best Miele model there is (I got it two years ago), but I haven't had a single problem with it. Anyway, Miele as a brand is definitely very good.
The weight is telling. It's built strongly and stays put during centrifuge.
And they have fast delivery included in the price, and they will install it upon delivery (for £20), I like that. (I wonder why none of the web sites talk about installation, it seems an obvious issue.)
Another plus point: the site asks if you have stairs, and if there is a lift. This ought to mean the driver can handle it, and you are not stuck with somebody saying "sorry mate, you're on your own" about a 99-kilo appliance.
So M&S Large Appliances have a deal, I've ordered it.
"The weight is telling. It's built strongly and stays put during centrifuge."
Yes indeed. And it helps it to be quiet, something I appreciate and which many reviewers mentioned.
Congratulations!
The Miele certainly is an apple*!
Greetings.
*Apple-like
Miele is the way forward!
My parents bought a Miele washing machine when I was about a year old and we lived in Germany.
My father was in the army and the washing machine moved with us countless times. When I was 13 (and the Miele was 12) we moved to East Africa, and brought the Miele with us.
After 5 years in the humidity, it broke.
However, it turned out that it was a rubber band from the motor that had perished. A friend coming back from Europe brought us a new one, my father fitted it, and the machine worked perfectly.
We sold the machine when we left Kenya in 1999. It was 22 years old and we still had a bidding war for it!
'Nuff said!
That's impressive. Most modern stuff, you're lucky if it lasts 5 years.
Well, you're kind of screwed, because you'll have to get something European which means it won't be good quality.
You should go with the steam kind. They're the way to go these days for guys like you with more money than brains. That means buying a new washer and dryer since you have to have them both be the steam kind.
In the U.S. they are not that expensive but in England everything seems to be double what it is here.
http://www.lge.com/us/appliances/washers/LG-steam-washer-WM2688HNMA.jsp
The thing with the front-loading ones is that one side of the drum is open (i.e. missing), and as a result, the drum is suspended to the chassis from on side only.
In contrast, on the top-loading ones, which I have, the laundry is loaded through a hatch in the drum which has a very solid closing mechanism. And once closed, the drum is balanced and is supported from both sides of its axis.
I can imagine it is fun to watch your laundry spin, if you are of that persuasion, but in my opinion one pays too much for it in the weaker suspension.
I have no experience with the steam engines Hank Jones is talking about, but it is safe to say LG's build quality in general is nowhere near that of Miele's.
LG is a Korean brand. Miele products are manufactured in Germany.
I'm sure you're right.
I got a side-loader because I only have one space for the machine, under the kitchen counter.
Yes, in most cases the available slot dictates whether one needs to get a top-loading one or a side-loading one. Mine's in the bathroom and the space is so narrow only a top-loading one will fit.
If I had more space I would buy another top-loader next to it. Then I could do my laundry in stereo. Left sock into the left one, and right sock into the right one. Which is which, you ask? Nike has socks for specific feet. (Stephen Fry demonstrates.)
Miele, by the way, makes some very expensive and similarly high quality microwave ovens. Also manufactured in ze Germany. Side-loading throughout. Buy two if you can afford it.
Ooh, I'll get one of those next time. See that's another area where I did not know what brands are the best: I have owned two different ones since moving here, and they are both sort of crappy, especially the user interface.
ttl said...
"...Then I could do my laundry in stereo. Left sock into the left one, and right sock into the right one. Which is which, you ask? Nike has socks for specific feet. (Stephen Fry demonstrates.)"
HILARIOUS!! Well...I LOVE my side-loader! Doesn't waste as much water and...I'm sure the designers knew what they were going to be challenged with, ttl! lol! I've had mine for almost 7 years and it works GREAT!! :-)
I would LOVE 2 washers, myself...if I had the room in my postage-stamp laundry room!! I could get more clothes washed, sooner, then! And then I would also need another dryer! Pity! ;-)
captcha: "unacki" Sounds close enough to sushi (eel) to me!! :-)
Front load washers are known to be superior to top load. Few people these days buy top load because after a few years they end up becoming unstable. Lacking the central agitator of a top load is also a plus as they are unnecessary and an encumberance. Front loaders are more efficient and while they cost more initially they will save you that money and a lot more in the long run. The efficiency comes both from the fact that they use less water and due to the lack of a central agitator you can fit more clothes in so you do fewer loads. You use less detergent too, although your choices there are more limited.
Plus if space is a problem, front loaders are designed to have a dryer stacked on top.
All round a much better choice than a Stone Age top loader.
I've had my front-loader washing machine for nearly 8 years now and it's never given my any problems. The one I had before that, a top loader, got to the point it was moving all over the place. If the drum is so much better on a top loader, why would this have happened on a top of the line model? And why would the supposedly inferior front loader still be problem free? Only luck? It would be the first time I'd ever had any good luck with appliances.
If the drum is so much better on a top loader, why would this have happened on a top of the line model? And why would the supposedly inferior front loader still be problem free?
There are a number of variables having to do with how well the machine stays in place, such as:
1. Overall weight
2. Center of mass
3. Power transmission
And perhaps even friction between the feet and the floor.
My current top-loader, a Miele, hasn't moved one centimeter from its original installed position. And it is whisper quiet.
But before that I had one of a cheaper brand, a significantly lighter and noisier machine that during the centrifuge phase moved all over the place just like you describe.
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