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What's New:
Inside Consumer Reports Test Labs: The LG WM210C[W] front-loading washer is a real mover and shaker
 Because front-loading washing machines spin so rapidly—up to 1,200 revolutions per minute—and their drums rotate on a horizontal axis, the vibration and noise these machines produce can be a nuisance for users, especially when a front-loader is used near main living areas or on a second floor in a home.
Our testers have seen plenty of front-loaders that produce a lot of vibration and noise, though no front-loader has ever actually moved from its spot during our vibration testing. Until now. In a recent vibration test on a wood floor, the $550 LG WM2010C[W] front-loader turned on an angle and moved forward about three inches when it had an 8-pound evenly distributed load . And when we repeated the test with a 1-pound unbalanced load, the LG again slid forward several inches.
LG offers a solution with the “SpinSense” function, which the manufacturer says “can be used to help reduce or eliminate vibrations, especially on wood floor installations.” When our testers [...]
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The freestanding washer, Fagor FU 7814 uses the unique Turbo Time Plus washing system that helps maintain maximum efficiency and makes this 1,400 RPM washing machine one of the fastest around, delivering the best wash results in the shortest possible time. Its 8kg washing capacity married with the ‘AAB’ energy rating allow you to have all your laundry ready in just 50 minutes. Besides 1,400 RPM spinning speed and 8kg capacity, this washing machine offers 16 programs including 15 minute Quick, 30 minute Quick, Delicates, Cold, Prewash, Anti-bacterial, Quilts, Curtains/Wool, Handwash, Intensive, Easy Iron and Extra Rinse. Fagor also designed inclined drum for better washing results and 180° door opening for easy loading and unloading. Other features are variable spin speed and anti-wrinkle, advanced balance system for an even spin, child lock and automatic door control.
The freestanding washer also comes with LCD Digital display, electronic clock, delayed start for up 24 hours with one-hour increments, total time remaining, function and spin speed indication. This 1,400 RPM washing machine is available in white and grey for approximately £480. Fagor.
Previously,
Fagor dryer
Fagor washer
8kg washing machine
[...]
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Samsung Electronics America will add induction technology to its cooking appliance line this fall.
Details are sketchy, but the company said the freestanding model will be produced entirely in-house.
“It’s gorgeous,” said James Politeski, sales and marketing VP for Samsung digital appliances. “The controls are intuitive, more accessible and very cool.”
Joining the induction unit will be Samsung’s first gas-fueled ranges. Two models are also set to ship this fall, along with a 0 speed oven that features microwave and electric heating.
In laundry, Samsung has added a step between its opening price point 9 front-load washer and its ,499 front-load steam washer. The new, Energy Star-rated WF419 (suggested retail ,199) also features steam cycles and Samsung’s vibration-reduction technology (VRT), plus 4.3 cubic feet of capacity and a diamond-patterned drum surface that’s gentler on fabrics.
Samsung also lowered its opening price point in front-load laundry to 9 in a Lowe’s-exclusive model that could join the open line next year depending on marketplace conditions. Senior marketing manager Jeffrey Armstrong said the company is hesitant to play in the promotional arena after establishing Samsung as a premium appliance brand — a [...]
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By the Numbers: Washing machine capacities grow, but efficiency rises
9 percent
Amount the capacity of the average washing machine sold today has grown since 2000, according to the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers. Despite that larger capacity, today’s average washer consumes 64 percent less energy than those sold nine years ago. Consider the Energy Star-qualified GE WBVH5300K[WW], covered recently in this Inside Consumer Reports Test Labs post. This 0 front-loader aced our energy- and water-efficiency tests and cleaned capably and quickly (cycle time was a brisk 69 minutes). e-mail | Twitter | Forums | Facebook
Essential information: Use our free buyer’s guide to washing machines and buyer’s guide to dryers for expert advice on buying these laundry appliances. Get your clothes cleaner with the best performers from our latest report on laundry detergents. And read these tips for setting up a laundry room near living space.
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Ever wonder how that new Whirlpool, Kitchen Aid or Maytag appliance with all the newest technology came to the marketplace? Well, Whirlpool, the parent company has formalized a process to sort through the thousands of ideas that, at any one time, are percolating up from product groups, new business development teams, and i-mentors — employees trained in innovation who have been deployed throughout the organization to identify promising ideas. From that first grab-bag of concepts, managers green-light several hundred for study, giving each a slice of an innovation budget that ballparks at several million dollars for North America this year.
Ultimately, almost half of those flow into its innovation pipeline, which currently numbers close to 1,000 products. On average, 100 are introduced to the marketplace. “Every month we report pipeline size measured by estimated sales, and our goal this year is billion,” says Norena. With Whirlpool’s 2008 revenue totalling .9 billion, that would mean roughly 20% of sales would be from new products.
Beginning Affresh
The process has helped Whirlpool find such innovations as Affresh, a hockey puck-shaped tablet that consumers can toss into front-loading washers for a cleaning cycle. In less than two years, Affresh, which works with any [...]
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 Our latest ongoing tests of washing machines included three very different washers yet they had two things in common: All are made by Whirlpool and, more notable, they were tough on our test loads. See our newly updated ratings (available to subscribers) for more details on these and dozens of other top- and front-loading models and use our free buyer’s guide to washing machines for more expert advice.
Check out our July 24 post on three other recently tested washers. And look for more Inside Consumer Reports Tests Labs posts on washers, dishwashers, and vacuums in the coming weeks as we continue to test models on a rolling basis, providing you with information on the latest innovations and the newest models to hit showrooms.
The Estate ETW4400W[Q] top-loader, 0 (right in the photo), merited the lowest gentleness score of these machines—a poor—causing fabrics to fray. The Estate’s overall washing performance was very good—impressive considering that most conventional top-loaders we see tend to be mediocre at washing. Cycle time was 48 minutes, comparable to other top-loaders with agitators. And [...]
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Green is the new black when it comes to the laundry room, yet many consumers do not realize they have a choice when it comes to high-efficiency (HE), eco-friendly laundry appliances. A recent survey commissioned by Whirlpool Corporation revealed that while nearly 60 percent understand what HE means in regards to laundry appliances, almost 40 percent believe that top-load washers use more energy than front-loading machines – a common misconception in today’s marketplace.
Traditionally, consumers seeking high efficiency laundry turn to front-loading machines, yet according to previous Whirlpool research nearly three quarters of American households still own top-load washing machines. In fact, 44 percent of consumers in the most recent survey said they did not know if top-load washers use more energy than front-loaders and 38 percent believe that they do, indicating a need for clarity when it comes to communicating the benefits of HE machines to appliance shoppers.
“Historically, front-load laundry pairs have led the industry in capacity and efficiency,” said Mary Zeitler, home economist, Whirlpool Institute of Fabric Science, “but manufacturers like Whirlpool Corporation are working to offer superior energy and water savings in models to suit consumers’ needs and preferences. As more families look to save on energy, water [...]
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Name of Product: Crosley®, Frigidaire®, Kelvinator®, Kenmore®, Wascomat®, and White-Westinghouse® clothes washers
Units: About 35,000
Distributor: Frigidaire, of Cleveland, Ohio
Hazard: An internal defect in the washer’s drain pump can cause heat to build up, posing a fire hazard to the consumer.
Incidents/Injuries: No incidents or injuries have been reported.
Description: This recall involves the Crosley®, Frigidaire®, Kelvinator®, Kenmore®, Wascomat®, and White-Westinghouse® top load washers, 3.1 cubic foot front load washers and laundry centers.
Product Type
Brand
Model
Serial Number
Top Load Washer
Crosley, Frigidaire, Kelvinator,
White- Westinghouse
CTW100FW
GLWS1749FS
SWS833HS
FTW3011KW
KWS1349DS
SWX703HQ
FTW3014KW
MWS939AS
SWX703HS
FWS1233FS
SWS1233HQ
WWS833FS
FWS933FS
SWS1233HS
WWTW3000KW
GLWS1439FC
SWS1339HS
GLWS1439FS
SWS1649HS
XC90306228 to XC91606302
Front Load Washer
Crosley, Frigidaire, Wascomat,
White- Westinghouse
CFW2000FW
FTF530FS
WE17N
FCCW3000FS
GLTF1570FS
WTF330HS
FTF1240FS
WE17M
XC90501765 to XC91607678
Laundry Center
Crosley, Frigidaire, Kenmore,
White -Westinghouse
97812
CLCE900FW
GLET1142FS
97912
FEX831FS
GLGH1642FS
97962
FGX831FS
GLGT1031FS
C97812
FLGB8200FS
GLGT1142FS
C97912
GCET1031FS
MEX731CFS
C97962
GLEH1642FS
SWSG1031HS
CLCE500FW
GLET1031FS
SWXG831HS
XE85104013 to XE91603486
*Not all serial numbers within these ranges are affected.
Model and serial numbers can be located as follows:
Top load washer = open the product’s lid, and the model and serial number are located inside the product’s lid, on the top, right hand corner.
Front load washer = open the door, and the model and serial number are located with other information at the top, center.
Laundry center = open the door to the dryer, and the model and serial number are located on the outer edge of the door nearest the door’s handle.
Sold by: Sears and other retailers [...]
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The next generation of laundry has arrived and the status quo is getting a much-needed makeover. New washer and dryer technologies and innovations in detergents and clothing care save time and energy, making laundry feel like less of a chore.
Everything in its place
Laundry rooms used to be relegated to the basement, but more people are finding space for washers and dryers in convenient areas of the house like upstairs near bedrooms. Experts say installing a “laundry nook” is not only a good investment and can raise the value of your home, but it can make hauling baskets of clothing up and down flights of stairs a thing of the past.
The closer the washer and dryer are to living spaces the more important it is for them to be quiet. “Look for machines with new technologies that reduce vibration for nearly noiseless laundry sessions,” says home design expert Doug Wilson. “If your washer and dryer are out in the open, look for colorful and sleek models that can stand out stylishly on their own. New models are available in a variety of designer finishes such as wild cherry red, Riviera blue and even colors that give the look of [...]
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