#frontwasher

The control system is one of the main in any modern programmable device, because it affects the model functionality that is based on pre-installed and custom modes and programs. Therefore, the choice of the washer essentially depends on the capabilities of the control system.

Controls

Modern models have the mechanical switches, buttons and touch controls. Wherein, most models simultaneously use all types of controls. Rotary switches provide settings of program, modes, temperature, spin speed, etc. in manual mode. The choice of the program is usually carried out with the help of special pictorial images. Each step of the wash program is displayed on the slowly rotating switch. This control system is convenient for users with conservative habits. Electronic control is more flexible and perfect. Washing machine automatically adjusts the amount of detergents and water, weighs the linen, determines the degree of its contamination and a cloth type. Washing temperature, spin speed and the rinsing mode is selected on the basis of these data. Optimality is the main criterion of choice. All the main parameters are displayed with the help of bright color display. The user sees the values of temperature, rotation speed and the countdown timer. These models also determine the uniformity of the laundry distribution in the drum. The control system reduces the rotation speed to reduce vibration in case of uneven filling of the drum. Sensors at various points provide information about water hardness, its temperature and transparency. The last parameter characterizes the rinsing quality. Electronics also disables device at the termination of water ingress, excessive foaming or leakage. Of course, this functionality can not be realized with simple rotary switches. Such a control system typically uses electronic buttons and a touch panel. Unfortunately, the electronic control system can make mistakes, eg, when unstable mains voltage. Therefore, the mechanical control is traditionally considered to be more reliable.

Front models

Usually, buttons and sensor elements are located on the front panel next to the hatch. Moreover, many modern models have LCD displays. Dispenser with three compartments is usually located on the left side on the same panel. One compartment is designed for powder. Other compartment is used for pouring liquid detergent. The third compartment is intended for conditioner, etc. The dispenser is easily removed and cleaned. The upper plane does not contain sensors and buttons and can be used as an additional shelf. Such washing machine can be installed under the worktop in the kitchen or built into the furniture in the room.

Top load washer

Door is the main difference between front and top load washing machines. Its design significantly affects the functionality and, respectively, the choice of the optimal model when buying a washer.

Front washing machine

Diameter of its door varies from 9 to 13 in. It`s closed with the help of plastic or metal shutter with glass window. Special lock securely blocks the door during washing. The program unlocks the lock only upon completion washing. The door size significantly affects on the convenience of loading the laundry, which is important for its uniform distribution inside the drum. The range of door opening also affects on comfort. Some models of budget segment have an opening angle only of 90 - 120 degrees. More expensive models envisage a door rotation on 180 degrees. Rubber sealant around the perimeter of the door should provide reliable leak tightness. This seal is called a cuff. Lack of clearances and quality of material determine its reliability. This cuff prevents the risk of water leakage. Some users sometimes express a claim to its longevity. However, damage of the rubber seal most often occurs due to user negligence. Nevertheless, some budgetary models can have this problem. The doors of some models of the upper price segment have a special little hatch for accessing into drum without interrupting the washing program. Of course, the ability to add laundry during the washing process is very convenient.

Top load model

The design of these models is significantly different. Drum are usually placed horizontally. Two symmetrical shaft on each side of the drum provide its mount. This design is the most popular among European producers, especially in France. Loading the laundry is carried out in two steps. The drum opens only after preliminary opening outer lid. The drum is equipped with shutters with a simple lock of mechanical type. Sometimes, the shutters are stopped not opposite to the door after stopping the drum rotation. This is typical situation, for example, for budget models. In this case, the user must manually to rotate the drum before the desired point. More expensive new models are equipped with the system of the parking drum. It provides the location of the flaps drum directly opposite the door after stopping the drum rotation. Capacity of American models usually is 17.5 to 22 lb of dry linen. The drum in such models is usually mounted vertically. It does not have a door. These washing machines are equipped with a special special agitator that is mounted into drum. Modern Asian models are also often equipped with a vertical drum. However, they usually have a smaller capacity. Some Daewoo models have air bubble generator. Daewoo Company claims that the vesicles improve the washing efficiency.

AddWash Door technology

Location of the door is one of the main differences between modern fully automatic washing machines. According to this criterion, all models are divided into front or top load washing machines. Each of these options has its own the pros and cons, which are due to the peculiarities of their design.

Front washer

These models are quite comfortable and not very demanding. They have a more simple design compared with the vertical models. Therefore, maintenance and repairs is easier and cheaper. Door with a transparent window provides an excellent visualization of the washing process that can be useful in some situations. For example, sometimes people forget the documents in clothes. In this case, a person can turn off the washing machine and pull out document. Some models have door with little hatch for access to the drum.

Advantages of AddWash Door in Samsung washers are perfectly demonstrated on the video at the end. Today, this technology is available in the Samsung WF45K6200, WF45K6500 and WF50K7500 washers. Door is surrounded on the perimeter by a special sealing ring or cuff that provides tightness.

Sometimes critics of front models use the argument about unreliability and fragility of this cuff. However, experience shows that damage of sealant most often occurs due to negligence of users. The drum is mounted on the one axis unlike from the top load models. This design provides sufficient strength and reliability. Additionally, uniaxial mounting simplifies maintenance and repair. The upper surface is often used as an additional shelf in the bathroom and the hallway or as a work surface in the kitchen. This capability is a significant advantage for small spaces. Unfortunately, the top load washer is not suited for this function. In these models, according to the instruction, the top cover should be slightly open for providing regular airing to prevent the formation of mold inside the drum due to high humidity.

Top load washer

Unfortunately, the design of these models is less diverse compared to front washing machines.

These models are constructively more complex and more expensive. The drum is mounted on two axles. Accordingly, the number of bearings is also twice as large. Mounting with two axles creates additional complexity and requires careful drum balancing for achieving ideal coaxiality of the axes. Unfortunately, not all companies provide an ideal balance. As a result, this washing machine vibrates strongly during operation. The experts also celebrate the risk of inadvertent opening the drum flaps during the wash cycle. In some cases, this leads to very serious breakage that requires costly repairs. This model provides possibility of additional loading of laundry without changing the cycle program, which, of course, is its significant plus. However, the compact size is certainly the main advantage of these models compared with a front washing machine. There is a perception that mechanism with a drums in these models is better and more reliable because of two fastenings. But such statements are more similar to marketing trick, because the failure statistics does not support this opinion. The large models with a capacity on 17,5-22 lb of dry laundry often have a special agitator.

Features of the washing machine affect the choice of the optimal model. Of course, it also depends on its functionality, dimensions, drum capacity, price and other characteristics.

Dimensions

Front models have typically height of 35 in and width of 24 in. The market also offers compact models which can be placed under the sink or in other inaccessible places. However, the maximum possible loading of these machines does not usually exceed 7,7 lb dry laundry. Washing machines are classified in size as full-size, narrow, ultra narrow and compact. Dimensions of full-length devices reach 35in in height, and 24in in depth and width. They can wash from 11 up to 15 lb of dry laundry per cicle. Narrow models have a depth up to 15 in. The height and width coincides with the full-size models. Their capacity varies in the range of 7.7-11.5 lb. Depth of the ultra narrow models usually does not exceed 13 in. They provide washing up to 9 lb of dry laundry. Compact models have 27.5, 17.7 and 20 inches in height, depth and width, respectively, and wash to 6.6 lb of dry laundry per cycle. Top load models usually have 33, 23 and 17.7 inches in height, depth and width, respectively. Of course, full-size model requires a lot of space, but its operation is cheaper, because of the decrease in the number of cycles, and, accordingly, the expenditure of detergents, water and electricity.

Reliability

Some experts consider top load models more reliable because of their design. Indeed, the fixation of drum in these models uses two shafts which reduces its vibration during operation. Consequently, the load on the shaft bearings decreases and they wear out more slowly. However, laboratory tests do not confirm these conclusions. Reliability largely depends on the quality of components and assembly.

Drum capacity

This is one of the main washer value. It varies from 6,6 to 15,4 lb of dry laundry. According to statistics, a family of 3-4 people accumulates about 11 lb of laundry for washing per week. This value is the main criterion for choosing the optimal model. But user must take into account the following aspects. Model instruction typically contains data for cotton fabrics. However, the weight of cotton, wool and synthetic clothes significantly differs. For example, five T-shirts of cotton are equivalent to only one woolen thing. Of course, the real capacity for washing woolen clothes will be significantly less. The minimum allowable weight of the laundry for loading drum is another important value. To some it may seem insignificant. However, it's not. Typically, this value varies from 2,2 up to 3,3 lb. Ignoring this restriction may damage the device, because in this case the laundry is distributed unevenly in the drum. This leads to strong vibration of mechanism and its accelerated wear. Therefore, most of the models are equipped with a special system that blocks spin the laundry in case of uneven or incomplete drum filling. This prevents premature wear of bearings.

Design

Design of the front washing machines is more diverse and interesting compared with the top load models.

In addition, many people prefer to control the washing process through the transparent window of the door.

Energy efficiency

All washing machines are classified according to three main criteria that include the washing and spin of the laundry and energy efficiency. They are estimated by the standard unified scale. All modern washing machines have a special energy efficiency labels with this information and other characteristics.

Spin cycle

After washing, the washing machine switches to rinse mode. Rinsing quality is important for people with allergies, because this mode is also designed to remove detergent residues. The spin cycle is activated after rinsing and uses high speed rotation of the drum. Rotation speed of the drum affects the spin intensity and is adjusted depending on the texture of fabric. This adjustment is very convenient. For example, silk items require minimum speed, because high speed can spoil their. Woolen things require maximum speed. 600 rpm is used for cotton and synthetic fabrics. Optimal value for jeans amounts to 1000 rpm. Control Usually, modern models use mechanical switches, buttons and touch controls.

As known, the first washing machine with a manual drive and a rotating drum was invented by James King in 1797.

Since then, this device has been continuously improved for more than 200 years, and today little resemblance to its prototype.

Conventionally, modern washers are subdivided into automatic, semi-automatic and ultrasonic models. Today, automatic washing machines are the most common. Moreover, washers are divided into models with top or front load depending on the location of the door. Respectively, the door for laundry load is located from above or on the front panel.

Front models

PROS: - relatively low price. These models are cheaper compared to top load models. - large variety of different brands and models; - visualization of washing and spinning processes; - large drum capacity; - convenient placement. Such models are may be located under the tabletop or sink. The upper surface of these models can be used as an additional shelf. CONS: - user forced to bend when loading laundry; - opening hatch requires of free space.

Top loading models

Pros: - small width is convenient for placing in a small bathroom, hallway or kitchen; - loading through the top cover is more convenient; - such model provides adding and removing laundry during the washing process. CONS: - these models are more expensive; - top surface can not be used as an additional shelf. Of course, all these features affect the choice when buying a washing machine.

Main washing technologies

It should be borne in mind that companies often give different names to similar technologies because of marketing considerations. Traditional The water fills the drum. The drum rotation is carried out inside the tank. Linen is cleaned with the help of detergent at the drum bottom. 3D AquaSpar Wash System Asymmetric grippers on the drum provide more intensive circulation of water upwards for additional rinsing the laundry. Water is supplied through two upper holes and through the rear wall of the drum. As a result, the laundry uniformly is washed from three sides. This technology is used in Bosch models. 3D AquaTronic This Siemens technology is similar to AquaSpar. Activa Water is supplied into the drum a powerful jet. Primary treatment of laundry occurs in an accelerated mode. This mode lasts only about one minute that reduces the wash duration. Wobble technology This technology from Samsung is ideal to protect delicate fabrics during the spin cycle.