There's no need to spend more.
Written: Feb 10 '02
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Pros: Great washing machine at an reasonable price.
Cons: Nothing significant.
The Bottom Line: This machine outperforms the top loaders I've previously owned. It does everything you want a washing machine to do. There's no need to spend more.
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| technocrat's Full Review: Kenmore 41142 Washer |
The trouble with these reviews this that most people's frame of reference is fairly narrow. With washing machines lasting 10+ years, unless you're in your 40's or 50's you probably haven't owned more than one or maybe two different brands or models.
I've owned two sets of Kenmore top loaders in my lifetime both of which I sold after using them for about 10 years - they were still running when I sold them. Two months ago I bought a Kenmore front loader model 41142 and matching dryer. I did a lot of research before buying this machine. I'm fortunate in that I could easily afford more expensive machines - and there are a number of them out there - but I firmly believe this machine is as much as you need to spend.
I've read several reviews saying these front loader machines clean better. Perhaps they do but frankly I haven't noticed the difference. What I have clearly noticed, however is the following:
They use less water. If you live in an area where water is expensive (like I do in Houston) this can make a difference.
They use less detergent. I use probably half the detergent per load than I used to use in my top loaders.
For some reason these front loaders make more effective use of softeners. I can honestly say my family's clothes have never come out of the dryer softer, less wrinkle free and without static. I use only a liquid softener in the washing machine. You don't need anything in the dryer - forget the Bounce or whatever you used to use - you don't need it. It's really somewhat uncanny how effective the softeners work with these machines. My jeans come out as soft and pliable as a T-shirt. I never got that with my top loaders.
The high-speed spin cycle really cuts down on dryer time. I'm a mechanical engineer and I still haven't figured out how this machine can spin so fast and not shake itself apart. But it does and it's very effective in getting the clothes dry enough so that the dryer cycle is only about half and hour. And, at the end of the spin cycle, the drum rotates slowly in alternating directions to fluff the clothes before they're ready for the dryer.
I read many a review saying how the low and narrow opening gave people backaches. With this in mind my plan was to eventually mount my machines on a two-foot high platform. But I found these claims to exaggerated. I've got a 44 year old back on a 6'3" frame that has caused me pain from time to time most of life. Because the washing machine fluffs the clothes at the end of the spin cycle, they are very easy to get out and transfer to the dryer. In my view this is a non-issue. If anything, the few seconds spent bending over is probably a valuable backstretch for most people.
I think the 2.7 cu. ft. tub on this machine should be large enough for most families. It's big enough for my three children and me. But I tend to divide my wash into four loads: whites, darks, delicates and towels/jeans/sweatshirts. I rarely have enough to completely fill the tub.
The claim that you cannot add clothes after the wash cycle starts is not true - I do it all the time - although Kenmore would likely never advocate doing this. The water level does not go above the door opening so all you have to do is stop the cycle by pushing the control knob in and that will release the door lock. Because water has collected around the door seal, a little will be spilled when the door is opened but that can be easily wiped up. It's not nearly as convenient as with a top loader but still possible.
My only negative is that at the end of the spin cycle there is a little puddle of water left at the bottom of the door seal. Unless this water is wiped up, the clothes will collect it as you remove them from the tub. I generally have a towel available to wipe this water up before removing the clothes.
I looked seriously at the Maytag Neptune front loaders and the new line of front loaders at Sears but I'm happy with my purchase. I simply can't imagine what another $1000 would have gotten me - a digital readout perhaps. I'm spending the difference on something more important - like new bikes for my kids.
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): $649.88
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Epinions.com ID:
technocrat
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Reviews written: 1
Trusted by: 1 member
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