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Whirlpool WTW4800XQ Top-Loader Washer

I spent some time reviewing both Consumers Reports and customer reviews from Amazon and the like before purchasing a washer.

I noted a number of complaints about the new, "efficient" washers in general (not specifically Whirlpool):

1. They don't wash as clean

2. They don't rinse properly, leaving detergent residue on clothes

3. They wrinkle clothing during the new (much faster) spin cycle

4. They are noisy and take more time to do a load.

The main problem is that they all use less water than the old "Inefficient" washers, and the water they do use is cooler. Also, they often only "spin rinse" where they spin out the washing water and then spray in some fresh water while still spinning. (This is in place of a proper, old-fashioned rinse, where the clothes are agitated in a tub of fresh water.) All these changes (I won't call them improvements) are in order to save water and, more specifically, to save the energy used to heat the water. In addition, they spin much faster to get out more water so that you subsequently use less energy in the dryer.

Nice in theory, but the washing results often aren't as good.

My solution to this was to look for a washer with the most manual adjustments on it; and I chose to purchase the Whirlpool WTW4800XQ, having first READ THE MANUAL online. I discovered that, for lightly soiled clothes, I can (and do) use the "Casual Regular" cycle, which has a proper rinse instead of the spin rinse. This option also spins at a lower speed, causing less wrinkling. I can also choose my own water level. Thus, I'm basically back to how our old washer worked, with good results.

If I have to use the "Normal Regular" cycle for more-soiled clothes, it will only do a spin-rinse, but I have the option with this washer of adding a second rinse to the cycle in case one won't do.

The Whirlpool won't solve complaint #4, although I don't find it terribly noisy, just different. A "Normal Regular" wash, large load, with additional spin-rinse, took 75 minutes; a "Casual Regular" wash, medium load, took 55 minutes.

All in all, a good, basic washer that I have good control over, and at a very reasonable price: If you don't do dozens of washes a month, you don't need a high-efficiency washer that will cost you many hundreds of dollars more.

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WHIRLPOOL WTW4800XQ

Here is the breakdown.

THE' PROS:

Large capacity

Gets Clothes clean

THE' CONS:

*The overly sensitive computer

*The lid lock failure

*Tendency to go out of balance easily

*Holes in clothes

*Hot water valve may melt in time

*Chewed up several items in just a week.

*No hot water. (The machine will automatically add cold water to hot so you get cold or tepid water, not even warm). My hot water in July was 100 degrees. This is barely warm.My water temp is 148 degrees but machine will not allow you to use hot water or even warm water.

*No soak feature

*Not very quiet, makes strong computer noises. Some reviewers say it is like a hack saw. I don't think it is that bad but it is not quiet in a condo environment.

*USLESS 'Technical Dept. (Whirlpool tech dept seems to have no training. You might as well pull a girl off the register at your local market for help.)

I had read there were a few people who had trouble with the lid lock not working correctly. I thought it was just an oddball. I had to return the unit because the lid lock would not allow water into the machine as it kept locking and unlocking. (yes! the water was on!). The first load was fine. The second wash load the lid lock would not stop locking and unlocking after one hour. I'made sure the clothes were evenly balanced in the machine. So'I unplugged the machine and let it rest for 15 minutes. The same process happened again--I let the machine lock and unlock for an hour. I'unplugged it again and let it rest. Tried this several times over 24 hours to no avail. The store I bought the machine from sent a repairman. He did not fix it--the machine just happened to work. When the repairman left I did a load ('this was my third load of wash since I bought the machine) and the same thing happened. It was quite arduous to get my money back.

What is supposed to happen?--The lid lock will lock and unlock until it feels the load is balanced. This is normal. But it is not normal if the machine locks and unlocks for hours. This is what happened to me.

Also when I went to go purchase another washer from another store, the manager said they had a lot of problems with the WTW4800XQ because in time the hot water valve would melt. Yes, according to this manager of the store just 120 degree water out of the tap was enough to deform the hot water valve. He thinks Whirlpool has been trying to remedy this problem. But he could not say for sure if they fixed this error. Whew! I feel I dodged a bullet with this machine

PAY ATTENTION to those people who say that they have a lid lock failure and the machine goes out of balance easily. These are real problems and I encountered them both plus holes in my clothes.

This WTW4800XQ got the clothes clean but it did not work consistently and it went out of balance frequently and easily. My new SpeedQueen 432 is a dream of a washer. Read my other review on SpeedQueen 432 to see how amazing this machine is and what you need to be aware of with the new government regulations.

Read Best Reviews of Washer Here

After my WhirlPool WTW4800XQ washer was installed, I did a few

loads and there was a spot about the size of a quarter under the

machine. The next day after using the machine most of the day,

there was a small puddle of brownish oil/water with surrounding

brownish spray under the machine. It appears the washer leaked

water and also a significant amount of oil.

I detected the leak by sliding a white plastic tray top from a

storage container under the machine, but I expect that newspaper

slid under the machine would also work. If I had not done this,

then I probably wouldn't have been aware of this leak, since I

normally don't do a lot of laundry.

Another reviewer described the sound this washer makes as

"eeee eeee eeee eeee" which is pretty accurate. I am not certain

but given other internet reviews, I assume this sound is normal

for this machine. I think the loudness went down as I did more

loads and with higher water levels. After a while I didn't

notice the sound.

I had no problems with the lid lock feature, at least during Fill

and early in the Wash cycle. The lid unlocked quickly every time

I tested it.

I liked the fact that I could just press Start if I used the same

settings as before. There was no need to rotate a dial back to the

same position as the last load.

I would have kept this machine if it didn't leak. All I need is a

basic washing machine but the leak seemed to imply poor

reliability/longevity and this factor is very important to me.

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I don't understand the bad ratings on this product.

It is a cheapie washer. I paid $359 at Lowes.

Yes it is different from the old washer. It clunks and makes noises when you first start the cycle. This is the self balancing feature. Washes fine and no problems so far.

Yes, there is a little hacksaw noise, but not any noisier than any other washer I have had?

Yes, the lid does lock. But you can hit the stop/start button and it opens right up if you forgot to add anything.

So far, so good! I would have given it a 5, but that will only come after 5 years.

My new washer doesn't even fill enough to cover the clothes... so how can they call this thing a "washing machine?" It's truly an expensive laundry basket. Not only do the clothes NOT get washed and rinsed properly, but the agitator beats the Hell out of the clothes. I called Whirlpool's customer service and found the representative belligerent. The machine is going back immediately, and I've lost all faith in the Whirlpool company. If they can engineer and dump a unit such as this on their customers, and then treat them like dirt, there's no end to how they are willing to scam us. NO WHIRLPOOL PRODUCTS... EVER!