Thread Number: 10652
Kenmore HE5t any good? |
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Post# 194364 , Reply# 1   3/1/2007 at 16:23 (6,257 days old) by rp2813 (Sannazay)   |   | |
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My Duets are the same size as the HE5's and I got the washer for about half the price of the HE5. Gas dryer cost me a little over $800 but still that's way cheaper than the Kenmore. I read way too many horror stories about the Kenmores' control panels going squirelly--on all of the HE models--so decided to go with Whirlpool since it was hard to find any panel problems being reported on those. I'm very happy so far with my Duets, although it's been less than a week since they were installed. I went with the 10" pedestals and am glad I did, although the machines are fairly imposing as a result. The 10" pedestals don't offer a drawer (kind of dumb--not sure of the logic there) but 15" ones are just a bit too much and I don't need the drums at eye level. I just didn't want to stoop way down to empty the washer or dryer. 10" was a good compromise and even with the extra cost of those this pair was way cheaper than the Kenmores. I say go with Whirlpool as they do everything you need and there's no reason to pay extra for frills on the Kenmores that you're not likely to ever use. |
Post# 195361 , Reply# 2   3/6/2007 at 22:00 (6,251 days old) by sudsmaster (SF Bay Area, California)   |   | |
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Post# 196824 , Reply# 3   3/12/2007 at 10:11 (6,246 days old) by dpennsobe ()   |   | |
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I'm looking for a site where I can download the Use & Care manual for my HE5t washer & dryer. I prefer not to keep paper manuals. Anyone know where to find these online? |
Post# 196972 , Reply# 5   3/12/2007 at 19:25 (6,246 days old) by appnut (TX)   |   | |
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Post# 197615 , Reply# 8   3/15/2007 at 10:32 (6,243 days old) by rp2813 (Sannazay)   |   | |
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I just bought a Duet pair and insisted on getting the 10" pedestals to eliminate stooping low for access. I'm 6' tall and the openings seemed to be too low without pedestals. My partner is shorter than I am and we didn't take into account that these machines are also deeper than your average TL washer and dryer pair. So now my partner can barely reach the lowest shelf of the cabinets above the machines. I don't know if eliminating the pedestals would help as they'd still stick out further from the wall than the machines they replaced and my partner could also stand to lose about 30 or 40 pounds, but this is something for people to consider when they buy the largest FL machines. I know we can work around this and will get used to it, and I do like the washer window's height with a pedestal for easy viewing. Glad I bought the discontinued model that doesn't have the smoked plexiglass.
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Post# 197705 , Reply# 9   3/15/2007 at 21:50 (6,243 days old) by appnut (TX)   |   | |
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Ralph, U an 5;7:, stocky li'l bear. My Fridgemore I got from Steve 1-18 last fall is on a pedestal. It's also slightly deeper than my old DD LK TLer. Because of all this, I do have a little bit more challenge getting into the cabinet above the washer. I've been known to grab the step stool a time or two.
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Post# 197796 , Reply# 11   3/16/2007 at 11:49 (6,242 days old) by rp2813 (Sannazay)   |   | |
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Bob, you cutie, I think that's what my partner of your same height is going to have to get used to doing. The short little step ladder/stool type thing is right there next to the laundry sink so he'll need to get used to grabbing that when he needs something from anywhere besides the very front of the cabinet! I think he and I are both willing to make some compromises regarding the new arrangement. We are so impressed with our new machines that we're willing to accomodate them by changing our behaviors a bit.
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Post# 197918 , Reply# 12   3/16/2007 at 21:40 (6,242 days old) by appnut (TX)   |   | |
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Post# 204163 , Reply# 16   4/15/2007 at 13:55 (6,212 days old) by appnut (TX)   |   | |
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Gene, I don't see a problem. I'm 5'8". After Steve 1-18 brought me my Fridgemore, I need a stool to get into teh cabinet above the washer. You're not the only one here who has had to do the same thing, I think a guy in So Cal, his partner has to do the same thing now they have a Duet HT washer. There are more important things in the world to be concerned about. And I personally don't think a top-load HE machine will do as good a job no matter what Cabrio type owners say. Pancaked wash loads just don't make sense to me.
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Post# 204754 , Reply# 18   4/17/2007 at 12:34 (6,210 days old) by rp2813 (Sannazay)   |   | |
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Yeah Bob, that was my partner you were referring to above. Unlike a lot of Bay Area folks, I was not insulted by your associating me with southern California. I love LA. I've been playing around with the cycles on my Duet washer and am generally using those that provide higher tumble speeds and am tweaking the cycle settings to provide an average wash time, appropriate water temperatures and my desired spin speed--usually the "Extra High" speed. I love hearing that thing kick into high gear on spin. I'm glad that the washer affords me the ability to customize the cycles. The matching dryer isn't quite as accommodating and only allows changes if you use the manual settings. Bottom line is that I am more impressed with the cleaning capability of my Duet than I've been with any other washer I have ever owned. The water level may not be up to the window for fun viewing, but the machine gets the job done regardless and rinses far more thoroughly. My clothes don't smell like laundry detergent anymore! The dryer has balled up some king sized sheets but the instruction manual does advise to stop the dryer halfway through and re-distribute the load. I doubt many people do that, and I tend to set it and forget it. If stuff isn't fully dried due to balling up, I just re-arrange and then give it about 10 or 15 more minutes. Nothing new there. This is typical for any dryer I've ever owned. Ralph |