Maiden load in new Miele pair

My new Miele stacked pair( W-1215 washer and matching dryer) have at long last been installed and were taken on their maiden voyage last night. I washed a "large-ish" load of whites and was, for the most part, impressed. Some washer impressions:

It's going to be a chore getting used to bending over so far to fill and empty the washer. My Frigidaire was up on a pedestal which made loading and unloading a comparative breeze. And, what's up with that "mouse hole" washer opening? I certainly don't have to worry about a visiting child getting caught in there; the average small dog couldn't jump in there!

I discovered that cranking the heater up to 155 F didn't get rid of ground-in white sock dirt; I guess I'll have to go to 170 or 190 and see if that vanquishes the dirt. Hopefully, it'll leave me with intact white towels to fold! I do love that the washer can be user programmed for lots of different customizations, like a 5th (!) rinse and use of more water in the Cottons cycle, and other "neat-o" features I haven't yet had the chance to experiment with.

It seems like the Miele washer holds about as much as the Frigidaire, I certainly can't say the same for the dryer. But then again, it replaced a full-sized 1990 Whirlpool!

Getting used to using NO BLEACH or DRYER SHEETS will be its own challenge.

The Miele dryer, for it's size, sounds like a jet taking off with it's manly "whoosh". It's interesting that it stops and reverses itself every few seconds; something that's never mentioned in the manual! The beeper ("buzzer" as they call it) is worthless and sounds like a microwave beeper wrapped in towels. I'm used to an American BRRAAPPP!! when the load is ready! It's a bit silly that one has to push in an option button to get a heat setting for a full load and let the button out for a half-load; you would think that pushing the button IN would be made for a half-load, which is an uncommon choice in most households..oh well, more happy adaptations.

The installer placed the stacked set (at my suggestion) in the new laundry "niche", and I later discovered that they were beautifully leveled over the SQUEAKIEST part of the floor! I'll live with the intermittent squeaking during spin cycle, I suppose. If it gets too bad, I'll drive a wood screw through the vinyl floor at an intersection of floor and wall where it won't be so noticeable.

I also discovered, to my delight, that because this pair was purchased after June 1, 2008, that it is eligible for an warranty extension of 4 years (!) since it was installed by an "authorized" installer...for $150.00. I think that this warrany extension of 4 years (instead of two) is common in the rest of the Miele world, but is new to the USA.

All in all, I'm delighted with the pair, and confident that they'll be with us LONG after a Whirlpool or Samsung set, costing hundreds more, were hauled off. I did, you will remember, get these machines at a floor-model price of $699.00 each, less than half of retail! So they stood on the floor unsold for a couple of years...big deal! I've got them now, and they'll be well loved and used.


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Post# 308886 10/12/2008 at 13:44 (5,674 days old) by drhardee ( Columbia, SC)
Checkrate/Likes My new Miele stacked pair( W-1215 washer and matching dryer) have at long last been installed and were taken on their maiden voyage last night. I washed a "large-ish" load of whites and was, for the most part, impressed. Some washer impressions: It's going to be a chore getting used to bending over so far to fill and empty the washer. My Frigidaire was up on a pedestal which made loading and unloading a comparative breeze. And, what's up with that "mouse hole" washer opening? I certainly don't have to worry about a visiting child getting caught in there; the average small dog couldn't jump in there! I discovered that cranking the heater up to 155 F didn't get rid of ground-in white sock dirt; I guess I'll have to go to 170 or 190 and see if that vanquishes the dirt. Hopefully, it'll leave me with intact white towels to fold! I do love that the washer can be user programmed for lots of different customizations, like a 5th (!) rinse and use of more water in the Cottons cycle, and other "neat-o" features I haven't yet had the chance to experiment with. It seems like the Miele washer holds about as much as the Frigidaire, I certainly can't say the same for the dryer. But then again, it replaced a full-sized 1990 Whirlpool! Getting used to using NO BLEACH or DRYER SHEETS will be its own challenge. The Miele dryer, for it's size, sounds like a jet taking off with it's manly "whoosh". It's interesting that it stops and reverses itself every few seconds; something that's never mentioned in the manual! The beeper ("buzzer" as they call it) is worthless and sounds like a microwave beeper wrapped in towels. I'm used to an American BRRAAPPP!! when the load is ready! It's a bit silly that one has to push in an option button to get a heat setting for a full load and let the button out for a half-load; you would think that pushing the button IN would be made for a half-load, which is an uncommon choice in most households..oh well, more happy adaptations. The installer placed the stacked set (at my suggestion) in the new laundry "niche", and I later discovered that they were beautifully leveled over the SQUEAKIEST part of the floor! I'll live with the intermittent squeaking during spin cycle, I suppose. If it gets too bad, I'll drive a wood screw through the vinyl floor at an intersection of floor and wall where it won't be so noticeable. I also discovered, to my delight, that because this pair was purchased after June 1, 2008, that it is eligible for an warranty extension of 4 years (!) since it was installed by an "authorized" installer...for $150.00. I think that this warrany extension of 4 years (instead of two) is common in the rest of the Miele world, but is new to the USA. All in all, I'm delighted with the pair, and confident that they'll be with us LONG after a Whirlpool or Samsung set, costing hundreds more, were hauled off. I did, you will remember, get these machines at a floor-model price of $699.00 each, less than half of retail! So they stood on the floor unsold for a couple of years...big deal! I've got them now, and they'll be well loved and used.

Post# 308941 , Reply# 1 10/12/2008 at 21:13 (5,673 days old) by launderess (Quiet Please, There�s a Lady on Stage)
Checkrate/Likes *From One Miele Owner To Another* Welcome to the club! Am sure you'll find your new appliances will give every satisfaction and years of good service. Regarding the ground in dirt on white socks: found adding STPP (phosphates) gave better results than cranking up the wash temperature above 120F. Indeed aside from VERY badly stained items, found most if not all white loads come out quite clean and bright at 100F to 140F (with 120F being my normal temperature), using a good "HE" detergent like Persil and adding some STPP. L.

Post# 308943 , Reply# 2 10/12/2008 at 21:54 (5,673 days old) by pulsator (Saint Joseph, MI)
Checkrate/Likes *YAY!!!* Congrats!! You got very very lucky finding a new SET! I looked and looked for the matching dryer to my W1215 washer and I couldn't find it! They had discontinued it! I had to settle for a smaller T8005 which can't be stacked properly...

Post# 308991 , Reply# 3 10/12/2008 at 23:47 (5,673 days old) by peterh770 (Marietta, GA)
Checkrate/Likes When I first got my W1918, I too was disappointed with the results. After a few weeks, for some reason I decided to use the Delicate cycle for my whites (I think I was on a time crunch). After the cycle, I was shock to see everything sparkling white! The only thing I can think of is that the ultra-high water level was needed to really flush out everything that had long accumulated in my clothes. If your W1215 has the ultra-high water level in the Delicate cycle (without the slower tumbling and/or soaking periods), give it a try...

Post# 309074 , Reply# 4 10/13/2008 at 14:38 (5,673 days old) by nmaineman36 ()
Checkrate/Likes I use the Extra White cycle in my Miele 4800 washer and get great results every time. I do use Persil MegaPearls and a Hot wash cycle. It doesnt surprise me on the dryer being kinda short on Capacity. My Miele T9800 does fall a tad short there as well with 6.36 cu ft to work with. Yet she is FAST and Powerful. Never had anything shrink either. Once you have a Miele you never go back.

Post# 309237 , Reply# 5 10/14/2008 at 14:16 (5,672 days old) by toggleswitch2 ()
Checkrate/Likes Fast and powerful Miele dryer. HUH? I thought Euro dryers were limited to cira 2,500+/- watts (to make them plug-anbd-play into anoridany outled /power-point) as opposed to our 30a 220v 5,000w +/- American dryers. Is it the temendously high spin speed of the washer that accounts for the speed of drying?

Post# 309253 , Reply# 6 10/14/2008 at 14:38 (5,672 days old) by pulsator (Saint Joseph, MI)
Checkrate/Likes The T9000 series dryers are made for the American market, they are the super giant machines with a 110 volt washer and a 220 volt 30 amp dryer or 110 volt gas dryer. CLICK HERE TO GO TO pulsator's LINK

Post# 309258 , Reply# 7 10/14/2008 at 15:12 (5,672 days old) by irishwashguy (Salem,Oregon.............A Capital City)
Checkrate/Likes *Congradulations on your Miele!!* Speaking at a Miele owner myself, i just LOVE it and would not want anything else. My washer( W1213) and the Dryer (T 1403) are almost four years old. I have found that the Persil works the best, as well as the Eco Vantige,which is also made by Persil.I have also used the Amway Sa-8, and had good results with it, that is about the only American detergent i could recomend. Tide and alot of the American detergent just are to high suds for a Miele. american HE's are playing into people's notion that suds clean clothes, not soap. Especially at higher temps. I used the Sanitize program today for some white towels and a few misc whites, from what I can see through the window, it looks like it is doing good. I will know more in 32 minutes. I am usually not disapointed with the results. I have friends that have brought me clothes that they were going to throw away, I wash them in my washer with a few little tricks that i have, and the fab system, and boom! Down the drain with it. I am always amazed.

Post# 309292 , Reply# 8 10/14/2008 at 17:30 (5,672 days old) by drhardee ( Columbia, SC)
Checkrate/Likes I appreciate the advice from my fellow Miele owners and enthusiasts. My washer and dryer BOTH have a decor panel factory installed so I can't see any of the action! :( I'm using SEARS UltraPlus Free and Clear with STPP mixed in. I make it up pounds in advance, 3 cups of SEARS to 1 cup of STPP and store it in an airtight can. I may not be using enough detergent, however. Since the Miele is smaller than the Frigidaire it's replacing, I'm using 2 TB of detergent in both the prewash (when necessary) and the main wash cups. Am I using too little detergent/STPP mixture? I can't see the wash action, and for whatever reason, I can't open the washer without turning off the power and resetting the cycle during the wash cycle...a major chore. Still enjoying the Miele's!

Post# 309305 , Reply# 9 10/14/2008 at 19:10 (5,671 days old) by launderess (Quiet Please, There�s a Lady on Stage)
Checkrate/Likes *My Miele Has A Solid Door As Well* My method is to make sure one can always hear laundry sloshing and splashing about during the wash cycle, just as in the rinse cycles. This means there is not vast levels of foam inside the drum causing a cushion effect. The pump on my Miele makes a horrible sound when air gets down there. Sort of like a goose being strangled. This happens when the water level is too low, which can be due to over loading the unit, or too much foam, or other reasons. SearsHE is pretty low sudsing, but should you find a bottle cheaply, carpet cleaning "defoamer" solution is pretty good to have around. One just adds a few drops to a large measuring cup of warm water, and pour it down the detergent dispenser into the drum. Works a treat every time in dealing with the odd excess foam problem. You can tell it is working because you'll start to hear laundry slapping about as it should. If you really want to push the boat out, purchase some Persil detergent. European detergent for a European washing machine, Persil really outshines many US detergents in the Miele.

Post# 309318 , Reply# 10 10/14/2008 at 20:36 (5,671 days old) by drhardee ( Columbia, SC)
Checkrate/Likes I can get Persil and the other Henkel goodies at my local Miele vacuum store where I buy my Miele bags. I'll buy some and experiment! I never noticed the difference in the Frigidaire, but in the Miele's higher temps and superior wash action, who knows?! Again thanks... Oh yeah, I mis-typed the washer model; it's a W-1930. The dryer is a T-1520. Can anyone glean a manufacture date from the serial number? 10 67556287 2

Post# 309321 , Reply# 11 10/14/2008 at 20:46 (5,671 days old) by toggleswitch2 ()
Checkrate/Likes Thanks Jamie!