Thread Number: 57206  /  Tag: Modern Dryers
GE top load high efficiency washers
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Post# 795157   11/20/2014 at 18:25 (3,416 days old) by GELaundry4ever (Nacogdoches, TX, USA)        

Hi everybody. I'm new to this website, but I absolutely love washers and dryers.
I'm interested in the GE washer model GTWS8650dws. I have questions about it. I have 3 color types of clothes: whites, light colors, and dark colors. They are all sturdy cottons. My heaviest cottons are dark colors like heavy duty shirts and jeans and very sturdy dikies work pants. What is the agitation arc of the darks cycle and what is the spin speed in rpm's? What are the settings when you put the washer on dirt stains on the darks cycle? Do I have to change the temperature when washing sturdy cottons or do I just use the 3 cycles mentioned above? I've heard the darks cycle is a sturdy cottons cycle that uses cold water. Please let me know. Thanks.


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Post# 795160 , Reply# 1   11/20/2014 at 18:51 (3,416 days old) by washman (o)        
Link does not work

:(

Post# 797112 , Reply# 2   12/3/2014 at 06:22 (3,403 days old) by GELaundry4ever (Nacogdoches, TX, USA)        
Dark colors wash

I have clothes that are all sturdy cottons. However, my darks are the heaviest. I was wondering if the darks cycle will tolerate it.

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Post# 797130 , Reply# 3   12/3/2014 at 09:30 (3,403 days old) by wayupnorth (On a lake between Bangor and Bar Harbor, Maine)        

wayupnorth's profile picture
My next door neighbor's old Whilpool bit the dust after serving them well for many years. He went into Lowes and the salesperson talked him into getting a GE high efficiency top loader. She has despised that machine since day one. Since it only uses about a cup of water, many times clothes are not even wet when done and many times she has to run the same load thru multiple times, so much for saving energy. She is hoping it dies a quick death and will take me to shop for her next one. Naturally, I will steer her toward a Speed Queen.

Post# 797138 , Reply# 4   12/3/2014 at 10:22 (3,403 days old) by henene4 (Heidenheim a.d. Brenz (Germany))        
User failure

HE washers can be bad. But some things are pure user failure.
First, tell her to load the tub without covering the center of the wash plate. After she loaded the washer, she should be abled to see the center post of the plate. This ensures roll-over.
Further, sorting and load size is important. Don't throw in everything at once. Sort at least for towels and bedding, whites and brights and colors and darks. Load size should be not to small, but overloading is a problem, too.
Next, if it has dispensers, use them. If not, add detergent before she adds the clothes.
Further, avoid the normal cycle. Use a heavy duty or simmilar cycle. And if there is something like a Towels/Bedding cycle, a special Whites cycle or a bulky cycle or any cycle intended for a certain load type, use these cycles. If you wash towels, use the towels cycle. If you wash comforters, use the bulky setting. Use at least warm water, add an extra rinse if possible as well as the softner rinse option. Both should increase rinse performance.
And, last but not least, tell her to let it run. Some people interrupt cycles over and over which causes problems in the cycle. And that such dry spots usually don't mean no cleaning, they mean a to high spin speed. If she recognizes these dry spots, she should try a cycle with a lower spin speed or reduce it somehow else.


Post# 797141 , Reply# 5   12/3/2014 at 10:31 (3,403 days old) by wayupnorth (On a lake between Bangor and Bar Harbor, Maine)        

wayupnorth's profile picture
She runs half the amount of laundry that used to easily fit in the Whirlpool, therefore taking twice the time. And she has tried all the different cycle options and none do a satisfactory job. She uses the dispensers and never goes near it until it shuts off and the lid unlocks. She absolutely hates this machine and swears to never have another like it.

Post# 797167 , Reply# 6   12/3/2014 at 12:28 (3,403 days old) by brucelucenta ()        

I have watched the way these new top load HE washers work and I am totally amazed that ANYONE would be happy with the results. That is why I bought a front load machine. It may not use much water, but tumbling around in there doesn't take much water to clean the clothes. You simply cannot do the same thing with top load machines. They are hard on the clothing and could not possibly clean very well. The front load machines use a minimum of water and are not rough on clothing AND you have virtually NO lint on them when it is finished. I always use the extra rinse setting and have had very good results with mine. I have known other people who bought the top load type of HE machine and hate them. They just can't do a good job of cleaning with a thimble full of water in a top loader.

Post# 797171 , Reply# 7   12/3/2014 at 12:45 (3,403 days old) by joeypete (Concord, NH)        

joeypete's profile picture
The top load HE machines DO work and i can totally see how anyone would think they don't. I was very skeptical myself until I saw it first hand. Problem is they are very finicky and you have to load clothes per the directions/cycles, etc. It def takes more work because you can't just throw everything in like a traditional top load or even a front loader.

Post# 797201 , Reply# 8   12/3/2014 at 16:39 (3,403 days old) by GELaundry4ever (Nacogdoches, TX, USA)        
cycle description on GE

The dark colors cycle says "for noncolorfast cottons and blends or items labeled cold wash." I have questions about that. First, is this a sturdy cottons cycle that uses cold water? Second, what is the agitation arc on the normal soil level of this setting? And third, how many Rpms is the medium speed spin on cycle during the final spin? Also, my heaviest sturdy cotton clothes e.g. jeans and heavy shirts are dark colored. Will the darks cycle tolerate it?

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Post# 797206 , Reply# 9   12/3/2014 at 17:28 (3,403 days old) by logixx (Germany)        

logixx's profile picture
Maybe you should ask GE that question directly as no one here has these machines.

Post# 797219 , Reply# 10   12/3/2014 at 18:40 (3,403 days old) by washman (o)        
How to do laundry in a Speed Queen

Add desired amount of detergent, any type, powder, liquid, or pods
Add Clothes. Add them anyway you like.
Select water level based on load size.
Select Wash/Rinse temp
Select fabric selector.
Select cycle on timer.
Pull knob to start.

Enjoy clean laundry and ease of use of the machine.

Put clothes in dryer.

Go about doing other things that make the best use of your time.

Any questions?


Post# 797225 , Reply# 11   12/3/2014 at 19:04 (3,403 days old) by GELaundry4ever (Nacogdoches, TX, USA)        
GE washer quality

How could this washer remove water and stains and soil on the darks cycle? I don't see how this washer could get a huge load of dark colors clean. I understand that the washer has a waterfall wash action, according to GE. These GEs may look and feel tough. Can it perform that way? Also, what kind of drive system and suspension system does this machine have? Why does the extraheavy soil setting on the darks setting seem so weak compared to the default settings? If anybody has this washer or has observed it, please let me know about the agitation arc and the rpms of the spin speed on the darks at the default settings. Thanks.
P.S. What are the settings when you have the fabric softener option and the stain removal guide selected?


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Post# 797228 , Reply# 12   12/3/2014 at 19:15 (3,403 days old) by GELaundry4ever (Nacogdoches, TX, USA)        
GE tough

Joeypete, is the dark colors cycle a sturdy cottons cycle on the GE washer GTWS8650dws? What is the agitation arc of the darks cycle? I understand that the washer will set itself to normal soil, medium speed, and cold water. What is the agitation arc and the rpms for the default darks setting? I have very heavyweight clothes which are dark. How will the darks cycle tolerate it?

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Post# 797297 , Reply# 13   12/4/2014 at 03:33 (3,403 days old) by mrb627 (Buford, GA)        
All Good Questions

mrb627's profile picture
GE has an 800 number that should be able to answer them.

Malcolm


Post# 797299 , Reply# 14   12/4/2014 at 03:56 (3,403 days old) by arbilab (Ft Worth TX (Ridglea))        

arbilab's profile picture
Do washplates even have arcs? Mine only rotates, intermittently reversing. Not a GE, Chinese twintub.

Post# 797306 , Reply# 15   12/4/2014 at 06:43 (3,402 days old) by GELaundry4ever (Nacogdoches, TX, USA)        
GE cycle actions

I have called and asked them. I didn't get the answers that I was looking for.

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Post# 797355 , Reply# 16   12/4/2014 at 13:30 (3,402 days old) by joeypete (Concord, NH)        

joeypete's profile picture
From what I've found out just by observation (and some reading the manual, which is vague). The "Colors" and "Whites" cycle are identical in terms of wash intensity and spin speed, at least on my Hydrowave. The PermPress cycle has a lighter agitation and periods of pause. Honestly I don't know why they have "Colors" and "Whites". Perhaps just to appease previous users? I could understand if the cycles dictated the wash temp, but they don't. I am confused too.
"


Post# 797379 , Reply# 17   12/4/2014 at 15:16 (3,402 days old) by GELaundry4ever (Nacogdoches, TX, USA)        
gtws8650dws

I'm talking about the GE model GTWS8650dws. I understand that the darks cycle is a sturdy cotton cycle. Normal wash and medium speed spin with cold water on the darks setting. My heaviest clothes are dark sturdy cottons. I'm wondering if anybody can clear up the confusion based on what all of you have observed. I understand it has smart dispense, steam and a stain removal guide. I was wondering if you can upload a video of this washer and the corresponding dryer running.
I can understand that darks, light colors and jeans cycles have normal wash and medium speed spin. My questions are: 1. What is the agitation arc of these cycles? 2. How many RPMs do these default cycles spin at during the spin portions? 3. How can the darks cycle tolerate my heavy-duty dark clothes? and 4. What are the settings on the darks cycle with the stain removal guide, steam assist and/or fabric softener selected?


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Post# 797488 , Reply# 18   12/5/2014 at 06:58 (3,401 days old) by retro-man (- boston,ma)        
Links

I have noticed lately not just on your posts GE but on others that the links that you provide just bring me back to the home page. Are others seeing this or is it a setting on my computer that is wrong.

Thanks
Jon


Post# 797493 , Reply# 19   12/5/2014 at 07:14 (3,401 days old) by GELaundry4ever (Nacogdoches, TX, USA)        
my link

I think it will go to the home page. I don't know why.

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Post# 797500 , Reply# 20   12/5/2014 at 08:22 (3,401 days old) by countryguy (Astorville, ON, Canada)        

countryguy's profile picture
The link in the previous post is 'automaticwasher.org' which is why you go to the home page. Just hover your mouse over the link and you will see the URL that it is referencing at the bottom left of your browser.

Post# 797503 , Reply# 21   12/5/2014 at 08:26 (3,401 days old) by DADoES (TX, U.S. of A.)        

dadoes's profile picture
 
The "URL Link to Share" field should not have an entry unless you have a specific web page or web site to share or reference that is related to the subject of your post.  Navigation menus are on every page of the AutomaticWasher.org site so there's no need to place a link to the Home page in the share field.


Post# 797532 , Reply# 22   12/5/2014 at 12:15 (3,401 days old) by murando531 (Augusta, Georgia - US)        

murando531's profile picture
I too have heard very poor comments about GE's HE machine. From what videos I've seen, it does use the recirculating spray for most of the cycle while agitating, but the clothes really just sort of jive left and right without seeming to disappear to the bottom.

I have been pleasantly surprised at how well the Bravos XL has performed in the two weeks I've had it. So long as you make sure nothing is covering the center hub of the agitator, and you select a cycle that matches what you're washing, everything comes out perfectly clean with no tangles. It seems to do fine with a normal rinse (NOT a spray rinse. I will never trust spray rinsing to completely flush my clothes clean), but to ensure my sanity I've been using the extra rinse and Fabric Softener options for every load even if I don't use a softener. It's interesting that it always flushes the softener dispenser with hot water, which I find to be a nice feature.

I agree with the above statement about not using the Normal cycle. Despite the 54 minute count on the display at the start of the load, it seems like there just isn't enough wash time, even with increasing the soil level. Thankfully there are also the PowerWash and Heavy Duty cycles, both of which use the recirculating spray often and include a few soak periods. The rinses for these cycles seem to use a little more water as well.

I've also learned that the rollover and performance is much much better when the machine has a FULL load. The clothes bloom like they are supposed to, but still, nothing tangles.

I think my mind is still trying to find faults with it, but I do think honestly that Whirlpool has a good machine when it comes to their Fisher&Paykel designed washers.


Post# 797542 , Reply# 23   12/5/2014 at 13:38 (3,401 days old) by GELaundry4ever (Nacogdoches, TX, USA)        
GE washer cycle guide

The description for the dark colors on GE model GTWS8650dws says "for non-colorfast cottons and blends and items labeled cold wash". Provides normal wash and medium speed spin. I don't understand how the medium speed spin will jettison water out of sturdy cottons if the dark colors cycle is considered a sturdy cottons cycle. I have very heavy darks and I don't understand why the normal/light colors jeans and especially dark color cycles have it set to normal wash action and medium spin speed. I could understand if they set the spin speed to high like the whites cycle. I understand they change the temperature.
Also, what is the difference between the dark colors cycle and the delicates cycle. I understand they both use cold water. Anybody know the spin speed for the dark colors cycle. All I know is that it is set to medium speed spin. That's it. I can understand the normal wash part. The cycle descriptions are vague. What drive system does it have. I also want to know about the suspension system. The use and care manual for the GTWS8650dws is vague when describing cycles. Also, does the matching dryer do that thumping noise when you first start it like the lg and whirlpools do? I can't stand how manufacturers make their manuals so vague.


Post# 797665 , Reply# 24   12/6/2014 at 09:19 (3,400 days old) by GELaundry4ever (Nacogdoches, TX, USA)        
test run of GE HE top loader

I remember one time, I was at Appliance Associates one day and saw the new GE HE top load washer. One of the co-workers, Kirk Rivas hooked one up for me. He was actually interested in how it works as I was. I set the washer on the Dark Colors cycle and compared the normal soil level to the extra heavy soil level. I was expecting extra heavy to be very aggressive. I didn't expect it to be very weak. Is the dark colors cycle a sturdy cottons cycle or do I have to change the temperature for the normal cycle? How many sturdy cottons cycles are there? How tough are these washers built?

Post# 797689 , Reply# 25   12/6/2014 at 11:32 (3,400 days old) by kenmoreguy89 (Valenza Piemonte, Italy- Soon to be US immigrant.)        
My thoughts....

kenmoreguy89's profile picture
All this makes me laugh....these machines makes me laugh...
These HE toploaders are not even washers....LOL
If you're concerned with water etc, then get a front loader, the only kind of lower water machine that can potentially make possible that something MAY get clean.

User's fault?
Please....did you see them?

Today the only good traditional agitator toploader is the Speed Queen, they really cleans laundry like traditional washers do and like a washer is supposed to, but they also use the water agitator washers are meant-to. to do their job "as it should be.....
That's it..

I'll never understand how some people decide to go top-load for a low water/ energy/eco whatever (I don't like the use of the US "HE" selling stratagem word ) machine...i mean top load with weird settings such as wash plates whatever.
I don't make this question to manufacturers as for them every new BS is a new thing to claim fantastic but total made up things about and so to sell you something.....

If its a matter if loading on the top, H axis toploader are around since ages, yet they now have to vomit these obscene machines with obscene nonsense ways to do on the US market....ahhh the money they make...not an H axis toploader yet, just the staber with that nonsense exagonal tub....
They came in all sizes and shapes....why can't they just make something like these for "low water toploaders" and thats it?





But that's my opinion.




This post was last edited 12/06/2014 at 12:02
Post# 797698 , Reply# 26   12/6/2014 at 12:18 (3,400 days old) by GELaundry4ever (Nacogdoches, TX, USA)        
GE smart dispense top loader cycle settings

I was told through email from GE that the dark colors cycle is designed to clean sturdy cottons. I don't know why they have the normal/light colors, jeans and dark colors cycles set to medium speed spin. How fast does medium speed spin on GE washer model GTWS8650dws go?

Post# 797748 , Reply# 27   12/6/2014 at 17:05 (3,400 days old) by GELaundry4ever (Nacogdoches, TX, USA)        
GE technical specs

Also, do these washers use the old drive system as the Harmony, or a completely different one?

Post# 797756 , Reply# 28   12/6/2014 at 18:26 (3,400 days old) by wayupnorth (On a lake between Bangor and Bar Harbor, Maine)        

wayupnorth's profile picture
Jerome, Sorry but I really dont think all the members here can really help you with technical things you would like to know, as it seems nobody here has one or knows alot about them. Going direct to GE is your best bet to try to pry the info you want from them it seems from your posts. Good luck. I gave away to a tenant a basic Filter Flo and it is still going strong after more than 35 years with just 1 pump replacement.

Post# 797773 , Reply# 29   12/6/2014 at 20:22 (3,400 days old) by logixx (Germany)        

logixx's profile picture

The tub is suspended by four suspension rods held by metal brackets - like most of the other HE models out there. This is a DirectDrive washer. The one and only thing the service manual says about the cycles is that Colors and Whites have the greatest wash intensity.


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Post# 797928 , Reply# 30   12/7/2014 at 17:38 (3,399 days old) by mrb627 (Buford, GA)        
Whirlpool

mrb627's profile picture
You might be better off looking at the new whirlpool cabrio. Their what & how logic would make more sense with what you are trying to accomplish.

Malcolm


Post# 798006 , Reply# 31   12/7/2014 at 23:34 (3,399 days old) by Warmsecondrinse (Fort Lee, NJ)        
I agree with Wayupnorth...

Honestly, I think you are trying to find sense and logic in a situation that simply doesn't make any sense and is illogical.

I inherited one of these GE machines. It used almost no water and all clothes had to be washed twice. Also, I noticed little difference among the cycles; some just swished a bit longer than others. There was almost no turnover

I also noticed contradictions: The machine supposedly sensed each load and added the appropriate amount of water. Yet the manual for repairmen clearly stated that fill was on a timer and that low water pressure and clogged filter screens in the inlet hoses could cause an insufficient amount of water to be used.

I gave up and got myself a mid-90's Maytag. I really think you should stop making yourself nuts trying to get answers that don't exist. If you want a top-loader, get a Speed Queen, a Cabrio, or go vintage. Otherwise, get a front loader.

Jim


Post# 798015 , Reply# 32   12/8/2014 at 00:01 (3,399 days old) by murando531 (Augusta, Georgia - US)        

murando531's profile picture
I agree as well. I wouldn't take a GE appliance if it were brought in wrapped in gold free of charge, unless of course it was a pre-'94 FilterFlo in mint condition. GE has been hanging by strings for years in regards to the quality and design of their products, and who's to say what they'll become once Electrolux begins making changes of their own.

The Cabrio/Bravos/Oasis machine, along with its Fisher&Paykel cousin, are the best TL low-water use washers in my opinion, and either a Speed Queen, an older TL, or the new generation Whirlpool agitator machines are all great traditional washers.


Post# 798025 , Reply# 33   12/8/2014 at 01:09 (3,399 days old) by GELaundry4ever (Nacogdoches, TX, USA)        
Something tells me...

So you were saying that the darks and normal/lightcolors as well as the jeans and whites cycles have about the same actions on GTWS8650dws. If so, how powerful is it. I have read consumer reviews saying that it cleaned the dickens out of their clothes. What exactly are you saying?

Post# 798035 , Reply# 34   12/8/2014 at 03:06 (3,399 days old) by Imperial70 (MA USA)        

"What exactly are you saying..."  Don't forget you are reading posts from the internet.  :-)

 

 When I bought a PFWS4600LWW (A GE front load machine that is out of production) I went online and got the service manual.  In there I found more detailed explanation of what to expect.  Perhaps the service manual for the 8650 is the same?  Call GE and ask where you can obtain that manual or do an online search.

 

 


Post# 798073 , Reply# 35   12/8/2014 at 07:03 (3,398 days old) by joeypete (Concord, NH)        

joeypete's profile picture
The line you are looking at seems pretty decent. I don't think I would buy a top load HE washer that didn't have some sort of recirculating pump to spray the clothes with cleaning solution.


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