Whirlpool HE Top-Load Washer

I agree with and second everything henene said above.

This washer is built on Whirlpool's VMW platform. While these machines are sometimes labeled as "Cabrio", they are very different from the true Cabrio/Oasis design, although they will look similar. The machines that JoeyPete and I have are true Oasis machines, with the Fisher&Paykel direct drive system and the separate recirculator pump. Instead, the VMW design uses a belt drive system, connected to a motor that oscillates in each direction to provide agitation. There is also a planetary gearbox that converts the torque from the motor and drive pulley into slower, more powerful strokes. For the spins, there is a "splutch" assembly that locks the agitator and basket together, also locking the transmission.

While these machines look similar to their Oasis cousins as far as the basket and agitator, they behave very differently. The basket will turn in "pulses" as it fills to try and saturate the clothes completely, but there is no recirculation pump, so it's crucial to add detergent before the clothing so that it has time to dissolve properly. Like henene said, good performance with these machines is very reliant upon loading habits, so heavy fabrics need to be separated from light weight fabrics. Towels should be kept together, but you/she will find that they actually are the easiest to rollover while washing. Also, again, as henene stated, the Fabric Softener option should ALWAYS be left on, as it simply instructs the machine to do a deep agitated rinse rather than a spray rinse. The spray rinses in this type of washer are anything but effective because the fill flume isn't designed to spread across the load, and most of the water falls onto the agitator plate and goes under the clothes anyway.

You'll also find that you should only need less than half of what you would usually need for a traditional top loader, even when using HE detergent. Use more consideration for the soil level than the actual load size or anticipated water level, because these washers usually won't fill more than to the top of the agitator anyway, even with larger loads. Like said above, the low water level is crucial for rollover; more water means the clothes float, and can't be "pushed" towards the center by the vanes.

If she really wants to let the machine run open, the lid strike can be purchased on RepairClinic.com or other appliance parts sites for about ~$15. I bought one with my WTW4800 (a VMW but with a traditional agitator) and kept it on my wire shelving above the washer. It has a magnet in it so it's easy to keep up with. She can pop it in at the start just to make sure everything is going smoothly, and simply pause it, pop it out, and close the lid.


Forum Topics & Rules Manuals & Literature	New users Click-here to sign-up

Post# 826070 6/1/2015 at 11:56 (3,250 days old) by niclonnic (Bonney Lake, WA)
Checkrate/Likes Hello everybody -- I'm brand new here. I came over via Vacuumland. My estranged mother has moved into a new apartment over the weekend. At her new place, there is a new-to-us washing machine: a Whirlpool HE top-loader! It's unique as it doesn't have an agitator. Instead, there's an impeller. Combined with less water usage, I wonder how well this is going to wash clothes? This is an entirely new thing to us, and I was wondering if anybody has advice on how to use it. Any advice would be greatly appreciated! Below are some pics. Sorry, the pics are a bit dark, it was 8:30 at night when I took these. Photos... < > Photo 1 of 3 View Full Size

Post# 826084 , Reply# 1 6/1/2015 at 12:56 (3,250 days old) by jerrod6 (Southeastern Pennsylvania)
Checkrate/Likes *Welcome to this Forum* I am sure you will find a lot of useful information about detergents, He and regular top loaders, Front Loaders and Dishwashers. Check out the video's posted below by Joeypete. These show his Kenmore 28102 in action. I am not sure this is the same washer, but the basket looks similar. You will get an idea of how these type of washers work.

Post# 826085 , Reply# 2 6/1/2015 at 13:11 (3,250 days old) by henene4 (Heidenheim a.d. Brenz (Germany))
Checkrate/Likes 3 Well, she'll have to change her habbits a certain bit. Loading and sorting: It is pretty much certain at this point: You'll have to divide loads by weight of fabric and (if possible) color. If fabrics of different weights are washed together, this will reduce roll over. So, basicly, she will have to divide jeanes and heavy hoodies or sweatshirts from T-Shirts, socks, underwear etc. Some items like sheets and towels should be seperated from other loads. While loading: NEVER cover the center of the washplate. This will decrease results immensly. Load it like there was an agitator. Detergent and softner: Please, if she dose not already, tell her to buy a good detergent (others might help better with what works good). Not cheap, not self made. There are enough cases showing these will lead to mold and poor cleaning. Softner should be used rarely and in controlled amounts. Some cause residues which increase the chance of mold. Dryer sheets circle around that problem best, especially as this washer requires a DownyBall to even use softner. Bleaching agents should and can be used. Generally, doing a hot wash with bleach once a week prevents mold pretty much completly. Cycles and settings: First, something basic: These do not have a recirculation system. No water spray as on other HE TL (High Efficency Top Loaders). This means the "spray rinses) this washer performs are not as effective as on some other HE TLs. The fabric softner option will change spray into deep, filled rinses. Though it uses more water, most would default it to on. The extra rinse option usually adds just more spray rinses, even if fabric softner is selected. Helpfull withtowels usually and should be used if necessary. The washer is pretty basic it self. Tell her to use Sheets for her sheets, Normal for everyday laundry. Super Wash might prove to be good with heavy items like towels and jeans as well as heavy soiled loads. Note on the Normal cycles: They usualy dumb down temperatures. Everything except verry delicate items will do fine in warm (which on normal should end up lower than 100�, maybe 85-95�), hot for sheets, towels and whites for example (this will mix water to probably 100-110� maximum, if not less). Other cycles could proof to be not as bad at lowering water temperatures. Tell her to stay away from EcoBoost. As far as I know, no one on here that ever used one dared to try it. Maintenance: A hot wash a week with good detergent and bleach (either added or in the detergent) is good protective measure. These TLs are less prone to develop a smell if not dried out by leaving the lid open, but it won't hurt it. The Clean Washer cycle should be run occasionally. Once a month if possible. And usually, bleach will do just fine for that purpose. Tips&Tricks: If she ever complains about the lid lock: There is the counter part that slides into the lock if the lid is closed. It should be held down to the lid by one or 2 screws. Unscrew it and place it in the lock. She will the be abled to open it at any time. If she has to call for service or leave the machine behind it can be easy screwed back into place. But 2 things: Tell her that these water levels actually need to be that low. And, she has to be verry carefull. She will be abled to open the lid even at max spin. If children or others are arround, she should never ever let them near the washer. A child could easily jump in for a ride and instantly die. So, be alarmed: I DO NOT RECOMEND THIS PROCEDURE. This washer is of the lower end in terms of control design. If she complains about dumbed down temperatures, she most likely will be abled to turn off the cold water for the initial fill and still get it to run. She then just needs to turn the cold water back on for the rinses. Hope I could help (a bit) Henrik

Post# 826112 , Reply# 3 6/1/2015 at 16:51 (3,250 days old) by Tomturbomatic (Beltsville, MD)
Checkrate/Likes *Are those 4 dials really not aligned?* The only thing I can add to the above excellent tutorial is that this is not going to hold as much as it looks like it could to give best cleaning and rinsing results. Welcome to the other side.

Post# 826123 , Reply# 4 6/1/2015 at 17:41 (3,250 days old) by murando531 (Augusta, Georgia - US)
Checkrate/Likes 1 I agree with and second everything henene said above. This washer is built on Whirlpool's VMW platform. While these machines are sometimes labeled as "Cabrio", they are very different from the true Cabrio/Oasis design, although they will look similar. The machines that JoeyPete and I have are true Oasis machines, with the Fisher&Paykel direct drive system and the separate recirculator pump. Instead, the VMW design uses a belt drive system, connected to a motor that oscillates in each direction to provide agitation. There is also a planetary gearbox that converts the torque from the motor and drive pulley into slower, more powerful strokes. For the spins, there is a "splutch" assembly that locks the agitator and basket together, also locking the transmission. While these machines look similar to their Oasis cousins as far as the basket and agitator, they behave very differently. The basket will turn in "pulses" as it fills to try and saturate the clothes completely, but there is no recirculation pump, so it's crucial to add detergent before the clothing so that it has time to dissolve properly. Like henene said, good performance with these machines is very reliant upon loading habits, so heavy fabrics need to be separated from light weight fabrics. Towels should be kept together, but you/she will find that they actually are the easiest to rollover while washing. Also, again, as henene stated, the Fabric Softener option should ALWAYS be left on, as it simply instructs the machine to do a deep agitated rinse rather than a spray rinse. The spray rinses in this type of washer are anything but effective because the fill flume isn't designed to spread across the load, and most of the water falls onto the agitator plate and goes under the clothes anyway. You'll also find that you should only need less than half of what you would usually need for a traditional top loader, even when using HE detergent. Use more consideration for the soil level than the actual load size or anticipated water level, because these washers usually won't fill more than to the top of the agitator anyway, even with larger loads. Like said above, the low water level is crucial for rollover; more water means the clothes float, and can't be "pushed" towards the center by the vanes. If she really wants to let the machine run open, the lid strike can be purchased on RepairClinic.com or other appliance parts sites for about ~$15. I bought one with my WTW4800 (a VMW but with a traditional agitator) and kept it on my wire shelving above the washer. It has a magnet in it so it's easy to keep up with. She can pop it in at the start just to make sure everything is going smoothly, and simply pause it, pop it out, and close the lid.

Post# 827015 , Reply# 5 6/8/2015 at 00:37 (3,243 days old) by niclonnic (Bonney Lake, WA)
Checkrate/Likes *The verdict* My mom stated that she doesn't like this machine as much as a traditional top-loader. I haven't shown her this tutorial yet, but it looks like she's slowly figuring out how to use it. Mom is looking into getting a Downy Ball for softener.