How can having "steam" in a top load washer be anything more than a marketing gimmick?   I mean HOW can it actually do anything other than fog up the window glass in the lid?

> The upper part of the tub and lid would have to be completely sealed (like a FL washer) to prevent steam escaping.  Granted this is not impossible, but it adds to the cost of the machine and manufacturers try to spend as little as absolutely possible, so they can make as much as possible.

> A completely sealed tub / lid could possibly create another issue if the user always left the lid closed when not in use.  I would think residual moisture might lead to a potential mildew problem, like in a front loader.  Granted the upper tub seal wouldn't have water splashing on it, but steam/moisture would certainly condense there.

> Clothes would be settled/packed at the bottom of the tub, especially if they have already been saturated with water.  Lest we forget steam rises, thus, no way to penetrate garments at the bottom of the tub.   At least in a front load washer the tub fills with steam and the garments tumble through it.  This cannot happen in a TL washer.

> If the machine has already "filled" with water, garments would be "mostly" under water and steam would have NO effect on anything IN the water, UNLESS its injected at the bottom of the tub, bubbling it up through the garments like a jacuzzi.  (a fake boil-wash? haha)

Whether it's an impeller or "triple action agi-peller" machine (same difference in my book), I do not see how steam in a top load washer like this can be of any possible benefit to anyone other than the manufacturer charging more for the machine.

Kevin

Every "steam" washer I've seen DOES have a steam injection system, that's exactly what it means!  It has nothing to do with heating or maintaining the temp of the wash water.

I have one FL washer (KM He5t) with a heater AND steam and 2 others with heaters only, no steam.  The He5t can heat the water w/o steam, OR use steam w/o heating the water.  These other two are not labeled as having "steam" because they do not have the steam injection system.

Also, there are no top load washers in the US market with heaters to heat or maintain wash water temps.

News to me some TOL TL washers now have (weak) heaters in the US market.  I stand corrected, thank you.

I don't pay close attention to these top load impeller washers, because I've used a couple and I would still never buy one.  I am just not impressed, or convinced they aren't harder on the clothes.

However these are still not a true "steam" washer as FL "steam" washers are, it's just a misuse of the term (all marketing).