Thread Number: 7395
I LOVE my KitchenAid! |
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Post# 145351   7/26/2006 at 19:21 (6,455 days old) by geoff (Cape Coral, FL)   |   | |
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Despite all of the bad press going on lately about KitchenAid, I decided to retire my classic Whirlpool to the climate controlled agrage collection. When I went out shopping for a new washer I looked at only Whirlpool Gold, Kenmore Elite, and Kitchen Aid Superba. Unfortunately the WPG with Catalyst is supposedly now a special order that would have taken over a month to get in. They do have other Gold models out but not with Catalyst. I also looked at the top-of-the-line Kenmore Elite but it seemed that they were so much more expensive for the same machine. I finally narrowed it down to the KitchenAid Superba. It was delivered about 2 weeks ago and I absolutely love everything about it. 3 automatic dispensers, every cycle imaginable, auto-temp.. What I'm most amazed about is it's gentleness. As stated the highest speed is Whirlpool's slow speed because it has that enormous oversized DAA. A LOT of my clothes are Silk, Modal, Handwash, Satin Sheets, cashmere etc. So I needed something that was extremely gentle. The Handwash cycle is soo slow and intermittent that I could probably hand wash more briskly LOL. It has a stepped spin which has really helped with wrinkling on my more delicate fabrics. I actually ordered a Total Care agitator from the New Kenmore Elites (Non-Oasis) so that it would be even more gentle. They may have gone downhill on a lot of there other appliances, but you'd have to pry this machine from my cold, dead hands LOL.. Heres some pics! Geoff |
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Post# 145352 , Reply# 1   7/26/2006 at 19:23 (6,455 days old) by geoff (Cape Coral, FL)   |   | |
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Post# 145353 , Reply# 2   7/26/2006 at 19:24 (6,455 days old) by geoff (Cape Coral, FL)   |   | |
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Post# 145355 , Reply# 3   7/26/2006 at 19:38 (6,455 days old) by frigilux (The Minnesota Prairie)   |   | |
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Post# 145356 , Reply# 4   7/26/2006 at 19:42 (6,455 days old) by geoff (Cape Coral, FL)   |   | |
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Post# 145482 , Reply# 8   7/27/2006 at 14:13 (6,454 days old) by knitwits1975 ()   |   | |
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Nice washer! I'm curious about something though. If you use the extra gentle cycle, do you have trouble with it popping out of neutral drain into spin before it is supposed to? Or does it stay put pretty well? |
Post# 145513 , Reply# 9   7/27/2006 at 17:08 (6,454 days old) by geoff (Cape Coral, FL)   |   | |
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Pat- No, the new KitchenAids I do not believe have porcelain cabinets, Just the top and tub. The wash action is PHENOMINAL. With the slower speed and that massive agitator, it is rather vigorous yet still gentle. It's comparable turnover to a long stroke machine.. Tom- No, unfortunately this doesn't have Catalyst. It shares the Catalyst tub ring, but not the mechanics. The speeds being separate was a huge selling point. I know you can call a speed grouping whatever they want but the fact that Low-High is called the "Sweaters" speed was a huge selling point for me. In the winter I only wear sweaters. I hated haveing to start out on the delicate cycle and then switing to the normal cycle for the final spin on the Whirlpool. NOW it's done for me and I love it LOL. This machine is absolutely phenominal with towels. I bought brand new towels when I moved into my new house and I was shocked when I was able to fit 8 bath towels, 4 hand towels and 4 wash cloths. It turned them over like it was nobodys business. Jason and Jason- No Catalyst on this one. It does though fill through the detergent dispenser for about 1 minutes and then switches over to the regular fill flume. I have used the Ultra Handwash cycle many times so far and it has not popped out of neutral drain. Because this machine has stepped spin it changes speeds so man times during a cycle it's hard to tell what's what LOL. although no matter what speed you set it on, ALL drains are High speed. So I haven't had any problems with it popping out of neutral drain. For those who haven't seen these DAA monstrosities, here's a few pictures. I think you'll clearly see the difference. The agitator next to it is a Total Care that's used in the TOL Kenmore Elites. (Non-Oasis) Geoff |
Post# 145515 , Reply# 10   7/27/2006 at 17:08 (6,454 days old) by geoff (Cape Coral, FL)   |   | |
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Post# 145518 , Reply# 11   7/27/2006 at 17:35 (6,454 days old) by foraloysius (Leeuwarden, Friesland, the Netherlands)   |   | |
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Post# 145525 , Reply# 12   7/27/2006 at 18:26 (6,454 days old) by geoff (Cape Coral, FL)   |   | |
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Post# 145526 , Reply# 13   7/27/2006 at 18:34 (6,454 days old) by geoff (Cape Coral, FL)   |   | |
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Post# 145536 , Reply# 15   7/27/2006 at 19:42 (6,454 days old) by geoff (Cape Coral, FL)   |   | |
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Thanks so very much. I am beyond thrilled with them. Yes, the Total Care is a spring loaded triple action. I just used it on a load of sheets. It is a -0 on the excitement scale but it oh so gently rolled the sheets over. It was VERY gentle so I think I'll make that my handwash agitator. It may be anemic but it was VERY effective. Geoff |
Post# 145545 , Reply# 16   7/27/2006 at 21:12 (6,454 days old) by knitwits1975 ()   |   | |
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Hey Austin, You just might drop a few among your loved ones since you've got a birthday coming up! |
Post# 145639 , Reply# 17   7/28/2006 at 11:02 (6,453 days old) by foraloysius (Leeuwarden, Friesland, the Netherlands)   |   | |
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Post# 145800 , Reply# 18   7/29/2006 at 00:40 (6,453 days old) by geoff (Cape Coral, FL)   |   | |
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Post# 146422 , Reply# 20   8/1/2006 at 14:48 (6,449 days old) by gansky1 (Omaha, The Home of the TV Dinner!)   |   | |
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Only the KitchenAid has this large agitator in their three-speed machines. The GoldSeal motor runs at 1725, 1140 or 850 rpm. They use the Medium speed for "high" agitation and extra low for gentle agitation. High speed (1725) is only used for draining and normal spin-speed. That large agitator creates a tremendous amount of drag on the motor/transmission so it cannot be used in a standard WP or KM washer unless you're itching to buy a new motor. The KA washer also has a much larger capacitor on the motor than the standard DD washers. |
Post# 146437 , Reply# 21   8/1/2006 at 17:10 (6,449 days old) by dadoes (TX, U.S. of A.)   |   | |
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My KAWE-760 has the three-speed motor and the wide-base agitator, with the typical speed pattern. I never knew there are basket perfs under the skirt, have never taken the agitator out, will take your word for it, Tom. Normal agitation is medium motor. Gentle agitation is low motor. Drain is high. Spin is low and/or medium and/or high depending on the cycle. Perm Press shifts from normal to gentle agitation at the 4-min mark, and the final spin steps through all three spin speeds, 2 mins of each in turn. Was quite a thrill the first time I saw that happening.
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Post# 146445 , Reply# 22   8/1/2006 at 18:31 (6,449 days old) by bobbyderegis (Boston)   |   | |
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Greg, Had no idea, just figured all KD's, WP's and KM's were all the same construction. Is the degree of agitation stroke any different between the KM Elite and the KD? Is there any difference in the motor RPM's? Bobby in Boston |
Post# 146456 , Reply# 23   8/1/2006 at 20:09 (6,449 days old) by gansky1 (Omaha, The Home of the TV Dinner!)   |   | |
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KA's have the same tranny as other DD WPs & KMs, same agitation stroke, spin speed, suspension system, drain pump, water valve, etc. The motor RPMs on the standard agitator machines (two and three speed models) is the same as KA, 1725/1140/850 used in varying cycles and selections but because of the smaller agitator and less drag, the resulting stroke in the basket is much faster. |
Post# 146500 , Reply# 24   8/2/2006 at 07:00 (6,448 days old) by bobbyderegis (Boston)   |   | |
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How can the stroke be faster if the tranny and motor RPM's are the same? Is it because of the smaller circumference of the agitator? And wouldn't the smaller agitators be more gentle? Bobby in Boston |
Post# 146564 , Reply# 25   8/2/2006 at 13:04 (6,448 days old) by gansky1 (Omaha, The Home of the TV Dinner!)   |   | |
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The WP two-speed motor runs at 1725 & 1140 rpm. The three speed motor has 1725-1140-850. For Normal agitation, KA uses 1140 rpm motor speed (this is gentle speed in a WP or KM) then uses even slower 850 RPM for their gentle agitation which is again even slower than a WP/KM. This is not necessarily true for the three-speed washers branded Whirlpool or Kenmore as they don't have the larger agitator so they run at the blender-fast speed on high agitation that we've all come to know and love and/or hate and usually have settings for low and extra-low agitation speeds. Does anyone remember the strokes per minute on the KA's with the larger agitator? |
Post# 146594 , Reply# 27   8/2/2006 at 17:27 (6,448 days old) by frigilux (The Minnesota Prairie)   |   | |
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Post# 146598 , Reply# 28   8/2/2006 at 18:01 (6,448 days old) by mrcleanjeans (milwaukee wi)   |   | |
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KA is 120 OPM on high,but Kenmore-Whirlpool are 180 OPM on high |
Post# 146599 , Reply# 29   8/2/2006 at 18:09 (6,448 days old) by dadoes (TX, U.S. of A.)   |   | |
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Post# 146676 , Reply# 31   8/2/2006 at 23:17 (6,448 days old) by geoff (Cape Coral, FL)   |   | |
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Post# 146677 , Reply# 32   8/2/2006 at 23:19 (6,448 days old) by geoff (Cape Coral, FL)   |   | |
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Post# 146691 , Reply# 33   8/3/2006 at 02:38 (6,447 days old) by gansky1 (Omaha, The Home of the TV Dinner!)   |   | |
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Geoff, does your washer have the fiberglas insulation panel on the bottom of the machine? That helps as much as the side panels to make one of the quietest top-loaders I've ever heard. Much of this technology isn't new, it's been around on KA washers & dryers for 20 years now. In fact, there are fewer "step-up" features on the KA line today than there were before but they still have the strongest warranty of all t/l washers. |
Post# 146707 , Reply# 34   8/3/2006 at 07:00 (6,447 days old) by frigilux (The Minnesota Prairie)   |   | |
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I was surprised to learn at their website that KA makes only 2 different TL models these days. I suppose the 7-models-in-a-line format from some US brands was a bit much. Lord, how many models were there in the old Sears catalogs (back when they only sold Kenmore)? Seemed like a dozen, LOL! I also noticed that Frigidaire has decreased the number of models in its TL washer line. |
Post# 146717 , Reply# 35   8/3/2006 at 08:25 (6,447 days old) by mayken4now (Panama City, Florida)   |   | |
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Once I had a Lady Kenmore (shredmore - as some refer it) and just loved it from 1985. Then was at a customers house back in Tampa Florida one day, and I was a Kitchenaid. Well she was not home and I had to take a peek, and much to my surprise, it was almost identical to the Kenmore. EXCEPT, the agitation did not render the "shredmore" speed. Steve |
Post# 146774 , Reply# 36   8/3/2006 at 14:04 (6,447 days old) by geoff (Cape Coral, FL)   |   | |
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Post# 146812 , Reply# 37   8/3/2006 at 19:16 (6,447 days old) by bobbyderegis (Boston)   |   | |
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Sounds like the KD and the TOL Kenmore Elite DD have a lot in common- slower agitation and extra sound insulation. Bobby in Boston |
Post# 146914 , Reply# 38   8/4/2006 at 08:26 (6,446 days old) by andrewinorlando ()   |   | |
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Geoff, How is the high speed spin at removing water from the clothes? Any better or worse or the same as the Kenmore? |
Post# 147088 , Reply# 39   8/5/2006 at 01:50 (6,445 days old) by geoff (Cape Coral, FL)   |   | |
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Andrew, The spin to me is PHENOMINAL considering what I used before was a Super Capacity BD Whirlpool. going from that to the KitchenAid things feel SOOO dry when I take them out in comparison to the WP. They also dry much faster. Bryan, Thanks. I'll tell you, the water pressure in my house could sand blast the paint off the walls, but in the KitchenAid, it takes FOREVER to fill. My WP would fill up in 2 minutes or less. This one takes FOREVER LOL. that is my ONLY complaint. |
Post# 147110 , Reply# 41   8/5/2006 at 10:06 (6,445 days old) by frigilux (The Minnesota Prairie)   |   | |
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Post# 147151 , Reply# 42   8/5/2006 at 14:57 (6,445 days old) by mrb627 (Buford, GA)   |   | |
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Post# 147153 , Reply# 43   8/5/2006 at 15:04 (6,445 days old) by zipdang (Portland, OR)   |   | |
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I had this exact same machine, and it does agitate with the lid open during both the wash and rinse. The only time it doesn't agitate with the lid open is during the wash after the second of the two timed-release bleach flushes (last few minutes of wash time). After that, the lid has to be closed in order to complete the wash and advance into the drain phase.
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Post# 147156 , Reply# 44   8/5/2006 at 15:20 (6,445 days old) by mrb627 (Buford, GA)   |   | |
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Post# 147163 , Reply# 45   8/5/2006 at 16:13 (6,445 days old) by geoff (Cape Coral, FL)   |   | |
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Post# 147250 , Reply# 47   8/5/2006 at 22:31 (6,445 days old) by frigilux (The Minnesota Prairie)   |   | |
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Tom-- That's interesting, as our 1960 Model 80 Kenmore (with the great pushbutton cycle selectors) had a Washable Woolens cycle that gave you 2 minutes of slow agitation and slow spins. In fact, the only difference between the Washable Woolens cycle and the Light Soil Delicate was that the final spin on the woolens cycle was 4 minutes in length; the final spin on the delicate cycle was 6 minutes in length (and therefore had some spray rinses). Funny how things change! I would think the fast spin speed makes more sense for wool. |
Post# 147340 , Reply# 48   8/6/2006 at 15:43 (6,444 days old) by zipdang (Portland, OR)   |   | |
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Geoff, it makes sense that they've redesigned the machine not to agitate with the lid open. I seem to recall Jason mentioning that his mom's Kenmore Elite, which is a very similar machine, also doesn't agitate with the lid raised. Oh well, I became very adept at reaching underneath and tripping the switch so I could watch the machine drain and spin. Such safety measures are no match for me.
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Post# 150465 , Reply# 49   8/25/2006 at 11:04 (6,425 days old) by agiflow ()   |   | |
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Hi again Geoff. I was meaning to ask about the spray rinsing with your KA washer. Does it spray twice in each spin or just once. Would be the deciding factor for me as i want to upgrade to this machine. |
Post# 150570 , Reply# 50   8/25/2006 at 22:50 (6,425 days old) by toggleswitch (New York City, NY)   |   | |
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Post# 150663 , Reply# 51   8/26/2006 at 13:08 (6,424 days old) by geoff (Cape Coral, FL)   |   | |
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It spray rinses twice on the final spin. I'm really surprised, the final rinse water is completely clear in just about every load. Even if I want my clothes to have some amount of fragrance to them, They almost always come out scent free LOL. This machine rinses better than my belt drive WP. I'm quite satisfied with it's rinsing.
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Post# 151904 , Reply# 52   9/1/2006 at 12:32 (6,418 days old) by surgilator ()   |   | |
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Geoff: I'm just noticed this thread. The the superba is awesome. I've been admiring it at the appliance store. Would you be willing/able to show us a video the machine in action? Rob |
Post# 151910 , Reply# 53   9/1/2006 at 14:17 (6,418 days old) by geoff (Cape Coral, FL)   |   | |
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Sure you can see some vids. I have some posted on You tube. They are a little dark, I apologize but they do show the dispensers and you can see the wash action pretty well. Later today I'll get around to posting more.
CLICK HERE TO GO TO geoff's LINK |
Post# 152311 , Reply# 54   9/4/2006 at 11:48 (6,415 days old) by surgilator ()   |   | |
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Thanks for posting the vids. That is a superb machine. I want one bad! |
Post# 153121 , Reply# 56   9/7/2006 at 20:54 (6,412 days old) by geoff (Cape Coral, FL)   |   | |
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Post# 153179 , Reply# 57   9/8/2006 at 05:39 (6,411 days old) by agiflow ()   |   | |
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Thanks Jeff for the update....computer has been down for 2 weeks,....and YOU....YOU TOGGLESWITCH,...i'll get you my pretty,...how dare YOU...( mandatory evil laughter) ;-) |
Post# 154309 , Reply# 58   9/13/2006 at 23:23 (6,406 days old) by dadoes (TX, U.S. of A.)   |   | |
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Post# 154340 , Reply# 59   9/14/2006 at 07:21 (6,405 days old) by appnut (TX)   |   | |
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Post# 154431 , Reply# 61   9/14/2006 at 14:56 (6,405 days old) by frigilux (The Minnesota Prairie)   |   | |
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Post# 154477 , Reply# 62   9/14/2006 at 18:37 (6,405 days old) by appnut (TX)   |   | |
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Post# 157388 , Reply# 63   9/27/2006 at 03:29 (6,392 days old) by agiflow ()   |   | |
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I just hope if these new DD Maytags do take the place of KA, that they will have the premium features and warranties the KA machines had. Interesting things ahead. Hope it is all for the better. |
Post# 161628 , Reply# 64   10/21/2006 at 00:58 (6,369 days old) by launderer ()   |   | |
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Congrats! The KA topload washer is a fine choice! |