Front-load washing machines - adding stuff mid-cycle?

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jonathan18

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#223436 29-Sep-2017 11:11

So our F&P top-loading washing machine is on the way out after about 10 years of hard work; I'm increasingly looking towards replacing it with a front loader (never owned one before) and would be in boots and all but for two major provisos: 1. hard towels and 2. limitations on adding stuff mid-load. Going by earlier threads here on GZ, the first problem seems to be able to be at least mitigated by slower spin speeds and judicious use of detergent, but I'm not sure about the second issue.

Can most/some/all front loaders be at least easily paused to add items mid-cycle? How does the process work - do they take a few seconds to reduce the water level to below that of the door before releasing the catch? And, if so, is the water at least put into a reservoir or would it need to replace this water (which I would have thought could reduce detergent levels)?

Are any of these methods employed practical, easy and not-too-slow to use in real life?

I'm seriously looking at the Samsung range that feature the "addwash" feature, which is essentially a chute/door within the main door allowing items to be added at any time (I think) - in particular this model. Would this be the most practical solution to my second issue?

I'm looking for something of at least this size (8.5kg), and ideally lower than or around this price ($1200 on special), so any specific recommendations gratefully received.

Thanks for any advice.

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#1874614 29-Sep-2017 11:18

Short answer is: No they cannot.

As you said, some machines are starting to come out with this functionality (think it was the Samsung one I saw too). Basically had a little hatch in the door you can push an item through IIRC.

Main reason they dont offer this is: Open the door and all the water pours out!

For this reason a lot of people seem put off front loaders. Not an issue with me (young kids = lots of loads = just put that item into one of the next washes).

Senecio

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#1874616 29-Sep-2017 11:24

The Samsung Addwash range are the only front loaders that I am aware of that allow you to add mid cycle. Most other will require you to break the cycle, program it to drain and spin before the door will unlock. Your then starting a new cycle.

How often do you add stuff mid cycle? Can't remember the last time I needed to do this and I'd always be worried that the garments added wouldn't be washed properly.

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#1874618 29-Sep-2017 11:26

We have had a LG front load 8.5kg for around 2 years old now. The manufacturing specs said that items can be added after the cycle has started if required and we have found this to be true.

The door has a smaller diameter than the drum and sits slightly above center. When stopped, the cycle pauses for a few seconds and water/wet clothing falls to the bottom allowing the addition of the stray sock that invariably turn up after starting the cycle. This seems to work okay with a full load too.

Have a look at the specs before buying. We moved away from top loaders to save water as we are on tanks and apart from slightly longer cycle times we have been happy with our machine so far.

Kraven

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#1874625 29-Sep-2017 11:37

We converted from a F&P top loader to an F&P front loader about 8 months ago.

We've never used the "Add Garment" function, but my understanding is it's similar to the LG mentioned above. I wouldn't get hung up on it, it's just one of those "nice to have" things.

Hard towels? Never noticed TBH. We do everything on the fastest spin cycle (1400 rpm) too.

I'd never go back to a top loader now, this thing cleans way better and it's a lot quieter (we set it to go at 4am so this is important!).

scuwp

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#1874632 29-Sep-2017 11:53

Front loaders certainly seem the way things are going and have considered changing ourselves. Talking to a friend who has recently purchased one he tells us that you can pause mid-cycle, the water will drain until it is just below the bottom of the door, allowing you to open the door and add items, on re-starting it will top up the water and carry on. Said it uses so little water anyway it's not a big deal to let a little bit out and takes no time at all to get going. I think he said it was an LG but don't quote me. Some on TV have a chute that you can add items through. Check the specs, it's not a deal breaker anymore.

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#1874634 29-Sep-2017 12:07

I've had an old Champion washer drier that once started couldn't be opened and the a Bosch that just has to pause for a few seconds before the door lock releases. I have never seen the water level in the Bosch above the level of the door seal but haven't tried every cycle.

WRT a recent thread on a Bosch that was apparently leaking from a bearing and dirtying the washing I've discussed that with an appliance repair place and they were very doubtful that the contamination came from the bearing. They've seen bearings rust out without affecting the clothes. Their advice was "If you want to wash in cold water get a top loader. The front loaders use so little water it doesn't make sense not to use at least warm water to ensure the detergent is properly disolved."

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#1874636 29-Sep-2017 12:10

We had Panasonic front loader that up to a certain point you could add items to - you just pressed start/pause and it unlocked the door. I think it had a slightly tilted back drum.

We have a Beko now, which you can't add mid wash. Can't say it has bothered me. They use so little water that if I really needed the item I had forgotten, I'd just re-wash, or it goes in with the next lot.

I will not buy another Top Loader though - fully converted to Front Load (given that we are on Tank water, the FL uses about a quarter or less of the water than the TL did).

dfnt

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#1874637 29-Sep-2017 12:18

Our F&P front loader can add mid cycle, just press a button and it drains the water enough to add then continues the cycle when you close the door

But as above, they use little water so the actual draining is within seconds if that

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alasta

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#1874653 29-Sep-2017 12:22

Resnick:

We have had a LG front load 8.5kg for around 2 years old now. The manufacturing specs said that items can be added after the cycle has started if required and we have found this to be true.

The door has a smaller diameter than the drum and sits slightly above center. When stopped, the cycle pauses for a few seconds and water/wet clothing falls to the bottom allowing the addition of the stray sock that invariably turn up after starting the cycle. This seems to work okay with a full load too.

I have an LG with this feature, but I have found that it has to be paused for a very very long time (2 minutes +) before the door will unlock. Mine is five years old so maybe they have improved the design since then.

It's not a feature I use because, as others have mentioned, I wouldn't expect items to be washed properly if they are not present from the beginning of the cycle.

Resnick

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#1874655 29-Sep-2017 12:28

alasta:

Resnick:

We have had a LG front load 8.5kg for around 2 years old now. The manufacturing specs said that items can be added after the cycle has started if required and we have found this to be true.

The door has a smaller diameter than the drum and sits slightly above center. When stopped, the cycle pauses for a few seconds and water/wet clothing falls to the bottom allowing the addition of the stray sock that invariably turn up after starting the cycle. This seems to work okay with a full load too.

I have an LG with this feature, but I have found that it has to be paused for a very very long time (2 minutes +) before the door will unlock. Mine is five years old so maybe they have improved the design since then.

It's not a feature I use because, as others have mentioned, I wouldn't expect items to be washed properly if they are not present from the beginning of the cycle.

I would estimate ours takes around 20 seconds before it unlocks, not really an issue. And yes, the feature is only used for any items that were dropped on the way into the laundry really, so the cycle would only have started minutes previously.

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#1874660 29-Sep-2017 12:42

nas:

Our F&P front loader can add mid cycle, just press a button and it drains the water enough to add then continues the cycle when you close the door

But as above, they use little water so the actual draining is within seconds if that

My F&P does this but only if the water temp is below a value.

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jonathan18

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#1874796 29-Sep-2017 14:42

Thanks for all the comments and feedback; useful to know that, while the Samsung models may be the only one with the specific additional chute, a number of other brands do allow for pausing to add items. Yeah, it may not be a critical function to be able to do this, but it's useful to have.

Probably more key is ensuring any model we buy has the ability to select a specific start or finishing time - it'll be useful to be able to sync its start to our hour of free power, which hasn't been an issue for us up to now (we have gas hot water, so timing for electricity usage is irrelevant for a top-loader).

I've gone over the Consumer test results, read online reviews, read every recent thread on here etc, and in the end it doesn't appear that there's any particular brand or model that stands out against the rest, especially when looking at the mid-priced models. In which case it may come down to specific features on a model from Samsung or F&P - I'm not too impressed to read of the frustration of some dealing with LG servicing, whereas I've had good experience myself from F&P and others report similar experience with Samsung (potentially useful with that brand!). Also Panasonic or Bosch I guess...

But, overall, I'm totally comfortable now with the idea of a front-loader - now just a matter of convincing my wife!

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#1874821 29-Sep-2017 15:47

You might want to convince her quickly :) 25% off whitewear https://www.noelleeming.co.nz/whiteware-kitchen-appliances

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jonathan18

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#1874827 29-Sep-2017 15:55

Filterer:

You might want to convince her quickly :) 25% off whitewear https://www.noelleeming.co.nz/whiteware-kitchen-appliances

Yeah, it's actually that sale that got me investigating options in more detail (though it's only 20% off washing machines).

While I'd just rush out to buy it, my wife will be 'what's the hurry?', and potentially in this case she's right - Pricespy history for the Samsung model with the chute I'm looking at shows NL have had it down to $1200 many times in the last few months, so I guess it could well be back down at the same price again pretty soon...

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#1874916 29-Sep-2017 19:17

jonathan18:

Thanks for all the comments and feedback; useful to know that, while the Samsung models may be the only one with the specific additional chute, a number of other brands do allow for pausing to add items. Yeah, it may not be a critical function to be able to do this, but it's useful to have.

Probably more key is ensuring any model we buy has the ability to select a specific start or finishing time - it'll be useful to be able to sync its start to our hour of free power, which hasn't been an issue for us up to now (we have gas hot water, so timing for electricity usage is irrelevant for a top-loader).

I've gone over the Consumer test results, read online reviews, read every recent thread on here etc, and in the end it doesn't appear that there's any particular brand or model that stands out against the rest, especially when looking at the mid-priced models. In which case it may come down to specific features on a model from Samsung or F&P - I'm not too impressed to read of the frustration of some dealing with LG servicing, whereas I've had good experience myself from F&P and others report similar experience with Samsung (potentially useful with that brand!). Also Panasonic or Bosch I guess...

But, overall, I'm totally comfortable now with the idea of a front-loader - now just a matter of convincing my wife!

I cant comment on other brands but i have an Electrolux front loader and heres my experience so far.

You can pause for the first 15 minutes or so and add items.

Setting start/finish time 12 hours or more is awesome.

Planning when you want stuff ready to hang is important with the much longer cycle times of a front loader.

Items are sooooo much cleaner.

From what ive seen front loaders only ever hook up to cold water.

As far as hard/stiff clothes or towels are concerned you will notice a difference with towels especially, the best way to sort this is to give the items a 10-25 minute blast in a dryer this seems to fluff the items back up again.

Drying time is so much shorter due to the higher spin speed, having adjustible spin speed is important.

One other thing to check is the cycle types and what the load is for different fabrics, this can catch out people where only certain fabrics will go up to the machines rated max capacity.

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