netbob30's Full Review: Bosch WAS24460UC Front Load Washer
After years of trouble with our compact (24") Asko W620 ("built to last longer") washer - dryer combo, the motor burned out in the washer (8 years old). A $750 repair estimate combined with the miserable 1.9 cu. ft. capacity prompted us to look for something else which MUST fit into our limited space which has a better quality reputation.
After reviewing everything of that size (there isn't much) we settled on the GE or the Bosch models. Unfortunately, the much less expensive GE models have no reviews and after being burned by the Asco hype we decided to buy the Bosch which has few, but good reviews.
First, and most importantly for us, the size is exactly the same as the space our current Asco used. Next, the tub holds 3.4 cu.ft. - the largest in this class. The quality of Bosch products (we have a dishwasher) in both reviews and our experience has been very good.
The washer comes with a 3 wire 220 volt plug (NOT 4 wire) so check that you can handle that before you buy. I have always been a fan of 220-240 volt appliances and this draws only 10 amps WITH the internal water heater.
Most of the irritating features about our Asco have been eliminated. For example, you can, at almost any time, pause the washer, open the door and add more clothes. It is very quiet for a machine that spins at 1200 rpm. However, DO NOT FORCE THE DOOR OPEN. THE ONLY REPAIR on this machine WE COULD FIND ON CALLING APPLIANCE REPAIR COMPANIES was that people break the door lock by forcing the door open. Read the directions. There is always some way to cause the door to unlock.
The first thing you will notice about the washer is the large number of settings. One review we read mentioned "low end features". I would disagree with that. Have no fear, each setting is preprogrammed to do all the other settings for you. While you can manually control other settings, The only one we change is on the "cotton" setting which always comes on the warm water setting which we usually change to cold. Very fast, very easy. Works.
The manual knob for initial settings makes good sense and is easy to use. All the other controls respond to touch - no button pushing, just touch or brush it with your finger. Nice feature.
After the washer starts, it continually senses water level and will add as necessary. You will see it add water several times when washing towels. This keeps water use to an absolute minimum.
Note that while HE detergent is not required it is highly recommended. We have soft water and find that about 2-3 tablespoons of HE will get the clothing perfectly clean. While we do not have the equipment to measure "cleanness" the clothes are aways clean to the eye. Certainly as clean as any washer we have ever had.
The difference between having a 1.9 cu. ft. tub and a 3.4 is enormous. Instead of having to take blankets to the laundromat, this washer will handle them.
The cotton setting takes the longest, about 1 hour, but after our Asco that is not an irritation to us - also the fact that it is very quiet reduces the irritation.
Our last full size washer was a Maytag that left a significant amount of water in the bottom of the tub. When you are gone for a while it gets stinky. This washer seems to pump all or most of the water out. However, as with all front loaders, IT IS RECOMMENDED YOU LEAVE THE DOOR AJAR after you finish washing so that the water on the gasket around the door will evaporate. You will note there is a new product on line which you can add to your washer once in a while to eliminate odors. We have not needed any.
One of the selling points of our Asco was that you only needed a cold water hook-up for better efficiency. While we have the cold and hot water connections made to this washer, you will only need the cold water connection if you DO NOT use the "sanitary" setting. I have tried it and the temperature always ends up perfect. If your hot water heater is more than 4-5 feet from the washer, leave your hot water turned off since the washer uses so little water you would never actually draw any hot water from the tank so you will be heating the water used twice.
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