Bosch WFD 2460 Axxis Washer...WOW!
Written: Dec 18 '02 (Updated Dec 22 '02)
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Pros: Highly Effective, Cost efficient, Energy & Resource Miser
Cons: Pricey
The Bottom Line: Bosch presents a viable, efficient alternative that is environmentally friendly and cost efficient. It is one heck of a washing machine!
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| lllopez's Full Review: Bosch Axxis+ WFR 2460 Front Load Washer |
Technology has made enormous strides in the last few years delivering to the consumer level, products that both enrich and simplify our lives. Of the technological advances I have been concerned with lately, those, which reduce energy consumption, and operating costs have been my primary focus. Advances in home appliance technologies have made it easier now, more than ever before, to run these appliances not only more efficiently but far more cost effectively, saving valuable natural resources and recycling a few dollars back into your families coffers. After a good bit of research and shopping my travels brought me full circle to Bosch and its model WFL 2460 Axxis washer.
ENVIRONMENTAL & ECONOMIC IMPACT
Bosch, while not a readily recognizable brand, has made great strides in the US, capturing a great deal of attention and market share, by offering the consumer a quality product that is environmentally friendly and inexpensive to operate. Energy efficiency is not a new marketing strategy, but an ongoing effort by manufacturers to comply with demanding EPA standards to reduce energy consumption. The Energy Star compliant Bosch WFR 2640 washer complies with the more stringent EPA standards by saving not only energy but resources as well.
Consider the fact that on the average we use approximately 44 gallons per wash load for a conventional top load washer. The Bosch WFR 2640 uses a miserly 13.2 gallons at the most to a modest 1.7 gallons for small loads. At approximately 14 loads a week saving 29 gallons a load, the water savings alone are a significant 21,112 gallons annually; in other words the equivalent of flushing a currently mandated 1.6 gallon toilet, 13,195 times! Operating costs annually are $16 if you have an electric water heater or $9.00 for a gas water heater! That translates to a cost per load for me of 2¢ a load! The Bosch determines what amount of water is necessary and the time required washing any given load, as a result of its Sensormatic II Plus technology facilitated by its Dynamic Load Sensor. Gone are the days of filling a washer to a pre-set level of water and energy consumption, and all the waste and expense associated. I had my doubts and tried to fool the system by changing loads at the beginning of the cycle. Easier said than done. The Bosch starts its cycle by first spinning the stainless steel tub a few revolutions forward, stops, then a few backward again stopping to determine the load, and then you get your readout on the backlit monochromatic display, that is backlit and easily legible. A wash time is posted and you can follow your loads progress by watching the elapsed time digital readout on the right of the display. Is it possible to wash a load of wash with just under two gallons of water? I would never have believed it, but yes it is and it has been proven to me.
Electric costs are equally impacting at approximately 2¢ a load. It doesn’t stop there. Soap used is dramatically reduced on account of the lower water levels. About two tablespoons will handle any full load you throw at this little monster
P H Y S I C A L
To look at the Bosch WFL 2460 Washer your first impression is that of a small machine; do not let that impression fool you. The Bosch’s modest dimensions are quite appropriate for under counter duty or tucked away neatly behind a cabinet door in your washroom, mudroom or kitchen. Structurally, the Bosch WFL 2460’s all metal chassis and body are complemented by softer hi-tensile plastic control panel and trim.
The fact is the Bosch is about 1 cubic feet smaller than most domestic washers handling about up to 13 lbs. of laundry. The lack of an agitator, found in conventional top loaders, allows for added laundry capacity. The glass dome (11 ½”) opening is smaller than you would expect to see, and that, also, may turn you away. This was my reaction initially a few years back on a trip to Germany to visit some of my in-laws relatives. They all had Bosch, and Asko and a host of other machines, and all appeared woefully small by our standards. But somehow they manage to clean all the laundry for families of up to, in their case 9 people with no problems. How? The answer is simple; they have different approach to home laundry.
Typically, stateside, we like to pile our laundry up and get to it when the hamper is heaving with clothes and we knock it all out in a day of reckoning, which includes massive folding, sorting and carrying activity. The Europeans do wash more frequently and rarely will you ever see a large hamper anywhere. It is simply a change of approach that will be necessary to live with the Bosch. I find we do wash pretty much throughout the course of the week as needed. We found ourselves purchasing a smaller compartmentalized hamper separating white, dark and medium colored clothing. We now can get a load of each when it fills and it is out of the way. No more waiting for that favorite sweatshirt or sweater to make it to the big load for wearing. The result is folding and sorting is broken up into much smaller chores and become exponentially smaller tasks that you incorporate into your daily household activity
I do find, we end up washing about 2 extra loads but you get a wash cycle that is considerably more tailored to your load, and the clothes are noticeably cleaner. I attribute this to the hotter wash temperatures, greater spin rpms and thorough detergent and softener dispersion.
O P E R A T I O N
Noise levels were always my pet peeve aside from the environmental impact of conventional machines. The Bosch is a very non-intrusive appliance and hums along a quiet but sure pace.
Upon initial startup the Bosch dispenses water and later soap, bleach and softener via 3 points in the drum for more even distribution of those agents.
The Bosch WFL 2460 has an internal heating element that heats the water up to 161º. You will see this temperature threshold on all their products. Apparently 161º is the temperature Bosch feels is sufficient to both cleanse and sterilize towels and other laundry. Commercial sterility standards would dictate that for wet sterilization, 20 minutes @ 121º would certainly be sufficient to kill all consumer level bacteria, while dry sterilization would require 45 minutes at 170º The Bosch would certainly wash at temperatures that would be hot enough to keep your laundry not only clean but sterile enough for your family
One of the trials we put the Bosch through was to put a 5’ x 3’ heavy throw rug that gets plenty of traffic and soiling in our mudroom. After a 20-minute cycle by itself, it came out looking sufficiently better than it had with the Maytag, to make an impression on us. The spin cycle is very impressive, in that this machine spins true and lightning fast. Clothes are barely damp when they come out of the Bosch. Drying times, on the Bosch vary from a low of 11 minutes to 30 minutes for that rug. Drying times are cut down significantly, saving energy partly, on account of the 1200 rpm spin cycle. Conventional top loaders spin at between 500-700 rpm in general. Maytag’s front-loading Neptune’s, spin at 1000 rpm. The result is a dramatically reduced drying cycle.
The one obstacle the Bosch did not handle was a King size comforter that barely fit in our Maytag did not fit in the Bosch.
C O N T R O L S
The controls are simple, yet technologically current. At the far left you will find a compartmentalized with accommodations for soap, softener and bleach. The control panel is laid out as follows (l-r)
· Power wash: Recommended for heavily soiled garments
· Rinse plus: For additional rinse cycle
· Quick Wash: For faster wash cycles
· Menu
· Select
· Start/Pause
The rotary program selector with 15 wash programs to choose from is located farthest right on the panel. An LCD display is located above the Menu, Select & Start/Pause controls.
Menus
Menu selections include:
· Spin Speed (dependent on selected Program)
· Program Finished at (adjustable in 30 minute steps timed cycle)
· Reduced Ironing >yes>no
· Signal>Off>Low>Medium>>High
· Child Lock>On>Off
· Standard>Daylight Savings Time
· Set Clock>Hours>Minutes (freely adjustable
· The Program Dial selections include (clockwise):
· Off (Regular/Cotton)
· Cold (Regular/Cotton)
· Warm (Regular/Cotton)
· Hot (Regular/Cotton)
· Temperature Boost (Regular/Cotton)
· Power Boost (Regular/Cotton)
· Spin (Hand Washables)
· Soak Drain (Hand Washables)
· Warm (hand washables)
· Cold (hand washables)
· Warm (Delicates)
· Cold (Delicates)
· Hot (Permanent Press)
· Warm (Permanent Press)
· Cold (Permanent Press)
F I N A L T H O U G H T S
I chose the Bosch over the Maytag on account of past experience with poor maintenance history and higher cost of repair and operation, on a 3 year old set. On account of this disappointing experience and mixed reviews, I was hard pressed to make another Maytag decision. I must say, I really tried to like the Maytag, but I could not refute all the good press, reviews and Bosch’s reputation as a solid performer. It was time to try something new.
You can get more information at the Bosch website www.boschappliances.com.
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 1058.00
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