...tears of joy, that is! I couldn't be more pleased with my Kenmore 41042 front loader and matching dryer (check back for a review on that one at a later date). I chose the 41042 over the newest model, 41142, because the newer model doesn't have the fabulous Auto Temp Control, which I'll get into later.

HOW I CAME TO BUY THIS MODEL

Let me start by saying that I NEVER expected to end up with a Kenmore front loader. My husband is a native German, complete with Mother in Germany, who has been telling us for the past ten years that we MUST buy a German (Miele) front loader. The washer/dryer we got when we were married worked just fine until recently, and, as newlyweds, we couldn't come up with the chunk of change needed to acquire these Euro machines. Until now...

So I headed to my local high-end appliance store, and checked out the Miele, Bosch, and Asko machines. They were, as expected, a marvel of European engineering, and typically thrifty with the Earth's resources. After doing our Cost/Benefit analysis, we decided on the Bosch. I placed my order for the machines, and was in the midst of waiting out the 6-week delivery time, when I stumbled upon a Consumer Reports article about washing machines. Fully expecting to find info justifying my Euro purchase, I was surprised to see such high ratings on some of the American front-loaders -- especially the Kenmore. The only machines rated higher than 41042 were the Kenmore H3s (awesome, but too pricey), and the Maytag Neptune (bad repair history and too "clunky" looking for me). The Euro's were low on the list, due to difficulty with obtaining service in a timely fashion, and high prices once service was obtained. Out of curiosity, I went to Sears. Our salesman was very knowledgeable about front-loaders, and gave me good, unbiased information about all front loaders available. In a moment which took my husband (and me, quite frankly) by surprise, I announced "Why should we spend $2200 on those Bosch machines when I can have almost the same efficiency/cleaning power for $1200 less?" My Kenmore machines were delivered last week.

SEE HOW THEY RUN

...and run and run and run. I have been on a laundry rampage since these machines were delivered. From the first load, they have done nothing but inspire awe in me. Like I said...sometimes I cry! Example: my 20-month-old son has a white cotton polo shirt, which had a small tomato sauce stain on the front. I treated this shirt with every pre-treater known to man, and washed it five times in Tide before relegating it to the "arts and crafts shirt" pile - the stain wouldn't budge. On Day One with my machine, I put that shirt in with a bunch of other clothes, on warm, with a miniscule amount of regular Tide [1/4 cup - don't bother with the High Efficieny (i.e. High Price) detergents -- I tried them -- they don't work any better]. Do you know the sucker came out clean? Not a TRACE of that seemingly-invincable stain to be found. I've cried several times since. Like when my husband's formerly black-soled white socks came out sparkling white after a hot wash in this machine. NOTE: these machines don't heat the water like the Euro's do. I was willing to trade that for the lesser wash times - 90 minutes Euro vs. 52 minutes Kenmore. So far, I don't see why I would need the water to be heated any more than my water heater is heating it, because the clothes are coming out REALLY clean. About that Auto Temp Control... In a nutshell: when you set a "regular" washer on Cold wash, the washer takes the water from the cold tap, as is. So, if its the middle of winter, and your cold tap water is running about 50 degrees, that is what you'll get in your Cold wash cycle. Most detergent manufacturers will tell you: to ensure the best results, especially with rinsing, the optimum "cold" water temperature is 70 degrees. This machine will actually mix water from the hot and cold taps to ensure that Cold is 70 degrees. I'm not sure what the Warm/Hot temperatures are set for, but you get the idea.

If I had to choose one favorite thing about this machine, it is the spin cycle. It is truly amazing. I just can't get over how fast this bugger spins (it continues to be a source of entertainment, seven days after delivery), and how the clothes come out nearly as dry as they went in. This feature has cut my drying times in HALF. Talk about energy savings!!

I truly can't come up with any cons with this machine. Given that I've only had it a week, I guess it is possible that a con or two may pop up eventually. Although, I'm pretty doubtful. After over 20 loads, I am THOROUGHLY impressed. I've read Epinion reviews of this machine's predecessor, and the most common cons were the end of cycle Buzzer to Wake The Dead, the small opening, and the fact that you have to stoop to get clothes in and out of the machine. Well, Sears has listened, and has upgraded this model with an On/Off switch for the VERY loud Buzzer. As far as the opening being too small, well, it is small. So what? Not a big deal. Certainly hasn't hindered me in any way. (The tub, by the way, is deceivingly small - it holds more than my Extra Large Capacity Top Loader ever dreamed of...including my Queen-sized comforter). Do you have to stoop? Yes! To all those who complained about that -- a question: You bought a FRONT LOADER, what did you expect? I keep a foot stool in the laundry room, which comes in handy on those sore-back-days when you don't feel like stooping...just sit!

This machine is an EXCELLENT value for the money -- go buy one!

UPDATE: OK - we've had the machine long enough to see it in action with the entire spectrum of laundry. We've also seen an electric bill representing a full month's worth of operation... My opinion hasn't changed - this machine is amazing! I did notice that I now have to use a tad bit more detergent than described above (and I do mean a TAD). My German mother-in-law tells me that this is due to the fact that the residue left in our clothes by the "ex" washing machine has finally been rinsed away. I'll give her the benefit of the doubt, as our darks are much more vibrant now, and the whites are definitely whiter. (...and we're all feeling a bit lighter for not carrying around all that soap scum on our backs :)

With the flurry of "catch up" laundry that we did during the billing period, we still saved money over last month. I can't wait for the water bill!

Recommended: Yes

Amount Paid (US$): 649