So far so good! Meets expectations.
Written: Jul 10 '05 (Updated Jan 18 '08)
|
Product Rating:
|
|
| Ease of Use: |
 |
|
| Durability: |
 |
|
| Ease of Cleaning: |
|
|
| Style: |
|
|
|
Pros: "Front Load" performance at half the price. Loads spun at highest speed REALLY get dry.
Cons: Large lid?
Don't accept delivery until thoroughly checking functionality.
The Bottom Line: Energy efficiency and cleaning of a "Front Load" washer at half the cost.
If it will keep me this happy for the next 10 years I'll consider it a success.
|
|
|
| justa_j0e's Full Review: Fisher and Paykel GWL11 Top Load Washer |
We bought the F&P GWL11 July 6th.
If it will run for another 10 years I'll be more then happy. :)
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
1-30-06 UPDATE
It has been about 6 months since I wrote this review and I just wanted to say that this washer is still working wonderfully. Still quite happy with it.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
1-18-08 UPDATE
I have now owned this washer about 2 and a half years and am still quite pleased with it. I do have 2 "user notes" that I will add at the end of the review.
The summation is that this washer is still working wonderfully and I am still quite happy with it and believe the following review to still be accurate.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
As far as the technical specifications of this machine, I recommend you click on the "View Details" button above for an accurate list of features and specs.
I will add that it is possible to alter any of the "preset" wash cycles and then store your now personalized cycle in a preset button labeled "favorite." It is also possible to pause the washer at any time during any cycle (just hit the "pause" button) and then change options such as water level or temperatures or spin speeds or the like.
Two features not mentioned in the "details" are that the GWL11 has an end of cycle signal (series of beeps) and if the power should go out while the washer is running it remembers where it was in the cycle and picks back up there.
Personal experience
Seems to work fine. Really spins the water out! Clothes are getting plenty clean but I'm not sure what all the talk is about "the cleanest clothes ever". I guess I never had any complaints with how clean my now deceased Whirlpool got things. The F&P certainly does at least as good a job.
Durability - I gave it 4 out of 5 stars because I simply haven't had it long enough to say how durable it is. The design seems good and the majority of feedback I have read says that it has been a durable machine so I gave it a 4. I guess a year from now I will update this.
Styling - This is a really subjective category. I gave it a 4 out of 5 stars because it's not art work.
It is very clean and neat looking but rather "plain Jane." For me this isn't a problem. I love it when manufacturers consider form and function but with a product like this ... function is far more important. You can see a better picture of the GWL11 at the following link -
http://www.fisherpaykel.com/prod_mugshots/Autowashers/gwl11_usa.jpg
One issue - the lid is slightly larger and differently fulcrumed then the Whirlpool so it can no longer sit back underneath my cabinets like the Whirlpool did. :(
When you open the lid it hits the cabinet. If the H&P convinces me that it is a permanent member of my family I may alter the cabinet.
ONE WORD OF CAUTION !!!!
When the washer was delivered and set up I had them partially fill it and then run it in the spin cycle. The GWL11 works it's way up to full speed in stages. So when it finally reached top speed the guys said "OK. There you go." and was ready to leave.
Fortunately, we started to talk about something else for a bit because a minute or so after it reached top speed it started a small oscillation (rattle) that gradually increased until the thing was so off balance it backed off of high speed.
No amount of further adjustment could bring the tub into balance enough to get it to spin at high speed for more than a moment!!
Fortunately, I had bought it from an appliance store instead of a megamart type place. The delivery guys got on the phone with their service dept. and after about a half hour of trying to fix the thing the head of their service department simply brought me out a new one.
They installed it and it has worked beautifully ever since.
So, HAVE THEM PARTIALLY FILL THE MACHINE AND RUN A COMPLETE SPIN CYCLE BEFORE THEY LEAVE YOU WITH YOUR NEW WASHER!!!
Every manufacturer produces a lemon or two and in this case you really don't want to get stuck with one that might not be very familiar to your standard repair guy.
Addendum:
After living with this washer for several days I have identified a ... well, not a problem so much as a human retraining thing.
With it's lid closed the GWL11 has a slightly rounded top. This makes it difficult for the washing machine to become a clutter collector. Now for most of us this would be a "PRO". In fact my wife HATES it when stuff gets left on top of the washer. However, I am finding it difficult to retrain myself. I STILL find myself passing by, setting the mail on top of the washer, taking about 1 step away and hearing the mail hit the floor. We still love the washer though so IT'S STAYING and I'm the one that will have to change. :)
(1-18-08) User Experience Update:
(1) - On occasion the machine will not respond when I try and turn it on. This sent me into a panic the first time but turns out that it's logic board can occasionally get confused. The cause is not clear. Could easily be due to fluctuations in my power. What ever the case, the fix is simple. Unplug the machine and count to about 15. You will here a beep and the lights will flash. Then plug it back in and you are good to go. Does that sound a bit like what the Microsoft help desk would tell you? Welcome to the computer age! ;)
(2) - The machine would start to drain and then just stop and a warning beep would sound out. This was also quite terrifying. After a lot of trouble shooting it also turned out to have a simple solution. There is no protective, "cowling" like shield around the bottom of the motor.
A sock had gotten under the washer and then wrapped itself around the motor's shaft which as I recall has fins or some other sort of protrusion on it. This was preventing the motor from spinning and instead of burning itself out the washer detected a problem and just shut down (thank you product designers!).
I unwound the sock and everything worked good as new.
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 600
|
|
|
|
Epinions.com ID:
justa_j0e
|
|
Reviews written: 5
Trusted by: 0 members
|
|
|
- Add to My Yahoo!: 
- Add to Google Homepage: 
© 1999-2009 Shopping.com, Inc.