Very high figures for wash times - new machines

JohnB47

I'm looking to buy a new washing machine and I've noticed that the figures quoted for wash times are very high - much higher than for my old, 13 year old Bosch. Is there a reason for this?

I would have expected modern machines to be quicker, use less water and less energy but it seems not to be the case, if only in speed of washing.

People must still be buying these machines, so are people noticing any difference to older machines?

Thanks.

-taff

They're all cold water fill now so they have to heat the water.

Carrot007

It's more that these lower temperature economy washes take ages if you actually want things clean.

Probably does quicker washes if you select a higher temperature.

JohnB47

Yes but mine is cold water too and doesn't take the 270 minutes time quoted for the Bosch WAW28560GB or the 297mins for the LG FH4A8TDN2 which are two machines I'm looking at. That's over three hours for goodness sake.

Is it some worst case senario?

Carrot007 - your reply came in while I was typing. The figures I'm seeing are in the specs list as "Program time (60 degree cotton cycle)" so nothing fancy.

Owain_Moneysaver

It's not just heating the water to 60 degrees or whatever. It heats the water very slowly so that the enzymes have time to work.

Older machines used lots of water and washed with detergents.

3 hours is absolutely taking the whatsit though.

Mr.Generous

we got a new machine this year and it does indeed take ages. I think the clothes are cleaner though, and I used to think the old machine was fine. Probably makes you think a bit more about washing stuff - you don't just bung a few items in any more because you wont be able to do another load for several decades.

JohnB47

Owain_Moneysaver wrote: »

3 hours is absolutely taking the whatsit though.

Yes, I agree.

Actually I've just managed to download the Manual for the Bosch WAW28560GB and I can't find the figure of 297 minutes anywhere.

What I did find is a figure of 165 mins for the 60 degree cotton cycle, still pretty long but that's with a full load of 9kg, which we'll rarely do. Then I went to the next page and got a shock. There, under the heading "Efficiency test programmes for cotton fabrics" I see a figure of 285 minutes but that's with an "EcoPerfect" setting applied.

All very confusing.

giraffe69

Time quoted for the Bosch WAW28560GB or the 297mins for the LG FH4A8TDN2 which are two machines I'm looking at. That's over three hours for goodness sake.

Isn't 297 minutes 5 hours?

DigForVictory

Our new machine has a few programs over 3 hours, but we reckon that's to take the sting out of the everyday just over an hour & to highlight the advantages of the 15 minute program.

Us, cynical?

JohnB47

giraffe69 wrote: »

Isn't 297 minutes 5 hours?

All but 3 mins. That's whats quoted on the John Lewis site for the LG FH4A8TDN2.

I've just been reading the Bosch manual further and it says the 285 min figure is for "normally soiled cottons and is the most efficient with respect to combined energy and water consumption". Also, "The actual washing temperature may deviate.....".

So i'm thinking that this duration is for a cycle based on a "lower the temperature and keep it going for ever" cycle. Not one I would ever use.

peachyprice

I have an LG, most programs, even the 60c, are around 1.5 hours., with a 30 min quick 30c wash that is 38 mins if you up it to 40c. Nothing like the figures you are quoting.