**** These Binoculars were given to me for free in exchange for an honest review.  Our goal is to give you more information about this product than you would normally see in the product review. This review is informational only and does not reflect on the longevity of the product. ****

***UPDATE 6/16/16***  I took these to the lake and dunked them just to test the Waterproof aspect.  This is what a proper reviewer should be doing - fully testing every possible outcome of a product and when it says it's waterproof, I had to test it.  Well, they failed to be waterproof.  They are water resistant for sure, but couldn't take a full dunking.  That said, the manufacture immediately changed the description and appears to have taken the item down until they can change the word "waterproof" to "water resistant".  They will be shipping me another pair once they get them back in stock.  Again, this is why we test products - to find these kind of issues so the average consumer doesn't have to.  If anyone ever complains these kind of reviews, remind them that occasionally things break and the manufacture has to make things right.

Being that they changed the listing, I will leave these at 5 stars because other than the waterproof aspect, these binoculars are very good.  I've also uploaded some pictures.
****End update****

****UPDATE 6/29/16****
Maozua sent me replacement binoculars. They are 100% of what the first pair were. Still says Waterproof, but they assure me they are working to get that changed to "Water Resistant".  I'm very happy because even though I received these for free, I *really* liked them and was very disappointed when they were waterlogged after I dunked them! Thanks to Maozua for standing behind their product!
****End update****

Binoculars were received in excellent condition. No issues with the shipping.

They are very small but seem to be quite adequate. Some folks may find them a tad too small if you are used to the large variety of binocular. The field of view is decent for a binocular of this size. In fact I was somewhat impressed with how well they did.  They were very easy to use and easy to hold - more so than I expected.  They fold up into a compact unit that you can also fit in your pants pocket (not quite).  They would easily fit in a coat or jacket pocket or a medium-sized pocket on a backpack.

The quality of the materials used seems to be very good.  There is a rubberized coating over much of the binoculars. The lenses appear to have an anti-glare coating of some sort but don't have the characteristic pink hue that comes with some coatings.  The controls are very solid with no wiggle in the mechanisms.  The way the binoculars fold and unfold is tight so it doesnt move easily once you get them to the right position.

Adjusting the eye piece to synchronize the both eyes was someone problematic.  I had a bit of trouble getting them to be completely in focus.  Im not sure if this was the binoculars or if it is my extreme correction.  There was enough adjustment room to get it set to my eyes without my glasses, but I seemed to have issues getting it perfect.  Once I got it close though, and then opened both eyes, it was fine.  I think the trouble I had may have something to do with my stigmatism.  For the record, I have issues with most binoculars over this issue.  :)

One thing I have not tested is using the binoculars in wet conditions.  They seem to be sealed fairly well, but until I can actually use them in the rain or otherwise get them wet, I cannot comment on this feature.

Overall, I am very impressed with these binoculars.  I intend to take them on kayak fishing trips.  Since Texas has been having floods I haven't had good opportunity to go fishing with them.  I hope to take them this weekend and will report back if they fail the dunk test. :)

Thanks!

Mike
@GeeksFishToo


6-week update:

This unit is now my favorite washer. Why? I have full control over the washing and spinning process. I have used it for almost all of my washing needs.

I wish I had purchased one of these long ago. I scoffed at them and dismissed them for a long time. If you think this thing is a toy and not a 'real' washer, you're greatly mistaken.
----------------

I wanted a second washer so I ordered this unit. I kinda considered these things a joke so I was a bit weary but the online reviews and YouTube videos kinda pushed me. Well, I was so pleased with everything that I also ordered the smaller unit, with drain and spin from Della, for my garage and Airstream.

The intake hose, although it's not necessary, was too short in my situation but was easily fixed with hoses and fittings from my junk bin. The output hose was long enough, but just barely. The best part, I can fill with all hot water unlike my large home unit which starts filling with cold water that's in the line.

Every function of this machine has exceeded my expectations. I like it better than my X-large Cabriolet washer and dryer. I have full control over the entire washing/spinning process.
- I can use much hotter water now (max water temp is 130 degrees).
- I can have a soak cycle as long as I want.
- I can add/remove pieces whenever I want
- The wash timer can be stopped, decreased, increased at any time.
- I can stop the wash and skim the top water for debris.

The spin cycle works better than my Cabriolet. Clothes can be as damp or dry (almost) as you desire. I can get most items so dry that my dryer time is greatly reduced or they can be air dried in just a couple of hours. If I use the clothesline outside (and it's only March now), most items are dry within an hour.

If you open the lid of the washer while it is washing it does not stop washing. You must return the washer dial to zero to stop the wash cycle. If you open the door to the spinner while spinning, it pauses the spin and it resumes once the door is closed.

The pump does a great job of removing the water. If the washer is sitting on the floor, you can drain into a sink, tub or toilet. The end of the drain hose does not need to be below the level of the unit but if it isn't, it takes the pump a bit longer to drain the unit and a little water remains in the bottom/hose. So, at the end of the pump drain, you can place the drain hose on a big, thick towel on the floor to completely drain the last bit of water.

Note: Lowering the end of the pump hose as much as possible or even below the level of the bottom of the washer, will most likely increase its life. It will put much less strain on the motor.

The agitation is quite strong but there is a gentle cycle too. Love, love, love the gentle cycle!

The max capacity is much greater than I expected. I soaked 19 thick men's t-shirts plus a bath towel in one load but I separated the load by half to do a wash cycle. The machine agitated the load just fine but I felt such a heavy load might put too much strain on the motor. I prefer 'play it safe' and protect the motor.

Very pleased with my Della washer.
==========
Negatives:

I had a problem with severe tangling (some items were a huge, knotted ball) at first but using the gentle cycle helped a lot. I did a little web research and discovered some people found plastic balls helpful. Lots of small balls didn't do much. Six baseball sized waffle balls during a regular wash cycle have eliminated almost all tangling.

The knobs can be very difficult to turn if my hands are damp/wet.


Big capacity - as of 12/2016 it is the biggest twin tub washer available to the US market. Panda sells two 19lb models but they have been out of stock and their distributor tells me they aren't receiving any for a few more months. So as of now, this Della is the KING of portable washers!

Great washing action. Uses very little laundry detergent like a super high efficiency machine. The biggest issue is the water inlets being on the back of the machine whereas others have them on top. Having them on top is a better design. When they are in the back, water tends to leak due to gravity and the flimsy hose which is far from water tight. Nothing major but expect a few drops on the floor. Considering this Della is almost $100 less than the 19lb Panda, it's a small hassle.

Filling the wash tub takes forever. If you have a 5 gallon bucket, filling it in the shower and then dumping it into the washer would be much faster. I just do it the intended way and multitask while it's filling.

 PRO TIP: Because it takes so long to fill, I generally wash my whites first since they won't bleed and reuse the water for subsequent loads.

 PRO TIP: Rinsing is done in the spinner. The manual doesn't cover this but all you do is connect the water hose to the spinner side and let the faucet run for a minute or two while it's spinning. Turn off the water and let it spin another 2-3 minutes to dry. Easy peezy.

 PRO TIP: Don't overload! The clothes should be able agitate freely in the wash tub. If it has any trouble moving around, you either got too much clothes or too little water. In general, I don't fill past halfway and the water level should be above the clothes.

 PRO TIP: The drain hose is meant to hook over the ledge of a sink but the pump is a bit weak and definitely benefits from having the hose low, especially when it comes to draining out that last bit of water. If you have the ability to drain into a bathtub, that's your best bet.

I find it a bit loud. Having the lids closed cuts the noise some but it's not quiet. I live in an older building with thin walls and floors so maybe the vibrations are amplified. Having some sort of rubber mat underneath would help.

The plastic lint filter is worthless. My advice is to visit your local dollar store, or Daiso if you have one nearby, and pickup the floating lint filters that you just drop in with your load. Something like this: Flower-type Washing Machine Floating Lint Mesh Bag Hair Filter Net Pouch,Blue

Other than that, it works well and is heaven sent if you live in a small space or don't have washer/dryer hookups. Don't expect the spinner to get your clothes completely dry. It's more like 70% dry and you hang dry the rest. Blowing a fan or space heater towards them helps if drying indoors. Running a dehumidifier at the same time, even more so. If drying outside, nothing to do other than let Mother Nature run its course.

UPDATE - 12/2017:
I've had it a year now and use it at least once a week and it still works like a champ. The one thing is sometimes the water doesn't drain from the spinner and it causes the spin to come to a complete stop. To fix it, I turn off the timer, turn on the drain on the wash side until it starts to drain, then switch back and that always fixes the issue. I've read about "priming the pump" and I believe that's what this is referred as.


Ok, My wife wrote the review and I agree that it's nice to have.  VERY NICE, but the screen isn't working right.  I had debated getting the one without the fancy screen but I tried this one instead.  We've both been busy and away unable to catch up and contact the seller about the problem with the screen, and soon as we know how that is handled, we will update this.  Even if we get no help, and it stays like it is, making ice reliably, I can handle no auto timing.  I really like this and it was too cool to get it literally the day before our ice maker in the refrigerator quit due to a leak.  This one did literally outrun the built in ice maker 3 to 1 the first day when they were both running all day.  So If you're interested in one of these, they are great.  Save your money though and get one without a screen and go with the simple one with size of cube selection.
Wife said:
This is great for people that do not have an automatic ice maker or go on trips and have to purchase ice frequently. We go on trips a lot so figured we would get this to help fill our coolers. A couple days after getting it, our automatic ice maker stopped working. So this came in handy. It makes a cupful of ice every 9-10 minutes and fills the interior bucket each hour, needing emptied. Although it is not a big basket inside to hold ice, it does the job. Every 2 hours it needs refilled with water. There is a timer that you can set for what time to start making ice and when to stop as well as an option to make small, medium or large cups of ice.
Sadly, After using it for only 3 days the display on the outside has malfunctioned and is not working properly, however it still makes ice, but I cannot set the timer or the clock on the outside.

*Disclaimer* I received this product at a discount or in some cases for free for my evaluation, use and subsequently my HONEST and UNBIASED review.  I REFUSE to rank something 5 stars just because it arrived on time and in good condition.  That to my understanding is for use with the seller rating system and I shall reflect such ratings where deserved there.

I myself have not found a program that does not require you to review the item you get.  So if someone says they do not have to review the item they got discounted or free, Id question their honesty

  If you have rated something on Amazon yourself, if you hover the mouse over the stars they each reflect a suggested level relating to your like or dislike of said product.  I will reserve 5 stars for something that I genuinely think people of similar interest will love.

  I will not review items the day I receive them and actually use them a few days to get a feeling of how well they are constructed and how well they work before sharing my experience. Though Im glad theres a system in place for people to get discounts to review products, I feel that the feedback on amazon is becoming littered with people simply sharing 5 star reviews disingenuously in exchange for free or cheap goods. It is due to this flood of reviews I feel the need to create this disclaimer since many glowing reviews are simply glowing from the sparkle in someones eyes at getting a good deal. I will not post photos on a review just to get credit for posting a photo review.  If there is a lack of photos or I feel a photo or video is needed to convey a pro or con that was unexpected with the product, then and only then will I add such to my review.  Likewise if the product differed from the listing photo, I'll add a photo if there are none at the time of my review.

It is in the interest of being open and honest that I feel the need to include this disclaimer with my review.  If someone has stated an item is great just so they could get a freebie, it does no help to fellow amazon shoppers.  I value my time and I am not going to waste time putting bogus reviews up.  Your time is just as valuable, so I would like to thank you for reading this completely so you can be enlightened when you see other reviews that were the result of a product/review exchange.


<input type="hidden" name="" value="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/E1PwZHaLsyS.mp4" class="video-url"><input type="hidden" name="" value="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/71NHI3FitwS.png" class="video-slate-img-url"> * In the first 2 minute 50 seconds (no music or voice, just the ice maker), you can hear the ice maker run in case some wants to know how loud it is. It's as loud as those Primo water coolers that you put 5 gallon bottles on *

* If you wonder how I got crystal clear ice? I use pure filtered water that I purchase in the 3 gallons bottles. The water is Reverse Osmosis and has 0 ppm (parts per million), that means has no metal or any impurities in the water. The reason why you get white colored ice is because the water has metals and minerals in it and is not filtered to it's purest. *

I've always wanted to get one of these portable Ice Makers when it first came on the market but that time there were too many that had problems. Now years later, technology has improved in the portable ice makers. There are so many on the market today, many of them are pretty much the same, run the same, has the same internal parts, only difference is the design and styling of the ice maker.

Since this is my first ever portable ice maker, I wasn't sure what to expect from this unit. I also wasn't sure which color I like the best, so I order the Silver and the White one. I really like the LCD display. You can set the size of ice you want this machine to produce. You can also setup a timer for it to start and end, great for when you are about to head out on a trip in the morning, have the timer run at night and wake up in the morning with a few pounds of ice.

When you first do the initial setup, you want to set the ice size to the LARGE. The reason is that since this is the first time the unit has been run since it was put together at the factory, the refrigerant has not been through the ice tubes. So selecting small will lead to poor results on the first few ices. I started it with a small and it took 3 loads of ice before it would produce perfect ice. Since I purchase 2 of these ice makers, I setup the 2nd one with the initial setup to produce large ice first and it went perfect on the first load.

When you first run it, the pump will only pull in a certain amount of water and it will start to beep, thinking you don't have enough water. So all you have to do is run it again and the 2nd time and it will recognized that you have enough water and began the ice making.

When you see the "Snow Flake Blinking" that means that it is making ice. When you see the icon next to the snow flake blinking, that means that it needs more water.

Here is the amount of time it took to produce the ice size...

Small - 6 minutes.
Medium - 7-8 minutes.
Large - 9 minutes.

There is also a drain that is located in the back of the ice maker. Just unscrew it and remove the plug to drain. This ice maker also comes with an extra drain plug. It's very tiny, so don't loose it. Overall I am impress with this DELLA Ice maker and have no problems with them at all.

I have attached some Image / Video, it might not show up right away. Amazon has since change the way how they process these and when it will show up on the reviews. Please be patience. Thank You.

I was offered this item at a discounted price for evaluation, in exchange for an honest review.
(I know you hate to read that part, but my reviews are always honest, if the product isn't good, then it won't get the stars it deserve).


We bought this because we were looking for a:

--dual fuel
--built-in downdraft
--with convection oven
--in black

We needed a range we could use in our island.  I know we could have sprung for a separate downdraft unit or an overhead vent, and gone with any number of other drop-in or slide-in ranges, but that option costs almost again as much as the range itself.  Downdraft Jenn Airs are famous for giving you the flexibility of doing your cooking in places you wouldn't otherwise be able to cook.  And this it does.

And while I'm on the subject of flexibility, this Jenn Air is modular (like many other Jenn Air cooktops and ranges).  The down side is that means you can easily spend a few hundred dollars more on additional modules.  Still, we decided to buy them, and we're glad we did.  The range comes standard with a grill, which we really didn't want, because we have mild weather and we grill outside year-round.  But there it was.  So we bought the griddle element that goes over the grill burners, and we have found that to be a real blessing. We do pancakes and french toast and eggs and bacon and panini sandwiches several times a week--and we really don't miss the other two burners all that much.  But if we did need them, we have them too, having also bought them.

The other reason for buying this range was because we didn't want stainless; we were re-doing our kitchen with black appliances.  And the "floating black glass" goes very well with Kenmore or Whirlpool or Kitchen Aid or any number of other glossy-finished appliances.  And our kitchen has a "period" look (pine plank floors, glazed cupboards, etc) and the range isn't fighting for attention.

I know about the plethora of comments criticizing Jenn Airs for being unreliable, for having an underpowered fan, even for having underpowered burners.  I know that the convection oven doesn't have the third element in the rear that would make it a "true convection" oven.  As Pat Paulson used to say: Picky, picky, picky!  But seriously, folks, in the real world, the vast majority of appliances work as advertised and we don't do flaming cherries jubilee on the cook top.  But we do cook two meals every day, and the thing works marvelously.

The gas burners cook like gas burners should.  The high (16,000) BTU front burner gives heat immediately--we rarely have it turned on its highest setting.  The back burner can maintain a low simmer, which is convenient for keeping things warm.

The fan gets the bacon smell out of the kitchen.

Meanwhile, the oven allows you to bake, broil or roast and has both standard and convection modes.  The oven has a rapid pre-heat function that really is rapid.  And we have found the convection oven to be very useful.  We have baked cookies using convection and they came out uniformly brown--but with no time savings.  (You do have the option to bake multiple pans at once, so that would in fact save you time.)  Then we roasted prime rib using both convection mode and the built-in temperature probe, and it worked just as it should.  (We browned the roast on the cooktop in a dutch oven and then roasted it in the same pan at low (200 deg) temperature, and the prime rib was crusted on the outside and moist inside.  Perfect!)

If you want your range in an odd place (like an island), if you want black appliances, and if you are willing to spring for some extras to really put the "mod" into your modular range (buy the griddle--you'll love it!), this range is a solid contender.  We do plenty of cooking at our house, and it works like a champ.  And while it would be nice to have four burners, a griddle and a grill at our disposal in an instant, in practice, we enjoy the two burners and a griddle every day, knowing that the other modules are just a couple minutes away.


We bought this dishwasher when we were forced to repair our kitchen when our Whirlpool malfunctioned (drip-drip over two years ruined hardwood floors & cabinets).
So being that we are an 8 person household, I wanted a RELIABLE system and figured we might need a commercial system but instead, we caught our breath and bought this system. And boy were we glad we did!!! In an 8 person household, when I get the chance to sit and relax after all the kids are in bed, the last thing I want is racket from a dishwasher reminding me of the work I just did. Noise pollution is annoying. This system does the trick. And unlike some of the other reviewers, we've now had it a year and I feel that we are a good control group since we use this system DAILY--at least one full load a day. By the way, my kids are bad about rinsing the dishes off--IF they put them into the dishwasher, the dishes are pretty full of grime.

BUT, we've had our ups and downs with this unit as we learn what it needs to keep it functioning.
#1 our water is hard, so we have to put the salt tablets into the unit (never had a system where this was required before)--but when the system needs more of these tablets, it just stops working. It had been a bit finicky (by that I mean you press start and it runs for about 5 minutes then gives you "done" signal though it hadn't even gotten started)and I had no idea why??? I've finally had the chance to look into it (six kids, no one seems to care; my husband tried to figure it out and threw his hands into the air thinking of calling someone in but I am more dedicated). So I tonight, after two weeks of having to restart the system after it auto-cancelled, I looked into the salt reservoir and saw that it was pretty low so I refilled the salt tablets and now the system is working and again running smoothly (and quietly--I had to get up and check the light it shines on the floor to see if it's on since I can't hear it running).
#2 one of our sons cooks lots of fatty foods (bacon is his favorite) and seems he may have put very oily dishes into the unit (Yeah! He put his dishes into the dishwasher!!!) I think this is his way of passive agressive destruction because lots of parts are now clogged (as is our sewer system) up to the point that the unit wouldn't drain properly. Now I am sure this isn't Bosch's fault. I hand cleaned much of the interior with soap and water to break the oil up and had to hand clean the prefilter by soaking it in a tub of suds and scrubbing it up. I really should have made the son take care of it but this is one of those times when passive agressive behavior deserves more passive agrressive behavior. I will stop buying bacon and let the kid know he can't cook it in the house until he pays the plumber to come clean our sewer line. Oh, but my little scrub job worked. The Bosch runs again, and smoothly too.

#3 you do have to clean out the pre-filter (with us, we can't seem to keep up with this part) pretty frequently and it doesn't tell you when. You just have to figure it out by the stinch or by the clunky noise when the system is choking on the rinsewater.

All in all, I believe that this system will last us just as long as the system was pre-engineered to last. Probably just outside the warranty! But, while it's working, I'll be keeping the salt reservoir filled and keeping the food particles tossed from the pre-filter so it doesn't clog up--oh, and my 18 year old son will be able to get his own place if he wants more bacon.

Now I wouldn't say these things are dealbreakers. Most of these issues arise by the full force we give this system. But I enjoy reading the reviews and thought I'd chime in about my own.


I recently bought a larger home with a ton of kitchen space.  Having ambitions to renovate the entire kitchen to a cooks paradise, I made my first purchase with this refrigerator and the matching freezer. I have had it for four months now and could not be happier.

I selected this model for it's size and simplicity.  I cringe at the "features" offered by other high end appliances... An ice maker that takes up 1/3 the volume of the freezer?  No thanks!  Without boring you with the other obvious differences you'll find with this model (window, etc.) I'll summarize some things I have noticed over the last few months of ownership:

Sound.  It's a little more noisy than I expected.  Albeit a subjective observation, the noise sound of it humming along was noticeable the first few nights.  I do not have the wheels installed, and do plan on enclosing it for a built in look.

Glass design a non-commercial setting.  Some of my friends thought the glass design would look too commercial in my home.  Once they saw it installed they were blown away with how good it looks, especially next to the matching freezer.  The light stays on and serves as a nice night light as well.  There is a switch to turn the light off if you choose.

Door closing.  I read up on as many reviews as I could find prior to purchasing.  Some people noted door closing problems.  I have had none, and in fact noticed it closes itself well when the door is released (without any effort). FWIW, The door seals on the matching FREEZER are very good.  Once you close the door, you can hear the pressure equalizing for 10 seconds. During this period it's VERY hard to open.  So if you grab something, close the door, then decide to open it again, you have to wait a few more seconds.

ONE YEAR UPDATE:  It's been a little over a year since buying this and I wanted to update everyone that I am still very happy with my choice on both this and the matching freezer.  People continue to complement how impressive it looks in the kitchen.  I have now made a habit of looking into the glass (rather than opening first) to decide on dinner/snack options- I never realized how functional the glass would be (as silly as that sounds).  I almost wish I had glass on the freezer too.

The freezer was left open overnight by someone in the house.  Most everything in the front had defrosted with blood and water pooling at the bottom.  Upon discovering the problem I closed the door and un-plugged the freezer.  The compressor was burning hot and I wanted it to cool down.  After setting up a fan in front of the compressor, and waiting an hour,  I plugged it back in and hoped for the best.  I waited half a day before checking it again and everything was back to normal.  I do not know if I did any permanent damage to the freezer, but it has since performed flawlessly- Ice cubes freeze amazingly fast and ice cream is usually too hard to scoop.

TWO YEAR UPDATE:  Both refrigerator and freezer are going strong.  I have had to break ice off the fan in the freezer on two occasions. Without the fan, temps will slowly rise.  Ice had also built up in the back once, requiring some break up.  The refrigerator has been working great.  I still enjoy and use the window.  I really enjoy how the shelf can canted at whatever angle you desire to display your food.  This is helpful for the top few shelves, but impractical for the lower shelves.  I have even aged several sub-primal sides of beef in the fridge.  It seems the open air design with only wire shelves lends itself to aging meat.

THREE YEAR UPDATE:  The refrigerator has been working flawlessly.  I really enjoy the luxury of extra space when I need it... like being able to put a 5 gallon bucket in the fridge for brining a turkey, or aging an entire subprimal piece of beef.  The freezer required a full defrost about 6 months ago.  I also disassembled part of the interior as ice had formed behind the top and back panels.


First, this has been a great addition to our kitchen/bar area. The kids love the easy access and my wife and I use it nearly every day as we store coffee creamer and other 'morning beverages'. She loves the separate wine storage areas, which do work great for parties.

The unit looks excellent installed, and the two pull-out shelves shown in the pictures are stain-grade wood. I haven't stained mine to match our cabinetry yet, but it is on my to-do list! Using the fridge is as easy as setting the temperature dial, deciding what units you want the temperature displayed in (centigrade or fahrenheit) and loading it up.

So far the unit has kept temperatures right at the design spec at maximum cool. The cold section remains 37 (98% of the time), the white wine drawer (there's only one of these) stays at 48, and the red wine section which is one pull out shelf and one crappy wire shelf at the bottom that comes out but not easily stays a nice 57 degrees. I have not put in my own thermometer to check the accuracy of the displayed temperatures, but by going on feel alone the wines and beverages are at the correct temperatures.

The bottom shelf design is what keeps me from giving this unit 5 stars. It would have been so nice had Kitchenaid designed the fridge so that the bottom shelf pulled out like the two wood-front shelves shown in the picture. The two wood shelves slide out nicely on rails. The bottom shelf rests on the bottom of the unit, has rubber pieces on the sides, and is a pain in the rear end to pull out when loaded with wine bottles. There are two 'stops' on each side of the bottom that have to be overcome to get the shelf out far enough to read the bottle and/or get the wine out easily. Bad design, and really one of only two things I can find fault with.

The second issue, which may or may not be by design, is that the temperature will rise on it's own (without using the fridge or adding room temperature beverages to it) to approximately 43 degrees in the cold section. It does this periodically almost as if it's a normal cycle to remove moisture. It doesn't stay at this temperature for very long, but it does do this on a somewhat regular basis. That being said, 98% of the time the cold section is 37 degrees plus 1 or 2 degrees occasionally.

When loading the unit with canned drinks, wines or other beverages after a store run, it really doesn't take very long to cool things back down. The temperature will noticeably rise for a short time with the warmer items, but not for long.

As I stated above, we're going on almost two years, and the fridge has been a wonderful, useful addition. I waffled back and forth about getting a wine refrigerator or beverage center, and I'm very glad we went with the beverage center option.

If it keeps going another year or more without needing repairs I'll be happy. I have read a lot of negative reviews on wine refrigerators. Reliability does seem to be an issue, even with some Kitchenaid models. However, not even Viking or $3000 brands are without their share of negative reviews. Crossing my fingers that we'll get many more years use out of this great little unit.

I'd recommend this to anyone refinishing a kitchen or simply adding an area for a bar. I would not use this outside even under a covered porch. It's simply not designed to withstand the elements in that way.

Good luck in your search, and if it ends here I don't think you'll be disappointed!

Update: December 3, 2012. The Beverage center is still performing well. The temperature of the cold section stays between 37 and 39 most of the time, but still rises to 41 for a short time every few days. Still pleased with the purchase, and I'd still buy it again.


I've had this range for about a year and a half, and it's been pretty good.  We use LP as the fuel.  I do like the convection; things bake faster with it.  Although if I had it to do over I would probably go with straight gas and save the extra money the dual fuel costs.  Oh, and the griddle is almost not worth the bother.  It's too small and doesn't heat evenly.  I'm better off with a couple of nonstick frying pans for cooking the pancakes.  On the other hand, I love being able to exactly dial in the temperature of the oven, so I can easily cook something at 395 degrees or set it at 210 for the meringues.

However, never in my wildest dreams did I imagine that GE would do what they did -- cheap out and put plastic knobs on the front that melt when you broil with the door open.  My husband was broiling with the door shut, which I hate because it gets too hot in the oven, grease spatters everywhere and burns onto the surfaces inside the oven, and there is always the possibility of forgetting the broiler is on and maybe burning down the house.  So I decided to show him how it's done; I did up some tri-tip very nicely in the broiler with the door ajar.  "Are you sure you're supposed to do it that way?"  he asked in panic.  "Of course", I explained condescendingly, "that's why the oven door has a stop at partly open, so you can broil."

The next day I noticed the plastic knobs were melted.  They look like stainless steel but they are plastic. I looked in the manual and sure enough, it says "The oven door MUST be closed during broiling."  I looked in a manual for a different GE Profile oven, and those directions were to broil with the door open!  What is the difference? On that model, the knobs are located on the back panel, not above the door.

So GE redesigns the thing to have the knobs above the door, puts on cheap plastic knobs, and finally changes the operating manual to instruct people to broil with the freaking door closed so the knobs won't melt!  If that don't beat all, as my grandpa would have said.  Wonder if maybe there are some aftermarket metal knobs?  Or perhaps it's time to get a gas grill for the steaks.  Oh no, here we go again, trying to find a straight-up, well built product.  I do miss the days when American manufacturers made things here, and made them right.

*******

After giving this some thought, it's a function of the dual fuel design.  Old style gas ranges had the broiler below the oven where broiling heat wouldn't reach the knobs.  Electric ranges have the knobs on the back panel where the broiling heat can't reach them.  Dual fuel has the knobs on the front with the broiler element just below them on top of the oven.

Metal knobs wouldn't work, I guess, because they would get too hot.  So my bad (apologies GE), I will just get a gas grill for meat.  You can get away with broiling toast or something that finishes in a couple minutes.

********
February 2012
GE sent me new knobs, which are much better than the flimsy old ones, for free.  I'm changing my review to 5 stars for this reason, also because I really like my range.  Here are a couple of tips:

1) Buying a square nonstick pan will work better for pancakes than the griddle.  It's heavy and heats unevenly.
2) The convection oven ROCKS.  Instead of cooking in a shorter time, though, it's better to set the temperature from 35-50 degrees F cooler than what the recipe says when baking, and it will bake in the same time as the original.  Less likely to burn things.
3) Probably better to run the self-clean cycle oftener than once every 2 years. To clean the oven racks, Barkeepers Friend works really well, they scrub up like new.


Full disclosure - we did NOT buy these from Amazon, but as a frequent Amazon buyer I still want to warn Amazon customers about them.

We bought these units in 2004 when we were redoing our kitchen.  We thought we were so smart in buying a "budget SubZero".  Whirlpool has always been great, and the rest of our kitchen is Kitchen Aid, which is made by Whirlpool.  Since KitchenAid didn't make a version, we bought these.

We returned the first pair because the doors were so wavy I was afraid of installation issues for our custom wood panels (more on that later).  When the delivery man came with the new ones he came in and saw ours and asked me to come out to the truck and look at the new ones because he thought the new ones were worse than what we had.  He was right.

Once we had decided to put up with the waviness, we discovered that the units are so thinly built that they wobble whenever you open the doors.  Most refrigerators are stamped like these, with some supplemental steel bracing to hold them steady and provide mounts for the wheels, adjustable legs, compressor, coils, etc.  No unique design here, just really thin steel and not much of it.  The freezer compressor in particular banged a few times whenever we opened or closed the door, and each unit gyrates around about an inch at the top.  I began making welded angle iron bases but stopped.

Next, they're not as tall as "real" refrigerators, so you stoop over more than usual to access them.  Of course we had the upper cabinets made to fit above these shorties, so now replacement with something else means we have to order new upper cabinets.  We also ordered custom raised-panel door trim from our cabinet maker, only to find there was no trim mounting kit available, so that needs to be custom made too - I don't happen to have a nice clean brake to bend brushed stainless myself.  There is a trim kit now, nearly as expensive as we paid for each unit originally, and it's only usable if they're side by side, and maybe doesn't even hold custom wood front panels - I didn't investigate.

The fatal flaw, however, is that the freezer defrost drain freezes up intermittently - maybe within a week or two after thawing it, maybe a few months later - but it freezes up again and again.  When it freezes defrost water runs down into the floor of the freezer and eventually onto the floor.  It takes maybe an hour to remove the baskets (not a good thing on a hot summer day), lower shelves, and back interior panel to gain access and thaw the ice - then put everything back together.  Since the units back to our furnace room, I don't think it's because the units are in too cold of an environment.  Maybe a heat tape around the top of the drain fitting would help, but it's just above the compressor and should be warm enough already.  And this is a common problem that Whirlpool ought ot acknowledge and address.

We finally gave up and moved them to an area where leakage is less damaging than our 2004 hardwood floors, which have now been refinished twice thanks to the leaky units.  Yesterday I took the freezer outside to really defrost it well with no mess inside the house, and discovered that thanks to a cheap door liner design (holes where each of the flimsy container-holding bars insert), the door is full of ice inside too.  I'm sure it's rusting as well.

They still work, and would be fine in somebody's unfinished basement where water leaking from a frozen-drain freezer isn't such an issue, but we've replaced them with a single, French-door refrigerator.  No way in the world will we again buy anything but top of the line with a long, full-coverage warrantee.


First off I'm not positive this is the exact model of range that we have---I can't find any model numbers on our range as I prepare to write this review----so check these facts against what you are about to buy.

We have never had a gas range before----so didn't know enough to check some things about this one before we bought it.  Of course the salesman told us it was top of the line---best quality product we could buy.  MAYBE NOT.  It does look good and we love the convection oven and the warming oven below the main oven---both electric by the way.  The PROBLEM which we discovered right away was that there is is a SEVERE DANGER---particularly for those like us who have had no experience with gas.  We had a pot of something boiling on a burner and it boiled over and the overflow water extinguished the flame.  We didn't notice that the flame had gone out. The  gas continued to flow filling the kitchen and adjoining rooms .  We came back in to discover the house filled with gas.  I turned off the gas flow from the valve outside.  That was providence watching out for me because I discovered later that had I tried to turn the gas off at the range I might have blown myself , and the house, to bits.  This is because TURNING THE RANGE CONTOL KNOB OFF WILL RESULT IN A SERIES OF IGNITION SPARKS BEFORE IT SHUTS OFF THE FLOW OF GAS.  THINK ABOUT THAT!  I called Customer service----they acknowledge that there is NO SAFETY MECHANISM WHICH WOULD AUTOMATICALLY SHUT DOWN THE FLOW FO GAS IF THE FLAME GOES OUT FOR ANY REASON.  TRY THIS-----TURN YOUR BURNER DOWN LOW AS IT WILL GO----BLOW HARD AND BLOW THE FLAME OUT--NOTICE THAT THE GAS CONTINUES TO FLOW FROM THE BURNER---IF YOU NOW TURN THE BURNER KNOB BACK TOWARD ZERO YOU CAN'T SHUT OFF THE GAS FLOW BEFORE TRIGGERING THE ELECTRONIC SPARKING WHICH ORIGINALLY IGNITED THE FLAME.  THAT SPARK WILL IGNITE THE GAS THAT HAS ACCUMULATED AROUND THE BURNER.  I CAN'T THINK OF A BETTER WAY TO BLOW YOURSELF UP IF THE GAS HAD BEEN FLOWING INTO THE HOUSE FOR ANY SIGNIFICANT PERIOD OF TIME.

We have written Customer Service about this--several times and to this date they have not given us the courtesy of a written reply.

We have learned to be very very careful with the gas burners---it is possible to just 'nudge' the burner know when wiping the stove such that the gas begins to flow but the igniter is not activated---again an explosion hazard.  If you buy one of these ranges be sure you ask about these things and be suer you are willing to accept this risk if they haven't addressed this problem

One other con-----when we clean the oven with the self cleaning feature then the 'overload' breaker kicks out on the back of the machine and we have to pull the thing out, remove the back cover, and reset it manually by pushing the reset button.  Customer service did send us a replacement breaker which was installed by their service man---but it works just like the first one. We still have to go to the trouble of pulling the range out so we can get to the back to remove the pan and to manually reset the thing before the oven will work ----and we have to do this EVERY TIME WE USE THE SELF CLEANING FEATURE.

Except for the above everything works quite will----and the thing is quite attractive.  --I'm told that other manufacturers have safety shutdown features that this one does not have.  I give it two stars because it looks nice and does have some nice features associated with the convection oven.


This washer has several reported flaws. One reported by many folks and the only one we came up against since owning the washer (SN FR204563T) is the fact that towels do not  complete their Rinse and Spin cycle properly. GE Service folks will not acknowledge this as a problem (nor are they able to fix it) despite four service calls and many, many others with the same reported problem. Here is what we consider the problem to be and why it is a lemon or a poor design or BOTH!

We bought this unit in May, 2009 and have been struggling with GE to get it fixed since then. This matter is NOT RESOLVED.

Bulky items like towels absorb more water in the wash and weigh more when wet. Because the tub is vertical the clothes always start on the bottom of the tub. The machine fights gravity when these items occupy the tub and the tub starts its cycle unbalanced. As it fills with a minimal amount of fresh water and proceeds to rinse and spin, the speed of the drum is supposed to increase step by step and the items inside are supposed to be forced to the circumference of the drum. The they are pressed to it by the ever increasing speed, centrifugal force of the spinning motor. That is the design of the product and is similar to other front loaders from what we found out.

However, if the items do not float around in the rinse water agitation properly and do not move to the circumference of the drum to distribute themselves accordingly (perhaps because of their weight, bulk or other reasons), then the proper speed cannot be achieved because of an unbalanced load condition.

The machine has a balance sensor that quickly detects a bad distribution of items in the drum. The machine then attempts to rebalance itself at low speed by reversing the spin of the motor/drum to shuffle the clothes to a good position. This rebalance cycle (stop, slowly reverse spin direction) is attempted up to five times. When that fails, the machine goes ahead to try to spin and rinse out the wash water anyway. The why of that failed distribution with a bulky load is apparently a contested issue between us, simple users of the machine, and GE the maker who claims to be cognizant of the issue. Thus far, GE seems incapable and increasingly unwilling to fix the problem. They have documented the crap out of the problem, reporting each time that they find no trouble. The technicians have been able to see the problem here in their visits and acknowledge that the problem "can occur".

GE seems to feel that if the load matches (is either sufficiently full or sufficiently light for) their machine due to the bulk of the items and the water-infused weight of them, then they should cycle properly. And in the case of our load of two hand towels, a bath sheet and two standard bath towels, we can add another large bath sheet to the load to make it complete without errors. So, since there is "nothing wrong with the machine",  their solution is that in the event of a balance issue, we should add or subtract "an appropriate amount of towels/clothes to prevent the error".

We feel, not too surprisingly that the size of the load, as long as it meets the maximum rating of the machine, is immaterial and the washer should complete its job in its normal cycle regardless- without banging or rebalancing (which wastes water and energy and may damage our floor or walls by it's (the washer's) bouncing around. The washer physically moves at least 6" in any direction on the tile floor during this condition. We feel that this is unsafe, exceeds the  claimed advantages of water, energy, and savings. It also affects the long term reliability of their product.

Consumer Reports rated this product in January, 2009 as 'best buy'. Since that rating there have been 27 pages of complaints to the Consumer Union web site.

GE has, thus far, refused the alternative we proposed:
* Redesign the product and exchange this model for such new product, in effect a recall.
* Fix the product.
* Return our purchase  price.

We are continuing to negotiate with them in the hope of a favorable resolution.


This is a truly outstanding cooktop.  I have cooked with electric, gas, and now magnetic induction, and magnetic induction has been the most enjoyable experience by far.  It's really not even close.  Prior to hooking this cooktop up I timed how long it took my (previous) gas oven to cook 96 ounces of water in an uncovered pot: 11 minutes and 30 seconds.  When I hooked up this cooktop and tried the same amount of water in the same pot, it took 4 minutes and 45 seconds to bring it to a rolling boil. It is amazing how fast this thing cooks.  I can boil water in a small saucepan in under 2 minutes.

And not only does it heat things up amazingly fast, but it also allows one to bring the temperature way down to do things like delicately melting chocolate.

Another huge plus about this cooktop is that the hobs ("hobs" is a more official word for "burner") are diagonal instead of the typical way they are laid out in strips of two each. This was the main reason I narrowed down to this particular induction cooktop (other than it being made by Miele, a company that makes ultra-superb products).  By placing the hobs diagonally it opens up a lot more space for placing cookware. I've had all four hobs used up by relatively large cookware, without any of the pieces bumping into each other.  This was also the reason I went with the 30-inch model instead of the 36-inch (well, that and the fact I would've had to do some cabinet rearranging to get the 36-inch model into place). Simply put, with the diagonal layout I didn't feel the need for a fifth hob.

It's a breeze to clean, you can associate a timer with each hob to control when each shuts off (a great feature for, say, pressure cooking), the range of cooking temperatures is very wide, and it's great to know that when I hit "7" for a temperature that I get a rolling simmer and when hitting "6" I get a lower simmer--every single time.  Also, provided you have a decent set of cookware (and likely even if you don't), say goodbye to hot handles: induction cooktops are so efficient that unless using cookware laden with very cheap handles (and I bet even cheap handles wouldn't make a difference) your handles won't heat up.  We've been cooking with this cooktop for 6 months now and we have yet to experience a warm handle.  I'll note here for people unfamiliar with induction cooking that the cooktop doesn't actually use heat to heat up the pan.  Instead, it uses magnetic induction, which causes the cookware to heat up.  Consequently, you need magnetic cookware in order for this to work--such as magnetic stainless steel or cast iron.

One thing I should note is that I specifically bought a very expensive set of cookware to use with this cooktop: the Demeyere Atlantis collection.  I mention this only because I have read that cheaper cookware may emit some buzzing or even popping when used with induction cooktops.  The Demeyere cookware does not emit any noises, and I'd expect that because it really was designed for induction--though also perfectly capable of cooking wonderfully with gas or electric.  So, if you're going to buy this kind of cooktop, I suggest going all the way and getting some quality cookware.  I should also note that the Demeyere Atlantis cookware is incredible cookware...it is leagues above the cookware we had prior to getting it.  You should see how it cleans!

This is a wonderful, well designed product and I give it 5-plus stars.  My wife and I love cooking with it and cooking is noticeably more enjoyable since we've had it. If you can afford to buy a Miele product you very likely won't be disappointed.


NOTE: I actually purchased the Sunpentown IM-101S, but it is the identical machine inside.

PLEASE DO NOT LET OTHER POOR REVIEWS TURN YOU AWAY FROM AN EXELLENT MACHINE!

I purchased my IM-101S Sunpentown Ice Maker through Amazon on August 26, 2011. I wonder why several people have reported machines with marginal reliability and broken parts after only a few months? Hard water? Maybe that's the key, I use soft water. It's easier on the parts. :)

But seriously, I have had the Sunpentown IM-101S for just over THREE YEARS now. During that time it has not just sat around doing nothing. We have a family of five who use it 24/7. Our ice maker is never unplugged and never turned off. I originally bought it to fill in when the ice maker in our refrigerator broke. Although I knew I'd fix that one eventually, I wanted a spare ice maker since our family hates being without ice. After repairing the ice maker in our refrigerator, we decided to make THAT ice maker the backup for the Sunpentown. There are two reasons for that: ONE, the Sunpentown makes more ice than the refrigerator ice maker. TWO, the refrigerator ice maker can be turned off for long periods of time without getting dusty or smelling funny.

The ice maker in the refrigerator only gets turned on once-in-a-while when we have company or when it's a really hot summer and we need extra ice. Other than that, the Sunpentown is our ice maker of choice.

FINALLY - Just last week (October 5, 2014), after THREE YEARS of use, there was a failure. Yes folks, the machine broke. But this is a story with a good ending! The failure was easy to diagnose, easy to fix and very inexpensive. What failed? The plastic rotator pin on one end of the water tray that goes into the motor broke off. That meant the water tray would not rotate. The digital screen gave an error message saying that the "ICE SHOVEL CANNOT ROTATE". Although an accurate statement, it's not really the problem. The shovel is just the floppy plastic scraper attached to the front of the water tray. The reason the shovel cannot rotate is because THE WATER TRAY CANNOT ROTATE. Therefore, the part to order when you get this error is the WATER TRAY, not the ice shovel. Sunpentown sells the water tray for only $20 plus shipping (and tax if you are in California). I ordered two just to have a spare.  They arrived just three days after I placed the order.

Here is the website for the Ice Maker parts:
http://www.sunpentown.com/paacforicema.html

Here are instructions for replacing the water tray complete with step-by-step pictures:
http://site.sunpentown.com/IM-100.101_watertray.pdf

Using those instructions, it took just a Phillips screwdriver and 15 minutes to disassemble the machine. While I had it apart, I took the opportunity to clean the dust bunnies out and look over the inner workings of the machine. I am an aerospace manufacturing engineer, so I understand machines. Except for the plastic water tray, this is a pretty robust machine. Like a refrigerator, the cooling system should last for many long years. Keep in mind that even very expensive refrigerators use generic plastic ice makers that tend to need repair or replacement every two or three years. That puts this Sunpentown ice maker right on part with your expensive refrigerator.

I reassembled my Sunpentown IM-101S ice maker in about 20 minutes (I took time to Loctite some of the sheet metal screws because they are pretty loose). My ice maker is now back up and running just fine and once again has become our main ice maker. I turned off the refrigerator ice maker to save for future emergencies.


In April of 2009 we purchased several Architect Series stainless steel KitchenAid appliances from a local authorized dealer including a diswasher, microwave, stove, warming drawer and a 36" cooktop and downdraft unit (~$10,000 of product).  When the cooktop unit arrived it was installed by the local dealer's service technicians.  During the installation we discovered that a number of pieces were missing from the cooktop including burner tops that prevented us from using the cooktop.  After 3 to 4 phone calls to Whirlpool and about 2 weeks later we finally received the parts and discovered that Whirlpool (owner of KitchenAid brand) had sent the wrong parts.  After several more phone calls we were finally sent what we thought were the remaining correct parts.  After the technician arrived to install them he found that we were missing more burner parts from the high capacity burner and that using the burner without these parts had scorched the cooktop slightly.  At the same time we discovered that the downdraft system activation button was not working correctly and more new parts for both items were ordered by the technician.  A new cooktop was ordered and then installed about 3-4 weeks later by the local dealer.  After the cooktop was installed we discovered that it was scratched badly and ordered another.  About 2 weeks later the parts for the downdraft arrived and were installed by the technicians.  The next day the downdraft system got stuck in the up and on position and could not be turned off.  Another cooktop arrived several weeks later and was installed.  I called the local dealer frustrated at having paid for a new cooktop in April and still not able to use it fully in late July and was told by the owner that we had to wait to have a Whirlpool authorized 3rd party technician come to our house to evaluate the unit before Whirlpool would do anything to replace or repair the downdraft unit.  Meanwhile, after 4-5 phonecalls and being transferred around in Whirlpool's "customer service" bureacracy of divisions we tried to get a replacement unit and were told by Whirlpool that they would send us one but that they were on backorder and it would be mid-August before one could be delivered to our home.  We asked them if they could find one at a distributor or retailer and have that unit sent to us and were told by the "customer service" person that they don't do that.  They furthermore said that we could try to do that on our own but that they would only refund exactly the discounted price that we paid from the local retailer and not what we would have to pay to get one delivered from somewhere else in the country to our home.

I run a manufacturing business that sells products in the same price range as these appliances through distribution to retail stores.  We occassionally make mistakes as do all companies.  When a customer has a problem, our customer service ensures that the customer is taken care of immediately either through a local retailer or directly from us.  We see a problem as an opportunity to have customers rave about our service levels to other potential customers and realize that service attitude and responsiveness pays for itself several times over in the positive word of mouth versus the negative that would occur if we didn't do this.  Whirlpool had a huge opportunity to have my wife and I telling a wonderful customer service story that would have positively influenced other potential customers in an affluent community where many of our friends and neighbors are upgrading kitchens.  Instead I will be telling as many people as I can both verbally and online about my experience and the impact to their sales will be 10-100 times what it would have cost them to be nice to us and try to solve our problem.  I hope that someone in the management of Whirlpool someday gets this message and uses it to change the company for the positive. Meanwhile, I suggest that if you can, you should avoid buying any of the brands that are made and serviced by Whirlpool.


We got this adorable little gas range for our new place this past autumn. Our old one was on its last legs, and even though it was a full size range, we decided to opt for this 20" model. We don't plan on cooking a 20lb turkey or anything, so this was plenty big for us (though some talented soul probably could pull off a 20 pounder to perfection in this thing.)

Need More Room In Your Kitchen?

Sure, there's only 10 inches difference in the width of this one compared to a standard 30" range, but sometimes, a small variance makes all the difference in the world. Getting this compact range allowed us to rearrange our kitchen so we could fit a compact LG Washer Dryer Combo, and THAT, my friends, HAS made an E.N.O.R.M.O.U.S impact on our quality of life for sure! All of which would not have been possible without this small and mighty range! To help you visualize it, just imagine a standard range with the 2 columns of burners, on the left and right. Between them, is the empty center column, which we all basically use for spoons and trivets. Well, if you remove that center column and then squish the 2 sides together, you get this little range. But don't let the size fool you, it's still plenty spacious in there. Yes, we do have to put our large cookie sheet in sideways now, but it still fits just fine.

Inside Dimensions

This range is deeper than it is wide, and it's just as deep as a standard range; only the width has been condensed. The approximate inside dimensions of the oven are: 14"w x 19"d x 16"h. It has 2 adjustable racks, so that gives 2 levels of cooking space. Perfect for us.

Heat Accuracy & Performance

The temp dial for the oven seems pretty accurate to the actual temperature. No, I haven't measured anything scientifically, but going by instinct and compared to the other ranges I've had in my life -- this one beats them all. I learned how to tweak my other ranges up or down to accommodate for variances, but with this little guy, 400 means 400; and so on, down the line of temps. We've had this about 4 months now, and use it daily. So we have plenty of experience with it and are very happy with how it has performed for us.

Auto-Ignition Oven & Burners

It took a couple of months before I stopped instinctively reaching for a lighter to ignite the burners for my morning oatmeal. This thing has an auto ignition that does NOT require a lit pilot; not for the oven, and not for the burners. Sounds like no biggie? Guess again. Those tiny little burning pilots go a long way in heating up the entire house during a blistering summer, which in turn, makes us ramp up the A/C. So not having any lit pilots that stay on 24/7 is a huge deal. These electric ignitions work like a charm, each and every time. It took 4 months, but I've finally stopped reaching for that darn lighter.

Broiler

Yes, this does have a broiler and rack on the bottom. We haven't used it much, but like that it's there.

Oven Light

Another H.U.G.E improvement! Our old range did have a window on the oven door, but no light inside; another 'little thing' that's actually a B.I.G thing. We love being able to look inside at what's cooking without opening the oven door. We use the light all the time. Fantastic!

Bottom Line -- We LOVE our small and mighty little gas range. Amana has been around for years, so we trust our little gas range will be too. And it looks really good too. Nothing but love here for that little guy!! Thanks to him, we now get to do laundry at HOME for the first time in 25 years! Thanks little cutie; you've helped make a big difference in our lives!!


I have owned this model for a few years now and cannot be more pleased.

I live with my boyfriend in a small upstairs apartment. One day while taking a regular trip to our gross, ghetto Laundromat I was shocked to see that the owners raised the prices on the washers to $2.00 a load! This might not be much compared to other cities but the laundromat was not upgraded in any way to warrant a raise in price so the next day I went to Sears and purchased this washer. We have not been back to the laundromat since.

I also have to tell you that my boyfriend works in construction and gets his clothes muddy, smelly, generally dirty and he has owns more clothing than me. This washer has never had a problem handling any of it. It has a great variety of settings; Heavy Duty, Normal, Permanent Press and Hand Wash. The two settings we use the most are Heavy Duty and Normal. The Heavy Duty mode runs for an extra cycle more than Normal. You can also change the water settings: High & Medium. (High = filled to the top, Medium = halfway filled.) There are also convenient places for you to put Bleach, Powder Detergent and Fabric softener so it automatically dispenses. Directions say to put regular detergent directly in the basket.

A normal cycle will run about 25-30 minutes and while filling it is pretty loud. Once filled, depending on how much water you have designated it gets much more quiet. If you put the water level on Medium without a lot of clothing in it you will hear sloshing. The washer also shakes pretty hard when it hits the spin cycle and should be considered if you are putting this on tile/hardwood. I recommend putting a rug under it - the area we use it in is all carpet.

I have read other reviews on this machine that people had to look for a special part or extender in order to attach the included faucet cap since you have to unscrew the one already attached to your faucet and screw on the one you receive in order to fit the tube onto your sink. Since we did not have this problem due to low-end fixtures so I have no comment on it but I'm just putting it out there just in case.

Our clothes come out pretty dry and since we don't have the matching dryer we hang all of our clothes and most of them dry wrinkle free. I will say that my professional suit-style clothes will usually need ironed after being washed and then air-dried.

One complaint I have is that the fabric softener area in the agitator is very difficult to clean. You pop it out of the agitator (we had to pull very very hard) and you can only reach so far in there to get any fabric softener goop out. I don't recommend Downy for the softener since it's slimy and leaves a ton of residue. What you pop off in the agitator also holds the little lint trap which looks like a basket. This is even more difficult to pull apart so we wash the lint trap with it still attached to the fabric softener holder. It's easiest to clean when the lint is completely dry.

I have had no musty smells from the washer in part because we leave the top open always. However, for the few months of usage there was a strong plastic smell from the drum. It didn't bother us and it eventually went away and the smell never stuck to our clothes.

I can't imagine still going back and forth to the laundromat, I will say I miss being able to dry my clothes but all of our clothes are completely air-dried after hanging overnight so it's not that much of an inconvenience. Once we move into a place of our own I plan on keeping this washer for washing other things like rags and stuff you generally would want to keep separate from washing your regular clothes in.

I love this little washer and would recommend this to anyone who would like an apartment size washer or hates their laundromat.

One thing I forgot to mention is that it comes with casters so you can move it around if necessary. I have no problems pushing it around on my low-pile carpet.


I love how quiet this dishwasher is!  This is the first dishwasher I have owned with a stainless steel tub and I can really tell the difference!  We replaced our Kenmore Ultrawash model that we purchased in 2007 because it was SO LOUD!  We could barely hear the television in the next room and my husband wouldn't let me run it at night because it was loud when we were sleeping so I had to run it during the day.  My review compares this new Bosch to the old Kenmore.

Also, we had quite a time with Best Buy.  We purchased the floor model so we saved a chunk of money.  However, they forgot to give us the installation kit so we had no instructions and no parts.  It should have been a 30 minute installation but after 3  hours, 2 trips to the hardware store, and one HUGE marital fight, we figured this out.  At that point it was already installed (and we weren't speaking!).  However, I discovered a week later that the dishwasher was leaking so I called Best Buy and told them my husband was on his way to get the installation kit.  They didn't ask me any information about what we purchased but said they could sell us something.  I told them we needed it for free.  My husband got to the store and needed the model number.  He couldn't get ahold of me, and for some reason they didn't/couldn't look it up in the computer, so he ended up going to Lowe's and spending another $30.  Due to this, I would never buy the floor model again - but if you do, be sure to get the install kit with delivery!!

Pros:
*QUIET - yes, you can hear it, but it sounds like a soft rain.  We can watch television and have a conversation in the same room because it's so quiet.  That was my main criteria!  If it wasn't quiet, I was going to return it.
*racks slide well - my Kenmore felt really cheap because of the ways the racks slid out but this Bosch is great - the bottom rack doesn't come off of the track
*stays clean inside - having a stainless steel tub means that it doesn't stain like the old white tub.  I still try to add vinegar for most washes just to make sure
*cleans fine - cleaning is not superb (at least for the general wash cycle) but it cleans just fine.  I tried the pots & pans setting last time but my husband emptied the dishwasher so I don't know if the dishes came out cleaner.  I still don't put in caked on dishes and definitely not dried cheese
*makes dishes relatively dry - dishes are not perfectly dry when the cycle is done but they're good enough.  I usually open the door and let them finish air drying overnight

Cons:
*Smaller capacity - this is likely due to the insulation but I will take this any day due to how quiet this machine is
*Not the best configuration - I'm not really excited about the configuration in the racks.  It seems really close together and it's not easy to put glasses or pans on the bottom rack.
*Dinging when it's done - this is annoying and loud.  I tried to figure out how to make it stop but I made it worse!  Instead of dinging 5 times - twice - it dinged 5 times for at least 5 times before I shut the dishwasher off.  However, I googled it last week and figured it out so no more dinging.  (The only bad thing now is I don't know when it's done so I just wait a couple of hours before I open it up to let the dishes finish drying.)

One other note: I read online today that the best way to clean stainless steel is with a little olive oil and a cotton cloth so I'll try that tonight.


I purchased this Frigidaire Professional 30" gas range (FPGF3081KF) to replace my parents' aging GE stove which barely survived the Thanksgiving holiday.  We are a family of french cooks, including a professional executive chef with international cooking experience.  For us, a good quality stove is important in any household.  Prior to my purchase, I set my requirements based on the following criteria:

Stove Requirements:
* 30-in width, free standing
* Middle burner w/cast-iron griddle/grill
* Gas burners
* Convection oven
* Warming or baking drawer
* Stainless
* Reliable brand for daily heavy use
* Budget under $1400

Initially, I was focusing on the GE Profile series.  A close friend owns a GE Profile with the specs listed above and paid around $1900 for his.  He has had it for 4 years and has been extremely pleased with it.  Although I really liked the look and capabilities of the GE Profile series, the model I wanted was out of my price range.  During a visit at my local BestBuy, I came across the Frigidaire Gallery and Professional series, and was impressed with the quality of the ranges.  I began my research and was impressed with many of the reviews.

Over the Black Friday weekend, I found a GE Profile floor model at BestBuy for $1299, and this Frigidaire Professional, brand new, for $1053.  Comparing apples to apples, the GE Profile was not worth the extra $246, so I decided on the Frigidaire.

Review - Positive Notes:
(We have only had this stove for just over a week, but have used it heavily and have tested all of the features.  So far, this stove has passed every test with flying colors.)
* The overall impression is that this is a heavy duty and professional quality stove.  Nothing feels cheap.
* The continuous grates allows better control of the pots and pans on the stove-top, and seem to be of high quality.
* The burners are very responsive and burn at a much higher intensity than our previous stove.
* The burner knobs are made of metal (instead of plastic), which gives the stove that added level of professional quality.
* The stainless steel finish is not a fingerprint magnet.  The black stove top hides dirt when cooking, and is easy to clean.
* The PowerPlus burner drastically decreases the time it takes us to boil water.  The high intensity of this burner works very well with larger pots.
* The customizable oven racks, including the slide-out feature of the bottom rack are really useful!  Having that bottom rack slide out about 6 inches towards you as you open the oven door really helps reduce the chance of getting burnt.
* Warming drawer is an added bonus, and kept a roasted chicken well heated at the highest setting, without drying it out.
* The center burner with w/cast-iron grill allowed us to cook skewered steak to perfection!
* The oven and timer controls are easy to follow, once you've glanced at the manual.

Review - Negative Notes:
* When using the oven at high temperatures, some of the burner knobs tend to get really hot.  Although I did not burn myself figuring this out, it's worth noting for next time.
* The oven temperature pre-sets buttons (Pizza, Nuggets) were less useful than I anticipated.  The Pizza button is preset at a temperature of 425 degrees, which is not high enough for pizza.  To properly cook a freshly-made pizza on a pizza stone, the oven needs to be set at 500 or higher.
* As other users have indicated, the largest burner (17,000/500 BTU), does not have much mid-range.  It's either very intense, or very low.  I didn't see this necessarily as a negative, because we were able to adjust our cooking according to the stove's capabilities.

Overall, I am very content with this purchase.  Not only did I stay below my budget, but I ended up with a professional grade stove which more than serves our purpose.  Let's just hope my positive feelings remain the same in a year from now!


The agitator on our 90's base-model Kenmore broke after about 12+ years of use. I couldn't justify the cost of replacing the parts to get it working again.  We exhausted our research and came across all of the bad reviews on the high-efficiency issues of washers on the market as of 2011.  People were complaining about less water, less clean clothes, less hot water, smell of mildew with front loaders, wash time, etc.  I made mind to find for the most inefficient top-load washer I could find to mirror what we had.  We were leaning on the top-loaders that filled 50% with water, but we were swayed by this Samsung when we saw an open-box unit selling for $620 at a big-box store.  The previous ownerreturned it because of a minor scratch.

We are delighted they returned it! We got a great performing machine and haven't experienced any of the reported issues most customer reviews scream about online.  Complainers resonate the loudest to you when it comes to a big-ticket item purchase.  We overlooked the naysayers and dived-in.  Not only did the open-box sale price push us into this 2011 top-of-line model. The allergy certification swayed us heavily because our 4yo has major allergies (mites, pets, etc).  The sanitizer option is fantastic!

When compared to our base-model 90's washer, this thing is awesome!  It is super quiet during the wash cycle.  The only time we really hear it is during the spin cycle.  When you use the extreme spin-cycle setting it whines-up like a turbo engine, but it sounds cool to me.  I dig it!  When it's done, it makes a silly musical jingle...we no longer get the end-game buzzer sound.  The washer sounds so happy that it finished another load for us.

Our clothes come out clean.  They smell fresh.  They're warm after the wash.  The water-temp naysayers should change their hot-water tank setting.  My wife's nursing uniforms no longer have lent-balls on them after a wash.  The dryer filter is getting less lent too.  We tossed half of the house into this thing the first week.  It got stains out of our white living-room pillows that we just couldn't remove with the other washer.  My son's bedding and other items were all sanitized.  The washes don't take too long.  Generally 40-60 mins under a heavy normal-wash load and 2 hours with the sanitize option.  We can get others things done while its underway - why are people complaining about the time of a washer?  Go watch a game while its on!

We leave the washer door cracked to air-dry.  Once a week I'll clean the rubber seal to prevent any mildew smell.  A little pro-active cleaning and maintenance goes a long way.

When you use the sanitizer be careful of your kid's teddy-bears.  One furry little puppy teddy-bear hitched a ride on a load by mistake.  He came out looking like a bald Chihuahua.  We may need to comb it for a week to get the hair fluffy again!  Put your decorative pillows on delicates not sanitize - you might see some fraying from the seams.  Yes, I went overboard cleansing our linens after we bought it!

If you buy it from a big-box store, be sure to make observe and review the installers work.  Our installers stripped the plastic hot-water connection with a rushed job.

If you can find this unit as an open-box then leap on it.  I think you'll be VERY pleased with the deal and quality of cleaning you get you of this machine.  If you purchase one at full retail price you should still be pleased with the results.  Hopefully we won't experience any mechanical or computer issues in the future, but to date we're very pleased with our purchase.  Now if only I could park a car in this thing to clean where the kids sit...


This is my 2nd GE Profile double wall oven.  The previous one would have lasted longer but the appliance installer installed it incorrectly.  That had NOTHING to do with the manufacturer and is a rant that wouldn't be helpful here. Suffice it to say that if he took the trouble to do the job correctly, it'd still be working.

I use one or both ovens nearly every day and the temperature setting is accurate and heating is relatively even inside the oven. The great advantage of a double-wall-oven is that if you're working on a large number of dishes, and they need different temperatures, you're not having to continually jockey dishes in and out of the oven, changing the temperature, switching to 'broil', etc. Life is much, much easier. Especially if you're doing Thanksgiving for a large group, as I do.

The top oven is convection-or-conventional, the bottom one is conventional-only. The controls are touch-panel on the top of the unit and are fairly intuitive (e.g. press 'Bake', then the number-panel for the temperature, then 'start'). There's a nice, big, easy-to-read display so I can see the temperature and timer from across the room. There are also lockout controls so you can set a numeric password and disable the controls if you have young children or special-needs family members who shouldn't be operating the ovens.

GE has eliminated the pesky bottom heating element - it was a nuisance to clean round - and placed it underneath the oven floor. So the sides and bottom are unobstructed. That makes cleaning up large drips much easier.  The broiler element is still exposed underneath the oven 'ceiling', but that's pretty much the same case with all brands.

The ovens will automatically shut off after 12 hours - to avoid disasters from forgetful cooks. But there are instructions for overriding this.

On my old ovens, the lowest I could set the temperature was 170 degrees. The new ones have a 'Warm' setting that's great for keeping things like pizza-still-inside-the-cardboard-box warm without scorching. Its also got great possibilities as a dryer if you need a dehydrator for fruit, vegetables, etc.

GE has made both ovens the same size, which really helps when you're shuffling racks around. On the older ones, the bottom oven was slightly larger than the top, so the racks were different-size.

There's a temperature-probe socket in the to oven (I recall you had to buy the temperature probe separately). I've never used it. It seemed prone to failure on the first GE Profile ovens I owned. I'd sooner go with a Taylor remote oven thermometer, which is inexpensive and foolproof. It will beep at you when your roast, etc. hits a specific, pre-set temperature.

If you install this appliance yourself (as I did with the new one), there are a very precise set of installation instructions, including enclosure dimension,  electrical connections, etc.  The only thing I had to customize was making a temporary wood platform at the same height as the enclosure so I could finish wiring and then slide the oven into the enclosure.  This is a really heavy appliance and having a 2nd set of hands available is a real plus.

The only criticisms/complaints I have about this appliance are 1.) When you've got the oven AND the kitchen timer going, and the timer starts beeping, if you set 'Clear/Off', it turns off the timer AND the oven. You have to press 'Kitchen Timer' and then '0' on the number panel to reset it to zero and effectively turn it off.  2.) The bottom self-clean door-latch went out after a year and a half and I had to replace the part. 3.) Self-Clean still leaves little bits of gunk around the edges of the doors and the front edge of each oven. The only way I've been able to clean this is with conventional oven cleaner.

Parts are ridiculously easy to locate for this oven. All you have to do is enter the model number in a web search engine and you can find an exploded parts diagram and numerous parts suppliers.

Overall, if I had to buy a wall oven appliance again, I'd definitely go with GE Profile double wall oven


I recently moved into an apartment with this dryer, and like many other reviewers, I found it was completely worthless.  According to the manual, this thing is actually designed to NOT completely dry clothes, since that supposedly damages them.  However,  I prefer my clothes to be mildew-free, so here's what I did to get this thing to properly dry my clothes:

-Stop trying to clean the sensors with vinegar.  It's a complete waste of time--use the vinegar to clean your coffee maker or espresso machine instead.
- Next, open the panel below and to the left of the door and remove the plastic drawer-looking thing  after twisting the two tabs on the corners.  You won't be needing this thing anymore, but place it on top of the dryer or someplace nearby so it doesn't get lost/discarded.  Someone else who wants their clothes to smell like mildew may want this at a later date....
- Next, don't close that panel door if you want to do laundry.  Obviously, you can close it between loads, but you will always run the dryer with this panel open.  If your dryer is in a closet with a door, carefully make sure the closet door closes without slamming into the dryer panel door when it is open.  My unit is in a very small area and the closet door wouldn't close without hitting the panel door, so I cut a piece of string to a very specific length and then knotted it to make a loop so the panel door is open at about a 30 degree angle when looped around the panel latch and either of the metal pieces that make up the locking mechanism in the dryer door.  This may take some trial and error, and you can do it anyway you want, but the panel door absolutely needs to be open when you're doing laundry.  If you have a closet door, I'm just guessing you want that closet door to be closed, but obviously that is up to you.

- Next, take out the lint screen, remove any lint, and wash it with hot water and shake it off to dry.  Even if it looks clean, it may not be, so rinse it with hot water.

- This next step is optional, but I found it severely reduced the "filter" light warnings I was getting.  Turn the lint screen over and notice the screen mesh covers the hinged area in the base of it.  Take a razor blade and cut through the screen at the base (i.e., between the plastic along the hinged base).  This may not look like a big deal, but it will dramatically increase the airflow through the lint screen while still allowing the lint screen to function and collect lint.  Again, this part is optional (and it does permanently modify the lint screen), but I found it significantly reduced the number of times that the filter idiot light comes on.

- For regular maintenance, I only wash the lint screen with hot water and shake it out to dry when the filter light comes on.  I think the mesh is so fine that it gets clogged by stuff that's hard to see, so don't trust your eyes.  When the filter light comes on, take out the lint screen, remove any lint, wash it off with hot water, and shake it to dry.  Also, I used to rinse off the metal condenser thing in the drawer behind the open panel, but I don't think that matters, so I don't even do that any more, but if you run into any problems, you may want to rinse that off as well.

- Lastly, I always use the Regular/Cotton--Extra Dry setting, with the "Low Heat" push-button option selected.  Unfortunately, it can take an hour or more, but it always dries my clothes that way.  The clock is never right--it starts at 2:37 but then updates continuously and I'd say it takes about an hour or so,  I haven't tried a lot of the other settings, but they may work as well.

Hope this helps.  Feel free to add your experience/comments/thoughts/ tips below.


If you have found your way to this review, it is likely that you have already discovered there are few options available for homes that lack the full 36" width needed to fit the wide variety of "big boys" available. So we landed upon this LG model as the best compromise of features and capacity to replace our 20 year old Kitchen Aid single door with bottom freezer (still working).  In the process, we also discovered that newer models are slightly taller, so do your homework and be prepared to do some woodworking!

The inside space arrangement is radically different from our old model, and requires some re-thinking of how you store things. At this point, I am wondering if we wouldn't be better off removing one of the shelves in order to accommodate more tall items.  The biggest difference is the lack of door storage when compared to the old one with the longer single door. The ice maker occupies much of the left door, so things that might have been grouped together in the old unit now must be separated.  The freezer space, on the other hand, is much improved over our old Kitchen Aid.  It is both larger and more convenient due to the pull-out drawer.

Performance-wise, the electronic settings and controls allow much more accurate adjustment than the older model. The alarm for "door ajar" is very handy when you have guests using it.  Based on experimentation, this thing freezes items much quicker- I used the freezer last night to chill down some cooked asparagus, which is something I would never have even thought to try on the old fridge. Air circulation in the refrigerator sector is very good, and the full length drawer for meats and cheeses does a good job of keeping things fresh. I do believe we will realize a small savings from being able to store items longer while maintaining freshness. The lighting inside is good, although not quite as "pretty" as some of its big brothers.
Things I don't like?  OK, this is a pretty puny icemaker, so if you need a bunch you had better be emptying into a bin down below to stock up. The other issue I have noticed about it is it seems a bit inconsistent; almost fickle, about making ice, sometimes taking longer than other times to dump more out-haven't figured that one out yet; it may be related to the use of the cold water dispenser.  While on the subject of dispensing, other reviewers nailed it- it just about throws ice at you, but it only takes a few trials before you see how you need to hold the cup to catch it.  Same with the water dispenser- not very well thought out, but you will get used to it.  Another dislike is the way you access the icemaker from inside the door; the latch and the way it closes is not very smooth.  Lastly, as I mentioned earlier, the storage arrangement takes some getting used to; in particular where bulky and tall items are concerned.

To summarize, so far we are happy with the purchase, although it is a bit of a personal disappointment to actually have to pay more for the smaller unit than a comparable wide model.

********UPDATE 11-2017*********
We just finished a month-long ordeal with a "sealed system" repair.  I had purchased a 36 month extended warranty under the theory that if it lasted that long it would go the distance; On month 37 I found out I made a bad bet.  The details are not as important as telling you that LG does not have the support network in place in the U.S. to be able to take care of their customers, and that it took multiple attempts, multiple trips, and multiple waits to finally, FINALLY, get it going again.  The "smart" features are not smart enough to let you know you have a freezer thawing out, and the fantastic alarm will tell you that the door is open but is in no way tied to threshold temps to warn you that things have gone awry.  When you take into account the cost of the goods you are storing, not to mention the inconveniences associated with "camping" while you wait for LG to send parts, only to wait again for service scheduling, it is just not worth it.  It's fairly common knowledge among the folks who service appliances as to which brands to avoid.


Wow.  What a piece of junk.  First off, when you pay $1800 for a range, it should work like an expensive Swiss watch.  When you put "Made in the USA" stickers on it, you're shaming our country's craftsmanship.....or maybe that was a warning.  Can you tell if it was built on a Friday?

Got the stove in September.  By October, the "safety" shutoff valve that only operates with current began to buzz.  Its an electromagnetic plunger that will stop any gas feed to the burners if not powered.  If you lose power, you cant use the gas.  There is no override.  Every time it was engaged, it would sound like a set of barber shop clippers and loud.  I called Whirlpool and played them a recording of the sound, and the actual sound and they sent a tech who confirmed what I knew.  It made me nervous to use the oven because this is a gas line component.  The tech ordered the part, and proceeded to blow me off twice over the course of 4 weeks on replacement putting the repair AFTER Thanksgiving.  I was forced to take it into my control.  It took me all of 30 minutes to replace it, but I had to confirm the work would be warrantied since I had to DIY.  I'm not sure how they expect to sell the warranties they push if they're not going to provide service at all.  Tip:  Hire people that actually care about doing a good job.

Recently, the right 16k BTU mid-range burner valve froze closed (I appreciate it didn't get stuck open).  I could tell the heat from the top oven was making something stick, but wouldnt you know that this happens a month out of the pitiful one year warranty they provide.  The valve itself is $80, which surprised me.  I guess I'll be on DIY duty for that too.  This one failed right before Xmas dinner within its first year of use.  If they start to get catchy, be ready to buy new ones.  Its a stamped/cast part that cant be cleaned.  Yay obsolescence and the throw away society!

It doesnt get heavy use.  Its me and the wife and we probably cook on it 3 times a week.

The final nail in its coffin was when I washed the stainless knobs (which are too heavy for the valve spring actuation to work properly).  Something in the back of the knob connection is water soluble because now none of the 5 knobs fit on the valve stems at all.  I'm looking to source for lighter knobs so that the spring has a fighting chance.

Cliffnotes:  Avoid KitchenAid (or Whirlpool for that matter).  They're made cheaply, they break easily and their service is awful.  What kicks me in the gut is that I bought it through the "VIP" program.  The one year warranty is a joke.  They will constantly call, write, and email you about their warranty program, which costs about $100 a year (go figure).  You'll need it if you buy one.  3 failures in the first year of use is unacceptable.
They kept asking me if I had used the self-clean feature and wouldn't say why they were asking.  I'm seriously afraid to that feature now.

Stainless?  More like Gillette thin razorblade construction with an appetite for fingerprints.  The thing is very hard to keep clean, and it can cut you good if you're not aware of the edges.

Also, if you don't have a in-wall 4 prong plug set exactly at the back indentation where the book shows, forget it.  There is no bottom cabinet room for any kind of mistake and will never sit flush agaist the wall.  That cost me another $120 in copper wire, an outlet, box, and an entire evening.  This aint like the ones that sit over top of the floor mount box you find in a lot of homes.

What happened to the days with something like an oven could last 20 years without incident?  This stove is dangerous IMHO.  I would send it right back to them for a refund if they stood behind their products.


Do you like to have your clothing randomly stripped of color?  Do you like to waste water wantonly?  Well, then, this is the washer for you!  This particular model of top-loading Whirlpool washer offers the following benefits-- if you following the manufacturer's directions and add the laundry soap at the bottom of the machine (sparingly, natch!), then loosely arrange your full load on top reaching just above the center line of the washing basket, you can experience the sheer wonder of discovering your brand new clothes, sheets, your favorite sweaters and familiar unmentionables come out stripped of color wherever they touched your (natural, normally non-damaging) detergent or low-suds laundry soap!

Would you prefer to keep your clothes undamaged and just wash them?  Do you like to play guessing games?  Well, you can do both of these things with your brand new Whirlpool washer!  Try the following difficult trick:  Add your laundry detergent after you've placed your clothes into the washing basket, but just before the washing cycle starts!  Should you miss adding the soap in the crucial 5.3 seconds after the basket fills partway with water but right before the clothes begin to agitate, prepare to experience cries of joy while watching your brand new soap and water in the basket drain out and refill, causing you to start the process over six, maybe seven times today!

Do you like to run?  How about running sprints?  Enjoy brief periods of exercise throughout the day by trying to wash your clothes without either damaging them or wasting water!  Here's what you have to do to get the full benefit of the Whirlpool sprints-- a) Place your non-damaging soap in the bottom of the washing basket.  b)  Start the wash cycle, but do not add any clothes just yet.  c)  Plan to stand and wait three to twenty minutes as the basket fills with water.  d)  Get called away for a phone call, and forget about the running washer in the garage.  e)  Remember you are washing clothes just as the empty washer begins to agitate. f) Shout profanities into the phone while running as fast as you can down the hallway through the living room into the kitchen where you will fling the garage door open, careen around the corner to the washer and rip open the lid.  g) Toss the clothes into the sudsy water in the basket, and spend the rest of the afternoon burning calories by worrying whether your clothes went through a full wash cycle or not.

I never knew I could be so entertained by one Whirlpool appliance, which we purchased brand new with a full warranty just last year!  Every item of clothing I own now features that distinctive Whirlpool color-stripped look, and the brand new 500-thread-count sheets that I carefully loaded into the machine last week look like they've been through the First and the Second World War in just one wash cycle!  As you can imagine, I am still crying tears of joy!

Call me wild, but I just love to read appliance instructions six, seven, or eight times in both French and English.  By following Whirlpool's instructions, I've finally found the machine that will fulfill my dream of damaging any garment and household item that managed to survive our pre-Whirlpool washing days.  I'd go back to using a laundry mangle or an off-brand washer, but I don't believe I'd get nearly as much exercise as I do with our current Whirlpool model, and I've come to relish the "antiqued" look this nearly-new washer offers to even the sturdiest fabrics.  Plus, I've got calves to die for after all those afternoons sprinting back and forth to do the laundry.  I would never have imagined that one washing machine could have so many benefits, but by golly, Whirlpool has gone and done it.  Thanks, Whirlpool!