All TLs without agitators (with washplates) are HE machines and require HE detergent.

True, true, true, but this model has the agitator and is not HE. Actually, it is 3.8 and not 3.9 as I first thought.

Sounds like you are leaning the same way that I am. Kenmore Elite has a model that is their version of the 6200, and it has four user selectable water levels, plus an auto option. GE has some models they call Kolossal, and I think they claim 4.1 cf.

Even though our current machine is still working, I am thinking I maybe better buy something soon, while I can still get one that I can control my own water level.

Fisher Paykel, take a look at a WA37T26. Also for arguments sake the 6200 is basically a Fisher paykel designed wash system so they should function simlarly.

The salesman basically took the F/P apart while we were talking. I think it was that unit, but I don't honestly remember if it was or not. It was so funny though - I was standing there holding the plastic outer drum in my hands talking about the machine!

Schutzhund

I am getting the 6200 on Friday and they are taking back the 6400, I just could NOT get used to the TL HE. LONG LONG cycles and not enough water to clean my cloth diapers! :) I hope this time I have it right!
Kristi

Kristi, the 6200 trade off is that it does not have the built in heater and, therefore, does not offer the SaniCycle of the Bravos units (70% water savings). Something to think about if the SaniCycle is important to you since you mentioned cloth diapers.

Then again, there is always the old faithful method of bleach to kill the germs combined with great rinsing.

Good luck in whatever you choose! It ain't easy anymore these days...

Schutzhund

Kristi, I forgot to mention something. For comparison purposes, the 6400 is a 44% water savings machine vs the Bravos at 70% water savings, so, if you were not happy with the water level in the 6400, then I cannot possibly fathom you being happy with a Bravos at 70%.

Schutzhund

Good luck in whatever you choose! It ain't easy anymore these days...

Schutzhund

Boy!! Isn't THAT the truth!!!!!! I needed a stove and washer and dryer. The new stove I LOVE, the washer and dryer I felt like I needed a masters degree in Laundriology, lol! My head was spinning with all the choices.
And I know what you mean about the sanitize cycle. I actually do two cycles for the diapers, a short cold wash (or just a cold rinse) so there are no stains and then a HOT LONG wash and an extra rinse. Believe it or not, the water level and the rinse cycle are very important with the diapers so they don't repel moisture, which wouldn't be good!
I'm praying the 6200 is going to work, because I don't think this can go back!!
Kristi

kristi,

I just commented to you on another post. I didn't realize you had started with the 6400. I did too, for 6 months. I agree with you about the water level. Sometimes I could see that the clothing on the top of a large load spent VERY little time actually in contact with the water. They just wiggled around on top - dampened from the first soapy spray during the sensing/fill cycle. One time I washed a twin sized comforted with a crusty booger on it and when I took it out of the completed wash, guess what, the booger remained. Gross if you ask me.

The 6200 has been great at handling everything my active 3 and 6 year old throw at me and my husband who has a dirty job.

Well, Lulundave, It's all your fault I arranged today to send the 6400 back ;) . Your post was like the final icing on the cake. I have been in R&D mode once again with the 6400. What I thought would handle the two queen sized blankets in one load, would not.

Oh, they fit okay and had lots and lots of room to spare when they were wet. But, something I did not consider, was the weight of just one of the blankets. It was something else when soaked. Put two together, and it was just too much weight for the impeller unit to agitate or turn over.

I think that might be the dark secret with the impeller style. They cannot handle a lot of weight. Like all these auto water level machines, it goes by the weight. Since they were wet and weighed a ton, they allowed a somewhat decent amount of water in the tub. With one blanket, not as much water coverage. It did okay and finally turned the blanket over, but overall, not impressive. But it only did this when I monitored it and kept the blanket evenly wrapped around the center, impeller visible and air bubbles destroyed. I kept watching the cycle with the lid open, so I say it was a fair trial.

Then the pile of shirts test load. Actually, husband went and pulled several clean, but unironed, shirts to add to the load to make it bigger, for a total of 5 shirts. We had been told that it would turn the clothes "like a volcano, with the clothes erupting from the center and moving to the outside." Okay, I already saw that very few clothes had neither much water nor washing agitation. Several clothes has a bit more water, but they were light and water level lacked. Also, there was no volcano effect and the clothes never moved from where they started each cycle. This was on the Whitest White cycle.

Kristi, I chuckled when I read about diapers repelling moisture! That would be the wrong thing!

Schutzhund

I started with the 6400 back in Sept. Loved the large capacity, loved the idea of Energy Star rated and the savings in water...lower electric bill and less water in my septic tank would have been a good thing. But, IT DID NOT CLEAN MY CLOTHES! You can do a search on this forum for my user name to see what I've had to say about it and the 6200 model. The difference was night and day. I mean really, it's just not rocket science that it takes water to effectively clean AND rinse. I missed the extra capacity for about a day and then got over it :) I rarely use the Auto water level. I like enough water for my clothes to freely move around in the water. The one thing I'm not very happy about is the lack of warm water on the warm water setting. Warm water is not warm. It's not cold, but in no way would it be considered warm. It's not a matter of my hot water heater being too far away. It sits about 12" from the washer and is set on 140. I couldn't swear to it but I think the different cycles have different "warm" water temps. Something the 6400 model did not have that the 6200 does is a "delay" wash. Love that! It's nice to get a load ready and then delay it an hour or two if needed because of baths. Otherwise, it's very likely I'll forget :( I'm very pleased with my Cabrio 6200 :)
Monica

Monica, thanks for your post. Rinsing with barely any water has always been a puzzle to husband and me. I imagine I will get over the extra capacity, especially since I cannot put the two blankets together, leaving only the ability to combine two linen loads into one as a missed opportunity. I think the 3.8 of the 6300 vs my old 3.3 TL will probably be big enough to combine the linens into one load though.

Something is strange here. From what I have read, and what I remember when looking at it on the store floor, the new 6200s do not have a delay any more. Maybe they have changed it since you bought yours? How long ago did you get yours? Sept 2008?

Look on page 12 of the manual link below and you will see what they are selling now - no delay. The 6300 is just like the 6200 with the exception of it has both the delay and a glass top. Maybe you have an earlier 6200SWx model and they took it out since then?

This may also help explain the 6300 and why it is discontinued as a business decision. It looks like they were playing around with both the delay and the glass lid, trying to see what sold well and what was not worth the extra money to consumers. The 6300 probably did not sell well, what with the 6200 being less money (after removing the delay from later models) and money smart people questioning the value of more money for the glass lid and a delay option in the 6300.

Husband and I have pretty much decided we will buy the 4 year extended warranty for $129, with half being returned if we do not use it, as the serial number starts with CT, which if I am understanding correctly, was prior to the CU13 series and below dividing line which is supposed to separate the F51 problem. If this unit has that problem, a new control board is $130 in parts plus my effort to fix it. It is also a 6300SB0 vs the latest of SB2 that might be found, so I know it is one of the earlier production units.

What does your 6200 serial number start with and have you had any F51 error codes?

I just did the search on your prior posts. I then checked out the link on the GE Profile Harmony video - what an amazing concept of clothes turning and water in a machine! Did you check out the larger Harmony after seeing the video?

I think I will be happy with my 6300 - this is so time and energy consuming to find the right machine.

Schutzhund

Here is a link that might be useful: 6200 Manual - See page 12 - No Time Delay

Monica, I meant to ask - how cold is your cold water coming in? Could it be that your cold is really icy cold and cools down the hot too much? Maybe also the perceived differences in cycle warm temps is due to a difference in quantity of water levels, ie, your delicate load is smaller than the linen load, tied in with very cold water and smaller amounts of it?

Just some random thoughts...

Schutzhund

schutzhund -- I am where you where a couple of months ago. Wondered if u bought the 6200 or 6300? Did you have error code problems I am reading about? My repairman last week told me the newer washers have a temperture chip in them (may just be higher end models) so the hot water does not get over a certain tempature. Have you experienced this problem with yours?

Hi Sue,

Mine steams up the lid on the Hot setting. I bought the 6300 and love it. No error codes yet.

See my follow up post in the thread Whirlpool WTW6300S for more info on this great machine.

Schutzhund

Monicakm, Lulundae and Kristi - do you guys still like your 6200 or 6300 cabrios with agitators? Any issues with strappy or hoodie strings getting caught in the agitator? What about hot water, is it hot? Thanks