The only difference between that and the present WC1 is F&P did away with the fabric softener dispenser in the WC2 and replaced it with a liquid bleach dispenser.That's not quite correct. The W1 model has a different and simpler control panel without the LCD screen, and has fewer cycle options than the W2 model.

kred,
I was wondering if you are using your new F&P Aquasmart and Aerosmart W&D yet. We are considering them for our new home. I'm concerned about the F&P dryers. I'm reading more negative experiences (don't work, don't dry, squeak, black soot, etc.) for the F&P's top-loading models (some older, some newer models) and that has me concerned. Apparently, folks are happy with the washing machines though. I just wanted to know how your experience has been. Thank you.

chickadeead,

Here is an Australian web site that has a good spread of reviews on the F&P. To read all the reviews you have to join, but it is free:

Fisher & Paykel Reviews

My wife and I owned a pair of F&Ps when they were first introduced in the States and liked them. The only issue we had is that the washer is top-loader so clothes wore-out a bit quicker. The washer agitator fins have a relief point in them and over time a fin broke from fatigue, and the others were following suit. The dryer did have what I refer to as an anamoly, but it happened that I was at home when it kept running and the clothes were super hot. This happened on two occasions, and F&P replaced the sensor and the rotary control switch (which was the problem).

Hi chickadeead:
Sorry but no, nothing to report as of yet. Still waiting for the WL26CW2 Aquasmart to arrive in the local appliance store. I'm calling them every couple of weeks as it should be arriving soon. Still going with the Aquasmart/Aerosmart combo, though. Lowe's and Nebraska Furniture Mart in our area carry them as well, but I'm sticking with a smaller appliance shop that actually has F&P trained service people.
I just received the February 2008 Consumer Reports and it's updated their washers/dryers reviews, both FL and TL's. The Aquasmart is pretty high on the list. For TL's, first is the Maytag Bravos, then the Whirlpool Cabrio, then the F&P Aquasmart. So you might want to look at those other two brands as well. I will certainly be updating my post once the F&P arrive here. Good luck to you in whatever you decide on. It looks like it can be a jungle out there!
kcred

Thank you for the great link, Farenheit 451. It is great.

Kcred, I look forward to hearing your experience with the F&P Aquasmart. Thank you.

You all do know that the Oasis, Cabrio, Bravos, and AquaSmart are essentially the same machines, yes? Branded either Kenmore, Whirlpool, Maytag, or Fisher & Paykel. All of them have agitator versions and wash-plate versions. (Fisher & Paykel's agitator versions have been available for years, known under the SmartDrive, EcoSmart, or Intuitive Eco labels.) AquaSmart is slightly smaller capacity than Oasis/Cabrio/Bravos and of course there are differences in control panel design and available cycles/options between the four brands. Also, AquaSmart uses a single pump with a divertor valve to change between recirculate and drain. The other three use two pumps.

Thanks for the input, dadoes. I think the F&P would be the way to go as they are the ones that developed the design. I knew they had only one pump, I did not know the others had two pumps. I respect your opinion on these matters very much. Do you see having the second pump as a positive or a negative? What does the second pump do? Work in conjunction with the first or there for redundancy? Any help/advice is greatly appreciated as I have not shelled out my hard-to-come-by dollars yet. Thanks for your time.
kcred

Each pump works separately, activated at the proper time for drain or recirculation. F&P's divertor valve has been a known source of trouble, so perhaps Whirlpool changed the design to address the potential issue. The divertor valve ($17 to $25, typically) is not as costly as a pump ($60 to $80, typically) ... but perhaps two pumps will be more reliable in the long-term. F&P also makes engineering changes over time to address known trouble-spots, redesigning the divertor valve for example, or the electrical design of a machine. I've not had any trouble with the divertor valve on my F&P IWL12, but it's just past three years so there's still plenty time, LOL!

So what caught my eye is the design of the F&P Aerosmart dryer #DE27CW1. Incredible. So I figure the matching washer (Aquasmart #WL26CW2) would be the way to go. F&P offer a two year warranty, so they must feel good about their product. There are only the two of us here, so we don't need the oversized tub the others offer. I think if we read the operating manual and follow it, the F&P is our best bet. With Consumer Reports updating their ratings, the user-reviews of the products are gone. Before they were taken down, the F&P far and away had the best reviews of all of them. That means a lot to me. Also epinions and the people on this board speak well of the product, for the most part. I know it's a bit of a crapshoot, but after everything I've seen, the F&P set is for us. As stated before, I will be buying the extended warranty, which I rarely do. I will certainly follow up as I learn about them.
kcred

Dadoes, to what extent does General Electric play a part in the brands that you mentioned? Didn't General Electric get involved with Fisher & Paykel to some degree. I know that Fisher & Paykel acquired DCS.

There's no connection I'm aware between GE and F&P. Could be I'm just not aware. :-)

I thought at one time their(F&P) dryer looked a lot like a GE dryer?? I know that the washer looks nothing like one and of course nothing looks like the T/L dryer!! My neighbor loves hers!

Oops. I was thinking only of the washers. That's true, the FRONTload dryer sold on the U.S. market is manufactured by Camco, a Canadian company that also makes dryers for GE. Whether Camco is a subsidiary of or owned by GE, I don't know for sure.

Im wanting to purchase this new F & P model WL26CW2; however having a very hard time finding a store to sell me one. Lowes is the only F & P seller in my area; however they only sell the old model WL26CW1. Even their website list only the old version. Where did you purchase your WL26CW2? At a local appliance store, an online purchase or a chain store like Lowes? I live north of DFW, TX. I have been told two different things from F & P customer care phone service, one they have been for sell since November and two they are not available yet in the US. Im not sure which is true. Do you live in the US?

cherbear_tx, they are for sale at Lowes and Pacific Sales in Southern California; I have seen and touched the unit in the flesh. They are also listed on Amazon.

P.S. For those who might not know, Pacific Sales was bought and is now owned by Best Buy.

To cherbear_tx: I have not purchased the CW2 yet. I live in the Kansas City area, so all the local suppliers get their inventory from Chicago. As of a few days ago, there were none in Chicago yet. I hope they start showing up soon. All the local retailers still only have the CW1 in stock.
kcred