Here's some info.

Here is a link that might be useful: Click Here

The Click Here link won't work because the thread is continuously updated.

Leave the door ajar and you wouldn't have mildew! common sense is it not.

Here's a link that should work. Look for a thread called

"Thread# 9343 Its Here"

HTH, Alex

Here is a link that might be useful: automaticwasher.org

northwood, check your attitude at the door. I mention the mildew problem because, from what I can find on this forum, it seems to be an inherent problem with the Kenmore.

I have 2 DC (3 & 4 yo) and keeping a door open into which they could crawl in and shut , or have the other child shut on them, scares me. So, to me, it makes common sense to find an appliance that I can close and not have to worry. If this mildew problem happens to all FL, maybe I need to look into something else, but if it more of a Kenmore issue and they have addressed with the new machine, I would like to find out.

Return of the auto-soak! Good call. Now where is my drum light? ;)

Thanks so much for the link.

Well, they look nice. It appears the only changes are cosmetic, and nothing funtional. Same cycles and general operation and no doubt (I am guessing here) a higher ticket. I truely wish we could once put function over style.

Tricel, I am not saying this with attitude. What I find intersting is families in Europe for decades have managed to have front loaders around and little ones manage to survive without catastrophies. Have you taught your little ones to not go near the stove or cooktop because it's dangerous? If so, the same principle can be applied to this situation. ALL front loaders MUST be allowed to breathe and air out. I"ve had no problems with mine, but then again I leave my door ajar and the dispenser drawer pulled out slightly. My installation is awkward because my laundry is a flowthrough into the garage. A couple of times I've bumped into the door a little bit, yeah it is frustrating, but my machine has NO odors whatsoever and it was a pre-owned machine. It had a musty odor when I first got it but I thoroughly cleaned it out and have not had one issue since.

OK What am I missing? Differences between HE4 and HE5?
Colors? Do they last longer? are there improvements?
Help me understand.

"Help me understand"

New model year, new colors, new cosmetic improvements, and possibly new sales. Thats it, nothing new. It's an He4T in a new wrapper. I do like the Cherry Red, that was no doubt introduced to complete with LG's blazing color schemes.

I have just spoken with a Sears "expert" on the He5T and he told me the difference in the newest washer is that is has a "sturdier" door...possible "sturdier" hinge? I asked him whether they had made it more "2nd floor friendly", as I had read this on one of the earlier threads. He said that it does have the new "shock absorber system" but couldn't really tell me any details about what makes it different. It seems I knew more about it than he just from reading through forums. I am very frustrated as I have 4 children and obviously do a lot of laundry. We are moving the laundry to the 2nd floor during our remodel. I don't want to regret this. Does anyone have any suggestions? He suggested a rubber pad, like the kind gymnasts use. Also, do the pedestals or stacking possibly make the vibrations less/more? One more question: I noticed that there is a white He5t with two different model numbers ending 81000 and 91000. Can anyone tell me the difference? On the Sears site, it show no difference in the comparison chart, except the model number. Thanks for all the help.

"What I find intersting is families in Europe for decades have managed to have front loaders around and little ones manage to survive without catastrophies. Have you taught your little ones to not go near the stove or cooktop because it's dangerous? If so, the same principle can be applied to this situation. ALL front loaders MUST be allowed to breathe and air out."

>>> I couldn't have said it better myself.

Well, having lived and worked in Europe (Germany, to be exact) as an expat (i.e. not the military) for a number of years, I must say that I never, ever came across a Euro FL machine large enough that you could stuff your cat into with the door closed behind it, let alone a human child. Machines the size of the DUET/HE4T are totally unheard of.

I have a HE4T and looked the the HE5T at Sears and the hinge does look like a beefier and better design than mine.

Actually, we do have these large-capacity washers over here as well. Bauknecht sells its BIG (looks just like the Maytag Epic but with 2 displays: one for the cycle countdown and the other one to select the temp from 68 to 203°F). Bosch sells one version of the Nexxt and LG also sells a 4.0 cu.ft. washer.

The one thing we don't have here in GER are those large dryers - though you can buy the via eBay.

While the bulk of the differences are cosmetic and quality, there are a few minor feature improvements as well which include a cleanwasher cycle, improved rinsing with skincare rinse II, and a drumlight option on the dryer. The doors are now a little larger to help with loading/unloading, supposedly scratch resistant, and yes they have a better hinge that works with the door as it's moved. It now saves 71% on both water and energy versus the he4t's 69% and 65%. They've also added sounds for when you make a selection. Oddly enough the washer is still the same price but the dryer was raised by about 150 or so.

Oh yeah, they dropped the orange and picked up the burgendy too.

While it's true that there aren't many feature improvements from the 4t it should be remembered that that was a hard machine to improve on.

"While it's true that there aren't many feature improvements from the 4t it should be remembered that that was a hard machine to improve on."

Thats a completely subjective statement. There are plenty of things that could been added for improvement.

1. A drum light in the washer.

2. A heater that is active in ALL cycles and a hotter sanitary cycle.

3. An auto-fill override to increase water level as an operator choice.

4. A completely redesigned detergent dispensing system, one that is accessible from the top rather than a pull out drawer. And one that uses completely individual detergent departments including the pre-wash. A top accessible system allows the operator to add other products directly to the wash wheel without the fuss of the pull out detergent drawer.

5. Allow greater option modifers for core cycles, rather them being restricted and locked out.

"While it's true that there aren't many feature improvements from the 4t it should be remembered that that was a hard machine to improve on."

Thats a completely subjective statement. There are plenty of things that could been added for improvement.

1. A drum light in the washer.

2. A heater that is active in ALL cycles and a hotter sanitary cycle.

3. An auto-fill override to increase water level as an operator choice.

4. A completely redesigned detergent dispensing system, one that is accessible from the top rather than a pull out drawer. And one that uses completely individual detergent departments including the pre-wash. A top accessible system allows the operator to add other products directly to the wash wheel without the fuss of the pull out detergent drawer.

5. Allow greater option modifers for core cycles, rather them being restricted and locked out.

Since the introduction of the first HE3t years ago, has Sears delivery been trained on the proper way to install front loaders i.e. NOT taking out the four support brackets while on the truck but to take them out where the machine will be installed (or after the pedestal is attached)?

I'm looking again and the HE5t looks very nice. Too scared now to consider LG with service issues. Haven't seen the new Miele's yet but that's a consideration also.

Anyway, has the issues with Sears delivery been resolved?

Bump:

Anyone getting the HE5t this week...there's a sale if you buy the set?

How about the issue with delivery and support brackets?

Would this forum say that Kenmore he5 is better than the Maytag Epic? I am building a house and have selected the FL for space b/c of the stacking capability. I have been reading these forums four a few months about the various FLs and am confused. This will be my first FL purchase.

Also, please elaborate on the support brackets. Thanks!

Better? More asthetic to look at, yes. The main differences are in additional or different cycles and modifiers, a stain treat option, and a skin care rinse option. Putting those a side, functionally and performence wise there pretty similar. The He5 is slightly more efficient as it uses even LESS water. If these things used any less H20 you could call it dry cleaning. LOL

"Thats a completely subjective statement. There are plenty of things that could been added for improvement.

1. A drum light in the washer.

2. A heater that is active in ALL cycles and a hotter sanitary cycle.

3. An auto-fill override to increase water level as an operator choice.

4. A completely redesigned detergent dispensing system, one that is accessible from the top rather than a pull out drawer. And one that uses completely individual detergent departments including the pre-wash. A top accessible system allows the operator to add other products directly to the wash wheel without the fuss of the pull out detergent drawer.

5. Allow greater option modifers for core cycles, rather them being restricted and locked out. "

your statments are subjective, I don't think the majority of the consumers would target those specifics and would buy just because if it has it.

I also don't understand a need for a hotter sanitary cycle if the exsisting sanitary cycle eliminates 99.999% of the bacterias, sounds almost asinine to say. As for auto-fill override, would be great, but I'm already afraid with just the thought, sounds wayy too prone to user-error.. not all consumers are educated in the product, I would say in a marketting aspect catered to the entire general public, auto-fill override could be a immediate dissaster. nothing wrong with auto-fill. As with greater modifiers for core cycles, that's why the machine breaks it down to kidswear, silk, bulky bedding etc outside of the core normal, hevey, delicate cycles etc, utilize it.

But then they wouldn't be stackable.

------------------------------------------------------
Posted by hisalterego

4. A completely redesigned detergent dispensing system, one that is accessible from the top rather than a pull out drawer. And one that uses completely individual detergent departments including the pre-wash. A top accessible system allows the operator to add other products directly to the wash wheel without the fuss of the pull out detergent drawer.

I didn't post that, it was posted by rpsinfoman, I was simply replying to the somewhat asinine features he thinks the HE5T's should have so it would be a better machine, and yes you're right, for the versitility of the machines to the general public as whole, it's fine the way it is, a lot of ppl actually like them stacked

"Would this forum say that Kenmore he5 is better than the Maytag Epic? I am building a house and have selected the FL for space b/c of the stacking capability. I have been reading these forums four a few months about the various FLs and am confused. This will be my first FL purchase.

Also, please elaborate on the support brackets. Thanks!"

Basically Kenmore and Whirlpool are where the performance is at, but Maytag retains the gold medal for value, but it lacks some of the power points such as the catalyst cleaning action, higher spin speeds, Kenmore's smartheat(dryer), Kenmore's stain treat(although it does emulate it on the heavyduty cycle so long as you don't change the soil level), Kenmore's rinsing for sensitive skin, and it still loses in effiency. I'm not trying to knock the epics at all because they are very nice machines at a VERY nice price(I actually plan to buy the 9600 for my aunt), but that's because they leave a few things out. But what it all boils down to is your preference. You'd be happy with either. Just depends on your budget, whether you want performance or value, and how nice you want it to look :)

had a customer last week that wanted the prewash cycle with a seperate prewash compartment for extra detergent aside from the main wash compartment. The HE4/5T and Duet HT has it at a higher price, HE2T has prewash cycle but not a seperate compartment for detergent. Both Maytag Epic model has it and she bought it on the spot with additional 10% off for the set for last week's promotion, with the maintenance agreement and everything, it was the cheapest set at that capacity with the features she wanted, happy day for her ;)

fyuute is right however, it's basically a valued stripped down, step down machines of the HE5T's. HE5T is better for stain treatment (smartwash), better cleaning, more thorough rinsing, higher spinspeeds, quieter operation (quiet pak 9 on washer and dryer), delay start option, porcelain top, kenmore exclusive heated dryer rack, drum light, moisture sensor with smart heat sensor, audio-visual controls and I don't know does the EPic has the clean washer cycle or not to help maintain washer monthly of odor and such which HE5T does.

2. A heater that is active in ALL cycles and a hotter sanitary cycle.

Huge improvement. Will it heat from cold-fill?

3. An auto-fill override to increase water level as an operator choice.

Huge improvement.

Nice to see that Bauknecht is paying atention to the competition, and adding real performance features, not just gimmicks. - DR

I just can't see the big deal about a heater that is active on all cycles and hotter sanitary..

I just don't understand it..

If the current sanitary kills 99.999% of the bactaria then why the need to have it hotter? how huge improvement would that be? how relevent is it? what the hec for? to kill the other 0.0001%? what is it? to me that is a gimmick, I just don't see how is that a selling feature.

And the heater on cold fill, sounds great but if you are already drawing the hot water from the water heater as an assist and yet boost it up to adequately remove stains for stain removal and stain treatment, what more do you want? who are they satisfying?

I think the performance feature is quite adequate enough, it does the job and gets clean clothes, anything outside of that is not any real performance features other than to satisfy ppl like you, 99% of consumers wouldn't care for a hotter sanitary if the one they got already kills 99.999% to sanitize I mean to emphasize on something that already works and does the job well seems asinine to me and would be no real improvements performance wise if what they got is already getting the job done and performing well.. seriously

Oops, sorry...

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* Posted by hisalterego (My Page) on Tue, Jan 30, 07 at 15:47

"I didn't post that, it was posted by rpsinfoman"

I would give anything for a heater on cold fill. I accidently washed a white shirt on WARM, and now have a chocolate stain set. Protein stains (like blood) obviously need cold. So anything that may need warm or hot wash now needs to be washed twice, without that heater on cold fill!

sounds like user error to me

I just can't see the big deal about a heater that is active on all cycles

Have you read the group FAQ on heaters?

If the current sanitary kills 99.999% of the bactaria then why the need to have it hotter? how huge improvement would that be?

Well, first of all, I question your figures. In truth, just washing and drying kills *most* of the bugs and bacteria, but not necessarily the ones you should be most concerned about. For dust mites you need protracted heat at a genuine 140F; most of the washers with heaters already did that, those without heaters would be hard-pressed to maintain even 120F. To kill E. Coli needs 160F; not all washers, even those with 'sanitary' cycles, can get there. For conjunctivitis you need to go as high as possible, preferably with bleach as well. In fact, the additional microbiocidal effect of temperatures above 80C is well-established, cf Davis, S., & Ainsworth, P. (1989). The disinfectant action of low-temperature laundering. Journal of Consumer Studies and Home Economics, 13 , 6166; also Belkin, N. L. (1998). Aseptics and aesthetics of chlorine bleach: Can its use in laundering be safely abandoned? American Journal of Infection Control, 26 (2), 149151.

Of course, one can argue that science is "asinine" and we should just make stuff up about the utility or lack thereof of higher temperatures for laundry. In fact, someone who made their living selling washing machines might well argue that the machines they sold were all one would ever need.

And the heater on cold fill, sounds great but if you are already drawing the hot water from the water heater as an assist and yet boost it up to adequately remove stains for stain removal and stain treatment, what more do you want?

The extra cleaning power from heating gradually from cold in the machine is well-established, which is why so many European machines have moved to cold-fill-only.

I think the performance feature is quite adequate enough?

One man's adequate is another man's dirty. Many people here talk about how they only wash at low or medium temps and their clothing is perfectly clean. However, according to the experiments described here:
http://www.sifo.no/files/file48506_fagrapport2003-1.pdf
if you wash your underwear at, say, 40C, then whatever you wash with it will be teeming with e. coli when you remove it from the laundry. You don't see the e. coli, so might think you are putting on a nice clean shirt, when in fact you are draping yourself in germs.

In fact, recent studies indicate that this is not just a theoretical consideration, and that there is a correlation between illness and doing laundry in cooler water without bleach, see Larson, Lin, and Gomez-Pichardo (2004) Predictors of Infectious Disease Symptoms in Inner City Households. Nursing Research, 53, 190 - 197

While we needn't obsess about temps (after all, you can always add chlorine bleach or phenolic oils to a cooler load to kill germs), there is no denying that higher temps offer more, genuinely useful options. - DR

If I may chime in...

I would also like the heater to work on every cycle...just to hold the temperature at the desired target temp,
Extra Hot=153,
Hot=127(other cycle),
Hot=122(normal cycle),
Warm=104,
Cold=77.
(With such little water, plastic tub, stainless steal basket, clothes etc. the water temp falls fast.)

On the other hand a true "Profile" wash starting at cold and ending at hot, would just take too long with a 120v power supply.

The 153 degrees for the Sanitary Cycle sound like the sweet spot since hotter temps only make sense in Europe with a 220v power supply.

can anyone be sure that the sanitary cycles on whirlpool made machines does not already kill 99.99% of bacteria as stated? Whirlpool accounts for 75% of the domestic laundry market, if they are not true, please provide factual statements and pursue legality acts upon whirlpool corp. that their sanitary cycle does not heat up and kill 99.99% of the bacteria as whirlpool stated, I would like to see whirlpool being brought down for their blatant lies, and if they indeed kill over 99% of bacteria and their sanitary cycle is adequate, end of discussion...

I know for sure that your kind of ppl is the minority in the consumer world, you can't satisfy everyone and you're the least type of ppl and jerk that whirlpool corp is worrying about

I know for sure that your kind of ppl is the minority in the consumer world, you can't satisfy everyone and you're the least type of ppl and jerk that whirlpool corp is worrying about

You're not going to win arguments by calling people names.

However, you are quite right, research scientists are certainly a minority in the consumer world. Or did you mean something else by "your kind of ppl"?-)

I have given citations (both here and in other threads) to independent studies on the effect of wash temperature on germs, as well as the effect of laundry praxis on health. I have no desire to sue Whirlpool (or perform other "legality acts" upon them, whatever those might be - sounds kinky), and honestly have no idea what you are trying to say here.

Georgect, on the Bosch 120V machines the profile wash adds no more than 45 minutes to even a 155 degree wash, not all that much when you are not in a hurry and need the functionality. - DR

"I didn't post that, it was posted by rpsinfoman, I was simply replying to the somewhat asinine features he thinks the HE5T's should have so it would be a better machine, and yes you're right, for the versitility of the machines to the general public as whole, it's fine the way it is, a lot of ppl actually like them stacked"

YES I posted it and there is nothing "asinine" about my opinion. The questions was what features could have implemented to offer improvement.

1. A drum light is helpful, others offer it.

2. A heater active in all cycles, reduces energy costs further, by utilizing less hot water from the assist hot water tank. Regardless of you pull 3 gallons, 4 or 5 once a water heater kicks on, it's on gobbling energy.

3. Better choice and more flexibility in cycle modifers. Truth there locked to a hardcoded program that your stuck with.

4. Auto-Fill override. A great feature for those that want to use MORE water. The machines use too little to be effective with MOST bulky goods.

5. A redesigned detergent dispensor. Yep, the current drawer/siphon systems sucks, it is ineffective, and not consistment with proper dispensing a good part of the time. Lots of posts on failures.

6. I really don't give a damm if most people wouldn't buy based on improvment suggestions, but that wasn't the question either. So what if the machines sucks, market it and sell it anyway based on hype. Most average joes walking into a Sears haven't a clue anyway, other than the hype, media, and pretty color wrapper the appliance sets in, and perception which after the fact usually leaves them disapointed.

Anyone...?

Has Whirlpool/Kenmore fixed the "Thump" from the rollers that flatten after a while of none use?

Any word on delivery guys not taking out the support brackets before being close to their installation site?

Yuuuhooo...anyone.
Has Whirlpool/Kenmore fixed the "Thump" from the rollers that flatten after a while of none use?

Any word on delivery guys not taking out the support brackets before being close to their installation site?

How goes it with the HE5.

I'm revealing my age here, but I remember the '60s back before front loaders went out of style (until about 1995) in the U.S. I remember one of my aunts who had one and always left the door open after a cycle. And she also wiped down the gasket and the inside of the door. I recall her saying that it needed to dry out.

And back then, front loaders used tons of water. Generally, the "large" setting brought the water level about halfway up the door. If the thing crapped out in the middle of a cycle, you were going to have to make a HUGE mess to get the clothes out. Open door, whoosh! Pails, buckets, nothing helped. Saw this done several times. One reason why most people had their washers in the garage back then.

tricel, if you're worried about the kids: If you clip something to the top of the door, like a chip clip, it would keep the door from closing all the way. Could the kids reach it?

No news must be good news...I haven't heard anyone complianing about the new HE5t (washer and dryer).