My comparison is based on ownership of of a Kenmore HE4T built by whirlpool purchased in 2004 and the replacement machine and failures purchased in 2014. My HE4T had tap hot water washes and the possibility of a warm rinse, but always had jet engine spin noises. We fixed that with rubber vibration feet under the pedestal. It had useful cycles but nothing fancy. I controlled the water temperatures and had to select my choices every time. It died when the pump needed a repair and the controller board failed. Repair cost was about 900. Easy decision to replace. Fast forward to 2014. Water temperatures significantly reduced: no hot without a steam option, tepid for warm and something called "tap cold" as well as cold. Useless. Spin speed increased by 200 rpm but weight of machine so much less that both a GE and a Kenmore danced across the floor with a load of towels-unable to wash a standard pillow or 6 yards of fabric without dancing. Filters that didnt filter. The he4t could do that but was out of production. We won't go into the customer service that said their lousy machine was my fault and please pay us for "customer education". Sears finally admitted Kenmore 1 had a defective suspension and brought out the 5.2 cu ft by LG. This machine almost does it, but without steam the water is tepid. Soak drains the tub after 30 minutes even if the machine is paused. The rinses are all cold and are not able to rinse the soap unless extra rinses are selected. Yes, the soap is measured correctly. We have sick people and allergies so I have my own shelf of laundry products. The LG is better than the whirlpool on vibration and sound control . One can't add water unless I open the door and add manually. But, if i add too much the drain tub sensor is activated. Several of the cycles like cold wash, kids wear, rugged and whitest whites duplicate each other. I'm afraid Electrolux doesn't have service where I live and Miele is beyond my budget. So the Kenmore was the best compromise. Speed queen is too small to use for my fabric hobbies. The local dealer also discouraged washing pillows and sleeping bags. The 2008 probably had some of the newer regulations incorporated that did not apply to my he4t. The he4t saved water (we're on a well) and was electricity saving at the time. I've accepted that we're in a period of transition it will take time to shake out what works environmentally, socially, and technologically. I used to laugh at coworkers who bought expensive shirts, sent them out to be laundered,complained about torn seams and lost buttons, and wondered why the shirts wore out in 12 months and they had detergent rashes.

It will work out but I don't know when. Happy laundry!

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You have more than enough cycles to do a great job. I can't see whether you have a pause button. My old duet lookalike did. Back in the olden days, laundry was not automatic (no I grew up with an automatic washer, one speed, on and off). Stains were treated before they were washed. You can do that too. Pause your machine to put the extras in at the right time. If you have the lower Temps only, add the hot water manually. I use a pirex large measuring pitcher that boils in the microwave. OK my laundry is adjacent to the kitchen, but it works well when I don't want the 90 minute steam cycle. If you're reading this forum, you haven't bought into cold wash mixed load works for all. Good luck.

Have to agree with you Poppy, I have your machine also. If that machine had the temperature control of larsi,s new Miele, it would be the bomb! For me it too was the best choice and lessor of all evils. The Miele is just too small for my needs, and everything else was just so so. What I did find is using the bulky or comforter cycle with steam gives you not only a hot wash but plenty of wash and rinse water.

I use bulky and comforter too but sometimes run bulky twice for big quilts. I like normal for a warm prewash for outside clothes. The water gets drained out anyway. I've only used sanitary for the most disastrous loads. 2.5 hours for one load really puts a dent in your day. The one thing this machine won't do is spin, even on low, 2x3 cotton bath mats or my cotton matilasse bedspread. Can't dry that outside due to dust from adjoining fields. Oh well, small price for a beautiful view. Agree with you on the residential miele; even if you did laundry every day, it would run all day at my house. I rarely use the dry cleaner due to allergies, but find my 11 year old cheap Kenmore dryer still does a fine job. I may have to replace that before the vented dryers go away. Did I read some place that is in 2017?

That's odd. I have this machine for going on a year and washed heavy bedspreads, comforters, rugs, thermal weave blankets and have never gotten a error or inability to spin. Although I have had some pretty noisy extracts with some of those items. LOL. Mine are on the pedestal so I expected that. I have even washed top sheets, pillowcases, mattress cover, bottom sheets, and thermal blanket in the same load with no problems. Since the capacity is huge I try to maximize the loads. I takes more time, but I am processing twice as much laundry. Post a pic of the bath mat for me to see. TY

http://i.stpost.com/christy-renaissance-bath-rug-large-in-sandalwood~p~4545y_23~1500.2.jpg

This is like my bath rugs about 2 x 3 ft. Heavy cotton both sides.

I could see one being a problem, more than one should not be. I have washed entire rubber backed large bathroom ensembles together with no problems. I used Normal with a Med spin. I used Normal because it's aggressive but short, lukewarm temp, lot of water for rinses.

I don't really own a bathmat like that so I can't test. Is that the only thing that you have problems with?

I can certainly try the normal settings. The other item is a queen sized heavy cotton bedspread. I've tried pairing it with towels and another time with bedsheets. It still won't spin. What do you think ?

Is the machine returning an error code at some point? Is the machine level?

I have washed full size, and Queen Comforters with out problem. One of which is extremely heavy. I always use the Comforter cycle, then I restart a spin only after it completes to remove more water. Not really sure what to think.

I usually get the out of balance code. I normally unplug the machine to get the machine to reset. How do you get a spin without using the rinse and spin?

This should make everyone laugh. Sometimes I get so frustrated with my front loader. It hims & haws back & forth forever. I just want it to do the final spin & get it over with. Sometimes it shows load complete & everything still soaked. This is where my front load comes in. I drag everything out of the front loader. Throw it in the Kenmore spin cycle then put in the dryer. Even just the rinse/spin only option is 25 minutes. I'm sure this is because I overloaded or because the balance was off. Some might say too many suds but there aren't any in the rubber boot when finished.

I feel deprived: only one washer; no extra spinners. When I get stuck with the sodden bedspread, it's off to the bathtub for the wine stomper's wringer.

To select a spin only, push power. Then WITHOUT selecting a cycle, push the spin speed button and select what speed you desire. Selecting no spin is a drain only. Then push START

Reference the UE code. You should not have to unplug the machine to reset. Powering off should take care of it. If that machine is still under warranty or you have extended coverage now would be a good time to have it checked out. Something doesn't sound right with the sensing when it sets load balance points. I have thrown everything I could at it in the last year and it hasn't complained. You also can call sears and do a remote diagnostic over the phone. The machine will transmit back to them diagnostic and operating parameters.

Thanks, I'll try it.

Rpsinfoman

You're a genius! The bath mats went right through on the normal/casual cycle with a bunch of work clothes. Next is the bedspread!

Tks again

Anytime! Here's another little tip. Use the Comforter cycle and select NO SPIN. Then go back and run a manual spin as you just did.