The only thing you'll miss is the aggravation from the top loader not fully cleaning.

Don't wash one item. The more in the load the better so it can balance.

You can pause at any time and add an item, as long as the water temp. is not too high (safety feature).

I think you'll really love the Electrolux. Watch it do it's thing and understand it. They are pretty smart machines.

I've always thought too that those Addwash doors on the Samsung machine were nothing but a complete gimmick aimed at consumers who were unaware that you can actually push the "pause" button and add more items. Actually, they just add to the common misunderstanding that you can't add forgotten items. My Duets even have a small display that tells me how far into the wash I can add forgotten items and they will still get cleaned satisfactorily. I will say though, that on my Duets there are 1 or 2 cycles that won't unlock the door when I push "pause". I've never been completely sure why, but they aren;t the most commonly used cycles. Also, if you're doing a sanitize wash, or any wash where the water is going to be heated really hot, my Duets won't unlock the door once the water has reached those high temps without draining.

Have fun with your new toys...you're going to love them! Especially if your previous machine was one of those awful HE toploaders. I just ordered 2 new 60 series Electrolux frontloaders for our new house...cannot wait to play with them!

Read the manuals while you're waiting for delivery and then once they're delivered, read them again. It helped me a lot with my Elux 617 pair.

Electrolux 617 Washer Manual (PDF)

Electrolux 617 Electric Dryer Manual (PDF)

If the machine has hot water in the drum, you may be unable to open the door until it cools down....

I guess I don't understand how you can open a door mid-cycle on a front loader without water pouring out. Also, Im finding that the front loaders seem to be a little deeper (front to back measurement) than top loaders, which is a bummer. But I'd rather have clean clothes! I need to do my homework on not just the new machines, but laundry in general. I've gotten some good tips here, basic things that I didn't know but should....washing sheets in hot water, which detergents are best to use for which purpose, sorting, etc. I still have a lot to learn...

Relax and enjoy this smart machine!

I'm not positive but if I recall, my old Samsung only lets you pause and add items early in the fill cycle. Once it fills the door stays locked,

Lisa, most front loaders nowadays don't fill past the door very often. But when/if they do, it won't let you unlock the door. On my Duets, the only time it fills past the door seal is if I am running a really big load on a cycle that has deeper fills, such as the delicate cycle on my machine. For some reason the delicate cycle fills deeper than the others.

Lisa (and Bren5Kids), the water level is below the door for modern HE frontloaders. The exception in some cases are cycles that fill higher to provide more tumbling cushion for delicates ... cycles designated as Handwash, Woolens, Silk, etc. More water cushions the "drop/slap" of the clothes against the drum.

I can confirm (via the manual) that the Elux 617 washer will not unlock the door at high temperatures. If you need to add something at that point you have two options. A: Wait until temperature drops, then door will allow you to open it. 2: Run the wash and rinse cycle to cool the water.

Cedric...I don't understand...if she waits for temp to drop it will be in suds cool down and too late to add anything.

But what do you mean run wash and rinse cycle to cool water??

My Duet has Add a garment, but only works on normal, cold wash, quick wash cycles snd one other which will remain nameless in order to prevent confusion...and even than only first few min of fill....it would never open on my allergen cycle or my room would for sure flood LOL

Thank you all for the info. For some reason I'm always finding a random sock or something else that didn't make it into the washer, thus the need to run in and add it to the load. Not that it will dissuade me forming buying, just wondered how front loaders work in that regard. I just got back from ordering my set...to be delivered Wednesday. Still have to decide about the pedestals. I would sure like them but I use my dryer top to fold, so I'm not sure. Too bad they don't make two different heights...if they were about 6"-8", that would be perfect!

Occasionally something misses a load. I have never stopped the machine. I just put it back in the basket for the next load. For me its tail wagging dog.

I'm 6 feet tall so the pedestals are really appreciated and you can store some laundry chemicals in them. If you're not tall, you can get away with out having the pedestals.

@georgect..that should read.."if you are not tall or under age 50,".........lol

My dealer was willing to buy back the pedestals if I did not like them. Will yours?

I love the pedestals and am so glad I decided to get them at the last minute. Still do some folding on top but I also have a table nearby to lay out items and fold.

The door on my dryer opens down in front and it matches the height of the washer door. I just bend over to grab an item or two and toss them into the dryer. Besides we have cabinets above our washer.

GE has the " right height" models that the pedestal is included and are 8" I believe. Not sure if you would want a GE. Just thought of those when you said you fold on dryer. Seems I remember Larsi talking about those and someone he knew has or had them. Anyway, you will enjoy your new set.

MamaP below is directly from the manual. You more than likely have to start all over but you can get it to open sooner using the Rinse and Spin cycle. Edit: looking above I typed "wash & rinse" when I meant "rinse & spin".

Except selecting the rinse and spin cycle during a already in progress load is going to abort the cycle. Its not an add a garment function.

I am 5ft5&1/2 in....Amiee is just barely 5 foot..I don't have pedestals on my Duet but even Amiee needs to bend and stretch into the machine. I do regret not getting a pedestal, so think it out.

Sparky, they had a set of GE's right next to the Electrolux and I told the sales guy...now THOSE are exactly the height I want! I don't know why they all don't do that.

pcweary, I did ask if I got the machines home and later decided I wanted the pedestals if it would be possible for them to still install them. He said it can be done but usually makes a big mess because there's almost always some water in the washing machine that spills out. I didn't think to ask if I could get them to start with and have them taken out if I didn't like them. I might ask about that.

I did go through the motions of doing laundry at the store with pedestals and without...its quite a bend/stretch without those pedestals. I am 5'6", so not super tall but those machines are so deep.

cedric, thank you for including that info. I see that it is possible to pause and add in some cycles. Not the end of the world if I can't, but it's sure nice to be able to do sometimes.

I think my dealer was willing to gamble because most people who have the pedestals initially would never give them up. Also, I pause and add a garment constantly. Never had a problem.

I didn't think any FL would allow a pause to add a garment if using hot water???

mamas...what you say is probably correct. In my case, forgotten items have been thrown in within 10 min or so, after that I would just do as rococogirl does so that the item can get a full cycle.

Lisa you may want to check the availability of the pedestals. I waited 3 weeks for nine before I canceled the order and went stacked. I went stacked solely for my situation and still recommend side-by-side with/without pedestals. My laundry room which is between the garage and entry hallway is 5'4" x 7'9" x 8'.

I can't tell you how many times I've started a load only to find something left behind, but with kids its so easy to do. I start a load of white socks, turn around and find one of the boys took their socks off, or I start a load of sheets and realize I forgot to remove a pillowcase from a pillow and the pillow cover..it really Never ends with me. I just save it for the next load which is never a long wait lol

Pcweary & mamapinky, yes, that's exactly what happens to me...I usually find something of my kids that they have taken off somewhere. But it's usually within 10 minutes of starting a load...so I'm good.
Now Cedric, I have gone round and round about the set up. My laundry room is not huge...it's 10'3" x 5'11"...so long and narrow. I'm in the process of replacing counter, sink, and cabinets (and of course machines!). I think I have ruled out stacking. I am thinking I will probably keep the same footprint but have deep cabinets above the washer/dryer and keep the hanging rod over the counter. My other thought was to put the sink under the window with counter and lower cabinets along that end wall, wrapping around that far left corner (so essentially the washer/dryer would be moved about 3' closer to the door). I've got to meet with my cabinet guy this week and come up with a plan.

Lisa, what do you keep in overhead cabinets? Pedestal storage will hold a lot and if more space is needed, could you fit a narrower cabinet to right of window?

Above washer: Laundry supplies, cleaning rags (LOTS), old towels. Above dryer: batteries, light bulbs, shoe polish, baseball stuff (for conditioning mitts and regripping bats), the plastic form for washing baseball hats in the washing machine, and paint color wheels. Ugh. Whether I get the pedestals or not, I am going to have deep cabinets placed above the washer/dryer. (I am getting new cabinets, counter, and sink) I would prefer the washer/dryer to be at pedestal height. The only issue the pedestals create is no where to fold....which is kind of a big issue for me because I am a little OCD about folding as things come directly out of the dryer. I do not put the clothes in a laundry basket nor do I or will I fold in another room. I fold (on dryer), put folded stacks in stacks by person, and carry stacks to that person's room and put them away. I've considered putting a 12-15" counter along the entire wall with the window and move the washer/dryer down to accommodate that, so that will give me a place to fold...

As for stacked or not stacked, I have both. I like both. I don't have pedestals with my side by side. They are smaller machines so there isn't too much reaching.

My perfect setup though not possible would be stacked with a single pedestal.