Front loading or top loading washing machine?

My power consumption for a full load ~2.5-3kg, wash duration of 2h30 at 40C is around a quarter unit and around half a unit at 60C. I think your Sammy will be similar.

The Bosch figures are double that and earlier I could not understand why. I think this Bosch gets to the temperature it states on the dial. If someone with an IR thermometer can measure it would be great.
Our input water isn't that cold and maybe that's why power consumption isn't that high.

9 out of 10 reviews I find for this Panasonic are sponsored. One reviewer even mentioned this when asked
Unfortunately, sponsered or paid reviews work in India.


Trying to figure out his influences. Habib Tanvir maybe? Not Stanislavksi or Ebrahim Alkazi

I find he tries too hard and lacks sincerity. Like he's trying to reach into his personal memories and draw upon a comparable life experience but it's not working.
Whatever it is, it's cringey AF.
 
LG's biggest top loader to date. 18kg. Made in Thailand


Direct drive, 6 motion. wifi.

Can't get 6 motion wash action in a top loader unless it's direct drive. Belt-driven tops out at three motions.

The smallest size available with 6 motion is 8kg and we already know LG's 8kg inner tub dimensions as 55L (Diameter 44cm and height 36cm) The tub is short and squat


Says it has a heater but it's not clear whether it heats the water like the Panasonic or IFB. Whose tubs are 10L smaller but will heat the water for a regular wash. To keep power consumption down.

The manual mentions allergen care and to use 2.5kg load. No mention in the manual about power consumption at all.

Koreans want the 5 star energy ratings. What you can't get with temperature they try to do with wash action.

If you have a solar water heater you get the best of both worlds.

Sammy has a 7kg with a heater


Of course, Samsung has to one-up LG one way or the other but it is a similar design. Steam. I can find no confirmation whether the water is heated up or only for stain clean

no manual.jpg

cycles and you cannot even download the user manual as it ain't there :wideyed:

if you want a top loader that heats the water in a regular wash cycle go with the Panasonic. Second choice is IFB
 
Last edited:
@blr_p and others, what are your views on the LG THD09SWP washng machine. It has this in-built heater but I don't see any temp setting. It has only allergen or steam mode whoch would mean clothes would always wash at 70C in steam. Is there any way to set the temperature mode to 40C or something?
Also how about LG top loads in general?
 
@blr_p and others, what are your views on the LG THD09SWP washng machine.
6 motions washer so it will have the best wash action. If you can add warm water from a solar water heater you will be set. If you cannot then you need a machine with an inbuilt heater.
It has this in-built heater but I don't see any temp setting. It has only allergen or steam mode whoch would mean clothes would always wash at 70C in steam. Is there any way to set the temperature mode to 40C or something?
Does it have an inbuilt heater to heat water? I don't know. Check the manual

That is why there is no temp setting. Whatever heater it has is only for steam generation. Same with the Sammy's that offer 'steam'
Also how about LG top loads in general?
An LG with 6 motion has better wash action than the cheaper belt driven that are only 3 motion
 
Last edited:
Realme offers top loaders since a year now. Who knew? They created a new section for appliances known as Tech Life. It's so new they still don't list it on their website. Looks like an FK exclusive.


Has the same features as the Panasonic with a heater and goes for less. Over 2k reviews on FK !! Really?

Misleading because each of the three models on sale 6.5, 7.5 & 8kg with heater ALSO have the same number of reviews :rolleyes:

So they lump reviews for all three products together and there seems to be no way to filter reviews for just one product. The only way is to check the 'permalink' of the individual review to figure out which model is being mentioned. It's more work compared to amazon. Does FK not allow uploading videos? I found none here. Think, I've seen videos in reviews on FK before.

Some people must have jumped for the earlier 6.5 & 7.5kg models which would have been closer to 12k only to discover a few months later the 8kg with more features and a little more came out.


The tub is the same size as Panasonic 8kg, the top water level is 55L so the inner tub is just under 45L. Has the same heater settings as the Panasonic too

He shows for which programs the heater can be used, Normal, Favourite, Pre Soak, Strong, Bed Sheets and Aqua Conserve but surprisingly not for the last cycle which is Tub Clean where you DO want the water as hot as you can get.


The kind of video I like where the machine does the talking. The wash action seems ok.

6:30 Carefully ramps up into the spin. Not too loud in operation. This is a light load though of thin clothes. It has an imbalance sensor so no out-of-balance spins should happen. Too many of those will put stress on the shocks and the drum could damage the outer tub if not caught in time.

How will it fare with a heavier load? Two blankets make it sag The advice is don't overload It could break, looks like the bottom bracket sheared off :oops:

The console is in the front which means as you unload or add water from a bucket there is a chance of water coming in contact which might cause problems later. The console at the back of the lid design is better.

This is the top review. It takes 15 minutes to heat the water to 40. His overhead tank water must be much warmer than mine.

If Realme is going to undercut the competition this much what is missing? After-sales service is going to be a question mark. If ever you have a problem within the warranty period. Are spare parts available after three years?

What is the durability like compared to pricier offerings? The materials used would be thinner to reduce the price. Would it break down more often? This goes back to the previous point.

Those are the risks with this Realme offering. I'm sure it will be fine when it works but it's when it does not that you might be left waiting for a long time compared to the established brands.

Some reviews might be dependent on the reviewer's location wrt service and not applicable in metros
Bad quality
Good
The 7.5kg model's tub is smaller than the equivalent Sammy. Because the tub is small it leads to people overloading which leads to further problems.

Just ok
Vibrates too much
Poor quality
Seen a few of these drum colliding with tub or excessive vibration comments. Or it was fine for the first month then started vibrating more.

What I notice in videos is people almost to a fault overload the machine. They fill it with clothes to the top. It won't clean well. I would not do that even with a good machine. Stick to the mixie rule. Two-thirds and no more.

Requires more detergent
Strange as it may sound but there is no relation between the amount of detergent and the amount of water. You do not add more detergent because there is more water. That is a waste of detergent and it's more work to get out and if not out then clothes get stiff. Detergent dosing is a function of water hardness, soil level and the number of clothes washed. Nothing to do with water quantity. Assuming of course you use a branded detergent that is formulated for a top loader and not some cheap unbranded detergent which isn't pH balanced. To clean ie. remove acidic dirt, the solution needs a minimum pH of 8 which is mild. Liquids hover in the 8-9 range, powders in the 9-10 range. More water or less water won't affect a pH-balanced detergent.


This machine will be fine as a backup or as a second machine but not as a primary. If it's your only machine then you will need an appetite for risk or have alternate means to get the washing done until it returns to service.

@gopal_agrawal would you feel comfortable going with this product? it's in your budget and has features that cost much more to have with other models.

Would you have opted for this model instead of the Samsung?

You said you wanted something that lasts. Don't overload and stick to max two-thirds loading and the machine will last longer and clean better.

@Kaleen Bhaiya I think you should also consider these 8kg models with heater from IFB. The reason is the bigger tub size with the IFB 8kg compared to Panasonic 8kg. The water volume of 8kg IFB is 68L meaning your inner tub is 50-55L whereas the Panasonic 8kg water volume is 55L and will get you an inner tub of 40-45L

It would be best if you could confirm the IFB inner tub dimensions for the models before buying. I think the Pansonic ones are correct. You will lose wifi with IFB but the UI looks good. Assuming you can get IFB service in your area. And you have to buy direct from IFB's website.
 

Attachments

  • realme temp setting.jpg
    realme temp setting.jpg
    38.4 KB · Views: 47
  • realme tub size.jpg
    realme tub size.jpg
    52.4 KB · Views: 54
Last edited:
@gopal_agrawal would you feel comfortable going with this product? it's in your budget and has features that cost much more to have with other models.

Would you have opted for this model instead of the Samsung?

You said you wanted something that lasts. Don't overload and stick to max two-thirds loading and the machine will last longer and clean better.
I already purchased the Samsung machine and it is serving me good. But definitely would not have gone with Realme machine as their phones are not reliable so wouldn't risk using their machine.
 
I already purchased the Samsung machine and it is serving me good. But definitely would not have gone with Realme machine as their phones are not reliable so wouldn't risk using their machine.
Good. People get drawn in by their low prices which are 5-10k cheaper than the competition especially those on tight budgets like you were.
 
Last edited:
Yesterday was out of liquid detergent so used regular surf excel powder detergent in the detergent tray and after wash was complete, still the tray had 55% unused aka soiled leftover detergent.
First time used a powdered one so unsure if this scene is common or not.
Cloth was 80% and they did came out clean too.
 
still the tray had 55% unused aka soiled leftover detergent.
First time used a powdered one so unsure if this scene is common or not.
No. it should completely dissolve. How is the water pressure? if it comes too slowly, the powder detergent will clump up and then it won't pass through
 
Pressure is too much as in completely normal.
ok, earlier i had this problem where the outside valve got blocked with sediment and the pressure was not enough.

Check the machine inlet valve where the water comes in to see if there is no mud in the filter.

Was surf excel new? Check the manufacture date. If it is older the powder can absorb moisture and get clumpy. I store power detergent in air-tight bottles for this reason. Humidity is over 60% for more than half the year where I am.

Another thing you can try is to remove the drawer and give it a good clean in warm water. There might be liquid residue in there that is holding the powder back.

It should wash down completely with zero residues left.
 
ok, earlier i had this problem where the outside valve got blocked with sediment and the pressure was not enough.

Was surf excel new? Check the manufacture date. If it is older the powder can absorb moisture and get clumpy. I store power detergent in air-tight bottles for this reason. Humidity is over 60% for more than half the year where I am.

Another thing you can try is to remove the drawer and give it a good clean in warm water. There might be liquid residue in there that is holding the powder back.

It should wash down completely with zero residue left.
We dont use the machine daily- once in 4 days or so.
Surf excel was bought just few months back and is very well under warranty and stored in air tight container.
Where I reside, currently the humidity is under 20% and its extremely dry with single digit temps.
We ensure drawer is clean after every wash and the machine is left to dry from inside with lid open and free of moisture or any smell.
I suspect detergent was excess per the load.
 
We dont use the machine daily- once in 4 days or so.
Surf excel was bought just few months back and is very well under warranty and stored in air tight container.
Where I reside, currently the humidity is under 20% and its extremely dry with single digit temps.
We ensure drawer is clean after every wash and the machine is left to dry from inside with lid open and free of moisture or any smell.
I suspect detergent was excess per the load.
How many grams did you use?

Did you check the machine inlet valve? where you connect the water pipe to the machine, Unscrew it and look at the mesh filter

That can get clogged up with sediment from the overhead tank and reduce the water pressure entering the machine
 
How many grams did you use?

Did you check the machine inlet valve? where you connect the water pipe to the machine, Unscrew it and look at the mesh filter

That can get clogged up with sediment from the overhead tank and reduce the water pressure entering the machine
Cant do so much for such a tiny issue as machine is just 3 months old.
 
Cant do so much for such a tiny issue as machine is just 3 months old.
It's not a big deal and three months is enough to clog it up.
I suspect detergent was excess per the load.
That's a clue to a bigger problem because over time you are wasting detergent which is harder to rinse out and ends up coating the tub requiring more maintenance :bored:

Why are they using more because they noticed the machine chose a higher water level. They think because there is more water more detergent should be added.

This is incorrect if using a proper detergent like Surf. Start with 30gm which should be half a scoop and adjust from there.

When the wash gets going you want to see a thin layer of foam on the top.

No foam, use more detergent. Too much then use less.
I had to hunt for it, tried a few shops and they had like few machines with agitator. IIRC WHirlpool had/has a patent on it. I knew about agitator and my geeky brain told me to get this one or fully auto not the impeller ones. It cleans a lot better, so much that my mom does not use her machine and only wants to use this one. They are hard no clothes yes but I use it with more water than usual and it takes less time was better washes. I even wash shoes, wrist wraps, wrist bands comforters in this beast. 7-9 years no torn/damaged cloth till date.
I was trying to figure this one out and its to do with the loading.

With your agitator, you can throw the clothes on top of the other in layers and it will do the job. But with an impeller, you have to load it differently.

Something else I've seen people do which isn't useful. They will line the clothes up on the wall as it the drum is some tandoor for naan bread :)


It helps if you ball up the clothes up so they rub against each other more. This will definitely improve the wash action as clothes will be free to move.

Slightly more work but better result? Try it.

I don't recall reading this in any manual or seeing any demo tech mention it. Neat :woot:

The issue is bigger items. Bedsheets and trousers. Can't really ball those up easily.

Highest water level and the longest wash cycle have to be chosen. Use the Strong or Jeans cycle if the machine has one.
 

Attachments

  • inlet valve.jpg
    inlet valve.jpg
    299.1 KB · Views: 46
Last edited:
@blr_p and others..
What are your thoughts on the Whirlpool FL machines? I am still confused between TL and FL as I am more concerned with the cycle duration since FL generally has a longer cycle duration than TL. While I do have borewell water which is 24x7, but I want to avoid it.
I do have sufficient water pressure from the corporation tap hence also looking into FL machines.
 
@blr_p and others..
What are your thoughts on the Whirlpool FL machines?
Why are you looking at whirlpool for your relative when you already have an LG FL?
I am still confused between TL and FL as I am more concerned with the cycle duration since FL generally has a longer cycle duration than TL.
You said you wanted a TL because your relative did not want to bend isn't it? that is why you were looking at TL's

Cycle duration on my LG FL is close to three hours for a full load and half as long for lighter loads.

With a TL that has a heater, you can expect 2h long cycles. Without a heater, it will be less.

Why is the duration a concern? if that is how long it takes to get clean clothes so be it. How many loads will you be running per day?

While I do have borewell water which is 24x7, but I want to avoid it.
Borewell water will be hard and not suitable for a front loader. It won't be great for a top loader either.
I do have sufficient water pressure from the corporation tap hence also looking into FL machines.
Then get a FL
 
Last edited:
Why are you looking at whirlpool for your relative when you already have an LG FL?
I am looking for a machine for my own use since I am no longer at my permanent location. Not for relative .


Why is the duration a concern? if that is how long it takes to get clean clothes so be it. How many loads will you be running per day?
Because the water duration from my corporation is 2 hours in the morning and 1 hour in the evening. So if my cycle time is more than 2 hours so it will become problematic.
Regarding loads, I don't think I will be able to do it daily. Mostly during weekends assuming I will be having off.


Borewell water will be hard and not suitable for a front loader. It won't be great for a top loader either
Whirlpool machines have an attachment of your area has hard water to make it soft. Even the corporation water has some salt as I see some deposits on utensils when washed. But that is for TL, don't know about FL.

I do meet the criteria of water pressure for FL, but cycle duration is a concern. On LG under normal load, it would take 1:30 to 1:50 hours. But sometimes it does shoot up beyond 2 hours hence I was asking what is the general time duration for cotton cycle in FL.
 
Because the water duration from my corporation is 2 hours in the morning and 1 hour in the evening. So if my cycle time is more than 2 hours so it will become problematic.
Regarding loads, I don't think I will be able to do it daily. Mostly during weekends assuming I will be having off.
What about regular water? isn't that available for longer?

You have two hours in the morning, so you can use the timer function. Load up the clothes at night and set it.

The way the timer works is you have to add the number of hours for when you want it to complete.

Let's say water comes between 8 am and 10 am. You load up at 10 pm the previous night.

You want the wash to complete at 10 am. This means it will start ~1h30 earlier so 8:30 am

So at 10 pm + 12 (you select 12h on the timer) and it will complete the wash at 10 am the next day


You can only use powder as liquid detergent will harden in the drawer.

If the time the water comes is regular then you're set. If the time varies you're not. Why don't you monitor this for a week and make a log so you get an idea of when the water comes and if they are regular.

Whirlpool machines have an attachment of your area has hard water to make it soft.
Can you post a link to it?
Even the corporation water has some salt as I see some deposits on utensils when washed. But that is for TL, don't know about FL.
Those deposits are hard water deposits. Get this hard water testing kit so you have an idea of ppm. Hard to say which kind of machine or even softener to go for without that data.
I do meet the criteria of water pressure for FL, but cycle duration is a concern. On LG under normal load, it would take 1:30 to 1:50 hours. But sometimes it does shoot up beyond 2 hours hence I was asking what is the general time duration for cotton cycle in FL.
If you stick to LG, you will have to weigh your clothes with a luggage weighing scale. Tare the bucket, and fill with clothes until you get to 2kg. If you keep the load at 2kg and below it will complete between 1:30 to 1:50.

Going over 2kg increases the total time as it adds a third rinse cycle and the wash duration increases. This additional 3rd rinse cycle if the load was over 2kg was a recent discovery for me, I always thought it just increased the wash duration. I don't have a way to increase the number of rinses on my machine. It's default 2 rinses for loads 2kg and less.

I do not recommend shorter cycles like a quick wash for the purpose of regular washing to beat the clock.
 
Last edited:
Back
Top