Smeg WMI16AAA

...also my friend has a SMEG washing machine.

This appliance does everything you need for a washing machine. You can vary the spin speed from 1600 down to 600 depending on the type of fabric so is quite flexible. Across the top of the appliance you have the soap/conditioner drawer which is divided into prewash and was soap and a separate compartment for fabric conditioner. Next you have the buttons which control the start/stop, fast-forward, ...
...Finally on the right is a dial which you use to select the cycle.

There are 3 main programmes broken into fabric type each with sub-programmes of varying temperature and spin speed:

* cottons (7 sub programmes: Cold, 30º, 40º, 60º,60º with prewash, 75º with prewash, 90º)
* wools (1 sub program: 35º & no spin)
* synthetics (2 sub-programmes: 40º, 60º both at 900 rpm)

It also comes with the ... more

When I moved house I left my old washing machine behind and I knew I was going to get a new kitchen so bought this integrated appliance for the future. I must admit though I did not do enough research on this product. This was mainly due to the need for a washing machine and also my friend has a SMEG washing machine.

This appliance does everything you need for a washing machine. You can vary the spin speed from 1600 down to 600 depending on the type of fabric so is quite flexible. Across the top of the appliance you have the soap/conditioner drawer which is divided into prewash and was soap and a separate compartment for fabric conditioner. Next you have the buttons which control the start/stop, fast-forward, easy-iron, half-load and spin speed options within a program. Finally on the right is a dial which you use to select the cycle.There are 3 main programmes broken into fabric type each with sub-programmes of varying temperature and spin speed:

• cottons (7 sub programmes: Cold, 30º, 40º, 60º,60º with prewash, 75º with prewash, 90º)
• wools (1 sub program: 35º & no spin)
• synthetics (2 sub-programmes: 40º, 60º both at 900 rpm)

It also comes with the following separate programmes that you can use in a series or alone:

• Handwash (no spin)
• Softener only
• Rinses
• Drain
• Spin (900 - 1600 rpm)

Two beeps at the end of the cycle lets you know the cycle is completeYou have the option of using half or full load if you don't have enough clothes - this saves on the water used and you can fast forward programmes, which is good if the clothes are not too soiled, and with this particular product is necessary.

The cycle times are very long, longer than I have seen on other products, sometimes over 2 hours long! With the fast forward button, sometimes this only reduces it to 1 hour 20 mins. The shortest cycle is 49 mins which is a reasonable time but this is only available on the synthetics 40º cycle. Even then it is only on 900 rpm and you cannot change the spin speed setting, so end up accepting it or using the separate spin cycle which adds another 15mins at full RPM.

The appliance itself is at a reasonable noise level when it is on it's final spin cycle. You can hear it while you are in the living room, but only to hear that it is on - it's not intrusive at all. It is also very stable. I have had washing machines that spin themselves out of their cubby hole, but this one stays put and will not be going anywhere at all.

All in all, it is a washing machine and does the job perfectly. However, I'm only going to give it 3 stars because of the long cycle times and I would not recommend the appliance. I do other chores while waiting, but it increases my washing ordeal unneccessarily.

I paid about £600 for it, so it is expensive as well in my opinion.

Thanks for reading - also posted on dooyoo

© jupiter28 2008 

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