Zanussi-Electrolux ZWD1480

Having been without a washing machine, I was over the moon when this was delivered. Within ten minutes the plastic covering was ripped off it, bolts were out (Read the instrucions carefully n this as it ain't the easiest), and we got it balanced.

And off it went, trying to sort the huge backlogue of washing that we had acquired. By the end of the wekend, it was having problems. And the jet stystem stopped working. So out the repair ...
...Being the daughter of a TV engineer, I know it is impossible to carry every part around for every machine that they repair. So another 4 days without a washing machine. Then it was repaired and working fine. Then two weeks later, yet another problem. It started showing fault codes for no water supply. And started filling up with water even when it was switched off. So out they came again. After an hour, he started to get a little frustrated. And ... more

Having been without a washing machine, I was over the moon when this was delivered. Within ten minutes the plastic covering was ripped off it, bolts were out (Read the instrucions carefully n this as it ain't the easiest), and we got it balanced.

And off it went, trying to sort the huge backlogue of washing that we had acquired. By the end of the wekend, it was having problems. And the jet stystem stopped working. So out the repair man came, and ordered a new motor and circuit board. Being the daughter of a TV engineer, I know it is impossible to carry every part around for every machine that they repair. So another 4 days without a washing machine. Then it was repaired and working fine. Then two weeks later, yet another problem. It started showing fault codes for no water supply. And started filling up with water even when it was switched off. So out they came again. After an hour, he started to get a little frustrated. And who came blame him. He had it totally in pieces. A great sight if you love to know how things work! (Which I do!!!). Then he found the problem. A pipe had a fracture in it. And it was letting in air. He happened to have a spare pipe in his van. So he fitted it and it has been working great ever since. This explained why it was filling up with water and why the dryer took so long to dry clothes.

Apart from these initial problems it is a great washer. I wash all whites now on the E60 wash with a pre wash. Amazing resluts with biological powder. There is a 30 minute wash for anything lightly soiled. Using the JetSystem means I think, that you get a far cleaner load. If you look at the top f the inside of the door, you can actually see the wather being fed in through a pipe. Although aparantly, they do have a tendency to block easily. But even our rotweiller dog hair hasn't blocked it yet.

It has a 1400 spin, something which is important when going on to tumble. And the tumble is Auto Sensor or normal standard tumble. The Auto Sensor giving three choices of Iron Dry, Store Dry or Extra Dry. And it runs straight on from the wash cycle. (Great for last thing at night. It has five options on the spin selection. Drain only, 700, 900, 1200 and 1200 Rpms.

The Energy Rating is a B. When I was buying this washer, I had a few criterias it had to fit. And the energy rating was one of them. Also it had to have a Grade A wash. No other wash would do. The spin rating is only apparantly a D. But it is alot better than my previous Whirlpool washer.

It looks great and is fairly simple to use. I have never been a fan of instructions! The punp has been blocked a couple of times. But it is quite easy as there is a little pipe beside the pump, which you drain it off with first. But a word of warning. You need somehting very low to fill it into because of gravity. Water desn't travel to well uphill.

The main programmes for cottons are 95, E60, 60, 50, 40 30, then tumble. Then delicates, 40 and 30. Then woollens 40 and 30, with a gentle tumble which will only allow you to go to Store Dry. Other programmes are soak, rinses, softeners, drain, spin and miniprogramme (The 30 minute wash).

Apart from the initial problems, I do love the washing machine. It lgets a lot of work, and copes with it brilliantly. BUT I do wish it had a hand wash. My last cheapy had that. And I find the drawer a bit of a pain to clean. Mainly getting the hardened fabric conditioner off. Was it worth the money I spent. Yes. I have taken the extended guarantee out. It is a must! It means after paying approx £23.00 per month for the first year, it is guaranteed for a full five years. This has to be a great thing. 

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