First of all thankyou in advance for reading this, my second review. Hopefully it will be of some use to anyone interested in purchasing one of these machines or just as a comparison. I will try and cover the main features of the washer and explain how I have found them in terms of performance.
When purchasing any product like this manufacturers tend to claim that their product is far better than the competitions. Being inquisitive and to have a better understanding, I tend to try and find out why it is better and how the results are archived.
Zanussi's claim to fame is their "Unique Jet System" as this is the main selling feature I took the time to find out what it does and how it does it, rather than just being a term in a brochure. I also find asking these type of questions highlights how much or little the sales team know their stuff. I will write my findings on this in some detail below, hopefully this will be of some interest, if not I apologise in advance and accept the fact that its just me that's incredibly sad.
++++++ PRICE ++++++
As usual prices vary tremendously and there are some good deals to be had on line. A tip with internet searches, the price displayed doesn't necessarily mean that is what you are going to pay at the checkout. Look out for delivery charges and VAT which are frequently omitted to make the price look good.
I was in the market for a washer and separate dryer (which I will be reviewing shortly), so I turned to my local Euronics Centre who provided me with a very good package deal on the two. Obtaining this type of deal via the internet had proven to be pretty near impossible, thus proving that speaking to a person rather than a machine does have its advantages!
Washing machines are rated on a scale ranging from A to E, with A being the most efficient and E being the least. Zanussi have performed well with this model obtaining the highest ratings "A" for energy and wash performance and a "B" for spin performance.
+++++++++++++++++++ DESIGN / EASE OF USE +++++++++++++++++++
At first glance the front control
panel looks like something from an aircraft cockpit. However I did find the machine very easy to get used to and is actually quite user friendly. An LCD display provides useful information on the actual progress of the wash cycle.
The door access on the machine is well designed and has a nice firm feel to it. I did notice when shopping around that some machines did have a somewhat flimsy feel to the doors raising concerns as to how durable they would be. In general my Zanussi has a good quality solidly built feel to it.
The large door access is complimented by the large drum capacity. The machine holds a very impressive 7Kg load. In real terms this means that you can wash a king size duvet in the machine with complete ease. This is one instance where the large door particularly comes into its own. No longer do I have to wrestle to get large items through the door.
+++++++++++++++++ SPECIAL FEATURES +++++++++++++++++
The machine boasts a unique "Jet System" feature. This is offered on various other manufacturers under all sorts of different names, however I am led to believe that it was Zanussi who originally pioneered this type of system.
The idea in principle is quite simple, when you look inside the drum, the lifters or paddles on the sides of the drum have holes drilled into them to allow water in. As the drum rotates soapy water is collected at the bottom the drum, and released through the paddles when they get to the top. This means that the clothes are constantly having water passed through them regardless of their position within the drum. A big benefit of this is that the machine needs far less water to obtain the same results, a very useful feature for anyone on a water meter.
Another useful function of the Jet System feature is that it offers far greater flexibility than the traditional "Half Load" feature. Initially the machine takes in a small amount of water which is allowed to pass through the garments inside the drum, and then into a small sump at the bottom. The more items there are in the drum, the more of this initial water intake will be soaked up. By calculating how much water passes into the sump, (not soaked up by the garments in the drum) the machine will adjust not only the final water intake, but will determine the energy consumption and the overall time required to obtain the best wash results.
The LCD display has some very useful features. One of these is the amount of time left to run on the current cycle. This I have found to be very useful as you know as soon as the machines starts when to come back to it. This takes all the guess work out and saves trundling back and forth to see if the machine has finished. To reinforce this the machine also sounds an audible alarm to let you know when it is done.
The machine also has a delay timer facility built in. This has two useful functions.
Firstly if your electricity supply is on a dual tariff (daytime / cheaper night rate) the machine can be pre set to start and finish during the off peak cheaper rate obviously saving a fair bit on energy costs.
Secondly (where I have found it to be of particular use) if you are putting a load in to wash before going out to work and don't want the clothes to be full of creases when you get back, simply delay the wash time so that it finishes later during the day. Although this can be achieved with rinse hold features, the delay timer option means that the wash cycle is complete when you get back rather than having to wait for the water to drain and then the final spin cycle.
The machine makes itself more flexible by offering both variable spin and temperature settings. As we are all constantly being told by detergent manufacturers to reduce the temperature we wash at, it does surprise me how many machines currently available do not offer this feature. Presumably rather like air bagsin cars, variable temperature will eventually become a standard feature rather than considered a luxury.
Lets face it, this is what we all buy a washing machine for!! A washing machine can have all the gizmo's and flashing lights, but if it doesn't do the job it's meant to, it is totally worthless.
Having used my machine for all sorts of different loads, I can see how Zanussi have achieved the "A" rating. Wash results are nothing less than outstanding. I have yet to find the need to perform a boil wash with this machine. The items that I used to boil on my old machine, particularly net curtains and white cottons, I now wash at 60² with the same results. The vast majority of clothing I can now wash using the quick wash feature, again producing the same clean results as a full wash on my old appliance.
I am still using the same detergent I have always used (sounds like Smurf) and yet the end results between my old machine (Hoover) and my Zanussi are like chalk and cheese.
The machine caters for just about anything you would want to put in it with a vast array of different programmes. Included in addition to the standard cottons / synthetics etc etc are a range of special care cycles. These include hand, delicate, silk and woollens washes. To my pleasant surprise the woollens wash does do exactly what it says on the tin. I have used this several times and found the the machine to be thorough in terms of cleanliness and gentle at the same time retaining the shape and size of the garments 100% of the time.
Having said that I have found the results to be more than amicable. I suppose the best example I could give is results of washing and spinning a full load of cotton towels. I have found that the amount of water removed by the machine is very good. The amount of time required for drying has been significantly reduced compared to my old machine. Polyester or light garments are even better, when I take these out of the machine they are very very nearly dry.
What I have found to be particularly useful is the ability to vary the spin. By trial and error I have found that the maximum 1400rpm spin can be to efficient leaving some items, namely pure cotton, being difficult to iron as too much water is removed. With the variable spin I can reduce the spin speed down consequently removing this problem.
As a safeguard, as with the variable temperature option, the spin can only be turned down from the maximum recommended. This means that should you put a woollens or delicate wash in for example, it is physically impossible to set the machine to spin at 1400 rpm or higher than it should be.
++++++++++++++++ GENERAL OPINION ++++++++++++++++
I would term this machine as being a mid-price range machine. In terms of value for money I have been extremely satisfied with my purchase. The one thing I must say as a very very big positive is how quiet the machine is when it is running. Vibration levels even with a full load and running at maximum spin are very minimal. To refer to an old cliché "you certainly wont get much of a thrill sitting on top of one of these". The end wash results are nothing short of spectacular.
There are only two gripes I have, the first not being particular to Zanussi.
Firstly, as the main wash programmes are supposed to confirm to a universal industry standard (e.g. 40² programme for synthetics) I fail to see why manufacturers can't decide on a standardised programme selection. For example some use a series of numbers for programme selection, whilst others use letters. This can be very confusing at first when switching from one system to another.
The second point is the extended warranty offered by Zanussi. I do not have the figures to hand as they were binned. However I did note at the time that there were other extended warranties available particularly from the retailer that were far more competitive.
+++++++++++++++ FACTS & FIGURES +++++++++++++++
Dimensions : H850 x W600 x D600mm Spin Speed : 1400 RPM Variable Wash Load : 7 Kg Energy Rating : A Rated Wash Performance : A Rated Spin Performance : B Rated Number of Programmes : 21 Variable Temperature LCD Control Panel : Time to End of Programme , Noise Level : 49 dB Water Supply : Cold Fill Only Water Consumption : 52 Litres Drum Capacity : 54 Litres Energy Consumption : 1.19 Kwh Audible End of Programme Memory Function Delay Timer Anti Crease Programme, Hand Wash, Quick Wash, Economy Wash , Delicate Wash, Silk Wash, Wool Programme, Intensive Wash, Pre Wash, Variable Rinses, Rinse Hold. Time Saver Function Wide Opening Door Child Safety Lock Warranty : 12 months parts & labour
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
I've got a Zanussi Washer Dryer, which is just as amazing as your washing machine, apart from the very annoying rattle it makes as it starts to spin/as it stops at the end of a spin. As for the review- Fantastic! Just out of interest, how long does a 40c cotton cycle take? I always use the extra quick function as well.
supersexycoolchick1 24.04.2008 13:33
i love it when the spin cycle is so effective that it almost dries the washing for you! great op
exceptional by (46%):
very helpful by (54%):
