Slimline top-loaders

[busybr]

Hey all

May I ask about modern slimline toploaders? When I was selling these fellas in the back end of the 90’s, there were a whole host of models to choose from, all of which did the same, except for the Bosch which (as we were told) stopped with the drum opening at the top.

Fast forward several years, and I had a Hoover Nextra which was a fantastic machine (I have an idea it was not actually built by Hoover / Candy, but I don’t know this) but the drum had to be turned by hand to find the opening at the end of the cycle.

I see now there is only Hotpoint, Whirlpool, and Hoover to choose from in the mainstream ranges (I found a Bauchnet and an AEG but I don’t think they are for the UK 😕 ❓ ) The write-ups for all machines were good, but all said they were noisy, plus the usual (insert pause to yawn) rubbish about “takes to long” etc. I never recall the Hoover being particularly noisy…Are the new Hoover models likely to be all that different from a Nextra dating back to around 2004-5? And is there a model of any make which stops with the drum opening at the top?

Thanks in advance as always.

[kwatt]

Re: Slimline top-loaders

Same thing only different.

A frontloader turned on it’s side in effect and, IMO, with absolutely no discernible advantage to be had. Other than, I suppose, the premise that it feels like a top loader to the user and has a smaller footprint, maybe.

In other words, largely pointless.

If you really must have a top loading washing machine then the only real option is to import a proper one but, that holds a myriad of issues both in obtaining one and then maintaining one.

And, on top of that, a real top loader is hugely inefficient in water and energy let alone performance.

I’m not a fan of them at all, never have been.

K.

[busybr]

Re: Slimline top-loaders

Hi Ken

The advantage (for me) is the ability to drop things in from above. That’s a huge help. I always thought that as the drum had a bearing each side (unlike the front loaders) it made them more stable (and certainly slimmer).

The Hoover model I had was fantastic. So I take it then that all will perform in the same way, more or less?

Thanks

[kwatt]

Re: Slimline top-loaders

No, they don’t all have a bearing at each side.

Actual performance should differ very little from a normal front loader with the same series tub unit, controls etc.

K.

[busybr]

Re: Slimline top-loaders

Hi Ken

So what’s on the opposite side to the drum from where the belt pully is?

[kwatt]

Re: Slimline top-loaders

Depends on the model but the few I’ve taken apart, nothing pretty much.

They’re also a complete pig to work on mostly. Much cuts and scrapes, bad sweary words and so on when repairing them.

K.

[spimps]

Re: Slimline top-loaders

Pain to use,the inner drum has a flap which you always have to fasten,bit like the bingo drum! also means a loading aperture 250m x 200m ,smaller than a front loader.
Seen them where they haven’t been secured correctly and then,well..
I think they were origionally marketed for the flat dwellers,especially abroad with small kitchens and were often under a hinged worktop.
Certainly not comparable to a front loader unless you are absolutely cramped for space.
Unlike the old Hotpoint top loader imported top loaders have no heatere and rely on incoming hot water so no exact temperature control on the water,they use vast amounts of water and dont extract water on the spin anywhere near as well as front loaders so clothes take longer to dry.
Yanks think they are great though! we used to say that Americans wore the garish colours more than the Brits because their washers were poor at getting stuff really clean.

[Martin]

Re: Slimline top-loaders

busybr wrote:The Hoover model I had was fantastic.

That was a French made contraption……Sacre Bleu!

The spin speed was rubbish as indeed all currently available makes are anyway. In the trade we usually found they were much favoured by the elderly as they could be squeezed into their tiny ‘back kitchens’ or ‘scullery’ in place where their old Creda Debonair spin dryer used to stand. 😉

[Author]

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