Miele (pronounced Meal-uh), the company that began making butter churns more than 100 years ago is churning high-quality and environmentally friendly home appliances.
Miele also invented the modern washing machine. Today, the family-owned German company puts a new spin on the notion that, when it comes to energy efficiency and environmentally friendly washers and dryers, “smaller is better.”
At Best Home Appliances at Tatum Boulevard and Bell Road, I had the same reaction that many consumers have, according to salesman Randy Rice: “It’s way too small. It’ll never work for my family!” Then, he gave a show-and-tell.
Seventeen bath towels came out of a front-loaded stainless steel drum that looked more like an oversized cheese grater than a washing machine. “Try doing that with a top loader!” Rice said. The story gets better. No agitator, so clothes don’t get beat up over time. The higher spin rate means less time in a hot dryer, which again will wear down our pocketbook and the fiber in our clothing. It uses less water, detergent and energy to run, which are all good for the environment, and it’s guaranteed to last 20 years.
Bigger than a bread box – but not much! The size of the European washers and dryers like the Miele is deceiving. Small enough to stack or store in the tightest spaces, they pack a powerful yet gentle punch. Details:
“They use about 40 percent less water per load, about 5 to 15 gallons vs. 50 gallons for a top loader.
“They use less detergent, no more than 1/4 of a cup vs. 3/4 of a cup.
“They can hold more load, often 50 percent more than the average American-made machine’s load.
“They tumble vs. agitate, resulting in a gentle yet forceful cleaning method, saving wear and tear on clothing.
“They spin faster, about 1,600 rpm vs. 450 rpm, allowing the clothes to come out much drier, which means less time in the dryer, where heat can damage clothing over time.
The European front-loading “smart machines” are more expensive – the washer runs $1,550 to $1,750 and the dryer $1,150 to $1,299.
From AZ Centaral
