Kenmore Elite

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Kenmore Elite

We have owned our Kenmore Elite Washer and Dryer for about three years now and we are still satisfied with our purchase. It is true that you will pay more for the Elite Series, but it is worth it.

The washing machine is front loading. The only thing that you have to get used to is that if you need to add another item once you've already started the machine, you need to hit pause and then wait a bit until the machine unlocks.

There is a compartment on the top side of the machine to hold the soap, softner and bleach. This is nice because you are not pouring these things directly on the clothes or do you have to wait until the water fills to add it.

The part that holds the softner and bleach can be removed for washing, as the softner tends to build up after a while.

Once the soap is in and the cycle begins, water sprays in this compartment washing the soap down into the inside of the washer.

The controls for this washer and dryer are electric, so no turning dials. With the push of a button you decide cycle type and length and water temp.

There is no need for a button for how large the load is, it figures this on it's own. This washer nicely washes clothes, towels, and we have even used it for a queen size comforter.

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Kenmore Elite

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Mar 08, 2009
Rating

Good with HE Detergent
by: Anonymous

I have had my Kenmore Elite front-loader for 5 years and it is the best washer that I ever purchased. Originally I purchased this from sears in 2003 for just under $1000.00 with matching dryer. I purchased the lower cost model as I didn’t feel I need the water heating function to be included. I have never had a problem with having hot water while this washer is running. The wide door of the washer is great for big jobs like rugs or blankets.

I haven’t yet encountered a wash load that appeared too much for this washer, even with all my jeans and towels in the same load. I was most pleased by how quiet the washer was. The only time I ever really noticed any noise was when the washer would drain, and even then it was a faint whisper in comparison to my old washer. Another thing this Kenmore does well is to extract the water out of the laundry. The drying times are severely reduced, even for loads like towels and denim. The special Whites cycle worked better than I would’ve expected. In all honesty I figured it was just a gimmick, but, in fact, my whites turned out cleaner than I would’ve thought possible. The automation in the washer makes the whole process set it and forget it. You can tweak the automated settings for water temperature and time but I’ve found the washer does a fine job all by itself.

One thing that was recommended was the use of High Efficiency detergent. After talking with a few other people who had similar washers I compared using the HE detergent against a reduced amount of my regular detergent and found no real difference in the cleanliness of the clothes.

As such, I continue to use standard detergent. In the end, even 5 years later, this washer continues to run well. I haven’t needed any kind of major repairs or run into any major mechanical issues. On average I’d say the washer has been used 3 times a week over the last 5 years.

I haven’t tried using any type of powdered detergent with the washer; I’ve only ever used liquids, so I can’t really speak to that. I have had to clean out the detergent tray a few times from build up, but that is a pretty common thing for these types of washers.

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Mar 08, 2009
Rating

Submitted by: Anonymous

Title

Comment
I have had my Kenmore Elite front-loader for 5 years and it is the best washer that I ever purchased. Originally I purchased this from sears in 2003 for just under $1000.00 with matching dryer. I purchased the lower cost model as I didn’t feel I need the water heating function to be included. I have never had a problem with having hot water while this washer is running. The wide door of the washer is great for big jobs like rugs or blankets. I haven’t yet encountered a wash load that appeared too much for this washer, even with all my jeans and towels in the same load. I was most pleased by how quiet the washer was. The only time I ever really noticed any noise was when the washer would drain, and even then it was a faint whisper in comparison to my old washer. Another thing this Kenmore does well is to extract the water out of the laundry. The drying times are severely reduced, even for loads like towels and denim. The special Whites cycle worked better than I would’ve expected. In all honesty I figured it was just a gimmick, but, in fact, my whites turned out cleaner than I would’ve thought possible. The automation in the washer makes the whole process set it and forget it. You can tweak the automated settings for water temperature and time but I’ve found the washer does a fine job all by itself. One thing that was recommended was the use of High Efficiency detergent. After talking with a few other people who had similar washers I compared using the HE detergent against a reduced amount of my regular detergent and found no real difference in the cleanliness of the clothes. As such, I continue to use standard detergent. In the end, even 5 years later, this washer continues to run well. I haven’t needed any kind of major repairs or run into any major mechanical issues. On average I’d say the washer has been used 3 times a week over the last 5 years. I haven’t tried using any type of powdered detergent with the washer; I’ve only ever used liquids, so I can’t really speak to that. I have had to clean out the detergent tray a few times from build up, but that is a pretty common thing for these types of washers.

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Mar 08, 2009
Rating

Bad Electronics
by: Paul in Hawaii

We bought the Kenmore Elite Energy Star in 2005. When it works, it gets the clothes clean. The problem is that the electronics are unreliable and now, 3 1/2 years in, repair is so expensive as to be impractical. It also is already making a lot of noise when it is on the agitate cycle, so I think that the bearings are going out. So we will have to throw it out and buy a new machine. My advice is to stay away from fancy electronics in washers, dryers and ranges, due to the heat and humidity which are incompatible with electronics.

Feb 03, 2009
Rating

Even gets my kids socks clean!
by: Anonymous

I love my new washer. It has easy to understand dials. I love how big it is. I can easily fit my kids jeans and it gets them nice and clean. My kids get really grimey playing outside and this washing machine really gets the grime out. This washer even gets their socks clean. I can do a big load of towel and I don't ever have to worry about them not smelling clean .In conclusion I love this washer and am very glad I bought it.

Oct 31, 2008
Rating

broken twice in 10 months
by: T

In 2007 I purchased a Kenmore Elite dishwasher, model#665.13153K761 for about $2500. It has broken twice in just 10 months. Today I called the repair number, 1-800-469-4663. They hung up on me 3 times. The last time I was on hold for 55 minutes. We have purchase all of our appliances at Sears for the past 15 years. NEVER AGAIN

Oct 28, 2008
Rating

kinda loud
by: Anonymous

washes clothes very well, doesn't fade them and isn't too rough on them, fairly large tank capacity so you can fit a weeks worth of clothes in 1 load, much better than my old maytag gets clothes a lot cleaner, has lots of options that others don't, like the delicate mode or heavy duty mode bad: kinda loud overall a great washing machine

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Kenmore Elite