Kenmore Elite Oasis 4.6 cubic feet Canyon Capacity

Product Overview

This Energy Star qualified top loading washing machine has a generous 4.6 cu. ft capacity, meaning it can wash up to 24 bath towels in one load.

It is designed to be environmentally friendly, saving 69% on water and 66% on energy, and it comes with a Save Energy Plus option which saves up to 20% more energy (based on using the normal cycle and compared to a conventional machine built before 2004).

It is designed to deal with tough stains, with the Timed OxiTM feature which automatically releases oxygen-based stain fighters at just the right time in the wash cycle.

The washing machine has 5 water temperature settings and a maximum spin speed of 1050 rpm.

Pros

Cons

• This Kenmore washer looks good, and it is available in four different colors: white, black, blue and stainless steel.

• There is also a matching dryer and together they make a popular combination.

• The washer has a useful window in the top lid. It also has a large capacity, which makes it ideal for washing bulky items such as quilts, or simply for working with heavy loads.

• The control panel is easy to use and gives the user a lot of control over spin speed, cycle time and the number of rinses and pre-soaks.

• The machine also has a self-cleaning cycle, and a security feature which prevents the lid from being opened when the wash cycle is in progress.

• Unfortunately this washer suffers from a number of

problems. High efficiency washers are relatively new and while they use much less water than their predecessors, this can produce unsatisfactory results. Clothes coming out at the end of the cycle do not always have that ‘clean’ aroma which is so important, and because of the low water use some detergents may cause colors to run.

• The machine has a relatively high failure rate, with the lid often breaking and the digital display sometimes giving problems. Leaks and other faults are not uncommon, and many users report that they have frequent visits from a repair man trying to resolve their problems.

• It is a very noisy machine, and has a reputation for damaging clothes.

Final Thought

At first glance the Kenmore Elite OasisTM seems like a good choice for a busy household where there is a lot of washing to be done.

It appears to compare favorably with its competitors in terms of energy efficiency and water consumption which are so important these days.

It will probably cost you over a thousand dollars and for that price you expect great reliability and performance, but this is the area where too often the machine fails to deliver.

If you are looking for a large capacity washing machine and you are willing to take a risk, then perhaps you might consider the Kenmore Elite OasisTM. But the verdict of many users is that you should keep well away from it and get something else instead.

Related Products

More LG Washer Reviews
LG Washing Machines Main Page

Comments for Kenmore Elite Oasis 4.6 cubic feet Canyon Capacity

Average Rating

Click here to add your own comments

Dec 20, 2013
Rating

STAY FAR AWAY
by: CHRIS P

We have had this machine for about seven years now. It has crapped out on us multiple times. The motherboard got fried. I've had to take it apart several times to for the infamous "F" error code. Now, it bangs all around every spin cycle and will not finish a load. I replaced the suspension rods to no avail. It's great when it works, but it is broken more than it works. So frustrated with Kenmore/Whirlpool.
Oh yeah, don't be fooled. Kenmore, Whirlpool, and Maytag all sell the exact same machine with different names.

Apr 13, 2013
Rating

Low quality and poor design
by: washer repair 4he

Kid's clothes do not get clean due to the low water level. The water savings from the high efficiency design equates to about 1 minute of shower time or 2 toilet flushes. The high efficiency pitch is only a gimmick. This machine has a defect with the suspension rods, that cause it to go out of balance after 24 months of use (UL CODE BLINKING). Lid hinge will also break. Repairman was very familiar with this model due to its high failure rate, he even had duplicate parts in his truck.

Old agitator kenmore lived 24 years
Oasis Kenmore on life support after 3 years

Oct 14, 2012
Rating

So Far So Bad !!!
by: Sam Shartzer

I am a 33 y/o self-proclaimed handyman and this machine has been a wonderfully cheap college course on washing machine repair and for only $1000 USD up front and about $300 USD every year there after you too can get an unforgettable hands on course in washing machine repair, just hope you have the time. Oh and I hope you like suprises because 3 am water leaks are great for teaching you to keep your cool in the most stressful of situations. Good luck ;)

Mar 19, 2012
Rating

WORTHLESS
by: Anonymous

I Hate this washer I HAVE TO BABYSIT IT. It gives ma an F1 CODE where I have to hit stop and start 3 times back to back so it can finish washing my clothes. Bought it at Sears will never buy another washer from them or the brand better off washing buy hand!!!! Very expensice piece of crap!!!

Feb 02, 2012
Rating

Washer is Junk!
by: Anonymous

I bought my Kenmore Oasis in 2008 and paid $1000 for it. After 2yrs it started rattling real bad. Found out a penny got in the pump and broke the pump causing water to leak all over. Now it makes a horrible noise like it is full of bbs and they are rolling around in it. Some one told me the drum bearings are going out. Only 4yrs old. Another
$300 to fix it again. This washer is junk and I don't recommend it to anyone or the Whirlpool. My daughter has a whirlpool and its broke down twice.
I also feel it doesn't clean my clothes good. My old kenmore was 14yrs old when I upgraded and still worked good. Never broke down on me. Should have kept it. And also my washer leaks water from the front, always has since I first got it.

Jul 16, 2011
Rating

Waste of $$$$
by: Anonymous

Hate this machine, does not get clothes clean, some things don't even get wet in places. Sorry I ever listen to the sales person on how efficient it was suppost to be. Beleive a lot of people are going to hear about this one. Over many years I have bought a fortune of goods from Sears sorry to say it has come to and end.

Mar 10, 2011
Rating

HUNK OF JUNK
by: Anonymous

this machine is a piece of high price junk, it does not clean the clothes properly. It doe not get stains out , it keep getting unbalance and now after 16 month it broke down . My old machine might have not been egerny efficient but, it sure clean the clothes properly and it did not break down. I only purchase this machine to upgrade. That was a expensive mistake. DO NOT BUY THIS HUNK OF JUNK.

Feb 19, 2011
Rating

So far so good
by: Dwight

I bought this used from a divorce private sale. It cost me 200 dollars and came with an old dryer.
I like the room it has and the fact that I is a top load washer.
I had the error 51 reading and found that a sock had gotten on the wrong side of the tub in the machine. After removing that it worked well.
I hope I can get more use our of this and I find it does a great job of cleaning.

Thanks

Feb 11, 2011
Rating

hate this washer
by: Anonymous

I hate this washer.

I love the space it has, but it does not remove stains from clothing. Butter stains take pretreating and several runs through the machine to clean. I can not run towels without immediately getting them into the dryer or they smell. Overall this was a bad, expensive purchase and I need a new washer.

Jan 22, 2011
Rating

JUNK
by: Anonymous

NO WAY, NO HOW. ABSOLUTELY THE BIGGEST WASTE OF MONEY EVER. COMPLETE JUNK. LAWSUITS EMINATE.

Jan 15, 2011
Rating

Oasis not so much!!!
by: Anonymous

Our washing machine is 3 years old, it grinds on spin cycle and always stops because it is unlevel. We have an extended warrenty (good thing) because we were told it needs new bearings and shocks which would cost $800.00. And was told it happens every 2 to 3 years. Like the look hate the machine!!!!

Dec 06, 2010
Rating

Terrible machine
by: Anonymous

This machine should be illegal. It is not even worth buying.

Nov 27, 2010
Rating

terrible
by: Anonymous

I paid a fortune for this washer because I had good experiences with Kenmore in the past. It has been nothing but a problem. It doesn't clean the clothes well. The entire mother board had to be replaced a year after I bought it. Now it has to be replaced AGAIN. The clothes clump up into a mushroom shape in the middle. I am very disappointed and unhappy with this machine

Oct 11, 2010
Rating

washer sucks
by: Anonymous

This washer is the worst ever. I paid over 900 for this washer in 2006 and now 4 years later the tub bearing and tub itself is bad. My question is why do they offer a 10 year warranty on the part but don't cover labor? I am going back to my 10 year old set.

Mar 19, 2010
Rating

WOOPS
by: Anonymous

I wrote the last comment and it turns out I was dead wrong. The machine only needed to be run through it's cleaning cycle. So I give it back it's other two stars. Great machine, never let us down once.

Mar 16, 2010
Rating

Love it/hate it
by: Anonymous

I love this machine. Love the design. But now it is making a loud intermittent noise during spin. Replaced the Stator which I found was cracked. Didn't help. Replaced the outer basket that comes with a main bearing. No change. Works great but something is wrong. While working on it I found the parts all needed cleaning. It seems dirty water gets where it shouldn't a lot in this machine. Very easy to work on, just don't know what's wrong. 31/2 yrs. old. Works every day for our business. I hate the look of a front loader. I have to admit though: this is a pain. Sears wants 135 dollars to diagnose but the parts are expensive enough. Don't need that on top of it. March 2010.

Jan 17, 2010
Rating

Piece of Junk
by: Anonymous

Leaked three times in a 6 month period. The first time it flooded our finished basement causing 15,000 worth of damage. Waited for Sears repair/parts etc constantly. Finally after the third time the agreed to replace it. Only problem is, the won't replace the dryer too (it beeps constantly) so I will end up with a mis-matched laundry room. Ugh - I do not recommend this unit at all. Also, when it did work, it wrinkled and twisted clothes beyond repair not having an agitator.

Nov 22, 2009
Rating

DO NOT BUY!!!
by: Anonymous

I paid over $2,000 for the washer/dryer set 1.5 years ago. Worked fine until 3 weeks ago. An internet search indicated a new computer control panel was needed to get rid of the F51, F71, & "SUDS" codes that kept it from spinning. Sears replaced the part because of a recall. But that only got rid of the F71 code. Another internet search indicated that we needed to replace the RPS harness, etc. Did that today. It's still throwing F51 code and won't spin. Another internet search indicates that perhaps the motor stator is bad. The stator is, in fact, showing twice the Ohm reading that the specs indicate it should. So, I guess we'll throw money-we-don't-have at a new stator, hoping that will work. This is ridiculous. NEVER again will I buy a Kenmore washing machine.

Oct 22, 2009
Rating

Oasis is bad design
by: Anonymous

I have a Oasis washer and dryer. Neither of them are worth the metal it took to build them. The motherboards on both become corrupted and the cost to replace them is about $300. Sears replaced the board on the washer in a recall, but won't do a thing about the dryer. Two weeks after my washer "repair" it started making a horrible noise when spinning. Rather than throw good money after bad I am thinking I should just buy new products. By the time I pay for parts and repairs the next thing will break. Sears has been no help at all except to supply the motherboard. They don't seem to realize that they are selling a severly compromised design and to hold the manufacturers responsible.

Sep 24, 2009
Rating

Make a fool of me once.
by: Anonymous

The first one I had didn't work from the time we opened the box. The store where we purchased it, was kind enough to replace it. This time, it has taken almost 2 years, but the problem remains. The error code is F1. The repair man estimated $377 to repair the machine. I'm not sure it's worth it. Please don't buy one of these machines!

Jul 29, 2009
Rating

JUNK
by: bill g

Computer panel malfunctions and the cost to repair is not worth it.

Do not buy whirlpool / Kenmore products.

Buy a garbage can, fill with water, soap, clothes and roll it around. Clothes will be much cleaner too.

Jul 16, 2009
Rating

bad experience with this washer
by: James

We purchased our washing machine in March 2006. In May 2008. It stopped working and had a code on the display.

I can't remember the code. I found an appliance repair company that looked up the code for me and sold me the part. It was a computer board of some type under the display. It was a relatively easy fix but it cost over $200 for the part. Now in July of 2009 when in the spin cycle it sounds like a jet engine taking off.

I found a local appliance service company to come out for $49.95. The repairman said the main tub bearing is going out. It could last a year before it is completely out or it could go today. He had to research the part and get back to me with a quote.

We are extremely unhappy about this and will never buy another Kenmore appliance again. I would not recommend this machine to anyone.

Jul 06, 2009
Rating

A terrible washer
by: Anonymous

I bought a Kenmore Oasis in 2007. It was quite expensive, but fortunately I bought it on sale.

Shortly after purchase, the washer began to fail in the middle of a cycle. If I babysat the machine, hovering over it and restarting it each time I got a fault, it would only take 90 minutes to complete a load of clothes. Fortunately, it was still under warranty at the time, so the initial service visits were free. Of course, parts were never available when I would call, meaning that there was frequently a 2-3 week delay between calling Sears and having my machine repaired.

Sadly, 6 months after purchasing the Kenmore, my house burned down. To my sorrow, the washer was undamaged, so I couldn't get insurance to buy a new one for me.

After our house was rebuilt, we began using the Kenmore again. 5 months after moving back, the washer began starting on its own. It appears to spontaneously enter a test cycle where it will run through all cycles, no matter whether the lid is open or closed. It beeps continuously through the cycle. I'm so disgusted at this point that I think I will buy a new washer.

The Kenmore is manufactured by Whirlpool. I won't be buying appliances from either Sears or Whirlpool again.

Apr 27, 2009
Rating

DO NOT BUY
by:

I purchased this machine in August 2006 and 2 and 1/2 years later it literally exploded. A rod broke and the tub spun out of control denting all sides of washer, the top blew off and damaged the wall. It could have been very dangerous for someone in the laundry room. The machine averaged 3 loads per week (single person). SEARS will not do anything about it even after the repairman suggested it was defective. I will not purchase from Sears ever again as they DO NOT stand behind their products or value their best customers. I paid $950 after rebate and it lasted 2.5 years, unacceptable.

Read the reviews, this is a recurring complaint about SEARS!
jcga@bellsouth.net

Mar 25, 2009
Rating

Quietpak 4 makes it quiet
by: Erin

I absolutely LOVE this washing machine. when my old machine broke, my husband and I were on a tight budget. I wanted to get a front loading machine as opposed to the old top loading one but it was not in the budget.

Now, I couldn't be happier with the choice I made. The washing machine comes with Gentlewash Technology with a wash plate that takes magnificent care of your clothing with a gentle touch to not ruin clothing.

The inside is roomy enough to hold larger or bulky items and I have no problem washing my queen sized comforter in the machine without overcrowding.

It is also energy saving because it has an automatic water level shut off to be sure that your clothes are washed in just the right amount of water to not be wasteful or cause burden to the environment. The machine comes with prewash, extra rinse, stain treatment and delay wash up to 11 hours.

It can be placed just about anywhere,too, because it has a quietpak 4 sound insulation installed that makes it extremely quiet while running.

Nov 13, 2008
Rating

a noisy washer :(
by: Anonymous

The good: This washing machine seems to do it's job fairly well. Clothes come out clean and I've yet to have to rewash anything. The bad: This is a noisy washer. It becomes unbalanced more frequently than I expected it would. I have a large family so the loads are usually on the big side, but this washer should handle it better.

Click here to add your own comments

Join in and write your own page! It's easy to do. How? Simply click here to return to Kenmore TOP LOAD Washing Machines.

footer for washing machine reviews page

Brands

Types

Appliances

Help