Steam washing machines: how they work, how to choose + review of the best models

Story

The world's first automatic washing machine appeared in 1851. It was invented and invented by the American scientist James King. In appearance and design, it resembled a modern washing machine, however, the device worked by means of a manual drive. After the creation of this device, the world began to invent and patent another technique designed specifically for washing. For example, an American inventor created special equipment that could wash more than 10 T-shirts or shirts at a time.

If we talk about the large-scale production of automatic washing machines, then it was launched thanks to the efforts of William Blackstone. At that time, household equipment cost $ 2.5. Washing machines appeared on the territory of modern Europe in 1900.In 1947, the first automatic washing machine was released, which in all its features was similar to modern devices. Its joint efforts produced several large-scale and world-famous enterprises: Bendix Corporation and General Electric. Since then, the number of manufacturers of washing machines has only increased.

A company called Whirlpool is the first company that has taken care not only of the functional content of washing machines, but also of their safety for the consumer and external design. If we talk about our country, then in the USSR the first automatic appeared in 1975. The Volga-10 household appliance was designed at a factory in the city of Cheboksary. Later, the Vyatka-automatic-12 model was released.

Advantages of a steam engine

Steam processing is a useful innovation in the "washing" world. Let's figure out what the steam function gives the user in practice.

Lightweight and easy to care for

The quick program allows you to refresh your laundry in a few hours. After washing with steam, the clothes remain slightly damp and dry quickly at room temperature. This approach is ideal if time is running out. Steam removes deep wrinkles and creases, making ironing a breeze. The system is suitable even for things that are not allowed to be washed, which completely replaces dry cleaning services.

No bruising

High RPMs will undoubtedly cause folds and creases in thin fabrics, and clothes may even shrink and lose their original shape. Steam cleaning is devoid of such a drawback - the laundry will remain neat and do not crumple. Clothing is not subjected to mechanical stress and does not lose its appearance.So, Electrolux even offers a “smart” ironing program that allows you to gently dry and “iron” the fabric.

Saving energy, water and detergents

The machine will easily rid the laundry of dust, unpleasant odors and germs without any chemicals. Water is consumed several times less than with a standard wash with a rinse. Electricity for the generation of steam is spent almost half as much as for heating water for regular washing.

Versatility

Washing steam machines will take care of even the most delicate and intimate. Wool and silk can be safely sent to freshen up in the drum of such an apparatus. Down jackets and cotton are also subject to steam engines. Some devices are even equipped with the function of washing delicate underwear like "Lingerie". For delicate fabrics, there are modes with steam generation at low temperatures.

Baby care

In steam units, you can safely wash clothes for allergy sufferers and the smallest. If an ordinary washing machine can accumulate dirt inside over time, and detergents and other chemicals can settle on its parts, then steam engines clean and disinfect even the drum of a washing machine along with linen.

Noise reduction

So, the developers of LG washing machines and similar brands abandoned the conventional belt in favor of direct drive. This innovation reduces the possibility of wear or breakage, significantly reduces vibration and noise during spinning.

Steam and wash compatible

Some machines combine standard washing with steam treatment. The steam releases tension on the fibres, making it easier for cleaning agents to penetrate deep into the fibres. After washing is completed, the laundry is steamed for disinfection.

3 Candy GVS34 126TC2/2

The Italian manufacturer offers to pay attention to the model, which, with a width of 60 cm, has a depth of only 34 cm. This is an excellent choice for those who consider every centimeter of free space in the kitchen or in the bathroom

At a fairly affordable price, the unit received serious technical equipment. It integrates 15 programs at once for different types of washing, including steam.

The special design of the drum, the hatch diameter of 35 cm and the presence of a built-in steam generator make it possible to qualitatively clean products of optimal sizes made of wool, silk, denim or delicate fabrics. At the same time, the function of vaporization also performs a hygienic role. After all, when harmful microparticles are destroyed, an unpleasant odor is eliminated. When using a program that provides for the treatment of things with water, you can select the optimal temperature and additionally control the level of foam. The control option from a smartphone, A ++ energy efficiency, a customizable timer, the owners of the equipment in the reviews indicate as characteristics influencing the choice of model.

What did you like

I liked the design - they are greeted by clothes. The model is quite fresh, but has already managed to receive an award for appearance - Design Award 2015. A large darkened hatch with a chrome edging stands out - clearly it is a design element, since the front opening for loading laundry is quite a standard diameter.

And the control panel is completely touch-sensitive. No buttons, no rotary knob. The number of different luminous icons and inscriptions reminds, perhaps, of the dashboard in the cockpit of an aircraft. We like.Very modern, "smartphone", if you like. And boldly. After all, the classic “knob handles” of washing machines still have a lot of fans.

The work of the technology "6 movements of care" is clearly visible. Specially tracked, observed. In direct contrast to the usual rotation of the drum - he performs almost acrobatic stunts. The number of movements, their amplitude, speed, frequency of algorithm changes, and all this in relation to the selected type of tissue. LG was the first to implement this approach to washing in its washing machines. And he quite pulls on the title of "intellectual". Competitors are only now pulling up (for example, Digital Motion technology from Hotpoint: up to 10 drum rotation algorithms, and within one program, if necessary).

Technology "6 movements of care" - these are six different algorithms for the movement of the washing drum, for optimal washing of fabrics of different types and degrees of pollution

Not very dirty things can be washed in this washing machine and on short cycles - washes. That is, use them for daily washing. Moreover, we are talking not only about the hourly TurboWash, but also about the half-hour program and even about washing in 14 minutes. Naturally, you need to control the load: it’s definitely not possible to wash 7 kg of laundry well in a quarter of an hour, but a couple of things will work.

No complaints about how she copes with her main task. We never took out badly washed things from it: we washed everything, with varying degrees of pollution. There are no powder residues on things, there is no allergy because of this - we carefully checked this point, keeping in mind that we also met with the opposite (several years ago, including in the machines of this manufacturer). Steam in symbiosis with water clearly work and cope.Plus, of course, the ability to assign an additional rinse.

She cleans very quietly. Moreover, even without activating a special "quiet" (night) cycle. From the bathroom, even with the door open, it is almost completely inaudible, including during the spin cycle, and even if the door is closed, you definitely won’t hear a sound (but when the wash is over, there will be a sound signal).

You can literally hear the steam treatment going on. But at the exit, sometimes we got things that were a little damp, which you couldn’t put on right away. However, really, unpleasant odors were removed, from cigarettes, for example, from a fire, the smell of sweat.

But a couple of times there was a smell of heated rubber. That is, we observed the effect that occurs, at times, in some shower cabins with the “sauna” function: there is steam, it’s hot, but the regime becomes meaningless from the rubber darling. In fairness, we note that we “washed the steam” 20 times in a month, and we encountered this “rubber” situation only the first two times. And we understood why - the manufacturer recommends, just to get rid of the so-called smell of a new car (it smells like rubber, even burning, due to “unbroken” plastic and rubber parts), before the first wash, run the “Cotton” cycle at a temperature of 60 ° C , with half the norm of detergent. This is in the manual - read it carefully before using the machine.

And here's something else. There were no significant failures in the operation of the washing machine. But a couple of times, the Smart diagnosis remote error detection system reported a Ue error (imbalance of laundry in the drum). It's great, everything works, but if you have an iOS smartphone, nothing will work. Because Smart diagnosis is based on NFC technology, it means only Android.NFC is also in Apple products, but in a greatly reduced form, it is also in mobile devices on Windows, but, apparently, Koreans do not believe in their future.

General arrangement of washing machines

All elements of any unit are located in a housing made of plastic or metal. The case itself consists of a frame, walls screwed to it and a top cover.

The difference between the devices in appearance and with the rear plane removed:

The main elements of "washers", without which their work is impossible:

1. Tank - necessary to load laundry into it.
2. Drum. It is installed inside the tank and serves to rotate and mix products, create jets and fluctuations of water.
3. Counterweight. Worth to extinguish jitter and swaying of the body at fast engine speeds.
4. An electric motor is necessary to create torque.
5. Drive belt - transmits from the motor to the drum.
6. Pulley - a large wheel with a groove along the rim.
7. Suspension springs and a shock absorber compensate for tank sway.
8. TEN - heats the working fluid to the required temperature.
9. The pressure switch is a relay that controls the level of the working medium, an electrovalve and heating element circuits.
10. The inlet valve (electric) is used for water intake.
11. Hopper - a box in which a dispenser is placed that distributes detergents.
12. Hatch with a locking device that does not allow washing with the door ajar.
13. Cuff - a sealant made of rubber or rubber for the tightness of the "washer".
14. Pump (drain pump) - provides the pressure necessary to eject the waste fluid into the hose.
15. The drain hose leads water from the pump to the sewer.
16. The drain pipe is needed for the operation of the water relay.
17. The control module (electronic) ensures the correct operation of all nodes and monitors the execution of programs.

How to choose?

Choosing a washing machine is an important and responsible task that requires a lot of attention and effort.

Experts recommend taking into account a number of factors.

Machine type. There are several types of automatic washing machines: frontal and vertical. At the same time, they differ from each other in the way of loading and unloading laundry. Thus, front-loading laundry equipment has a laundry hatch on the outer front of the body. At the same time, vertical machines are equipped with a hatch on top. The choice of one or another device depends solely on your personal preferences.

Device dimensions. The detailed size range of washing machines is described above. This characteristic is the most important when choosing a device. First of all, you should focus on the size of the room in which the equipment will be placed.

Drum volume. This indicator is the most important when choosing a device. So, depending on the number of people living in your house, you should choose a machine that is more or less voluminous. Loading volume can be from 1 to tens of kilograms. At the same time, keep in mind that the volume of the drum affects the overall dimensions of the washing machine.

Functionality.Modern automatic washing machines are equipped not only with the function of washing, rinsing and spinning, but also with a number of additional features. Such additional functions include a leak protection system, the presence of additional modes (for example, a gentle or quiet wash program), drying, etc.

Control type. There are 2 main types of control: mechanical and electronic. The first type is characterized by the possibility of setting washing parameters using special buttons and switches located on the front panel of the device. Machines with electronic control require only the tasks of the mode, and they configure the rest of the parameters on their own.

Wash class. There are several classes of washing modern washing machines. They are designated in Latin letters. In this case, A is the highest class, and G is the lowest.
The amount of power consumption. Different models of automatic washing machines have different levels of energy consumption. This indicator is regulated by the amount of material resources that you will pay for the electricity used.

Price. High-quality home appliances can't be too cheap. That is why if you see a low price, then it should make you suspicious. The low cost may be due to the fact that you are dealing with an unscrupulous seller or purchasing low-quality (or fake) products.

Appearance

When buying a washing machine, you should pay attention to its functions, safety performance, as well as external design. Choose a device that fits perfectly into the interior of the bathroom, kitchen or any other room where you place a home appliance.

Automatic washing machines are devices that are real helpers in everyday life. Today, there are a large number of types and models that differ in a number of key features.

On choosing a washing machine, see the following video.

LG F-4V5VS0W

And finally, we were at the top of this rating in order to get acquainted with a wonderful model that deservedly became the best automatic washing machine for 2020, according to consumers who devoted their exclusively laudatory reviews to her, a multifunctional model from the LG brand. This technique is one step ahead of the other specimens under consideration, it is she who is able to work in tandem with Smart Home systems. As a base, three ecosystems can be used, such as Alexa from Amazon, GoogleHome and domestic Alice. The machine can be controlled both by voice and from a smartphone or using a smart remote control.

The machine can readily take up to 9 kg of laundry into its drum and at the same time wring it out at a speed of 1400 rpm. There are 14 different programs for washing of any complexity. The case is equipped with reliable protection against leaks and even from curious children. Excellent performance did not greatly affect power consumption. Those who purchased this model of a well-known brand were satisfied with both its excellent quality, excellent functionality, and quite an affordable price of 30,000 rubles.

TOP-10 The best automatic washing machines in 2020 in terms of reliability and quality

Pros:

• effective washing of any linen;
• work with "Smart home";
• convenient and clear digital control;
• high build quality;
• a large selection of necessary and normally operating modes;
• simple installation;
• excellent design;
• perfect value for money.

There are simply no cons, consumers say!

Mechanical switches or electronic touch controls

For machines with rotary switches, you must manually set the mode, the program, the desired temperature, and the spin speed. It simplifies the choice of the desired program by the presence of special pictures-pictograms that suggest what is better to stop at. There are also several keys to control.

Each stage of the washing program is displayed on a slowly turning switch. This control system can be useful for those people who are not very well versed in modern systems with touch control.

Mechanical control panel.

Electronic control is more flexible and perfect. The user does not need to think about anything - the machine itself will think how much powder to put and how much water to pour. She will weigh the clothes prepared for washing, checking how dirty they are, what fabric they are made of. Accordingly, the optimal washing temperature, spin speed and rinse mode will be selected. All highlights will be shown on a bright color display. In particular, we will see on it a temperature indicator, shaft rotation speed, a timer.

The machine, equipped with electronics, will be able to determine that the laundry in the drum is uneven. And then it will not allow the drum to spin at maximum speed in order to prevent excessive vibration.

Sensors located in various places indicate how hard the water is, what its temperature is, how transparent the washing solution is and whether the laundry was rinsed thoroughly.If suddenly the water stops flowing into the machine, the electronics will turn off the unit. The same will happen with excessive foaming or leakage.

However, if the mains voltage is unstable, an electronically controlled machine may make errors. Perhaps even its burnout.

Electronic control system with rotary programmer, touch keys and small display.

Kinds

Automatic washing machines have an important household purpose. There are 2 main types of devices: embedded and standard. Let's take a closer look at these types.

Let's consider these types in more detail.

Embedded

There are 2 types of built-in washing machines: those that are specifically designed to be built in, and those that have a similar function. Devices included in the first category have special fasteners with which the door is attached, it is hidden in the washing machine. In addition, such household equipment is much smaller in size than conventional machines.

Models of the second group in their appearance are no different from standard washing machines, respectively, they can be used as independent household appliances or built into furniture (for example, in a kitchen set). Most often, household devices that have the function of embedding are installed under the countertop. To do this, a special plate is installed between the countertop and the machine, which is designed to collect moisture, dust, grease, etc.

Standard

Standard washing machines are the most popular models of household appliances. They are very popular and are in demand among consumers.

Types of washing machines and their differences

Today on the market you can find two main types of washing machines: automatic and semi-automatic. The first option has a modern design, versatility and software control. Simple models are designed only for washing in certain modes, while more complex ones are able to independently set the temperature of the water, select the required volume, a portion of the powder and the spin speed. In automatic machines, the main working element is the drum, it is characterized by increased sensitivity to damage. The advantages of automatic machines include significant savings in powder, water and electricity, they differ in volume (from 3.5 to 7 kg) and, according to the method of loading, are divided into vertical and frontal.

Top-loading washing machines have a complex design, which is why they are much more expensive than front-loading ones. During their operation, the drum doors often open, which, in turn, can lead to malfunctions and subsequent repairs. A similar problem most often happens with budget models made in China.

As for front-loading units, their purchase is cheaper than top-loading models. This technique is characterized by unpretentious operation and rarely requires repair. The transparent hatch, located in the front of the structure, allows you to conveniently observe the washing process. It comes with a sealing cuff, which provides the design with good tightness.The drum in such washers is fixed on one axis (for vertical models - on two), they are ideal for small apartments, since the upper body of the structure can be used as a bedside table if desired.

Semi-automatic washing machines do not have control modules, they are usually equipped only with a timer. Compared with automatic machines, for such models, the activator acts as a working element, which is a special vertical container with an electric drive. In addition, the design of such models includes a disk, which is responsible for mixing the laundry in the container. The main advantage of semi-automatic devices is their low weight, which allows you to transfer equipment to any place, no need to connect to a water supply system and an affordable price.

conclusions

How to choose the right washing machine is a question that is difficult to give an algorithm from clear and unambiguous answers. Some people like it when the device is equipped with the maximum number of options, while others just need to do the washing themselves. One person wants the design to become an additional element of the decor of the room, for another it is enough that it simply fits into his interior.

One thing is undeniable - a washing machine is an indispensable assistant in everyday life and a rather expensive purchase, so the choice must be made, focusing primarily on its durability, reliability, and quality of work.