"Before I shell out $2000 plus on the 4860 washer (i've already researched the dryer and am confident by my findings that MANY other are just as good [gas or elec] so I won't bore the experts threaders), I'd like to know if there are ANY 4.0 capacity washers that DON'T have an automatic temperature control."

The difference between MieleÂs new dryer, and over other dryers, it that it has the ability to have its preset cycles adjusted (within certain parameters) via computer laptop or the upcoming MieleVision ModuleÂafter the dryer is installed in your residence; the same holds true for the washer. Or even if other models get as HOT as the Miele 4840. I feel like I'm led to believe that the Miele is the hottest temperature available for consumer 4.0 capacity washers and I'd like to know if that is true.

Water Temperature Settings from coldest to hottest, for the W4840:
No Heat
Cold 30°C / 86°F
Warm 40°C / 104°F
Very Warm 50°C / 122°F
Hot 60°C / 140°F
Sanitize 70°C / 158°F

I looked for the temperatures of some others, but they were not listed (the ones I looked at). It would be surprising if they were not along the same lines. MieleÂs older models achieve higher temperatures. You should purchase what you want to purchase to make you happy.

f451, (thanks for the blazing response btw)

I too had no luck finding out if the preset temp cycles of other 4.0 cu ft brands met or came close to that "sanitize" temp of 158F. That's where I am at right now.

Dryer wise, I think i am weary of going the extra mile to be trendy with the onboard PC upgradable dryer for temp adjustment; it reminds me of having fell in love with Netscape 1.12 / 3.0 Gold when it came out. Especially having the downside of having to rely on availabilty and expertise of a tech (lic or not) to ensure the hardware works the right way. Besides, my wife already thinks i'm an uber-nerd; i can't imagine what would go through her head if she saw me attaching my laptop to our washing machine.

If i can find one that has a thermostat with a large capacity, i'd be happy. Letting the clothes scorch a bit because they've been in a bit too long... NO PROBLEM. I'll just work on paying attention more.

Still bothers me though that I have to pay for this Miele to get the hot water. Maybe someone here will catch wind and find some info that shows the HE5t or Duet or something that is up there in the 100% bacteria kill/restore dingy whites domain.

If I'm going to make the leap of faith and spend the money on a FL, I don't want to be disappointed when the "pre-fabricated Gateway/Dell HD style" of washing machine disappoints me when I could've went to Fry's and bought all the best parts myself and built my own. I'm guessing that's why you pay the extra grand for the 4840.

Bosch Nexxt is a tad smaller than 4 cu. ft.

Cold 60
Warm 95
Hot 125
Temp boost 150
Xxtra Sanitary 170

You can find different claims for the large capacity FLs depending where you look. On the Energy Star website the Bosch Nexxt 500's usable capacity is 3.31 cuft while the Miele 4840 is rated at 3.07 cuft. Some websites do claim that the Bosch is a 4 cuft (IUC) capacity machine, so there really shouldn't be a big difference between the Miele and the Bosch.
The Bosch does in fact reach a higher temperature (170F) on the sanitary cycle.
May I ask why you'd prefer a machine without ATC? A washer with ATC AND an internal heater will still try to reach the preset temperature and I don't see a problem with that.

I'd think it impossible to make a 120V big machine without ATC. Guess some might handle a cold fill, but then you could end up with a 3+ hour cycle depending on fill temp and target temp. Internal heater or not, a 120V uber-sized machine without ATC is a non-starter. It needs ATC to get as close as possible and then use it's internal heater to give it that extra boost to the target temp (the exception to this rule would be the profile wash cycles available in machines from Sears and Bosch).

The uber-machines get challenged when you ask for anything greater than warm (104F). For example on the W4840 when asking for a "Hot" (140F) wash in "Normal" cycle (internal heater not used) with the DHW source set at 131F, the fill temperature ended up being 109F. The washer isn't right next to the DHW tank, but it has a dedicated insulated PEX line that's about 35 ft long and you feel the brass fitting near the hose connection getting hot within 15 seconds of the hot water starting to flow. The problem is your starting with a washer drum and clothing sitting at room temp (68F) or colder (if you've just finished a previous load) and they don't fill with that much water. I've sensed in this case the machine only called on the hot line during the fill. The W4840 seems to have a very good ATC system that does the best it can, but it can't defy physics. If it could be made to fill with more water it would certainly get closer to the target.

Checking an old spreadsheet put together once the other data I have shows:

LG Steamwasher- Sanitary=158F, Hot=122F, Warm=104F, Cold=86F. Not sure if this source of data came from a user manual, service manual or phone conversation with presales support.

The Whirlpool/Kenmore machines are largely undocumented with regard to temperatures. I've seen wildly different accounts regarding these machines and their temperatures the most bizzare being a person once writing that Whirlpool said a "warm" wash could in-fact be as low as 80F.

thanks gordonr (again)

if the LG gets to 158 on the sanitize setting, I'm sure the others fall somewhere around that mark. Perhaps I will be able to trick whatever FL machine i get with a "larger load" setting in order to get a better fill. If i find that it "auto-detects" the load size and won't go above what it thinks is appropriate, i may have issues.

I just looked into the house and noticed i only have a gas line for the dryer and standard ac outlets for the washer, no 220V. So now i must rethink everything again.

goodkine,

The Miele W4840 is a 110v unit; the T9820 dryer is a gas unit. You're fine.

f151,

110v, that's a standard wall outlet right? :) I've heard about the special installation that has to occur with the Miele regarding the power conversion. One of the reasons i'm nervous about ordering it is not having it installed right, especially since there is an apparent wiring issue as well.