LG Tromm SteamWasher 2688 vs. Kenmore Elite HE5t

16 years ago

I able to purchase the Lg SteamWasher 2688 for $1199 (I believe this is a great deal) and the Kenmore Elite HE5t for $1080. I know that this LG model was rated #1 by CR. However, I don't know if I would really use the steam option on this machine. Is it really useful? The Kenmore Elite HE5t has a cycle that cleans the washer. I thought this sounded silly until I read the numerous comments on this site regarding odor in FLs. I prefer the dial and display on the Kenmore. I have just sucked every last cent out of my Kenmore top loader (lasted 16 years; I replaced a belt once and was able to do it myself!)so I am without a washer and desperate. Does anyone own either of these and have any suggestions?

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Comments (9)

dally099
16 years ago
hi there, well im no longer a sears shopper as i have decided that the warrenty their is terrible (this comes after 3 weeks of waiting to get my washing machine fixed last year) however if they had better warrenty i would have gone with the kenmore elite HE 5t, i have read some problems with the LG and that clean cycle would be awsome. i wound up with the whirlpool HT set. so we will see how it goes, GOOD LUCK!!
luvmylg
16 years ago
They are both good machines. Kenmore got beat up a bit my CR for gentleness though. FYI the LG has the "tub clean" feature as well.
I have the steamwasher and I love the steamwash AND steamfresh cycles.
For a little more than a hundred bucks you will have to decide whats important to you. Good luck.
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Our 12 year old KitchenAid washer is again on the blink, so we are in the market for a replacement. The first place we checked was the February 2008 issue of Consumer Reports, which rates 20 front-loaders, 22 top-loaders, and 39 dryers. The LG's rated especially well. We also checked with our appliance repairman, a local independent who services almost all brands and who has done a great job for us for 12 years. He recommended that we "steer clear of LG." He said it is very difficult to get their parts since they are relatively new to the washer business and have not yet established a good service network in the US (they are Korean made machines). He also said that many of the customer service complaints you read about on the web are valid. He will not sign-up to be an authorized LG serviceman until they overcome their startup (for washers) difficulties. Here are a few other points he made: -- He bought a Whirlpool front-loader at Costco a couple of years ago and has been very satisfied with it. -- Although each maker comes out with new models with new technologies all the time, he generally prefers the Whirlpool line. -- Some of the top rated top-loaders do not have the typical center agitators. He said that those machines have a relatively new technology, but he has not encountered any reliability difficulties with them so far. He did say that, although they clean very well for most kinds of loads, they don't do quite as well as the agitator-type machines on extremely soiled loads; i.e., your kids love to play in the dirt and mud! Just thought I'd share this information. Good luck!
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luvmylg, I know that there were slight differences in the ratings of the washers that scored 79 points, but they do have the same overall rating. I feel that some of the ratings are questionable at best. People have brought up these issues on the CR forum. The LG has a nominal capacity of 4.0 cuft and most of the other high rated washers have just 3.8 cuft. So, the LG should get the best rating for capacity (which it did), but the others should not be able to get the excellent rating. If you check the energy star website you'll find the numbers for usable capacity of all the energy star rated washers. The LG is listed at 3.47 and the others are around 3.3 cuft. The CR moderator just brushed it off and said that they use their own test method to determine the capacity of the washer, but he wouldn't go into detail. The same problem with the gentleness rating. You said that the Kenmore and Duet are "tearing up clothes" since they just got a fair rating. I am sure that they didn't tear up any clothes or they wouldn't be among the best rated wahsers. It is just wrong that CR rates the gentleness of ANY FL equal or worse than the gentleness of a TL with agitator. FLs are not causing much wear and tear at all. If they do tear up clothes, you got a defective drum. But again, CR will not disclose any details about their test methods. I do think that CR can give you some insights on the performance of the various washers, but it is still necessary to stay critical of their ratings. Use some common sense and do some independent research. Take everything you find into consideration to make an educated decision. Lots of people criticized CR for the way they present their washer and dryer ratings. When they test cars, they give you the specific numbers like speed, accelaration, fuel efficiency etc. For the washers they just give you some vague information about measurable things like capacity, noise, energy and water efficiency and so on. I guess they think that consumers are not able to make their own decisions if you give them all the details. It is sad that everything has to be "idiot proof" these days. Just look at the washer manuals, they are written for third graders. I hope that CR will rethink their way of doing things. After all, the consumers are paying for their service.
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mathtchr
Original Author
16 years ago
luvmylg,

I have come across so many LG lovers across the web. I'm finally sold on LG! Which steamwasher do you own? 2688 or 2487? I like the display on the 2487 but the 2688 has a higher spin speed. I'm now torn between these two models.
luvmylg
16 years ago
mathtchr,

I have the 2487 in red. There are a couple of differences, the higher speed 1300 rpms vs. 1200, the display and I am told that you can see the temp displayed by pressing the soil level, beeper, and spin speed at the same time. Other than that, they are golden. I have thoroughly enjoyed it thusfar! I really love the light inside the washer so you can see whats going on during the cycle.
mathtchr
Original Author
16 years ago
My washer died about a month ago. It has taken me this entire month to decide which washer to buy (not easy to wait that long with three kids & a pool - lots of towels!!). I went to Home Depot this afternoon to order the LG washer I have finally selected and their computers were malfunctioning; they couldn't process my order. I feel like I am living in a Seinfeld episode! ;)
luvmylg
16 years ago
lol...Don't get a coronary..ha ha your world class washer will be in your laundry room soon enough! Ever since I got a FL I can't help but watch it in action....it is the craziest thing!
tyro_2006
15 years ago
Keep on buying Japanese, let's see how many more American Engineers we can put out of work...
regus_patoff
15 years ago
Some of those "American Engineers" don't know how to design a good washer...

just look at the problems with the Neptune, Cabrio, (I could go on...)
sspye
15 years ago
I have the HE5t without steam. I don't have any reason to have the steam function. I love my new washing machine, I've had it a bit over a month. I do dry the boot after the last load of the day and leave the door open when not in use. I use normal for most of my loads, I have also used Heavy Duty, great for hubby's outside clothes and Whitest Whites. I used the Sanitary function one time just to use it and it 'cleaned' as well as Whitest Whites. I have run the Clean Washer cycle one time, but I don't think that it needed it. The water comes up higher on the window and I had no suds, probably because I've been using Charlie's Soap exclusively. I sure wish that I had a light in my washing machine!

LG Tromm SteamWasher 2688 vs. Kenmore Elite HE5t

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dally099

luvmylg

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LG Tromm SteamWasher 2688 vs. Kenmore Elite HE5t

Comments (9)

dally099

luvmylg

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mathtchrOriginal Author

luvmylg

mathtchrOriginal Author

luvmylg

tyro_2006

regus_patoff

sspye

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mathtchr
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mathtchr
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