These are the temps that LG gave me by email: LG (WM3885) Extra hot 70 C (158) Hot 50 C (122) Warm 40 C (104) Cold 25 C (77 F) I'm only guessing about "Bright White" but I assume it does more agitating and extends wash. It may only use "hot" as a default but it would do something "more" to achieve a whiter clean. Funny you should mention the in between temp. Miele offers an in between temp of Hot 60 C (140). Miele considers the 122 "very warm". When I was deciding on a new machine I didn't know if that (temp of 140) would mean much to me as I'd never had an on board heater before. I use the "hot" setting a lot for towels, sheets, tea towels. I have not used the "sanitary" yet for anything. Miele W4842 Sanitize 70 C (158) Hot 60 C (140) Very warm 50 C (122) Warm 40 C (104) Cold 30 C (86)

Greetings everyone, After having done a few days of research, I finally decided today on the Miele W1918. I called every dealer in town, and finally found one. Apparently they had one stashed away in a warehouse. I'll see it first hand next week but have already made a deposit. In the interest of confirming my decision, I'd like to offer my rationale for buying it. Hopefully I haven't made too many mistakes in my reasoning, but if I have I would certainly appreciate clarification. Many members here seem to know a lot about Miele washers and washers generally. Our motivation for buying this washer stems from the fact we're about to have a baby in the next few weeks and that we've decided on using cloth diapers. We were told at the time of purchasing the diapers that FL were fine but that it was preferable to have extra amounts of water compared to the normal amount. After doing some Internet research on diaper cleaning, some people also recommended prewashes and extra rinses. We were further advised to make sure the first wash was with cold water and the second wash was with hot water. Therefore, our total needs boiled down to the following: prewash with cold water; normal wash with hot water; "extra rinse"; and "water plus." Since our washer is going to be located two floors down in the basement, we wanted a washing machine that could be programmed to do all of these things. Of the new washers on the market, the only FL I've found with the function "water plus" is the LG Tromm (both the steam and non-steam version). It also has "extra rinse" and "prewash." I'm not certain if the temperature of the prewash for the LG is the same as the normal wash. Over the course of my research I had heard that Miele used to have the option of "water plus" (mentioned on this message board I believe) so I headed down to the Miele showroom to ask some questions. None of the new models had this option, nor had the Miele consultant heard of it (I now find this unusual). The consultant also told us that Miele by default has two rinses and that a third rinse can be added. We were looking at the W4800 at this point. I was told by another Miele spokesperson/technician by phone that the Miele prewash is always in cold water. One of the most useful research tools I found was the operation manuals for the various machines. At some point, I came across the Miele W1918 operation manual. This is when I discovered previous Miele's had the "water plus" option. I also discovered that this Miele had not two but four rinse cycles for cotton loads. It also seemed to me that it had better controls for regulating temperatures for each cycle. Through another useful thread on this message board, I consulted the Canadian version of the Miele W1918 operation manual. This manual indicated a number of other programs that could be added to some of the cycles-- such as "high water level" for cotton rinses and "5th rinse for Cotton Cycle". Therefore, when comparing the newer Miele (4800) to the older miele (W1918), it seemed the older one had more features that suited our needs (of course, it's a smaller machine, but this doesn't matter to us much). This comparison also applies to the same sized W1113 I believe. Bottom line: W1918: prewash (not sure if temp can be set), wash (possible max temp of 95C/203F), 5 possible rinse cycles, "high water level" programming, and "water plus" option. Not sure what the difference is between "high water level" and "water plus". I think one sets the Cotton cycle at a higher water level by default. It also has a max spin of 1600 rpm. Uses 220V (we have a dryer plug but no dryer, so no prob). W1113: prewash (not sure if temp can be set), wash ( not sure about max temp), 3 possible rinse cycles, no water level control, not sure about rpm but the W4800 goes to 1300pm. Uses 110V. Therefore, all things considered, the W1918 seems to me a better machine at the level of programming. It seems less energy efficient, but I really didn't want to take a risk with getting a machine that can't properly clean these diapers. Once we've made it through this phase, we can become more energy efficient with our normal washes. I paid 2300$ CDN (tax incl) for it, and even though it's an older model, I think it's worth it, especially if it lasts 20 or so years (please note, prices up here are much higher than in the states--same model is being sold online in US for 1600$ or so). I also prefer the Miele over the LG because they're built to last. In terms of practical info I'd like to know (other than if my assessment is more or less correct): do most FL have two rinse cycles by default? will the Miele prewash be with cold water (can it be modified)? are five cycles excessive? what other models can adjust water levels or have the water plus option? what other good or bad things does the W1918 have in stock? 1600rpm? What other models come close? Did I make the right decision or am I paying too much? Well that sums it up. Thanks. Hope this also adds some food for thought in comparing the new Miele with the old.

My guess is that only newer top load washers (most of which are computerized High Efficiency models) are able to offer a warm rinse and still meet the new, stricter energy guidelines. The Whirlpool Cabrio is computerized and has a high speed spin, but has a version that includes a more traditional agitator and warm rinse. Joe Here is a link that might be useful: Cabrio at Sears with warm rinse

Does anyone have a problem with smaller loads becoming unbalanced. I've owned the washer 2 weeks and have done approximately 15 loads and so far 2 have given me the uE error and extended the wash to rebalance the load. One load didn't recognize it was unbalanced but the tub was almost violently swaying side to side, the sheets were balled up on one side, and there wasn't enough water in there to move the clothes at all. This was only one set of queen sheets. I stopped the cycle, redistributed everything and the pressed the extra water button. It seemed a little better after this, but it's frustrating that I find myself needing to watch every load to make sure it's working properly. To me it seems the washer works better with larger loads, but does not work so well with smaller loads. Has anyone else come to this conclusion? Also, my washer has never had any jet spray action, where it's spinning very fast and the water is shooting from the top onto the clothes. Is this normal? Should I see this on every wash? Another issue I'm having is I was using powder detergent (only half of what is recommended by Tide on the box)...and after each wash cycle I stopped it and looked in the dispenser and over half of the detergent was still inside. This happened on every wash, cold, warm, hot, it didn't matter. I emailed LG and attached a picture and their response was to switch to liquid detergent. And my last question is, has anyone noticed the tub "creeking?" This started about 5 washes ago and it creeks like an old rocking chair. I can hear it from the next room with the door closed. I'm wondering if I need to have a service person come out.