The Duet will heat to 127F +/- 5F on "Whitest Whites"; 155F +/- 5F on "Sanitary". Setting regular "hot" is tap-hot only. All other machines except for Bosch/Siemens and Meile are similar both in cycles and nominal temps. The Bosch/Siemens upscale machines are the only common offerings in the American market that guarantee wash temperatures in every cycle selected. That is, will use the heater as-needed for set cycle/temp in every cycle selected. Many people like that feature. May be important for you.

As an example, I can tell you that my Duet9400 when set on "hot" but without the heater engaged produces wash-temperature of 100-105F even with 130F water flowing in from the first drop. If you have long pipe-runs and/or do not run hot water to the supply line first, your "hot" washes would be similar with either LG or Duet. That's how much heat the mass of clothes and drum take out of the incoming water.

It is my understanding from LG directly that regardless as to what cycle you select the heater will engage even for all washes with the exception of cold water washes. So if you select Cotton/Normal and you do a warm/warm (wash and rinse) the heater will engage to maintain the temp.
No I have not used an infra-red thermometer or any device from an alternate universe to determine if that is true, but I know that if it were simply coming from the tap as warm, during the wash the clothes would be cool to the touch afterwards. Whenever I wash or rinse w/warm the clothes at the end of the cycle are very warm. I even did a rinse in cold because I believed my supply lines were crossed. Very pleased w/the water temps in my LG. I do not have the water heater set to "nova" either.

Apparently my info is not current. Must apologize if inaccurate. All I can say is it was true when I purchased 2 1/2 years ago.

My Duet does not operate this way. In my opinion ALL of these machine should operate utilizing the heater as needed. With their low fill-volumes, it's the only way to control temps in ANY cycle selected. Otherwise the hot/warm/cold settings are meaningless.

If your LG does this, I suspect a number of other late models do, too. I guess I need to get up to date.

Here is info copied from my WFW9400 owner's manual:

"Heating Element ---
This washer has a heating element that automatically heats the water to the optimal temperature on select cycles. This enables stepped cleaning, a process in which warm water is brought in and mixed with detergent first, then the water is heated. Stepped cleaning starts the wash cycle with warm water to remove stains (such as blood and grass)."

Now I would assume that if you select a warm water temp or hot water temp, the heating element will ensure the water temp is at the selected level that you've chosen. If the water is not warm enough for your chosen wash cycle and/or water temp, the washing cycle timer will most likely be extended to allow for the fact that the water needed to be heated.
The manual does in fact state the following:
"Additional time will be added to the regular cycle to heat the water. This additional time will depend on the load size and the hot water inlet temperature."

Here is info from the manual when using the "Heavy Duty" wash cycle:

"Heavy Duty ---
Use this cycle to wash loads of sturdy, colorfast fabrics and heavily soiled garments. This cycle combines fast-speed
tumbling, longer wash time, and extra high speed spin to shorten drying times. If the water temperature is lower than needed for this cycle, the heater will warm the water to the optimum temperature."

Most importantly, the following is stated in the manual, which I assume is for the washer to be more energy efficient:

"You will need --
A water heater set to deliver 120°F (49°C) water to the washer."

I read through an LG service manual, and there is very little detail about when the water heater is active. It simply says "internal heater automatically heats the water to optimum temperature on selected cycles" which infers that it isn't active in all cycles. The cycle sequence chart has a column for Heating, but that's only in the Main wash phase as Step 6 in the overall sequence of 20 possible steps of fill, drain, wash, rinse, spin, detangle, etc. for a full run of the various available cycles (Sanitary, Cotton/Towels, Delicates, Hand Wash, etc.). All the cycles don't go through all 20 steps. The chart is not very detailed compared to others I've seen.

Pressing the Wash/Rinse temperature button while a cycle is running reports the temperature sensor reading in °C. This is mentioned for diagnostic purposes, with reference to target temperatures of Hot = 50°C, Warm = 40°C, Cold = 30°C.

Well, that's a lot more information than I was able to garner from the sales people and my hapless searching on manufacturer websites. so thank you.

Ironically, I had settled on the bosch but was disappointed to learn that I could not put them underneath my counter as planned, due to the angled controls on the top. So I had to punt. That's why I'm looking at LG and Duet.

As an add-on question, can anyone attest to the merits of the steam first-hand? I was not looking at that model, as I didn't really think it was necessary...

I feel better, now. The operative term is "select cycles" -- which is what my manual says and how my machine works. In other words, the heater only works in a few cycles -- not all. Other cycles governed by inlet temps -- which is to say hardly governed at all given the small amount of water used.

If I've got this wrong, I'd really like to know.

You've hit on the one machine spec which is by far the most difficult to get straight information.

Many models only seem to use the internal heater in sanitary cycle. The HE5t sounds like it uses it's internal heater in stain treat (i.e. profile wash), sanitary, whitest whites and heavy duty (and if memory serves me crooks101 found it might also work in kidswear cycle, but my memory is a bit crusty). Bosch says they use it all cycles if needed, but keep in mind that Bosch also specs 95F as a warm target temp. This seems to be a coolish kind of "warm", but at the same time you don't hear complaints about it.

The service manual for the LG Steam looked like it uses it's heater in all cycels except spin-rinse & drain-spin. Haven't seen any other LG manuals to know if this feature is in all models w/ heaters (LG seems to be hiding those manuals from plain view now).

One way to find out is use an ammeter to check current draw to confirm if/when the heater is running, or a Kill-A-Watt meter to check wattage consumption.

"internal heater automatically heats the water to optimum temperature on selected cycles" which infers that it isn't active in all cycles.

I don't think it infers that. I think it is saying that the internal heater automatically heats the water to the optimum temperature for the selected cycle. ie, sanitary 157 degrees vs a particular temperature for hot or warm.

You have to understand LG manuals are not the best written and English is not their first language.

My understanding and belief is that LG's internal heater works with all cycle selections and temperatures except of course cold.

For instance, in my case I could never get real hot water with my TL relying on my water from my taps. When I select hot temperature in any cycle selection, I know the water has been heated. I can hear the machine doing this and waiting until it is ready to release the water. Plus when I snoop into the door glass with the light on, I can see steam appearing on the glass from the hot water. My regular hot water could never do that.

My HE5t does not heat in the normal setting, but most other "selected" cycles work with heater. I set "My Cycle" to WW and and adjust load/temp setting as needed. The WW is almost the same as Normal. Not the optimum for heater, but no worst than the Miele W4800 at over 1/2 less its price. I find it acceptable. It does try to adjust the water temperature using the ATC controls first, but the heater engages as need. Most time this works, but in the winter or a small load, I do see the heater engages from even the "cool" setting sometimes. But you do have to use the "cool" setting not "cold" to insure heater will be used. If not, you only get the ATC blending of H/C cold function.

I did play with a steam LG working demo in a store. It heated on all cycles and had a extra water rinse level option that really worked well. Several reasons, I did not go with LG, but next to Bosch, it is a really good design unlike the Duet/Kenmore/Miele use of heater/rinse options.

BTW, the local Sears store no longer has any of the non-steam HE5t on the floor. Kind of surprised me. I think you can still order the non-steam, but not sure how long.

Premier, Gordonr and Crooks101...thank you. I did not see any "inference" either, and my information; as stated in my initial post came directly from LG and a very skilled tech that was at my house not to mention the obvious characteristics of the wash itself.

I am in the heat of the final decisions and was up late last night making final tweaks to the laundry/mud plans. I was astonished to see that the countertop -- which prevented me from getting the Bosch -- is not actually spec'd to go over the top of the washer and dryer. Which, with the LG at 39" high makes some sense because the countertop would be at bar height(42"). Still. I am amazed that after all my conversations with my husband, salespeople, the builder (I have not met with the cabinet makers yet), and the discussions I've had here no one said "you idiot, the counter does not go over the washer..."

Aside from being frustrated and feeling a bit stupid, I am now wondering why I keep seeing pictures in my head of washers and dryers UNDERNEATH a counter, creating a clean line. Is that just possible with the extra small european models like my current askos?

Anyway, if that is the way it has to be -- though I would prefer the W/D tucked under the countertop, I might as well go with the Bosch, don't you all think?

The manual for my Boscch washer shows a few inches of minimum clearance at the top of the washer. I don't really think that it is necessary though. I have seen countertops over large capacity FLs and it works just fine. Yes, the front of the Bosch washers has to stick out a little because of the panel, but that won't keep me from putting a countertop over it. A standard countertop will cover the flat part of the washher's top plus extend out a little bit on the back and we plan on installing a sliding "wall" (piece of wood or something) in the back to conceal the hoses and water faucets. I have seen this setup with a Kenmore HE3t and I liked it a lot.

The height of the countertop will indeed be above the standard height, but I am 5'10" and don't have any problems with that.

Does the countertop specs address the installation above a w/d? Does it specifically say not to do that? I wonder why a countertop is okay above a dishwasher that actually steams when you open it, but not a washer...

Not only does the countertop create a clean line, it will also keep things from falling behind or in between the w/d. I don't see any reason not to install it that way.

so in your scenario are you still able to use the controls on the Bosch (they are sort of angled, but still on the top) because the countertop isn't that deep? That was the original "deal breaker" for the Bosch. But I'd still like to try to find a way to make them work. Otherwise, based on all the helpful information here, I will go ahead with the LG's.

Sorry for hijacking this thread...

Our countertops are just over 2 feet deep (I guess that is the standard depth?), so they'd cover the top of the w/d (excluding the panel)and most of the space to the wall behind it. Because of the way the vent goes out the back of the dryer and to the side, the set sits about 8" away from the wall. At the back of the countertop we want to put a false wall that goes all the way up to the counters, something like a sliding backsplash I guess. We have a wooden backsplash in the rest of the kitchen.

If you do a search for "Bosch under counter" you'll find a previous post about this. Somebody posted the photo that I have linked to in that discussion. It is similar to the setup we are planning, but we don't have the pedestals...

Here is a link that might be useful: {{!gwi}}

Okay, now I have figured out how to post photos...

This is how my laundry area looks right now. See what I mean about the ugly faucets? Eventually we will tile the kitchen, but that is a long-term project.

Here is a link that might be useful:

A picture really is worth a thousand words. They were VERY helpful. I think that both installations look great (faucets not withstanding! You'll think of something...). My W/D will be installed along a long wall with built in cabinets on either side. I think the two photos you posted work because the Bosches are in their own niche. Mine won't be that way. I don't want to get too wrapped up in the Bosch being that much better than the LG, so from a looks standpoint, I am going to go with the LG. I really, really appreciate everyone's help in this decision. I am never sorry for the research I do before making these decisions. These forums are so valuable for that.

So now the only decision left on the washers is to decide whether the steam is worth the upcharge...

Can't blame you for the decision to go with the LG. I don't think that the Bosch is much better...that was just my choice. I am sure the LG is a great machine as well. It will probably work much better for your laundry room layout.
If I'd consider an LG, I'd most likely go for the one with steam. The steam fresh option sounds good for removing wrinkles and minor odors. Most stores offer great discounts when you buy a w/d set. I got the 500 plus set and paid less for it than the retail price of the 500 set. I am happy with that.

Good luck with your decision.

I have the steamwasher and it is a great feature, does wonders on freshening up clothes and removing wrinkles on clothes. The SteamWash cycle is VERY effective too. Enjoy

I just did a sanitary cycle on my Duet 9300. It got HOT HOT! Touching the door or side of the machine felt like the dishwasher was on. My reason for running it was I had a LARGE load of whites, I think I may have even over loaded it just a tad but talk about sparkling clean!!! Just hope it doesn't cost an arm & leg to run it. :)