We installed our Velos finally sometime in August 2007. We have loved it for its versatility and we use it as a microwave (usually) (including its steam capacity and sizzle cook - which can also use the "grill" function) a convection oven (putting in a whole chicken in it is a delight), and the "grill" function. There is probably not one day when it isn't used for one thing or another. However, we, too, have had problems, albeit (knock on glass) nothing as bad as described above. Other than sometimes questionable design, the problem is that the technicians are simply not trained how to repair the Velos. The first problem we had was that the convection oven wouldn't ever stop preheating - and if I forgot about it preheating, it would just stop! At least the technician tried hard and installed and uninstalled the beast twice to get the various parts in it. It never solved the problem, but the thing does heat, it just doesn't know that it's at the right temperature (something I could easily check if I could at least remember to get an oven thermometer). The second problem we've had is that when we open the door, the Velos resets itself (clock included). When we had the guy come repair it, he claimed that it was because it wasn't plugged all the way (which it appeared not to be) and he plugged it in and it appeared to have fixed the problem. He also tested it and said it was heating fairly well (although probably not to 400 degrees). What was interesting is that he said straight out that he'd never worked on a Velos, that he wasn't trained to work on a Velos, and that whatever the problem was, he wouldn't really need to fix it anyway because there probably was some workaround. He then went on to tell me that the charge to come plug in the Velos cost more than our howmany ever year warranty we'd purchased! Of course, it's still a problem - and the Velos is still plugged in. My consolation is that I look at some of the other posters who couldn't even use the thing - and I just don't bother setting the clock - and I oftentimes have to reset automatic functions because when I open the door (sometimes as instructed), it "reboots". To go along with that, we purchased the thing in a scratch and dent - even though it probably cost as much or more than our Whirlpool range. I, too, am waiting for someone to develop a cookbook. Although the automatic settings are usually great, there are sometimes when I would like to convention bake something - and there's no automatic program for it. One other note: it tends to overcook frozen veggies and asparagus. So check them every now and again (although it does tend to disrupt the sensor - although it's not a huge deal). With regard to the Velos, I find it very interesting that there seems to be no upgrades to it and not a lot of information on it. The whole thing tends to be very low key.

I am back here from 2004 because my Kenmore HE3 has just run into its first serious problem. Whirlpool made this front-loader, and Sears put their name on it. I think all of these machines are trouble, and you got lucky if you get more than a few years out of them. Mine is suffering from bad bearings - and this model 110.44832 200 happens to be one of the few where you cannot just replace a $75 bearing set - you have to buy the external drum part that happens to have the bearings along with the drum. The repair guys say the part alone is $400, so I am about to just go buy a new FL. I see the part online for $260, on 'back order,' so I may get a new front-loader, order the part, and fix the old washer, and sell it off on my own time line. Youtube has videos for a lot of these repairs if you are willing to try it. On my HE3, the water pump died - I got the diagnostic code from the panel, and got on the internet, and figured that out - I went to a Sears appliance place and bought a replacement pump for maybe $50. when I opened up that pump, which has a filter you should clean regularly, I found a tiny sock from one of my little boys. Yes, the washing machine allowed a tiny sock to get sucked into the water pump somehow. That clogged and killed the pump. These HE3s and HE3ts have lots of notes on the web about the cast aluminum 'spider' bracket, which grasps the inner tub inside of the outer tub, decaying. I have not had that problem. But this experience is worthless now as I go to shop again - those problems have probably been solved, and the currently available machines probably have even newer, more creative design flaws. If Whirlpool had decided to stick with this HE3 design, and adapt design problems as they emerged, they could have a rock-solid washer we all wouold be raving about. But no. While some allow you to simply replace bearings, my model cannot. The pump can suck up a little sock. The spider bracket is cast aluminum which corrodes. The drive pully is also cast aluminum and breaks. I think I have avoided some of these problems because I balanced my front-loader so well. So, Mine lasted from fall 2004 to now, spring 2012. That is about as much as you can expect, America. The repairs are incredibly expensive. They put you right on the edge of deciding to pay a lot for repair or to go buy new - that maximizes the money out of your pocket. When this pile of metal was working well, it was great. Cleaned VERY well. Spun clothes so dry, you did not need to run dryer as much. We have left the days of appliances that might last well beyond 15 years. We all have stories of washing machines, fridges, water heaters, and dryers that lived from 1950 or 60 or 70 up to 20 years. Not any more. Have materials gotten worse? Are our engineers dumber? Do we lack comparison shopping ability? No. No. No. All it would take is one company to decide to stick to one good design and eliminate flaws year by year. And buy market share by keeping repair costs low along the way. We would flock to it, and tell each other eagerly.

Dadoes - that sounds like how the Cabrio works, from what I have read and seen. At different times in the cycle the water sprays in through the detergent, bleach, or softener dispenser, and the basket is usually moving as it does. If the leaks are caused by it not lining up properly, then if the unbalanced loads can be eliminated that could solve the leak problem. Did everyone follow the leveling instructions and level side to side, front to back, and diagonally across the top? If the machine is higher on the side diagonally opposite the leak could that contribute? Maybe some way can be found to better balance loads that tend to unbalance. Perhaps washer mans idea about using towels for ballast can help with that. Personally, after the first pillow problem, I watch for the machine to hit the final spin. When it does, I just place the pillow diagonally over the bottom of the machine (in an X) and restart the spin. This seems to work fine, and the filling which gets spun out to the edges of the pillows redistributes in the dryer. I have to say I have never used a machine that does not have a problem balancing pillows, probably made worse by the fact that everyone in my house likes a different type of pillow.

I'm glad I found this thread! I have wanted a Duet washer and dryer for three years now. We'll be buying a house / condo after the beginning of the year and was basing my desire for the Duet on my father-in-law's set that I've used. Sounds like the Duets were "de-contended" over the years to reduce their "cost" to produce. What a shame. I certainly have noticed FL washers becoming more popular over the last two years or so. After seeing people mention Bosch in this thread, I've decided to jump ship before I even board it. I've been looking through the Bosch and Lowe's web sites, although there are a number of Bosch dealers here in Anchorage. My two requirements in an appliance are A) Energy Rating and B) Noise. Our Kenmore (really Whirlpool) fridge was actually below the U.S. Energy Guide rating a few years ago. It was almost to the bottom of the energy usage on the Canadian guide, even. I don't mind mixing brands. Just as with employers, there's NO reward in brand loyalty. They can change design or build quality practically overnight to satisfy the holly stockholders. Now to go try to dig up some 'dirt' on the Bosch white goods. We use a Bosch dishwasher at work (residential level machine) and it's shockingly quiet. The prices are in line with Duet-class Whirlpool goods and the energy use seems quite low (not to mention attractive styling).