Whirlpool Cabrio WTW6400SW Washer

Cabrio WTW6600SW Best washer I've used

Posted Dec 4, 2006 - We switched from having using heavy duty Maytag top loaders for 25 years; Cabrio has freed our family from having to constantly attend to the washing and dryer. The dryer is always done before the washer, and the batch size is big enough to presort towels large towels vs. small towels and turn over the batches quickly. Wash smells and feels much cleaner. Texture of fabric is much improved, and feels much softer on the skin. No adverse reaction to HE detergent (use extra rinse). Finally can wash pillows and blankets often due to large basket with no central shaft. Controls: Love the minutes left display, but the pause button should be positioned away from the start button. After pausing, it is very easy to hit the pause button again instead of the start button. This will empty the wash tub and you kiss your HE detergent goodbye. Start over again.....:( Instructions call for towels to utilize the "Sheets" setting, due to special rotational action that keeps towels from balling up. I verified this by observing the wash action through the see through cover. The setting should read "Towels/Sheets" instead. The bulky items setting is very effective on blankets and pillows. Washed throw rugs; came out unbelievably clean and fluffy; a true revelation. The see through lid get spotted very quickly with condensation. Instructions do not address this; the proper cleaning agent needs to be specified. Before long the residue will totally obscure the glass. I have submitted a report to Whirlpool recently and am awaiting a reply. Overall satisfaction is great. The whole family likes the Cabrio. If we get behind in the wash, it is easy to catch up with a minimum of hassle. The extra cost is worth it, if only because of the reduction in family hassle over laundry issues. Wish list: a simple economical way to use bulk detergent that can be dispensed automatically. Pouring detergent is still risky; spills and splatters can be bad news on the eyes and skin. Bulk pack detergent would be cheaper. Very low vibration, even when spinning a 1000 rpm Motor does make some strange noises when pursuing complex lift/rotation shifting; there is a lot of mechanical action and programmed control over the functions and mechanical action. Best Buy has a combo washer/dryer warranty that is very reasonable. ($200 for 5 years or about 11% of the purchase price of a washer/dryer combo or avg about 2% per year. With the electronic controls and complex mechanical action it will be interesting to see how things will work out.

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The Whirlpool Cabrio is GREAT!!

Posted Sep 6, 2006 - I love my new Cabrio, and have really enjoyed being able to wash more clothes at once, and it has saved me lots of time. I have had it for a couple of weeks, and already seeing a difference. We are a family of 5, and work full-time, but now have time to spare. My boys & I are glad we can get it all done in one evening, rather than 3 evenings of doing laundry. The Cabrio is so quiet, and doesn't shake our house, so I am able to wash clothes while I sleep if I wish.

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Love my Cabrio Washer and Dryer. Mine has full agitator! Don't go w/o it!

Posted Apr 22, 2007 - I purchased a very nice front load washer and dryer from Lowe's. The latest in tech. I returned them after few weeks. Due to lack of someone to service the washer and dryer in my area. So I called my best friend who sold washer and dryers at Sears for years and she told me to buy the Cabrio with the agitator! That it is the same as the Oasis. Not to buy the one w/o the agitator. I have had to use other washer and dryers since and it makes me LOVE the Cabrio all the more. I do have extended warranties on both machines just in case. I had the dryer plastic replace due to it being shipped cracked at the top center, you have to be down on the floor to see it. That took just a few days and no hastes. I have had them for almost a year now. And I highly recommend them. I have a young boy who is all boy and stinky like one too. My other washer didn't get the smell out. I would have to wash his bedding and clothes twice. I also have a shedding cat and long haired dog. The machines get it all out w/the first wash. They wash and dry my comforters much faster & more efficiently than any other dryer. The clear top is fun for my son to watch the clothes getting washed.

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Whirlpool Cabrio Washer

Posted 1 year ago - I have had by Whirlpool Cabrio washer since March 14th and I really enjoy using it. I had a Maytag washer prior to this washer and I had a lot of problems with the Maytag. My daughter recommended the Whirlpool Cabrio and I'm glad she did!!!

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Very good Washer!!!

Posted Feb 23, 2008 - I looked over these reviews, after I bought mine about 8 months ago, and was going to return it. I am now very glad that I did not. After using the washer I learned that you need to use it a little differently then other machines. - You can not over load it, because the plate will move but your clothes will not, which may tear them. -If the load is not level it is better if you fix it then waiting for the washer to do it, which usually only happens with blankets and other bulky items. -I only use the high speed spin when washing towels or blankets. You should use medium speed for your clothes to avoid wrinkles. Used properly the Cabrio is a fantastic washing machine!!!

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Cabrio, understanding the product.

Posted Nov 13, 2006 - I have torn every part out of this machine. --- It is half Fisher & Paykel, the other half is American. --- The washing operation is like F&P, NOT CALYPSO. Calypso had a mechanical bottom that tossed the clothes, this uses a floating ring that lifts the tub off the coupler and the circulation of the water by an impeller causes agitation. The previous poster thinks this has something to do with calypso, this is false. --- There are many variations of this machine, mostly asthetic. This design has been in the states as a Fisher & Paykel for a number of years. Any Sears guy saying they don't have the parts is lying, Sears calls thier relabeled generic copy Oasis. I must also advice avoid Kenmore altogether, it is a generic name like any other generic name, bottom end of the line relabeled for thier sale. --- USE HE detergent, there are sensors that will not work right without it. Amway and Quixtar are not HE (if you disagree about this, ask Amway why they lack the label). Low sudsing is not HE. High Efficiency detergent meets a set of standards that both appliance manufacturers and soap manufacturers agreed upon. All soaps meeting these standards have an HE logo. --- This is not commercial or heavy duty. The average consumer doesn't need commercial and you will not find them at a local appliance dealer. A true commercial appliance will not be anywhere close to the price of a machine on a showroom floor. Also, as with all electronic controlled appliances, unplug it during a lightning storm. --- If you are leary of something new, the classic Whirlpool Direct Drive will be available until 2011. Then efficiency laws will force it out.

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Cabrio WTW6600SW1 Junk!

Posted Aug 27, 2007 - Faulty lock/lid mechanism design. Lock switch doesn't function correctly because the lock lever can travel too far, so the switch opens when it should be closed. Magnetic reed relay switch also functions like crap. No apparent lid adjustment to bring magnet/lid closer to switch assembly. Bad design. I duct taped an extra magnet on the lid to get switch to activate. Sad!!! Being an engineer I tried to adjust the lid to move it closer to the switch and shattered the glass. Replacement glass is $300. What a joke. If your wife says whe wants this machine I suggest divorcing her! Thing cleans like crap too!

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I HATE MY WHIRLPOOL CABRIO

Posted 5 months ago - I bought a Cabrio 2 years ago and every time I use it I wish I had bought a different washing machine. It does small loads just fine. When you put a lot of clothes in it of different weights and sizes they end up tangled into a nightmare. I also do not find that when I wash a lot of clothes that they come clean, my old style washer did large loads well. I hate washing sheets in it as they end up in a ball on one side of the machine then it gets unbalanced. I paid a huge price for this machine and hate it. One in every 3 loads I wash gets unbalanced even if I load it well and pay attention to how I load it. Yes it holds a lot but does not wash a lot at one time well. If I load small wash loads it does fine. The Cabrio also does not wash bulky items well. Yes they fit, but do not come out clean due to the fact that there is not an agitator.

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Read reviews from owners past the 12 month mark

Posted 3 months ago - Bought this washer from Sears, but posting reviews wherever I can so others don't experience the mess! I did buy the extended warranty which appears to be saving me between $400 - 800 dollars! If you buy this washer, please spring for the extended warranty past 3 years. Some of the dislikes are similar to others on here: the wrinkles from ANY spin cycle are deep which means they do not come out in the dryer, even after shaking out each article prior to tossing in the dryer. Some items are torn up (loose threads on anything will mostly likely result in a ruined article, including towels). The worst part is that I have, what I now know is common, an F 50 error code followed by an Sd error code! Been trying for 45 min to get the same 8 min left on the cycle to just drain! The repair guy is coming on Saturday but I dont see a one visit repair in my future! Just be aware that these problems (based on today's research) seem to be frequent occurences for the washer at 12 - 24 months old.

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747

Posted 1 month ago - my wsher turnned into a jet the noice is like a 747, i am waiting 3 weeks for parts. I am glad that i had a service contract, whirlpool is very nice but this is a BOMB! I have a service dryer that now is 20 years of and old washer lasted 26 years

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Hate this machine

Posted 1 year ago - Owner's manual states to fill dirty items to the top of the stainless steel bin...but if you do that, the machine will constantly stop and say the load is too full. I fill the machine half way and I still get the error code at least 10 times before it will finally finish the load. If the machine sits for several days without being used, I'll spend at least 4 to 5 hours trying to wash one small load to get it "readjusted" to working again. I bought this machine approximately a year ago because I had a 3 year old, a 6 month old and found out I was pregnant again and needed a bigger machine. I wish I would of just kept my old machine that actually worked. I also bought the large dryer that goes with this one. It is horrible too. The dryer is huge, but the "arms" or "paddles" inside the machine aren't big enough to separate the clothes while they're being tumbled. So clothes just stick to the outside of the machine and don't get dry. My husband hates the machines and says we're selling them in our next garage sale.

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JET-ENGINE LOUD, OR $500 ANNUAL REPAIR!

Posted 4 months ago - I am so disgusted with this Washer. I convinced my wife that it was a high-quality machine, given Whirlpool's reputation. Was I Misled. After only 6 months, it began getting loud, and after 1 year, it turned into an engine roar. We called the repairman, and sure enough, >$400 repair for a main bearing and tub. I asked the repairman - is this something I'll need to replace every year? His answer, well, you don't have to replace it just because it gets loud. So that's the NEW Whirlpool. Jet-Engine Loud or $500 annual repair.

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Cabrio Disappointment

Posted 1 year ago - I purchased my Sixth Sense Cabrio washer and dryer less than two years ago, and was noticing a noise during the spin cycle. The repairman just told me that I need a $360 repair on this almost new machine, for a bad main bearing: they have to replace the whole tub for that! I took a second job to pay for my washer and dryer, after years of using very old ones, which never gave me any trouble, by the way. I have contacted Whirlpool, but have little hope that they will reimburse me for at least the parts for my repairs. I'm a single mom, and can't afford these repairs-I'm about ready to buy a used washer and junk this one. Any comments? I am angry and disappointed, and in a state of disbelief that a company could promote a product that functions so poorly, yet costs so much money.

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DO NOT BUY!!!

Posted 1 year ago - We had the Whirlpool Duets for 5 years and when moving into a new home we decided to upgrade and go back to a top loading washing machine. Just under 2 years and we have had several service calls and now it is completely dead. the main board has failed, and it is nearly $500 to repair. WHAT A PIECE OF JUNK.

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Great While It Lasted...

Posted Sep 18, 2006 - We saw the Cabrio washer/dryer demo pair at Sears and were so impressed we placed an order immediately. Due to it being new and not in stock in the warehouse, we had to wait 2-1/2 weeks for delivery. That should have been our first signal to cut our losses and run, because I never buy the first year model of ANYTHING--there's just too much chance for problem. We received our Cabrios, and were in heaven--for all of 6 days. We enjoyed almost a week of high capacity washing and drying. The washer did a great job of cleaning, and the dryer was a joy to unload--the slanted angle of the opening put clothes at your fingertips. The electronic controls were simple to use--for most loads, it was push the power button, turn the knob to colors, and hit start. But, 6 days later, in the middle of a load, the machine suddenly stopped and the computer froze up. The display just sat there blinking all of the LEDs on and off, and no button press did anything. I unplugged the unit and replugged it in to reset it, and received no response at all--the machine was dead. No LEDs, no keys worked, no beeps, nothing. What's worse, because of the Cabrio's lid lock system, I couldn't even lift the lid to get my half-washed clothes out. So we call the Sears repair center, and the next day a repairman arrives at our house. This machine is so new, there's not even a repair history on it to help him troubleshoot. After half an hour on the phone with tech support, he checks the computer module and tells me what I suspected all along--the computer is dead and needs replacement. However, I almost had to be pulled off the floor when he told me that the parts alone (computer and keypad assembly) were over $500. At that point, I had to decide to go without a washer for 2 weeks while the part was being ordered, or return the washer for a replacement. I obviously went for the latter. Several things the mechanic said bear noting here. First of all, he is obviously a Whirlpool/Kenmore conventional washer/dryer fan (Series 70, 80, etc.). But that means a lot when it comes from a repairman, who has to work on these appliances every day. He said the Kenmores hardly ever need repair, because they're so reliable, and when they do, they are not usually very expensive. Plus, he has parts for the Kenmores right on the truck. He makes a lot of sense, so much that I actually returned both the Cabrios for a Kenmore washer/dryer pair instead. Several things about the Cabrios concern me. First of all, they were larger than the conventional pair they replaced, not much, but enough for us to have to specifically sit them off-center in the closet to be able to open the dryer door and closet door at the same time. Secondly, I would avoid any machine that is new like the plague. But what I didn't know is that Whirlpool already appears to have a class-action lawsuit in place against the earlier version of the Cabrios--the Calypso. Thirdly, I would never buy new "non-conventional" washer/dryer anymore. With a conventional pair, even I could do much of the repair work. I'm not much of a handyman, but with our old Hotpoints, I changed the belts, the thermostats, and the agitatior coupling. These newer units are almost like foreign cars--you have to get a specialized repairman to perform the simplest of repairs. Lastly, I would never buy an appliance that has parts that cost more to replace than the appliance originially cost. On both the Cabrio washer and dryer, if the computer gets fried, it costs over $500 just for parts. On our old Hotpoints, there wasn't a part in it that was over $100. And the computer could get fried for something as simple as a lightning strike or power surge. You expect VCRs and small microwave ovens to be "throw away" appliances, where the repair costs more than just buying a new one. But you certainly don't expect a $700 washer to be a "throw away" appliance. Perhaps I just got a bad unit. Perhaps these units would have lasted 20 years had I gotten a good one. But with the excellent track record of conventional washers/dryers, and the great repairability of them, I'm just not willing to take the chance again.

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