We liked the performance of the machine well enough to buy a similar Asko after we got settled back in North America. In the roughly eight years that we owned that washing machine it required no fewer than 14 service calls. We stopped counting. I have no idea how many times the repair guys had to come to the house. It needed a new motor. Then it started leaking. The leak went from bad to worse. The repair guys worked on the machine. I worked on the machine. At one point, we had three repair guys at the house at one time. Tools scattered around the floor. Parts everywhere. I recall that last visit. One guy was on his mobile to Asko service in Texas. Another guy had his head in the drum, muttering under his breath while the third guy was talking to his boss on another mobile.
The short story here is they couldn't repair the eight year-old Asko. So, Asko, making good on its lifetime warranty (when the malfunction is related to the stainless steel drum as was the case here) offered us a deal on a new machine, prorated by some sort of formula related to the value of the old machine. Despite my vow to never buy another Asko, we bit. They sold us a new machine more-or-less at their distributer cost, significantly less than we could have negotiated at a retailer.
The new machine worked well enough. But shortly before we moved from Cleveland Heights, it started leaking. I ignored the leak because it was relatively minor and we were so busy getting ready to move across the country figuring I'd deal with it when we got settled. This past weekend I finally got around to confronting the leak. Turned out it was a bad hose clamp on the drain pump. They use these one-shot crimp-on clamps that cannot be reused. A trip to the local Ace Hardware store and we were back in business.
On the upside, these little front loaders are terrificly efficient machines. The Askos require only a cold water connection because they heat their own water to the desired temperature. They use remarkably little water. With a 1,600 RPM spin cycle the clothes come out requiring less time in the dryer. And the absence of a top loader's agitator spindle mean the clothes don't get so beat up. But on the downside, as a brand--and in our experience--the Askos require a lot of service care. I am considerably better acquainted with their innards than I'd like to be. So, if you're considering a front loader, before you buy an Asko, ask me. I think this will be our last Asko. Next time, perhaps we'll bet on a Bosch or Whirlpool.
1 comment:
I like the idea of making hot water just when you need it. Here's an idea I couldn't get any local plumber to give serious consideration when we installed a point-of-use water heater for our new second floor. A water tank in an insulated space under a south-facing skylight could supply preheated water to the unit. It seems like a simple low-tech way to boost efficiency. What's wrong with this concept?
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