Quote:
Most conventional top load washers range between 3.2 and 3.5 cubic feet. For the majority of customers replacing a washer more than 7 years old, this represents an upgrade from the past, when washer capacities ranged from 2.7 to 3.2 cubic feet. Some specialty-sized washers (such as apartment or compact) have smaller capacities.
Front-load washer capacity is determined by an IEC (International Electrotechnicial Commission) rating. In essence, the IEC rating indicates the overall capacity that a top load washer would need to have to be comprable in size. Since front-load washers can be loaded more tightly, they can handle larger loads with a smaller wash basket. Compact front load washers range from 2.0 to 2.5 cubic feet, and most high efficiency washers range from 3.1 cu. ft. (IEC) up to 4.7 cu. ft. (IEC) which represents a significant upgrade from conventional top load washers.
As a rule of thumb, to accomodate a king-sized comforter, a washer capacity of 3.8 cu. ft. (IEC) or greater is required. For a queen-sized comforter, approximately 3.5 cu. ft. (IEC) or more is needed.
I read this, and got me thinking... to get a balanced load you need to stuff the wash drum full of clothes, so why would any home need more than 3.8 cu. ft. capacity?
Not only are the 4.3+ washers huge, the baskets are bigger, making it harder on the washer to balance and get those G-force water extracting speeds....
So when shopping for a FL washer, would you say the smallest drum with the highest RPM is the best for durability and best for a balanced spin?
If you had two washers, and both had unbalanced loads, the washer with the smaller capacity would vibrate LESS than the larger drum, since the load will be further away from center of rotation?
Most conventional top load washers range between 3.2 and 3.5 cubic feet. For the majority of customers replacing a washer more than 7 years old, this represents an upgrade from the past, when washer capacities ranged from 2.7 to 3.2 cubic feet. Some specialty-sized washers (such as apartment or compact) have smaller capacities.
Front-load washer capacity is determined by an IEC (International Electrotechnicial Commission) rating. In essence, the IEC rating indicates the overall capacity that a top load washer would need to have to be comprable in size. Since front-load washers can be loaded more tightly, they can handle larger loads with a smaller wash basket. Compact front load washers range from 2.0 to 2.5 cubic feet, and most high efficiency washers range from 3.1 cu. ft. (IEC) up to 4.7 cu. ft. (IEC) which represents a significant upgrade from conventional top load washers.
As a rule of thumb, to accomodate a king-sized comforter, a washer capacity of 3.8 cu. ft. (IEC) or greater is required. For a queen-sized comforter, approximately 3.5 cu. ft. (IEC) or more is needed.
I read this, and got me thinking... to get a balanced load you need to stuff the wash drum full of clothes, so why would any home need more than 3.8 cu. ft. capacity?
Not only are the 4.3+ washers huge, the baskets are bigger, making it harder on the washer to balance and get those G-force water extracting speeds....
So when shopping for a FL washer, would you say the smallest drum with the highest RPM is the best for durability and best for a balanced spin?
If you had two washers, and both had unbalanced loads, the washer with the smaller capacity would vibrate LESS than the larger drum, since the load will be further away from center of rotation?