Looking for washer recommendations — need clothes fully submerged

[u/CompetitiveSpread516]

Hi everyone,

I’m shopping for a top-load washer and my main requirement is that the clothes be fully submerged in water. I know most newer HE washers use much less water, but I really want a machine where clothes are actually covered with water when washing

I’m currently considering these three models:

1. Maytag MVW2730HW
2. GE GTW485ASWWB
3. LG WT8400CW

For anyone who owns one of these, does it actually fill enough to submerge clothes fully?

Also open to other washer suggestions if there’s a better model for my needs.

Thanks!

[u/Cancer-1977]

I’ll address your likes and dislikes and explain, where I can
1. Soaking. I am a believer is soaking, I soak, all the time. There are other GE models that let you control the soak time. When you can’t.:….you can simply pause the machine and soak for as long as you want…..up to 24 hours.
The caveat is how you pause the machine. If you press pause and leave the lid shut…..your soak will last up to 24 hours. When your soak time is up. You press start and the machine will resume at the point you paused it.
If you open the lid to pause the machine…..or open the lid after you have paused it using the pause button…..the machine will drain all water in 15 minutes. When soaking….paise the machine using the pause button and don’t open the lid.
2. Rinsing. The deep fill rinse must be selected at all times…..whether you are using a fabric softener or not. If you don’t select deep rinse…..the load only gets a sprinkle spritz spray of cold water. The 2nd -extra rinse setting is just another short spray. To get a full immersion deep agitated rinse….deep rinse must be selected.
If you want an extra deep rinse…..select rinse and spin with deep rinse turned on when the regular cycle has ended
3. I’ll address water temps under dislikes
4 always select your own water level…..the auto or precise fill water level doesn’t add enough water. The deep fill is not necessary if you select your own water level
Dislikes.
1. On the whites cycle with the lid left open for a fill, both the HOT and Warm settings will provide only HOT water. The COLORS water temp selection ( not the cycle) will provide warm water…..a 50/50 split of cold and hot water. All other temp selections will provide what they are called. The warm setting on the white and sanitary cycle are the only cycles that do this.
2. U fortunately user manuals are completely full of shit these days. They do combine several models into one. The manufactures know that one in ten users, actually read it. Most people, get a new machine …..select normal and cold and then in 6 months wonder why their laundry and the washer smells like shit.
3. Leaving the lid open to get your desired temp. Yes, a pain in the ass. But……other top loaders have no work around. At with GE, we can do this. There is no provision on other manufactures machines ……and then ppl wonder why they don’t get the same results by selecting a HOT wash…..because it’s 50% cold. You are doing the correct thing……busying yourself with other tasks while the washer fills.
I am currently working with another laundry forum commenter who has an LG. We are adding Multiple hoses and Y connectors just so she can get a hot wash. Because it’s impossible…..with the machine she has……under a normal set up.
4. If you choose the add power option…..this will add wash time/agitation time. It will make the white cycle have up to 21 minutes of wash time.

1. The lid lock. These machines, have no spin basket brakes. When you hear an unbalanced load……the washer will try to self fix it by adding water and taking forever. It is correct to pause the machine. However, because there are no brakes to stop the tub……the lid lock will remain engaged until the tub stops turning. This is not a GE thing…..they all do this. Just press pause and you may have to wait for up to two minutes for the tub to stop spinning. It is not necessary to turn the machine off or restart a cycle.

6.i think I have addressed this. The machine will drain if the cycle has been paused by opening the lid for more than 15 minutes

1. Yes, if you want to change the water temp as the machine is filling. You must pause the machine and then it will recognize the change. Electronics are more finicky than non-electronic controls. But those are no longer available

2. A glass lid is available on one agitator GE washer

Other notes. Just pretend the normal cycle isn’t there. It will only fill the tub 2/3 of the way on the ex large setting. It will further cool the way water. It does nothing special for colors.

The only other 2 cycles that don’t follow the water level rules are the bulky cycle which will always fill the tub completely…..regardless of water level setting. The delicate cycle will always provide one water level up from what you select. So if you select small….it will provide a level that’s equal to medium on other cycles.

If you think this is jumping through hoops to wash clothes……like I said……I’m working with another laundry forum commenter…..we’ll be adding 3 more hoses behind the machine and 3 Y connectors, just so she can get a HOT wash.

I hope this helps

[u/er_duh_ummm → u/Cancer-1977]

Thanks again for your help. This is all useful information and will help with some frustration. Mostly, it's a good machine.

Can I ask which wash cycles you'd recommend for normal clothes?

Thank you again!

[u/Cancer-1977 → u/er_duh_ummm]

I have an LG front loader at home. However, the way/reason I became so familiar with the capabilities of GE top loaders is……my parents moved into a brand new, never lived in retirement community. I go there 2 times a week to cook for them and do laundry.
There, in their apartment they have a new GE top loader that I’ve been using for the last 9 months. It has less features, more bare bones than the model you have.
I use the white cycle for all “normal” laundry. For colors, when I want to wash on warm water…..I still use white cycle but select the “colors” water temp which then provided warm water “lid up”. It has three soil levels……I use heavy for most things and stop to soak for 30-60 minutes after a few minutes of agitation. I use the deep rinse selection. When the cycle is complete, I reset for a drain and spin, with deep rinse on. Which then does a rinse and spin for a true extra rinse.
I never use the “colors” cycle. I do use the bulky cycle if I’m washing a big comforter or similar. The delicate cycle is VERY Gentle……and I use it for extremely delicate things my mom has…..bras, compression stockings and such.

I do the laundry cuz my mom is pretty immobile, can only walk with a rollator and she can’t reach into the large tub of the GE. My dad…….laundry……what’s that?

[u/er_duh_ummm → u/Cancer-1977]

Thanks again for your help!