Fisher & Paykel IWL16

"This brand just doesn't have what it takes to work. A rock, washboard and a stream would provide less frustration than this appliance. You get what you pay for - this is a low end, cheaply made low quality appliance for the unsuspecting consumer - run, don't walk from the brand.



It's so cheaply manufactured, it must break down in a landfill almost instantaneously."

"I've owned 4 washers over the last 7 years (we have moved three times) and this is by far the best. The worst was a Maytag Neptune that had all sorts of cleaning faults and became inoperative after a year. It needed a new control board even though it was never wet or abused. I tend to read instructions and follow them.The IWL16 was purchased new from Lowes and I am very impressed with the way it treats clothes, how clean it gets them and it's simple operation. The clothes come out rejuvinated compared to their sorry state after being washed by a newer (but traditional style) Maytag Performa. The Fisher-Paykel does have a number of features that I will never use but they don't get in the way. Seriously, how often does one have an entire load with "chocolate" stains or some other specific stain? I would prefer to treat the stain manually rather than wash one garment on a special cycle.Although this washer is very easy to use it does work differently than traditional washers and it takes a few minutes reading the manual to get the most out of it. In the manual I learned it was possible to set preferences that will modify the base settings semi-permanently (until they are reset manually). For example, if the water temperature seems too hot or cold it can be adjusted up or down in 1 degree increments. The Auto water level can be adjusted as well as the default rinse options.I've found that the automatic load sensing feature works extremely well. I add soap, about two-thirds the amount I am accustomed to (the amount depending upon the size of the load), leave the cycle on "auto-sensing" (unless I select "wool" for woolens or "hand-wash" for extremely delicate items). I don't use the "creasables" cycle because I don't have any permanent press clothes. Then I adjust the "soiled" setting up or down to one of six settings based upon how dirty the clothes are. This adjusts the length of the wash cycle. For whites I select "hot", new clothes with bright colors get "cold+" which is simply cold water that has been tempered with a little hot water. Everything else gets "warm" which is simply a warm start to the wash cycle followed by a cool wash and cold rinse. Then I push start. This might sound complicated but 90 percent of my loads require nothing more than add clothes, add detergent and hit "start". Auto-sensing takes care of the rest. All my clothes come out looking great and they are so dry after the spin cycle I save a lot of time and money on drying energy. Best of all is there is no soap smell which my nose is very sensitive to. I don't like that I need to remove the cap on the agitator to add the detergent but it is a minor annoyance. People with large homes and remote laundry rooms may find the end of cycle alert is not loud enough but at least it makes a pleasant tone. The washer is about as loud as most modern traditional washers, the sounds are pleasant but different than what you are probably accustomed to.Because of the way the machine mixes the detergent and applies it, I've found it is not necessary to use hotter settings as I found necessary on traditional machines. The people who designed this machine really understand how to clean fabrics!"

"This has proven to be an excellent washer. We replaced a Maytag Neptune that managed to make it 6 years, and like the FP much better. It holds a LOT of clothes and all the features function as advertised. I have no idea how it "senses" how much water to use, but it does. I've opened it during the wash and the water is always just covering the clothes...no more and no less. I also like the fact that it's a direct drive washer a lot. It's much lighter than the Neptune or other front loaders and was easier to carry into the house and move around to get in the right place. The one small complaint is that when you want to use fabric softener you've got to make a setting for an extra rinse, and then you've got to turn off this setting when you don't want to use fabric softener. There needs to be a button dedicated to this setting on the washer so you don't have to cycle through all the options looking for it, as we only use fabric softener with certain loads. In all other functional repects, however, this is an excellent washer."

"This is a fabulous machine for those who have the patience and aptitude to learn new technology. Cleans very well, has a double rinse cycle, super customizable, including 5 macros you can program to dumb it down for other users--that way the technology challenged can simply push one button. However, it does take an hour or so to do the programming. I love this machine, and will buy another for our Summer home. But, if you haven't figured out the functionality of your own cell phone, this machine is not for you."

"This thing sounds like an alien spaceship, it's all muted whirs and clicks and purring. It is quiet even when spinning the clothes dry and very stable. The controls seem like they are going to be complicated but really aren't. It's not too heavy, when I first looked at it I thought it was going to feel cheap because it's kind of plasticy and rounded but it turns out to feel nice and solid. I though the lid was weird at first, the lid is the whole top of the washer ( not counting the controls ), I'm used to the lid being inset into the top and having an inch or so around the edge but the full lid seems better since it eliminated a place for grime to accumulate. We're happy with it so far after a couple months."

"I use this eco-washer at least 3 times a week. I have used it for a month now.

It does do a decent job at cleaning and spinning the clothes almost dry. The menu is nice, particularly with water and energy saver options.



Initially, this washer had a very loud spin cycle; my dryer was much quieter than it. After 3 use, the noise died down.

The dispenser cup used to hold fabric softener has broken off of two out of three flimsy legs attaching it to the circular base. And I don't even use fabric softener, only normal liquid detergent.

Lately, I am mystified as to why I find small puddles of water on the floor after a completing a couple of washes when I used the sensing water level option. This did not happen initially. I am calling the customer service department about this. It is a good thing there is a two year warranty."

"This machine is way better than I was expecting. It does so many amazing things. One of the be best features is the delayed start. Also like the auto water fill and the save the favorite settings. I love the antimation in the screen and the count down timer. Best washer I ever owned."

"It's quieter than I thought it would be. Very happy about that. Great cycles. Dryer doesn't need to run long due to the 1000rpm spin cycle. Consumers rated this high and has low amount of repairs"

"The circuit board is made cheap with all the settings. Power button cracked on my machine. For the amount of $ for this machine it certainly isn't put into structure. Owned mine for 5 years."

"ACTUALLY SURPASSED MY EXPECTATIONS! A NICE VARIETY OF WASH CYCLES AND THE ABILITY TO SET THE WASH TIMES DEPENDING ON HOW SOILED YOUR CLOTHES ARE."