[bj_cardiff]

Can anyone recomend a washing machine that works well with low pressure systems? Most modern ones seem to only allow a certain amount of time for them to fill, so if someone is using the water while the machine is filling it doesn't fill enough to wash properly!

Thanks

[Fleecewife]

We don't have mains water so very low pressure.  The only machine that works for us is the simplest Indesit, but even then when it's filling for the main wash I have to add a few jugsful of extra water - usually about 3 litres, and I always use the 'extra rinse' button

[Womble]

Do you already have a washing machine that doesn't work well, BJ, or are you looking for a new one?

An alternative to a new washing machine is a flow booster pump. Basically it detects when there is a tap open (i.e. when there is a flow), then comes on to boost the pressure and hence flow. We had one installed in the cupboard where our mains water enters the house and it worked really well*.


* Last year we finally managed to convince Scottish Water that our flow issues were their fault and not ours, and they dug up the road outside and solved the problem. This means that our pump is now surplus to requirements. This isn't a hard sell BJ, but drop me a line if it would be of interest.

[bj_cardiff]

Thanks Womble. I'm not sure a pump would work on my current system. I think it would need a header tank to pull from. My supply is split between my and a property down my lane, and as they are lower than me - when they run a tap/flush a toilet my pressure drops.

I think I'll need to bite the bullet at some point and install a collection tank. I have a washing machine at the moment  would happily trade it in for one that doesn't stop the flow of water after a certain amount of time - rather than a certain amount of water! I'm suprised the washing machine people haven't tried to capture that market TBH!

[PipKelpy]

I love the twin tub!!

It's a heavy duty 7kg wash tub. We use a hose pipe to fill it from the sink in "conservatory". When we had the fire we lost all white goods and couldn't keep asking next door to wash as we're both on septic tanks. So we bought the TT. When all rebuilt, we got the 8kg automatic. That's hardly been used, but it's there if we need it. Minimum 1 hr wash.

Twin tub? 15 min to fill (hot water is slow) 15 min per wash, then spin, rinse etc. 3 loads in the time it takes to do 1 load! In winter with stove going, hot water on tap, constantly. In summer we use the gas.

Also very good for dog bedding, double duvets and sheep bedding (from when lambs reared in front room!) Also have a 6 ft airer suspended from the roof. We're old school here!

[honeyend]

An American style top loader, and the added benefit you can add things you have forgotten. Some of them are huge

[PipKelpy]

Sister swears by her top loader. They brought over their massive one from NZ in 2006 and it died about 5 years ago. Searched high and low for another in this country and the closest she could get was a 2nd hand half the size, so she made do with that and an automatic. When we got the twin tub she stated "it's a top loader but with separate spinning facilities" as she said her automatic would spin the clothes whilst the dirties were in the other. From what I gather it was completely plumbed in and fully automatic (would fill, rinse, empty etc) but to save water, she only ran through half a programme and used a separate automatic for the spinning. The plumber did offer to mains plumb our TT in but we said no as we didn't want it where it would be. It's on casters  so we can move it about it necessary. (Dog fit etc, so we can clean underneath).