The
New Appliance Report from
ApplianceAdvisor.com
WHIRLPOOL & GLADIATOR
(Gladiator a new (2004) brand of Whirlpool)
800-253-1301
The #1 Appliance Maker in the World
2006 Kitchen & Bath Show Introductions
Work surface table between washer and dryer $129
-Work surface on top $200
-Power shower tech jets in back of dishwasher
-Velos speedcook and Range $1199 Range $899 OTR
http://www.applianceadvisor.com/2006Appliancephotos/2006whirlpool1.jpg
http://www.applianceadvisor.com/2006Appliancephotos/2006whirlpool2.jpg
http://www.applianceadvisor.com/2006Appliancephotos/2006whirlpool3.jpg
http://www.applianceadvisor.com/2006Appliancephotos/2006whirlpool4.jpg
2005 Kitchen & Bath Show Introductions
take from press kit
http://www.applianceadvisor.com/2005Appliancephotos/2005Whirlpool1.jpg
http://www.applianceadvisor.com/2005Appliancephotos/2005Whirlpool2.jpg
http://www.applianceadvisor.com/2005Appliancephotos/2005Whirlpool3.jpg
http://www.applianceadvisor.com/2005Appliancephotos/2005Whirlpool5.jpg
http://www.applianceadvisor.com/2005Appliancephotos/2005Whirlpool7.jpg
http://www.applianceadvisor.com/2005Appliancephotos/2005Whirlpool9.jpg
http://www.applianceadvisor.com/2005Appliancephotos/2005Whirlpool11.jpg
http://www.applianceadvisor.com/2005Appliancephotos/2005Whirlpool12.jpg
http://www.applianceadvisor.com/2005Appliancephotos/2005Whirlpool14.jpg
http://www.applianceadvisor.com/2005Appliancephotos/2005Whirlpool15.jpg
2004 Kitchen & Bath Show Introductions
Counter-Depth Refrigerators for the Common Man
Whirlpool launched the DesignerFit which they claimed to be the largest
counter-depth side by side refrigerator on the market at 36" wide, 29" deep
(perhaps with handle we guess), 24.5 cu ft. Features in-door ice
dispensing, drop down controls, water filter, door ajar alarm, and temperature
display. It is Energy Star certified. Priced at $2300.
http://www.whirlpool.com/catalog/product.jsp?src=Search&categoryId=96&productId=157
http://www.applianceadvisor.com/2004Appliancephotos/whirlpooldesignerfit.jpg
Mutually Assured Refrigeration, From Gladiator
We like the engineering and styling creativity of this unit, but we believe that the underlying cultural-trend driving the
engineering is an Earth ending cancer. If you are not a sociopath but have
still thought,
"gee look how freaking cool it is that submerged submarines can launch nuclear tipped ICBMs
each with 10 separately targetable warheads!", you have a window on my
inner conflict. Whirlpool has launched an entire line of Gladiator brand garage work benches,
storage gear and a couple of freezers targeted at our nations McMansions with their 3 -
4 garage bays of which 2 are occasionally jammed with Osama supporting SUVs when
they not endlessly circling for door-front parking at Walmart. (do we need
to get a grip?)
The Gladiator brand Freezerator is top-mount-like in its configuration.
The main lower cavity is a 15 cu ft freezer. The upper cavity is a 6 cu ft
freezer or refrigerator, convertible at the whim of the decadent bourgeois home
owner. The unit features a heater which comes to life when ambient
temperatures drop below freezing and the upper cavity is set to
"refrigerate". Unit also features the Gladiator heavy duty tread
styling, heavy duty casters, and reversible doors.
A two'fer: the end of the
world, AND an upright garage freezer with neet styling and features, economically priced at $999.
A Best of Show and Worst of Show
http://www.applianceadvisor.com/2004Appliancephotos/kitchenaidgladiatorfridge.jpg
http://www.gladiatorgw.com/detail.asp?BaseModelID=GAFZ21XXMK
Gladiator Trash Compactor
This is a trash compactor that would be in your garage. Whirlpool says,
"It is perfect for minimizing the volume of trash and reducing the number
of trips to the curb". So let me get this straight, you have walked this trash out of the house to
your 3-bay garage but you want to buy a compactor to cut down the number of
trips from the garage to the curb? This is absolutely the dumbest idea
we have heard this year. The people of ApplianceAdvisor raise a glass to
the unmitigated audacity of this dumb idea, founded on the principle that
there's always someone even dumber out there. This is a special moment for
Whirlpool.
http://www.gladiatorgw.com/detail.asp?BaseModelID=GACP15XXMG
2003 Kitchen & Bath Show Introductions
Square Root of (GE Advantium + Dacor OTR) cubed
The new Whirlpool g2Microven is a 1.7 cu ft OTR which heats with microwaves and browns
and grills with halogen light. A 1,100W microwave tube, a 1000W halogen bulb, and
a 500W quartz bulb combine to allow for grilling and baking. All (3)
heating systems can work simultaneously though we wonder if 2600W is too much
for one circuit. Features an "Accuwave" adjustable output
microwave (similar to the Dacor 2001 OTR), such that:
(Microven: half power setting = full time 50% output
Versus Competitors: half power
setting = half time 100% output, half time 0% output).
As for the ventilation, Whirlpool promises 25% less noise, but they failed to mention the anorexic 175
CFM output. The marketing pitch is for the grilling, and the interior is
coated with a non-stick (non-Teflon) feature for a reason.
If grilling, cleaning will be frequent or the interior will become
disgusting. The halogen/quartz lamp covers may be self cleaning from their
own heat, but if they are not, they too must be cleaned.
This is a very complex little device with 4 speed venting, adjustable
microwaves, halogen and quartz cooking, convenience light, a food spinning
rotisserie, sensors of various kinds, non-stick walls, and electronic
controls. Yikes, so much that needs to go right......so much riding on
this after Whirlpool's catastrophic 2001 recall of 1.8 million OTR
microwaves. With every Whirlpool executive paying close attention, we pity
the poor product manager launching this one. Primary availability at Lowes.
MSRP $570 - $720
http://g2microven.whirlpool.com/g2.html
Whirlpool
GH9177XL
Expansion of the Voyager Dishwasher Line
(2) new models expanding the tall tub line described in our 2001 report
below. More features such as better filters, electronic controls,
additional sound proofing, additional spray directions, all at twice the
cost. They don't mention stainless tub, so we assume it is plastic. MSRP $600 - $670.
GU1500XTL
GU1200XTL
2002 Kitchen & Bath Show Introductions
Whirlpool goes on a rampage in 2002 against single cell life forms
Polara Refrigerated Range
This is such a simple concept, that we at the advisor had once mused about the
same idea. Create an electric range with an oven that refrigerates
the ready-to-bake food while you work and automatically begins the cooking cycle
at 2 or 3 or 4 PM, to be ready for the family to eat at 6 or 7PM when everyone
is home and hungry. The refrigeration could, we imagine, help to ward off salmonella,
botulism, gas gangrene, flesh eating bacteria and the common house tick.
This is a simple concept, but how many folks out there are ready to shell out
$1800, AND have the planning skills to prepare the food in the morning or the
night before, BUT not enough money for hired help. Anyway, it sounds new
and crazy so we like it. The Polara features convection, and the Whirlpool
temperature control system called Accu-Bake. It does not seem to feature
self-clean.
http://www.whirlpool.com/redirect/polara.htmls
http://www.applianceadvisor.com/2002Appliancephotos/whirlpoolpolara.jpg
"Boil those dust specks, boil, boil...."
Whirlpool finally got to launch their own very large front loading washer and
dryer pair The Duet, having completed the seemingly contracted 1 year monopoly
Kenmore demanded for the identical models HE 3T
. Other than the normal features you can read at Kenmore, we noticed this
note, "Duet also offers consumers a sanitizing cycle that eliminates
99.9999 percent of bacteria, including e-coli, a feature not offered by any
other manufacturer". Dear readers, when you read the word "e-coli"
you should be thinking "fecal matter", and "fecal matter" is
shorthand for "kids" who have more fecal matter than they know what to do with. Have these people had kids? Why
all this trouble when who you are trying to protect are people who eat lint, lick mirrors, stick coins up their noses,
projectile vomit, and recycle their nasal mucous? This is an Energy Star
unit, but when using the sanitizing cycle it is an energy hog. Seems to be
competing with ASKO for the "bubble boy" market.
http://www.whirlpool.com/redirect/duet.htmls?catPageLink=duetGraphic
http://www.applianceadvisor.com/2002Appliancephotos/whirlpoolduet.jpg
New Non-Stainless Stainless
OK, to be honest, we were dubious. Half of the time of an appliance
engineer's life is spent trying to match stainless steel with plated aluminum,
plated zinc die cast, and the thousand other parts that can't be made with
stainless steel but can be seen by the consumer. Whirlpool was nice enough
to include in their press kit a tab of their new faux stainless Satina finish,
and we are deeply impressed. It does hold a magnet, but it does seem
significantly less prone to hold fingerprints than a 304 stainless sample we
have. Whirlpool claims that the surface can be cleaned without any special
formulations, simply Windex. On the negative side, the material has a
clear protective coating which is much more easily and deeply scratched than
stainless. We were less impressed with the aesthetic quality of the
brushing which was deeper and continuous across the sample as opposed to higher
quality stainless brushing which is lighter, and discontinuous. (If you don't understand,
we can't explain it to you here). To the Satina's defense, it more closely matches
the lesser quality stainless steel finishes that Whirlpool seems to prefer for its other appliances. (see KitchenAid 2000 Kitchen & Bath Show
Introductions).
http://www.whirlpool.com/redirect/satinapromo.htmls?catPageLink=satinaGraphic
2001 Kitchen & Bath Show Introductions
Top Load Washer sans Actuator
Calypso washer. Whirlpool has removed the actuator on this top loader and
replaced it with "Calypso Wash Motion" which is a spinning disk which
"resembles the wobbling motion of a coin as it slowly spins down".
Calypso does not deep fill the tank, but instead continuously showers and drains
the clothes while being bounced by that spinning coin thing. Whirlpool claims
that this washer uses 50% less water and 66% less energy than conventional
washers (top loaders). This is Whirlpool's answer to people who still want top
loader convenience and front loader efficiency. Available April 2001. Retailing
at $1200 it has a Front Loader price. In any case, Whirlpool will be introducing
its first front loader soon.
http://www.whirlpool.com/redirect/calypso.htmls?newProductLink=calypso
Magic Clothes De-Smeller Prototype
Personal Valet "clothes vitalizing system" removes wrinkles,
odors, and moisture from suits and fine clothing. Simply hang your clothing
inside this armoire looking appliance, load the Valet's special tank with Soft
Formula for silks, rayon and wool or Crisp Formula for cotton and linen. A full
tank is good for 5 "heavy" cycles or 10 normal cycles. What if you
want to change from 1 formula to another in the middle of a tank….we have no
idea. On the negative side it does not remove spots, while on the positive side
it doesn't pulverize the phone number of that special someone you vaguely
remember sharing a drink with in the hotel lobby. No photos were allowed but we
received this brochure in the mail just 3 days ago. Available Qtr 1, 2002 at
around $1000.
http://www.applianceadvisor.com/Press%20Releases/Whirlpooldesmellerpg1.htm
http://www.applianceadvisor.com/Press%20Releases/Whirlpooldesmellerpg2.htm
Ranges Get Another Temp Sensor
New line of ranges with Accubake Duo system……..which is a big name for
adding another temperature sensor for better temperature control. The line also
has a feature to shut down the broiler element in mid-bake, a feature to make
closing the oven door quiet and strangely satisfying (our words), and all ranges
will have a warming drawer with 5 programmable settings in that crazy under-oven
area.
http://www.whirlpool.com/cooking/accubakeduo.htmls
New Fridges to Meet Fed Regs and other things
Whirlpool refrigerators improved to meet the new energy efficiency required
by Fed Standards. Whirlpool also shrunk the icemaker and moved it to be
completely in the door. The In-Door-Ice dispensing system leaves more space in
the freezer for food. We wondered how liquid water would get to the ice maker in
the door, so we asked Whirlpool, and to our embarrassment they said: Actually
the ice maker is still in the freezer, it's only the ice storage and ice
dispenser that is in the door…..but anyway there still is a water line to the
door for the drink dispenser. How? The water line passes through the center of
the fridge door hinge. Cool.
See the Advisor Rant About Energy Star
A Great Big Dishwasher
New Whirlpool Gold dishwashers.
Whirlpool claims "With 15% more usable capacity, these dishwashers hold
more dishes than any other brand". We called back to Whirlpool, and they
said it has 5.6 cu ft of volume compared to 4.9 cu ft for Whirlpool's standard
tub, but that otherwise there is no fine print to this claim. The Whirlpool
website though indicates some fine print saying that "any other brand"
means "Leading National Brands". Whirlpool moved the pump to free up
additional space. The unit saves water and energy by use of continuous fill,
drain and filtering system. No data was provided to back this claim. Whirlpool
also said that this dishwasher is "Among the industry’s quietest, most
reliable…..". So knowing that for Whirlpool, "Industry" means
"Leading Makers", and that if this were the best dishwasher, Whirlpool
would say so; let's reword this claim to say: Other Leading National Brands such
as GE and/or Maytag make quieter and/or more reliable dishwashers than this
Whirlpool dishwasher.
http://www.whirlpool.com/redirect/voyager.htmls?newProductLink=voyager
2000 Kitchen & Bath Show Introductions
High Speed Oven
The new SpeedCook Combination built-in oven uses microwaves and radiant cooking
with convection to cook in ˝ the time. Is packaged over a lower convected,
radiant, self-cleaning oven. The SpeedCook is not self cleaning.
OTR Microwave, Hood With Steam Cooking
A microwave that comes with a cooker module to allow steam cooking and some sort
of feature which defrosts 70% faster without the brown edges. 70% faster than
what? Sounds very interesting. I'd like to see it in action.
More Freezer Space
Conquest side by side refrigerator re-arranges the icemaker, and designs new
shelves to provide additional usable space on the freezer side.
New Washer and Dryer
The Catalyst top loading washer pre-treats clothing by a spraying a concentrated
mixture of your normal detergent and some water onto the dry clothing while it
spins. "The detergent mixture penetrates and saturates soils and stains
prior to starting the standard agitation". Catalyst also provides a triple
dispenser for detergent, bleach and fabric softener. The Senseon Dryer uses a
moisture sensor which "shaves an average of 20 minutes off the dry cycle
without increasing temperature". No mention was made about maximizing the
Catalyst's spin to reduce the moisture content prior to Senseon drying.
http://www.whirlpool.com/newproducts/Washers.shtml
http://www.whirlpool.com/newproducts/Dryers.shtml
Copyright © 2000 - 2006
ApplianceAdvisor.com. All rights reserved.
Revised: June 11, 2006
