A good, reliable machine (Candy C514)

Member Name: marlowe

Product:	Candy C514
Date:	29/01/09 (140 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Simple to use, efficient, good range of options

Disadvantages: Difficult to clean dispenser drawer, could do with more programming information

Faced with the mound of washing that two small children and two adults invariably seem to accumulate and a broken washing machine, our decision to get the Candy C514 as our next washing machine was borne not out of careful consideration but by the need to get something relatively affordable and that we hoped would stand up to the daily use it would undoubtedly be put through. We were not disappointed. Paying approximately £300 for the machine about a year ago this has turned out to one of our better high (for our household) purchases.

This washing machine is small enough to ensure it does not take up a vast deal of space in our small kitchen, yet its capacity is enough to comfortably handle a day's washing, including towels and sheets in a single load. Timings for the machine are clearly set out in initially 30 minutes, followed by 15 minute intervals beginning at 90 minutes, with a red light indicating how far the wash has to go. An alternative option, for when you are in a hurry, is available via the "fast wash" option, which can be easily programmed by pushing a button at the front of the machine. The "fast wash" option naturally speeds up the process of washing the clothes considerably and does so without compromising the effectiveness of the wash, taking approximately 30 to 35 minutes to complete a cycle. We consistently use this option, along with a 40 deg temperature and have found that the clothes are washed very well using these combinations. Further options can also be found above the "fast wash" button, namely an "allergy care" and a "stain removal" option. Whilst we have found no problems with these buttons, the "stain removal" one in particular is really more of a precaution, or for extremely soiled items, since the vast majority of the time the normal programmes have been sufficient to do the job.

A dial at the front allows you to select the temperature and programme that you wish to use. It is clearly set out, divided into "wool", "cotton", "mixed/synthetics", "delicates" and "specials" , with the temperature options ranging from 30 to 60P deg, depending on the programme selected. The simplicity of the programming dial ensures that it is quick to use, yet perhaps one criticism might be that some confusion could aise over whether a garment needed a "delicate" or a "special" option. For those items that you aren't automatically sure, then the advise to check the labels would be appropriate. Once you know which programme to use, however, the process is very straightforward.

Unfortunately, it is impossible to say that the Candy C514 is a silent model, yet I do not feel it is excessively noisy. With the exception of between 5 and 15 minutes of rapid spin cycling, when the volume increases considerably, the machine maintains a relatively stable level of noise. A door closed between yourself and the applicance is sufficient, the majority of the time, to block out the noise.

The security lock on the front of the machine is another useful, indeed probably necessary feature, and the light connected to it allows you to quickly note when the door is safe to open, rather than straining to hear the "click" as the mechanism shutting the door is released. Clothes come out damp rather than very wet, ensuring that the time needed to dry them is reduced. This may be due to the 1400 RPM that the washing machine employs, the remaining 15 minutes on the standard cycle (or 5 minutes on the "fast wash") are particularly rapid.

The Candy C514 has been designated an energy efficiency rating of "A", something which did, in the end, feature in our decision to buy it.
The dispenser drawer on the front is, once more, simple to use. However, it is either impossible or very difficult to remove it for cleaning purposes, making it very awkward to clean on the odd occasions when we have managed to let it get too clogged up with washing powder. On those occasions the middle section has filled up with water that won't drain away. The solution is, perhaps, to ensure that the powder drawer is not overfilled, but an easy option to temporarily remove the dispenser drawer to clean it properly might have been a good choice.

Overall we have not regretted purchasing this washing machine. It is uncomplicated, efficient and reliable.

Summary: A worthwhile purchase

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