| Product: |
Zanussi ZJD1219 |
| Date: |
10.07.08 (110 review reads) |
| Rating: |
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Advantages: Great quality, good selection of programmes
Disadvantages: Door lock keeps breaking, wash cycles take a bit too long
We have owned this Zanussi washer-dryer for seven years. The reason I am writing a review about it now, is because I was suprised to see that it is still avaliable to buy, not for bad reasons I hasten to add, but because white goods are usually updated and replaced so quickly.
===Description===
This washer dryer is an integral appliance, meaning it needs to be built in to your kitchen and a door to match your work units attached to the front. The machine is white, with a white control panel at the top. It has a digital display which shows how long your wash will take or has left and also displays any error codes.
The programme dial is very clearly labelled all around, making a wash selection easy to choose, although the special programmes just have icons and you may need the instruction book to get use to them. There is also a row of buttons accross the middle of the control panel to help tailor the wash for your needs. They are as follows:
'''Prewash''' 30c wash with a 650rpm short spin
'''Spin Speed''' You can reduce the spin on your selected programme or turn it off
'''Rinse Hold''' Prevents water from draining and your clothes becomming too creased if left for a period of time after the end of the wash.
'''Extra Rinse''' Rinses four times instead of the usual 3, good for very soft water areas or people allergic to detergents - won't work on the wool wash.
'''Soil Level''' Three choices, Intensive (adds on 10 minutes, normal & quick (reduces time from 8minutes to 53 minutes depending on temperature of programme chosen.
'''Drying Time''' Cottons up to 130minutes, synthetics up to 100 minutes.
'''Delay Start''' You can delay a wash for up to 24 hours, so the wash cycle completes just before you come home and your washing isn't to creased or lying damp in the drum too long.
At the end of this row of button is the programme progress display, the lights show what options are included in your cycle and go off when complete, finishing on the 'end' button.
The door can be opened 2 seconds after the end of a cycle and is noted by a short double click sound.
The programmes do take a while though, most often I choose a 30 degree wash, Synthetics take 1 hour 20 minutes and cottons take 2 hours 9 minutes. But, the washing is always clean and fresh and in great condition. (as long as the wash guidlines in the manual are followed!)
===The best thing about the ZJD1219===
Wash efficiency is rated a high A.
What I like best about the machine is that I can select a programme, for example, a 30 degree cotton with 100 minutes drying time, delayed for 2 hours and it will just be finishing when I get home from work or when I get up in the morning.
Also, if it does stop going, an error code shows in the display and these are listed in the book. This is also helpful for the engineers who can usually quickly mend the machine and can bring the correct parts.
It's very easy to clean, the dispenser drawer comes out and apart easy, easier than my mums hotpoint anyway!
It's reasonably quiet. When we first had it, it was definitley quieter than a lot of other machines I had heard, but obviously nowadays, some of the newer machines are better!
===The worst things about the ZJD1219===
Energy efficiency is a rated a low D.
If you don't empty the filter regularly, the water seeps back through and sometimes soaks all your just spun washing. Also, if you empty it when the machine show an error, the pipe usually hasn't drained and the water will spill everywhere. It holds a suprising amount of water!
I have had the door lock replaced about 8 times in the last seven years. Apparently it is a common fault with the electronics, it hasn't actually cost us anything because the first time it happened the machine was still under warranty. The engineer advised us to keep the warranty up as it would keep happening and Zannussi isn't the cheapest to repair. The warranty has risen every year, starting at £30 a year after the 2 year guarantee ended and to now renew will cost £120 as the machine is getting on a bit. I think it's paid for itself in the past and a couple of months ago we had a problem with the dryer, the engineer replaced £250 worth of parts and it's running fine again. It's also a 'new for old' policy so the machine will be replaced if uneconomical to repair.
===Recommended?===
Definitely. (Especially if you take the extended warranty) I've been really impressed with the machine and seven years doesn't seem bad this day & age. I can't remember exactly what we paid (before my reviewing days!) but my husband reliably inform me it was under £500 as he had discount from work. However, I have today found it on Amazon for £512.
Summary: Zanussi washing machine
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