Kenstar 0210 2008. Review on Kenstar Tumble Top LF 0210

Ok here you go this is really my hands on experiance in buying a tumble top/front loading type washing machine.

I spent almost 10 days since last christmas on this climbing down various shops searching and consulting several websites.

A preview. I use BPL ABS 45D washing machine currently. this machine is now 8 years old and I spent 5000 Rs last year to repair it as the axle turning the drum went kaput.

Now why I want a new machine is simple. I am expecting my second child very shortly. and I need to have hot water wash for the kids clothes. with my current washing mchine it was not possible unless I plan to pour in manually hot/warm water. and it is not good for the body of the BPL abs designed for normal water wash. And the BPL as I live in CHENNAI the most SALINE weather in India actually the second most as per a survey. And my BPL body got so coroded I use a brick to hold one side of it up. The machine consumes lot of water and in Chennai you have rationed fresh water. so front loading tumble type is best suited for this place but for the drum make and design of the body that is most important.

I already have a IFB insatalled in my brothers house. NO problem so far with it since 18 months since we bought and started using it. But I do not want to be in the IFB group.

First and foremost. When you use a tumble type it needs good water pressure. So u have a tank inside the house for fresh water like most people in Chennai and Mumbai have then think twice as you have to spend some money to increase the water pressure for the machine to do its job faster and yes save energy and time.

I looked for the cheapest and one with most features and well well well Kenstar was there. I almost decided last night to buy it cause man it is just 11990/- come on what a still hot water is there tumble top so many speed spin rpm options so many pre-programms and all the reviews on this machine on mouth shut was good except for a few. I discounted the few against this as well bad luck.

so I decided well kenstar or ok let me have a look at siemens also. difference is 8000/-

then well dear friends when u buy a tv or a music system or even a car we always test it ride it drive it listen to it and then well buy it. but we are never given this option with W/M or fridges???? ever wondered why?

well I thought let me test it just a simple test SPIN test. how stable and sound free is the machine.

KENSTAR was pathetic. it is ok at 600 RPM above that it wobbles creates racket horrible and really scary to be there around.

the knob controls are flimsy.

kenstar is great as a space saver and money.

but defenitely not a good design or product.

On top of that I visited the company website today it is not working though beats me why.

They have this product link and have well 3 machines or 4 for this tumble top version click on it and viola u are taken to the same page. the reason is the website has the same link for all the models. so it was useless spending time there.

by the way the spin was done with a empty load people may say that is the reason. if that is the reason even siemens on which I tested for same criteria should have given the same problem but well well no sound :))))))))) by the way siemens in indian gives only 2 years warranty but has no india dedicated website and the one you would stumble on for india does not have reference for these models and those displayed has 10 years warranty !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! come on are indians second rate or is it break down more in india or what. well the industry standard is 2 years. so why offer more maybe the strategy for siemens.

I have decided to go for SIEMENS 0716 A model yes it is 20 K INR. but I think it is wiser to pay more. cause I want my machine to be working everyday 3 times full load for atleast 4-5 years as most of you people out there. the only negative it has only one preset rpm and I think it is enough for indian weather conditions I mean south indian.

more over none of the shop guys recommend kenstar and the display one I found in Viveks adyar had to be fished out form behind and no one to demonstrate the product. bt the sound of the spin at 800 rpm is man really scary. THE REASON IT DOES NOT HAVE THE BALLAST STONE WHICH IFB AND SIEMENS HAVE. :)

the siemens chances of rusting is quite satisfactory compared to the market but not as good as my BPL ABS 45 D :)

AS regards to water supply there are some special ways to increase the pressure for the tumble type like having a pump (expensive option and not recommeneded) to a simple vertical fall line pipe fromt he tank to be increased to 2 inc dia minimum and when it reches the washing machine educed to 1or 1.5 inch:) ;) well that is a secret I have just showed you.

the drum of the kenstar is also badly designed and may cut you if you do not pay attention.