I knew I was going to need a new washing machine and I was tired of these huge monster machines that are out now. They are expensive, heavy, and take up a ton of space. While I do have 3 children, I felt that we needed to downsize. I read lots and lots of reviews about these portable washers and decided this was the way to go. The 1.6 seemed too small so I went with the 2.1. This washer is amazing! It was easy to set up, but the instructions on how the machine operates and the different cycles is HORRIBLE! It's confusing at best. Anyway, I was able to lift and set up the washer by myself. It's soooo light compared to the one I got rid of! I have a cart underneath it as other reviewers have mentioned and I think it's a good idea. It gives the machine a little height and enables one to see underneath the washer.
I have done about 6 loads today. All Full loads including an adult sleeping bag. (My old washer died and the clothes had been piling up!). It has gotten the clothes just as clean, if not cleaner, than my then expensive front loader. It's quiet and efficient and small. I really like the fact that you can't overload this one. My kids would shove so many clothes in the other washer that they barely got clean. The agitation is also efficient and really gets the job done. I'm so pleased I went with this style and particularly this machine!
This is a review of the Magic Chef MCSTCW21W3, 2.1 cu. ft. Topload Washer.
I have only used this washer one day but want to share my observations, and will update my review as I know more.
This washer is not as compact as I thought it would be, and actually seems to be only a little smaller than a full size to me, but that may just be me. The instruction manual is so bad, they seriously should demand a refund from whoever they paid to write it. Seriously. Its next to useless.
I put a small load in to test my washer, and chose the flash wash. It washed and stopped. No rinse, no spin. So I chose a wash cycle and it washed a complete set of cycles for 42 minutes). So it is confusing, as other reviewers have stated. I found this very frustrating as I don't think I should have to figure out how to make a machine work I just paid all that money for. Ridiculous. I deducted one star for that alone, plus I expected more compactness, and I am not sure if ordering the 2.1 cu ft instead of the smaller one was that much of a difference in size. Because of the unexpected size (I should have measured), I had to install it in my tiny extra bathroom that I normally use just to store and clean out my shampooer.
I expected problems with the quick adapter, but was happily surprised when I had none - it fit my faucet just right. Because I did not see any pics of the adapter posted by other reviewers, I am posting pics. Our first attempt was to attach it to the shower pipe, but it would not fit.
It washes okay from what I can tell so far. I only put a pair of pajamas and a tee shirt gown in the first small load and stumbling through cycles got them clean in the end. it makes more noise than I thought it would based on the reviews I had read, but its not a deal breaker for me since this bathroom is just off my kitchen, and I can, for the most part, ignore it.
My biggest complaints with this washer are its size and the useless instruction manual. I tried to call Magic Chef Customer Care, but could not get through to anyone. They do have a website, though, and you can put in for warranty service or something there and someone will call you. I'm hoping they can explain how to actually work this machine when I am finally able to reach them.
I don't know if I recommend this washer or not. I think I will use it awhile longer and come back and update this review. i'm so confused on how to operate it I could not at this point recommend it to anyone I know.
UPDATE: I have been using this washer for awhile longer now. I only use the full cycle since I cannot figure out how to use any of the others. It is a 42 minute cycle total. It does get my clothes very clean. Nothing has come out not completely clean to date.
I do want to add this one thing. Someone stated the wash tub does not fill completely, that it stops 10" below the top rim. I almost did not order this washer because of that. I checked when filling a full load (large load) and it actually stops only about 6" from the rim, and that is not for energy efficiency or water saving, it is so the water does not slosh out the top of the machine as it is agitating. Just wanted to clear that up.
UPDATE JULY 2018 - I am still using this little compact washer and it still works the same. It sounds a few beeps whenever it finishes its 42 minute (full) cycle (still the only one I use since I never could figure how to use any of the others). This machine does make some noise, as most washers do. One thing it does exceptionally well is it spins the clothes almost dry. The spin cycle is very good.
I have gotten over the size issue and am making it work. I have never tried to wash a full size comforter or blanket in this washer because to me it does not look big enough, but everything I do wash in it comes out very clean and it spins them almost dry. For that reason, I would buy this washer again in a heartbeat if anything happened to this one and I would highly recommend it, other than that useless user manual. Because it is easy to connect and easy to use and always does a good job, I am changing my rating to five stars for overall performance.
UPDATE Sept 21 2018 - This washer WILL hold & wash a full size afghan. I have an afghan that covers my full size bed, it washed it beautifully.
Several things you should note before you order this machine:
1. It does NOT have a place to add fabric softener. You can, however, buy a Downy Ball for that.
2. When you set the cycle and open the lid to add detergent to it, it sounds a loud alarm until you close the lid. I really hate that, so I have learned to pour everything in before I turn it on.
3. Magic Chef's Warranty Dept. is almost useless. I bought a Magic Chef Compact Dryer here on Amazon to go with this washer. It had first one problem then another and after 10 months, I guess they could not get a warranty repairman in my area, they ended up offering me a buy-back. So if you have a problem with a Magic Chef appliance, you may not be able to get service under the warranty.
4. I bought a drop-in lint bag to catch lint for this washer, to keep it from stopping up the drain it drains the water through. This is really important, unless you want your house to flood. I bought 2 of them so I would have a backup if one broke.
Be aware if you order this machine that you will be on your own figuring out how to program the various cycles. The manual is truly useless.
This has changed my life!!
I'm used to having a washer/dryer in my home, but after we moved to a rental house we went without one for over two years. I couldn't take the laundromat trips anymore. We've always hung out laundry,for the most part anyway, so I don't miss not having a dryer, but this washer has lived up to everything I had hoped it would! I've gained my time back, and no longer have to drive, only to sit, at the laundromat. Kudos on a fantastic product!
I have only had this new washer for a couple of weeks now. So far I love it. It holds quite a bit of heavy duty clothes and it doesn't seem to phase the operation of the machine at all. I even put my queen size comforter in it and, aside from having to push down the top a little at first to get it wet and working with the rest, it plowed right through and didn't skip a beat. The agitator does a great job and rolls the clothes around like they are nothing. I love the air dry feature, since I have a small dryer. When I have to do multiple loads I can run the air dry feature until the dryer is done with the first load, allowing for a shorter dry time on the second load. I also really like the fact that it has a hot water outlet. If I ever move to a place that has washer and dryer hook ups, that will be very useful. Because this is my replacement washer and I had a bad experience with my last washer from a different company, I will revisit my review later to provide longevity updates. But so far, I am having a fantastic experience with my new washer.
It is very quiet during the wash cycle, but can be a bit noisey on the spin. It’s not any louder tha. A vacuum to me, but I would definitely not run it at night if there are neighbors below you.
As to the comments on underfilling, the water stops part way so it doesn’t slosh out when washing. You don’t really want to over fill this anyway. The clothes are cleaner when you stop about 3/4 if the way full and the machine stays more balanced during the spin.
Feature Product
- Electronic Controls with LED Display
- Stainless Steel Inner Tub with Steel Cabinet
- 6 Programs and 6 Water Level Selections
- Air Dry and Tub Clean Feature
- Lid with Viewing Window
Description
For limited-space areas and small loads, the Magic Chef 2.1 cu. ft. Portable Washer is a lifesaver. Equipped with a variety of convenience features, it includes a see-through window, electronic controls with LED display, stainless steel inner tub, detergent dispenser and 2 rear water inlets. Boasting the same durable construction of larger models, this washer makes any laundry day a breeze and delivers full-size results with the 3D waterfall and filter to improve washing performance. Perfect for anywhere you need to save space, it makes a great choice for apartments and vacation homes.
I just bought this unit along with the 2.6 cu ft Magic Chef dryer, and I am very pleased with it. I'm in a condo with no washer/dryer hookups, so I put it in the bathroom and with $20 in parts from the local Home Depot I was able to connect the lines directly to the hot and cold water lines. Right now the drain goes into the sink but I'm thinking I may do a little DIY and have it drain directly into the p-trap. At any rate, I did a full household's worth of laundry in the exact same time as the big industrial ones down at the pay laundry. The wash was quick and easy, and the spin cycle left the clothes barely damp, perfect for the little dryer. It did come with a dent in the front, but it's not very bad.
tl;dr: great unit, same time and results as any home washing machine.
This is a great washer. Yes, it's a little small but on the plus side you can hook it up to a sink. The sink hookup is pretty nice with its "pop on" mechanism. However, it does spray a little bit of water when you take it off, even if you've turned off the faucet.
A word of warning though, DO NOT GET THE MAGIC CHEF DRYER. I love the washer, but I absolutely loathe the dryer. It makes a horrible noise when you operate it like metal scraping against metal. I thought maybe I got a defective one and ordered a replacement, but the second one was even worse. While it is a separate product I'm sure I'm not the only person looking to buy both at once. Get a panda dryer instead.
Works really well, but arrived dented (lower left corner). Not worth the hassle of returning for not being perfect. Washes in a flash, spin cycle is great! Fits a good amount of clothing and very compact. Easy to install. SLIGHT leak, but may be my fault with the hose not being tight enough. Highly recommend for a small space. We hooked it up to washer hook-ups, haven’t used with sink.
While we used this machine it did a perfect job. Everything worked as expected. But for real, head my warning: MAKE SURE THE OUTFLOW HOSE IS SECURE IN YOUR SINK! I had mine wedged awkwardly, not fitting well and fell asleep while the machine was going. The hose popped out the sink, onto my floor and caused about $9,500 worth of damage. Thankfully my insurance covered it all. With that said, it was totally user error and not the machines fault. I loved the machine and was so sad that I had to send it back, per the request of my land lord. If you are able to secure the hose this machine does a wonderful job.
I've been using this for a good year now, so I have some real insight into it at this point.
I recall other reviewers talking about how even when it's on Hot, it doesn't really use hot water. This is 100% true. I haven't tried the 'hot water only' hack yet, in part because then I could never wash on cold.
If you are a healthcare professional and need to sterilize your scrubs, move along.
Otherwise, though, my clothes come out really clean. Since this is a newer design, it doesn't have that center column that gets caught and strangles clothes to death, so my clothes are lasting a little longer.
I have a german shepherd, so the water come out has fur, and the fur trap has fur, and there's an extra chore of cleaning out the tub every time I do laundry. I would never move from a full size machine TO this, but I came from no room/plumbing for a washing machine to this so it's a small miracle.
It fits 1/2 to 2/3 of what I consider a normal load of laundry. I can't wash my fluffy comforter or king size padded blanket in this but clothes and towels are all good.
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