Automatic washing machines can be found in almost every apartment. They help to greatly facilitate the heavy manual labor of washing huge amounts of dirty laundry. But the semi-automatic washing machine is becoming a rarity, although she is also considered an excellent household helper and is a prominent representative of a certain link in washing machine development history. Let's see what semi-automatic washing machines are and what they are capable of.
What is a semi-automatic washing machine
In order to understand what semi-automatic washing machines are, it should be noted that there are two categories of these devices:
- With one tank;
- With two tanks.
Models with two tanks
The most popular are models with two tanks - in the first tank, washing is carried out, and in the second, spinning is performed. There is no automation here, with the exception of wash timers and spin timers.. Water is poured manually - it must be preheated and poured into the tank. As for the spin cycle, the laundry is sent to it in the same manual mode, you just need to transfer it to the built-in centrifuge.
As for rinsing, it is most often carried out in a separate container, since the hot water poured into the main tank of the semiautomatic device is used for several main washing cycles at once. If possible, then rinsing can be done in the same main tank, but for this you will have to drain and pour new portions of water each time.
Single tank models
Semi-automatic washing machines with one tank are like real automatic washing machines.Washing and spinning in such models are carried out in a single tank, but all actions for filling and draining water, as well as setting the washing and spinning times will have to be done manually. But there is no need to carry wet laundry from one tank to another. But such models are very rare.
Why do we need such machines at all? The point is that the possibility install an automatic washing machine is not available everywhere. For example, it makes absolutely no sense to drag a bulky machine to the dacha - there is no normal sewerage, and in some cases there is no normal water supply (a well, a manual well, a well with a pump without automation).
It turns out that there are practically no conditions for the operation of the machine here - the lack of sewerage and water supply makes operation impossible. You also need to remember that an expensive automatic washing machine should be used in appropriate climatic conditions, but not in an unheated cottage.
How to use a semi-automatic washing machine
There are also unusual representatives in the family of washing machines, for example, ultrasonic washing machines, to which we have a separate review.
The most popular semi-automatic models of washing machines
Let's look at the most popular semi-automatic washing machines among users. One of the most popular is Fairy washing machine, about which we wrote a detailed review, so it will not be mentioned here.
Saturn
Saturn washing machines are in great demand among Russian consumers. They are extremely economical, do not require a fixed installation and can be used where only electricity is available from all the necessary communications. The models on the market, and there are a lot of them, differ in capacity and dimensions.
The most popular model is Saturn ST-WM1635R. Its capacity is 5.5 kg, the extraction is carried out in a separate tank. Machine control - mechanical (timers). The depth of the model is only 36 cm.
Evgo
A typical example of a semi-automatic device with two tanks from the manufacturer Evgo is the EvgoEWP-4026 model. It is able to accommodate up to 4.1 kg of laundry, spinning is done at a speed of 1300 rpm. The model is extremely small - its depth is only 37 cm, so it will fit in any room, even the smallest.
Assol
The Assol trademark is known to many consumers. And the most popular model is the AssolXPB45-255S semi-automatic washing machine. 4.5 kg of laundry are placed in its main tank, and only 3.5 kg in the centrifuge. Management, as usual, mechanical. The depth of the model is 38 cm.
Eureka
The most interesting model is Eureka-SPM2, which differs in that it is made according to the scheme with one tank and is equipped with a step-by-step switch for washing cycles. It turned out a sort of advanced semi-automatic, having a minimum size, but already having on board the rudiments of automation and even a drain pump. The capacity of the drum is up to 3 kg of laundry, the spin speed is 390 rpm.
Reviews of semi-automatic washing machines
We bought a semi-automatic washing machine with a Saturn wringer for the dacha. Despite the fact that she does not know how to heat water, in summer conditions she is incredibly convenient. You can pull it out into the street and wash it there, but you don’t particularly sip the machine. The tank holds 3.5 kg of laundry, so the entire wash takes a minimum of time. By the way, a maximum of 20 minutes is spent on each cycle of washing and spinning - automatic washing machines are not even capable of this.
We do not have a central water supply in our country house, so we drilled a well and lowered a pump into it.Accordingly, we did not have the opportunity to connect an automatic washing machine. Therefore, it was decided to purchase a semi-automatic. The purchase was extremely satisfied. Firstly, the small dimensions of semi-automatic models bribe, and secondly, you don’t need to twist your arms trying to squeeze out the laundry - there is an excellent high-speed centrifuge here!
We bought an Assol washing machine for our grandmother in the village. Before that, she washed in the simplest typewriter, and squeezed it out by hand. It took a lot of effort, so we decided to give grandma a modest gift and give her such a great helper.Such a machine consumes little water, you can rinse in a bathtub or in a basin, and a powerful centrifuge quickly removes all the water - by the way, it has never torn underwear, it wrings really high quality and dry.
