Review of the narrow washing machine Candy GrandO Vita Smart GVF4 137TWHB32-07

Before starting to develop this washing machine, engineers from the Italian company Candy conducted a survey among women in Italy, France, Israel, and Russia. They asked what kind of washing machine they would like to see in their home, what programs, options and functions they need. Their answers were studied by the company's best engineers and designers. The result is the new Candy GrandÓ Vita series of washing machines.

Text: Galina SIZIKOVA.

Washing machine Candy GrandÓ Vita

INTERESTING PROGRAMS

The range of programs varies across different models. This is very convenient, as it allows you to choose a car with the optimal set for your lifestyle. Let's highlight the most interesting possibilities.

The exclusive Mix Power System+ technology mixes water and detergent into a homogeneous, highly concentrated solution at the beginning of the cycle. The device injects it into a drum under high pressure, allowing the solution to penetrate deeply into the fibers of the fabric. Mix Power System+ uses 15% less water than a conventional washing machine.

MIX POWER SYSTEM+ Perfect 20° at 20 °C provides the same effect as at 40 °C in a conventional washing machine, and MIX POWER SYSTEM+ intensive 40° performs the same quality as at 60 °C in a conventional washing machine.

You can choose models with different special programs: Jeans, Silk, Children's clothing, Mix&Wash, EcoMix 20°, etc.

Some models have a Night Wash mode, when the machine washes more quietly and does not spin clothes at the end of the cycle to reduce noise. You can turn on the spin in the morning, and, as you know, the lowest electricity tariffs apply at night.

Review of the narrow washing machine Candy GrandO Vita Smart GVF4 137TWHB32-07

The washing machine Candy GrandO Vita Smart GVF4 137TWHB32-07 due to its shallow depth is suitable for small bathrooms. However, with such dimensions, its maximum load, according to the manufacturer’s description, is 7 kilograms of laundry. It is also characterized as quiet, and the number of programs it has is very impressive.

We will test this model using our method and understand what a mobile app is for a washing machine, how it makes noise when washing and spinning, and whether it is convenient to set quick programs using the selector.

Characteristics

* To put it very simply: this is the period during which parts for repairing the device are supplied to official service centers. After this period, any repairs in official service centers (both warranty and paid) are unlikely to be possible.

Equipment

Candy washing machines are packaged, as we know, in polyethylene and foam reinforced with wooden inserts, but our copy arrived for testing already unpacked.

In addition to the machine itself, the kit with GrandO Vita Smart GVF4 137TWHB32-07 includes a hose for connecting to the water supply, a bracket for hanging the drain hose, a set of plugs for the holes of the transportation bolts, a user manual and a warranty card.

At first sight

The design of the washing machine is traditional, the body is white. The main design feature is the drum hatch: the black door frame is combined with dark plastic front glass, which, when the hatch is closed, looks matte and completely opaque. Thus, the user is deprived of the opportunity to observe what is happening inside.

On the side walls of the device we see stampings that act as stiffeners.

The metal rear panel is exactly the same as other machines from this manufacturer. In its upper part there is a socket for connecting the inlet hose with a removable plastic filter that protects the device from possible contamination from water pipes. Next to it there is a technological plug that covers the installation site of the second water outlet: GrandO Vita Smart is connected only to cold water supply.

During transportation, the machine drum is held in place by four screws with thick black rubber gaskets.

The corrugated hose for connection to the sewer is non-removable, of traditional design.

The detergent tray has three standard compartments: on the left for the main wash, on the right for the preliminary wash. The container between them is intended for air conditioning. The compartments are not equipped with separate baths or facilities for liquid detergents.

The washing machine drum is made of stainless steel and has perforations around the perimeter and on the end wall. On the side surface of the cylinder, round protrusions are noticeable, located in groups of three: they are designed to improve the hydrodynamics of the unit. The plastic drum fins are also perforated.

The hatch, located at the bottom of the front panel, has an almost rectangular shape and opens with some effort. Below it is the exhaust filter plug.

The hose for connecting to the water supply is not equipped with an aquastop unit; its design is very familiar to all owners of washing machines.

The GrandO Vita Smart GVF4 137TWHB32-07 kit also includes plugs and a hanger for the drain hose with a hole for mounting to the wall.

What's inside?

As usual, we perform partial disassembly of the washing machine and look at how it works.

Instructions

The instruction manual is an A5 brochure printed on yellowish thin paper of rather poor quality. We also did not rate the printing performance too highly: the text can be read, but the illustrations, photographs and diagrams could have been clearer.

The instructions, as is customary with Candy, are compiled for several models at once. Some functions or features described herein may not be present in this model or may operate slightly differently.

There is space on the first page of the guide for information about the seller and the date of sale. Stickers with the serial number and full model index are also located at the beginning of the document.

However, you rarely have to refer to this document: operating the machine is intuitive.

Control

The control panel consists of a round program selector and a display with red LED indicators.

At the bottom of the display there are touch buttons:

• temperature: selection of washing temperature (20, 30, 40, 60 °C and Max);
• spin: selection of spin speed (from 0 to 1300 rpm);
• easy ironing: turning on the steam function after washing;
• delayed start (up to 24 hours in 1 hour increments);
• degree of contamination (heavy, medium, small) with an indicator of the selected mode above the button;
• selection of additional functions (pre-wash, light ironing) with a selected option detector above the button;

The child lock function is activated by simultaneously pressing the temperature and spin buttons.

The display also includes indicators:

• expected duration of washing;
• lid lock;
• wireless interface activity;
• button lock (child lock function).

The “Kg Detector” icon lights up when washing while the load detection function is operating.

On the right side of the display there are icons for the pre-wash, hygienic wash at elevated temperature and additional rinse modes, as well as detectors for the selected level of contamination.

In the table below we show the default values ​​for each program and the possible range of manual settings.

In its set of programs, this model is similar to the vertical Candy CVFTGP384TMH-07, but instead of a specialized mode for children's clothing, in our case the manufacturer added an “Easy Ironing” mode.

Smartphone control

To control the washing machine, the Candy simply-Fi application is used (1,000,000+ installations, average rating at the time of writing the review - 3.0), already familiar to us from previous reviews.

When you first launch the application, you are prompted to enter existing login data or create a new user account. When registering, you need the user's first and last name, email address, which is verified during the confirmation process, and mobile phone number (not verified during registration). In addition, the user must indicate the country of residence.

After registering and activating your account, you can add a new device. When the device type (in our case, “washer without dryer”) is selected, the application asks you to enter the date of purchase and serial number. The latter can be entered manually or by scanning the QR code located on the sticker under the drum door.

The application also requires access to device location information.

After this, the procedure for connecting to the Wi-Fi network begins. Control is only possible in the 2.4 GHz band. This may upset those users who have completely switched to the less noisy 5 GHz band. Fortunately, both frequencies work in our office.

According to the operating instructions, the device can be controlled in two ways: via Wi-Fi or using NFC. However, we were unable to use the NFC function: the Google Pixel 2 with Android 11 used in the test was unable to communicate with the wireless interface of the washing machine. The application developer is aware of the compatibility problem with later versions of this operating system, but at the time of writing it has not been resolved.

The collision, familiar to us from previous installations of the application, appeared this time too. When you turn on Wi-Fi for the first time, the washing machine creates a separate network with the SSID “WIFIWASHMACHINE-<random letter combination>”, which you must connect to to configure the device wirelessly. However, after connecting to the network created by the washing machine, the application requires access to the Internet and, not finding it, crashes. The problem is resolved by connecting to the WIFIWASHMACHINE-* network before the application reports the need to connect. Then the setup procedure is completed successfully.

After pairing was completed normally, the program asked if we wanted to check for the presence of some active offers. We didn't find any for our product.

The washing machine appeared on our list of appliances. When connecting for the first time, the application reminds you that you can only operate the machine with the drum door closed, and the device selector must be set to the “Smart Fi” position.

With Candy Simply Fi, you can start any of the washing modes available in the traditional way, by turning the selector, or a custom wash cycle.

To create your own program, we are asked to choose the type of fabric (cotton, synthetic, wool or delicates), color (white, colored or dark) and one of three degrees of soiling.

After this, you can set the spin speed (from 0 to 1300 rpm) and add steam treatment and Aquaplus mode (intensive rinse) to the wash.

You cannot use the prewash function from the app.

The “Smart test” function allows you to conduct a four-minute test of the operation of the door lock, electric motor, heating element and other device systems. To turn on in this mode, the drum must be empty and its lid closed.

During washing, the application informs about the progress of the process, and when it is finished, it sends a standard system notification.

Despite the need to connect the device to the Internet, the application only works if the user is on the same network as the washing machine. Unfortunately, it is impossible to use the function of turning on the desired program from a distance or at least receive a notification about the end of washing at a party or in a store.

Without the ability to remotely control household appliances, the value of the application seems doubtful to us.

Exploitation

Before you start using the washing machine, you should unpack it, unscrew the four transport screws holding the drum, and connect the device to the water supply and sewerage system.

The connection does not cause any difficulties: the inlet hose is connected at one end to a water outlet, the other to the washing machine, and the corrugated drain hose is discharged into the sewer. The machine drain should have a bend at a level of 50 to 85 cm; to secure it in this position, use the bracket included in the kit. The GrandO Vita Smart GVF4 137TWHB32-07 does not have an option for connecting to hot water supply.

After connection, the installed machine should be leveled. To do this, you need to loosen the locknuts on the legs, set the washer in the desired position and tighten the locknuts again.

The opaque hatch, through the glass of which you can hardly see what is happening inside the car, initially gave us complex feelings. However, after a while we got used to not seeing clothes rotating in the machine. Indeed, there are things in the world more worthy of contemplation.

The location of the programs on the selector drum did not seem logical to us: the most frequently used scenarios would be more appropriate to be placed closer to the original position. To start the quick wash mode, for example, you need to click the selector five times and press the start button.

Additional washing functions can be selected only one at a time. Unfortunately, it will not be possible to run a pre-wash and an intensive rinse cycle in one cycle.

The “Kg Check” function works with those programs for which the execution duration is not indicated on the machine selector. With its help, the machine evaluates the load at the beginning of the cycle and, based on the measurements, sets the washing duration and the required water consumption. After this, the “Kg Check” indicator goes out, and a more accurate operating time appears on the screen. This compensates for the half-load mode that GrandO Vita Smart does not have and can significantly reduce water and electricity costs for washing.

The estimated operating time, however, almost always turns out to be slightly longer than stated. During the rinse and spin phases, the time on the display moves slower than on an independent clock, and the difference can be quite significant. Below, in the measurements section, we will show how this happens.

The touch buttons did not seem very sensitive to us: they do not always respond to pressing.

Care

Use a damp cloth to clean the outer surfaces of the case. The washing machine must not be cleaned with abrasives or solvents.

The detergent tray should be removed regularly and rinsed with water so that residual powder or conditioner does not clog it.

The exhaust filter is cleaned when dirty. Before unscrewing the plug, the manufacturer recommends placing an absorbent cloth under it - this way there will be no puddles on the floor.

Our measurements

In the testing report, we included a rough estimate of the drum capacity of washing machines. Its shape, of course, differs from the ideal one, but for measurements we represent it as the correct figure. In this case, it is a cylinder with a radius of 25 cm and a depth of 24.5 cm. Its volume is 48106 cm³, that is, approximately 48 liters.

As an experiment, we decided to track the work of the main program, as they say, minute by minute. This is what we got.

Energy consumption and water consumption

Unfortunately, these parameters are not given in the instructions, so we offer the results of field measurements for the programs that we used during the testing process.

Spin

Also for the test, we examined the real efficiency of spinning, which we measure in grams of water per gram of cotton using the formula: (weight of pressed cotton - dry weight) / dry weight. 10 terry white towels from Ikea with a total weight of about 2 kg were used as reference linen.

Noise

The noise level was measured in a room where washing machines are often located - the bathroom. The sound level meter was located at a level of 1 m from the floor and at a distance of 1 m from the washing machine, in the center of the front side.

In standby mode, the washing machine consumes about 3 W, and in the off state - 0.8 W.

Practice tests

To evaluate the quality of washing, we took a set of the already mentioned white terry towels and stained them with stains of common and difficult to wash stains. Let's see how Candy GVF4 137TWHB32-07 deals with them.

Standard program "Cotton"

We poured red wine, soy sauce, ketchup, vegetable oil, blood and cocoa (each towel has a different substance) onto a set of six towels. The stains were dried at room temperature for 24 hours, after which we ran a test wash.

Red wine

Ketchup

Cocoa

Blood

Soy sauce

The tray contained white powder from one of the manufacturers well known both in Russia and throughout the rest of the world. The dosage was calculated according to the instructions on the package.

We washed the dirty towels on the standard “Cotton” program at 40 °C. The operating time was automatically determined by the washing machine itself: approximately 2:15. The result can be seen in the photos below.

Red wine

Cocoa

Using the standard program for cotton at a temperature of 40 °C, stains from ketchup, soy sauce and blood from 24 hours ago completely disappeared, but red wine and cocoa left marks on the towel.

To completely remove stains, we washed the towels again on the White Cotton cycle with a pre-wash at 60°C. After this, no traces of the applied substances were found. In the next test we will set this mode right away.

Result: excellent.

White Cotton Program

We stained the towels with the same substances as in the previous test and left them in the same way for 24 hours.

Blood

Red wine

Ketchup

Soy sauce

Cocoa

The “White Cotton” program with pre-wash successfully removed all five types of organic stains: we did not detect any traces of stains either with the naked eye or by analyzing photographs.

Result: excellent.

conclusions

We liked the Candy GrandO Vita Smart GVF4 137TWHB32-07 washing machine for its good washing and spin quality, good efficiency and low noise level. The compact dimensions of the model will allow it to fit into the interior of even a small apartment.

The disadvantages of the machine can only be attributed to some ergonomic problems and the low functionality of the mobile application, but the price of this model does not allow us to consider them serious.

Pros:

• small size
• low noise level
• good economy
• high quality washing
• spin up to 1300 rpm

Minuses:

• management is not always logical
• low-functional smartphone application

Washing machine Candy GrandO Vita Smart GVF4 137TWHB32-07 provided for testing by Candy

CONTROL FROM SMARTPHONE

2 models in the series are equipped with simplyFi - a control system from a smartphone via Wi-Fi. The application, which is installed on your smartphone, will ask you a few simple questions and select the optimal washing program for you. You don't have to go to the machine to see how long it will take to wash. You can turn on the program even while at work, you can help your mother manage the machine, and then she will just have to get the laundry.