Consumer watchdog probes exploding washing machines

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Consumer watchdog probes exploding washing machines

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Families are reporting exploding washing machines that have blasted in kitchens.

03 October,2012 09:32 pm

Dozens of complaints from owners of appliances have been received by an online forum and now consumer magazine Which? has launched its own investigation into the growing phenomenon.In some cases, doors have shattered when the machine is not even in use while others users said glass had simply fallen out of its casing.Which? is carrying out an investigation into more than 50 incidents, reported to include major brands such as Beko, Miele, Zanussi, Bosch, Hoover, LG and Samsung.Adrian Porter, Home Product Researcher at the watchdog said the problem first appeared 18 months ago but the number of cases had risen sharply in recent months.The forum Whitegoodshelp has been collecting stories from those who say they have been affected.One said: Bought a Beko washing machine less than two months ago and 20 mins ago the glass shattered. It was on a final spin and sent the shards of glass all over the kitchen floor and the clothes inside are covered in very sharp pieces.Another user posted: My Miele W3740 washing machine glass door suddenly exploded shedding shattered glass and water around the room. The machine cost £700 and is only twenty months old so still within guarantee.Mr Porter said: This hasnt happened to any washing machines during our lab tests, so we have been unable to observe it in laboratory conditions and follow up with a proper analysis.But going through the accounts, there are theories ranging from hair cracks in the glass, or even that the glass is just thinner than it used to be. Still, nothing has been confirmed.It has also been suggested by a manufacturer that initial scratches on the glass could be caused by hard items like zip ends and belt buckles striking the door during the wash. Weve contacted the manufacturers, and theyre looking into the problem.Beko, whose machines have generated the largest number of incidents on the Whitegoodshelp forum, said: Whilst we have no reason to believe that there is a fault with our washing machine range, we are investigating these incidents in full and always take such matters seriously.Alex Walker of Miele said: We conducted an investigation, (which) confirmed we have had no recent reports of such an incident.