Who decided we need a window to see into Washing Machines...

[Icantmakeanomelette]

...but not into dishwashers?

A cat.

CBeebies programme 'Do you know?' Tells you how a dishwasher works and she puts cameras in to show you how it works. It was really interesting actually.

Now DD helps load and unload the dishwasher in exchange for getting to put the tablet in. Win win . She's a bit obsessed with the show but has learnt lots. We're currently learning about how bread is made in a factory.

No washing machine unfortunately.

What is the obsession with tumble driers in the states?

I visited friends in California one summer. Searing heat. Went out first thing for a run and washed my kit ready for the next day. Went to hang it out and they had put it in the tumble drier.

That's how they dry clothes (my british ex pat friend said).

It was wicking running gear, would have dried in half and hour on the balcony.

I happened to be in a white goods shop earlier today - and I got far too over excited that they had a top loading washing machine in! The lady had to show me how it works, I was totally mystified

US top loaders are really old-fashioned (like our old twin-tub machines) and use far more water, detergent and electricity as the drum is effectively like a giant vat with an agitator pole in the middle. You have to fill the big vat entirely with water several times in order to wash, then rinse the clothes. It then uses a load more electricity in order to get all tgat water out in the spin. A side-loader only has to fill the bottom of the drum, and then it tosses the clothes around and around in that water, then spins efficiently by the drum having holes in it to let out water. US top-loaders are also massive and usually kept in the basement or utility room, not in the kitchen. They are also much harsher on clothes and you have to load carefully so delicates don't get ripped by getting twisted around the agitator. EU top loaders (like the one I have in my holiday home) are not like US ones. They work on the same principle as a front-loader, the drum is still sideways in the machine, but is accessed by a little spring-loaded door at the top. It's space-saving and they are usually kept in the bathroom. You can get them over here in the UK, too. I suppose that the little window was because the door is sealed shut on a front-loader and people were used to being able to lift the lid of the twin-tub to see how the washing was progressing.....just a guess, though.

I've used UK front loaders, and top loaders in the middle east.
The top loaders uses much more water but is a much quicker cycle.
I think it's tougher on the clothes.
Our top loader have had much bigger drums than the front loaders, so you can put much more in them.
My current top loading washing machine has a window.