Washing Machine Capacity: Why Drum Size Matters More Than Kilograms
Why drum volume matters more than kilograms when choosing a washing machine, and how to pick the right ASKO size for your household in Lebanon.
When choosing a washing machine, look at the drum volume in litres, not only the capacity in kilograms. A high kilogram rating means little if the drum is too small to wash and spin that load properly.
Many machines are advertised at 10 kg or more while using the same drum as a much smaller model. Here is what to check, and how to choose the right size for your household.
What the kg rating actually means
The kilogram figure is the maximum weight of dry laundry the machine is rated to wash in one cycle, usually on the cotton programme. It says nothing about how much space that laundry has inside the drum.
Space is what matters. To wash properly, clothes need room to lift, tumble and fall through the water. To spin properly, they need room to spread evenly around the drum. The drum volume, measured in litres, tells you how much room there really is.
High kg, small drum: why it happens
A higher kilogram figure sells, so many brands raise the rating without enlarging the drum. The same drum might be sold as an 8 kg machine in one model and a 10 kg machine in another.
On paper, both carry the same load. In practice, the 10 kg model packs more laundry into the same space. The label promises one thing; the drum delivers another. That is why the drum volume is worth checking in the technical specifications, or asking for, before you buy.
The drum volume to look for
As a guide, this is the drum volume each capacity needs to wash and spin properly:
Capacity | Drum volume needed |
7 to 9 kg | 60 litres |
10 to 10.5 kg | 68 litres |
11 to 12 kg | 80 litres |
If a machine is rated at 10 kg or more but has a 60-litre drum, it is a smaller machine with a bigger number on the label.
Every ASKO washing machine follows this guide. Our 8 and 9 kg models use a 60-litre drum, the 10.5 kg model a 68-litre drum, and the 11 and 12 kg models an 80-litre drum.
Why an undersized drum hurts results
Fill a small drum to a large kilogram rating and two things suffer.
Washing. Packed tightly, clothes cannot lift and fall through the water. Detergent and water do not reach every garment evenly, so stains are removed less effectively, rinsing is poorer and clothes come out more creased.
Spinning. A tightly packed load does not spread evenly around the drum, and an unbalanced drum cannot spin at full speed. The machine slows down to protect itself, so laundry comes out wetter, takes longer to dry and the machine vibrates more.
A drum sized for its load avoids both. Clothes move freely, wash evenly and spin dry at the speed the machine was designed for.
Choosing the right ASKO size
ASKO capacity | Drum volume | Best for |
8 or 9 kg | 60 litres | Couples and smaller families |
10.5 kg | 68 litres | Families washing every day, with regular bedding and towels |
11 or 12 kg | 80 litres | Larger families, and anyone washing duvets and bulky items at home |
If you are between two sizes, choose the larger one. A bigger drum handles a full family wash in fewer cycles, and gives bedding, towels and duvets the room they need.
Every ASKO washing machine is built on the same foundations, whatever its size: stainless steel inner and outer drums, the Steel Seal door and Quattro construction for low vibration at high spin speeds. A matching ASKO dryer can be stacked on top to save floor space.
Our ASKO washing machines are on display at our Jdeideh showroom, where our team can help you choose the right size. We deliver and install free of charge throughout Lebanon, with a 2-year warranty.
Frequently asked questions
Where can I find a washing machine’s drum volume?
In the technical specifications or the product datasheet, listed in litres. If it is not shown, ask for it before you buy. Our team can give you the drum volume of any ASKO model.
Is a 10 kg machine with a 60-litre drum really a 10 kg machine?
On paper, yes. In practice, a 60-litre drum is sized for 7 to 9 kg. Loaded to 10 kg, the laundry is packed too tightly to wash and spin properly. A true 10 to 10.5 kg machine needs a drum of around 68 litres.
Why does my washing machine not spin at full speed?
Usually because the load is unbalanced. When laundry is packed tightly, it cannot spread evenly around the drum, so the machine reduces its spin speed to protect itself. An overloaded or undersized drum is the most common cause.
Can I see the drum sizes before buying?
Yes. Our ASKO washing machines are on display at our showroom in Jdeideh, so you can compare the 60, 68 and 80-litre drums side by side.
