Abstract: A washing machine appliance includes a tub and a rotatable basket therein. Methods of operating the washing machine appliance may include, and/or the washing machine appliance may be configured for, measuring a first inertia of a load of articles in the basket by rotating the basket at rotational speeds outside of a resonance speed zone. A water extraction operation is performed after measuring the first inertia of the load of articles. The water extraction operation includes rotating the basket at speeds outside of the resonance speed zone. A second inertia of the load of articles after the water extraction operation is measured by rotating the basket at rotational speeds outside of the resonance speed zone. A load type of the load of articles is determined based on the second inertia. The basket is rotated at speeds within the resonance speed zone only once prior to the water extraction operation.

Abstract: A washing machine appliance and methods of operating a washing machine appliance are provided. The washing machine appliance includes a motor and a rotatable basket. The motor is operated to rotate the basket to a first speed. The basket is then decelerated from the first speed to a second speed less than the first speed. A deceleration time is determined while decelerating the basket from the first speed to the second speed. The method may include, or the washing machine appliance may be configured for, determining a size of a load of articles in the basket of the washing machine appliance based on the deceleration time. Based on the determined size of the load, one or more operating parameters of the washing machine appliance are selected and an operation of the washing machine appliance is performed according to the one or more selected operating parameters.

Abstract: A method of detecting and mitigating unintended circumstances involving a dryer appliance includes detecting a disabled drive belt of the dryer appliance and detecting at least one additional condition. The method further includes providing a notification to a user when both the disabled drive belt and the additional condition are detected and modifying an operation of the dryer appliance when both the disabled drive belt and the additional condition are detected.

Abstract: A method of detecting and mitigating unintended circumstances involving a dryer appliance includes detecting a disabled drive belt of the dryer appliance and detecting at least one additional condition. The method further includes providing a notification to a user when both the disabled drive belt and the additional condition are detected and modifying an operation of the dryer appliance when both the disabled drive belt and the additional condition are detected.

Abstract: A method of operating an appliance includes receiving a request to activate the appliance, providing a prompt for authorization via a remote user interface on a separate device external to the appliance, obtaining a response to the prompt for authorization from the separate device external to the appliance, and activating the appliance when an affirmative response is obtained. Activating the appliance when an affirmative response is obtained may include full or limited operating capabilities. The method may further include activating the appliance with limited operating capabilities when an intermediate response is obtained. The method may also further include denying activation of the appliance when a negative response is obtained.

Abstract: A method for washing articles in a wash chamber of the washing machine appliance is provided. The method includes providing a tub and a basket, the basket rotatably positioned within a tub, with an amount of wash water for washing one or more articles positioned in the basket. After the wash cycle, the method initiates a spin cycle while maintaining at least a minimum amount of wash water from the wash cycle in the basket and tub. Maintaining the wash water during the initiation of the spin cycle can assist in preventing an imbalance of the wash load. For example, the wash load may be more evenly distributed during the draining of the wash water, as the wash basket is spinning during such draining of the wash water.

Abstract: A method of operating an appliance includes enabling an operation restriction. The operation restriction limits activation of the appliance and requires an authorization prior to activating the appliance. The method also includes receiving a request to activate the appliance. The method further includes receiving an override key via a user interface physically connected to the appliance. The method further includes disabling the operation restriction after the override key is received, and activating the appliance after the override key is received.

Abstract: A method for washing articles in a wash chamber of the washing machine appliance is provided. The method includes providing a tub and a basket, the basket rotatably positioned within a tub, with an amount of wash water for washing one or more articles positioned in the basket. After the wash cycle, the method initiates a spin cycle while maintaining at least a minimum amount of wash water from the wash cycle in the basket and tub. Maintaining the wash water during the initiation of the spin cycle can assist in preventing an imbalance of the wash load. For example, the wash load may be more evenly distributed during the draining of the wash water, as the wash basket is spinning during such draining of the wash water.

Abstract: A washing machine appliance and a method for operating a washing machine appliance are provided. The method includes initiating a learning cycle of the washing machine appliance. During the learning cycle, at least one of a flow rate and a temperature of a heated water supply, a flow rate and a temperature for a cold water supply and a drain rate of a drain pump is determined or established and stored within a memory of the washing machine appliance. The method can assist with improving a performance and/or efficiency of the washing machine appliance.