Patent ID: 8839647

Claim:
A vertical axis washing machine, comprising: a cabinet, the cabinet comprising a top portion having a lid and side portions extending downwardly from the top portion; a tub positioned within the cabinet; a basket rotatably supported within the tub; a liquid supply connection for selectively directing liquid into at least one of the tub and the basket, the liquid supply connection having a valve; a heater; an impeller disposed within the basket; a motor coupled to the basket and the impeller; and a controller in operative communication with the valve of the liquid supply connection, the heater and the motor, the controller configured to open the valve of the liquid supply connection in order to direct liquid into the tub; close the valve of the liquid supply connection when a volume of liquid is disposed within the tub, the impeller being unsubmerged in the volume of liquid at said step of closing; operate the heater in order to generate steam from the volume of liquid; and work the motor in order to rotate the impeller, the impeller circulating the steam within the tub during said work step.