Whirlpool 30000 Grain Water Softener Reviews
By G. Simms, Plumber, Contractor

By G. Simms
Plumber, Contractor
Time: 1-minute read

Hard water is a serious problem for many homes. It is the major cause of pipe blockages and the recurring need to replace appliances and pipes.
Hard water is the result of minerals, specifically calcium and magnesium, being present in the water. They accumulate in pipes forming scale, which in cause blockage. It also causes embarrassing stains on sinks and washing machines, and spots on dishes.
Whirlpool 30000 Water Softener

PROS
CONS
When hard water mixes with soap, it forms soap scum that makes it almost impossible to do laundry since the water does not lather.
Fortunately, the Whirlpool 30,000 Grain is here to help. This is a mid-grain model that is ideal for a household of two to three people. This device helps to soften hard water using ion exchange technology.
Basically, the resin filters out the minerals, and then, salt washes the resin.
Is It the Best Choice for the Money?
The Whirlpool 30,000 Grain one the most popular products on the market.
This is due to the fact that it neither occupies too much space nor requires much maintenance. It is a single tank design, where the resin and brine tanks are combined into a single, compact unit. It can, therefore be used in small offices or light duty shops for economic softening.
But its popularity isn’t due to its size alone. It’s also because it’s made by Whirlpool.
Many of the softeners we review are from companies that you wouldn’t know outside of the industry. But everyone knows the Whirlpool name.
The company has been creating household appliances since 1911, and has enjoyed a strong reputation for quality and affordability. This most popular product also deserves those descriptions. Here’s why:
Detailed Breakdown
FEATURES
SPECS
The most important feature of this water softener is the inclusion of the sixth sense technology. It allows the softener to calculate the amount of salt and water required to regenerate, therefore using only the necessary amount. This in turn results in significant savings on both water and salt.
It also includes a system monitor. The monitor’s purpose is to ensure that the device is working properly. One of its functions is to turn on the low-salt light.
The system needs salt to soften water, so it requires salt to be available in a constant supply. The light lets you know when the tank needs a salt refill.
The electronic control valve on the device keeps track of your household’s water usage. The tracking system helps in the conservation of salt and water, preventing wastage.
The Whirlpool 30,000 Grain will also not waste salt or water by regenerating when you are on vacation or away from home. This is because its regeneration is demand- initiated. It only regenerates when it is needed, and the regeneration is also based on the hardness level.
Additionally, it is very efficient. It has the capacity to remove hardness in water of up to 95 GPG (grain per gallon) and it can remove up to 8 ppm (parts per million) of iron deposits from water. Iron easily sticks to the surfaces of the resin, causing staining and could lower the durability rate of the resin beads.
It comes with fittings of approximately one inch, which makes it possible for you to tie it into your existing plumbing lines, leaving a standard household outlet as your only requirement. The device requires an 110V electrical outlet.
It includes a bypass valve, where water passes through to the tanks, an installation kit, and an instruction manual, which will help you set up the device on your own.
SPECIFICATIONS
- Weight: 102 pounds
- Product dimensions: 43.5 inches tall, 19 inches wide, 18 inches deep
- Filtering capacity: 30,000 grains
- Maximum hardness filtering capacity: 95 grains per gallon
- Iron filtering capacity: 8 parts per million
- Flow rate: 7 gallons per minute
EASE OF USE & RELIABILITY
It is easy to use and maintain. It requires very little maintenance to ensure that it is durable and working properly. The softener should be cleaned after every four months of usage, using the Whirlpool cleanser.
It is important to take note of the salt level. Once the low salt light comes on, refill the salt as soon as possible. This makes sure that there is brine at all times to avoid passing hard water through your pipes. Nuggets, pellets, or coarse salt with less than 1% impurities are recommended. Rock, granulated, and table salt is not recommended for making brine because they contain impurities.
Sometimes, the salt can form a salt bridge, a hard space that forms between undissolved salt and water, making it difficult to form a brine solution. You can break it by gently tapping on several points of the bridge until it falls into the water.
IS IT AFFORDABLE?
The 30,000 Grain’s normal price is on the lower end of the price spectrum for traditional units with this grain capacity. It’s average for a single-tank softener of this size.
It has a controls warranty of 3 years and a tank warranty of 10 years. The labor and parts warranty is for 1 year, but you can extend it to 2 years when you buy the cleanser for water softeners.
Who Is IT For?
Because of its mid-range filtering capacity, it will be most economical in homes or businesses with four or fewer people using the water. Less water usage means fewer regeneration cycles, which means you’ll save more on salt.
Speaking of salt, though the Whirlpool 30,000 Grain does remove most of the salt after it rinses the resin, it can’t rinse it completely. This can be a major setback for people with a low salt diet, high blood pressure, or heart problems.
You can rectify the problem through the use of potassium chloride as a water softener. It has the same properties as salt in regard to the softener, but won’t affect your health in the same way. The downside is that it’s a bit more expensive than regular salt.
Our Opinion

The Whirlpool 30,000 Grain isn’t the most impressive on the market, but it does have the right mix of features at this price point.
We like the low-salt light and the smart salt-using technology. Other models regenerate on a weekly schedule, but this one tracks your usage like a more expensive model would, and only regenerates per the needs of its filtering capacity.
If you have four or fewer people in your home or office and don’t have above average water usage needs, this will be an economical, durable choice for you.
Other Options Worth Looking At
If you have a larger family, you might want to look into a Whirlpool 44,000 Grain. And if you have other pollutants besides calcium, magnesium, and a low amount of iron in your water, check out the Whirlpool Central Water Filtration System. It can remove sulfur, manganese, chlorine, herbicides, nitrates, pesticides, bacteria, and higher levels of iron.

About the Author
George Simms is a Salt Lake City based plumber and contractor, with a focus on aiding homes and businesses (particularly farm) solve problems with hard and contaminated water. Walter is here to share his wealth of job experience and a knowledge of both modern and antique plumbing.
Last Updated on January 9, 2023