International Builders' Show Product Preview: Kohler Cimarron Class Six low-flow toilet

Using less water at home is an easy way to save some money. Replacing a 20-year-old toilet with a new model that carries the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's WaterSense label, for instance, can save you 16,000 gallons of water and $99 a year, according to the EPA.

That's because to qualify for WaterSense, toilets like the Kohler Cimarron Class Six model must use 20 percent less water than a standard low-flow toilet. They achieve these savings by a 1.28-gallon flush for liquid waste and a 1.6-gallon flush for solids. (Some models use 1.28 gallons for both.)

The first-generation of low-flow toilets got low marks from consumers. And older Class Five toilets, for example, fell short when it came to cleaning the bowl after bulk flushes, explains a Kohler spokesperson. But according to Kohler, the rim-jet flow on the company's Class Six toilets has been redirected in an effort to improve bowl cleaning.

Kohler's $360 Cimarron Comfort Height toilet (shown) is available at home centers and in showrooms nationwide. We will be testing this toilet as part of report slated for our August 2009 issue.—Ed Perratore

Comments

[Earl Guss]

I purchased two of these Kohler toilets as replacements for less water efficient toilets. It came well recommended by the Lowe's salesperson.
Within two months I was writing Kohler and Lowe's corporate offices complaining about the toilet's inabilty to clean the bowl and the too frequent and repeated cleaning. My primary thrust was that the engineering design was flawed and certainly they could develop and manufacture a toilet that was both efficient and self cleaning. Lowe's actually offered to replace the toilets but I declined not wanting the construction.
I cannot recommend to this toilet to anyone.

[Drew]

Does the new model have dual-flush capability? Your post suggests that it does, but on the Kohler web site there's no mention of dual-flush as a feature for the Cimarron, or even anything about 1.6 gpf. It only says it uses 1.28 gpf.

[my inner voice]

I installed Cimarron Class Six, and indeed this toilet is clearly superior to the so-called water efficient toiler the builder delivered with our 2 year old home. See how well it flushes on youtube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F011tf6rO4o&feature=related

I wish Kohler will introduce Class Six technology to Gabrielle and Cimarron one-piece toilets.

[flushed]

To "my inner voice": The main complaint I've read about the older Class Five Cimmaron is that it did not clean well (flushed well, but didn't clean well). Does the Class Six clean effectively?

[cathy]

Bought Kohler Cimmaron which had hidden flaws in the pottery and the glaze not apparent on (professional) installation. After 24 hours water leaked through the teardrop-size hole in the glaze and a hairline crack was visible, darkened by the leak. Had to call plumber back to remove and order another toilet. Took Kohler a week and 2 calls to OK replacement,but Kohler refused to refund the charge caused by replacing damaged product "in the best interests of their other customers." If you decide to buy,first run your hands over all the glazed surfaces to check for unglazed holes, esp. on underside of the bowl, and not visible until wet. Also, this is a noisy toilet, but does not clean well. Water goes down a narrow channel and little flow around sides is not enough to clean; keep the brush handy. Lots of piping twists look clunky & it has a large footprint, but smallish top. Have to redo another bathroom, but no more Kohler products--all their customer service is geared to the sale.

[mike cocciolo]

have had lots of trouble with this toilet....our new house has 4 of them and the one in the master bath is the farthest from the street...the toilet flushes fine then we get in the shower 6 feet away and once in awhile it plugs and floods but usually drains within 2-3 minutes....so right away we figured we had a fall problem...had the plumber back ..checked the fall..it was ok but just to be sure he improved it....problem came back yesterday...it seems that there just isnt enough water to move the paper along....plumber states that kohler knows this and have a new model...they have had problems...this is a 2nd home that we use a couple times a month for 2-4 days so some times all is well...plumber also says we should hold the handle down a second to use more water....help ...is there a kit or should i just replace...so far no problems with the other toilets but they are rarley used....