Recirculation control in a washing machine

A washing machine comprising:

• a bowl adapted to hold water,
• an inlet with a valve adapted for connection to a water supply, the inlet and valve allowing controlled introduction of water into the bowl when the inlet is connected to a water supply,
• a variable speed pump adapted to recirculate water within the bowl,
• a sensor adapted to measure one or more parameters indicative of current drawn by the pump during operation,
• a controller apparatus operatively connected to said pump and said sensor, and configured to:
• (a) compare said measure of said current drawn by said pump during operation to a threshold current, said current being below said threshold indicative of when said pump is ventilating,
• (b) increment a first timer when said pump is pumping,
• (c) increment a second timer when said pump is ventilating,
• (d) determine a ratio between said first and second timers, and
• (e) operate said valve to prevent the flow of water into said bowl when said ratio between said first and second timers exceeds a timer threshold.