After moving home from NYC in 2005, I have been able to collect all of my dream machines while living back home. I have 6 wonderful GE Filter Flos and they are all equal favourites of mine.
I have a late 1960s model FF - TOL Programed Washer with mini basket and lighted console,
An early 1970s Almost TOL FF with mini- wash and super FF pan, a 1969 GE Filter-flo 3 speed,
and finally and most importantly a 1974 DISPENSALL with the tank and original Mini-Basket with lighted console and mini-quick switch. I Love them all!
What are your dream machines yet to be found?
Im happy with what I have but Id never pass up a beautiful old GE that needs a home! Id might also like to find a Whirlpool like my mothers but Ill wait until I have a place of my own. My parents are understanding but I dont want to push my luck!
What are your earliest and favorite appliance memories?
-When I was a child of about 4 yrs old, my grandmother babysat me while both my parents worked. At her house the blocks and crayons got old really quickly and I was always looking for something to keep me busy as was she naturally. In her basement she had a 1960s model GE Filter-Flo washer with a light up control panel and a mini-basket. She showed me that I could watch it wash if I promised not to touch anything as I could get hurt when it spun. This was the beginning... of the end. From this point on I was fascinated and couldnt see enough washers and had to see how they worked, how they were hooked up and basically everything about them! I loved the GEs for so many reasons - the Filter-Flo pan was of course the best because it was so much fun for me to watch, but also the noises and the smell of the tub from using Tide - of course! I also loved the sound of the brake coming on after the spin cycle as well as the water filling up. My favourite washer to this day is still my neighbors 1970s model. They bought the "model home" in the neighborhood so all the appliances were GE and all were top of the line. They had the top model GE Americana Dispensall washer and it did so many cool things! First of all I remember that it had a smaller plastic lid with in the larger one and it allowed you to add fabric softener and detergent all in one go. It also had a filter-flo spout like I had never seen before nor ever saw again. The spout was elongated and stretched the length of the back of the opening into the tub. It was extra long and was actually divided into three spouts that stepped gradually down towards the right. It was positioned in the center back of the rubber lip over the tub and was actually a diverter of the recirculated water into the dispenser unit. As this was the extra large capacity model, it had a larger filter-flo pan with a sunken ring in the middle that I later learned was actually for detergent if you didnt use the dispenser unit. Anyway - this was my favourite as it made all sorts of noises and did so much more than my mothers boring Whirlpool. Our washer didnt even have a lint filter - what was the point - nothing exciting to watch at all! The neighbors GE soon died and I never got to bid it goodbye as it was soon replaced by a similar Whirlpool as my mothers - they were friends and I think they were conspiring against me! None the less - the Dispensall is still my favourite machine and I am so glad to finally have a beautiful one of my own! Please check out my pics in the collection pages to see how it works!
What is the history of appliances you have owned?
My Grandmother had a 60s model MOL GE Filter Flo which I loved
Other Grandmother replaced her wringer with a late 70s GE with Mini -Quick cycle.
Mom had a 77 Whirlpool with Magic Clean filter which bored me to tears after the grandmas exciting GEs.
Neighbor had the GE Dispensall which was and still is my all time favourite.
Most everyone I knew growing up had GEs since our houses in the neighborhood were mostly built by the same company and they usually used all GE appliances.
Used to also enjoy my cousins grandmothers Kenmore BOL- it had a lint filter which was fun to watch and an ugly gold straight vain agitator.
thats what i can recall for the time being...
Have you ever worked on, repaired and/or restored any major appliances?
-My childhood obsession payed off when I was a teen and the neighbors realized I knew a heck of alot about their washer - it many times saved them calling the repairman when it was as simple as replacing a belt or changing a hose... Now Ive made minor and major repairs to my own FFs while restoring them and learned so much by doing it - I reccomend that anyone who wants to attempt it SHOULD! You will enjoy it and learn so much in the process- and think of the reward of firing it up in the end!
