1948 (?) Kenmore wringer washer - newest acquisition

[bradross]

Maytag wringer washers were better engineered...

Larry, thanks for your comments. After having used both machines now, I can see why Maytags were the most popular - and the most expensive. They are the better engineered machines. The Kenmore (this example made by Whirlpool) is great in many ways - very quiet motor, efficient agitator, large tub. However, the biggest drawback I can see is the lack of a "sediment trap", a feature that Maytag actively promoted at the time. With the flat bottomed tub of the Kenmore, lint and sediment remains after the water has emptied, which requires rinsing and wiping it out. Whereas, with a Maytag, the sediment collects in the recessed area of the tub under the agitator, so when the water is emptied, it completely flushes out the tub. Much more efficient.

So, bottom line, I do prefer a Maytag. Having said that, the Kenmore is fun to use as well.

I shot another video yesterday, showing the wringer in operation. Have a look!

http://https//www.youtube.com/watch?v=0mzPtPefO5g

 

[yogitunes]

That has to be one of the coolest machines....quiet is an understatement.....congrats on the restoring of it Brad....love it.....

one question about wringers like this one, can an agitator from an automatic fit in one of these, take in consideration a drive block would maybe have to be changed....but just curious, for something like a rotoswirl, or straight 3 vane...maybe even a dual action...is this possible?....

 

[wayupnorth]

Martin, I would bet those agitators would fit but one of the daily pix of the day showed an old Sears page with laundry tubs with a straight vain and roto swirl replacements. It said roto swirl can only be used in tubs specially designed for it. Ya right, what those of us on this site can do, anything is possible.

 

[bradross]

Fixed - YouTube link

That last link seems to have an issue ... here's a good link:

 

[wringer]

Hi Brad,

Great video !! Thanks for making and posting. I really like the idea of the different tensions available on the wringer. I am certain I am not the only one who is envious but happy about your latest acquisition. I note that there is possible some yellow grease staining on the wringer post. I have found that a product here in the US called Re-solve-it takes that stain right off. It is non toxic and a bit similar to Goo Gone only better. Anyhow, hope you will enjoy your wringer washing each week now. You could was in one and rinse in the other . Happy wringing !!

Jim

 

[mickeyd]

Wringing in the Mirror

So cool and fun: you can see the clothes coming and going. And like the automatic, the high-medium-low lever actually has reset too. Very satisfying. Love the way it works, would be a source of unending fun, especially the way it overrides the main control.

One advantage to the KM is that the agitator always comes out trouble-free. If a Maytag gets stuck, good luck, (not yours which comes off as easily as the top of the butter dish).

Thanks for the classy vids.

 

[westingman123]

straight out of the showroom

Brad, that's just breathtaking! Rustoleum, you say? That's just a pretty machine, and a work horse to boot.

I just want to fire up the Speed Queen now. In the middle of the night.

Thanks for posting!

 

[wetguymd]

Just Beautiful!!

Thanks Brad for posting the videos. What a beautiful machine. I assume that you can rotate the wringer head around, such as if you were using a rinse tub behind the machine? If you ever decide you are going to move her out of your collection please let me know !

 

[roscoe62]

I remember when

which wasn't yesterday, my aunt had a gasoline powered wringer.
My grandmother's was the same and then had her's converted to an electric motor, that lasted decades.
Great find Brad, thanks for the memories, I hope you get lots of service from your new aquisition.

 

[bradross]

Year confirmed - 1948

Well, folks, I found an old Sears Roebuck advertisement from The Pittsburgh Press, Aug.19, 1948, showcasing the Kenmore wringer washer lineup. My model - 110-73230 is shown, selling for $119.95 which in today's dollars would be $1146.14 - not cheap! (according to http://www.usinflationcalculator.com)

 

[mickeyd]

I'll be danged!

Notice that the TOL is "rounder & puffier," thus more stylish for the day than the lesser sisters, and the timer is set higher at a more stoop-friendly level..

But Brad: I. HAD. NO. IDEA. automatic timers were around in 48. The earliest I'd seen was a 52 or 3 Blackstone. What an amazing discovery. Thank you.

Too bad we can't see the agitators in the other models. Was the roto-swirl around then?

 

[e2l-arry]

25 GALLON CAPACITY?

What does that mean? If you overfilled past the agitator to the very top brim of the washer would be 25 gallons? My E2LP is 18 gallons and easily holds 9 to 12 pounds of laundry. So how can a 25 gallon machine only hold 8 - 9 pounds? Some funky advertising from Sears even back in 1948?

 

[bradross]

25 gallons - overstatement!

You got that right, Larry! I can only imagine it's 25 gallons right to the top of the tub - and who's going to do that? So the ad is definitely misleading. My guess is it's probably 18 gallons, same as the Maytag E2L. One day, I'll empty the water manually into a 5-gallon pail and see how many pails it requires.

Neat ad though, nonetheless, right?

 

[e2l-arry]

Yes Brad,

It's a REALLY cool ad. Now what I want to do is find some of those old Maytag price lists from the same era. I've seen some on this site. I just have to find them in the archives, and compare the price of Maytag's vs. Kenmore's and what the difference, price wise, was. As I've said before, in 1948 the cost of a washing machine was a MUCH bigger strain on the household budget that it is today, adjusted for inflation. I'm also sure that that's why, a good as a Maytag washer was, that many people opted for Kenmore's and Speed Queens and the other brands of the day. Kenmore's were definitely a good value. I grew up in a Kenmore household. And I have quite a few Kenmore products in my house today.

Larry

 

[franksdad]

Congratulations!

A truly great wringer!  Hope it gives you many years of fun and dependable service.  Really enjoyed the video!  Jim