1991 Kenmore DD portable

[davek]

I recently bought a Kenmore portable, which is direct drive. It otherwise looks VERY similar to the Whirlpool belt drive that's in another thread. It now works perfectly after replacing the agitator dogs and putting a new faucet hose to again make it a portable (no W/D hookup). I paid $100 for the mismatched pair, then $170 on parts, hoses, and the rack! A couple of questions:

1. Can I put the softener dispenser on instead of the cap to add this "feature" that I miss from my big washer?

2. What was the model number of the Whirlpool version of this washer? I usually buy my appliance parts from the local Whirlpool dealer where I got my big washer, and I would rather give them a Whirlpool model number than a Sears one.

3. This is the last US portable before the "World Washer," but I think that they still use this for the lower part of the Thin Twin. Can I use the parts list and diagrams for that? I can print Whirlpool's Thin Twin PDF, but Sears' online views of this model are old scans and look bad.

Click the link for a video of the washer running.

 

[norfolksouthern]

First, they made the direct drive portables up until around 1998 at least, from my best memory. As for the fabric softener, you could probably use one of the Downy balls. Otherwise, just get used to a little more interaction. This will help you bond with the little Kenmore, and it will actually start liking you. An actual dispenser on the agitator will probably make it too tall for the lid to completely close. Unfortunately, I don't have the Whirlpool model number, so I can't really help you there. But, I can try to look up some parts on a web site and maybe I can come up with something. No guarantees.

And another thing: NEVER EVER part with that little machine. It may be tempting when you find another place with a hookup, but just don't do it! You will find yourself very sorry you bought one of the shiny new full-sized HE top loaders, only to find that it won't perform up to the level of the portable you have now.

Also, I have one of those world washers that was made prior to 2007, and I aim to preserve it with new spare parts for just in case my belt drive needs service again, as it's one of the last decent models they made. Whirlpool imposed some revisions that severely limit the capability of their latest version. For one, it only has two water levels: Low, and High. Plus, there's no extra rinse, no drain/spin, nothing but the push button spartan basics and no dials!

Now enjoy that Kenmore, and be sure to take good care of it!

NorfolkSouthern

 

[thomasortega]

...But if you still don't want it, I can take a good care of it LOL

I love these whirlpool compacts. Here in Brazil we had only the Brastemp Minimatica in 1979 (I have one) and the Brastemp Baby World Washer, which is almost 50% smaller than the american World washer.

Unfortunately they don't have the front panel, which is charming.

I'll try to find and post some pictures of the Brazilian World Washer and Baby World Washer

 

[davek]

Portables are so expensive! I didn't know that they existed until recently, or I would've had one a couple of years ago when I first moved. Once I started looking into them, I had ruled out American brands as being far too expensive to buy new, even though all were made overseas (Whirlpool/Kenmore in Brazil, GE in Thailand). 110v dryers are awfully expensive for what they are, too. I was about ready to buy a (gulp) Haier washer for $300 and rack dry when I found this mismatched set online "as-is" for $100 for both pieces. Growing up, we had always had Kenmores, and the first washer I bought was a Whirlpool (in storage), so this is what I would've preferred anyway.

Someone had cut the hoses of the washer, but it still had the cap on the valve, so it must've been semi-installed before. They were priced as separate items, and I told them that I would buy the dryer only if it was 110v, and they also knocked sales tax off the whole deal. $100 out the door. I then drove 35 miles with the washer in my CAR, and the dryer in the trunk with the lid open (I have pictures to prove it). I'm not sorry that I took the dryer, too, as it's been impressive for its size.

I figured that the current Kenmore/Whirlpool portable was a Brastemp, but I've not seen a similar one on Brastemp's page. It's pretty big for a portable, and even has a stainless tub, so I thought it must be a newer design than the "world washer," which still looks like a Whirlpool to me. Looking at the Brastemp site, I think that the Eggo is cute, though. I'm surprised that they don't sell that globally at Victoria's Secret as it would be perfect for delicate and expensive women's lingerie. I was impressed that Brastemp's largest top-loader looks bigger than Whirlpool's and has a massive 11kg capacity.

 

[supremewhirlpol]

It may be possible to put the agitator of the Whirlpool version in your Kenmore and use the dispenser attachment. The agitator to a DD whirlpool portable may still be near my trash can, if it is I will save it for you.

 

[mistereric]

I also have the mini-surgilator from a belt drive portable whirlpool, if anyone needs it.

 

[davek]

Thanks

Cool, Supremewhirlpol, I might like to give that a shot. I often start the wash and watch tv or go to bed, so I like the dispenser.

Would it still have the massive rollover with the WP agitator (see video link above)? I was surprised at how effective it was at turning stuff over. Even in that brief video clip, you can see a grey towel disappear and come back. That towel is not a mere mortal towel, but a thick "bath sheet."

For what it would've ended up costing, there's no way I would've been as happy with the Haier stuff as I have been with these. Add to that the confidence of finding parts when the repairs are necessary, and used wins over Chinese every time.

 

[supremewhirlpol]

Well Davek, I have good news and bad news. I do still have the agitator, replacement inner and outer tub, however there is not enough clearance inside of the agitator for the dispenser of a full size machine. I thought that it would work, I'm sorry for the false info. But I do still have the agitator, it has a filter inside and the top part of the agitator can be removed. My guess for removing the top part is for cleaning the filter and providing more space for bigger objects to fit into the machine. The agitator does not have the auger. Look at my thread in the Imperial section titled "Well I decided the clean out my shed" I have a picture of my machine in there, and what the agitator looks like. As far as rollover, I can't tell you which is better. I have had the Kenmore that you have only in almond, and I don't remember which machine has the better rollover. When I had the Kenmore, I liked it a lot, and the agitator was a constant reminder of a mini version of a Dual Action agitator. You have a very nice and cute machine. The mini Kenmore 70 series (as I used to call it).

 

[davek]

Yeah, it is like a little series 70 (my parents had one when I was in high school). I'm still a little miffed at how they treat the portable market-overpriced and plain machines, but at least it isn't like a little Galaxy instead. They sold those through at least 2001, and I always felt they made them look cheap on purpose to encourage the purchase of a slightly better machine. I don't think they had water temp or level selections at all! It's like how the increased volume of front-loaders hasn't brought the prices down, and top loaders still have dial controls even though electronic panels are probably cheaper to make. In a couple of years, you can bet the top loaders will be made cheaper looking. Ultimately, it will bring the average purchase price of a laundry pair way up.

As for the dispenser, I thought that the one like is on the next machine down from the portable would fit under the lid, but it's moot if it won't fit over the internal cap. That's the dispenser that my big Whirlpool has (same agitator, too). My parents' machine has the taller dispenser that I think is usually on Kenmores, which I'm sure would not clear under the lid. My portable's agitator does not have a filter in it, so I guess my washer is actually a little different from that one.

Anyway, if you're just throwing that machine out, I would like the cycle knob and control panel from it. The knob looks easier to read than mine and the almond panel would make it match my dryer a little better. If you think the timer is good, I probably ought to go ahead and buy that, too. Send me an email with your prices and I'll see what I can do.

 

[lebron]

Hey Dave, nice machine and nice video. I see you're new here, but you're already broken one of the most coveted rules. POST A PICTURE OF THE INSIDE OF THE MACHINE

 

[norfolksouthern]

I have had the Kenmore that you have only in almond, and I don't remember which machine has the better rollover.

I had both the Whirlpool standard, and Kenmore dual action version of this machine. The Kenmore dual action has MUCH better rollover than the Whirlpool.

it has a filter inside and the top part of the agitator can be removed. My guess for removing the top part is for cleaning the filter and providing more space for bigger objects to fit into the machine

You are correct about the lint filter. However, I don't recall it being designed for the top part to be removed for bigger items. In either case, either of them work very well for their intended purpose and have demonstrated outstanding durability. I think I'll try adding a couple more to my collection!

NorfolkSouthern

 

[davek]

Lebron, I posted a VIDEO of the inside of the machine. Anyway, here's the picture, officially by request. I ran it once mostly empty to make sure it worked before I spent the $65 for the hose, and this is the only still picture I have of the inside of it.

 

[jdinstl]

Yay! Another portable washer!

And I vote with NorfolkSouthern....do not, under any circumstances (unless it's to me) get rid of this machine! Here in the apartment, I have my World Washer and a cheesy 110v Sanyo dryer. (I also have 2 full sized units downstairs).

Currently, these two are doing most of my laundry. The spin on the washer is robust enough to that dry times in the cheesy Sanyo are quite reasonable. And we're talking blue jeans here! I'm surprised at the turnover these little guys do as well -- I tossed a white shop towel in with the jeans...it was rather funny to watch it work down close to the agitator, then come back up the side of the tub.

I'd suggest the Downy ball as well for the fabric softener.

Happy porta-washing!

John

 

[norfolksouthern]

supremewhirlpol: Didn't you mention that you have a Surgilator agitator for a belt-drive portable? If so, I will gladly take it off your hands as a spare. Let me know.

NorfolkSouthern

 

[supremewhirlpol]

The agitator is for a Direct Drive portable Whirlpool. I also have the plastic outer tub and speckled inner tub. Sorry for the confusion. I wish I had a Belt drive portable. I will post pictures of them.

 

[thomasortega]

Dave

Don't be impressed by the size of that Brastemp.
Here in Brazil there's a ridiculous standard that even the manufacturers hate it.

It's impossible to wash 11kg in a machine which drum is smaller than an average heavy duty whirlpool.

By the way, 11kg is the biggest top loader Brastemp has. Electrolux has a 15.2kg model (that is huge) and son will have a 16.9kg washer. (And I still don't understand why the hell the standards change, the manufacturers get mad to remake everything year after year and make an elephant fit inside a Fiat 500)

 

[thomasortega]

I'm not used to the Kenmore top loaders... do you have a pic of it?

If it's a machine which has a " glass smile" on the lid, it's a Consul, the "cheap" version of Whirlpool in Brazil.

By the way, brastemp sucks! Its expensive and not reliable. while Consul is much cheaper (sometimes up to 60%) and the products are much better.

 

[thomasortega]

I have an Eggo and I love it. (Well, i have some problems with it and Brastemp is ignoring me, but it still working.)

I still dream of having one of those american portables with the front panel.

The closest of it's design I reached was an argentinian Semi-automatic whirlpool.

It uses the same cabinet, but a solid plastic tub, does not has a spin, only a 15 minutes timer (looks like a kitchen timer) and a on off switch for the drain pump.

The fill had to be made manually, using a bucket, a hose or placing the machine under a faucet.

 

[davek]

Thomasortega, I'll try to get a picture of it the next time I'm at Sears. The one on their webpage is not sufficient to identify it. It's made in Brazil by Whirlpool, and they sell the same model. It has controls behind the lid and has a plastic lid. It does not have a glass top, but the handle to open the lid is sort of a "smile." All of the similar size Brastemp models have the controls down the right side. It is priced at $640 US usually, about 1,430 Reais.

As for the "Elephant in Fiat 500," obviously a washer that holds nearly 17kg of clothes would have to be huge. I thought 11 sounded good, but I seriously doubt 17. Washers here are sized by drum volume, not load weight. A large top load washer is 3.5 cubic feet (99 liters). Crammed full of jeans, that would probably be about 10kg. I rather like the Fiat 500, I wish it were sold here.

Picture: Old & new Fiat 500s. Taken at the Lane Motor Museum in Nashville.