2018 speed queen TL washers revisited

[joeypete]

Sure you bet! They seriously haven't changed much in 20 years aside from the control panel. There's a video that Leon did and his is the same as mine will be...just not the US version...but they are almost identical.

I'm excited to get it.

The SQ's have incredible build quality. But since I'm keeping my Bravos XL dryer, I wanted something that would at least look similar. In the appliance store they had a 8 series SQ next to my exact MT machine and it was like night an day. LOL. I wasn't sure I'd like that look.

This is Leon's video:

 

[johnrk]

My SQ Dryer

I'm finally learning the best way to use this new SQ dryer, the model with the knobs.

Of course it's not crap--though there's a learning curve. After talking with the excellent customer service in Ripon I've gotten a routine that works.

That ultra-hot 'regular' setting is perfect for towels, bed linens, and if I want my jeans shrunk. I've had dryers over the decades that I had to dry the hell out of towels just to get them dry, through-and-through. Not on this dryer. I run those on the 'regular/permanent press' part of the dial. There is a cool-down, of course, but not a long one.

For my clothing I run it on the 'delicate' setting. I don't know the exact temp, but it's certainly higher than that setting was on my last, Frigidaire dryer of a couple of decades. For them, I use the 'delicate' part of the dial, which has a long cool-down, more than my last dryer. I'm finding that this works beautifully for me no matter what the type of clothing.

I really like the way that there's a plastic shield on the door of this 'crap' dryer over the lint filter. With my Frigidaire there could be some articles, particularly socks, that would end up in the lint filter recess, covered with lint. Not so with this one.

 

[joeypete]

SQ dryers appear to be very well built. I was impressed when I looked at them last week. But for the price I think going with a cheaper dryer, especially WP or GE, will be just as good of a choice. My Maytag dryer is awesome. It dries perfectly.

 

[johnrk]

joeypete

I agree completely--I don't see anything amazing about this new SQ dryer. Again, when I purchased this pair last month, it was really my 17-year-old Kenmore that quit heating and I decided to replace (never a service call BTW); my Frigidaire Affinity FL was working basically fine.

We know that, as always, the w/d makers hope that people will do like me and just buy both. I have no doubt that I could've been happy buying another brand of dryer. My hope is that, with the few loads that I do weekly, this will be the last dryer I need to buy. Before purchasing that Kenmore 17 years ago, I'd always replaced my GE Filter-Flo pairs when I moved into new homes.

As for dryer steam? I use the same trick that people have for decades: dampen a washcloth or other appropriate piece of cloth and toss it in with the load to dry. Works like a charm when necessary.

 

[joeypete]

But I guess dryer technology hasn't changed much over the years, probably why they tend to be more reliable than washers lol. My MT Bravos XL by looking at it, you would think it's a brand new design with it's slick brush aluminum panel and white LED lights. But it's core is the old tried and true top lint filter WP design from like 50 years ago haha. Mine does have steam and I can tell you that's one feature I really really like. Keeps me from having to wash items sometimes, like blankets and throw pillows from my couch. I just toss them in and in 15 minutes they come out fresh like they were just washed. Course you could probably get a spray bottle with some water and spray the stuff first then run the fluff cycle and get the same effect. LOL

 

[johnrk]

joeypete

You know what I love? Dryel. Countless times I've traveled on business with just one suit, maybe wear it 2-4 days on the road. Before Dryel I'd automatically take it for dry cleaning even though it wasn't dirty. Now, one Dryel sheet in the bag, 30 minutes in the dryer, and it's perfect. I'll use those Dryel sheets and the bag also for 'freshening'. You reminded me of that 'cause I've got some smaller throw pillows that fit perfectly.

 

[frigilux]

joeypete-- I used the Steam Refresh cycle all the time on both my Frigidaire and Maytag dryers. While I change dress shirts daily--sometimes twice--pants can easily be worn twice or even three times by employing a steam refresh between wearings. With the SQ, I do exactly what you wrote in the post above: Spray bottle + Water + Pants + Fluff Up cycle. Works like a charm. Of course, I reduce the heat from 'Heart Of The Sun' to 'Mercury' LOL.

johnb300m-- Thanks for confirming my suspicion that the SQ runs crazy-hot. I thought it was simply because it has to be interrupted mid-cycle to extract the already-dry load. Although I'm not impressed with the dryer, it has one redeeming quality: It's very, very quiet. The top-loading washer, on the other hand, has really grown on me. I'm thoroughly enjoying the trip down Vintage Washer Lane.