2018 Speed Queen topload models

[combo52]

Early US Front Load Washers

The only ones that ever had water fill levels up on the glass were the early bolt down Bendix washers and the 55-63 WH compact 25" wide models. All the others including all combos the WL was always low enough to open the the door at any time during the cycle without spliage.

 

While total water use on early FL models was not much less than early TL automatics you have to keep in mind that they still saved a lot of hot water, detergent and other laundry additives because the wash fill was only 1/3 to 1/2 of what the wash fill was in a TL machine.

 

You could also wash more clothing in a 1959 and later full sized WH FL washer than about any other machine especially the solid tub and MT washers in these tests, so the total water usage figures don't tell the whole story.

 

John L.

 

[johnrk]

FL washers

Thanks for your reply! Certainly looking on YouTube those vintage FL's look like they're giving a better water bath than today's.

I'm sure you'd know: on those combo machines, after the final rinse, did it take a while before the dryer part started working? Or was it pretty much instantaneous? Was there a lot of clicking, etc.? From what I remember some of them had separate timers for the two parts and some had one master timer.

 

[combo52]

Vintage Combos, Switching From Wash To Dry

They all changed into full dry mode within one minute, several also started heating up the load in the final spin cycles to speed things up, some also gave a final hot rinse if the wash temperature had had been set to hot.

 

The new SQ FL washers are not only the best built automatic washers ever sold for home use in the US [ IMEO ] And you can now adjust the water level with a simple switch setting on the main control board, you can turn up the WL about 2" in 1/2" increments.

 

John L.

 

[johnrk]

Combo drying

Thanks again! I've never actually been around one, unless it was as a kid in the 50's and 60's and I didn't know it. So much of my family lived out in the country and used line drying until the 70's or so.

My mother came from a family of 13 kids and they lived out in the country. They didn't get electricity out there until after WW II. Her mother had a Maytag wringer washer with a gasoline motor.

 

[agiflow2]

So combo52,..are we going to find out next week about the new Speed Queen models ? I can't wait to hear what you have to report. Really am very curious now . Trying to be optimistic here ! LOL.

 

[Chetlaham]

"total water use on early FL models was not much less than early TL automatics"

Thats true, but does anyone know why that is?

 

[foraloysius]

I suppose that was because they used the same water level in the wash and in the rinse and they needed a lot of water in the rinse cycle because they had a rather low spinspeed. Only in that way they were able to achieve a decent rinse result.

 

[Chetlaham]

Some had no spin between wash and rinses, correct?

 

[foraloysius]

I don't know the details, but you might be right. Some early European washers didn't spin between rinses either. Nowadays that would be unthinkable.

 

[tomturbomatic]

Henene4's hybrid drain was practiced by the large tub  Norge machines where the tub brake held the tub still during the first part of the drain when it was full of water then released it when the water level dropped  and the weight of the tub was less and therefore easier for the motor to move it. then there was a long spray rinse. That part of the cycle was labeled "EXTRACT" on the timer.

 

As for neutral drains being better about keeping small loads from bunching up, that can be true, but they could not overcome the propensity of some washers' agitators to sort lighter from heavier fabrics during agitation and go into drain with sheets on one side of the tub and towels on the other. This is not a spinning issue, but it was a case where a neutral drain machine would not be balanced for spin at the end of the drain period. I know this from the time I was using coin-op Whirlpools with the Surgilator agitator in an apartment laundry room. 

 

[tomturbomatic]

The solid tub Blackstones drained water from the bottom of the tub then spun water over the top during the spin so I guess it was a type of hybrid, too, but it did not start to spin with water remaining in the tub.

 

[norgeway]

The old FL

Washers used more water because the actually rinsed your clothes, Take a load out of ANY of these new FL washers and put it in a tub of clean water and you will be amazed at the suds!

 

[golittlesport]

Sorry, Norgeway --- wrong

Not sure how you draw your conclusion about modern FL rinsing, but I doubt you have tried your test with EVERY FL washer on the market today.

I have an LG FL that is an excellent rinser. Best performing machine of any FL or TL I have owned. Regular cycle has two spin spray rinses and up to four deep rinses with high speed spin between each one. Towel and Bulky cycles have higher water levels to boot.

Based on my personal experience with FL washers, I have never had poor rinsing performance. Putting aside one's visual biases, it is possible to effectively rinse without the fabrics floating around in a large amount of water, just as one can effectively get clean clothes without seeing a mountain of suds.

 

[agiflow2]

Clothes can only get so clean. What stains in all honesty can a FL washer get out that an agitator machine can't ? I have used fl washers....though they were laundromat machines and was not particularly impressed with the results.

It must have something to do with hotter water in the home machines with a heater because just rolling clothes in a very shallow pool of water will take much longer to do what an agitator will accomplish in 1/2 an hour

 

[combo52]

FL washers and Newer HE TL Washers

Generally do a superior job of both stain removal and cleaning in general, this is primarily due to having 3-6 times stronger detergent concentration in the wash cycle.

This coupled with generally longer wash periods and much better rinsing generally gives superior results that few that have actually had both type machines would ever contest.

John L.

 

[brucelucenta]

agiflow2

You have to remember that the prime interest when you use a laundromat washer, whether it be top or front loading, is get it done in a minimum amount of time. Some machines have about a 20 minute cycle and most only have a 30 minute one. So any front load machine at a laundromat is not a fair comparison to anything you could buy for your home.

 

[agiflow2]

Just have to accept the inevitable I guess. If I do go fl in future I will probably go with WP or Maytag. Speed Queen is too steep a price for a machine that doesn't raise the water temperature. From my understanding,...people who have fl washers usually recommend getting one with a heater.

John, do you know if current fl washers from WP or MT with heaters heat the water hot enough ? I don't want dumbed down temperatures....too much government regulation for something I and everyone should have the right to choose for ourselves.

 

[johnrk]

Water Heating

I find the comments about FL washers having to have water heaters interesting, since they are so much better insulated against heat loss when compared to TL washers. For my buck I want a machine with greatest reliability. I don't possess the talent to repair machines that so many on this forum have. Once again, I don't get my laundry very dirty, and nothing like when I used to play softball, go camping & fishing, do century bike rides, work constantly in a vegetable garden, etc. I just can't do that level any more. What I want more than anything is to have the natural human slime that we all shed off of my clothes. I can count on the fingers of one hand the number of times that I've done a cold wash in the last 40 years or so. My hot water heater is set for over 140F and with my TL Speed Queen, a hot load is hot enough to be quite uncomfortable for a hand going in that water. But--I only wash 1-2 loads weekly, so the extravagance of hot water or total water usage is afforded.

Both of my front loaders were set, always, for extra rinse. As another stated on here, I tested and learned that indeed there was more detergent left in my laundry than was acceptable. I think they just didn't use enough water to thoroughly rinse without that extra one.

I wish I were going to live long enough to see us use ultrasound like they projected 60 years ago, to clean our clothes.

 

[Chetlaham]

Front loads with heaters

I think its time manufactures get serious about HE washers if they want consumers to get serious about HE washers. Having a heater allows for multi-stage detergent and sani washes. People can save by turning down their water heater, and you get REAL hot water instead of a lukewarm already cool wash. All front loaders should have an on board heater; period.

 

[agiflow2]

This is the thing that is frustrating. Correct me if I am wrong but does any washer maker other than Speed Queen offer a top loader where you can get straight hot tap water ?

Like you said chetlaham..if HE washers will be our only option in the coming years then all of these machines need internal heaters to get the puddle of water you will be using hot enough to get whites white and kill germs.

It's just more control over the masses...being indoctrinated into the cold water craze. Dirt and water chemistry hasn't changed since the earth has been standing.

Can we write to these manufacturers to complain about this ? Would they listen ? You can't even buy a BOL roper without the temperatures being dumbed down.This is maddening. No,.. you will have to shell out big money for a machine with a heater. Big joke it all is.