Review of Speed Queen AWN412

[mercman]

Initial Impression of the Speed Queen AWN412

We now have owned the SQ AWN412 over two weeks now, so I'm ready to give an initial review from a NOVICE reviewers point of view.
I'll start with the Pros which are most of the reasons for buying this machine over others to begin with. First of all, I think top-loaders are easier to live with and this model even more so than other top-loaders that we looked at. Benefits are...

NO expensive HE detergent needed.
No front door gasket to leak and get mildew.
Can leave lid open to air out, NO mildew.
Can interrupt any cycle at anytime.
No expensive electronic controls to break.
No locking lid lock B.S.
Has an agitator (needed for top-loader, propellers and plates don't clean clothes).
Stainless steel wash tub.
Metal outer wash tub with S S baffles (no plastic to mildew and smell).
Very quite!
So far agitator has been gentle on clothes.
Easy to re-adjust the water level inside control panel.
Regular wash cycle cleans & rinses small to medium loads well.

Now for the cons...

I'm not buying the sales pitch that this machine is commercial grade. The cabinet is of lesser gauge (thinner) steel than our old washer, a little flimsy in my opinion. The switches don't feel of great quality and are made in Mexico.

Regular wash cycle with a large load (one that our old Hotpoint could do) does an unacceptable job!
With a full load, pants just sit on top of the water and don't move at all! Most clothes barely cycle in the tub. Must do smaller loads than our old Hotpoint washer.

Where is the HOT water? I would settle for warm if this machine could deliver!
I'm getting only about 25% hot water flow rate. I guess SQ now restricts how much hot water the machines can use, just like the other companies.

Overall I feel the SQ AWN412 is a descent machine which only time will tell if it was worth the premium price tag for a toploader.

Matt

 

[peterh770]

Commercial grade

Coin-op SQ cabinets are just as flimsy...

 

[yogitunes]

Two things on the Hot water issue......

you can drill out the restrictor OR turn your water heater up to 140/160 degress.....I did the second one....and get a real warm wash....

note:keep in mind, the water spout flowing the water in IS pouring water into and behind the SS tub....I took mine apart, and sealed off the rear exit....all water now flows onto the clothes.....especially during the spin rinse

I am suprised your having issues with a full load, I never experienced that....

 

[llmaytag]

AWN412

I have the AWN432, which is similar except I have a 2nd rinse option. Tell me, how high does the water fill on the highest level setting? You probably still have two to three rows of hows left at the top of the tub. There is apparently a way to adjust the highest water level. I'll look for that posting..but I think that would allow you to have a more effective full-load wash. I havent' done it yet, but need to on my 432.

 

[mercman]

Water level

Yes, I adjusted the water level. Now fills just below the top row of holes.

 

[rapunzel]

I am surprised by your comment regarding full load and turn over. Can't say that I've ever had that problem with my SQs. Even with slight overload turnover is not brisk, but steady and consistent. Cleaning has never been an issue. Curious to know what's gone wrong with your washer.

 

[nmassman44]

Well wait a minute here...I have an AWN 311 SQ washer and it does alright with rollover. Methinks your overloading your machine. I load the machine dry dropping clothes in loosely up to the top row of holes. I know alot of people start the machine then add detergent to dissolve then the clothes but one really can overload the machine and the clothes get wet and pack down. It gives a false sense of hey I can add more when in reality you shouldn't.
As far as build goes it's far better built than lets say an LG washer that will explode with a balled up sheet or mattress cover. Suspension is rugged and the washer carries on and gets the job done. One thing I wish is that they had a spray rinse in the final spin. The spray rinse that I get in the first spin the tub isn't even drained nor is the wash basket up to speed. The thing is for the cabinet as long as it keeps the machine together and doesn't crush itself and your not going to sit on it are ya?! Unless your in a fit of passion and wanna get your swirl on the washer during the spin cycle then it might be an issue.

 

[mercman]

Overloading...

Overloading...I think the definition is relative to the situation. In this case I do believe my wife & I are overloading the SQ AWN412, but at the same time with the same likeness of load we were not overloading the old Hotpoint. For some reason it seems to be the jeans that just sit on top of the water, I have seen this twice now. Smaller load and the problem goes away.

 

[mercman]

Cabinet strength...

Cabinet strength...Doing something kinky on this washer is out of the question! I leaned on the lid once to turn the water valve behind the washer, I was only leaning on it with one forearm and the whole lid popped in like a cheap soup can. To fix it I opened the lid held it with one hand and pushed, it popped back to normal.

Commercial Grade "I think NOT".

 

[DirectDriveDave]

Hot Water Restrictor

Couldn't you also buy another water valve that doesn't have the resctrictor?

(yes I know this is not a free alternative)

 

[mercman]

Hot Water!

Hot Water restrictor...
I don't know anything about water restrictors in washing machines but if it is an easy jog I would consider doing it. I was thinking of buying two washing machine hose Y adapters. Connecting one on the wall and the other on the back of the machine, then connect them with an re-enforced/heavy duty single hose. This too might restrict the flow of water when wanting WARM, but should work fine for cold & hot.

Any thoughts anyone?

 

[mrb627]

Reverse Hoses

Why not reverse the hot and cold hoses and the associated wire connectors on the vale so that the cold water is restricted and hot flows freely. You'll get a nice warm wash that way.

Malcolm

 

[mtn1584]

I have my SQ three years now, and I have had on old GE FF.........rollover and capacity are MUCH BETTER in the SQ...I have never had that problem, and I have LOADED my SQ up! the cabinet is as good as you are gonna get today!!! Yes, I agree the GE was a heavy dity cabinet,,,but this is commercial grade for today, and much better that anything on thhmarket!
Mike

 

[danmantn]

I agree with mtn1584 - of what you can get today, it's the best cabinet out there - AND identical to their commercial grade units that I've seen in the new SQ laundromat. No, they are not 1/4" thick like they were 30 years ago...never will be again. Rollover is never an issue for me as I follow the "fill loosely to the top rop of holes" rule that's been around since at least the 80s - read that in my Whirlpool manual in 1984. Follow that and you're golden.

My sister used my SQ when her WP broke down. First thing she did was to CRAM her clothes in it. I quickly tried to correct her and an argument shortly ensued. I see this ALL THE TIME at the laundromat...IF YOUR CLOTHES DON'T TURN OVER, THEY DON'T GET CLEAN! Simple as that...adjust accordingly.

I have my SQ fill till the top of the "hole gap" which is where it would be if there were no level restrictions as you can see in the Aussie version of the SQ.

<iframe width="420" height="315" src="" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

This video shows a very heavy load - and good turnover as well.

 

[yogitunes]

Hey...the Aussie machines don't Spin-Drain?........

I wonder Dan if he would do better with the solid vane agitator?.....curious...

Not sure what you mean Matt with adding the extra hose......

and be cautious about getting another valve.....at first I switched one from a Maytag, it was the same valve......then I took one from a GE FF, removed the restrictor......and WOW!, Niagra Falls.......

These from the GE's were easy, the restictor is a little rubber washer, can be removed in minutes.......the SQ has to be drilled to make the opening larger...

 

[danmantn]

Possibly. I don't like the solid vanes short stature, but if you are overloader it would probably be the way to go...but I believe it to be a bit harsher on the clothes. That is what SQ puts in it's Commercial washer - but the commercial tubs are also smaller.

 

[danmantn]

Yogi, I'd like to have a warmer mix, but I'm not too sure about drilling. Any pics of the SQ version?

 

[mayfan69]

That's my SQ

Yogi.....no....the versions for the Aussie market don't spin-drain.

They have electric pumps.

I have to agree with Dan here....i don't usually cram my SQ with that much clothes as i did with this load and the turn over is fine, even with heavy items such as jeans etc.

As for the build quality, its better than you're going to get with probably any machine on the market today. I'd be looking at more the commercial 'components' such as the gearbox and outer bowl, because THEY'RE heavy duty.

Leon

 

[mercman]

Cabinet Strength...Over Stuffing

Cabinet Strength...
In regards to commercial grade products today, the only real comparison I can make is with the 25 YO Hotpoint HD that I no longer have. It might not be fair to compare the two since maybe nothing is made like it use to be. Either way I find this thought disappointing.

I did have a talk with the wife about over stuffing the machine. I mentioned that on this forum they recommend to load the drum dry and semi loose, then add the water. We both will give this method a try (old habits can be hard to break).