Another new acquisition... and It's Elite!

[revvinkevin]

Kenmore Elite to be precise!

Sunday, in addition to a 1980 belt drive Kenmore (posted in Imperial), I also brought home this Kenmore Elite washer W/Catalyst (cleaning action)! I am not sure exactly what year it is, but it's pretty new(ish?). As you can see it's VERY clean and it works great too! IN FACT... for some reason, the previous owners NEVER removed the protective - plastic film that covered the control panel!! So the first fingers to actually directly touch the control panel were MINE (after removing the plastic)!!

 

[revvinkevin]

The interior shot.......

 

[revvinkevin]

Close up of the controls....

 

[revvinkevin]

The previous owner said it had a water leak... something to do with the bleach dispenser. He said Sears repair told them it would be around $150 or more to fix. Rather then repairing it, they just bought a new (at the time) Calypso washer.

After pulling the control panel I discovered a small plastic access panel. I removed it and found this! A hose had come off of the little manifold! I put the hose back on, ran it through another test cycle and guess what? No more water leak!!! OMG I could not have imagined a more simple repair!

But the best part is... I paid just $50 for this machine! What a DEAL!!!

 

[revvinkevin]

Catalyst action!

At the beginning of the cycle, it adds a small amount of water (maybe a gallon?) through the soap dispenser and then stops. The washer then goes into a slow speed spin and at the same time pumps this concentrated soapy mixture on to the cloths, recycling it for I believe (I have to time it) 2 to 4 minutes, depending on the cycle.

Here is the action shot, w/o flash.

 

[revvinkevin]

Action shot W/flash.

Even though the tub is (actually) spinning, the flash "stopped it". As you can see, the concentrated sudsy soap mixture is all over the cloths. A pretty neat idea for advanced stain treatment.

 

[revvinkevin]

Can this be the model and serial number?? It's the only think I have found so far that resembles a model number.

 

[launderess]

Don't Think So

PVC is type of plastic material, besides by law there has to be some sort of plate with electrcial information somewhere on the machine, IIRC.

 

[frigilux]

That's a great washer, Kevin! I always thought the Catalyst process was a good idea. I haven't ever seen one in action, before. And that was such an easy repair, I think even I could have managed it, LOL. Many trouble-free loads to you!

 

[gadgetgary]

Kevin

What a great collection you have.
Good luck with this new gem.

 

[chaskelljr2]

Kenmore Elite Catalyst.....

"revvinkevin"

That is a 1999-2000 Kenmore Elite Catalyst that you have there. And you are SO right, that is still a relatively new machine.

When that machine came out in 1999, I always thought that THAT was a sexy machine back then. It's still sexy today. I'll take one in black please (just kidding).

I actually like the control panel on this Kenmore Elite than I do the one that I have saw on the Maytag electronic model that I saw on this forum earlier this week.

--Charles--

 

[revvinkevin]

the Maytag electronic model

Hi Charles, yes this one does have a "cleaner" look, but you also have to remember it was probably built about 10 years AFTER the electronic Maytag model Ben has. I think his machine is really great too!

 

[tuthill]

Nice machine. Make sure to ask Robert what he thinks of the catalyst cleaning action compared to his Super Unimatic

 

[vintagesearch]

niiiiiiiiiiiice my cousin has this model and matching dryer in white i saw them on new years pretty neat looking and that catalyst option looks very useful i want one of these!!!! enjoy it!!!!

 

[logixx]

Cool washer! I think the Catalyst process (see attached link) is very clever - combined with Resource Saver spray rinse one would have an early HE top loader.

http://de.youtube.com/profile?user=chicharitocousin&view=videos

 

[swestoyz]

Kevin - I love it! Although not a huge fan of DD's - this is one of the few that I wouldn't mind having around for a little while. Enjoy the new toy!

Ben

 

[jaytag]

catalyst action great concept

This is a great concept and has that shampooing action. I am sure it didnt last long because of the average consumer's lack of knowledge to put it politely. I have picked up many machines due to the fact that if something is different, then it must be broken. Ex. A kitchen aid washer doesnt spin, well the owner did not know that it drained before it spinned, so he thought it was broken.

Also many times a dryer is broken, but not, because they just didnt clean out the lint.

 

[autowasherfreak]

What A Deal!

A minor repair on a $50.00 machine, you can't beat that. Have fun with your new machine.

Jim

 

[revvinkevin]

THANK YOU to all for your very nice comments!!!

I am really tickled so far due to the condition, features and options, but especially the price! I also feel that since it has the XL tub and is a 3 speed machine, the wash action is more gentle since the agitation for the regular / normal cycle is slower then the "shreadmore" I had before.

I'm sure I will really enjoy this machine!

Kevin