Anyone bought a Speed Queen lately?

[washman]

You're correct imperial70 so I will comment on some of

"The warm water setting is a joke if you live in a cold climate during the winter. The water comes out cool at best."----I agree. In fact, I am researching a workaround on this so I don't have to start hot fill then move to warm to get an actual warm wash.

"I did have to wipe out the polishing compound that was left behind"---I did not have this problem nor did my dad.

"The timer is very cheap. Not like the positive feeling that Whirlpool/Kenmore offered"-----I can't compare to a WK machine but I don't see any less cheapness than compared to the GE Profile I used to own.

"It is a huge water hog. If you don't have any worries about that then this is a non-issue"----No more so than the GE it replaced (a 1999 unit from Monkey Wards). But it cleans well so if it. I want my laundry clean, not done in a way that fits a bureaucrat's agenda.

" I can tell it's going to eat belts. I don't do any heavy loads and there is belt dust all over the bottom of the unit. I really should order a spare belt. " -----Can't say, I have yet to pull the front off to have a look. But if what you say is true, then I will get a spare belt too.

"The hole design in the tub does not suck water through them during the spin cycle. When the machine completes there is visible moisture on the walls and floor of the tub"----Agreed. And guess what, same thing with the GE. Even worse in the GE if it had to deal with a moderately unbalanced load and it was a neutral drain machine too. I notice no more wetness in the clothes than I did with the GE.

 

[alineber]

Just wanted to clarify my statements

"Turn down the water level? Are you kidding. With a full load of clothes you can't reduce the water level. It needs to use the 30+ gallons of water. It is what it is, uses generous amounts of water to get done what a front loader does with much less water."

Considering that many people are having to rewash clothes two or three times in these front loaders, I would not say that front loaders do the same job as the Speed Queen top loader can with less water.

If you are the type that sits in a climate controlled office all day and live in a big city apartment, then your clothes might get cleaned with these new front loaders. If you work outside a lot or have kids who play in the dirt or you like to work on cars etc., then front loaders have a harder time removing stains and body oils from sweating in your clothes.

The statement, I made about turning down the water level, has to do with the amount of clothes I see being washed in many of these HE top loaders and front loaders. My friends, who have these new front loaders and HE top loaders, can only wash half of the full loads my Speed Queen top loader can handle or the clothes will not get completely cleaned. So, I wouldn't call the clothes in front loaders or HE top loaders a real "FULL LOAD". These type of washers reminds me of the early low flush toilets, where you were ok if it's number 1 but heaven help you if it's number 2.

 

[suziboyer]

So I got the Speed Queen - And I love it!!!

I am happy with everything about this machine. Thank you all for the excellent advice! I like that is uses plenty of water. My husband is a mechanic. I need something that will CLEAN and for that kind of cleaning I need plenty of water. I have a well with a 40gpm flow at the well itself-- no water issues here.
Thank you all for the great advice. This thing cleans really, really well even with my homemade laundry detergent!

 

[washman]

The more you use your Speed Queen

the more you will like it.

The sturdy construction not built to a BIG BOX price point along with an industry leading warranty should give you years of dependable service and peace of mind.

Welcome to a growing fraternity of Speed Queen owners/operators.

 

[washer111]

FL's Cannot Clean:

They can clean, but the electricity network in the U.S. limits this greatly. In order to get a true profile wash (Starts cold and progresses to a selected temperature), you need 240v of electricity to achieve this in reasonable amount of time, or just lots of patience. Something that people don't seem to have these days... 

WITH a profiled washing cycle, you can get perfectly clean clothes - as each type of soil are worked away with detergent and gentle mechanical action (on Miele's, at least) over a wide range of temperatures. 

Even so, some members here have been happy with their FL machines - notably Frigilux: And I think we've ALL seen the performance testing of kitchen whites he repeatedly does!

 

If FL machines were so hopeless in their ability, please explain why those in Europe/UK don't have issues with them?

~ We have different detergents (More enzymes, and better formulations)

~ "Better" electricity supply (240v. No special wiring required)

~ Government mandates to ensure our washers are chasing results, not time savings (At least in Australia), but still highly efficient in their energy consumption

 

In the U.S., your machines take in 120°F water, temper it to 104° or less then wash for 20 minutes or so without a heater, and complete the cycle. (I base this on relatively recent discussion occurring here where machines take about an hour to wash).

There is NO way that will get clothes clean... If you have an FL machine that takes in PROPER hot water or heats it up and washes for long enough, your clothes will get clean. You also need some water to achieve this. But not copious amounts that some people *think* they need. 

 

Of course, there are some people who still think that Cold water can achieve all of this. Well, the fact of the matter is that U.S. machines are practically washing in cold water 100% of the time (Cold is the new Warm, Warm/Hot and HOT) and not delivering results, even with longer cycles. What does that tell you? 

 

[washer111]

Back on Topic:

Whilst I think the SQ machines are great quality, at least in Australia, I no longer believe they are a worthwhile purchase, for the following reasons:

 

~ You can purchase a High-End Miele or other fancy machine for the same price as an SQ FL or TL machine. They include heaters and more "choice" in their cycles. They (Well, Miele) are built to high standards for domestic machines. SERIOUSLY you don't need an over-built machine for home use, unless you are careless with your washer. 

~ SQ TL machine no longer feature conventional timers that can be set for your choice of washing time, agitation speed etc. Instead, everything is controlled by someone who thinks they "understand" what a Normal cycle constitutes

~ No options for "in-between" water temperatures (ala Fisher and Paykel) or Warm rinses (as redundant as they are)

~ FL machines lack a heater, given the longer cycle times they feature on Australian machines

 

[washman]

back on topic part 2

Here's what I understand
*it takes water, plenty of it, to properly clean clothes
*HE machines with their plethora of electronic attachments, are notoriously unreliable
*I'm ok with a PC restart when it locks up or MS updates need to be installed. I'm NOT ok having to "reboot" an effing washing machine for god's sake!
*Living alone and working split shifts doing IT support and working part of the weekend, sometimes the WHOLE weekend, I simply don't have the time to waste doing laundry in an eco-sanctioned pile of junk that takes 1-2 hours.
*I don't want to invest in "washing machine cleaner" and again, waste time along with money running a cleaning cycle.
*value for me is how long will the thing last and how much use can I get out of it?

 

[alineber]

Washer 111

I have a SQ TL machine that can wash a "Full Load" of laundry, with two rinses, in 37 minutes.  My water heater is set at 130*F.  My clothes are washed in true warm water.  Yes, my clothes are truly clean and this was accomplished in less time.  I have people at work who constantly ask me what kind of detergent I use, because my clothes look so clean and smell so good.  When I tell them that I use original Tide powder, they look surprised because they are using the same.  I start telling them about my SQ TL, and how my water heater is set higher to give me a true warm wash.  They start telling me about their FL machines and how they hate them.  I just smile at them, while inside I thinking how lucky I am to have my SQ TL.

 

[brisnat81]

Hi alineber

The Miele's we have in AU wash a normally soiled load clean in 40 minutes at 50deg C (120F) with two rinses and a >1200 RPM Spin. This is starting from 10-15degC cold tapwater.

No pretreating and all in 55L (14Gal) of water.

I switched from a BD Whirlpool to a FL nearly 10 years ago and have never looked back.

Can I just make the suggestion that you need to be respectful of other views, You're opinion isn't wrong and you're entitled to it, but neither is mine wrong and I'm entitled to mine.

Taking over every thread with a Speed Queen good, everything else bad is getting a bit a tiresome.

We all get that you and Washman love Speed Queen, It'd be nice if it didn't appear in every single post.

Regards

Nathan

 

[washman]

hi brisnat81

Remember that we too are entitled to our opinions same as you. Please remember that.

Miele makes a fine machine, no doubt and it was on my list unfortunately the 4080 was discontinued here in the states and the replacement lacked the tub capacity that I wanted. Also I had to take into consideration the ability to get the thing serviced when it breaks.

Beyond that, I also looked at competing brands found at Sears, my local BIG BOX, and 2 independent appliance dealers. I also used google to get links to reviews.

When all is said and done, I still stand by my often cited position. The new HE machines just aren't up to snuff reliability wise. In fact, there was a link on here with a pic of a FL LG that had a massively corroded spider assembly..........are you ready..........after a whopping two years of use!

Another posted a utube link of an LG HE TL machine that literally blew itself to pieces and punched a hole in the wall. Yet another shows a GE HE TL machine with a slightly bent frame piece that allowed the motor assembly to sag and drag against the bottom frame assembly.

Then there's the wonky circuit boards that seem to be very sensitive to any surges. Then you have the error codes that often come up because a pair of jeans refused to balance or something.

Throw in a 1 year factory warranty and sorry, that does not give me any warm and fuzzies regarding these new machines.

Perhaps down under you are sent better machines. I don't rightly know. I'm also realistic enough to know that the SQ is not the same build quality as machines of yesteryear. The dryer, perhaps, but the washer probably not. Still, I feel it is better built than any top loader out there today. And it is well worth the price IMHO.

 

[washer111]

Miele is most CERTAINLY NOT junk! If you didn't see the recent videos posted about their quality control methods, I'll recap and say that their machines are built for about 10,000 cycles (According to Combo52 SQ TL machines are the same) and are not piles of junk that take "forever" to wash clothes

 

Sure, if you select a cycle with Pre-Wash, Water Plus and a very Hot/Very Cold temperature, it will take longer. But the machine adapts itself to every load I put through it. 

 

The Miele can wash about 7.5KG of clothing with a stuffed drum at 40º if we so choose (A similarly rated TL machine often cannot handle such loads). That will take about 2:30 hours - but considering the size of such a load, I would never have any issues with a load that large taking so long to wash. If I'm pressed for time, I can push the "Short" button and bring the whole affair down to a 1:45 cycle, which is more than enough for clothing items worn daily as part of an office job. 

 

As I've repeatedly said here over time, I usually just wash about a 3.5kg load of clothes (Thats the typical load after sorting) on "Minimum Iron," which takes about an hour, or about 50 minutes if I cut it down and depending on the temperature and options selected. I use that cycle as it provides more water (thus gentler action) on the clothes. Since I don't need hardcore stain removal, I don't need the minimum water level. The cycle uses the same amount of water as the machine would on a fully loaded Cottons cycle, just to put that into perspective for readers. 

 

Other comments about "Washing Machine Cleaner" are met be the following statement: Given CORRECT laundering habits , that is FREQUENT Warm and/or HOT washes, being gentle with fabric softener products and ensuring proper detergent loading, you WILL NOT NEED a washer-cleaner, EVEN in an FL machine. 

Of course, with U.S. machines dumbing water down so cold, and people using so much fabric softeners and other *crap*, I'm not surprised your machines need it. 

 

Our machine runs probably about 3-4 washes above 130ºF (55ºC) every week. Other washes are at "Warm" temperature (40ºC/104ºF), always with Extra Rinse selected. 

The machine has NO mould in the boot, NO odours (except the smell of clean clothes/detergent) and has not had any issues (*touches fibre-board desk*) in the 1.5 years we've had the machine. 

 

[washman]

washer111

Where was it stated that Miele was/is junk?

 

[mayfan69]

I wish.....

there was a way you could 'block' certain people on this site where you don't have to read their posts and propaganda...just like you can on Facebook or other sites...just like I've already done to one person at least on the autowasher.org friends page...

I think I might put the suggestion to Robert.

Leon

 

[alineber]

Hi brisnat81

<div>In the U.S., your machines take in 120°F water, temper it to 104° or less then wash for 20 minutes or so without a heater, and complete the cycle. (I base this on relatively recent discussion occurring here where machines take about an hour to wash).</div>
<div>There is NO way that will get clothes clean... If you have an FL machine that takes in PROPER hot water or heats it up and washes for long enough, your clothes will get clean. You also need some water to achieve this. But not copious amounts that some people *think* they need. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>
<div>
<div>
<div>I was trying to show "washer 111" that I agreed with his statement above.  If you read his post, he thinks that U.S. FL's, without heaters, have problems cleaning clothes.   This is why I told him that I had to raise my water heater to 130*F and why I use the SQ TL machine.  Many of my friends have FL's with no heaters built in and they are having problems.  I'm sorry, if you took my post wrong.  Maybe I didn't word it correctly, but I was not disagreeing with anything he was saying or trying to be disrespectful.  </div>
</div>
<div><span style="color: #ff0000;">Taking over every thread with a Speed Queen good, everything else bad is getting a bit a tiresome.  </div>
<div> </div>
<div>Sorry, if you think that way because that is not my intension.   </div>
<div> </div>
</div>
<div>We all get that you and Washman love Speed Queen, It'd be nice if it didn't appear in every single post.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Most of my comments are shown in post about SQ or people here in the U.S. looking for good cleaning, long lasting, high quality washers or people unhappy with their FL washers.   I will not hold back my opinion from these post no matter how many there might be, but I will try to keep it out of others.</div>
</span></div>
<div> </div>
<div>Regards,</div>
<div>Allen</div>

 

[mrb627]

Unfortunate Perspective

But I would say that Miele is not the same around the world and the Australia does get a better performing machine simply due to the power at which the machine operates.

Malcolm

 

[washman]

Well said alineber

 

[kenmoreguy89]

Washer111 & company

I do not really want to start another FL vs TL thread....
But I can read you say some Inaccuracies...first of all networks and voltage in US does not limit that always, there are models of Miele and Bosch with a built in heater working with 120 volt....
Front load vd top load:
I can speak from an italian persepctive, and PERSONALLY having used and seen lots of FL machines with heaters and that can boil, not to mention the US fl's machine whenever they are set up to fill water not hot enough, and can say you here that NONE of them used to give a performance paragonable to a Top loader agitator machine*, both in warm, hot or boil washings and with the so acclaimed staged, hours long cycles.
* (accordingly that you use it with proper water temperature so I mean hot enough and proper cycle).
Based on my experinces, from what I could see and my way of thought, I think that the method of washing of a front loader cannot be paragonable to an agitator washer in matter of cleaning simply because there is no way that wet clothes tumbling in a drum have the chanche to have washing solution forced into them in a way able to remove dirt and stains as effectively as an agitator washer does by beating clothes through water and having the solution forced through them, freely with a greater force, homogeneity and effectiveness, before you mention time, I say that I think that even if they tumble four hours would probably never get clean enough.
I could experiment that also.... When using a front loader I used to extend further the wash time by crank back the knob trying to schieve cleaner results, having wash times as long as 3 hours and half and sometimes with bio soak overnight, but even in those occasions had laundry came out with spots and halos I knew my Filter-flo would have never left back...

Can also tell you that it is the same for the many italians that spend fortunes in these machines and find them way better than the previous FL machine they had including former Miele owners, what I can read and hear most of the times is that people can finally achieve the results without the usual pretreatring and or manual prewash soak they always had to do before (practice very common over here since the advent of automstics, , that me indeed of course never had the need to do, toss in and dah dah...clean!)

So, very different from you....

So here is the thing, since it all started from it:
Out there there are lots of people who don't find front loaders being as good as toploaders, and you can read it in many reviews, the same way there are people who find them better than their previous top loader...
So who's right?
None you can tell, unless you start an endless speech taking in exam lots of variants that made them to arrive to this conclusion, it would really be nice if we would do further investigations in both the cases and do a factual speech, like the former top loader owner that loves his new heating front loader, well perhaps that one could not reach an enough hot temperature and then he comes to find the front loader better as it finally reach a proper temperature heating his own water...
Then there are the ones that regrets having their old top loader back after having bought a new front loader and share their fond hate toward front loaders, HE and such...
Lots of other variants can make one's opinion....
As for everything, the best one could do, is sharing his own opinions and findings based on own experiences or ones he knows of....especially in threads requesting an opinion like this one.
Nobody is wrong or right, so if one finds that front loaders sucks compared to top loaders should be free to say so without objections, the same way who thinks otherwise....
Let's just don't start wars over it......

[this post was last edited: 3/17/2014-00:34]

 

[washer111]

Here is Where you "Implied" It

<a name="start_51686.742322">"*value for me is how long will the thing last and how much use can I get out of it?"</a>

 

Miele's sell at a similar price point (or cheaper, sometimes), are manufactured to withstand years of domestic use (and abuse...), add more features and have high efficiency.

 

And for the record, I'm not interesting in starting the FL/TL debate. Merely setting the record straight and correcting misconceptions people seem to have. I won't be contributing any more to this thread - as it seems that people are offended by my opinions, or perhaps their own fear of the truth.

 

[washman]

washer111 you missed the point

I never implied Miele was cheap or junk. I know what I typed and nothing of the sort was "implied". That my friend is entirely YOUR perception.

Perhaps you read further down when I said in part ".........when it breaks........." which it will. As will the Speed Queen.

Hillmon Appliance, my closest dealer about 40 minutes away, offered their machines starting, I repeat, starting at $1600. That is US currency btw. And that did not include the pedestal either.

That is almost twice what I paid for the Speed Queen.

And, no local dealers service Miele in my area. None. Zilch. Zero. Which means I have to rely on a single dealer a long way off for service.

OTOH, I bought the washer from one dealer locally and the dryer from a second dealer because he had a better price AND both service what they sell. This is part of what I mean by value.

Clear now?

 

[kenmoreguy89]

Merely setting the record straight and correcting misconcept

Merely setting the record straight and correcting misconceptions people seem to have.

Do not want to sound like a bitch..
BUT

Are you really sure you have that much of power or authority to determine whatever needs to be "corrected"?
Don't take this for bad...please...
I have seen you " correcting" " many things that could be called anything but opinable sentences or Ie "opinions"..... that really does not need to be corrected simply because they ain't right nor wrong...
As for the ones of yours.....
I think no one fears the truth here, because no one can say to be the TRUTH IN PERSON, one can just say what are their findings snd accept whatever are differents thoughts and opinions and take them for what they're are, some sentences I have seen in your posts indeed sounded like decrees/ verdicts..
No one here can say to have the suthority or power to do that as we still are in a democratical country and forum....
But perhaps it is me seing ot that way....