Award For Best Agitation For Vintage Top Loader

[launderess]

Please step up and nominate your choice for best agitation of any vintage top loader.

Weather the process moved clothes through water, or the water through clothes, inquiring minds want to know.

Launderess

 

[kenmore1978]

best agitation

Toss-up between Frigidaire and Philco Automagic, from what I've observed in videos.

 

[knitwits1975]

I'm definately going to have to say that I nominate Whirlpool/Kenmore. They really got 'er done. If the nomination were for the spin ,however, I wouldn't pick the Whirlpool's lethargic spin, and would pick just about anything else.

 

[norgeman]

Nominations for best agitation

Of course I'm going to nominate Norge any of the Fedders Norge models as they had the best agitation of any washer that I've ever seen and believe me I have seen them all. For second place would go to the Frigidaire 1-18lbers. Third would be a tie for Speed Queen and G.E. Fliterflo with the ribed ramp activator.

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[angus]

I go with Frigidaire or the famous vintage Norge "Wave Agitatiiion"

 

[rinso]

My vote is for any GM made Frigidaire

 

[gregm]

Norge

Norge ......... (pre Fedders)

 

[laundromat]

Agitators

Frigidaire 3 ring

 

[foraloysius]

Three ring agitator or rotoswirl.

 

[cleanteamofny]

Boy this is a hard one!
I must say Whirlpool/Kenmore then Maytag, Speed Queen, Jenn Air (Norge design), since I have used these machines one time or another.
The slow long arc just can't be beat!

 

[magic clean]

Norge-Kelvinator

I'm anxious to see what Mr. Gansky is gonna pull out of his hat with the mystery washer. If its a late 60's 18lb Norge-Kelvinator with the ramp agitator, that machine has a very powerful intensive agitation.

 

[mayken4now]

Frigidaire 1-18 is nominated.

Steve

 

[peteski50]

Award For Best Agitation

I'll always go for the Frigidaire 1/18 also.
Peter

 

[jasonl]

Any Front loader ~~~~~~

just kidding

1. Frigidaire 3-ringer
2. Kenmore Fat Roto Swirl
3. the rest

So if we can get a Kenmore washer and give it a solid tub, and the spin kicks off like a Unimatic WITH spray rinses. And it also does a Magic Minute thing and the famous agitate while filling in Perm Press.

Could you imagine hearing "Grrrrrrrr-click-clunk" WHHOOOOOOOOOOOSSSSSSHHHHHHHHHH!! (the water going out of the tub as it accelerates)

 

[westytoploader]

Best capacity in an oscillating agitator: 18 pound GE with Ramp Activator...that has the absolute best turnover no matter what's in there (except a cotton-stuffed comforter of course). Don't be afraid to load it full!!

And the "Best Cleaning Ability" award goes to the Frigidaire Unimatic 2-ringer. I mean, how many other machines can obliterate cooking-oil stains out of polos in COLD WATER? This comes from experience...I can't wait to see what a hot-water wash does!

 

[mulls]

Whirlpool

I have to vote for a machine I really dont care for-WPs with the Surgilator with the wavy straight vanes.Wimpy spin,wimpy little spray rinses,suds lock-but those machines when lightly loaded would almost throw the clothes out of the water as they moved up the sides of the tub.Great cleaning.
Tom

 

[powerfin64]

Maytag Gyrator, and Whirlpool Surgilator, Speed Queen "Angel Wings"(thats what I call them).

Rich

 

[user 12105]

1. WP super-surgilator
2. Maytag Powerfin
3. KM straight vane (bakelite), super Roto-swirl,Roto-swirl,DA-agitator.
4. Frigidaire's Jet-action agitator of the 60's.

 

[hooverac216]

i think the 1-18

 

[goatfarmer]

Frigidaire 1-18.Nothing else comes close.

 

[scott55405]

I would say any GM Frigidaire, followed by Kelvinator/ABC and Philco Automagic/Miss America. The Whirlpool/Sears/Norge type machines would be good too, but I think the first three are somewhat better in cleaning and certainly with gentleness to fabrics.

 

[veg-o-matic]

For sheer drama, you just can't beat the Kelvinator. Guess that's why they put a window in the lid!

 

[lightedcontrols]

.....my nomination is....

1. The Westinghouse top loader with the swirl agitator and the indexing tub - knocks the GE version of this out of the water!
2. Kelvinator
3. Norge Burpilator.
4. Frigidaire Jet Action - it doesn't tangle!

 

[norgeman]

Nomination for agitator

One thing that I learned about washers back a few years ago is that in mobile homes they usually put Whirlpool or Kenmore in them as they didn't shake the house so much and aposed to a G.E. set because they had a more radical spin on them. This was told to me by a guy that repairs washers when some friends on mine had a G.E. filterflo in the mobile home park where we lived in Texas. They had also a G.E. dryer that the heat coil would stay on even after the dryer had stoped. Thats when the repair guy told me about the difference and why they put so many Kenmores in mobile homes more often.

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[frigilux]

Initially, I was going to place a vote for the 3-ring Frigidaire. Awesome turnover (as those brutally tangled clothes will attest!)....

However, having given it more thought, I vote for the classic Kelvinator/ABC-O-Matic. No one tops it for general mayhem!!

 

[mrsalvo]

After careful consideration, including best cleaning ability and wear and tear on clothing, I would have to go with any of the GM Frigidaires. Close second would be Westinghouse with the indexing tub and/or GE ramp activator.

 

[westytoploader]

Lightedcontrols said: The Westinghouse top loader with the swirl agitator and the indexing tub - knocks the GE version of this out of the water!

Well the GE isn't a "cheapie" model without a tub brake, so it actually cleans the clothes, and besides, turnover is much more entertaining, hmph! ;-)

--Austin, the GE fan

Yes, I'm jealous of your '68 Westinghouse...

 

[soapnsuds]

If a newbie can add his two cents...Frigidaire 1-18 or a three ringer...or ANY of the Frigidaires, hands down!! I'd marry the first person to come along with a Harvest Gold or Brown 1-18 or a turquoise 1958! (with matching dryer!!) For better or worse, I do! God I sound so cheap! ;-)
James

 

[pulsator]

I naturally pick The GM Frigidaire 3-Ring Pulsator!!

 

[angus]

Actually Austin, the GE always got very high marks from CR for washing ability and I think Westinghouse usually ended up as Average Washing Ability......