Best/Worst Ever Concensus

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Based on recent experience

Best performing automatic washer EVER, for both washing and rinsing: Frigidaire Unimatic
Worst automatic made, performance-wise: Bendix bolt-down

Best capacity: Frigidaire 1-18 (GE & Westinghouse w/ramp agitators come close)
Worst capacity: 18 lb. Kenmores with the Penta-Vane

Best water extraction in a TL: Frigidaire Unimatic
Worst water extraction in a TL: BD Whirlpool/Kenmore

Best reliability: Perforated-tub GE and BD Whirlpool/Kenmore when running properly (note that I don't have any helical-drive Maytags yet)
Worst reliability: Not sure as I haven't had any "repeat offenders" for breakdowns yet (not even the '55 'Tag), but I've heard Frigidaire Multimatic.

Best water efficiency in a TL: Frigidaire Unimatic
Worst water efficiency in a TL: 18 lb. GE

Easiest for service that involves a major teardown: Perforated-tub GE
Most difficult: BD Whirlpool/Kenmore

Most fun to have:
1. Frigidaire Unimatic
2. 24" BD Kenmore
3. Maytag AMP
 
Multimatics were marketed from the 1959 model year until part way or all of the 1964 model year. Rollermatics were definitely selling starting the 1965 model year and those were the first machines with the jet action, jet cone type of pulsator. The 1/18s were modified rollermatics that included a belt. Kinda simple but pretty accurate.
 
From what I have gathered, MultiMatics had some of the worst reliability issues when they were introduced for the 1959 model year. I have surmised that as the subsequent years ensued, the quality improved, but I don't think stellar. The Rollermatics had their own issues, but I"m not sure exactly. I do know if the rollers got oil/grease on them, they stopped working properly. And the 1965 & I believe the 1966 mdel Imperials and Custom Imperials, their control panel buttons had a high failure rate because the "back" wasn't strong enough and the buttons would kinda push right on through.
 
Amana-SQ

I think the connection is this (correct me if I'm wrong):

In the '70s, McGraw Edison Corp. sold their Speed Queen laundry line to Raytheon, owners of Amana refrigeration. Throughout the '80s, Raytheon produced washers with both the Speed Queen and Amana labels. In the '90s, Raytheon divested their home appliance lines; SQ was sold to Alliance Laundry Systems, Amana to Goodman Industries.

Alliance had a contract with Goodman to keep SQ out of the home market, so as not to compete with Amana. Under Goodman, Amana's quality took a nosedive, and eventually it was sold to Maytag--where it deteriorated further. This sale dissolved the Goodman-Alliance contract, so SQs are back in the appliance showrooms. While Amana...ugh.
 
Question

Ok I like this thread but I'm worried now. I have a 1966 Rolermatic that I"m planning to use as my everyday machine. I probably do about 3 loads a week. Is this machine going to be ok for me to use? I really want to be sure and if not I know someome with a coppertone kenmore that I might need to restore instead.

Joe
jamman_98
 
I would restore the Kenmore for the "everyday driver" and keep the Rollermatic for the more fun type of washing.
 
Joe, restore the Rollermatic. While Rollermatics are not as reliable as Unimatics if the machine is working fine just use it and enjoy it. Three loads a week certainly isn't heavy usage anyway. What good is it to have a washer if you can't use it?

With all of my Unimatics I've only had one repair after restoration, but it was my own fault. I had overtightened the screws on the oil pump cap and after four years of weekly use, I developed an oil leak in my '58 Unimatic. After opening up the transmission I saw that the cork seal had push out from under the cap. I replaced the cork seal and didn't tighten the screws quite so tight, its its been just fine ever since. I use my 1958 Unimatic more than any other machine in my collection.
 
Thanks Robert!

When I finally get moved into my new place, I'll need some further advice on the Rollermatic too. I can't wait till i can use it.

joe
jamman_98
 
Did not mean to insinuate that a Rollermatic was an unreliable machine, or that it should not be used at all. Only suggested that the rare machine could be better preserved by having a less rare machine share the 156 loads of wash per year.
 
Alliance Laundry Systems was prevented by contractual agreement not to compete in the domestic laundry market for only a certian period of time. Once that period expired, Alliance was free to compete and launched the "Homestyle" SQ product line-up.

IIRC, the time period was part of the original sale which broke up SQ into domestic and commercial markets, with Goodman receiving domestic, and Alliance the commercial.

L.
 
BTW, I finally got up-close-and-personal with a Speed Queen frontloader, today. It really is built like a tank. Now if they'd just configure a cycle with a long (18-25 minute) wash time, I'd definitely put it on my list.

A 9-minute wash is fine for many loads----heck, I use my 6-minute Quick Wash cycle frequently---but not having the option for a long wash is silly.
 
"...I would restore the Kenmore for the "everyday driver" and keep the Rollermatic for the more fun type of washing. "

I concur.

Rollermatics are historically unreliable. I personally wouldn't have one; there are better choices. The earlier machines (Unimatic, Pulsamatic, Multimatic) are much better. Unfortunately, the transmissions were likely much more expensive to manufacture.
 
best & worst

I have limited experience with the vintage machines, but I'd say that the best I've used were the early '60's Frigidaire. The worst-and I love front-loaders, by the way-would be the Bendix for its lethargic spin, followed by the late '60's Westinghouse Laundromat for its extremely noisy belt-shifting solenoids and tangling of clothes, and anything by WCI, including their version of the Laundromat (I had two tubs rust out!). By far the best current machines: The Whirlpool Duet HT washer, and its matching Duet dryer.
 
OH LAWD! Multimatic better than Rollermatic?

Austin, surely you jest!

Before I embarked on my career as a professional engineer, I serviced appliances and TV's. That was in the 1970's, so it is possible that I know a thing or two about washers...

Sorry, but the rollermatics were broke all the time. By contrast, the real workhorses were the WP/KM (belt drive) units, which seemed to take the most overload and abuse and keep running. Most of the other brands worked OK as long as they weren't overloaded. Some, however, were better washers than others.

When I came across this forum, I was surprised to see the emphasis on Frigidaire. While I think these are interesting and unique machines, the fascination with them here--after the fact--is not representative of the market (or market share) at the point in time when these machines were new.

In fact, most customers were ambivalent towards Frigidaire machines and many did not like them at all. I think this is one possible reason that so many have survived for your collections. Customers' would get frustrated repairing them or with their idiosyncrasies and they would just get another washer; sticking the "perfectly good" Frigidare in a corner somewhere.

Finally, I think that the more reliable "work horse" machines just got used up and were retired to washer heaven. The exception to this may be Maytag: the 'tags seemed to have an easier life than most other washers and weren't often abused; as if their owners' were more conscious of their habits and took more pride in owning their appliance. Strange.
 
Well I’m going to have to respectfully disagree with you on some points Joseph and here are my reasons why. I have spoke to many old time authorized Frigidaire service people in my day, and 90% of them all have the same story. They told me that the Unimatic was so rugged you could shoot a bullet through it and it would keep running. They said the Multimatic and Pulsamatic weren’t quite as good, but it was more reliable than the Rollermatic machines. With each redesign the mechanisms were produced with slightly cheaper parts which lead to more reliability issues. Now with so many completely different designs, service personnel had to be properly trained otherwise the machines were not properly maintained and that only made matters worse. Most service people were not interested in keeping up with new designs and like to work only on machines they were very familiar with, such as Whirlpool or Maytag which had not change their basic design in decades. I've worked on all these machines within the past 10 years and not one of them really is any easier to work on than another if you know the machine inside and out. All of them have made me say some naughty words at times. Personally if I had to pick a washer to work on it would be a Unimatic, that is because I know it so well I could do it in my sleep.

As for market share, in the 1970's the Whirlpool design was first, Maytag second, General Electric third and Frigidaire was fourth. With a market share of 4th that leaves us with a lot of washers out there to find. I'm not sure what the market share in the early or mid 1950's was, but I suspect Frigidaire was second, maybe even first at times.

Personally I have found at many estate sales, 1-18 Frigidaire that were hooked up and still being used to that day. I found quite a few solid tub Rollermatic that were still being used, two Multimatics and even a 1949 Unimatic, when I found it in 1998 the little old lady was still using it, she said it had not needed a repair since the 1970s. The only reason it was time for a new washer for her was the timer motor had finally given out and she tried to get it repaired unsuccessfully.

I do not think that the general population treated their washer differently by brand. I do agree however that for reliability, the Whirlpool and Maytag design would win over a Rollermatic, as for a Unimatic or Multimatic, I suspect they could hold their own.
 
That I Have Used and Owned Over the Years

Best Washing Ability: Wards/Norge, Frigidaire Rollermatic

Worst Washing Ability: Philco Bendix Front Loader, Belt Drive Kenmore with Super Roto Swirl

Best Water Extraction: Frigidaire Rollermatic, Wards/Norge

Worst Water Extraction: Philco Bendix Front Loader, WCI Frigidaire with porcelain tub.

Best Lint Removal: GE Filter Flo, Kenmore with self-cleaning filter.

Worst Lint Removal: Wards/Norge (storm of lint)

Quietest Machine: Maytag Helical, Kenmore belt drive

Noisiest Machines: Frigidaire Rollermatic, Wards/Norge, GE/Hotpoint (clank at end of spin)

Best at Unbalanced Loads: WCI Frigidaire, Frigidaire Rollermatic

Worst at Unbalanced Loads: Wards/Norge (came walking my direction when I was a kid).

Most Reliable Machines: GE Filter Flo, Maytag Helical

Least Reliable Machines: WCI Frigidaire, Frigidaire Rollermatic
 
Cant Say for the best but can for the worst

Any thing made by Alliance I have a number of the machines and they all su** , I have not seen The new Speed Queens and cannot speak for them but will find out more... Also stay away from Anything W C I everything they did was do do ...What Speed Queen Model did you see? I would like to look at it. Alliance also makes Uniwash , Unimac . Huebuch, And bought out Ajax and has now killed it, I think they are W C I in hiding.
 
My Take?!?!?!?!?!????

"Histroyman"

As for what I think the best/worst automatic washers EVER made, here is my take:

Best Vintage Washer:

BEST EVER: Maytag (never owned one, but I have been reading Consumer Reports from the 1960's thru the 1970's, and Maytags have always topped the ratings each and every time).

1ST RUNNER UP: Belt-Drive Kenmore/Whirlpool (I grew up with two of them..... one of them lasted 11 years (the first nine without a service call), and the second one was still running LONG after I have left home (in 1987...... a decade after my late mother purchased it back in August 1978)....... And a third one (a 67' Kenmore with 2 Speeds and 3 Cycles with Dispensers and OBB) lasted for almost 25 years before it had finally bit the dust more than 16 years ago........ These are really Whirlpools with Sears' Kenmore name badge on them with their lids positioned side ways instead of toward the back like the Whirlpools themselves...... But I rank the Kenmores slightly ahead of Whirlpools because Sears seems to have more stylish and more fully featured machines for the money....... Note the Lady Kenmores that I have checked out all during the years).

2ND RUNNER UP: Frigidaire (From the Unimatics of the 1950's thru My Late Uncle's Mid/Late 1960's Rapidry Rollermatic all the way thru the 1-18's of the 1970's, You cannot knock a Frigidaire for cleaning power, rinsebility and water extraction..... I also was taken aback by the way a vintage Frigidaire would agitate its washload (up and down instead of back and forth like our Kenmores tend to do).

Worst Vintage Washer:

THOUGH NOT THE WORSE EVER: Westinghouse T/L (again, never owned one....... but Consumer Reports always had it in for them every year during the 1960's).

Best Foreign Washer:

BOTH VINTAGE AND MODERN: Miele F/L (Hands Down...... But they're expensive as shit).

Best Modern Washer:

BEST CURRENT WASHER: Kenmore Elite HEt3/HEt4 - Whirlpool Duet (2001-Present).

1ST RUNNER UP: Kenmore Elite Oasis - Whirlpool Cabrio.

Worst Modern Washer:

THAT'S EASY (!!!!): GE T/L (the ones that were manufactured from 1995 to the present..... Plain and simple, they're nothing but plastic junk. If I have to have a GE Washer today, I would seek out an older "Filter-Flo" before I settle for a modern day GE..... If you want proof...... there is one sitting on the curbside in my neighborhood right now..... the cabinet is still brightly white and new looking........ proof's in the pudding..... need I say more????).

Best Dryer: To me, none really stood out or stand out today, so then, features, performance and reliability will have sway my decision if I was in the market for a dryer today. And for me, that would probably be a Lady Kenmore or a deluxe Kenmore/Whirlpool dryer dating from the 1960's to one of the Kenmore Elites of today (Solid-State Moisture Sensor, Wrinkle-Guard, Lighted Consoles and Drums, Full-Width Doors and Quiet Operation....... Need I say more????).

--Charles--
 
Ken, That white on white dryer with the HOT remote heating box on top is my all time favorite dryer. I don't need to know anything about its performance, but it's such a hot dryer that I'll bet it's fast, probably one of the fastest pieces ever made. Like many dryers, it will probably slow down as it ages and lint builds up, but then everything it turns out will be wonderfully soft, fluffy and just the sort of thing you want to hug against your bare skin and bury your face in. I do not understand why some people are not turned on by appliances.
 
issue versus problem

Ok, this is only slightly off-topic, but when did machines start having "issues" instead of problems...
(ducks and runs)
As for the best in my US experience: Unimatic.
Second best, GE filter-flo before they got plastic-y.
Worst, modern Whirlpool. I hate them thoroughly. They have killed more good brands than everybody else together.
Worst vintage machine (based on repairs as housemaster) Rollermatic.
And yet - the worst rollermatic of my life (nasty little 1966 piece of, well - you know what) was 1000 times better than the "best" stuff built today. Sad.
An awful lot of UK stuff was good back when it was built in the Uk. Since Merloni took over, nothing new is worth the price of a repair. Or purchase.
For Germany, have to say - until Whirlpool killed them, Bauknecht was the best mixture of creativity and value.
Today, Miele wins hands down.
 
Obviously Panthera you hate WP through and through, you have made it known time and time and time ad nausem..about your hatred. The sales figures and reliability of these machines over here in the GOOD OLD USA totally contradict any bullshit you have to say.

I have always had good service from this company and across the board they are the best BAR NONE!!!

That is my personal opinion and i am sorry if feelings are hurt.

You know what too f****** bad.
 
In my experience-not CU the best I have used would have been older Norge,KN and WP-esp belt drives.I can't comment on FL's since I don't own any and haven't used any.
worst machines would be the direct drive KN-treats your clothes like a Roto Tiller-and when it spun would ance and break its outer plastic wash tub.Poor quality.thru a use with my freind and seeing it die a brutal death-the PLASTIC GE would be the worst machine I have experienced.The one my freind had spread water and plastic shrapnel all over their laundry room floor.We took it to the dump and placed it before the dump landfill compactor and waiting for the moment-the "pactor opoerator must have been on a long lunch break-we wanted to see the 'pactor roll over that horrible machine!
 
o, my paws and whiskers

The question was, what is the best/worst in our own opinion.
I answered it.
Why this should lead to such an outburst as agiflow's, is beyond me.
I shall withdraw from this thread, lest my comments incite more discord.
 
Let's not get carried away here please, these are just personal opinions as any of these machines will get the job done, generally just fine. Any one of them could serve as our only washer and we would get along perfectly, we would just adjust the way we do the wash for the machine we have.

No need to leave the thread Kevin, everyone just remember there will never be a consensus on what comprises "best" and what is "best".
 
Not like I feel strongly about it or...

Agiflow, of course I accept. And I am sorry what I said upset you like that.
How about we add a further question: Which washer should be reborn?
I vote for Unimatic. (no, Robert, not you - being *decorative* is only one aspect of a well put together product.)
(Just realised "reborn" has a different meaning in the US than here...I mean, "returned to production".)
 

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