CNET 2018 speed queen review

[henene4]

Yeah, they do have their quirks when they break down, but anybody who has the ability to troubleshoot a Windows PC and the mechanical skill to put up IKEA furniture can work on a F&P machine.

They have verry few parts that break, they are easy to diagnose and easy to replace. Personally maybe a 2 pump setup would have been better then the valve setup, but even that is just a simple 3-way-valve.

Anythings else is: Unscrew, unplugg, exchange, screw back in, run test.

 

[infusor]

I think FP machines are great by the way. I'm just making a point of how the new speed queen performs on par with an agitator FP washer. Yes the cabrio ONLY gets one grade higher at "good" but the cycle is an hour and 20 minutes, and it only scores fair for gentleness. No doubt in my mind if speed queen did a 60 min cycle it would get great results. I do not think washing action is the issue, if it was then why does the best performing agitator washer only get an average score for cleaning? According to CR they do not perform well. I have a top performing lg, does it remove stains well? Yes, bit it uses so little water, my whites are getting dingy from re deposit for low water usage, yes i use tide powder and oxygen bleach along with extra rinse and sanitary cycle too.

 

[henene4]

do a 60min cycle

Well, they heavy duty cycle the tested after the disappointing normal cycle was something close to 60 min, so...

 

[joeypete]

I think the cleaning ability of the FP can be diminished because it only fills with cold water, except on the Allergy cycle. Other cycles use the recirculation pump before filling completely and that saturates the items with the selected water temp and detergent. They claim it aids in stain removal. It makes me fell better but that's subjective I guess. Also there is no soil level selector so you have to use the Heavy Duty cycle if you want a longer wash time. I use Allergy for my whites because it fills with selected temp, and it's not a dumbed down temp. Overall I'm very happy with it. Granted my stuff doesn't get really dirty, but when it has, everything has come out very clean.

 

[DADoES]

 
Previous F&P models have selectable wash time, 3 to 15 mins.  Want to make it really long?  Add the 2-hr soak option!

Unfortunate they dropped the Intuitive model from the U.S. market, it's hugely versatile.

 

[joeypete]

Speaking of F&P

What the heck is up with the current pricing?!? I paid $799 for my machine last November and they are now selling for $1399-1699! That was from the local store I bought mine at and also online. The dryers are still the old price. I'm thinking it has something to do with tariffs? The dryers are made by GE either in KY or Mexico, so they might be exempt.

 

[whatsername]

It's definitely the tariffs, which can be "up to 50 percent". LG also raised prices. The tariff seems to be on washers only and not dryers.

http://https//www.reuters.com/artic...pply-chains-through-the-wringer-idUSKBN1FJ0LZ

 

[tolivac]

At how many FP machines I have seen in the scrap appliance dumpster at the dump site I go to-think I WON'T buy a FP machine of any sort.

 

[thomasortega]

If SQ gets rid of the agitator, puts two vanes in the drum wall and agitate with short and fast strokes, it will clean way better.

 

[tolivac]

Cool,and WOW-that is MUCH better than the present SQ machine.Lots of action there-and the clothes should get clean in less time.You will need your raincoat to watch this machine.I would buy this over the present newer SQ washer.With the action in that washer-the wash time would be shorter.Thus faster cycle times.

 

[joeypete]

At how many FP machines I have seen in the scrap appliance dumpster at the dump site I go to-think I WON'T buy a FP machine of any sort.

 

From what I've seen they generally last about 12-15 years without a problem. I know Glenn has had is for what, like 20 years?? They are very simple machines in terms of parts. My friend's parents have had theirs for almost 10 years with no problems. They love it. I really like mine now. It's a bit quirky to operate sometimes but it's a good performer.

 

[wft2800]

Why the big surprise? The new SQ can't clean - but neither could the old one. As for Combo52's laughable claim that the SQ front-loaders are the best in the world... only 1200rpm max spin at most, no heater, grumbly bearings, drums not deburred, noise from balance rings, shonky build quality... all I can say is he's clearly not spent any length of time with a Miele (proper one, not the US-only 27" junk) or comparable European front-loader (e.g. old 70s Bauknechts and Brockes, Nuremberg AEGs, Bosch/Siemens from the 60s up to the early 2000s, the old Italian Philco/Bendix/Crosley machines etc). My grandmother always had Italian Bendixes - bloody massive induction motors, vigorous wash action, 95c boil-washes, long cycles, four high-level rinses IIRC, they'd get mud, grit and stains out of anything, and they lasted forever.