Consumer Reports® Reply to Speed Queen Suggestion

[frigilux]

I left a message at CR suggesting they test and review a SQ top-loading washer, as they have already tested a front-loader, and since most people still purchase TL'ers, it would be helpful to have test information on a machine that is different from the Whirlpool conglomerate.

I received this wonderfully impersonal, exquisitely non-committal response from them. Hopefully, they'll test one! (And since their note showed CR as a registered trademark, I get another excuse---besides the BobLoad®---to use the ® symbol...legally.)

 

[djmjlcst]

Let's hope it happens!

Hey Eugene,

Thanks for taking the time to contact CR. It would be nice to read a review of the SQ top loading machine. They just don't give the company justice. So maybe in a few months time they will test one. I'm curious to see what they find out about the machine.

Mike L.

 

[jeffg]

I hope they've finally changed their policy. For many years CR had a strict rule: to be included in reviews, a company's products must have a certain minimum percentage of market share. So Speed Queen has been excluded from all of CR's washer and dryer reviews.

Also, energy and water efficiency are heavily weighted in CR's reviews, so Speed Queen's top loaders don't stand much of a chance for a good rating (any traditional top loader would have the same issues).

 

[frigilux]

Jeff: Re: CR/Market share

I thought so too, but they reviewed a Staber, and I would think Speed Queen's sales are substantially higher than Staber's.

I want them to review a Speed Queen top-loader, damn it, and I want them to do it NOW!!

It's been a long day. I go bed, now.

 

[nmassman44]

Believe it or not my Speed Queen washer doesnt use much more water than a front loader. At 31 gallons per load if I dont stand there and reset the water level to fill the basket to the top then it uses about 40. I agree that CU needs to test them.I hated the last testing where they only showed the top picks. I love the SQ washer I have. Holds as much as the POS Maytag Neptune I had.Does a terrific job washing and rinsing. Spin isnt as high as the front loader but the time savings is tremendous. If I had to do 6 loads of wash with the front load washer and if I started doing laundry at 8 am I wouldnt be done doing laundry until 10pm that day. And that was taking the last load out of the dryer at that time. Now I can start laundry at 9am and be done all 6 loads by 12pm. I did that timing yesterday. Not bad I say.

 

[ronhic]

Believe it or not my Speed Queen washer doesnt use much more

At 120 odd litres that is at least 50% more than an equivalent capacity front loader would use which by any persons definition has to be 'significantly more'

 

[jeffg]

Our water bill averages $15 a month, while our power bill averages 15 times as much. I'll gladly trade some extra water usage for substantial savings of electricity and time.

 

[brettsomers]

i got a very similarly worded response when i asked them to consider noting the sudsing levels of laundry detergents tested.

 

[mayguy]

Jeff

Most top loader use the standard 1/2 hp AC motor, where front loader uses DC motor. DC motor use far less power than AC... I don't think you will save on electric by switching to TL??

 

[MikeS]

SQ May Have A Chance

It's more likely Speed Queen's top loader will be tested by CR; the magazine is more responsive to reader requests than it used to be. In the past, "Consumer Reports" based their decision to test products on market share; it was necessary at a time when the magazine's funding base was smaller and its testing facilities were in an aging former factory in Mount Vernon, New York and appliances had to be hauled up to a third-floor lab. And since CR has tested a Speed Queen front-loader, a top loader test may not be far behind.

 

[norgeway]

Energy use

I could CARE>LESS about water usage, my water usage is never over the minimum and I use a belt drive Whirlpool, If buying a new machine a Speed Queen to me, is the only choice,the only front loader I would use is a Bendix or Westinghouse, they are the only ones that ever rinsed worth anything, you cant wash or rinse without WATER!!!

 

[ptcruiser51]

Market Share

I guess that's why I've never seen them road-test a Rolls-Royce or Bentley. There's a dealer for them across the highway from me; I've never seen their service department idle. They can't all be doing oil changes!

 

[paulg]

Agreed

It is about time they review Speed Queen. I've owned TL now for about four years and am pleased as punch. Was at the Speed Queen Dealer recently and saw an updated line of TL and FL washers. That new stainless front-loader looks magnificent.
Yes, the SQ TL is quick. Actually I get the laundry done so fast it builds up because I can't put it all away fast enough. No joke! If I bought the double dryer (that I realllly wanted), the laundry would be flying.

 

[frigilux]

Mike--- How high up the tub is the water level when you set the control at the manufacturer's highest level? My 2006 Frigidaire fills to the third row of holes down from the top of the tub, which is annoying, as it limits capacity to about 2/3 of its potential.

The manual says to load clothes to the top row of holes, but I tried that once and cringed at how the load was being yanked around during agitation/indexing. There wasn't enough water to turn the load over and the machine was having to work harder than necessary.

When I want to wash a maximum load in it, I attach a rubber band to a picture-hanging hook. I hook it in a small gap along the bottom of the console, then wrap the rubber band around the water level knob. The pressure holds it in the "reset" zone, and the washer fills right up to the top of the tub.

 

[nmassman44]

The water level at Extra Large is at the 3rd row below the top of the basket. To me thats not enough water since I like to have the load move thru the water. I never Bobload the washer since to me if you overload it then your asking for your clothes not to last or get as clean as they can be. Plus the excessive linting is a bit much too. I will take a pic and show how high it goes.