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Ugly But Practical.....

I absolutely HATE that style of control panel in that matched set yogi posted in reply #36.
It is just so ugly I could never stand to have that in my home.
Also, what was the point of such an overangled, sloped panel?
That was not one of their better looking designs that's for sure.
Maybe though, the seller will throw in the dishwasher in the background as well?!
 
the slant was just a new design, something to update the look into the 90's, for the most part, GE kept the same panel design for almost 20 something years....and it was along the lines of the "clean touch" design...granted not one of my favorites either, but this set is in nice shape just the same....I prefer the models I have with the black and chrome, having lighted controls would be the ultimate....but something that can be added if I ever come across a parts donor

one of mine has the warm rinse option that was "blacked out" as an attempt by GE to be Energy Saving quick fix rather than produce a new contol panel and buttons, simple paint remover exposed the option that was always there....like many machines that have hidden cycles, just no graphics to alert you to cycles that are there....not hard to figure out...

you can never have too many filter-flo's.....

yogitunes++3-18-2013-09-51-57.jpg
 
I agree.....

The models you have there yogitunes was the nicest looking design they had over the years.
I also didn't mind the rather sterile all black with the red line in the middle running the entire length of the control panel. Had that model in a new house I lived in in Burnaby, B.C. back in the early 90's. Dryer and dishwasher also had the same black with the red line.
Simple, but nice.
 
I too would recommend a GE Filter-Flo, I was very attached to my grandmas, it was in heavy daily use for 36 years. It could filter far better than anything else and the ramp activator could move the clothes.
 
I fooled around with a Filter flow that my buddy had in a house he was renting a few years back. It was from around the early to mid 80's. With much excitement, I brought my dog beds to his house and some laundry soap, along with some STPP. Unfortunately, I wasn't impressed at all with its filtering ability as it was a big let down. Maybe my dogs have finer than normal hair......or something, but there wasn't much hair in the filter by the time the wash cycle ended. Of course, I bypassed the lid switch and watched the entire time. LOTS of hair ended up in the dryer filter, though. It was quite a bit of a let down, but it made me more content that my Maytags did a better job with dog and cat hair from my animals than my friends filter flow.

 

I do remember peaking underneath the skirt of the washer sometime later trying to help diagnose a problem for him and it appears (going from a fuzzy memory here) that the pump  drew water from the bottom of the tub for filtering. Well, hair usually floats to the top, so that could have been the problem right there. Maybe that's why they work better with lint since it's heavier than hair. My personal experiences.
 
Another Thing to Consider:

The location of your laundry pair.

 

If noise is a factor, a GE Filter Flo will make more of it than a Whirlpool, and a lot more of it than a Maytag or Kenmore. 

 

On the flip side, the whacka-whacka-whacka when the GE stops spinning makes a good end-of-cycle signal that can be heard all over the house.

 

I think the animal hair is a your-mileage-may-vary situation.  A friend of mine has two black Labs and I've seen wads of black fur collect in his GE Filter Flo's lint pan within a couple of minutes after starting the machine.
 
one of the factors for a filterflo is it being able to handle pet fur, meaning plenty of water for spin rinsing, deep rinse, and most important, that the pump can handle pet fur without clogging....

I have seen guys with german sheppards, constantly needed help with Kenmore/Whirlpools pumps and self clean filters getting clogged from the fur...your mileage may vary.....but they were more than happy once I got them set up with a filter flo.....not that this machine is the answer to everyones needs, but fewer issues should you have a pet
 
Also consider.

Serviceability. The WP/KM Direct drive machines on top of being top performers in washing results are easy to fix and you can get parts anywhere. Thats on the rare occasion they need service. While I agree that the GE Filter-Flo filters the best and A-series Maytags are built like tanks. The greater capacity and superior reliability of the DD WP/KM would make them the top pick.
WK78
 
There is a big difference between collecting and daily use. Get a Speed Queen. If you want cheap, an older whirlpool direct drive is a good choice. Economical easy to work on plentiful parts they are virtually bulletproof. Stay away from anything that has been built in the last 10 to 15 years. The older the better. Whirlpool Belt drive is a great choice, but fewer people know how to work on them and parts are not as plentiful. I was never a big fan of Maytag, I just don't think they wash as well. I know that is a controversial opinion.
 
GE Filter-Flow Washer

The unusual hole pattern on the wash basket of GE FF washers was a attempt to lesson the problem of redeposited lint and scum on clan clothing that GE washers users could experience under certain conditions. To some extent all spin drain TL washers can have this problem and it is a very hard problem to explain to the washers owner that it is not totally a fault of the washer. When GE first introduced the perforated basket FF washers the hole pattern was fairly even on the basket sides and in response to complaints they eliminated most holes on the basket sides and then they tried having more holes near the top as the one that was pictured in this thread, this was probably the rarest basket design.

 

As far as automatic washers that do the best job of removing lint and pet hair, the best would have to be, older FL washers and combos, these washers with all the holes in the baskets and the fact they still used plenty of water to flush loose lint and fur away, plus the tumbling action produces far less lint from the clothing in the first place.

 

Best TL washers would easily be older WP built Belt Drive machines with the back flush lint filter systems. I am in agreement with Dan in that I was never impressed with the lint removal and capturing capabilities of GE FF washers, the tiny bit of lint captured in the filter pan is a fraction of what is left spun into the finished load of laundry. 1-18s, Norges, Westinghouse, Maytag and even WP built TL washers all did only a fair job of removing lint and pet hair from clothing loads IMEO.  John
 
Light Bulb over my head...

Again, thanks gents!

EverythingGold and WhirlyKenmore78 piqued my interest with the suggestions that a new Speed Queen could fit the bill. Frankly, I was not aware that ANYONE today made a washer of the cleaning power and quality of 30 years ago. Price (within reason) is not a factor, and I probably have enough collectible mechanical things (watches, cars, fountain pens) to keep me busy and my checkbook open.

Am I to understand that a new Speed Queen (not Energy Star) like the AWN542 could be the answer I seek? (Link below)

Thanks!

 
New Speed Queen Washers

Yes any of the three top load washers are an excellent choice, I also highly recommend their Front loading washer as the worlds best built FLW for the home. Not only are all SQs sold the same as their commercial counterparts, but they have the best warranties in the industry. Their laundry appliances will get the job done without wasting time and you will not have to relearn how to do laundry, LOl.
 
Recent Speed Queen

Gents,

Has anyone purchased a Speed Queen since 2009 and compared it to an older one? I downloaded the manual for the new SQ top loaders, and scattered throughout the manual (whenever it refers to water level) is this phrase:

NOTE: Starting January 2009, the Department
of Energy (DOE) mandated new efficiency
standards which resulted in reduced water levels
in the topload washer.

What's up with that?

From the instructions, it appears you can fill it to the water level you need, but you have to stand there and hold some "reset" override knob to add water.

Thanks a bunch, Federal Regulators!
 

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