Decisions! GE or Whirlpool set? Which is preferred and why?

[deanmerc]

Hello everyone!
All three of these sets are local to me. Will both of those GE's have the stream of water running over the agitator while it's washing?

Which set do you guys think is the better one? They are priced identically.

Which is more reliable? Cleans better? Newer? I only have room for 1 set... ugh.

Thanks!!!

 

[deltablu]

Both of those GE washers are filter-flo, so yes they will recirculate water. If it's between those two, I'd get the almond set with the chrome trim. They are the older set (80's) and likely will avoid the outer tub rust problems that the white set is smack in the middle of (about 1993 for that pair.) I also replaced a ton of timers in the time frame of that newer pair. Also, that ramp agitator does a great job, IMHO.

 

[deanmerc]

Hi Ken!

Thanks for your info. I noticed some rust on that black panel newer model GE... It looks a bit tired in the pics. The owner just confirmed that it does have a basket on the agitator and the water stream - which I like. But it looks like it's had a hard life in the pic.

The older model GE was supposedly owned by an elderly couple since new, and looks to be in better shape. I don't think the little basket is there though - can I still find one?

Another member told me that the Whirlpool is a belt driven model, which has the slower long stroke agitation - which is nice also. But it also looks a bit used.

I'm leaning towards the older GE model. I hope it's good. Anyone else have advice for me please?

Thanks! Gabe

 

[trainguy]

GE

Gabe,

The Filter Flo set will be more fun to watch IMHO. Hope you've been doing well.

Rich

 

[deanmerc]

Hi Rich!

Great hearing from you and I hope all is well. I agree; I've decided on the older GE set. I just called the seller and am setting an appointment to check and then buy them. Sometimes these sets sell pretty quick, so I wanted to act fast.

My mom's house in Puerto Rico has an early 2000s Whirlpool, and it works great with great roll-over. But I miss the washers with a little basket and stream of water. And I do love the way that GE Spiral agitator moves the clothes. Looks like it really gets them clean.

Keep in touch!
Gabe

PS Thanks for the FAST replies everyone. I needed to make an informed choice and fast!

 

[revvinkevin]

 

 

Per your question in your other post, no there aren't any resource pages (with model / serial # info) here that I know of.  However, there are many knowledgeable people and if post the complete serial number, someone will be able to decipher it and tell you what month & year it was built.   For WP, Kenmore and Maytag anyway, maybe GE too (but not sure).

 

I do agree the GE would be more fun to watch and yes, the ramp agitator is MUCH better than one of the older straight-vane agitators (mostly in late 60's - early 70's GE's). 

 

As for the age of the WP machines, that was only my guess based on the control panel design and the size of the lid opening.   When they went to "direct drive" the lid opening was made larger and the control panel was majorly(?) revised. 

 

[deanmerc]

Question: Since I decided on the older GE model, is there supposed to be a basket on top of the agitator? It's the agitator with the birds-eye view. I will be picking up the set on Saturday morning. I will post a pic of the serial number tags.

Gabe

 

[revvinkevin]

CONGRATS!

 

 

Not a basket, but a filter pan.  Would be similar to this, could be the same diameter or slightly smaller, also will be white, not green / blue. 

 

[yogitunes]

'basket' usually refers to the mini-basket

then the 'filter pan' goes on top...

and a 'fabric softener dispenser' goes on top of that....

I probably would have gone with both GE machines.....spare parts!

you can never have too many....

 

[eurekastar]

Is the Whirlpool a belt drive model?

 

[deanmerc]

The seller of the Whirlpool set was completely unfamiliar with them. He purchased an apartment and they were inside. He had never used them or tested them to see if they worked. He assumes they do since they were still plugged in and hooked up to water supplies.

The GE set that I'm picking up is supposedly a 1-owner from new set. The man who has it is the Maintenance Supervisor at an ocean-front condo in Lake Worth. He told me that he knew the owners since they moved into the building in the early 80s. The old lady died and her son is remodeling/updating the condo. He told me that he tested everything and it works fine, and that the old lady grew up in the Depression and took care of everything. Whatever - I'll check it out Saturday and see if it's decent/clean shape.

Once again, thanks to everyone for your help and sharing your knowledge! I'm sure I'll be asking a ton more questions, so please stay tuned LOL. I'm going to have to find that pan. I guess the serial number will provide the manufacture date and help with locating it.

Gabe

 

[deltablu]

For eurekastar

That Whirlpool washer is a belt drive.

 

[deanmerc]

I didn't notice a filter pan in the pics that the seller sent me, so when I asked him about it he told me that he removed it so I can see the tub. He has it and sent me a pic.

I can't wait to pick them up and watch the first laundry load LOL. My folks had a Norge in the early 90s which had a little pan also. It sounded like it was sneezing when it agitated. Am I weird? LOL

Gabe

 

[appnut]

Gabe, congratulations filter pan was included.  That's a very appropriate description of the Norge "sneezing" when it was agitating.  That noise was water being spit back out to the filter pan. 

 

[deanmerc]

To all the Washing Wizards out there, here is the serial number for the washer. She literally looks brand new, and washes amazingly! I know it's just a simple washer, but she's great.

Nice and quiet and smooth. What year was it made? Model?

Thanks for everyone's help!

 

[deltablu]

November of 1980

 

[deanmerc]

Thanks Ken!

I can't believe she's 38. Looks literally brand new. Is there regular maintenance that should be done to ensure a longer life? Like changing the oil or something?

Are these GE Filter Flos belt drive or direct drive?

Thanks!

 

[appnut]

Belt drive.

 

[gelaundry4ever]

GE

I miss GE's filter-flo system. That's what we had before the post-filter-flo.