Do F/L washers need a "start" button?

[toggleswitch]

I'd like some opinions, please.

American dryers require a "start" button to prevent a child from opening the door, entering, closoignt he door and then getting tumbled to death when the cycle resumes automatically. These buttons, of course, must be pressed each time the door is opened and the drum (and all action) stops.

Now that we are moving to front-loaders, do you think there is the same risk and should a similar "start" button be required?

Tell us what you think...is the opening too small, or the glass in the way, etc.....

 

[agiflow]

I would think the risk would be less, seeing as FL washers lock their doors during operation.

Also the fact we live in a lawsuit happy country, it wouldn't hurt to have a safety start button.

 

[toggleswitch]

ah to keep 'em out.

I saw it as keeping 'em in!

 

[agiflow]

Ohh MY goodness Steve,....what are we going to do with you. ;-)

 

[toggleswitch]

now who do YOU sound like? LOL LOL LOL

 

[Brent-Aucoin]

Steve,
The only American Front loader that I can think of that does not have a start button are the last version's of Electrolux machines. Are there others that don't have the start button?
I think that they all need a start button, for saftey.
Or, like a combination lock code that only you can keep to yourself so that no one else can ever use your machines, without the secret code.
Brent

 

[toggleswitch]

ah but does it need to be restarted (with the button) with each opening an re-closure of the door?

 

[westytoploader]

On the last "first-generation" Frigidaire FL's with mechanical timers you had to pull the timer out, but this new version is 100% electronic. Regardless, the opening is too small and only a really little kid could fit in there, and even then it would be a squeeze! I think children could crawl into the Duet/HE3t and Neptune's tub with a minimum of effort, so that's where the start button would be necessary.

My '93 White-Westy doesn't have a start button of course (nor does it need one, really), but that door opening is even smaller than the Frigidaire's!

 

[Designgeek]

Sure, put a Start button on there. Though, it's not as if people routinely open the doors on their FLs in the middle of the cycle!

Hey look at it this way, at least there's not a little screen that fills up with disclaimers and legal language and requires you to click "I Agree" before the cycle starts! (Don't go giving anyone any ideas now!)

 

[jimmyb]

Start Button

The Speed Queen does have a start button. If you want to add an item you turn the main dial to the off position and wait for the door to unlock before you can add the item (at least it is easier when it is ulocked) LOL. Once added, close the door, reset the main dial to cycle selection and then press the start button. So yes it does need to be pushed with every opening and closing of the door.

The main wash cycle dial is quite simple and computerized just having the cylces listed and does not move throughout the cycle.

I would say with how the main dial is compterized the start button is required.

On a side note when I had the LG set for a short time the repairman said he had to fix several machines as many people tried to open the door when it was locked.

 

[tolivac]

Not only with children do you need the "Push T Start" buttons-but pets may find the open washer inviting as well.I can remember a Childhood "Hide-and Seek" game where my brother hid in the dryer-found him by pushing that button-Fortunately was more funny than serious--Also during the 60's remember a bunch of kids that would go to laundramats and Do-"Dryer Riding" they would go into the big dryers for a "Ride" this didn't last long though.The laundramat operators caught onto this quickly-the kids were Jr high kids from the Jr high I went to-no- I didn't participate.

 

[toggleswitch]

Deisgngeek /Georgio:
Quote: Though, it's not as if people routinely open the doors on their FLs in the middle of the cycle!

I do! The water barely comes over the lower part of the boot.

And how does the Frid-Ge-More F/L lock work that I can open the machine through the wash but it wont unlock during the final rinse or spin even with the timer pressed to "OFF"?
I dont think there is a time delay to wait-for either...

any clues?

 

[toggleswitch]

Jim:

I REALLY like your Speed Queen.

BTW is the dryer drum Stainless steel or galvanized?

 

[jimmyb]

Dryer Drum

The Speed Queen had a galvanized drum.

 

[jimmyb]

Dryer Drum

"The Speed Queen had a galvanized drum."

Just checked last night and it still has a galvanized drum. Not sure why I typed "had", like the SQ Fairy snuck in and changed it on me or something?

 

[parunner58]

Toggle,

What year is your Fridgidaire FL, ours is about 1.5 years old. Our's cannot be opened during the entire cycle unless you turn the knob to the off position. I only had to do this one time, I had one bathroom rug in it and it would not go into the final spin so to add a few towels I thought i could push the knob in but the door stayed locked. I had to advance it to off. I then noticed that ours stays locked as soon as you start it and will not open during the entire cycle.

 

[toggleswitch]

Jim:
BEWARE of fairies! er--SQ fairies.

Mike:
It is 2.5 yrs old. Will open at the beginning of cycle up to oone of the rinses. Then I can't find any way to open the door until the cycle ends of its own accord.

 

[toggleswitch]

Jim:

If a fairy can change galvanized to stainless,
find out if he can change brick into gold bullion!!!