I seem to be developing a severe weakness for them! Especially this machine:
Does anyone else prefer front load washers with REAR control panels?
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Rear control panel
Count me among that number! Although the front panel machines look nice in the magazines and store displays, I am much more comfortable with the way the rear panel machines look in my own house. This is not a slight against anyone owning such a machine, just my own preferance.
Maybe I am getting old and jaded, but there is not much in the way of styling today among front-loaders that commands attention because of its distinction, in the way that one could tell between a Westinghouse Laundromat and a Philco-Bendix, for example. It is true that there are bolder colors and graphic displays than we saw in the past, but that seems to be about it.
Count me among that number! Although the front panel machines look nice in the magazines and store displays, I am much more comfortable with the way the rear panel machines look in my own house. This is not a slight against anyone owning such a machine, just my own preferance.
Maybe I am getting old and jaded, but there is not much in the way of styling today among front-loaders that commands attention because of its distinction, in the way that one could tell between a Westinghouse Laundromat and a Philco-Bendix, for example. It is true that there are bolder colors and graphic displays than we saw in the past, but that seems to be about it.
I'm with you, too, Jamie. I love mine!
amyswasher
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Love the Whirlpool next to the Speed Queen.
I wonder about controls on the front panels........
How many modern parents remember to use the digital control lockout (if offered?)
From what I have seen of modern parents, they are not too concerned about setting limits with their child(ren). I was given limits on all the appliances, and there were consequences if I did not follow them.
As for current front loading washers with rear panel controls, I wish there was more of a selection!
Lawrence/Maytagbear
How many modern parents remember to use the digital control lockout (if offered?)
From what I have seen of modern parents, they are not too concerned about setting limits with their child(ren). I was given limits on all the appliances, and there were consequences if I did not follow them.
As for current front loading washers with rear panel controls, I wish there was more of a selection!
Lawrence/Maytagbear
haxisfan
Well-known member
Not seen 1 of them in EU for donkey's
Funny we don't see this style washers anymore over here... I have one in the garage from mid 70's... that's as new as a front load washers with rear control panel gets in this side of the globe.
I included a link below... please don't mind the silly talk
Funny we don't see this style washers anymore over here... I have one in the garage from mid 70's... that's as new as a front load washers with rear control panel gets in this side of the globe.
I included a link below... please don't mind the silly talk
ronhic
Well-known member
Whilst it is probable that there were front load washers with rear controls sold here before Speed Queen in the late 1990's, I'm hard pressed to know which ones they are and I have certainly never seen one other than the 'top load' front loader that was sold here as a Bendix about 12 years ago.
...but that is a top load, horizontal axis machine rather than a front load horizontal axis machine....
So, I can probably go out on a limb here and say that the majority of Australians are not in a position to actually have an 'opinion' as such having never actually used one....
Personally, I don't see the benefit of rear controls at all....
...but that is a top load, horizontal axis machine rather than a front load horizontal axis machine....
So, I can probably go out on a limb here and say that the majority of Australians are not in a position to actually have an 'opinion' as such having never actually used one....
Personally, I don't see the benefit of rear controls at all....
3beltwesty
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With the 1976 westy FL washer, its controls are in the rear.
Variants of this design have front controls, this was done to allow stacking of a dryer on top of the washer.
Since most all washers of type did not have a stand, the rear control variant allowed a slanted panel for easier seeing; plus it matched the dryer's same slanted rear panel.
The front control version of my washer controls are well positioned if one is a Hobbit, 2nd grader, or midget. They run a long shaft to the back of the washer for the timer; plus the wiring harness has to have all its wires longer. It also drops the top panel optional bleach door too.
The front control version of my washer type was made in several models over its 1962 to 1993 production run, mostly used for STACKED set ups were space was a premium. Since only about 1 to 2 ? percent of us folks bought these 1962 to 1993 westys, the subset of the front control variant is zilch. It probably only 1/100 of those too. Most folks do not want to stoop to read a dumb timer and buttons.
Today a FL washer has an electronic timer an thus one can read it well even at an acute angle. Plus dryers too have front controls; thus matching of the set has the washer already matching the dryer.
**Note to non usa folks: In the usa most folks do use a dryer. Sales and Marketing market a washer and dryer as a "matched set". They are marketed like salt and pepper (old westy advert) matched sets. *IF* one is out with the wife looking at washers; the wife will tend to want a new dryer too so they match. The washer and dryer sit side to side and are designed to look alike.
Variants of this design have front controls, this was done to allow stacking of a dryer on top of the washer.
Since most all washers of type did not have a stand, the rear control variant allowed a slanted panel for easier seeing; plus it matched the dryer's same slanted rear panel.
The front control version of my washer controls are well positioned if one is a Hobbit, 2nd grader, or midget. They run a long shaft to the back of the washer for the timer; plus the wiring harness has to have all its wires longer. It also drops the top panel optional bleach door too.
The front control version of my washer type was made in several models over its 1962 to 1993 production run, mostly used for STACKED set ups were space was a premium. Since only about 1 to 2 ? percent of us folks bought these 1962 to 1993 westys, the subset of the front control variant is zilch. It probably only 1/100 of those too. Most folks do not want to stoop to read a dumb timer and buttons.
Today a FL washer has an electronic timer an thus one can read it well even at an acute angle. Plus dryers too have front controls; thus matching of the set has the washer already matching the dryer.
**Note to non usa folks: In the usa most folks do use a dryer. Sales and Marketing market a washer and dryer as a "matched set". They are marketed like salt and pepper
(old westy advert) matched sets. *IF* one is out with the wife looking at washers; the wife will tend to want a new dryer too so they match. The washer and dryer sit side to side and are designed to look alike.
Rear controls are traditional.....and it depends on your particular application.....I like the rear controls.....but from a manufacturing stand point, front controls means one set up for many applications, side by side, stacked, undercounter.......most people stack so much stuff on top of the machines that you can't see or get to the controls....
FridGEmore also offers a rear control.......
what I like about Frigidaire and SQ FL rear control is, you can pick any one of their dryers for a "matched" set, most other manufacturers, like Maytag (neptune, atlantis), Whirlpool (Calypso) make a dryer to only match that particular washer, and pay a price to have a matched set......
Now at Sears...for a traditional topload washer, you can mix/match any washer to any dryer to fit your budget for a matched set.....a few others are the same way
FridGEmore also offers a rear control.......
what I like about Frigidaire and SQ FL rear control is, you can pick any one of their dryers for a "matched" set, most other manufacturers, like Maytag (neptune, atlantis), Whirlpool (Calypso) make a dryer to only match that particular washer, and pay a price to have a matched set......
Now at Sears...for a traditional topload washer, you can mix/match any washer to any dryer to fit your budget for a matched set.....a few others are the same way
haxisfan
Well-known member
@3beltwesty
Dryers have been available in Europe/UK for a long time and most folks use them, but probably not as many as in the US. Folks in the extreme southern part of the continent have been reluctant to use dryers as many of them would consider them as being surplus to requirements due to favourable weather conditions... I personally see it as a cover up because the weather does frequently play unforeseen tricks all over Europe and it’s often only a few degrees higher!
Below a picture of a set of matched washer/dryer from the 60’.
Dryers have been available in Europe/UK for a long time and most folks use them, but probably not as many as in the US. Folks in the extreme southern part of the continent have been reluctant to use dryers as many of them would consider them as being surplus to requirements due to favourable weather conditions... I personally see it as a cover up because the weather does frequently play unforeseen tricks all over Europe and it’s often only a few degrees higher!
Below a picture of a set of matched washer/dryer from the 60’.
passatdoc
Well-known member
If a FL were purchased to "match" an existing dryer with rear panel controls, then absolutely I'd want an FL with rear panel control. The drawback would be the much lower selection (in USA) of models offered with rear controls. The vast majority are front control.
In my case, it's a moot point because I have to stack my machines due to laundry area configuration. The laundry area is in the garage, which offers advantages:
1. Machines out of the house, no noise (but direct door from kitchen to garage)
2. Keeps heat out of house in summer in an area that's warm, but not warm enough to need A/C if you keep heat-producing appliances out of the house (example: rather than use the large gas range, when possible we use the counter top Breville electric convection oven when the job is small enough to fit the Breville).
3. If there is a leak or overflow, the garage floor is 6 inches/15 cm below the house floor level. Water flows out the garage door, as the garage slab is slightly sloped toward the street.
4. Solid concrete floor makes final spin vibration issues moot.
The drawback in our case is that the laundry alcove is along the rear wall of the garage, and county building code requires that a concrete-filled steel pipe 36" (90 cm) tall be placed in the concrete slab to protect appliances from a runaway car. My housing tract was built in five different models/layouts. Some of the designs have the laundry on the side wall of the garage, in which case the pipe isn't required.
My guess would be that in currently constructed homes, if they do have to place a pipe, they do it exactly at the midpoint in the washer-dryer space (about 54" wide), i.e. right where the dryer and washer would meet, so as to avoid blocking either the washer or dryer door. The reason my pipe is in the middle of the washer space is that the alcove also contains the gas furnace and gas water heater, on either side of the washer and dryer. They tried to protect all four adjacent appliances with a single pipe, which meant the pipe had to be in the middle of the washer space.
My house was built 1988, when there was no domestic FL market, other than Mieles purchased from import stores (mainly catering to those living here temporarily for work who then shipped their appliances back home when the stint was over; these stores sold 240V models only). The pipe was placed right in front of the washer space, and would block any FL door, even with a 15"/38 cm pedestal. You "can" cut down the pipe, but it's illegal and could present problems if the house is sold. My solution was to stack a dryer atop the washer and place them in the dryer space. I then placed a folding table in the space previously occupied by the old TL washer. This limits choices to some degree, since some models cannot be stacked, and some that do stack are too tall to do so realistically. I am 5'11 (180 cm). My Frigidaire pair are 36"/90 cm tall, producing a stack that is 72"/180 cm tall. Some of the larger machines like LG and Electrolux are 2-3 inches taller, producing a stack that can be 6'7"/2 meters tall----too high for anyone of average height (let alone someone who is short). Someone who is 200 cm/6-7 might think it's great, though.
Frigidaire has kept their machines only 36"/90 cm high, and have added capacity by making them deeper, while keeping width and height constant. If I had to buy a new pair, I would probably go with Frigidaire since the height of the stack would remain the same. Many of the other companies have increased cabinet height, probably assuming that most users will put them side by side on pedestals. In my case, I have to stoop to load/unload the washer, but the dryer door is at a very comfortable chest height.
In my case, it's a moot point because I have to stack my machines due to laundry area configuration. The laundry area is in the garage, which offers advantages:
1. Machines out of the house, no noise (but direct door from kitchen to garage)
2. Keeps heat out of house in summer in an area that's warm, but not warm enough to need A/C if you keep heat-producing appliances out of the house (example: rather than use the large gas range, when possible we use the counter top Breville electric convection oven when the job is small enough to fit the Breville).
3. If there is a leak or overflow, the garage floor is 6 inches/15 cm below the house floor level. Water flows out the garage door, as the garage slab is slightly sloped toward the street.
4. Solid concrete floor makes final spin vibration issues moot.
The drawback in our case is that the laundry alcove is along the rear wall of the garage, and county building code requires that a concrete-filled steel pipe 36" (90 cm) tall be placed in the concrete slab to protect appliances from a runaway car. My housing tract was built in five different models/layouts. Some of the designs have the laundry on the side wall of the garage, in which case the pipe isn't required.
My guess would be that in currently constructed homes, if they do have to place a pipe, they do it exactly at the midpoint in the washer-dryer space (about 54" wide), i.e. right where the dryer and washer would meet, so as to avoid blocking either the washer or dryer door. The reason my pipe is in the middle of the washer space is that the alcove also contains the gas furnace and gas water heater, on either side of the washer and dryer. They tried to protect all four adjacent appliances with a single pipe, which meant the pipe had to be in the middle of the washer space.
My house was built 1988, when there was no domestic FL market, other than Mieles purchased from import stores (mainly catering to those living here temporarily for work who then shipped their appliances back home when the stint was over; these stores sold 240V models only). The pipe was placed right in front of the washer space, and would block any FL door, even with a 15"/38 cm pedestal. You "can" cut down the pipe, but it's illegal and could present problems if the house is sold. My solution was to stack a dryer atop the washer and place them in the dryer space. I then placed a folding table in the space previously occupied by the old TL washer. This limits choices to some degree, since some models cannot be stacked, and some that do stack are too tall to do so realistically. I am 5'11 (180 cm). My Frigidaire pair are 36"/90 cm tall, producing a stack that is 72"/180 cm tall. Some of the larger machines like LG and Electrolux are 2-3 inches taller, producing a stack that can be 6'7"/2 meters tall----too high for anyone of average height (let alone someone who is short). Someone who is 200 cm/6-7 might think it's great, though.
Frigidaire has kept their machines only 36"/90 cm high, and have added capacity by making them deeper, while keeping width and height constant. If I had to buy a new pair, I would probably go with Frigidaire since the height of the stack would remain the same. Many of the other companies have increased cabinet height, probably assuming that most users will put them side by side on pedestals. In my case, I have to stoop to load/unload the washer, but the dryer door is at a very comfortable chest height.
3beltwesty
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Re "My house was built 1988, when there was no domestic FL market"
In 1988 in Southern California old J C Penney even sold front load Westinghouse washers. To say there was NO market is a bit of a stretch. Far better to say it was a small paltry market that most folks ignored. They were not concerned with thrift or water. They were there to be bought but you just wanted a Top Loader.
The Westinghouse FL washer was sold under the Gibson, J C Penney, Sears, Frigidaire names too. A Ventura County laundromat I use to go to in the 1980's had a FL Westinghouse in the commercial variant for its smallest coin operated FL washer. In the Santa Barbara area one laundromat there in the 1980's had the commericial FL Westy coin unit too.
Many of my spare parts for my 1976 Westy are from ebay sellers in SoCal, where a decent number of FL washers were sold.
In 1988 in Southern California old J C Penney even sold front load Westinghouse washers. To say there was NO market is a bit of a stretch. Far better to say it was a small paltry market that most folks ignored. They were not concerned with thrift or water. They were there to be bought but you just wanted a Top Loader.
The Westinghouse FL washer was sold under the Gibson, J C Penney, Sears, Frigidaire names too. A Ventura County laundromat I use to go to in the 1980's had a FL Westinghouse in the commercial variant for its smallest coin operated FL washer. In the Santa Barbara area one laundromat there in the 1980's had the commericial FL Westy coin unit too.
Many of my spare parts for my 1976 Westy are from ebay sellers in SoCal, where a decent number of FL washers were sold.
Do ya mean this??
Nice controls on the back??
Nice controls on the back??
Jon, you show off!
But since it's your birthday, you're allowed to LOL. That's one Queen I wish I had in my collection.
Jamie, I'm with you, love those rear console front loaders.... especially my Neptune.
But since it's your birthday, you're allowed to LOL. That's one Queen I wish I had in my collection.
Jamie, I'm with you, love those rear console front loaders.... especially my Neptune.
Hey Eddy
IT'S SILENT TOO!
IT'S SILENT TOO!
I prefer the front controls. And I have a mixed laundry room, maytag dryer and fronted fridgemore. Doesn't bother me in the least anymore. Some things just aren't important as they used to be.
surgilator_68
Well-known member
John likes the rear controls too. I don't really care one way or the other.
Jon, that washer is gorgeous! The tub looks bigger than I imagined it to be... I think I'll need to convince my mom to get one when here washer bites the dust!
Is the water cheat hard on this one? I seem to remember it being tricky but do-able...
Is the water cheat hard on this one? I seem to remember it being tricky but do-able...
I like them both actually.....for different applications.....right now I have Neptunes, as you all have seen.....working on replacing with front control units to add a counter top all the way across.....
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