Favorite Agitator?

[ultrawash]

What’s your favorite agitator? My favorites are the Kenmore Roto-Swirl and BD Dual-Action.

 

[maytag85]

Whirlpool belt drive Surgilator

 

[repairguy]

I like the Roto-Flex and Vari-Flex from the upper line Kenmores.

 

[appnut]

Kenmore Super Roto-Swirl and Vari-Flex.

 

[ultrawash]

I think Whirlpool has always been more progressive when it came to laundry.

 

[washerlover]

Norge/Wards Burp-o-Lator!!!!!

 

[maytag85]

Reply #4

Whirlpool definitely had straightforward designs that were easy to fix and service and were more innovative than GE’s design even if GE touted their innovations when Whirlpool was the one who innovated before anyone else in the 1950’s and early 60’s.

 

[blackstone]

The Petticoat, which fit on top of the Blackstone 350 agitator, to create a gentle wash.

 

[appnut]

I will agree to a point with regards to Whirlpool being the most progressive. HOWEVER, most of those creative progressives were used for the Kenmore product line solely or FIRST.

 

[maytag85]

Reply #8

I forgot that Sears got the new features exclusively first but Whirlpool was still more progressive/innovative with their appliances compared to GE.

 

[frigilux]

My favorite agitator is a rotating, horizontal axis tub.

 

[ultrawash]

Reply# 10

I like horizontal axis tubs too. My favorites would be the Whirlpool Duet/Kenmore Elite HE3, HE3t, etc.

 

[appnut]

Well, Whirlpool brought forth the first wash & wear cycle and I think was the first to offer a 2-speed washer and not just a "2nd cycle" on the timer that was simply a very sortened cycle. GE brought out the first self-cleaning oven. GE and Wihrlpool both came out with washer filtering systems about the same time. Sears offered the first enzyme soak cycle, something WP never offered. I think KitchenAid brought out the first dishwasher "Soak" cycle, which did more dwelling than spraying. GE surpassed that with its PotScrubber cycle that actually did an extended main wash cycle of anywher3e from 30-45 minutes. Ws far more effective at removing soil. Wirlpool brought out the first ice maker for a refrigerator, but that was because they purchased the company that developed it. GE offered the Mini-Basket for extra small/or delicate loads. Whirlpool brought us Wrinkle Guard (for Sears) that kept wrinkles out of clothes after the dryer was finished.

 

[ultrawash]

Reply# 12

Wasn’t it Sears that had the first auto-dry system?

 

[maytag85]

Sears came out with the auto dry sometime in 1958 I believe since all other dryers before that only had timed drying.

 

[sears9000]

I haven't written on here in awhile, but my favorites are all Kenmore. First is the Pregger Roto-Swirl, (I think that's right). Second is the regular Roto-Swirl, Last is the Straight-Vane agitator. I think the reason is that they all did a good job in getting your clothes clean, yet they were simple one piece agitators that didn't have parts to break in them. The DD Kenmore that I have had for 20 years now has a dual action agitator that's not bad. However, recently I had to pull it out, and replace the what you call "dog ears" which was a little inconvenient. Oh well, I think it still cleans better than some of these new ones.

 

[circlew]

Super Surgilator. I've never had a machine with one, but my aunt had a nice early 80's Whirlpool washer with it.

Bob, there was a very good reason that Kenmore models got innovations first. That being that the great majority of Whirlpool's laundry equipment production was for Sears for many years. Sears also owned controlling interest in Whirlpool for several years.

 

[coldspot66]

Another unique innovation from Whirlpool was they ALWAYS had a perforated tub and pressure controlled water level. None of this water wasting timed fill or overflowing fill that triggered a diaphram switch. Though the solid tub GE's with filter flo did recirculate the water to the filter pan.

 

[coldspot66]

Also my favorite agitator is the spiralator from Easy. Then it's the super roto-swirl.