Filter flo

[supersurgilator]

I was wondering if anybody knew how much water these use? Especially after everyone says that they use so much more because of the larger outside tube, I was just wondering how much more water they use than a standard washer from that time.

 

[bajaespuma]

Fightin' words

Not as much as SOME PEOPLE on this site would have you believe. About 33% more than the 'Tags, which is no surprise, but actually a little bit less than some of the vintage brands, especially the wacky ones like Kelvinator and Wizard. Significantly less than almost any vintage solid-tub machine than used an overflow rinse. Only about .08% more than Whirlpools and 'Mores.

 

Filter-Flo's are guzzlers, but so worth it.

 

[akronman]

Worth it, true

While not a scientific way to measure, I just plug the drain in the laundry tubs, see how full it gets from Maytag to Whirlpool to GE. Tag and FF use about the same for a fill, but then the GE spray rinse is more plentiful than the Tag. But when you look at the final rinse water, so nice and clean, it's worth it. My dirtiest stuff, and towels/blankets/jeans that retain water and need plenty of rinsing, always go in the FF. And from what I've seen, it has better turnover then the Maytag. Then I watch the final rinse water in comparison to the Maytag, and I know I've got the cleanest, best-rinsed clothes around, worth the excess water.

 

[bwoods]

1-18?

Anyone know how the 1 - 18's compare, in water use?

As Marks says, the the filter-flo's are great rinsers. However, I think my Frigidaire 1- 18's actually even exceed the GE's for clean rinsing.

When I oversuds the machines (which is often) the Frigidaire's seem to clear the tub of suds with ease, even more so than the GE filter-Flo.

It appears that part of the water in the spray rinse in the GE's is aimed in between the inner and outer tubs, so not 100% of it hits the clothes. With the Frigidaire and its impressive "circle of spray" all the spray rinse seems to directly drench the clothes.

I agree the GE Filter-Flo with the ramp agitator has great, close to unbelievable, turnover. My Frigidaire 1-18's have good turnover, unless they are overloaded and then the clothes are dead in the water.

No matter how many clothes I cram in the GE, it still manages to have roll over and get them clean. From the rinsing perspective, I haven't found anything, even my front loader, that exceeds the 1-18's abilities. Anyone share this same perspective?

Barry

 

[akronman]

A trick for Filter Flo rinses

I learned this from Martin Yogitunes-----turn the rubber flap over on itself. Where the spray hose enters the tub, it's easy to flip that rubber grommet/head/hose end over on itself and then about 95% of the water gets the inner tub instead of outer. Tons of clean rinsing, but shut the lid for sure. Works great, thanks to Yogitunes.

 

[Unimatic1140]

Ohhh this is a good thread, lets take a look at some good hard data over the years.

 

We will start with 1960, the GE was the last of GE's solid basket machines,

 

<span style="font-size: small;">*ignore the highlight on Philco, that was done years ago on this page</span>

 

[Unimatic1140]

Now we will move onto to 1966,

 

GE now was the perforated basket design with the large outer tub...

 

 

 

[Unimatic1140]

By 1971 a lot more of the models had converted to large capacity, including the A606 Maytag, the GE, Kelvinator, Frigidaire 1/18, etc...

 

[Unimatic1140]

Finally, 1978 we see even more large capacity models...

 

[surgilator_68]

If I remember correctly it is somewhere between 45 and 50.

 

[surgilator_68]

OH--Robert has the written word.

 

[appnut]

Given the above data, take into consideration the volume of clothing able to be put in at capacity.  The 1/18 will hold much more than the GE FF, both designated as "extra large capacity".  I've used both and the 1/18 will hold much more than the GE.  (and I lived with a ge for 8 years. And remember with a 1/18, you actually have better rol over if you "underfill" the machine slightly--meaning for what you think the water level shouuld be for a load of clothes you've put in there, the wate level should be actually less.  For a "full" load in a 1/18 , I will put a load in and have the clothes fill all the way right up just below where they are touching the metal cabinet right above the tub.  THAT was how I loaded the 1/18 that I described above the the above stated 1.5 loads worth from my Lady Shredmore load of towels (two 3/4 full size loads from that machine).  I don't think my Fridgemore front loader could handle that size load. 

 

[hydralique]

<span style="font-size: medium;">Wow, very neat data tables! Because average tub size increased so much from '60 to '78 it's hard to derive any real indication of efficiency, but it's interesting nonetheless. I wonder who built that '60 Wards machine? I always associate Wards with Norge, but that one used much, much less water than the '60 Norge so it's either not the same design or has a much smaller tub.</span>

<span style="font-size: medium;"> </span>

<span style="font-size: medium;">Back to the oringinal topic, this would tend to exonerate GEs/Hotpoints as being the biggest water users.</span>

 

[appnut]

this would tend to exonerate GEs/Hotpoints as being the bigg

When ouo take into consideration market share at the time, the GE/Hotpoints had a larger market share than any of the WCI produced machines.  Whirlpool/Kenmore undoubtedly having the largest market shre.  The GE/Hotpoint and Maytag were probably  2nd and 3rd. 

 

[Unimatic1140]

I wonder who built that '60 Wards machine? I always associate Wards with Norge, but that one used much, much less water than the '60 Norge so it's either not the same design or has a much smaller tub.
 
I was made by Norge, but it was their older 10lb solid basket design, the style that came after the early 8lb Time-Line machines and before the super capacity machines.  See all six pictures in the link below for what it would have look like...

http://automaticwasher.org/cgi-bin/00ShowCollectionGETD.cgi?dir=/COLLECTIONS/_59_NORGE

 

[appnut]

Robert, I loved that washer.  Wasn't that at Greg's for the 2005 Omaha convention?  I can't remember if there was a matching dryer too?  What happened to that yellow Norge? 

 

[gansky1]

You do have to consider capacity versus water-use for most of these machines, the Westinghouse was likely the most wasteful but rinsed well as the spray rinse after the wash was very long - even labeled "1st Rinse" on the cycle.

The 1-18 cleaned well in most cases but results varied and hurt it in the ratings. I find it's outstanding at some tasks but falls flat with others. Also a good rinser because of the two generous spin-sprays.

The GE was a good performer all around in most cases, though it did arguably use considerably more water to get the same load done as other machines. While not to diminish the fun-factor, the TOL GE I had for a while with the automatic pre-wash/soak and second rinse options selected could easily shatter the 100 gallon barrier for a "normal" cycle.

The yellow Norge is safely tucked away in storage here, I was thinking of that washer again a few weeks ago. It may need to make another trip to the basement this year. She needs a color-makeover though, Ugh!

 

[appnut]

She needs a color-makeover though, Ugh!

Glad to now it's ok.  What's the matter, you don't like canary/baby diaper yellow? 

 

[hydralique]

Robert . . .

Thanks for the link,  fun pics! I'm not very familiar with the Norge design and didn't realize they used a Filter-Flo type pan filter, though in their case perhaps it's best called a Burp-A-Flo.