Frigidaire Classic Front Load Washer

[potatochips]

After the current POD, it got me thinking. When did these machines come out? I know a few people who have them and they seem reliable and efficient, but truly how reliable are they? Are they good cleaning machines? Common problems?

I've always had a soft spot for them.

 

[ea56]

They came out about 96’ or 97’. I had a 97’ model and it was a very good machine, the last of the good domestic FL’s in my opinion. They still had electormechanical controls, the top spin speed was I believe 950 rpms and they weren’t the least temperamental. They also used enough water to get your clothes properly cleaned and rinsed. The cycle times were about 50 to 55 mins IIRC. They got alot of bad press because many people didn’t know how to properly care for an FL and they got mold and bad odors from not leaving the door ajar and not using hot water anf LCB to wash often enough.
Eddie[this post was last edited: 2/19/2018-17:37]

 

[iowabear]

Speaking of Soft Spots

The employees in Webster City signed the final one off the line.  Very sad.

http://https//www.radioiowa.com/2017/06/15/film-chronicling-webster-citys-recovery-after-electrolux-closing-premieres-tonight/

 

[yogitunes]

I liked and bought the Kenmore version of these....more options, and the dryers drum was also stainless....

as with any FLer, bearings/ seals, and some spider issues....but I think that fell more on user error

I found them to be tough little no-nonsense machines....it would take a lot to kill one...

first versions used a linkage connected to the timer that controlled the dispensers, over time they would not dispense correctly.....newer models switched to solenoid operated units...

some had odd programming for the final spin.....meaning they would only ramp up to high for the last minute, while others ran full high speed the whole time...

very good at cleaning and rinsing.....water level can be easily adjusted if needed

 

[bendix5]

We bought one of these washers in 97. I thought, at last a nice regular run of the mill front loader. After being off the market for years I was glad to see something and with a window. It actually was a perfect sized machine for us and washed, rinsed and damped dried just fine. Then at 3 years went out one day and loaded it up, turned it on and nothing happened. I put in a new timer and off it went. I don't remember the cost and I didn't much care until the bearings started going out. My son said he would take it and give me back my Maytag. I said ok. He had a whole house warranty at the time so he took it home, hooked it up and called the warranty company and they came and put in new bearings. I should say the back outer tub with bearings already in it. My sons family now was ready to go and his wife loved the machine. A few months later I went and bought another one. We were happy again. My wife never liked the dryer. Westinghouse clone. Ran to hot and she didn't like it that the back of the dryer was so hot you couldn't touch it. She said it had to go. We bought the Neptune(Samsung) front loaders. We have had them since Nov 2005. Like them very much. Set water level up some to help. Washer is now getting noisy and high speed spin is getting louder. Dryer is thumping which I think is a roller. I will be taking a look at them both soon. Also I have been looking at new FL'ers. Of the Frigidaire was still on the marked I would get another new one. I gave our other one away when we moved back to Oregon. I think that by now they should have all the kinks out of them. I would get one and a WP dryer and be happy. I liked the mechanical timer and you could go and reset it where you wanted it and it would just go. It would be perfect for us. It had a spray rinse after wash like the old WWestinghouse machines. It was great. Sorry this is too long. Dano

 

[frigilux]

Bearings were a problem with these. Mine went out while still under warranty and I recall the serviceman was at my place for hours to repair it. It was a big job. After that, never had a problem. I loved the little beast. Mine came off the assembly line in early '96 if I recall correctly.

 

[neptunebob]

Actually, and with my name I hate to say it, but Neptune washers had more of an issue with the mold and odors that the Frigidaire did. The issue with the FD was that after about 4-5 years, the bearings would fail or something else expensive would go and would cost as much as a new machine to repair, so the washer was tossed. Are current Frigidaire FL washers like the original? I know they are larger capacity, but anything else much different?

 

[peteski50]

Frigidaire front loader!

I really liked these the best out of all the front load machines and wish they were made today! They were simple and had a large enough capacity - just right to the point and easy to use! If they had fixed the bearing issue it would have been great!

 

[combo52]

Small Door FD FL Washers 1997-2011

These were very good performers overall, the 1997-2000 had brush type main motors and European timers and had problems with both.

 

In mid 2000 they went with a better North American timer and 3 phase inverted motor and had no real problems with either.

 

All of the years had a high rate of bearing and main seal failures, and they had a thin spider and had lots of broken spiders, we see over a dozen broken spiders in these machines every month.

 

These machines had very little problem with mold and odors, compared to MT Neptune, MTs problems were caused by having a light in the tub that you could NOT TURN OFF unless you closed the door, they also had a light gray boot that showed mold and the stupid slanted tub did not throw enough water up to clean the boot and caused clothing tangling that FD never had.

 

John L.

 

[rp2813]

My sister has the Kenmore version of this machine.  It must be at least a dozen years old by now.  Appliances tend to give her trouble because she doesn't know how to take care of them, but this washer hasn't needed anything.   She was even keeping the door closed and there was no smell.  I told her to leave it ajar, but don't know if she got in the habit or not.   The dryer's duct was clogged by a rat's nest, which required a repair call, but that wasn't the dryer's fault.

 

[potatochips]

My friends that have them seem to like them a lot, good capacity. I may add one to the collection just because.

 

[askolover]

My neighbor had one of these.  It died and they were throwing it out so she gave it to me to tinker with.  The motor had locked up.  I found a new motor on ebay, and while I was at it went ahead and replaced the bearings and seal.  Put it all back together and it worked fine.  I sold it for a profit.

 

[arbilab]

I've still got one, circa 98.  In storage (like me, HUD section 202) but brother loaned it to girlfriend while she had her own place and she wished they still made them that way. 

 

No bother at all.  Quiet; loudest thing it did was fill.  Seldom unbalanced.  Never stunk.  Never broke.  Good cycle choices included prewash which waited for you to refill det dispenser.  Very important to many, occupied 'standard' footprint.  No wonder those gargantuan FLs are a hard sell outside the McMansion set.

 

As to cleaning, ideal for 'office dirt' and getting the longest fabric life. I've got sheets the same age as the washer; a TL would have shredded through 3-4 sets in the same time.  Kids and mechanics stuff, you're going to want scrubbed by an agitator*.  And those fabrics are short-lived anyway.  (*NOT 'peller, which is the worst of all 3 worlds: tangling, wear, lethargic cleaning action.)

 

You want one?  Come and get it.  I'm not going to be stuffy about price.  Wouldn't let it go but doubt I'll ever have a "residence" again.

 

[frigidaireguy]

KENMORE VERSION

I had the GE version new in '97 or '98 - I used it until the bearings went out.

A few years ago I had the opportunity to buy a close out Kenmore version from Sears. I really liked the machine because of the Manuel Timer that you could change as you needed. I never have any issues or complaints with this machine.

Bob

 

[wft2800]

What was the outer tub in these made of? Stainless, enamel, or just plastic?

 

[arbilab]

Looks fiberglassy (reinforced epoxy). 

 

[combo52]

Outer Tub Material

Is just plastic like 90% of the worlds FL washers, about the only full size FL washer you can buy with a real SS outer tub and cast iron ballast is a Speed Queen.

 

John L.

 

[richimaor]

We’ve had the Kenmore version for almost 14 years and it’s been wonderful. Nice performer (washing and rinsing), uses enough water to cleans and rinse properly without being a water hoarder, no repairs since new, just a couple of maintenance service calls. Just getting new shocks soon.

I’ve the Eco Care System version, has cycle status lights and an “eco cycle” which is labeled as “regular / permanent press”, and the other two are “power wash” and “hand wash / delicates” plus the prewash.

Water temps without ATC are: hot/cold, warm/warm, warm/cold and cold/cold. With ATC: warm/ warm, warm/cold and cold/cold.

Spin speeds are: slow, normal and fast. With delicates cycle there’s an “extra slow” speed.

 

[frigilux]

All these posts---mine included---and not one mention that this thread should be posted in the vintage 'Imperial' forum. I'd say this shows just how deep in denial we are, LOL. It doesen't seem possible that what we see as a relatively new washer is actually old enough to be considered vintage by forum guidelines.