Frigidaire GMini washer/dryer set

[philr]

The tub and agitator are a single piece and both turn together!

 

[mickeyd]

So it's like a giant mini-basket, same principle, just a

No wonder why it has so many devotees. Now, I get it, finally, the mystique of the skinny-minny.

 

Thank you!

 

 

 

[philr]

Robert,

I knew these were rare but I didn't know they were that rare (and I thought that they were probably more common than most pre-1-18 Frigidaire washers!). And even here in Canada, the 1-18 models seem to be almost inexistant. I've been searching for information on the GMinis since I saw an ad showing them (single speed W3-24 model shown). That was the first set I found but I didn't think it was so rare!

If anyone has a set of 1958 Custom Imperial washer/dryer to trade for them, I'm open to offers!

 

[appnut]

I ekpt my mouth shut too about how rare these SxS versions would be if ya got them.  Like Robert said, I think these are the only ones we have in the club.  And the above ad is about the only place I've seen them displayed. 

 

[philr]

Mike,

Here's a picture of the inside of the dryer. I think it's very similar to the Skinny Mini dryer.

 

[golittlesport]

Thanks for the great videos. I have a stacked skinni-mini (currently living with RevinKevin) and never grow tired of watching these machines. I found a agi-tub mounted fabric softener dispenser for mine.

 

[philr]

What do these look like? Do they screw on the top of the agitator? I'd like to see a picture of it.

Also, are the timers different? On mine, there is a wash cycle and a soak cycle. Does yours have 2 speed agitation/2 speed spin?

 

[combo52]

AGITATUB SOFTENER DISPENSER

These just sit on top of the agitator, I may still have an extra one around?. While your machines are much more rare and therefor interesting, I have always preferred the complete Skinyminni for collecting as it takes up less space and is 240 volts for faster drying. The complete machine I believe was the first fully integrated stack washer-dryer that was made as one piece at the factory and that used one power connection. The 208 and 240 volt models had a choice of drying temps and all had 2 sp motors in the washer. All major mechanical parts appear to be the same between the separate machines and the one piece model.

 

But the appeal of these machines would not have been very strong to potential buyers who were looking for separate portables in the 1970s. The quality of the portables from WP-KM were superior to these machines. So probably few of these were sold and those that were didn't last long. I remember one Frigidare dealer that I knew telling me that when the Skinny-mini came out he sold 48 of them the first year and ran 54 service calls on them the first year alone. That was even for the 1970s an unpressadented failure rate for new laundry appliances.

 

[golittlesport]

Here is a photo of the fabric softener dispenser. Notice the center has the unusual shape of the GMini agitub

 

[golittlesport]

Skinni Mini has two speeds controlled by timer

The timer on the stacked unit does not have a soak cycle...it has normal and gentle, with the two speeds controlled by the cycle.

 

[philr]

What are the parts that are the most susceptible to fail on these?

 

[peterh770]

I think the belts are first. They are a PAIN to replace! I started mine and never finished... *sigh

Second would be the cables.

 

[combo52]

AGITATUB MECHANISM FAILURES

The worst failures are the main water-seal which if not found in time will ruin everything. Other problems were the multi-disc clutch and as Peter suggested the agitate cables would break and belts which were actually easy to replace. The belts were only sold in matched pairs so you always want to use them in a pair.

 

We saw quite a few of these machines that lasted nearly 20 years IF they were very lightly used, but if you tried to run say 10 loads a week in them they didn't last very long. The dryer part of the machine was far more troublesome than the washers. I spent many hours behind these dryers replacing bad blowers, idler pulleys, belts drum rollers, broken lint filter housings, bad motors and motor mounts, bad heating elements and on and on. Frigidare had quite a few fires with the heater design on these dryers, which is why WCI redesigned the heater box in he 1980s. And when these started to show up under the GE Space-Maker name in around 1986 GE made them change the dryer door and washer lid to metal to prevent fires from spreading. I always said that it was a good thing that Frigidare didn't try to make one of these in gas.

 

[philr]

The heating elements on the top of the dryer are not one of the best ideas. I guess it's even worse when people leave things near the air inlet that could block the airflow...

Are the seals and belts still available for these washers?

 

[combo52]

PARTS AVAILABLITY

I drought that any thing is still available for these machines from Frigidare except the dryer belt and maybe the inlet valve for the washer.

 

[gorenje]

Great

Thanks Phil for this great videos.