GE Filter Flo - keep or sell?

[aump945]

Hi all,

I recently purchased a home from the original owner (80-year-old widow). The home came with some very nice vintage appliances.

The newest of these is a GE Filter Flo washing machine. It works great! It has the filter tray as well as the mini-basket. It even has the mint-condition manual, with the owner's handwriting indicating the purchase and installation dates (1-16-1992). I have to laugh because even the quality of the manual is better than what we get nowadays - it uses real thick paper, lol!

I'm looking for advice from you, the appliance experts: keep the filter-flo, or buy a new front-loader? I know most of y'all prefer the vintage machines (that's why we're all here!), but there are a couple of considerations for me.

First, the filter-flo has a pretty small capacity. My spouse would prefer something with a larger capacity.

Second, I've just renovated the utility room and the vintage machine does look a little out of place.

Third, I know I'm going to be kept insanely busy with a major project for the next ~3 years and need to try to organize my life so as to have a minimum of disruptions - like appliance failures. I like to fix and maintain my own appliances, but I shouldn't plan on it for the next 3 years. A new machine, with a 2-year extended warranty, would get me though this rough patch well.

I wish I didn't have these considerations because the filter-flo is such a cool machine - and apparently a real workhorse.

What would y'all do? What's the value of the machine if I wanted to sell it? If I do sell it, I'm thinking about a Samsung FL...thoughts?

Thanks for reading!

PS: I'd include a photo, but the machine is being stored at the moment because of the utility room renovation!

 

[yogitunes]

well, to who ever you are, or where ever you are.....

you better buy a good warranty with anything new today....and hope service even comes out at all.....even new machines are showing parts NLA.....its a flip of a coin to how long one will last....

standard capacity should service you well for two people.....buying a FLer is a good choice for water and energy savings.....but I would still keep the filterflo in the background as with most people realizing how some FLers barely clean with droplets of water.....you might change your mind....

I do get puzzled with some people needing to buy 4, 5 up to 6 cu ft washer.....what the heck are you washing?.....I see no need for something that big.....3.0cu ft is plenty big enough, even for a king comforter...besides, how many times a week are you washing it?.....for the occasional trip to the laundromat, can't see the extra expense for a bigger machine...but that's your choice....

depending on the condition and features, you could get anywhere from 50.00 to 100.00 for your filterflo......its just a matter of what someone is willing to pay...

if your going to spend the money for a new FL set......and looking for longevity....your best bet today is a Speed Queen....a but pricey, but most likely will be the last set you will have to buy.....

 

[pierreandreply4]

well i would keep the ge filter flo because a mini basket is very practical if you have a small load

 

[tolivac]

Keep the FF as a backup washer even if you get the FL-in case the FL goes bum-you still have a washer to use.

 

[washdaddy]

I'd just keep the filter-flo especially if it's in decent shape. You will never find a new machine that will compare to that machine since it is a workhorse.

If you do decide to go to a front loader I'd still keep the machine as a back up or second machine. If you decide to become a collector of these machines this would be a great compliment to your collection.

 

[petek]

We bought our FF with mini basket new in 1988 or1989 about and it still works perfectly and has never required a a repair. I would keep it.

 

[pierreandreply4]

and the advantage of your ge filter flo washer you get a true hot water wash a true warm wash and not dumb down tempatures that are on newer washer , so even if you have a newer washer you will never get a true hot water wash because the hot water will be dumb down with cold water

 

[Chetlaham]

Keep it!

Do not, I repeat do not get rid of it. Worst mistake someone can make. A new machine will never even come close to a GE FF. Lint removal, cleaning, cycle time, reliability, serviceability, ect are light years ahead of any new top load with a GE FF.

 

[Chetlaham]

And when compared to a front load you will never have the same level of lint removal. If you truly must get a front load go with Speed Queen.

 

[volvoguy87]

New vs. old.

I like the Filter Flo. They are superior at removing lint and pet hair. The cycle time on a Filter Flo is also relatively short. Filter Flos, however, use more water than any other washer I know of per pound of laundry washed.

If you want a new front loading washer, take a hard look at Speed Queen. They lack the bells and whistles of many competitors, but their performance is top notch and their build quality is vastly superior as well. Speed Queens aren't cheap, however, so you may want to use the Filter Flo until you can more easily afford a Speed Queen.

If you want a high-performance, washing machine that may need a repair every once in a while, keep the Filter Flo. If you are uncomfortable using an older appliance and want a new one, plan to buy a Speed Queen front loader and sell the Filter Flo. Either choice will wash your laundry and be better and more durable than anything you could buy at Lowes. You can always have 2 washers at the same time, as many of us do, but it's not something everyone wants to do.

The Filter Flo is a top-notch machine and it's too good to scrap. If you get a new one, do not have the Filter Flo hauled away, as those are nearly always scrapped. Sell it, offer it here, or at the very least, donate it.

Enjoy your Filter Flo,
Dave

 

[goatfarmer]

It sounds like you've already decided. Sell it. Ought to bring $100.00 or so.

 

[aump945]

Selling, I guess...

After a prolonged discussion with the other half, it looks like the Filter-Flo's fate is to be sold.

I took some photos for craigslist and thought I'd post here also. Enjoy!

 

[pulltostart]

Just saw this ad

Was checking out some not-to-distant CL cities and just saw this ad.  Did not post it in the SS forum, but it looks like a beautiful machine.  Extra large capacity with mini-basket.

 

lawrence