Panthera, I thought I should justify my remarks more closely..
> No other washer filters as well. No modern washer rinses as well.
The Filter-Flo was designed at a time when people line dried their clothing, not everyone had a clothes dryer, so lint filtering was an absolute must. Since most everyone today uses a clothes dryer and a lot of neighborhoods actually prohibit line drying, the need to filter the wash water was made obsolete by the lint filter in a dryer.
I also have to disagree about the rinsing part. We could argue that any Solid Tub Speed Queen washer does just as good a job as rinsing as a Filter-Flo, but we all know that solid tub designs were phased out by the late 1970's, With Speed Queen being the lone hold out.
> I can't think of a single modern washer (SpeedQueen TL?) which cleans as well.
I have a 2011 vintage Huebsch (Canadian Speed Queen) which does a much better job cleaning my clothing than my old 2004 GE Top loader ever did.
I honestly think it would be an interesting discussion to have, putting a Filter-Flo to the test against a modern SQ Top loader.
> How so obsolete?
The Filter-Flo machines used an Aircraft Cable Type of suspension, which meant that they tended to walk around the room if the load was unbalanced. GE fixed this problem when they revised their suspension system with a new design.
Also, Filter-Flos were based upon a solid tub design originally. As a result, when they switched over to using a perforated tub, there was a large gap between the inner and outer tubs, resulting in a massive amount of wasted water.
When Whirlpool came out with their first Microprocessor controlled washing machine in 1978, GE was still using mechanical timers. They didn't even start making microprocessor controlled washers until the latter 1990's.
So, when I say it was outdated, it was outdated in comparison to everyone else, who was manufacturing washers which didn't waste as much water, used microprocessor control and didn't need a filter pan because it wasn't needed anymore. That's the rationale for my comment.
> Why would I want a piece of trash which has to be cleaned regularly because it can't even keep itself clean, far less my clothes? That's technologically superior exactly how?
Well, actually it isn't. In fact, those machines, even though they do use more technology, are inferior machines because they just don't clean as well. So, no, you wouldn't want them.
But, take into account my 2011 Huebsch. It is Microprocessor controlled and uses nearly half as much water as my older 2004 GE top loader did. It will probably outlast me and it self cleans itself because it is all Stainless Steel, there's no plastic.
> Oh, and how many of these mold incubators will be around in 22 years?
Again, it comes down to the design of the machine. Just because something is newer doesn't mean that it is better. Even so, there have been much better designs released in the last few decades that eclipse the efficiency of those older designs.
> I like clean clothes and just don't see HE washers delivering them.
Actually, I agree with you on one point.. I absolutely dislike HE washing in anything that is a top loader. HE washing in a front loader is much better and that's what they were designed for. I don't believe that there is such a thing as a decent top loading HE machine, the design just doesn't work all that well.
So yes, I would rather have an "obsolete" Filter Flo over a top loading HE washer any day of the week because even if it does use more water, it'll at least get my clothes considerably cleaner.
