GE Wringer Washer 1950

[vintagevillage]

Hello everyone! I am picking up a 1950 GE Wringer Washer today, and would like to know if anyone would know where I could maybe find the owners manual? I am picking it up from a lady on craigslist. It is in wonderful shape, has the timer and pump, but I would like to have a manual. Also, it is missing the "knob" on the lid. Any suggestions? We have a couple Maytag Wringer washers, but have never owned a GE wringer. Thanks!

 

[wringer]

Hello,

I may have an instruction book I could make a copy of for you. If you will give me the model number I will look in my collection for it.

Jim

 

[vintagevillage]

Thanks,

I will try to get the model number tonight. I really appreciate it!

 

[bradross]

Photos, I hope!

Hello Joseph...first time I've seen a post from you here on the club, so I had a look at your profile - and I see that wringer washers are listed as your favorite major appliance! As a kid in the '60s, I used to see them everywhere, but alas, now it's up to us collectors to preserve them (and have fun using them!)

Hope you'll be posted some pics of the machine when you get it.

Regards from a like-minded winger washer "aficionado"!

...Brad

 

[vintagevillage]

First Photo

Hi Brad! I have always liked Wringer Washing Machines. Maybe it is the sounds..lol When I was younger, I would help my Grandmothers and Mother with their wringers, and have been facinated ever since. Here in Ky, where I live, these are hard to come by, as everyone seems to use them. They are hard to find in good condition. I have always had Maytag Wringers, but ran across this GE. I got a great deal, however it is in need of hose replacements underneath. There is a hose from the tub about 6 inches, and a smaller hose that connects to the main drain hose. The drain hose is fine, it's the ones under the skirt that need replaced. Any idea where I can get these? The Model is 1WC830KP1F. I am not familiar with the GE wringers, but this one looks fun to use, so I can't wait to get the hoses replaced!

 

[vintagevillage]

Another Wringer I have

Here is one of the Maytags I have, I have had this machine for 16 years!

 

[rpms]

Is your GE washer white on white, or is the bottom a pale yellow?
Can we see inside?

 

[wringer]

Hello Joseph,

Your GE is a beauty. It looks to be in beautiful cosmetic condition. The Maytag N is very nice also !!

The number you gave above must be the serial number. The instruction books I have all have 3 digit model numbers. I have a book with a pic of the TOL model that looks similar to yours but the wringer is different. I still have to look through all of the collection.

Please see if you can find a model number on the manufacture's plate. I will then look further.

Jim

 

[mickeyd]

The usual advice here from the Webmaster is to take the small hose to an auto parts store and match it up with one of their many hoses, and then cut to fit.

What a cool machine. Like other guys, would love to see inside the machine and the agitator.

I was so surprised and happy to read this: "Here in Ky, where I live, these are hard to come by, as everyone seems to use them." So wringer washer use is alive and well in Kentucky? Would you talk a little bit more about this when you have time. Thank You.

 

[vintagevillage]

Thanks everyone!

Thanks for the tips and help. I will get some additional pics of the inside. It is two-toned. The top is white, and bottom skirt and lid is a darker ivory/tan color. I looked on the serial place, and it has the long model number and a different serial number. I will have to look it over good and see if I can find the model. What I like about this machine, is that on top of the wringer, there is a tension setting. You can set it to low or high, depending on the fabric and material you are running through! And yes, here in Morehead, Ky, the use of wringer washers is alive and well! It is very normal to drive through the country on a monday and see everyones wash hanging on the line in spring and summer, and seeing wringer washing machines sitting on porches. Lots of people use them, and have automatic washers too, but just use the wringers in spring and summer. We call it little Mayberry here. I will be 33, and have grown up around wringer washers. Everyone in my family had one. My wife is from Texas, and she didn't even know these still existed! lol My grandparents both had Maytag Wringers, and my mother had a Kenmore. One of my grandparents still uses her wringer, and she will be 85! The family gave her a automatic washer a couple years ago for her birthday, but she rarely uses it (only in the winter). As soon as good weather comes, she is filling her wringer and tubs with water. The round maytag I have came from my Grandmother, and I have had it 16 years. When I moved out on my own, this baby came with me, and am still using it. We have a front loading washer and dryer, but it is only used by my wife, I prefer the wringer washer. My mother was particular, and very OCD about her laundry. Maybe that is where I get it. lol She had a certain way of doing it, then refilling with new water. And the laundry had to be hung in a certain order on the line. lol Didn't mean to ramble on, but wanted to tell a little about myself, and where we live! I really enjoy this site, and appreciate all those who have the same interests as me!

 

[bradross]

Another reason to visit Kentucky!

Hey Joseph,
Thanks for sharing about "wringer washer life" in KY! I've wanted to visit the state for many years, so here's yet another reason to do so! LOL. I can just imagine driving down country roads, seeing wringer washes on porches. I have a favorite framed print in my main bathroom called "Maytag Morning" by the artist, Randy Souders, showing that exact thing.

I, like you, recall very early childhood memories (about 3 years old) of "helping" my grandmother do the wash. She had a Zenith wringer washer out in the wash house, away from the main house. We used to call it the "bunk house", because my uncles used to sleep out there in the summer. It had an old wood stove for heating.

Looking forward to seeing pics of inside the tub and agitator!

P.S. Nice to have you in the "club"!

 

[wringer]

Hi Joseph,

I looked through all of my collection and believe I have found the instruction book for your washer. The pic on the cover looks exactly like the one you posted. It is a model #WC 830KP. It is the TOL model according to the book. Let me know if this is yours and I will make a copy and send you.

Jim

 

[roscoe62]

I remember this machine

When I was young my parents friends had one and kept theirs in the kitchen.

 

[mickeyd]

Joseph

It is almost as if an extinct species has come back to life. Before your post, most people probably were in your wife's position. Now, we know otherwise. Which leads one to wonder, how many other places are there out there like Little Mayberry where the wringer is indeed alive and well. Long live the wringer. "We are not alone.!" lol

Thanks for your eye-opening contribution to our history. Made me so happy.

Boy, I'd love to see that manual, Jim. Maybe you could get it over to Ephemera.

Great picture, Brad. Love the argyle sock in the wringer

 

[wringer]

I am

in the process of making a long list of the wringer washer instruction books and brochures I have in my collection. I will then send it along to Robert and he will make the choice as to what may be posted for download. I have talked with him about this but he is so busy right now that I have been bad in delaying my work here LOL.

Jim

 

[vintagevillage]

That would be beyond Awesome

Jim, if you could do that that would be great. I would gladly pay ya for postage and your time! Thanks everyone for your input. We have a Whoesale Auto Parts store right down from my work, so I will stop in today. Mickeyd, glad to know there are others that appreciate wringers, like me!
Brad, when you get a chance, you will have to drive through good ole'Kentucky..lol Or West Virginia, Wringers are still thriving there too. Sometimes you can find Wringer Washers on craigslist, but very rare here. Most of the time, they come from used appliance stores, or sometimes the Amish have auctions, and you can find good used machines there. I will try my best to get some inside shots today! Great to meet everyone, even if it is over a computer!

 

[mickeyd]

Thanks, Joe.

A close-up of the timer so we could read the sayings would be another piece of history, since we haven't seen a GE timer as far as I know.

 

[vintagevillage]

Inside shot of "activator" agitator

Here is the inside shot of my GE. Swishes away like a charm!

 

[vintagevillage]

Timer shot

The timer is really neat. It has several settings including one that is a "hold" setting. On this particular setting, it will "hold", or continue washing until you manually turn it off.