There's a General Electric twin-tub washer similar to an Easy Spindrier washer for sale (general category) in Craigslist San Francisco. Tubs are in good shape but legs need work. Current owners have had this machine in storage and does not know if the machine works. Pics included in ad. Unique collector's item as I've never seen a GE twintub before. Machine is located in Occidental in the Russian River ares which is about 50+ miles north of San Francisco.
General Electric TwinTub washer for sale
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golittlesport
Well-known member
wow...all these rare twin tubs popping up
I've seen ads for the GE twins...sorta squarish wash tub as I remember. Westinghouse also had a twin tub way back when.
I've seen ads for the GE twins...sorta squarish wash tub as I remember. Westinghouse also had a twin tub way back when.
GE TwinTub
The GE TwinTub does have a jadeite color square tub
The GE TwinTub does have a jadeite color square tub
westytoploader
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Can't believe GE made these...how cool, and what a great color! Interesting-looking Activator as well. Judging by the pictures, it doesn't look like it's in bad shape for its age. Hope someone saves it!
It appears that General Electric made Twin Tub washers for 10 years before the war, then they discontinued the line after the war and put all their effort into wingers and their new Automatic.
westytoploader
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Those last 3 round GE twin-tubs seem to bear a striking resemblance to the Easy machines from around the same time. Especially when you look at the "stick shift" controls and the loading shelf to make shoving wet clothes into the spinner less messy. I wonder what the mechanism looks like?
IIRC
this was the washer that went into some the U.S. submarines during war time. WWII, one of the Time Life series of books, shipbuilding, battleships, it was a series, of books showed a young Navy guy using one in a b/w photo.
this was the washer that went into some the U.S. submarines during war time. WWII, one of the Time Life series of books, shipbuilding, battleships, it was a series, of books showed a young Navy guy using one in a b/w photo.
Wow
See, twintub washers just got sexy!!!never seen the square washtub with round spinner cabinet before, looks very un-easy...
This has got to be a saver,
See, twintub washers just got sexy!!!never seen the square washtub with round spinner cabinet before, looks very un-easy...
This has got to be a saver,
oooooOOOOOOOooooo!!! Look at the glow-in-the-dark GE Twinnies!
I just got some Norge wringer information, and it appears Norge also made twinnies for a few years.
I just got some Norge wringer information, and it appears Norge also made twinnies for a few years.
cehalstead
Well-known member
ge twin tubs
I have an instruction manual for the model in the ad. I don't know exactly where it is in my collection of stuff, but if someone here gets this great machine, I would be glad to make a copy of the manual for them. Interesting reading....it even tells how to it is not necessary to soak clothes all Sunday evening (after coming home from service...LOL) before washing on Monday. Also brags about being able to have 3 hour "turn around time" for linens and towels if you have a lot of visitors...I imagine that includes 2 1/2 hours of clothesline time....
I have an instruction manual for the model in the ad. I don't know exactly where it is in my collection of stuff, but if someone here gets this great machine, I would be glad to make a copy of the manual for them. Interesting reading....it even tells how to it is not necessary to soak clothes all Sunday evening (after coming home from service...LOL) before washing on Monday. Also brags about being able to have 3 hour "turn around time" for linens and towels if you have a lot of visitors...I imagine that includes 2 1/2 hours of clothesline time....
Oh my, I would love to have this machine but I am in Illinois and that is in Cal. It does look like an Easy, doesn't it? I have a Twin Dex by Dexter that does a great job but is not a spin dryer. I just finsihed wash in my new(old) Maytag Commander and what a great machine that is too. Have fun everyone. Gary
geoffdelp
Well-known member
I did not know that GE made a twin tub! For that matter, I did not know that Norge did either!!
I've always been fascinated by these machines. They were so simple in design and a lot safer than a wringer; I wonder why they didn't "catch on" as well as a wringer.
Do you suppose it was cost-related? Were twin tubs substantially more expensive than a wringer washer?
Maybe women just didn't get a chance to see their performance.
I've always like Dexter's Twin-Tub wringers, too. That was certainly a unique idea! I've thought of a lot of different ways to wash in one of those, too.
I've always been fascinated by these machines. They were so simple in design and a lot safer than a wringer; I wonder why they didn't "catch on" as well as a wringer.
Do you suppose it was cost-related? Were twin tubs substantially more expensive than a wringer washer?
Maybe women just didn't get a chance to see their performance.
I've always like Dexter's Twin-Tub wringers, too. That was certainly a unique idea! I've thought of a lot of different ways to wash in one of those, too.
cost related?
I wonder Geoff too if it was cost related? The Dexter that I have is a great machine,rusty though as the flat surface between the tubs held water. While I am here Geoff, I have a Maytag Commander and was wondering if you would be able to tell me how old it is? Here is the serial no. A203819 C I just did a big wash in it today and it is a wonderful washer. Thanks, Gary
I wonder Geoff too if it was cost related? The Dexter that I have is a great machine,rusty though as the flat surface between the tubs held water. While I am here Geoff, I have a Maytag Commander and was wondering if you would be able to tell me how old it is? Here is the serial no. A203819 C I just did a big wash in it today and it is a wonderful washer. Thanks, Gary
golittlesport
Well-known member
The wringer washers were cheaper than twin tubs. Check out some of the old Consumer Reports on this site...it talks about how twins were better and safer machines....but cost more. After the great Depression and through the war years people pinched pennies. Even today, many people buy on price alone.
geoffdelp
Well-known member
I saw a Maytag automatic ad the other day from 1952. The automatic price was $309! That was a TON of money back then. Still, women were purchasing these machines and were anxiously awaiting the Maytag dryer in 1953.
I wonder, too, if a person was going to buy a twin tub at a higher price, why not just buy an automatic? Plumbing was still an issue in the 1950's; maybe people just didn't have the plumbing for an automatic. When I was helping the local Maytag dealer with some wringer repairs a few years ago, I went into a couple of homes that did not have plumbing for an automatic washer (stand pipe, water outlets). Both homes just had a set of dual tubs and a floor drain. The dual tubs could have been easily removed and water outlets could have been installed and since there was a floor drain, a stand pipe could have been easily installed. One woman said it "cost too much!"
Gary ... your Maytag Model J - Commander was manufactured in February of 1954. 52 years old and still running, huh? Heck, she's probably just getting broke in!!
Do you have the red or black bakelite agitator? If you have either of these, protect it well. They are getting harder to find with a good spline. Use a turquoise one with a plastic spline for a "daily driver" and save your bakelite for show. You gotta love these old Maytag wringers; they were built like tanks!!
I wonder, too, if a person was going to buy a twin tub at a higher price, why not just buy an automatic? Plumbing was still an issue in the 1950's; maybe people just didn't have the plumbing for an automatic. When I was helping the local Maytag dealer with some wringer repairs a few years ago, I went into a couple of homes that did not have plumbing for an automatic washer (stand pipe, water outlets). Both homes just had a set of dual tubs and a floor drain. The dual tubs could have been easily removed and water outlets could have been installed and since there was a floor drain, a stand pipe could have been easily installed. One woman said it "cost too much!"
Gary ... your Maytag Model J - Commander was manufactured in February of 1954. 52 years old and still running, huh? Heck, she's probably just getting broke in!!
Do you have the red or black bakelite agitator? If you have either of these, protect it well. They are getting harder to find with a good spline. Use a turquoise one with a plastic spline for a "daily driver" and save your bakelite for show. You gotta love these old Maytag wringers; they were built like tanks!! Geoff, Thanks so much for the info. on my Commander.I have a red bakelite agitator and now that you mention it, when it washes, it seems like there is a slight hesitation between strokes. I can use the adgitator from my Master (turquoise) and keep the red one then on the shelf. Good idea and thanks again. Gary
