Hello all,
I am new to this forum, having found it by doing a search for "filter-flo." I am a 74-year-old retired industrial electrician. My hobby is amateur radio (ham radio), something that I've been doing since 1981. I communicate with other amateurs (hams) in foreign countries, usually using Morse code.
The reason why I was searching for "filter-flo" is because, when growing up in the late 1960s in northern Illinois (75 miles west of Chicago), my mother had a General Electric Filter-Flo washer that she had purchased used from a locally owned and operated appliance dealer. The person that she bought the washer from was a very honest person. In addition to his appliance store, he also sold real estate. His family went to the same church that we went to and living in the community with his neighbors, all of his business dealings were completely honest. One could purchase a used appliance from him and it would easily run another 10 or 15 years trouble-free. Of course, that was way back when things manufactured in this country were BUILT TO LAST.
We relocated here to NE Tennessee about 7 years ago. Our house is all-electric, but there is a propane tank on the property which I bought when I purchased the house. We currently use a newer GE washer and a newer Maytag (electric) dryer. Both leave a lot to be desired. The washer, in addition to the safety interlock on the lid, makes all kinds of goofy noises while in operation and the dryer, being an electric unit, does not dry clothes nearly as well as a gas model.
Back in Illinois, we had OLDER Whirlpool laundry equipment. The dryer was so old that the porcelain was wearing off of the top front edge of the dryer. I had replaced the igniter assembly and other than that, it ran just like new. The same with the washer - no problems with it at all. Unfortunately, I left the appliances in Illinois when we moved.
Our range in the kitchen is an electric Frigidaire unit. It works just fine, for being an electric, as opposed to a gas unit, but my lady friend prefers cooling with gas. So, I am thinking about replacing all of the appliances. I checked with the guy who runs the local propane company, from whom I purchased the propane tank and its contents, as far as any cost savings on my electric bill might occur if we were to cook and dry clothes with gas, as compared with using electricity. He told me that the cost savings on the use of gas for cooking would be negligible, but that I would save some money by using propane for drying clothes. But not nearly enough to justify the replacement of the appliances, which I had assumed to be the case. But I would rather have gas appliances for the convenience of having them and because I want my lady friend to be happy using the range, as she does ALL of the cooking.
We are about 120 miles NE of Knoxville and I am wondering what the best way would be of finding replacement appliances. The area in which we live has no natural gas available and the larger cities to the north and south of us do have natural gas available, but I have found very little on Craig's List that list gas appliances for sale. I was thinking about contacting a used appliance dealer in Knoxville and inquiring about purchasing GOOD, older gas appliances. If I was able to find a Filter-Flo washer for sale, are parts generally available for them? I am no appliance repair person, but I do know how to read wiring diagrams and do not think that I'd have any trouble replacing any needed components, if needed.
Any suggestions, comments or ideas would be very much appreciated. Thank you!
Brad
I am new to this forum, having found it by doing a search for "filter-flo." I am a 74-year-old retired industrial electrician. My hobby is amateur radio (ham radio), something that I've been doing since 1981. I communicate with other amateurs (hams) in foreign countries, usually using Morse code.
The reason why I was searching for "filter-flo" is because, when growing up in the late 1960s in northern Illinois (75 miles west of Chicago), my mother had a General Electric Filter-Flo washer that she had purchased used from a locally owned and operated appliance dealer. The person that she bought the washer from was a very honest person. In addition to his appliance store, he also sold real estate. His family went to the same church that we went to and living in the community with his neighbors, all of his business dealings were completely honest. One could purchase a used appliance from him and it would easily run another 10 or 15 years trouble-free. Of course, that was way back when things manufactured in this country were BUILT TO LAST.
We relocated here to NE Tennessee about 7 years ago. Our house is all-electric, but there is a propane tank on the property which I bought when I purchased the house. We currently use a newer GE washer and a newer Maytag (electric) dryer. Both leave a lot to be desired. The washer, in addition to the safety interlock on the lid, makes all kinds of goofy noises while in operation and the dryer, being an electric unit, does not dry clothes nearly as well as a gas model.
Back in Illinois, we had OLDER Whirlpool laundry equipment. The dryer was so old that the porcelain was wearing off of the top front edge of the dryer. I had replaced the igniter assembly and other than that, it ran just like new. The same with the washer - no problems with it at all. Unfortunately, I left the appliances in Illinois when we moved.
Our range in the kitchen is an electric Frigidaire unit. It works just fine, for being an electric, as opposed to a gas unit, but my lady friend prefers cooling with gas. So, I am thinking about replacing all of the appliances. I checked with the guy who runs the local propane company, from whom I purchased the propane tank and its contents, as far as any cost savings on my electric bill might occur if we were to cook and dry clothes with gas, as compared with using electricity. He told me that the cost savings on the use of gas for cooking would be negligible, but that I would save some money by using propane for drying clothes. But not nearly enough to justify the replacement of the appliances, which I had assumed to be the case. But I would rather have gas appliances for the convenience of having them and because I want my lady friend to be happy using the range, as she does ALL of the cooking.
We are about 120 miles NE of Knoxville and I am wondering what the best way would be of finding replacement appliances. The area in which we live has no natural gas available and the larger cities to the north and south of us do have natural gas available, but I have found very little on Craig's List that list gas appliances for sale. I was thinking about contacting a used appliance dealer in Knoxville and inquiring about purchasing GOOD, older gas appliances. If I was able to find a Filter-Flo washer for sale, are parts generally available for them? I am no appliance repair person, but I do know how to read wiring diagrams and do not think that I'd have any trouble replacing any needed components, if needed.
Any suggestions, comments or ideas would be very much appreciated. Thank you!
Brad
.I started shortwave listening about 1981 with a ~1938 Sears silvertone 3 band radio(I still have it,needs repair) Filter flo washers are very easy to work on,but seems some important service parts have become scarce lately... I would still buy one without remorse though . Perforated basket filter flo washers were made 1961-'95 
