Help - I need new machines

[jimmyb]

I purchased a refurbished set of LG's on Ebay and nothing but problems, long story short they just were shipped back yesterday and now am waiting for a refund. I'm in the market for a new set and have narrowed it down to a Speed Queen set (either top or front load - not sure yet), Frigidaire set front load with controls on top, Bosch Nexxt set (can't see why to spend $400 more for the premium) or the new 3.5 front loads at Sears 44092 and 84092 which I think is available at Lowes in the Frigidaire version.

Before the LG set I had Asko's which were great, I just was not happy with capacity. I also do some laundry in a Maytag I have in the garage so the dryer is important as well since it will handle wash from both the new washer and the Maytag. I am very torn of whether to go back to a top load and am only considering the Speed Queen if I do.

I have read a lot of postings on here but would like a little more help to make my final decision. As there are so many knowledgable people on the site I value everyone's opinion.

Thank you!

 

[westie2]

3.5 FL Frigidaire/Kenmore

We just purchased 3 weeks ago the 44052 from Sears. At that time the 44082 and 44092 were not out yet. Very pleased so far with the washer. Wash times are much much faster than the LG's, HE3Ts and Duet's. The spin speed on the 44052 is 1000 vs the 1100 on the 44092. I saw the Frigidaire at Best Buy this past Saturday that looks like the 44092 controls that was on sale for $674.00 might check there.

 

[frigilux]

I'm all about the Frigidaire front-loader. Relatively inexpensive, reliable, quiet. The dryer capacity is not that of the Duet/Hettie, but that has not been a problem for me.
I have the rear-control Frigidaire set and love it.

 

[Cybrvanr]

The Fridigaire's are definitely nice, but I think the Speed Queen choice is even better. There's just something I've always liked about equipment used professionally

 

[laundromat]

front loaders

The new Frigidaire 3.5 cu ft front loaders are great.There are so many differnt improvements they've made and now the water recirculates and sprays directly onto the clothes as they tumble.The matching dryer also has a see thru window and the openings on both are much better than before.The arms have had the holes enlarged and are not as tall as they used to be which helps to increase the capacity.I truly believe that $1350 is much better than paying $2100 for both.

 

[westie2]

FL

With our new Kenmore 44052 once you customize a cycle for say extra rinse and extra spin (if allowed by program) then the next time you go to use that program it remembers your settings and will automatically light up the extra rinse or spin cycle or spin speed.

 

[frigilux]

Is the 3.5 cu.ft redesigned Frigidaire available as a Frigidaire? My local Frigi dealer knows nothing about them. Sometimes Sears has exclusive contracts to sell an item for a specific length of time. Did you purchase your Frigidaire 3.5 cu.ft. at Sears, or is it rebadged as a Kenmore?

I know it took quite awhile before the HE3t was available as a Whirlpool Duet---again, because Sears had an exclusive contract for a certain period of time.

 

[westie2]

Frigidaire 3.5 FL

Purchased the Kenmore at Sears but last Saturday saw the Frigidaire 3.5 at Best Buy. I think Lowes may be carrying them also. The Sears Kenmores came out about 2 months before the Frigidaires.

 

[jimmyb]

Frigidaire 3.5

I actually saw the Frigidaire version at Lowes last night. The Kenmore branded 3.5 gives a window and a stainless steel drum on the higher end dryer where as Frigidaire gives you just the window no stainless drum. The Frigidaire also has more of a blue color on its accent features (door handle and controls) where as the Kenmore is gray. You can see the dryer on the Lowes website but I did not yet see the washer there.

I am now steering towards the Speed Queens. I was looking at their site (or should I say once again was looking) and really like the construction of them. The wash time is estimated to be 29 minutes for the regular cyle (longer with extra rinse option) which I like as well.

Thanks for everyones input so far. I will have a final decision mid next week.

 

[kenmore1978]

Final decision

And the decision was?

 

[jimmyb]

I did get the Speed Queens. I have not posted much on them since getting them in early March but will work on getting some pictures. So far I love them. See the link to thread # 1432. Thanks for your interest!

http://www.automaticwasher.org/TD/THREADS/MODERN/1432x7.htm

 

[arrrooohhh]

Cant wait to see your pictures!

Do you find the cycle times to short? Nine minutes for the wash part of the cycle seems too short for me, if it was 12 - 15 minutes I dont think I would be bothered.

But from what I have seen they look great and cant wait to see pictures of someone who has them, I have only seen the website pictures.

Glad you love them!

 

[jimmyb]

Cycle Times

I admit the cycle times are quite short but I have had no problem with getting good results. I actually enjoy being able to get laundry done faster than I used to as I had Asko's which performed great but the capacity and longer cycle times drove me bonkers. I have not timed the actual times but believe that the manual is quite accurate.

I also have a Maytag in the garage, so if I need to soak or wash heavily soiled items I do them in that.

 

[david]

Nice looking set Jimmy

Tell us, are they quiet? Detergent versatile? Just want to know-David

 

[jimmyb]

Speed Queen Info

David:

Thanks for the interest.

For the most part they are quiet. The wash and rinse portions of the cycle are the most quiet and the spin cycle is a bit louder than I expected. The dryer is also bit louder than I had expected. When they were installed they did not remove the shipping brace and shock absorber clips and ran a portion of the spin cycle I was told that this was not a problem as the machine was not loaded (I thought this may be the cause of the louder spin). I used to have an Asko set which was much quieter. I must be honest that I enjoy the noise that they make. I think it is more like machines of the past where as the super quiet new front loaders are to modern for my taste.

So far the machines are great. I have used Gain HE and Tide HE powders. The detergent drawer is quite small (probably so people do not use too much detergent). I use the HE scoop to line one with great results. I did use the Costco powder for one load which provided too many suds so I use that strictly in the Maytag in the garage and think I will stick with the HE powders. I have also used bleach (only use Clorox) with my whites with good results.

I have been using Lavender Sachet fabric softener but do not get the scent that I did with the Asko's. The Speed Queen has only two rinses with optional third rinse. If I use the extra rinse I get more of the Lavender scent. I just bought some of the new Downey Lavender Vanilla and can't wait to use it. I also have used bleach (only use Clorox) with my whites with good results.

I will be working on pictures in the next few weeks and will post them as soon as I do.

 

[kenmore1978]

Clorox bleach

"I have also used bleach (only use Clorox) with my whites with good results."

Unlike detergent, bleach is bleach, buying Clorox or Purex is just a waste of $. 5.25% (the typical strength) Sodium Hypochlorite is same no matter what brand.

 

[jimmyb]

Clorox

I guess I only use clorox because of that is what my grandmother used. Since I do not use it very often and only buy it when it is on sale it costs the same or less than Purex or a store brand at regulear price. I typically save 40% or more on my grocery bill between sale items and coupons.

 

[gansky1]

Bleaches

Surprisingly, I was recently told that Clorox is the only bleach manufacturer that tailors it's formula for different regions of the country to account for differences in minerals and such in the water. Although I use bleach rarely for washing clothes I usually only buy Clorox, the splashless version is awesome. I grabbed two bottles at an estate sale a couple of months ago and didn't realize they were a store brand until I got them home but it will work fine for washing rags, bleaching toilets and using in washers for resale.

 

[kenmore1978]

regional bleach

You would think that if Clorox tailored their bleach for different areas, they would tout that feature. Actually, again, unlike detergent, hard water & such doesn't really affect chlorine bleach performance.