How to temper a Huebsch/Speed Queen FL for Hot Washes

[qualin]

Thought I'd put these instructions here in case anyone has one of these or considers getting a Huebsch ZFN50R or a Speed Queen AFN50R without a heater.

The first thing I did was set my water heater to "Hot", but I have to say that if you do this, please be careful. This can be dangerous. Your hot water shouldn't exceed 160 F. (70 C)

1. Select "Hot/Cold" wash/rinse temperature.
2. Select "Regular" wash, press "Start" and wait for the tub to fill.
3. Once the tub has completed one revolution after filling has stopped, move the cycle selector knob to "Stop".
4. Select the "Spin Only" cycle and press "Start"
5. Wait for the machine to completely drain. As soon as the inner tub moves, move the dial to the "Stop" position.
6. The "Door" light will stay on for about a minute. During this time, put in your detergent, bleach and fabric softener into the dispenser. Get your clothes ready to load while waiting.
7. As soon as the "Door" light goes out, put in your clothes, select the desired cycle and press "Start"
8. Enjoy the hot water wash.

Doing this, I noticed the glass is considerably hotter than when I just did a wash without tempering first. The manual says that "Hot" is usually a 140 F (60 C) wash, but I suspect that what I did after the tempering could have been a 175 F (80 C) wash. (I couldn't hold onto the hot water line.)

 

[dj-gabriele]

Well, doing that you simply purged the water line and pre-heated the machine. In a front loader without a heater, this makes a great deal of difference!

Oh and mind, 60°C is hot enough to scald you in little time if you put your hands in the water!

 

[tomturbomatic]

How, if you have 160F water and preheat the machine with 160F water before filling with 160F water can you have a 175F wash without a heater? If you use a battery-powered infra red thermometer, you could take an exact reading.

 

[launderess]

No Offence

But all that *tempering* makes one glad for owing a washer with built-in heaters.

Of course if these were days of old where boilers pumped out 180F *hot* water such things wouldn't be needed. Simply purge the line closest to the machine by turning on the taps and away one goes. Even allowing for the hot water being cooled by reaching all that cooler metal inside the washer things should still be at or over 140F.

 

[tomturbomatic]

Yes, and older washers, even front loaders filled with more water. If you heat your household water with gas, it is probably a cheaper way of making sure of a really hot wash than using an onboard heater and, while it requires a bit of attention from the user, it is faster.

 

[qualin]

To Tom

I guess I should eventually consider purchasing one of those infrared laser thermometers, just so I can measure water temperatures and see the differences in non-tempering as opposed to tempering.

Also, to answer your question, if I turn up my water heater to "Hot" and let it heat the water and then run the tap, I can get water as hot as 195 F. (90 C) It's absolutely perfect for cooking Ramen noodles by the tap instead of using the kettle.

However, my main concern is that by leaving the water heater in that position, I could get a build up of Hydrogen gas and it could eventually lead to something unpleasant, like the pressure valve blowing and flooding the basement.

Fortunately, heating water by gas is cheap, so if I really need those ultra-sanitary washes, I crank it up and also do the dishes at the same time.

 

[launderess]

Give Me *Hot* Water Anyday

*LOL*

 

[tomturbomatic]

The interesting thing about Monel tanks is that they don't have the flue running through the tank. The hot gases go around the tank. I think that is why they last so long because all of my tanks have failed in the flue.

If you wanna cook ramen noodles, get an instant hot for simmering hot water on tap instead of heating 40 or 50 gallons that hot. If that is too much trouble, get a Sunbeam Hot Shot. I saw them at the store on Friday. It heats two cups of water to a boil in 90 seconds and costs about $20.00.

 

[qualin]

Meh.. Between the Dishwasher and the Washing machine, those 40 gallons go really fast.. I don't normally keep it at hot all the time. Just only when I need it and very seldomly at that.

The only time I find myself wanting to temper the machine is when I'm washing white bedsheets and for very good reason. Most other laundry I have doesn't need water that hot.

 

[dj-gabriele]

all that *tempering* makes one glad for owing a washer with

AMEN!
I'd never trade my crappy self-heating machine for the best non self-heating one, ever.

 

[alr2903]

Why would you not "temper" the whole load.  cancel,  and simply start over with the additives? alr

 

 

[mrb627]

Tempering Machine

I used to temper the machine in this manner. After awhile, I gave it up. Haven't noticed any difference in the results and it beats waiting 2 hours for the machine to heat the water too.

Malcolm

 

[launderess]

You Cant Get Clothes Clean Without Good Hot Water

*LOL*