Kenmore Thread!

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Through the years...........................................

Kenmore had some beautiful machines, I never realized that even their BOL machines were beautiful in their own way (I think there's a song in there LOL). Even up to the bitter end their conventional Direct Drive machines were beautiful. Kenmore quality! Pity though, that you will never find another machine like these in any Sears store. I like the look of the Kenmore badged LG front loader, but they are made in Korea, is the quality there? I don't think so. Anyway thanks for the trip down memory lane. I saw alot of these machines growing up in people's homes, and in the Sears catalog, which I always had open as a kid to look at the center dial machines of the mid to late seventies.
Mike
 
1990 Kenmore 80 Series DD

chaskelljr2:
Thanks SOOO much for posting the above picture. It brings so many memories for me back in 1990-1992. Looked at all those Sears catalogs when I was in preschool-Kindergarden! When to the Sears store almost everyday after school! Do you have anymore scans of the washers/Dryers in the Sears Catalogs?
 
A Chacun son gout

Just to be clear, for whatever reason, the Kenmores I still consider most offensive, especially after the amazing and imaginative varieties of Lady Kenmores through the years are the ones I saw most in people's houses, the homely plain cheaper ones with the dial in the middle like this one:

bajaespuma++11-21-2011-19-30-46.jpg
 
Boy am I pushing my luck.

and they usually had what I think is the hands-down dullest looking agitator ever manufactured in that sickening looking poisonous fungus color:

 

If I'm offending some of you, I apologize, I'm sure you can point out details on the Filter-flo's that you find ugly. Different strokes, for different folks. And what's with those damn stupid lids? Those engineers couldn't have figure out how to make them lie flat so they'd be useful instead of just in the way?!?!?! Come on! And LeFever, don't even think about trying to convince me that there was an advantage to a lid like this. (yes, yes, LOL)

 

 

bajaespuma++11-21-2011-19-32-27.jpg
 
In your words "just to be clear" Ken, I'm not sure where in here anywhere, in all these replies, where anyone querried you as to what you find offensive! In fact, I am sure nobody asked....

If you want to start a GE thread where everyone can explore all the wonderful things GE, by all means... This one however is for those who enjoy Kenmores. For those such as yourself who don't, be a grown-up and leave your comments unsaid.

Gordon
 
#558251, I have posted before we had this one and Mom loved it.  The capacity in these new machines REALLY changed, the number of loads most people washed.  The lg. cap Kenmore replaced a std tub Tag.  It was amazing how much more the Kenmores washed and dried at one time.  It's always nice to see Greg's  "Sears Best" tag intact,  and Rickr's. beautiful machines,  RevKevs pink combo is like an urban myth.  I am so happy that so many have been saved and preserved.  alr 

[this post was last edited: 11/21/2011-23:33]
 
 

 

A few questions for you Ken:  

 

1. About the "damn stupid lids".   What is so stupid about them?   OK, they don't lay flat, but so what?   Do they really need to?   Is the lid somehow in your way when you are adding or removing laundry from the machine?    How would it be "useful" if it lays flat?    Why is it such an issue? 

 

2. The agitator.  What is your issue with this one?   Is it only the color?   Or maybe the shape?   Who the hell cares WHAT the agitator looks like?    As long as it does it's job and gets your clothes clean, what difference does it make?   We are not talking about a piece of art here, it's a machine with a specific purpose... and that is to get your dirty laundry clean.   Or am I missing the point here? 

 

3.  How does the black control panel "offend" you?   Do you see unpleasant nude images when you look at it?   Do you see curse words instead of "Hot, Warm, Cold, Normal or Delicate"?  Is it an issue of prejudice since the panel is black? 

 

So you don't miss understand MY intent, I am only trying to understand your point of view and why you would post such negative comments in a thread that is otherwise very positive.

 

Kevin

[this post was last edited: 11/21/2011-23:58]
 
Yay for all the Kenmores! I took them for granted as I grew up with one (1960 pushbutton Model 80) and I always had acute Frigidaire envy. Now I appreciate the old belt drives much more.

Speaking of the pushbutton models---I know there are 1959 and '60 pushbutton models in the AW family; any chance we can get photos of them, guys?
 
@ Frigilux....

Frigilux (Eugene):

I do in fact have a picture of the 1960 All-Push Button Model 80 (as well as the 1960 and 1961 Lady Kenmore All Push-Button Models -- well.... the 1960 Lady Kenmore is really a Toggle Model). I will scan those and post those this evening when I get home.

Now, what I want to see is the model that's proven to be elusive and a mystery to all of us.... the 1962 Lady Kenmore. I don't have a 1962 Sears Catalog, so I don't know what the 1962 Lady Kenmore looks like.

--Charles--
 
Kenmores

I just love Kenmores for many reasons including the centerdial ones,they are all special in their own way.I have been enjoying this thread greatly also as I have known all these machines at on time or another going all the way back to my childhood.
 
DaveAMKrayoGuy's Additional KENMORE KOMMENTARY:

Well, I didn't mean to be excessively critical on my Kenmore dryer's "Fabric Master" 'auto-dry' control in terms of it being a "malfunction" or to convey my being nit-picky...

Just that the Moisture Sensor which I'm lucky for my dryer to have is much easier to use in terms of judging my degree of dryness, as opposed to the guess-work involved in deciding how many minutes a load requires on a timer (although I have pretty much mastered a load of towels needing FIFTY-MINUTES & on the highest heat setting, and of course the 'Touch-Up' area showing the remaining Fifteen-Minutes on the dryer timer for loads 'not-completely-yet dry' is useful, so I have really NOT eliminated the use for my manual timer; nice to give that 'Sensor' a break once-in-a-while, though)...

I just, like my washer lacking a fabric dispenser, (which I would probably seldom, if ever use in this day 'n' age) or being disappointed it doesn't have for a '90' being that 'high-endy', feel a dryer (also a '90') probably needs a switch to turn off the "Wrinkle Guard", or wish it was just in another portion of the timer area...

I'm not that unappreciative of the feature, I do like to know to take my clothes out to prevent wrinkles, although many is the time I put clothes wrinkled from HANGING in my dryer for a few minutes (with the manual timer) along w/ my hard rubber dryer ball, or a damp wash cloth...

Just that I don't go for the "phantom spins" of the dryer starting up again & turning off & of course, I have the alarm set to highest volume... --There's something I like about my dryer buzzing to let me know it's done, and I respond if & when I can get to it; it's down a flight of stairs at the end of the house under the bedrooms, while I'm normally in the house right above it!

I'm sure a lot of people bought high-end dryers w/ that feature & did pay for an extra knob (to get Frigidaire's 'Press Guard' or GE's 'Extra Care', for instance), just to get another feature of two unavailable on a lesser model, so that's how this dryer is viewed...

Regarding the lid on my Kenmore washer, since that had been brought up: the only time it would be in my way is watching my washer during filling & having to adjust the Water Level; I have to turn that knob to "Reset" to make any changes, so I have to briefly lower the lid if I want to use less water or can see a load requiring more water during a fill, that's all there...

A lid that would lie flat would be right on top of the dryer, which would need a door that opens to the left (a Maytag, in the case of it being a vintage machine) or why a Kenmore w/ a drop-down opening door (which more Whirlpool dryers also have) was chosen, much like a left-opening lid that doesn't lie flat (which CONSUMER REPORTS cites as "Hampers access to the left") or a lid opening to the back would be appropriate in accordance to the installation requirements of my laundry (did take a few pics of my laundry area w/ my camera phone & don't think I have 'em there, but I put 'em on my Facebook page so I'll see if I cvan someday find a way to post 'em here)...

Still like my Kenmores, & the many others here, too, fancy or utilitarian, Top-, Bottom-, or Mid-Line, whether washer, dryer, or machine that does both, and no matter what era or what year...! And even if "everyone had one", as opposed to any "underdog" brands, such as Hamilton, Franklin, or Blackstone...

Or even Gibson, Kelvinator, Westinghouse, Norge, Wards, or Frigidaire; of which at least like GE, Whirlpool or Maytag, would at least be seen in the kitchen, whereas in my case, the washer & dryer would be a Sears Robuck catalog # _______ (Insert Here)...

The best appliances of their time!

-- Dave

daveamkrayoguy++11-23-2011-01-59-17.jpg
 
That version of the gold straight vane in the portable washer is my favorite agitator. It may look plain, but it sure does not wash plain. Turnover is great on a full water level, and on a lower one it is probably the most dramatic. The long lower fins do an awesome job.

The 1970 Model 500 is one of my favorite models with this.

Happy Thanksgiving!
James
 
offensive kenmore?!

I would just like to say that everybody has their own opinion of what machines and styles look good and which ones do not.  I for one happen to Love the look of the machines that were found offensive.  I am still waiting for my trip out to Gordon's place to get one 
smiley-cool.gif
.  However, there is no need to bash what one person likes or doesn't like, the different bodies, control panels, etc all make up the rich history of the brand name.  

 

KENMORE FOR THE WIN!!!!
smiley-tongue-out.gif


 

joefuss1984++11-23-2011-09-42-7.jpg
 
Moppy memories :)...

our neighbor next door bought this exact version to replace a mini-console WP (where the console dial, etc were all to the right in a small boxy tower)...LOVE the styling of this dial and the pointer on the timer, thanks Gordon!!!
 
76 Lady Kenmores

I should have posted these years ago I keep them at my office for a display. They came from a vacation home here in Seattle. I have so many people wanting to buy these from me, I just smile and say there not for sale.

areuoneto++11-23-2011-23-56-38.jpg.png
 

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