Not sure of the year - late 60's/early 70's mayber? One of the washer experts will know!
Kenmore Washer on Detroit CL
- Thread starter kevin313
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Based on the lack of (yuck) build-up under the lid it looks to be in REALLY nice condition!
Kevin
mrb627
Well-known member
Wow
A classic beauty!
Malcolm
A classic beauty!
Malcolm
That is a 1965 Kenmore 800. These were very popular machines, and were made into 1968. I think this particular machine has been for sale before, but its really a nice model. Lighted with backlit dial, and a filtering light. Simple, easy to use three basic cycles of Normal, Wash 'n Wear and Delicate. This model has solenoid operated dispensers for softener and bleach, and five independent temperature combinations.
These models are a little easier to use than a Lady K in some ways, as for a few years Ladies had hard-wired warm rinses and no defeat switch (some had a cold water switch that would turn off the warm rinses and alter a few of the pre-set temps in wash). I seldom use a warm rinse so the ability to "un-do" one for me is important when I don't want to waste energy.
Not as much bling as a Lady K in this model, but a very nicely optioned machine that would be easy to use for almost anyone.
Gordon
These models are a little easier to use than a Lady K in some ways, as for a few years Ladies had hard-wired warm rinses and no defeat switch (some had a cold water switch that would turn off the warm rinses and alter a few of the pre-set temps in wash). I seldom use a warm rinse so the ability to "un-do" one for me is important when I don't want to waste energy.
Not as much bling as a Lady K in this model, but a very nicely optioned machine that would be easy to use for almost anyone.
Gordon
65-68 Kenmore 800 Washer
This was indeed a very well designed and fully featured washer. When I got my hands on my first real washer [ a 59 LKM ] that my brothers and I were rebuilding in 1967 I had picked out this model as the ideal machine for my parents to buy for our family, unfortunately they did go along with my idea.
This model had everything one needed to have a great washer, Self-cleaning filter, full width florescent light, timed bleach and fabric softener dispensers, two speed motor and independent water temperature selections.
Like you Gordon I never saw the need to waste 12 gallons of HOT water to rinse one load of laundry. Even before the energy crisis this just seemed crazy, 12 gallons of hot water is enough to run a full load of dirty dishes in a DW of the same time period.
Interestingly this was also my Grandmothers first automatic washer, when my Grandfather had to give up driving around 1968 my Grandmother sold his 1962 Ford Falcon and took the money to buy this washer [ she retired a 1961 Maytag E2LP Wringer washer ]
This was indeed a very well designed and fully featured washer. When I got my hands on my first real washer [ a 59 LKM ] that my brothers and I were rebuilding in 1967 I had picked out this model as the ideal machine for my parents to buy for our family, unfortunately they did go along with my idea.
This model had everything one needed to have a great washer, Self-cleaning filter, full width florescent light, timed bleach and fabric softener dispensers, two speed motor and independent water temperature selections.
Like you Gordon I never saw the need to waste 12 gallons of HOT water to rinse one load of laundry. Even before the energy crisis this just seemed crazy, 12 gallons of hot water is enough to run a full load of dirty dishes in a DW of the same time period.
Interestingly this was also my Grandmothers first automatic washer, when my Grandfather had to give up driving around 1968 my Grandmother sold his 1962 Ford Falcon and took the money to buy this washer [ she retired a 1961 Maytag E2LP Wringer washer ]
On warm rinses...
I grew up with the 1961 Kenmore 70, which also had the same five independent temperature combinations as this 1965 800. I don't recall my Mom ever using a warm rinse, not on that machine, or the next two either. I can't say why, but maybe she was on to something back then, because we certainly haven't suffered from poorly rinsed items for 52 years.
When it came time to buy my own Kenmore, the specific model that I could afford (on sale) has no warm rinse option, and I've never missed them. About the only time I like a warm rinse option is for the spray rinses when I want some extra water volume splashing through the spin sprays.
Today, as I use a number of other machines, many of which have a warm rinse option, I never use it. I would imagine over the years that's saved a number of therms on the water heaters! Sears has put in print many times on washer operating manuals and on sales literature that cold water rinsing had been tested and shown to be "virtually as effective as warm water rinsing".
Gordon
I grew up with the 1961 Kenmore 70, which also had the same five independent temperature combinations as this 1965 800. I don't recall my Mom ever using a warm rinse, not on that machine, or the next two either. I can't say why, but maybe she was on to something back then, because we certainly haven't suffered from poorly rinsed items for 52 years.
When it came time to buy my own Kenmore, the specific model that I could afford (on sale) has no warm rinse option, and I've never missed them. About the only time I like a warm rinse option is for the spray rinses when I want some extra water volume splashing through the spin sprays.
Today, as I use a number of other machines, many of which have a warm rinse option, I never use it. I would imagine over the years that's saved a number of therms on the water heaters! Sears has put in print many times on washer operating manuals and on sales literature that cold water rinsing had been tested and shown to be "virtually as effective as warm water rinsing".
Gordon
Gordon, I would agree with you. Members that have antique/vintage machines ie: the W/D combo's report good results on this forum. IMHO the detergents are washer friendly. I can see how using real "Soap flakes" and such would of been a big problem early on in the automatic era. I will admit in the dead of winter and the tap water is like liquid ice adding a little hot water just makes me feel better. arthur
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