What was the largest capacity residential washer ever made? How many cubic feet did it hold? I remember GE once making that claim.
Largest Capacity washer ever made
- Thread starter Chetlaham
- Start date
Help Support :
launderess
Well-known member
There has never been a domestic washing machine for sale in USA with capacity greater than twenty pounds (20 lbs). This is due to local construction zoning regulations often have set that weight as total max allowed. This in turn allows developers and others planning to know what they have to design for in terms of max load.
Top loaders went from 8 - 9 pounds in 1950's up to 12-16 pounds by 1990's IIRC. Some like Norge claimed 20 lbs.
Thing about washer capacity is since appliance makers sold units as matching sets an increase in washing machine capacity means dryer has to grow as well. Otherwise one full load from washing machine would have to be split into two before going into dryer.
Top loaders went from 8 - 9 pounds in 1950's up to 12-16 pounds by 1990's IIRC. Some like Norge claimed 20 lbs.
Thing about washer capacity is since appliance makers sold units as matching sets an increase in washing machine capacity means dryer has to grow as well. Otherwise one full load from washing machine would have to be split into two before going into dryer.
Good question!! Are you talking current line up or vintage? Just because a manufacture advertised largest capacity does not mean cleaning ability scored well at say 20 lbs, would think you’d have to take that into account. Also clothing wear & tear. Certainly the old Norge 20 lb top load was nothing to sneeze at, and NO DA agitator either. Think back in the day it was the largest capacity available. I shutter to think what water usage would be for one full load, presoak and extra rinse. Don’t think the old GE FF’s could hold a candle to them.
The new modern front loaders might have an edge today. Amazing that manufactures keep increasing capacity, it’s like they’re trying to get the family to wash only one load for the week!! Think the normal everyday person HATES doing laundry and tub sizes now MUST accommodate king size bedding...or at least that seems to be the excuse. Gov. almost dictated larger tubs also.
Barry
The new modern front loaders might have an edge today. Amazing that manufactures keep increasing capacity, it’s like they’re trying to get the family to wash only one load for the week!! Think the normal everyday person HATES doing laundry and tub sizes now MUST accommodate king size bedding...or at least that seems to be the excuse. Gov. almost dictated larger tubs also.
Barry
Both current and vintage, but I think current machines would score more records in the size category.
Why is the limit set at 20 pounds? What is the standard or regulation that requires this?
Why is the limit set at 20 pounds? What is the standard or regulation that requires this?
As I recall, Whirlpool / Kenmore standard-capacity belt-drives were said to be 14 lbs in the 1970s, maybe 1960s, and forward. Super-capacity debuted in the mid 1960s was "up to" 18 lbs.
Capacity nowadays, at whatever point in time that began, is rarely if ever stated in pounds. Cubic feet is the reference, which eliminates the need to validate any poundage claims.
I was referring to the 20 lb Norge as it was. in my mind, the largest that I knew of. Like Glenn stated, today’s machines would probably make mincemeat of the older ones.
Bigger does not always equal better though.
Barry
Bigger does not always equal better though.
Barry
If you took the inner basket out of a GE FF, and lowered the outer tub to the point it was 8 inches off the floor and put an impellar inside it I would imagine the machine would hold a substantial amount. 
tomdawg
Well-known member
Maytag bravos
A few years ago, Whirlpool made a 6.2 cu ft for the Maytag bravos line up. I thought I heard 22lb capacity but I clearly could be wrong. I noticed it’s not in the line up anymore. Even at 20 or 22lb its laughable because we all know it most likely won’t clean well.
A few years ago, Whirlpool made a 6.2 cu ft for the Maytag bravos line up. I thought I heard 22lb capacity but I clearly could be wrong. I noticed it’s not in the line up anymore. Even at 20 or 22lb its laughable because we all know it most likely won’t clean well.
In 1986 I bought a Magic Chef TL that was Norge built. It was supposed to have a 20 lb capacity and I believe it. It was the largest TL washing machine tub I ever saw. It was a very good performer too. We had to sell it about 18 mo. later when we moved into our first condo, a 1 bedroom with a laundry closet that would only accommodate a stacked washer and dryer.
We sold the Magic Chef set for $400 to a women I worked with, who already had an aging Norge and wanted another similar to her old washer. Lorraine used that Magic Chef set for about 15 years before the washer gave up the ghost.
Eddie
We sold the Magic Chef set for $400 to a women I worked with, who already had an aging Norge and wanted another similar to her old washer. Lorraine used that Magic Chef set for about 15 years before the washer gave up the ghost.
Eddie
There was a time where Jenn Air touted their washer (and probably some other Norge products with other brand labels such as Magic Chef) could hold up to 22 pounds. This was towards the end of this product line.
Jenn-Air Ultra 22
Photos saved in January 2009 from Jaytag, and a video.
Photos saved in January 2009 from Jaytag, and a video.
Glenn, that's exactly what I was seeing in my head.
Jenn-air
Oh! I was not aware these existed. Who built them and why? What is their history? And for that matter I will admit I know little about Norge, or why some love them while others dislike them.
Let me know if I should start a new thread about them.
I will watch those videos now, thank you for posting them!
Oh! I was not aware these existed. Who built them and why? What is their history? And for that matter I will admit I know little about Norge, or why some love them while others dislike them.
Let me know if I should start a new thread about them.
I will watch those videos now, thank you for posting them!
The owner guide for our 1976 LDA7800 stated water levels of 12, 17, 22, and 27 gallons. Maybe the numbers were rounded. Figure that water usage on Perm Press with a double partial-drain cool down, and add a Super Wash partial drain for the upper models that had it on PP ...
repairguy
Well-known member
Looking at some info on the Jenn air I was surprised to find that they would furnish a new inner or outer tub if either failed to defective materials or workmanship for 22 years. Not including any shipping, service calls, or labor, of course.
The large capacity whirlpool/kenmores were introduced in 1967 and ran through mid 1981 when the capacity was lessened for the new 1982 models.
The large capacity whirlpool/kenmores were introduced in 1967 and ran through mid 1981 when the capacity was lessened for the new 1982 models.
Highest capacity listed on energystar.gov are the Whirlpool-made top loaders at 6.2 cu.ft., followed by the 5.8 front loaders by LG.
Looking at LG websites from other countries (Mexico, South Africa, Singapore and Australia) the capacity is always stated in weight. The large LG top loaders are rated at 55 lbs. capacity. I'd love to see the wash action with that much stuff in there.
Looking at LG websites from other countries (Mexico, South Africa, Singapore and Australia) the capacity is always stated in weight. The large LG top loaders are rated at 55 lbs. capacity. I'd love to see the wash action with that much stuff in there.
To me, something more than 20 years older, as in Imperial Forum machines...
-- Dave
-- Dave
launderess
Well-known member
"Looking at some info on the Jenn air I was surprised to find that they would furnish a new inner or outer tub if either failed to defective materials or workmanship for 22 years."
Isn't that bit like lifetime warranty on porcelain drums or maybe motors many washing machines (IIRC) had back in day? Truth to tell often something else would go long before tub or motor that would cause machine to be scrapped.
That is if cost of a new transmission or something on a fifteen year washer is more than machine is worth to some, it likely will be replaced by a new machine. This regardless if tub or motor are still fine. IIRC same could be said of dishwashers with their lifetime warranties on tubs and or motors.
Isn't that bit like lifetime warranty on porcelain drums or maybe motors many washing machines (IIRC) had back in day? Truth to tell often something else would go long before tub or motor that would cause machine to be scrapped.
That is if cost of a new transmission or something on a fifteen year washer is more than machine is worth to some, it likely will be replaced by a new machine. This regardless if tub or motor are still fine. IIRC same could be said of dishwashers with their lifetime warranties on tubs and or motors.
angus
Well-known member
I think those Jenn-Airs were basically rebadged Magic Chefs. They were probably introduced around 1996 but I don't recall that they ever really cornered a large market. At the time, Jenn-Air was considered on the higher end of cooking appliances and made their name with those downdraft exhaust systems on their ranges. So they expanded their name to refrigerators, dishwashers and laundry. Feel free to correct me if I am off base here.
I also recall that in the 90's hearing two appliance store salesmen discussing the "new Titan 25" plastic inner tubs on Kelvinators. The tubs were warrantied for 25 years- comment from the salesman was that this was a great warranty, but since the machine itself wouldn't last more than 5 years, it seemed pointless....
Interesting point.
I also recall that in the 90's hearing two appliance store salesmen discussing the "new Titan 25" plastic inner tubs on Kelvinators. The tubs were warrantied for 25 years- comment from the salesman was that this was a great warranty, but since the machine itself wouldn't last more than 5 years, it seemed pointless....
Interesting point.
Isn't it the same with direct drive and at least for the EU in an extend just normal inverter motors?
They are all labeled with a 10 year warranty on the motor, some even 20.
But it's just the motor, not the board to drive it or any sensors.
And a bunch of wound copper wire won't just break.
Or as laundress said, DW tubs often have a 20 year rust warranty - just that I have never seen a DW tub rust through.
Newest scheme here is 10 year parts only warranty.
Very little worth in that of work cost is 200€ on a 300€ washer.
But on the topic of largest washer:
I think for the US it's the Whirlpool/Maytag 6.2cuft washer? Or were they 5.8?
They are all labeled with a 10 year warranty on the motor, some even 20.
But it's just the motor, not the board to drive it or any sensors.
And a bunch of wound copper wire won't just break.
Or as laundress said, DW tubs often have a 20 year rust warranty - just that I have never seen a DW tub rust through.
Newest scheme here is 10 year parts only warranty.
Very little worth in that of work cost is 200€ on a 300€ washer.
But on the topic of largest washer:
I think for the US it's the Whirlpool/Maytag 6.2cuft washer? Or were they 5.8?
launderess
Well-known member
IIRC Magic Chef never made a washing machine in their lives.
Fedders bought Magic Chef then gobbled up Norge from Borg Warner. Thus any Magic Chef washer likely is Norge to some extent under the bonnet.
https://www.automaticwasher.org/cgi-bin/TD/TD-VIEWTHREAD.cgi?89593_20~1
Am not 100% sure but after Maytag/Maycor got their mitts on Norge, at some point their Performa washers were bit of Norge under bonnet as well, at least machines claiming 22lb capacity.
What often happened going back ages is both appliance dealers and customers wanted same brand across line. That is washing machine, dryer, dishwasher, range, oven, etc...
This was fine for some larger appliance makers like General Electric who had fingers in dozens of different pies. Others simply went out and bought or merged with a company that had what they wanted.
Jenn-Air got their start making industrial/commercial fans. That lead them to first down draft self ventilated range. Other small kitchen appliances, dishwashers, microwave ovens and fridges followed, but no laundry appliances.
Fedders bought Magic Chef then gobbled up Norge from Borg Warner. Thus any Magic Chef washer likely is Norge to some extent under the bonnet.
https://www.automaticwasher.org/cgi-bin/TD/TD-VIEWTHREAD.cgi?89593_20~1
Am not 100% sure but after Maytag/Maycor got their mitts on Norge, at some point their Performa washers were bit of Norge under bonnet as well, at least machines claiming 22lb capacity.
What often happened going back ages is both appliance dealers and customers wanted same brand across line. That is washing machine, dryer, dishwasher, range, oven, etc...
This was fine for some larger appliance makers like General Electric who had fingers in dozens of different pies. Others simply went out and bought or merged with a company that had what they wanted.
Jenn-Air got their start making industrial/commercial fans. That lead them to first down draft self ventilated range. Other small kitchen appliances, dishwashers, microwave ovens and fridges followed, but no laundry appliances.
angus
Well-known member
To clarify, I know that Magic Chef didn't build their own washers or dryers. However by the 1990s appliance dealers in my area basically didn't carry any anything with the Norge nameplate so any laundry equipment was labeled Magic Chef and that was my reference point. And yes, it is correct that the Maytag Performa line was pretty much Norge "under the hood". Of course, my memory may be faulty but I seem to think that some very early Performas were similar to the Dependable Care line, save for a few features, but that didn't last very long. As I said though, that memory may be a little "off".
The idea of the Performa line was to give people the Maytag name at a lower price point. I can't imagine the disappointment of people who thought they were buying something that would last for generations. Kind of like that basic Tide in the yellow bottle or Bounty Basics paper towels. You buy into the concept of the overall brand but the actual performance is usually way different from the "flagship" brand.
The idea of the Performa line was to give people the Maytag name at a lower price point. I can't imagine the disappointment of people who thought they were buying something that would last for generations. Kind of like that basic Tide in the yellow bottle or Bounty Basics paper towels. You buy into the concept of the overall brand but the actual performance is usually way different from the "flagship" brand.
Norge (and Amana? they bought it in 2002) merge into Maytag was also (or primarily?) to get larger capacity without having to retool the existing washer design.
repairguy
Well-known member
Magic Chef bought Norge in 1979 and Maytag bought Magic Chef in 1986. Amana was purchased by Maytag in 2001.
repairguy
Well-known member
Maytag bought Jenn-Air in 1982.
launderess
Well-known member
Leave us not forget KitchenAid....
When owned by Hobart KA brand was largely known for stand mixers, dishwashers, waste disposers and few other bits.
Kitchenaid bought Chambers to expand their product line to include ranges, ovens, and other cooking appliances. Whirlpool subsequently gobbled up Kitchenaid which got them not only KA but Chambers....
Whirlpool added refrigerators, and laundry appliances. For latter WP seemed to have positioned Kitchen Aid as slightly more upscale.
https://www.company-histories.com/KitchenAid-Company-History.html
It's wicked when you think about it; handful of global conglomerates basically own majority of appliance brands.
When owned by Hobart KA brand was largely known for stand mixers, dishwashers, waste disposers and few other bits.
Kitchenaid bought Chambers to expand their product line to include ranges, ovens, and other cooking appliances. Whirlpool subsequently gobbled up Kitchenaid which got them not only KA but Chambers....
Whirlpool added refrigerators, and laundry appliances. For latter WP seemed to have positioned Kitchen Aid as slightly more upscale.
https://www.company-histories.com/KitchenAid-Company-History.html
It's wicked when you think about it; handful of global conglomerates basically own majority of appliance brands.
rpms
Well-known member
I remember seeing an ad for the Beatty brothers hotel size wringer washer.
Wondering if the agitator and rollers were bigger too? The tub looked larger than normal.
Wondering if the agitator and rollers were bigger too? The tub looked larger than normal.
launderess
Well-known member
Ohh yes!
Thor, Beatty Bros. and others marketed washing machines for small to medium sized hotels. They also would serve for convents, monasteries, schools, care homes, large private homes or estates.... Places that had more laundry than say private home, but not enough to warrant investment in larger commercial equipment of the time. Today of course this market is served by on premises laundry (OPL) equipment.
This washers had bit larger capacity, but nearly all relied still upon wringers early on. At least in USA small extractors that didn't require bolting down were not available, nor did many have separate motors. Many were driven by belts and or other means commonly found in commercial settings, but lacking elsewhere.
https://www.johnsonrarebooks.com/pa...er-the-washing-method-experts-have-found-best
https://www.google.com/books/editio...inger+washer&pg=RA20-PA27&printsec=frontcover
Thor, Beatty Bros. and others marketed washing machines for small to medium sized hotels. They also would serve for convents, monasteries, schools, care homes, large private homes or estates.... Places that had more laundry than say private home, but not enough to warrant investment in larger commercial equipment of the time. Today of course this market is served by on premises laundry (OPL) equipment.
This washers had bit larger capacity, but nearly all relied still upon wringers early on. At least in USA small extractors that didn't require bolting down were not available, nor did many have separate motors. Many were driven by belts and or other means commonly found in commercial settings, but lacking elsewhere.
https://www.johnsonrarebooks.com/pa...er-the-washing-method-experts-have-found-best
https://www.google.com/books/editio...inger+washer&pg=RA20-PA27&printsec=frontcover
What about the super capacity post FF GE washers? I remember it being mentioned in their advertising.
Similar threads
