Let's Talk About Spin Dryers

[launderess]

Shall we?

While my Hoover's spin tub is decent, one does not always wish to haul the thing out, and well it has to be said the extractor's motor and pump aren't exactly whisper quiet. Also capacity wise it does not hold that much. Can push in about half a Miele wash load, which translates into two to three pounds.

With this in mind am considering nabbing a spin dryer from UK/EU. Apparently despite their size the things do not weigh much and can be sent across the pond easily.

Are the older models better than recent offerings? Pump versions verus no?

TIA
L.

 

[vacbear58]

Pump or no pump?

Laundress,

Have a look at the link for an answer to that question.

I suppose it depends on what you want to use it for? For rinsing and spinning hand washed items ("But what about my lingerie and finer things - I always have to do them by hand" - Frigidaire 1950) or to supplement the spin performance of your auto washer. Bear in mind though that "classic" UK machines would hold 6/7lbs of laundry, the modern ones have smaller capacity and slower spins - the classic machines were really just the same technology as the equivalent twinnies of the same age. Some of the UK guys were chatting in another thread about the use of spin driers to supplement autos (I am sorry I don't recall the thread - I suspect it was in Deluxe) and they swear by them.

Al

 

[jeb]

spin dryer

I bought one from-- www.laundry-alternative.com. It will handles about half a modern washer load (about 8 to 10 lbs ). I think it really works well. I get about 2 to 3 cups of water out of each load. It cuts drying time atleast in half. Mine cost about $150.00 a few years ago and I know it has paid for itself already. jeb

 

[launderess]

Mainly As A Supplement To The Miele

My Miele, bless it's dear heart, wont' spin at 1100 (high speed final spin) any longer. Had three Miele techs out to look at it (see archives for the whole sad tale of woe and misery that was), and the upshot was the problem "could be" the motor or wiring leading to it....... In any event Miele USA made it rather clear they were not interested in taking the matter furhter. Repairs would require taking the unit to their service center to haul the motor and tubs out, in short a total over haul, and on unit of this vintag (W1070), it was felt by Miele not worth bothering with.

Was advised to "live with" the 900 spin speed, or purchase a newer Miele, and that was the end of that.

From limited research one has done on European appliance sites, front loaders that spin at speeds <1000 tend to have a longer lifespan. Something about high final spins, especially if loads are out of balance often creating lots of wear on the machine. It perhaps explains why so many "older" front loaders with spins at 800 or 900 rpms are still around, but we're not on that right now.

Do find that heavy cotton items like sateen sheets, muslin linens, terry towels and such line dry faster if spun in the Hoover spin basket. This plus they seem softer and retain less "scent" from some of the more highly scented laundry products in my kit.

The Hoover does a decent job, but as stated it is not quiet thus limits one's use to daylight hours, less have the household and perhaps even the building at my throat with guns if done at night.

Would also be nice to cram in at least one washer load, or close to it from the Miele or even the Whirlpool into one spinning session. Hence not prolonging the noise and work.

Am told awhile back Frigidare sold a 9kg unit in the UK, but they are no longer made.

 

[launderess]

Thanks For The Link!

Received pronunciation and all!

Ah GB in the 1950's! *LOL*

 

[luxflairguy]

Luandress! If you want to try the Laundry Alternative spinner at a good price, email me privately. No pump, but kicks A--!
Greg. P.S> Still love my Pinkstar!

 

[whirlcool]

And we still have our Pakistani spin dryer we bought from Laundry Alternatives about 6 or 7 years ago. While others here have had them, and they self destructed, ours just carries on!

Ours pulls at least a quart of water from jeans and t-shirts. And it shortens the time in the dryer by at least 30 minutes.

 

[easyspindry]

I have a SpinX . . .

. . . which I purchased years ago from a place in Texas. Depending on which washer I use, it will get anywhere from a half quart to a quart of water out of clothes after the washer finishes.

There is no pump. There is a spout on the front of the spinner, and I use a half gallon plastic milk jug to catch the water.

The SpinX does save lots of drying time, whether by machine or on the line.

If you want to know more, email me at [email protected].

Jerry Gay

 

[launderess]

Spin-X & Others Spin Dryers Sold For USA Market

Odd thing is that the "Spin-X" unit is made in Germany, by one assumes a maker who also produces such units for the European market.

Given the market for these extractors in the United States is rather small, production simply cannot be in any great numbers to justify separate building of 120v/60hz capable units.

Miele gets around problems of different voltages for many of their laundry appliances by installing small transformer to provide proper current where required.

One wonders if the makers of the Spin-X while perhaps installing motors that will run on 120v power, can run on 50hz or 60hz.

IIRC, the "Spin-X" has a rpm speed of 3300, vs the common 2800 of most extractors sold in the UK/EU. Could the difference in spinning speed come from the motor simply turning faster because it is running on 60hz instead of 50hz?

Know vintage washing machines from Europe (those without computer componets), would run on this side of the pond with our 60hz power, just everything ran slightly faster (timers, etc..).