polkanut
Well-known member
I've only had experinces with GE Filter Flo's, and now my Maytag A806, and I have to say that both do an excellent job. What are your opinions?
Lint filter effectiveness.
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I mostly used GE washers (or clones) with the Filter-flo and also found them very effective. I had an ancient Inglis portable and Kenmore portable with the 'maze' filter which was OK. The 'brush' style filter on Inglis is good, too, but I think the GE is better.
The GE Combo, Westy L5 and the Frigidaire don't have any lint filters and none seem to have any lint residue problems. The overflow rinse on the Frigidaire is pretty awesome!
The GE Combo, Westy L5 and the Frigidaire don't have any lint filters and none seem to have any lint residue problems. The overflow rinse on the Frigidaire is pretty awesome!
macboy91si
Well-known member
A Scien-TIM-fic Comparison!
I've never noticed your profile pic before turquiosedude but it's great!
I'm used to the Filter-Flo family, I have a HP Rim-Flo as my full-size which works pretty well, but I like the filter hat GE better. I also have a Lady K portable that frankly does an amazing job at catching muck. I like filters that can be cleaned like the GE and the Lady K, the Hotpoint's filter-ring gets nasty after washing cat blankets and frankly I feel that the GE setup could do it better.
As a comparison, I had 2 identical fleece blankets and I washed one in the HP and one in the Lady K (I'm my own Consumer Reports!) at the same time and was amazed at the result. The HP was on "Low" water setting which is about as much as the "little lady" uses on full (seriously, the GE's use a lot water on "LOW") and they completed the cycle with the lady coming in first there. Once they were done, it was very clear which one won the battle of the cat. The Lady K toasted the Rim-Flo! The little plastic nails lint cartridge was so full of crap I had to take a brush to it, but it caught it all, there were really no visible hairs on the blanket. The blanket out of the rim-flo still had many visible hairs on it. At almost a 10 minute and portability advantage, the little lady wins round one!
So to take it further, I decided to stack the Lady K 110V dryer against the HP TOL, "Infinite Buzzer" dryer. Coming in at a wopping 220/240V AC, this full size monster will surely de-lint/de-hair and outrun the little lady dryer. WRONG! In an upset the Lady K dryer, weighing in at 110V/1450W dried the fleece in 30 minutes while the auto-dry in the HP took 45 minutes before going into cool-down. Also not only did the little lady dry that quicker with less power, it removed pretty much all of the remaining cat hair from the blanket. The HP dryer removed a lot of hair, but there was still a lot on it. I ended up washing the HP's blanket and drying it in the Lady K set to get wonderful results!
Anywho, this test really only proves that the portable Lady Kenmore set are very efficient at what they do. The lint/hair filtration system for that machine is very well suited. It used slightly less water and both used much less electricity. The Hotpoint would be more efficient with a full load to wash and dry. The Hotpoint's GE filtering system has the potential to be MUCH better but the rim system is definitely a worse performer than the filter hat system. The Lady K set was at near capacity with the fleece blanket, which is pretty light and easy to move in water once saturated. The Hotpoint would have held 4-6 of them on "full" and the dryer probably would have only taken 15-20 minutes longer to dry. The HP dryer seemed to do a good job of lint/hair removal, but it relies on the washer to remove a lot, which it didn't really do.
From an efficiency point of view, if you have small loads here and there like I do (single guy), then the Lady K set are great and use less resources. If you have a lot of laundry (after being lazy for a week or two) then definitely the full-size. It's more efficient from both an energy and time standpoint.
To pull this post back on topic, the Kenmore "bed of nails" cartridge performs better in the smaller machines than the Hotpoint's "rim-flo" collar does in the full-size.
-Tim
I've never noticed your profile pic before turquiosedude but it's great!
I'm used to the Filter-Flo family, I have a HP Rim-Flo as my full-size which works pretty well, but I like the filter hat GE better. I also have a Lady K portable that frankly does an amazing job at catching muck. I like filters that can be cleaned like the GE and the Lady K, the Hotpoint's filter-ring gets nasty after washing cat blankets and frankly I feel that the GE setup could do it better.
As a comparison, I had 2 identical fleece blankets and I washed one in the HP and one in the Lady K (I'm my own Consumer Reports!) at the same time and was amazed at the result. The HP was on "Low" water setting which is about as much as the "little lady" uses on full (seriously, the GE's use a lot water on "LOW") and they completed the cycle with the lady coming in first there. Once they were done, it was very clear which one won the battle of the cat. The Lady K toasted the Rim-Flo! The little plastic nails lint cartridge was so full of crap I had to take a brush to it, but it caught it all, there were really no visible hairs on the blanket. The blanket out of the rim-flo still had many visible hairs on it. At almost a 10 minute and portability advantage, the little lady wins round one!
So to take it further, I decided to stack the Lady K 110V dryer against the HP TOL, "Infinite Buzzer" dryer. Coming in at a wopping 220/240V AC, this full size monster will surely de-lint/de-hair and outrun the little lady dryer. WRONG! In an upset the Lady K dryer, weighing in at 110V/1450W dried the fleece in 30 minutes while the auto-dry in the HP took 45 minutes before going into cool-down. Also not only did the little lady dry that quicker with less power, it removed pretty much all of the remaining cat hair from the blanket. The HP dryer removed a lot of hair, but there was still a lot on it. I ended up washing the HP's blanket and drying it in the Lady K set to get wonderful results!
Anywho, this test really only proves that the portable Lady Kenmore set are very efficient at what they do. The lint/hair filtration system for that machine is very well suited. It used slightly less water and both used much less electricity. The Hotpoint would be more efficient with a full load to wash and dry. The Hotpoint's GE filtering system has the potential to be MUCH better but the rim system is definitely a worse performer than the filter hat system. The Lady K set was at near capacity with the fleece blanket, which is pretty light and easy to move in water once saturated. The Hotpoint would have held 4-6 of them on "full" and the dryer probably would have only taken 15-20 minutes longer to dry. The HP dryer seemed to do a good job of lint/hair removal, but it relies on the washer to remove a lot, which it didn't really do.
From an efficiency point of view, if you have small loads here and there like I do (single guy), then the Lady K set are great and use less resources. If you have a lot of laundry (after being lazy for a week or two) then definitely the full-size. It's more efficient from both an energy and time standpoint.
To pull this post back on topic, the Kenmore "bed of nails" cartridge performs better in the smaller machines than the Hotpoint's "rim-flo" collar does in the full-size.
-Tim
From my experience
The filter flo is great a catching lint. I'll echo turquoisedude about the Frigidaire overflow, it seems to be really effective at getting rid of lint.
The filter flo is great a catching lint. I'll echo turquoisedude about the Frigidaire overflow, it seems to be really effective at getting rid of lint.
deending on your model of Hotpoint washer with the rim flo...you should be easily available to convert it to th GE style....alls you need is the spout for the filter flo, and the filter pan should fit your agitator, deending on you model....on my GE I did it the other way around, removed the filter pan, and installed the rim flo with the spout...
give us a pic of your Hotpoint insides, I may have spare parts to convert yours to a true filter flo of a GE
give us a pic of your Hotpoint insides, I may have spare parts to convert yours to a true filter flo of a GE
macboy91si
Well-known member
Rim-Flo Conversion
It's an 85 model I believe. It has the recirc. port at 1 o-clock and the solid rubber splash guard. There is a 90 degree plastic downspout plugged into the hose where it enters the outer tub. I just happen to have a photo. Is the main water fill flume different on GE as well?
-Tim
It's an 85 model I believe. It has the recirc. port at 1 o-clock and the solid rubber splash guard. There is a 90 degree plastic downspout plugged into the hose where it enters the outer tub. I just happen to have a photo. Is the main water fill flume different on GE as well?
-Tim
Don't forget...
To convert from rim-flo to Filter-Flo, you'll need either the notched vinyl guard from around the lid opening that goes with the Filter-Flo (to accommodate the flume), or to find a way to cut the appropriate notched opening to allow it to pass through. The rim-flo has a solid vinyl guard all the way around.
To convert from rim-flo to Filter-Flo, you'll need either the notched vinyl guard from around the lid opening that goes with the Filter-Flo (to accommodate the flume), or to find a way to cut the appropriate notched opening to allow it to pass through. The rim-flo has a solid vinyl guard all the way around.
well that is an easy conversion, and yes you would have to replace the vinyl guard or carefully cut a slot for it....
let me look around, I have the filter pan, I just have to check for the spout....
now 2 things I always do to a GE....the fill flume, I turn it sort of inside out on itself, when the top is in place, the water will create a waterfall effect into the washtub, great for rinsing during the spin........next I use a cable tie and wrap it around the lid switch so the machine runs with the lid open
I will send you an email for your address when I gather al the parts.....
let me look around, I have the filter pan, I just have to check for the spout....
now 2 things I always do to a GE....the fill flume, I turn it sort of inside out on itself, when the top is in place, the water will create a waterfall effect into the washtub, great for rinsing during the spin........next I use a cable tie and wrap it around the lid switch so the machine runs with the lid open
I will send you an email for your address when I gather al the parts.....
The filter flo gives a great visual of the lint collecting, but the Whirlpool Magic clean with the bladder sandwich has always deposited a healthy glop of lint when the drains starts.
Particularily with Dog hair, agitation stops the flapper moves and then there is a satisfying plop as the lint hits the bottom of the laundry tub.
Particularily with Dog hair, agitation stops the flapper moves and then there is a satisfying plop as the lint hits the bottom of the laundry tub.
LINT FILTERS
Amen no AW ever came close to the effeteness of the WP & KM back wash self cleaning filters. The neutral drain also helps a lot because the water is not spun through the clothes over and over again as the machine is expelling the water which turns your clothes into the lint filter.
Amen no AW ever came close to the effeteness of the WP & KM back wash self cleaning filters. The neutral drain also helps a lot because the water is not spun through the clothes over and over again as the machine is expelling the water which turns your clothes into the lint filter.
Sorry guys, my vote for the best filtering system is any solid basket GE Filter-Flo. I've never seen anything better in removing pet hair or lint. I can prove the process in my Super Unimatic which has a huge recirculation pump. Water going over the top of the tub carries at lot stuff with it and it gets caught on a nice layer of suds in the outer tub. In the GE anything that manages to get through the suds the first time gets caught in the filter as it goes back around.
The perforated tub Filter-Flo washers are good but not quite as good as the solid tub machines.
And remember the more lint a lint-filter catches generally the rougher the agitation is along with wear and tear on clothes.
The perforated tub Filter-Flo washers are good but not quite as good as the solid tub machines.
And remember the more lint a lint-filter catches generally the rougher the agitation is along with wear and tear on clothes.
danemodsandy
Well-known member
Robert:
I'd be very interested to know your expert opinion of the Maytag lint filter on the later machines; the one that lifts out of the centrepost of the agitator. My former Maytag in Atlanta never had very much lint at all on it - maybe a little round disc of it about the size of a quarter. I never saw any problem with lint on clothes, but I always wondered if that small an amount of lint was typical of 'Tags. That was my first 'Tag; I now have an 806 set I'm working on here in Iowa.
I'd be very interested to know your expert opinion of the Maytag lint filter on the later machines; the one that lifts out of the centrepost of the agitator. My former Maytag in Atlanta never had very much lint at all on it - maybe a little round disc of it about the size of a quarter. I never saw any problem with lint on clothes, but I always wondered if that small an amount of lint was typical of 'Tags. That was my first 'Tag; I now have an 806 set I'm working on here in Iowa.
My former Maytag in Atlanta never had very much lint at all on it - maybe a little round disc of it about the size of a quarter. I never saw any problem with lint on clothes, but I always wondered if that small an amount of lint was typical of 'Tags. That was my first 'Tag
That's about all I ever get with clothes that don't shed or fluffier clothes that have been washed a few times. The small portion of lint is due to its gentle (but highly effective) wash action, not an inferior lint filter design. No clothes shredding Norge or DD Whirlpool/Kenmore action here!
As for the dog beds and couch covers (I have 2 dogs and 2 cats), the lint filter must be cleaned every 3-4 minutes during the 12 minute wash cycle as the filter will plug up and fail to remove anymore hair. The lint filter design, whether using the poly or Bakelite agitator, is very effective.
That's about all I ever get with clothes that don't shed or fluffier clothes that have been washed a few times. The small portion of lint is due to its gentle (but highly effective) wash action, not an inferior lint filter design. No clothes shredding Norge or DD Whirlpool/Kenmore action here!
As for the dog beds and couch covers (I have 2 dogs and 2 cats), the lint filter must be cleaned every 3-4 minutes during the 12 minute wash cycle as the filter will plug up and fail to remove anymore hair. The lint filter design, whether using the poly or Bakelite agitator, is very effective.
I'd be very interested to know your expert opinion of the Maytag lint filter on the later machines;
Hi Sandy, I really can't say because I've only owned a couple of Maytag Helical drive washers and it wasn't for long. Mrs. Webmaster
really wants an 806 set, so I suspect it wont be long before we have one and then I can monitor its performance. While I respect their durability and stability Maytag washers have never really done it for me in the drama department. I have a feeling that is going to change lol.
Hi Sandy, I really can't say because I've only owned a couple of Maytag Helical drive washers and it wasn't for long. Mrs. Webmaster
really wants an 806 set, so I suspect it wont be long before we have one and then I can monitor its performance. While I respect their durability and stability Maytag washers have never really done it for me in the drama department. I have a feeling that is going to change lol.
Robert is correct on GEs and other solid tub designs.....in a simple solution, LINT floats, and an overflo rinse is whats best to get rid of it, while that is the pro, the con is, timed fill, sediment ejection, smaller loads.....although I was always told to wash full loads at all times, less strain on the machine, who knows....I do notice that the GE catches more lint than the maytag on the same load, it could also refer to the vigorous wash action of the GE compared to the Maytag as said, many variables come into text, we had a GE V12 and it was terrible at lint removal, Mom always complained about it, but that machine ran nonstop for 20+ years till I got rid of it, but the new machines now with those filter rings under the tub are useless, you could remove these rings and not notice a difference...at least a true self cleaning filter, or a filter flo style, you know its actually working....
LINT FILTER EFFECTIVENESS
The early GE solid tub filter flow did work much better than the V12 and on models. On the early ones the filter pan floated on the agitator and there fore it didn't act as much like a sifter as the later models. Try it you self take a hand full of dryer lint and put it in your FF filter pan at the start of the cycle and at the end of the load you will have less than you started with. The MT lint filters were fairly effective when they first came out in the early 1960s. The bakelite agitators had a full skirt under them and the filter had a nice rubber gasket at the bottom to keep the lint from flushing past the filter. Once the gasket and agitator skirt were gone the filter just became a sales gimmick so they could say it had a lint filter. About half of maytag owners never even bother to clean it because after looking at it over and over again when the machine was new and not seeing any lint they just quit looking. How many old MTs have we found where had pry the filter out of the agitator because it had not been removed in 10 years or more. Like so many things when the engineers design something it works well but when the accounting department gets involved it gets cheapened. When I worked for MT in the 1970s their own engineers told me the lint filters didn't work any more when we were telling them about all the complaints we were getting lint filters that didn't catch any thing. In conclusion nothing filters better and leaves less lint on clothes than neutral drain back flush lint filter washer among top load washers. Older FL washers that used a lot of water often also did an excellent job with lint. Robert when you get your 1966 LK fully restored you can test this yourself PS I have the dispenser bezel you were looking for if you still need it.
The early GE solid tub filter flow did work much better than the V12 and on models. On the early ones the filter pan floated on the agitator and there fore it didn't act as much like a sifter as the later models. Try it you self take a hand full of dryer lint and put it in your FF filter pan at the start of the cycle and at the end of the load you will have less than you started with. The MT lint filters were fairly effective when they first came out in the early 1960s. The bakelite agitators had a full skirt under them and the filter had a nice rubber gasket at the bottom to keep the lint from flushing past the filter. Once the gasket and agitator skirt were gone the filter just became a sales gimmick so they could say it had a lint filter. About half of maytag owners never even bother to clean it because after looking at it over and over again when the machine was new and not seeing any lint they just quit looking. How many old MTs have we found where had pry the filter out of the agitator because it had not been removed in 10 years or more. Like so many things when the engineers design something it works well but when the accounting department gets involved it gets cheapened. When I worked for MT in the 1970s their own engineers told me the lint filters didn't work any more when we were telling them about all the complaints we were getting lint filters that didn't catch any thing. In conclusion nothing filters better and leaves less lint on clothes than neutral drain back flush lint filter washer among top load washers. Older FL washers that used a lot of water often also did an excellent job with lint. Robert when you get your 1966 LK fully restored you can test this yourself PS I have the dispenser bezel you were looking for if you still need it.
Having grown up with a GE Filter-Flo, I was never really impressed with the lint filter on my Maytag A606, that is untill my neighbor snuck downstairs and washed her dog's blanket when I wasn't home. It seems to do better with hair than it does with actual lint. Of course this is really only important if you don't use the dryer.
Ken D.
Ken D.
Relying on the dryer
My mother has not used a dryer since the '63 Lady K scorched some lint and convinced her that it was
My mother has not used a dryer since the '63 Lady K scorched some lint and convinced her that it was
