My GE Mini washer and dryer

[toggleswitch]

I think these machines are really great for super limited space and to take to summer "resort" rentals...

Can you picture me with one strapped on my back on the ferry to Fire Island?

Their vibration is minimal IMHO... what say you?

 

[westytoploader]

The GE's washing action on low water level (fills to the 5th row of holes from the top on mine) is much more violent if you're not using the "Gentle" cycle...LOL! So violent the now-exposed impeller whips up a good amount of suds when the water vortexes around the tub! I usually do "medium-sized" loads, and find it too low...the clothes are generally flung around the sides and don't get "pulled down" to the center for effective washing, even when it reverses. If it's not overloaded and filled properly (you really can't "underload" this machine, IMHO), the action will be similar to the GE Harmony. Here's a shot of low water action...notice the suds!

I remember seeing a Contempo Mate on eBay with the "Pulgitator"...and service manuals as well. I wonder how the washing action would be with that? It certainly wouldn't be spinning as fast as the impeller during agitation!

 

[westytoploader]

Oops...almost forgot

Toggly: The suspension is very soft on this machine to eliminate the shaking and shimmying you'd normally see, so it does vibrate a little. The tub assembly hardly moves once it hits 800 RPM though regardless of the load...it's probably the most well-balanced machine I've used!

 

[toggleswitch]

Now if only I could get well balanced PEOPLE into my life

I thought so, thanks Austin.

It IS the ideal candidate to sneak into a rental apt where washers are prohibited. PITA downstairs neightbors cant complain if the vibration is minimal.

Buy in late Novemeber, early December and wrap in Christmas paper. Does wonders to keep the neightbors and mgt off your tail. (Or any time of year with Juvenile Btirthday paper.)

 

[southernmdgeguy]

Austin,
Thanks for posting those, as you see, yours is both newer and more "deluxe" with multi cycle options, bleach dispenser, and three water levels vs my two. On the low water setting mine does really spin the water, but I always use the high setting.
It works better than I ever thought it could, gets good turn over as it changes directions. Mine does rinse twice, then spin, interesting to learn that is to avoid a suds lock~ I love how much I learn here every day.

 

[southernmdgeguy]

Toggle,
My machine is quiet and smooth, can barely hear it run, same with the dryer. Like Austin said, it seems to be well balanced.

Scott

 

[westytoploader]

Hi Scott, the bleach dispenser is molded into the top and drains into a provision on the tub ring. I also forgot to mention that the tub sinks downward during fill due to the weight of the water, rises back up during spin, and the motor slows down considerably at the end of the spin cycle, before it brakes.

The timer cams clinking into position is really interesting to hear, I can always tell when the drain pump is going to come on, when it's going to spin, when the spin is nearly over, and when it's going to brake, the split-second before it happens! The timer motor is audible as well, unlike many other "silent" timer designs. Of course this excludes the "snappy" vintage timers!

As much as I like my machine, I would take yours any day because of the styling, color, and differences between designs!

--Austin

 

[toggleswitch]

I'm thinking a "must-have" for my collection.

 

[launderess]

Aren't 110 Portable Dryers

Rather puny in terms of heating power? IIRC the Maytag "Porta-Dryer", comes in at only 1375 watts of power. Have hair dryers that produce more heat.

Launderess

 

[brisnat81]

Hi Guys,

Over here 99% of all dryers are unvented and "Compact" by american standards.

Its unusual if you have a dryer in a garage for instance to end up with a steam room? If you had a bathroom with no windows, then its a distinct possibility, but usually only in winter.

We have a double garage with the dryer in there, and we run it with the doors shut. At worst the room warms up, but I'd never say that it gets humid or damp in there.

How well sealed are your garages etc? We seem to have enough ventilation in ours that the moisture vents?

I'm just curious to see whether they're more airtight than those in Australia.

Regards

Nathan

 

[Designgeek]

Okay, so if I understand correctly, the cycle is: fill, wash, drain, fill, 1st rinse, drain, fill, 2nd rinse, and then drain/spin?

Were any of these types of machines made, that would do an intermediate spin after the wash and before rinse? Or an extract/spin similar to some of the larger TLs, where water is sprayed into the tub during spin? The idea being, designed for a market where detergent was used more sparingly, so suds-lock during an initial spin wouldn't be an issue.

Dumb Question #2 in case I missed the answer above: how many pounds of mixed pants & shirts make up one load, and how many pounds of underpants & undershirts make up one load?

 

[southernmdgeguy]

Nathan,

I know most people think of a garage as storage or just where to put the car, however, I use mine to work on my other hobby, which are cars, so mine is built into the house, and the doors are sealed on all four sides to keep the hot/cold, in/out dependent on the season. When I dry my car wash towels out there, if it is cold outside, it sweats up all the windows, and even the inside of the doors at times, so I guess that is what you were asking. I have an additional garage separate from the house, that has more ventilation through the attic vents.

And yes Laundress, it is not a really hot dryer, so it works great for things you don't want to shrink. For some reason it also does a great job of pulling out the lint... don't know why other than the longer run times..

Scott