New FriMore 3.5 CuFt Washer

[launderess]

Sears has the 3.5 CuFt Kenmore (built by Electrolux)washers and matching dryers on online.

Looks like Sears has gone with a totally new design and features many of which are taken from Electrolux built washers and dryers sold in Europe. Frigidaire's version is due to come out soon, and GE's (their own, no longer built by Electrolux) will arrive by summer.

There are four versions of these units, in keeping with Sear's policy of having two of basically the same unit (one of which is almost always on sale). The link shows the "Better" line, the "Best" which is not up yet has more features like "No Iron" (cold water shower to prevent creasing), and different controls.

What is interesting is that these units hold as much as the "HE" series from Sears, just with a smaller footprint. Many over on THS think the new models will eat into the "HE" series sales as they hold about the same, cost less and are smaller.

L.

http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/prod...lts/searchresults.jsp&sortorder=d&targetPage=
View attachment 1-11-2005-00-50-46--Launderess.jpg

 

[jasonl]

No colors

I was hoping to see some black/chrome or any of the new colors that Kenmore is pushing on the HEs.

There's always avocado paint >

 

[frigilux]

Thanks for the heads-up on the new Frigmore FL's, Launderess. I'll have to wait for the Frigidaire model, as the nearest Sears outlet is 65 miles away. They look sharp! I wonder if the ART rinsing system saves water? I've noticed the water efficiency of the Frigmores is considerably lower than the Hettie/Duet models.

Gee, and I remember Consumer Reports giving the first Frigmores excellent ratings straight across the board when they were first introduced back in '96. CR's most recent report showed them looking a bit dated compared to the super-specs of the Hettie/Duets, Bosch's and LG models.

 

[davenp]

I hope Laundress is happy with herself...
NOW I have to make an urgent call to Sears to order a set of these.

They just look.... So neat!

>>drooling<<

Dave

 

[launderess]

Hands Dave a Bib

You want "Cookie Monster" or "Tazmanian Devil"? *LOL*

Before you contact your local Sears, you might wish to wait for the "Best" models due out in Feb.

Here is the washer:

View attachment 1-11-2005-13-20-33--Launderess.jpg

 

[launderess]

Dryer

Here is the "Best" dryer

View attachment 1-11-2005-13-21-26--Launderess.jpg

 

[launderess]

Features of The New Uber - Kenmores

Here is a list of features for the new models.

The brochure she gave me has four 3.5 cf models - here are the "Step Up" features:

"Better" -- High Efficiency Washers 44052 & 44152:

Capacity: 3.5
Controls: Electronic
Cycles: 12 including Wool and Touch Up
Motor Speed: 3
Spin Speed: 5
Max. Spin Speed: 1000 RPM
Auto Dispenser: Larger Easy Fill Compartments
Advanced Rinse Technology
46% Larger Door Opening
5 Spin Speeds
Heavy Soil Setting
Add a Garment Indicator
Cycle Status Lights
Control Lock Out Option
Delay Start Option (4/8/12 hrs on 44052, 4/8/14 hrs on 44152)

"Best" -- #'s 44082 & 44092 (all of the above, plus the following):

Cycles: 16, including Towels and Jeans
Max. Spin Speed: 1100
Eco Cycle (15 Gallons use per cycle vs. 40 in conventional Washers)
Automatic Temperature Control
5 Temperature Selections
Improved Door Design with Silver Metallic Accents
Easy Iron Option
Soil Settings (Heavy/Normal/Light)
LED Count Down Display
Expanded Delay Start Options (1 - 12 hr on 44082, 1 - 16 hr on 44092

 

[davenp]

Why oh why can't we have a heater on these?

Is it so hard to do? A heater can't cost that much more to add!

Metallic Accents do sound nice though

I "guess" I can tough it out another month. I must say though, I like the looks of these MUCH better than the HE4t's.

Thanks for updating Laundress!!!

Dave

 

[launderess]

No Heater, Sorry.

Think the prevailing wisdom is that with a washer close enough to the source of hot water, one would not "need" an internal heater. 120V washer heat water so slowly it can make for some long cycle times, which seems to go agianst what Americans want in a front loader; the ability to do large amounts of laundry quickly. If one does want a heater, there is always the "HE" series.

FriGiLux

The new Frigidaire version of these units is model #FTF2140E. There is nothing on Frigidaire's website yet, but the washer is listed on Energy Star's site.

Almost was settled on the MaySungs, now will have to wait until all the new Kenmores are in so can take me a good long look.

One added bonus of the Kenmore units, is they are built by Electrolux in their United States plant. More Americans working and putting meat on the table always gets my vote.

Launderess

 

[davenp]

We have a whole house hot water recirculator that is running at 140*.... but I still like the idea of having a machine which can "nuke" the clothes if I take a notion.

I always have the Danby though, for those urges.
I REALLY like these machines. Much better than the bitty Whirlpools, or even the Maysungs (as far as new machines).

Wonder if Sears will take advance orders...

Dave

 

[Designgeek]

Yeah the Danby DWM-5500, I was going to mention this. I hope the heck these are still available by the end of 2005...

Good rationale for a heater: colds, flus, emerging diseases, bioterror attacks, the next major killer-flu pandemic, and any time someone in the house comes down with a stomach bug or even simple diarrhea. Also kills ticks, fleas, and lice, if you have pets who run around outdoors, pick up such things, and transfer them to their indoor pet-beds. Follow up with high-temp drying. Won't kill mad-cow prions though, for that you have to burn stuff to a crispy cinder.

 

[golittlesport]

not to knock heaters in washers or "boil wash" technology, but a full scoop of Tide w/Bleach kills bacteria and most germs too...or you can always use Clorox (I personally hate using bleach.)

 

[Boschowner]

"I always have the Danby though, for those urges"

DaveNP: Dont you own the HE4T for those urges?

 

[kenmore1978]

Tide with Bleach

All those detergents that advertise "with bleach" use oxygen bleach, which doesn't really kill things like chlorine bleach does, and doesn't work wel in cold water) And, of course, the drawback with chlorine bleach is that it can't be used on colors. There ARE laundry disinfectants on the market that can be added and aren't temperature sensitive or damaging to clothes.

I only use bleach when I'm trying to get my dingey whites clean and bright.

 

[Designgeek]

No sooner do I mention "when someone comes down with a stomach bug..." when one of my coworkers does exactly that. Fortunately I don't have to wash *his* clothes

Bleach: Agreed, I don't want to do *that* to my colored clothes. When a close friend was living here & his cat brought some fleas home, we nuked everything at high temps in the dryer. That seemed to work pretty well, along with plenty of vacuuming. And we independently invented the "night-light & glue-board" flea trap as well (went to the hardware store to fetch parts to build one, and discovered they were already being made & sold).

I do use bleach for sanitizing surfaces, e.g in the kitchen and bathroom. Used at close to full strength, I'm told it kills "everything," so, unlike with conventional "antibacterial" products, it doesn't encourage the growth of resistant bugs.

 

[golittlesport]

I was reading the label of Tide w/ Bleach which says a full scoop kills 99% of all bacteria.

 

[launderess]

Tide With Bleach

Read the fine print on the box and you will see that particular version of Tide is effective against a small list of bacteria. The most commonly found bacteria found on laundry, E Coli is NOT listed, and it is all over everyone's wash.

Normal laundering methods; hot water, mechanical action, change of water temsp (hot to cold), and chemicals contained within modern laundry detergents do a pretty good job of killing bacteria. If you want to take things furhter, there is always chlorine bleach (still the most effective and wide spectrum disenfectant available widely), or very hot wash temps for an extended period of time.

Launderess

 

[Designgeek]

160 degrees Fahrenheit for longer than five minutes, will also kill everything, 100%, whether in the washer or the dryer. As will ultraviolet from sunlight (presumably also those long-wave UV bulbs in some of the older equipment).

As far as I know, "99%" only means that a procedure leaves 1% of the bacteria to survive and grow stronger, i.e. resistant strains, which are a potential public health hazard of enormous proportion (see also MRSA and other antibiotic resistant bacterial strains). This is why I avoid like plague (ha) all those "antibacterial" products. Using them *occasionally* isn't so much a problem, but repeat exposures over a period of time that coincides with the doubling-times of the bacterial populations, could be a serious risk.

Laundry covered with e.coli: Oh what a lovely picture you've just painted in my mind's eye, since e.coli is after all (how can we say this delicately?) fecal bacteria.

Which leads to some serious questions, for which I'm going to start a new topic, that will be marked with a "don't read this if you're squeamish" warning in the first post.

 

[launderess]

160F and Laundry

5 minutes is not long enough to kill *everything* not even most forms of E coli. IIRC the "standard" most health departments use is 160F-165F or above for 20 minutes.

Yeast, also commonly found on undergarments will not be destroyed at the above temps, and requires 180F and above.

Happily many detergents contain chemicals that will disenfect at 140-160 F for at least 20 minutes.

Now, if one is using chlorine bleach, then 5 minutes at 140 or above is fine. However bleach is weakened by the presence of too much organic matter. This is why commercial laundries add bleach after to a wash bath after "flushing" or usually as a separate cycle.

L.

 

[launderess]

Detailed Cycle Information

DaveNP,

Poke your head over on THS/Laundry Room. Someone has received their new Sears FriMore set and has nicely posted cycle information from the manual. He/She will be doing their first loads soon and will be posting more results and observations as they go.

Launderess

 

[Designgeek]

Launderess, thanks for the info. Yow.

This is going to be an interesting set of coningencies & constraints to design for. And the inescapable conclusion that there are going to be tradeoffs for energy efficiency. Yow again.

Are those long-wave UV sterilizing lamps still available in sizes relevant to home use? And what kind of exposure is needed to do the job? Assuming no access to outdoor clothes lines for sunlight exposure.

 

[david]

I had a feeling

Noticed later last year that the old km friGEmores werre close-out sales, so I was curious to know what the replacement was going to be. Interesting to say the least. I must examine these before I decide what to purchase next!

 

[tolivac]

UV sterilizing lamps

These work on short-wave UV energy which is harmful to skin and eyes.LW UV light is used for the "Black light" effects in advertizing,theater,etc.LW is not harmful to eyes or skin-but its not a good idea to stare into a LW UV light.You can also get UV sterilizers for you central HVAC-the unit has a couple shortwave UV bulbs that sterilize the air passing thru the unit-its designed so the bulbs will only operate when the unit is enclosed in the ducting.Also UV fixtures are used in other places where things can be stereilized by the UV light shining on them,the cabinets have a switch that shut the light off when its oipened.In a high school shop class I was in they had a goggle cabinet that sterilized the goggles you would wear while using shop equipment.When you put them in the cabinet and cloed the door-the UV light came on.Overnight would be more than enough.The UV light can deteriate somne plastics.Breaks down the polymor bonds.I am surprized the UV bulbs used in early washers didn't shut off when the washer lid was opened.Wonder what goood they would be anyway--SW UV light cannot penetrtate water!!but it sure could reflect off it into the face(s) of the washer spectaters!Guess an amusing way to get a facial suntan!Also SW UV lamps produce ozone as a sideproduct-they sterilize in two ways-the SW UV light itself-and its reaction with oxygen in the air to make ozone-another gasious disenfectant.Thats a good reason why projection lamps at a theater are vented!That xenon bulb is a very powerful source of UV light!
Also-EPROM erasers have a SW UV light inside to erase eproms-they are designed as well so the lamp won't work unless the erasers doors or drawer is closed.

 

[Designgeek]

Tolivac, interesting about shortwave breaking down plastics. I knew about the health risks, but I didn't know about the effect on plastics. I have a client with mercury vapor lamps that apparently are screwed up and emit enough shortwave to cause a prickly-skin sensation whenever I'm at their site. So I guess I'm going to have to write a warranty exclusion for that on their phone equipment. Yow.

Meanwhile, logical application is a laundry "basket" (more like a box with a hinged lid) lined with something metallic, with a shortwave bulb in it. Every time the lid is opened, it resets a timer that will turn on the bulb for an hour after it's closed, thereby zapping whatever you've just tossed in there. And an LED/photocell that will show a "full" indication when the load builds up to the point where it might be too close to the bulb. Okay, another invention that I'll have to publish more widely since I can't afford $50k for patent lawyers.

 

[tolivac]

UV energy

Designgeek:
Yes-some plastics are affected by the UV light-esp polyethelyne.If it is exposed enough-the plastic cracks and breaks up-good example-poly sheeting for greenhouse glazing-its rated on how many months or years of exposure to sunlight before it needs to be replaced.A problem in this area(as well as the hurricanes-they REALLY tear up greenhouses)they are used by farmers in this area to "sprout" tobacco plants.They usually last up to 3 years before the film has to be replaced.
At that client place you were at-did you get any feeling in your eyes like someone threw sand in them and pain in them the next day-thats a sign your eyes were burned by UV. Did your skin get sunburn?Definitely would stay away from that place.-At least not unless you have glasses that will protect your eyes.also on the plastics issue that why the plastic lenses or diffusers on flourescent lights or mercury lights "yellow" or fade.The UV clothes container sounds interesting.-or maybe they should put the UV lights back in dryers.As the clothes are tumbled-all surfaces could then be exposed to the light---but the concern for those synthetic fabrics though-the downside of it-they are PLASTICS.You would have to limit their exposure to the light.Eventually-the most powerful UV generator-sunlight-can deteriate any of them.

 

[laundromat]

new Kenmore front loading tumble action washers/dryers

I visited Sears today and saw the beautiful new front loaders that just arived.there are three of each to choose (good,better,and best)and the "best"set has a matching dryer that comes with a see through window(not smoked glass)to make the pair look like twins.Their risers unlike the previous ones have plenty of space for storage in the metal framed drawers that have metal frames instead of plastic with barings to make them easy to slide open and shut.the "good" set is the original3.1 cu ft washer and 5.7 cu ft dryer.The "Better" sets upgrade with advanced rinsing technology(ART),46%larger door opening,5 spin speed selections,add a garment indicater,cycle status lights,control lock out option,delay start option,and optional 15"pedistal drawer.The "Best"sets upgrade withEco cycle(15 gallons use per cycle),5 temperature settings,improved door design withsilver metalic accents,easy iron option,LED countdown display,delay start options,optional 15"pedestal drawer.The "good"dryers are the same as usual but the "better"ones step up with 5.8 cu ft drum,stainless steel drum back,soft heat,lock out options,clean lint filter indicater,cycle status indicater,touch up cycle,quick cycle,optional 15"pedistal drawer.The "Best"dryers step up with stainless steel drum,heat reduction technology shrink guard and soft heat,SEE THROUGH DOOR WINDOW,improved door design with silver metalic accents,and optional 15"pedestal drawer.No idea on the price of the high end set but the "better washer goes for $799 and the dryer goes for $469.Gas would cost about $60 more.

 

[launderess]

Laundromat

What I want to know, to settle a bet; do any of these washers have an internal heater?

TIA
Launderess

 

[appnut]

Laundress, it appears Electrolux has again left out the heater.

 

[arrrooohhh]

Ohh WOW!

These new machines look great and a square door to boot! Like Classic Hoovers!

I wonder if Electrolux would plan to sell them here in Australia, or even manufacture them?

A large capacity, heaterless FL with reasonable short cycle times would go down a real treat here, especially if they could sell it for less than $2000, the LG tromm seems to have shifted a few units despite the price!

 

[pdub]

YEAH !!! The new 3.5 Frigidaire FL will have an internal hea

This was in the Lowes ad in the Sunday paper. This price and these features make this well worth looking at. My '98 Frigidaire FL is still going strong and I use it to the max. Well we've finally gotten our wish and they've built in a heater. Still no details on the Frigidaire website.

http://ads.lowes.com/SinglePage.aspx?fsi=3953&loc=33234&ver=88&pg=250788&lmi=0