Parent wants to get rid of Kenmore 80 Series

[outdrift]

Hey all, I’m new here but appreciate the knowledge on this site about washers/ dryers, it’s helped me before. I have what looks to be a 90’s era Kenmore 80 Series washer. I had found it on Craigslist maybe about 9 months ago for $145. Which I thought was a good deal considering my parents were desperate for a washer, their Maytag which was about 7/8 yrs old broke. I figured after reading that it was better to find an older more reliable washer instead of hiring a repair man to fix the Maytag and sinking money into something not reliable.

I think the Kenmore has been absolutely solid. When it’s on the higher powered wash option it cleans harder than any other washer I have seen. And zero problems with reliability. The only thing is when it’s done with its regular wash / spin cycle, the clothes are still pretty saturated. So we have to put it on an extra spin that takes a few minutes. Which is no problem for me, but my mom doesn’t like that.

So their old GE gas dryer just had some problems. I would like to do the same routine and find an older gas dryer from a reliable brand like Speed Queen or maybe an old Kenmore. I found an old Speed Queen used for $300 not too far from us.

I told my mom what I read before from some people, especially appliance repair guys, who recommended older washer/ dryers because they are more reliable than the newer offerings. Unless one is footing some decent money on a new Speed Queen/ Miele model.

My parents already have some debt so I’d prefer them not buying something new. But I have a hint my mom wants something new for both the washer and dryer. They are also looking to move out of their house in less than year and I don’t think it’s a good idea to buy some new appliances when their new condo might already have appliances installed.

Do you guys think it’s a good idea to just keep the Kenmore 80 series washer since it’s working. Is it a reliable model and worth hanging on to?

If they do opt for a brand new pair, what are good brands besides Speed Queen/ Miele? And does anybody know an expected price range for a decent reliable pair?

Thanks for the knowledge folks! Any help and advice is much appreciated!

 

[outdrift]

Some options that are available and local to us are this Kenmore gas dryer:

https://chicago.craigslist.org/sox/app/d/cicero-clothes-dryer-kenmore-gas/7243585000.html

This Kenmore looks to be a 90s model:

https://chicago.craigslist.org/wcl/app/d/bolingbrook-gas-dryer-kenmore-super/7249880818.html

And a Speed Queen dryer for $300.

https://chicago.craigslist.org/nwi/app/d/dyer-speed-queen-dryer/7252595326.html

Admiral:

https://chicago.craigslist.org/nwi/app/d/schererville-gas-dryer-for-sale/7249743485.html

Also a couple whirlpool dryers. Same guy also has newer used Maytag, Kenmore and Whirlpool dryers:

https://chicago.craigslist.org/sox/app/d/joliet-whirlpool-gas-dryer-bisque-color/7249546080.html

https://chicago.craigslist.org/sox/app/d/joliet-whirlpool-gas-dryer/7239652027.html

Also a Frigidaire Affinity:

https://chicago.craigslist.org/chc/app/d/bolingbrook-gas-dryer/7251907379.html

GE model:

https://chicago.craigslist.org/chc/app/d/burbank-gas-dryer/7238066565.html

My instinct tells me to scoop up one of the Speed Queen, Admiral or that older model Kenmore. From what I remember I read somewhere that the older Admiral appliances are supposed to be reliable, not sure if that company is still even making washer/ dryers.

But if you guys have some advice on newer brands/ models I would love to hear it!

Thanks any for any input and advice!

 

[combo52]

Hi James, The better used gas dryers you posted are the Whirlpools and maybe the SQ, Skip the GE and FD.

 

As far as washers you might want to consider fixing the KM you have, it probably has a clutch problem.

 

Best new would be a SQ FL machine if you have money to spend, next best would be a SQ TL model TC5.

 

Miele is very good but small in capacity and very expensive to buy and service, Think Mercedes Benz.

 

PS, I can't think of a good Admiral washer or dryer EVER as being reliable.

 

John L.

 

[appnut]

John L, my partner has a 2010/2011 Admiral pair that is a DD WP washer & companion WP dryer.

 

[appnut]

The first two Kenmore dryers are both about the same age/very late 1980s/early 1990s. Sears brought out the new monochrome white panel design while they still marketed the old style panel, but still dark. In fact, your parents washer is newer than even the monochrome white Kenmore dryer that's the 2nd dryer.

 

[combo52]

Good Point Glen, I was only thinking about the Norge-Maytag built Admirals, Yes Admirals after 2006 are the same as basic WP machines and have the same advantages and the washers are crap after 2010, dryers are OK.

 

John L.

 

[rp2813]

Speed Queen dryers have an inferior thermostatic system that can often result in crispy clothes.  A Whirlpool-sourced dryer, which is easily identified by the top-mounted lint screen, is a tried and true design and a far better option.

 

[DADoES]

 
Serial number of the washer CP01 = manufactured 1st week of 2003.

Both Kenmore dryers linked in Reply #1 are Whirlpool-sourced, 27" design with filter at front inside the drum.

 

[combo52]

Speed Queen Dryers

Do Not Have thermostat problems and do not ruin clothing !!!!!

 

As a Factory Authorized SQ servicer I don't ever recall a service call about a SQ dryer ruining clothing.

 

All SQ dryers also have a lower heat setting if desired. 

 

Yes SQ dryers are serious dryers that are designed to dry clothing quickly and well, and there are fancy dryers on the market that have ultra low heat settings if that is important to someone.

 

If you look at the construction and specs of a SQ dryer as far as airflow, heater size and operating temperature it is almost identical to Maytag SOS dryers from 1976-the 80s.

 

John L.

 

[rp2813]

Yes John, absolutely the SQ drying system works reliably as designed.  Even with our AmanaQueen dryer, as many times as I'd ask the techs to check it out during routine maintenance under our extended warranty and service plan, they never found anything wrong.  Yet the exhaust from the dryer would almost always smell like the contents inside it were being ironed, and even the originally pliable dryer balls turned hard right away.  If I wanted to subject my clothing to that sort of treatment, I'd dry them at a laundromat where they'd get similarly incinerated.

 

The SQ system may work reliably as it was designed to do, but with each load it creates a guessing game for the user compared to the set-and-forget moisture sensing systems that most other manufacturers have wisely chosen to use instead.  The Whirlpool Duet and Frigidaire Affinity dryers that we owned after dumping the Amana pair never dried clothes to a crisp, and the replacement set of dryer balls remained soft over the years that we had those machines.   No one will ever convince me that the SQ drying system isn't poorly engineered, regardless of its ability to cook clothing and rarely if ever require repairs to keep on doing so. 

 

[lorainfurniture]

I have to agree about the speed queen incinerator

At one time I had a front load set and top load set of speed queens. The auto dry seems to always over dry.

High heat- pits of hell hot
Med heat- still will ruin every elastic band
Low heat- 1:45 dry times but your clothes are mostly spared

I’m sure there’s a way to adjust it just perfectly to avoid all that but my wife couldn’t figure it out. We now have an LG dryer and a top filter whirlpool dryer and everyone is happy.

 

[maytag85]

My aunt has a Amana (Speed Queen) dryer in gas and says it tends to run a bit on the hot side. If I had a Speed Queen gas dryer I’d put a 18,000 btu orifice in to make it much gentler.

 

[Marky_Mark]

My Experience With Speed Queen Dryers

I use "Delicate" temp for all loads on my Speed Queen dryer.  For a load of clothes I set the auto dry very close to cool down, as shown in the photo.  This gets the clothes completely dry in around 40 min.  For jeans and towels I set it to the "star" or (at most) between the "star" and "less dry".  I find that I get good results this way and it doesn't over dry or get the clothes too hot.  But if I were to use "Regular" temp and set it between "more dry" and "less dry" (as I imagine most people would) then my dryer would get my clothes pretty hot and would over dry.

 

I bought this dryer used for around $300.  I think your parents could get a great deal on buying a used dryer like this.

You may find a Whirlpool dryer with a moisture sensor to be more accurate and should work well.  But I don't think either of the WP dryers you linked to have moisture sensors -- they use thermostatic auto dry like my SQ.  But those Kenmores may have moisture sensors, I don't know.

 

[rp2813]

Mark, that is a good work-around, but the typical user is not going to select "Delicate" when they're drying jeans, nor should they have to.   Any system that demands counter-intuitive accommodation from the user is not worth considering, IMO. 

 

[outdrift]

I am indebted to you guys!

Thank you all for your knowledge! This site is great! I appreciate helping steer a regular Joe like me in the right direction. The WP sound like good machines.

It sounds like from combo52’s comment that WP stopped putting out good washers after 2010, but they’re dryers are still good to this day, is that right? Just so I know for future reference and what to look out for if I ever need a washer.

Im going to try and talk them into those WP dryers you recommended. Big thanks also on the warning on the SQ’s intense drying. And the fair warning on Miele costing Mercedes like repair bills.

The Kenmore I have is a WP correct and fairly reliable? Is it a direct drive machine without belts and all? I would prefer to keep as the only little thing is just needing an extra few min on an extra spin.

You guys rock!

Regards,
Jim

 

[rp2813]

I'm pretty sure your Kenmore washer is old enough to be Whirlpool-sourced.  It's not belt driven, but apparently there are distinctions between the terms the older "direct drive" and the current "VMW" (vertical modular design) systems, the former being super reliable but easy to work on if necessary, and the latter not as durable but still good. 

 

Others here can advise on which type of system your Kenmore has but if I had to guess, I'd say it's old enough to be a direct drive machine.  I'm more of a belt drive enthusiast so don't quote me on that.

 

[DADoES]

 
OutDrift, there no question that your Kenmore model 110.23822100 is a Whirlpool direct-drive machine.

110. on the model number is source code for Whirlpool.

The serial CP0143208 is Whirlpool format, with C indicating manufacture at the factory at Clyde, OH.

Production date 1st week of 2003.  Direct-drives went into production in 1981.  Old-style belt-drives were discontinued circa 1986.  The new VMW belt-drive design introduced circa 2010.  Thus your machine falls within direct-drive production time.

Parts diagrams at SearsPartsDirect.com reveals the direct-drive mechanism.

 

[outdrift]

Thanks for the additional info DADoES!! Much appreciated! Also thank you RP2813 for the info that the direct drives are super reliable. Appreciate the knowledge guys! And to everyone else on the site!

 

[qsd-dan]

The sluggish spin is probably a worn clutch. It's one of the bigger jobs on these machines but still very much a do-it-yourself repair. Allow extra time and $ for other parts that may need attention like a motor coupler and agitator dogs.