POD 1/16/10: 1973 GE Filter Flo

[dnastrau]

Wow! The picture of the day is the exact washer that my Grandmother had from 1973 until 1991. It was the "Heavy duty 18" with mini basket. They traded it when the timer went and GE wanted $110 for the part alone. The '91 FF replacement that they got was a basic model (standard capacity without the mini basket.) They rarely used the mini basket on the '73. That '73 was a great washer and I spent many hours watching it with the lid open during agitation.

Andrew S.

 

[swestoyz]

LOL _ always get a kick out of this machine. 18 minutes of full GE straight vane wash beating!

Found this model a few years ago. It lives on in my different Filter-Flo's.

 

[mtn1584]

Love those washers

240lbs. of Washing Machine, That's when General Electric made real machines....Their new machines weight half of that if your lucky. Heavy metal vs. plastic...I'll take the machine made out of metal anyday.

 

[ptcruiser51]

Mini-Basket

According to the ad, you can use it to wash "leftovers". I've never found my leftovers to need laundering. Ever!

*Ducks and runs*

 

[peteski50]

GE

I never remember seeing a GE with a seperate soak cycle like this one.
Peter

 

[mickeyd]

Hi Pete

Mine has one, but it doesn't look as long as this one, comparing the dials.
I'll go start it now and let ya know how long it is. These GE dials don't cllick at increments during the cycle, only at changes in operation, so I can't count the 3 minute increments.

 

[mickeyd]

On Mini-Quick it soaks 7 minutes

so that would be 21 regular time with a 3 min. agitation before and after the soak and a three minute spin for a grand total of 30 minutes, GE perfection.

 

[appnut]

Online Manual

Well I went to the GE website to see if they had this manual. Well, there apparently is another WWA 8350 or 8250 model that's one of those from the 1980s where they replaced speed toggle switch with two or 3 push buttons and moveed the water temp to the center of the console with one of those tiny knbs next to the water level. Peter, this machine is during the 1970s when 30 minute enzyme soak cycles were "the in thing". I believe the soak cycle was 30 minutes. Of interesting note, I looked up the matching dryers, and they appear to have the correct corresponding manuals.

 

[scrubflex]

Mikeyd, you forgot about me...your GE '77 (straight 4-vane)!?!

 

[mickeyd]

UH-OH

You're right Harry, I forgot and I am sorry, but I have get my 90 minutes of Rx exercize right now, so I promise I will do it by tomorrow. Pete's was easy to do during the during the s. shower and shave. Yours is harder, but I 'm just as eager to compare the 4 vane versus the ramp. Remember I do not have an 8 vane.

 

[scrubflex]

COOL!!!

That's fine Mikey, sorry it's harder.

 

[appnut]

Thread 17133 has the "other" WWA8350P I was referring to above, not like the POD. Hmm. See, I wasn't crazy. Can't believe GE would use the same model number for products in two totally separate decades.

 

[mickeyd]

Done and I'm stuffing myself with humble pie. What crazy

would ever employ a weak agitator? The 4 vane performs just fine, thank you very much.

At Medium water level,

Vane: the large beach towel sloshed back and forth forcefully
Ramp: round and round, going under slightly

At Large water level

Vane: full turnover, efficient
Ramp: full turnover, dramatic deep rumble of water

At Extra-Large with three beach towels and one thick heavy flannel top sheet,

Vane: the loaded spent a few seconds at the top where the vanes extend upward higher than the water level, but the turnover was strong and efficient

Ramp: grabs the clothes, roll and dip, no time on top, right under. The ramps, however, are even with the water level, not above it, no deep rumble.

At normal water levels the ramp is much more fun to watch and the noises are persuasive, intriguing, convincing and powerful; BUT, the vane's sloshing and visibility at extra-large is a also convincing and dramatic, and for me a big surprise. With the vane, the towels and the sheet went a little deeper into the tub during a few strokes. There was open water for a few seconds in a few spots of the tub during each turnover cycle, meaning I could have added more laundry, but alas, none handy. I'll have more for the movie, and we'll let our collective eye make the final judgment. But for now.....

Verdict: a clean draw....a tie. Now let me finish my humble pie

 

[mickeyd]

And thank you, Andrew, for starting the thread

Hope you don't mind. Some days, we just can't get enough GE.

An old favorite photo just in case you have't seen it already ;=D

 

[scrubflex]

That's AWESOME...

mikey, enjoy your the rest of your humble pie.

Thanks for the excellent "play-by-play" and descriptive comparison review.

Can't wait for the movie.

Harry

 

[gansky1]

Mike -

I have hip-waders and goggles ready, can I come play in your laundry room? I always wanted to do that as a kid but wouldn't have lived to adulthood if I had!

 

[~sudsshane]

Mike~

Yeah, me too! And I'll bring my speedo for a quick dip in the lake! =)

 

[mickeyd]

Gansky, Sudsy, and Mickey. Wow.......Now....

What a party that would be. We'd have to leave all the rubber out though, lest Uncle Ernie from the Who's rock opera,"Tommy" show up with his scary fiddle.

The door is always open even though I may be hiding under the bed--just pull me out.

Harry, glad I made you happy, and the pie was delicious. It was so much fun to watch the water shoot back in around the rim the way it does at high water levels during spin.

 

[scrubflex]

made me happy

Mikey, I'm going to send you an email later, look out for it.