POD 8-14-19 WP Combo Ad with Dachshund

[combo52]

US Combination Washer-Dryers From 1952-1972

There were 10 different Combo designs during this time, only GE combos reversed at all in their 3rd redesign models [ 1964-1972 ] and none of these combos tangled at all except the Easys with their slanted tub.

 

Reversing has no benefit when it comes to possible tangling, it can very slightly improve the washing pattern and how evenly items dry in small or over crowded dryers, although the worlds best dryers all have one thing in common, NONE reverse.

 

John L.

 

[frigilux]

Dryers that reverse: The first Electrolux-built Frigidaire reversed. The drum was SO small that a maximum capacity load from the washer filled the dryer almost 3/4 full. The warehouse apartment had only a gas connection in the designated laundry area. It reversed about every 6 minutes. The electric version reversed much more often—maybe every 2 minutes.

That dryer scorched two queen-sized comforters (yes, I was stupid enough to try it again) and a few times I noticed the ends of fibers on bath towels were scorched. The only benefit of the reversal was the flat sheet and six pillowcases never bunched up inside the fitted sheet.

The second version of the pair had a bigger drum and no reversing. Still, it was maybe only 5.5 cubic feet. It wasn’t until the 2010 redesign that their dryer finally had something close to a 7 cu. ft. drum.

 

[maytagbear]

Back to the original post

I love this ad, too. The Doxie is so adorable!

Lawrence/Maytagbear

 

[iowabear]

I wondered about the cost of this WH FL, found this ad from Feb 1974.

 

$399 for the pair or about $2200 in today's dollars.

 

[tomturbomatic]

If the KM combo had reversed, the load would be out of the spray half the time--not good.

 

The WH FL had something even better than reversing the tumble, a motor that ran in one direction all the time and drove the pump when the solenoid engaged engaged it, so the motor and pump ran through just about anything, suds locks be damned, unlike more modern machines with puny self-powered drain pumps. 

 

The reversing of the GE combo allowed the pump to run in the direction necessary to drain the machine which is why it drained, spun and dried in the reverse direction from washing and rinsing. Drying had to pump out condenser water.

 

[jeb]

tangleing with non-reverse motor

The first Westinghouse slant fronts did have tangling issues but once they went to the straight tub-off set baffles it was not an issue. I grew up with the later version and it was never an problem. The 1958 slant front in my laundry room that I use every so often will tangle probably 60 percent of the time. The 1958 Spacemate front loader doesn't have too much issue with tangling but it has the straight tub with evenly spaced baffles.