Porcelain vs. Plastic Wash Tubs
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lederstiefel1
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porcelain vs. plastic or stainless steel
porcelain is cheaper, heavier and can chip and rust also many surfaces cannot withstand acids.
plastic can break or jerk also it can become harsh and can get little nooks that can harm textiles and can discolour!
Stainless steel is proof in all these points!
Ralf
porcelain is cheaper, heavier and can chip and rust also many surfaces cannot withstand acids.
plastic can break or jerk also it can become harsh and can get little nooks that can harm textiles and can discolour!
Stainless steel is proof in all these points!
Ralf
laundryshark
Well-known member
Old Speed Queen Commercials
I vaguely remember the old Speed Queen commercials. Their main bragging points were the stainless steel washer tubs and stainless steel drums in their matching dryers. I think it also depends on how well made the porcelain and plastic tubs and drums. On a side note: Ever notice the difference in sounds of clothes agitating in the different types of tubs? The stainless steel models have a more metallic splash to them while some plastic and porcelain designs display a more muffled sound.--Laundry Shark
I vaguely remember the old Speed Queen commercials. Their main bragging points were the stainless steel washer tubs and stainless steel drums in their matching dryers. I think it also depends on how well made the porcelain and plastic tubs and drums. On a side note: Ever notice the difference in sounds of clothes agitating in the different types of tubs? The stainless steel models have a more metallic splash to them while some plastic and porcelain designs display a more muffled sound.--Laundry Shark
zipdang
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Stainless steel and porcelain tubs can withstand higher spin speeds than plastic. Also, plastic is more prone to absorbing odors. And I think, but am not totally certain, that porcelain and plastic withstand chlorine bleach better than stainless steel.
arrrooohhh
Well-known member
Whats the big deal?
In Australia the majority of washing machines have either plastic or stainless steel tubs. I think Whirlpool is the only manufacturer to offer porcelain.
My family had a plastic tub Simpson for 10 years and trust me, it did not have odours or stains and at 770rpm, it spun faster than most American models. In fact newer ones spin at 900rpm.
Stainless steel if offered to make a model look more upmarket but tub material is irrelevant if the machine hasn't got the mechanical strength to go the distance.
In Australia the majority of washing machines have either plastic or stainless steel tubs. I think Whirlpool is the only manufacturer to offer porcelain.
My family had a plastic tub Simpson for 10 years and trust me, it did not have odours or stains and at 770rpm, it spun faster than most American models. In fact newer ones spin at 900rpm.
Stainless steel if offered to make a model look more upmarket but tub material is irrelevant if the machine hasn't got the mechanical strength to go the distance.
Porcelain is far and away more expensive to manufacture than plastic, the environmental regulations are mind boggling which drives the price through the roof. Porcelain was long thought to be the superior material to others because it was very smooth, relatively tough and long-wearing and, once upon a time, cheaper than stainless steel.
I am opposed to anything with a plastic tub on moral grounds - they have no place in any self-respecting washing machine :0 The honeycomb strengthing pattern on the outside of GE washer baskets seems like a microbe habitat experiment rather than a washer basket. I can't imagine what those must look like after a few year's hard use -especially with that neutral drain leaving behind all the critters floating between the outer tub and the basket. Yuk.
I saw the sAdmiral Whirlpool direct drive washers the other day at HDepot, I wonder what the outside of their tubs look like.
I am opposed to anything with a plastic tub on moral grounds - they have no place in any self-respecting washing machine :0 The honeycomb strengthing pattern on the outside of GE washer baskets seems like a microbe habitat experiment rather than a washer basket. I can't imagine what those must look like after a few year's hard use -especially with that neutral drain leaving behind all the critters floating between the outer tub and the basket. Yuk.
I saw the sAdmiral Whirlpool direct drive washers the other day at HDepot, I wonder what the outside of their tubs look like.
Never understood the reasoning for a SS inner tub in a T/L washer. Don't see any big advantage to it over porcelain. Also most tubs of any material outlast the washer itself, even when heavily used. On the other hand, I think a SS dryer drum makes much more sense. They take more abuse from buttons and clasps on clothing, and won't turn blue from unstable dyes in clothing, or turn yellow from gas.
lederstiefel1
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stainless steel vs. other materials
Well in Germany ALL washers were switched to stainless steel drums and outer tub-container when s.s. came onto the market in the early sixties and Miele still use it for both. Also Hoover used it in their twin tubs whereas Hotpoint always had porcelain tubs.
When I lived in a hard water area after a while the heater element furred up and I put some vinegar water in it to dilute the calcium/magnesia-crust arround it. Since I did, the porcelain is ruined and the surface is like sandpaper...
THAT would not have happened with stainless steel! Also s.s. is totally chlorine bleach safe.
Plastic is absolutely not my cup of tea and I think it is a very poor material for that purpose although it is said to give better insulation which some manufacturers made switch to that material for the outer container in FLs and China produces even spinner cans and the whole machine from plastic!
Before s.s. came onto the market, the materials used for washing-machines were: copper (tubs, drums), zink-coated steel (outer containers, tubs, washing-presses), monel-metal (tubs and containers) and aluminium or enamel.
Ralf
Well in Germany ALL washers were switched to stainless steel drums and outer tub-container when s.s. came onto the market in the early sixties and Miele still use it for both. Also Hoover used it in their twin tubs whereas Hotpoint always had porcelain tubs.
When I lived in a hard water area after a while the heater element furred up and I put some vinegar water in it to dilute the calcium/magnesia-crust arround it. Since I did, the porcelain is ruined and the surface is like sandpaper...
THAT would not have happened with stainless steel! Also s.s. is totally chlorine bleach safe.
Plastic is absolutely not my cup of tea and I think it is a very poor material for that purpose although it is said to give better insulation which some manufacturers made switch to that material for the outer container in FLs and China produces even spinner cans and the whole machine from plastic!
Before s.s. came onto the market, the materials used for washing-machines were: copper (tubs, drums), zink-coated steel (outer containers, tubs, washing-presses), monel-metal (tubs and containers) and aluminium or enamel.
Ralf
Reason why porcelain isn't terrific for inner tubs is that the holes are punched inside to outside, then the porcelain is applied. The jagged edges on the punched holes don't get a very heavy coating of porcelain, so if you soak your wash (or use acidic washing solutions) you'll tend to break down the porcelain on the points, leading to rust stains
brasilianguy
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My electrolux washer here in brasil have a plastic tub and it has a warranty of the manufacturer of 10 years! and it has 800rpm of spin speed.... it hasn't odors or stains too!!
danemodsandy
Well-known member
Stainless Is Great- In Its Place
I like the idea of a stainless tub, but I hate seeing them on direct-drive, electronic-control machines that will probably last only a few years before blowing a control board or giving other terminal trouble.
What I'd REALLY like to see is a stainless-tub version of the Maytag Dependable Care washer. That could last pretty much forever.
I like the idea of a stainless tub, but I hate seeing them on direct-drive, electronic-control machines that will probably last only a few years before blowing a control board or giving other terminal trouble.
What I'd REALLY like to see is a stainless-tub version of the Maytag Dependable Care washer. That could last pretty much forever.
rolls_rapide
Well-known member
The electronics always seem to be the first thing to go wrong.
Permanent Press
In the early 70's I was amazed to see a friend had replaced her GE Filter Flo with a Speed Queen. She said she was sold on it because the saleman told her stainless steel tubs eliminate wrinkling in permanent press clothing. She hated the gasping sound it made during agitation and was sorry she fell for his line of bull everytime she pulled out the iron.
Kelly
In the early 70's I was amazed to see a friend had replaced her GE Filter Flo with a Speed Queen. She said she was sold on it because the saleman told her stainless steel tubs eliminate wrinkling in permanent press clothing. She hated the gasping sound it made during agitation and was sorry she fell for his line of bull everytime she pulled out the iron.
Kelly
wannapinkset
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stainless and bleach do not go together. Ahhhh, too much plastic in the world already. Ive never had a porcelaine drum or tub rust. Bleach doesnt make it smell or discolor and if you do have rust build up it can be cleaned without harming the surface. It takes alot of force to chip or crack the surface porcelaine.
It depends on the grade of Stainless
Stainless Steel has been used since the early 70's in dishwashers in Australia and europe. Back then the dishwasher detergents were Chlorine based, and the SS tubs still came with a lifetime warranty. Mum's dishwasher is now 25 years old, and has no discolouration or rust or stains on the SS interior.
Most of the US designed FL's and the SQ TL have SS tubs, and all of those advocate the use of bleach. As long as its only in contact for up to an hour or so, and is then rinsed clean, I cant see that there is a problem with SS and Bleach.
Stainless Steel has been used since the early 70's in dishwashers in Australia and europe. Back then the dishwasher detergents were Chlorine based, and the SS tubs still came with a lifetime warranty. Mum's dishwasher is now 25 years old, and has no discolouration or rust or stains on the SS interior.
Most of the US designed FL's and the SQ TL have SS tubs, and all of those advocate the use of bleach. As long as its only in contact for up to an hour or so, and is then rinsed clean, I cant see that there is a problem with SS and Bleach.
That white coating on a WP tub is not necessarily porcelain. The ones with the swirly placed drain holes are a paint type finish that has a 10 year guarantee or at least they were for a while.
