Hi everyone, I am going to save up for either a Speed Queen front loader washer and dryer or an Electrolux front load washer and dryer. I am wondering which would be best for someone who washes small loads and a lot of delicates. I would also like one that is pretty quite and doesn't vibrate like crazy/or dance around the laundry room. Does anyone have any recommendations for me? Thank you!
Saving up for a new front-load washer/dryer- Speed Queen or Electrolux?
- Thread starter Lalie
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New here on the forum myself.
Speaking from experience my Maytag Neptune front loader was exactly what you described. Cleaning clothes by it's "lift & drop" method lent itself to being delicate on clothes. However, with today's front loaders they seem to lack enough water to actually clean clothes by some accounts. So be sure to ask how much water it uses PER CYCLE and watch couple bids.
Some things to keep in mind with today's front loader. If you take from one area you have to increase in another. Less water means either stronger detergents to make up for the lack of water or increase wash times. Some take 90 minute cycles and depending on your occupation sometimes it'll take two or three hours to wash a decent load. How valuable is YOUR time. I know even on my Maytag Neptune which used a decent amount of water we had to rinse twice to get the soap smell out. The detergent companies seem to be using a lot of perfume to mask the lack of cleaning these machines do. So after 11 years of faithful & flawless service my Maytag died. To repair it would be $900. SO....
Just bought a SQ which should be here in couple hours. Several things appealed to me. Reputation, build quality, parts availability ( if anything happens), use of less powerful detergents, wash time decreased (30min) and a biggy, uses lots of water to carry away dirt.
Hopefully someone can come along and comment on its gentle cycle. It's been a LONG time since I've had one. Excited!
Speaking from experience my Maytag Neptune front loader was exactly what you described. Cleaning clothes by it's "lift & drop" method lent itself to being delicate on clothes. However, with today's front loaders they seem to lack enough water to actually clean clothes by some accounts. So be sure to ask how much water it uses PER CYCLE and watch couple bids.
Some things to keep in mind with today's front loader. If you take from one area you have to increase in another. Less water means either stronger detergents to make up for the lack of water or increase wash times. Some take 90 minute cycles and depending on your occupation sometimes it'll take two or three hours to wash a decent load. How valuable is YOUR time. I know even on my Maytag Neptune which used a decent amount of water we had to rinse twice to get the soap smell out. The detergent companies seem to be using a lot of perfume to mask the lack of cleaning these machines do. So after 11 years of faithful & flawless service my Maytag died. To repair it would be $900. SO....
Just bought a SQ which should be here in couple hours. Several things appealed to me. Reputation, build quality, parts availability ( if anything happens), use of less powerful detergents, wash time decreased (30min) and a biggy, uses lots of water to carry away dirt.
Hopefully someone can come along and comment on its gentle cycle. It's been a LONG time since I've had one. Excited!
Without a doubt, buy the Speed Queen. I just came back from the appliance store and we looked at them. From what I've seen and read (about a hundred hours of reading) the Speed Queens are the best washer available here in the United States unless you spend $ 4,000 to buy a Miele Little Giant.
mark_wpduet
Well-known member
If I had to chose between the two -
I'd get the SQ definitely .....but some of the new FL washers do use a GENEROUS amount of water - it depends on the cycle.....For example, the allergen cycle on the Maytag and Whirlpools use more than say, normal, or heavy duty. Not sure if the SQ's have a built in heater, that would KEEP me away from SQ if it were me buying - but if you don't care about a heater - get the SQ... (SQ may have included a heater on new models, but I'm not sure) I know they didn't used to though.
I'd get the SQ definitely .....but some of the new FL washers do use a GENEROUS amount of water - it depends on the cycle.....For example, the allergen cycle on the Maytag and Whirlpools use more than say, normal, or heavy duty. Not sure if the SQ's have a built in heater, that would KEEP me away from SQ if it were me buying - but if you don't care about a heater - get the SQ... (SQ may have included a heater on new models, but I'm not sure) I know they didn't used to though.
I second the comment regarding the heater.
You'll need your hot tank providing water at 140deg to get a hot wash without fiddling.
If you don't wash in hot then this won't matter, 120deg will end up warm.
You'll need your hot tank providing water at 140deg to get a hot wash without fiddling.
If you don't wash in hot then this won't matter, 120deg will end up warm.
Interestingly, the Speed Queen FL and TL indicate a max inlet temp of 125°. I was wondering if my 140° tap would harm anything? SQ do not have heaters.
I'm in love with the performance of the new Soeed Queen FL, I'll give my full review once the faulty machine is exchanged.
I'm in love with the performance of the new Soeed Queen FL, I'll give my full review once the faulty machine is exchanged.
golittlesport
Well-known member
It's really a matter of what you want and what matters to you. Speed Queens are solid and built like commercial tanks. They will probably run for 20 years, but are a bit more basic and do not have a water heater in them.
Personally, that would be the deal breaker for me...I would not want a washer for 20 years that did not heat the water when I wanted what I consider a hot wash.
Personally, that would be the deal breaker for me...I would not want a washer for 20 years that did not heat the water when I wanted what I consider a hot wash.
Water Temperature.
My old/new Miele W1119 washer pumps out water so HOT that it will actually melt the cheap replacement drain hose. It just happened to me. The plastic used to make the J-bend is so thin, it became soft from the heat and the normal 1" inch throat closed half the way. I had to cut off the J-bend and stick the hose down the drain. If this had gone unnoticed, I might have had a small flood. This is something we should all keep in mind and check.
My old/new Miele W1119 washer pumps out water so HOT that it will actually melt the cheap replacement drain hose. It just happened to me. The plastic used to make the J-bend is so thin, it became soft from the heat and the normal 1" inch throat closed half the way. I had to cut off the J-bend and stick the hose down the drain. If this had gone unnoticed, I might have had a small flood. This is something we should all keep in mind and check.
Put me in the other camp...
Some folks here drool over Speed Queen machines, sorry not me. Yes, nice products, but given the option I'd opt for the Electrolux no question.
Some folks here drool over Speed Queen machines, sorry not me. Yes, nice products, but given the option I'd opt for the Electrolux no question.
Wouldn't the Elux machines be awful big for "small loads"? Last one I looked at was huge. Unless you are getting the new compact Elux machines.
It depends on what you mean by small loads.
A 24" washer might very well be enough. Models like the Miele or ELux compact lineup can take the occasional pillow or bigger load (you'd be able to fit 6 pairs of jeans with ease).
However, the matching dryers are condenser dryers throughout the line, making them less practical due to longer drying times. So, a not matched set might be the best option in terms of situation matching.
If you want a full size matched set, the ELux offers more variety in terms of delicate and specialty cycles, and the set is most likely more silent then the SQ. Further the full-size ELux dryers are praised for their incredible low drying temperatures according to reviewed.com.
The SQ however gives you a smaller drum, more sturdiness. But the SQ FLs might verry well lack a lot of the ELux gentleness.
So, my recommendation would be a 24" ELux FL and a 27" ELux dryer.
A 24" washer might very well be enough. Models like the Miele or ELux compact lineup can take the occasional pillow or bigger load (you'd be able to fit 6 pairs of jeans with ease).
However, the matching dryers are condenser dryers throughout the line, making them less practical due to longer drying times. So, a not matched set might be the best option in terms of situation matching.
If you want a full size matched set, the ELux offers more variety in terms of delicate and specialty cycles, and the set is most likely more silent then the SQ. Further the full-size ELux dryers are praised for their incredible low drying temperatures according to reviewed.com.
The SQ however gives you a smaller drum, more sturdiness. But the SQ FLs might verry well lack a lot of the ELux gentleness.
So, my recommendation would be a 24" ELux FL and a 27" ELux dryer.
passatdoc
Well-known member
Have owned my current 60-series Elux pair for 15 months, so far no reliability issues or repairs, and everything gets cleaned perfectly. A heavily soiled comforter and cover (both white) came out completely clean after Heavy Duty cycle with pre-wash. Does outstanding job on delicate cycle as well. Allergen cycle wonderful for washing dog dander out of flannel sheets. So far, the washer has not failed any cleaning assignment. Dryer is fast and efficient, and yes it includes low temp options and custom cycles (pet beds, etc.).
My only concern is its 4.3 cu ft interior, which might be too large for your small load needs.
Photos are from delivery 14 November 2014.
My only concern is its 4.3 cu ft interior, which might be too large for your small load needs.
Photos are from delivery 14 November 2014.
Thank you for the great pictures of the Electrolux washer/dryer. Those are exactly the ones I was considering. How do you think they would handle say washing two/three dresses (size small/medium)? I am thinking since it's supposedly not a good idea to wash just once item, I could try to wash 2-3. How does the hand wash cycle compare to the delicate cycle? Do you feel your clothes get clean on these cycles? Thank you in advance for answering my questions.
passatdoc
Well-known member
Not sure I have a Handwash cycle, unless it is buried in the Special Cycles and I haven't scrolled through all of them. I have used Delicate cycle for Delicates and nothing was ruined nor inadequately cleaned. Note you can lower the spin spin and agitation time if you are concerned that the default setting is too rough.
In the photos I posted, you access the Specialty cycles by pushing the silver button under the LED display, then you rotate the big silver selector knob to scroll through them. The 70 series has even more cycles, like Stuffed Animals. The 60 has Jeans, Pet Beds, and a few others. Hopefully the PDF user manuals on Elux website will guide you, as long as they didn't produce one manual to cover 60 and 70. If you like I can scroll through the Special cycles and make sure I listed them all. The "clean washer" cycle is also found in the Specialty cycles. The machine reminds you after every 50 washes to clean the machine. Can be done with bleach or the Tide washer cleaner product; I use the latter.
The machine lets you customize a Favorite cycle, but I don't bother. If you change the defaults (temp, wash time, spin speed) from factory settings, it remembers your choices and uses them the next time you select that cycle (so you have to pay attention if you want to use different settings within the same named cycle).
When I bought in Nov 2014, there were a lot of rebates. $275 from Elux, $40 from the gas utility, $60 from the water district. The federal guidelines for water use changed in the interim and my 60 would no longer qualify for a rebate (nor would any Elux) in California now. The Elux rebates did not apply to the 50 or 55, so that that higher price of the 60 set was almost negated by the rebates. I bought from a local appliance store that sells nearly every major brand, SQ included, and ALL of the employees---who are allowed to buy at dealer cost---have Elux at home.
In the photos I posted, you access the Specialty cycles by pushing the silver button under the LED display, then you rotate the big silver selector knob to scroll through them. The 70 series has even more cycles, like Stuffed Animals. The 60 has Jeans, Pet Beds, and a few others. Hopefully the PDF user manuals on Elux website will guide you, as long as they didn't produce one manual to cover 60 and 70. If you like I can scroll through the Special cycles and make sure I listed them all. The "clean washer" cycle is also found in the Specialty cycles. The machine reminds you after every 50 washes to clean the machine. Can be done with bleach or the Tide washer cleaner product; I use the latter.
The machine lets you customize a Favorite cycle, but I don't bother. If you change the defaults (temp, wash time, spin speed) from factory settings, it remembers your choices and uses them the next time you select that cycle (so you have to pay attention if you want to use different settings within the same named cycle).
When I bought in Nov 2014, there were a lot of rebates. $275 from Elux, $40 from the gas utility, $60 from the water district. The federal guidelines for water use changed in the interim and my 60 would no longer qualify for a rebate (nor would any Elux) in California now. The Elux rebates did not apply to the 50 or 55, so that that higher price of the 60 set was almost negated by the rebates. I bought from a local appliance store that sells nearly every major brand, SQ included, and ALL of the employees---who are allowed to buy at dealer cost---have Elux at home.
passatdoc
Well-known member
user manual
http://manuals.electroluxusa.com/prodinfo_pdf/Webster/137378100een.pdf
My favorite cycle is Allergen, because we have a Labrador=Husky mix dog who sheds lots of white fur. Allergen uses either Hot or Sanitize (heater kicks in) temps, extra rinses, and possible higher water levels and removes almost all the dander. Much better performance than on other cycles for this purpose. The user guide recommends this cycle for pet dander. I'm not allergic to dogs, but this cycle gets the comforter covers clean. The only furniture in the house he's allowed on is my bed. At least he stays off the sofas.
http://manuals.electroluxusa.com/prodinfo_pdf/Webster/137378100een.pdf
My favorite cycle is Allergen, because we have a Labrador=Husky mix dog who sheds lots of white fur. Allergen uses either Hot or Sanitize (heater kicks in) temps, extra rinses, and possible higher water levels and removes almost all the dander. Much better performance than on other cycles for this purpose. The user guide recommends this cycle for pet dander. I'm not allergic to dogs, but this cycle gets the comforter covers clean. The only furniture in the house he's allowed on is my bed. At least he stays off the sofas.
brucelucenta
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IF YOU CAN WASH THE DOG IN IT, I'LL TAKE ONE!
brucelucenta
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IF NOT, GIVE ME AN LG FRONT LOADER.
