Should I swap out my Speed Queen set for this KitchenAid set?

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Glenn: thank you.  Oh and I meant to say “lid switch” as I knew it wouldn’t lock.  I’ll definitely bypass it somehow.  Gotta see what’s goin’ on in there. 

Joe: I’m all for bucking the majority!  I want to hear all opinions.  I have been on the lookout for a Kenmore set for a while but haven’t seen anything that’s in good condition and not yellowed.  I specifically wanted the Kenmore with the “Ultra Rinse System” that does two spray rinses after the wash and another two sprays after the deep rinse.  One thing that puts me of this KA washer is the lack of a spray rinse after the wash.  I also prefer the look of the inside of the SQ washer in stainless steel.  And I like the SQ’s agitation arc and the sound it makes and the wide tub better than the chugga-chugga of the WP DDs with the narrower tub.  I also like the drama of spin drains, call me crazy!  Although the DD may work better with the dual-action agitator and neutral drain.  I believe that the WP dryer wins hands down over the SQ dryer.  I think this KA set looks really nice on the outside, better than the SQs. 

I do want a matching set (I know that’s a little silly of me).  So I don’t want to pair the SQ washer with a KA dryer. 
 
I didn't even notice until I went back to take a closer look that the KA washer offers the coveted (by some or perhaps many) slow wash/fast spin option that I've always associated with TOL Maytags.   Between that and the three available speeds, the KA beats the SQ hands down when it comes to customizing cycles. 

 

This decision is really a no-brainer.  I'm feeling hopeful that since the PS area has a reputation for clean, low-mileage vintage machines, this KA pair could be plug and play after not much more than visual inspections and taking them for a brief spin, so to speak.
 
 
The newer/newest? lid switch style on DDs has it mounted under the top deck and actuated by a lid hinge.  Another workaround I've seen is remove the screws from the requisite hinge arm and flip it down manually as if the lid is closed.
 
 
Regards to sprays in the after-wash spin, my WP GSQ9669 does that (two sprays) on the PP/Casual cycle as a cool down of sorts.  Perhaps that KA does the same.  I don't recall now if the WP's PP has sprays in the final spin.
 
Ralph: Yes I specifically hunted out my current SQ TOL model with the separate fabric selector switch offering all combinations including slow wash with fast spin.  I believe this KA only has two actual wash speeds, the third option being the lower of the two speeds but intermittent.  The motor is apparently 3-speed, with its top speed only being used for draining and fast spin — different to WP and KM versions.  So yes this KA will give me all the options and flexibility I could ever need.  I’m going to look at this set on Friday.  Maybe I’ll be the proud owner of a “new” washer and dryer by the weekend!

 

I’ve only ever seen the wash action of DDs on YouTube.  I’ve never used one in person.  And when watching the agitation with the lid open, I do prefer the SQ to the WP/KM/KA DDs.  That isn’t something I would normally drop into conversation, but you guys understand where I’m coming from, right?!
 
For sure Mark, I prefer long stroke agitation over the neurotic fast stroke action of direct drive, orbital or whatever other types of transmissions render it.  I just would rather have it be done by a pre-orbital Maytag or a belt-driven Whirlpool-sourced washer than any Speed Queen-sourced machine going as far back as the 1970s.  That said, I wouldn't hesitate to make an exception for the KA washer you're considering.  I've witnessed a KA machine in operation and it's not nearly as annoying as its lesser Whirlpool cousins.

 

I got stung once by a belt-eating, poor rinsing Amana top-loader that was top-rated by Consumer Reports.  No Speed Queen-sourced TLs for me ever again, even as a back-up machine.  The only SQ I'd ever consider would be a front-loader, and it would have to be competitively priced considering they don't even offer an on-board heater.
 
Totally understand. I had a '90 KM 90 series 16 years no trouble. Now '12 AWN542.

Prefer the SQ's wash stroke and SOUNDS(slosh and woo-woo),after wash spin-spray rinse,SMOOTH-vibration free spin with no nasty DD spin-engage KLUNK!

I kinda' think the fluted KM tub removed water better than the non-fluted SQ.I did NOT like the KMs final spin spray rinse diluting my fabric softener.

There are a few features on the KAs and the dryer may be 10-20% better,but are'nt they 10 years older?

Tough choice sorta,but after 8+ years with the SQs,I always look forward to washing with them. Not so so much with the chugga-chugga KLUNK washer. Just my inflation-rated bucks worth.
 
@mark

Kevin and I actually bypassed 2 similar washers.

It's a zillion of times easier than you think. What we did, in both cases, was installing a tiny toggleswitch on the back of the control panel. No additional wires needed and also no drilling needed because there is a hole where the switch fits perfectly.

I thought it was going to be complex but it actually took no longer than 3 minutes.

A switch is needed to reset the washer because it won't let you start a new cycle after the previous is complete if you don't open the lid (unless you unplug the washer)

The Catalyst also had a "ghost". It would wake up the control panel and select Permanent Press cycle out of nowhere. I added a second switch to cut the power off.

Strangely, after I've done that, the ghost disappeared.
 
Thank you all so much for all the help and info.

 

I wish this KA had spray rinses after the wash as well as during the final spin.  Although in reality perhaps it doesn't make that much of a difference.   I just like the idea of more spray rinsing.  

 

Actually I have just remembered that I did once use a WP direct drive machine.  It was a Kenmore laundry center.  I didn't know much about it at the time.  I washed my clothes with "normal" agitation speed and OMG that thing gave them a good thrashing which didn't please me.  But I believe that this KA set is apparently gentler.  

 

Oh the reason I said that they are slow to fill is because I was searching this site for info on KA washers and I came across a post that Geoff made in 2006.  I think he said that they were slow to fill if I remember rightly.  BTW, what happened to your set, Geoff?

 

Mark
 
@john: you're right, somehow I was thi king about an electro ic control panel like the Catalyst and Calypso (the two machines I bypassed the lid switch by adding a toggle switch)

Soon (when I don't feel lazy enough) ill have to do the same with the Maytag Shitennial. Temporarily I just unscrewed the lock from the lid but I dont like the visual and the lid doesn't close completely.

If I let it complete the cycle, it won't restart if I don't "open" the lid.
 
Hi Mark,

It always seemed to me at least that mine was slower to fill than a regular direct drive that filled from the back. I gave mine to my mother years ago and it quickly became her favorite machine. She misses it greatly. I always told her that when they sell the house that the Kitchen Aid was not to be sold with it and it would come back to me. Well, I wasn't able to get it back in time and it sold with the house. Took me a while to get over that because it was my own fault. One quick thing about the warm rinse. It is auto temp controlled at 70 degrees. It even says so in the manual. It's regulated to temp controlled Cold temperature. If your tap temp is cold, it alternates between warm and cold until the tub is filled. It worked great in the winter but it never added added warm in the summer.
 
If it was me I would jump on that KA set in a heartbeat but I don't think there's anything that could come along that would make me give up my SQ. Also, I've yet to have to put a new belt on it. I thought I would do it this year at the 5 year mark but I'm seeing no signs of excessive slip or other wear and it's been used quite heavily.
 
$450 for the set. Should I or shouldn’t I?!

Whilst everyone is discussing the pros and cons of SQ vs KA they've probably been sold and installed in some multi-family rental unit.
 
Ok now I’m definitely convinced. I need a KA set!  Thank you, guys.  I really appreciate all the input. 

As soon as I saw this set for sale a few days ago I contacted the seller straight away.  He said he would be out of town until yesterday.  So I contacted him again yesterday and unfortunately he said the set has now been sold to someone who had previously expressed an interest.  I was so disappointed!  But fortunately these machines are not too uncommon.  So I am checking listings for others. 

Would a KA set like this be more desirable than a similar Kenmore set?  If so, why?  I ask because Kenmore sets are easier to find.   I really liked the look of the KA set. 

 
 
 
Direct-drive action is essentially the same across all the lines, other than nuances specific to the various brands.  Kenmores don't have the larger-base agitator with reduced agitation speed, typically don't (some possibly do but my 1999 90 doesn't) shift to slower agitation for the last few mins of the wash period, and don't have stepped-spin.

The Catalyst and Resource Saver models have more substantial differences.
 

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