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

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I'm not a big fan of Speed Queen, so it would be an easy decision for me to pick the KA pair.  The KA dryer in particular is infinitely better -- a tried and true Whirlpool design that won't toast your clothes.  Whirlpool's direct drive washers are super reliable.  No belts to eat up like so many SQ washers like to do.
 
 
The KA's speed control references three agitate choices (High, Low, Ultra Low).  Presumably it's still equipped with a 3-speed motor and the large-base agitator, and High = mid-speed, Low = lowest speed, and Ultra Low = lowest speed intermittent.

Interesting that the Low/High selection is tagged for Sweaters, if my eyes are catching it correctly.
 
I have the same kitchenAid washer and dryer also in black built in 2006. Would’ve been the last of them before Whirlpool made Maytag their top of the line. I like both the Speed Queen and the KitchenAid but if I had to choose between the two I’d go for the KitchenAid.
 
Thank you, guys!

 

Well then it sounds like this KA dryer should work even better than the Speed Dryer.  I like that it has electronic moisture sensing and an even larger drum. 

The washer also looks good and very flexible.  I believe it has triple dispensers, with timed bleach and fabric softener dispensing, right?  

Mark
 
The dryer is definitely better than the Speed Queen. Yes the washer has detergent, timed bleach, and fabric softener dispensers. Spin starts on low and switches to high. You can still get tap hot water but it will not allow a warm rinse with hot water even if you switch to warm/warm after machine has filled for wash with hot.

repairguy-2020121419001702291_1.jpg
 
Best W&D Pair

For a collector like us the KA W&D wins hands down, if a customer asked which pair will last longer and get the job done well with less service expense the SQ is the winner.

 

Assuming both sets are in excellent condition now the SQ set will last 10-15 years longer in a family of four than the KA because of repair expense and NLA parts.

 

I would get the KAs, when we talked about them last night I missed the fact they were black, after you get them and if you decide to keep them you can easily get $500-600 for the SQ pair.

 

John L.
 
Thanks everyone for all the great info!  

John: it was great catching up with you yesterday.  I forgot to mention that this set was black. 

I’m not surprised that so far everyone has agreed the WP/KA dryer beats the SQ.  But I guess I am surprised that no one has voted for the SQ washer over the KA.  I thought AW had its fair share of SQ devotees.  I’ve heard the KA fills slowly and I don’t think there’s a spray rinse until the final spin.  What is the top spin speed, 650 RPM?  I’ve read on AW that the KA has a gentle yet thorough wash. 

Melvin/Repairguy: what you said is really interesting.  I don’t do warm rinses; tap cold is fairly warm in the desert anyway.  But I’m surprised that it won’t do a warm rinse if selected after a hot fill.  Anyone know why?
 
Vintage KA Laundry Pair Vs A Newer SQ Pair

The KA should fill fairly fast, certainly equal to the SQ.

 

The SQ washer would be just a little more energy efficient due to its faster spinning 640 vs 710 and of course the SQ would also rinse a little better, although the KA will get rid of more sand and lint and will not leave streaks of lint and minerals on dark clothing because of its more sophisticated neutral drain system.

 

Overall I would diffidently have the KA laundry pair in my laundry room assuming you have other W&Ds if a problem arises.

 

John L.

 

 
 
 
The lid doesn't lock, just a safety switch.  This model may not do anything (except fill) with the lid open.  Tricking it depends on the style of switch mechanism.  Or flip the console open and place a bypass jumper (of appropriate wire gauge) on the switch harness.
 
one risks exile for bucking the majority, but...

<span style="font-size: 14pt; color: #008000;">Before making your decision, ask yourself if you would feel differently if those laundry appliances said Whirlpool or Kenmore on them? The KitchenAid name on washers & dryers is not the same thing as on a KitchenAid stand mixer. In the case of the laundry appliances, the name (with regards to longevity, quality and repair-free life) is like beauty...only skin deep.</span>

twintubdexter-2020121513421301943_1.jpg
 
Ordinarily, I would shout "blasphemy!" at anyone considering swapping out a pre-2017 Speed Queen...but that KA set is awfully darn nice hardware. I'd make the exchange without hesitation, assuming the KA washer has no transmission fluid leakage or other major issues.
 
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
 

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