Shredmore?

[justjunque]

Hi folks,

I posted this question at the end of a different post, but it should probably have been a stand-alone question.

While watching videos of some dual action, direct drive Kenmores, I saw some comments referring to them as "Shredmores".
I have every intention of some day buying a vintage washer of some sort.
Before I scratch these off my list; is that criticism deserved?
Are they really rough on clothes?
Some people make it sound like they're equivalent to putting your clothes into a giant food processor.

Barry

 

[eurekastar]

I have a direct drive Whirlpool (maker of "Shredmores") and I've never had a problem with the washer tearing up clothes.  Mine is a pretty basic model.  On the Regular cycle, the user can select up to 14 minutes of agitation.  It will agitate for 8 minutes on high and then shift into low for the final 6 minutes.  I almost always set the timer at 10 minutes (4 on high and 6 on low) and have never experienced problems.  It also has a Gentle and PP cycles. 

 

Maybe it is because of an older agitator design?  I don't know.  There are people around here who are far more knowledgeable than me. 

 

[DADoES]

 
High motor speed produces agitation of ~180 strokes-per-minute on the direct-drive design.  It's a short-arc stroke but still is a bit aggressive.

Low speed is ~120 SPM.  Ex-Low (on three-speed motors) is ~90 SPM.

Appnut applied the "Shredmore" moniker to his 1986 LK as a result of damage to some of his slacks, towels, and maybe other items.  I've seen examples of his damage, it's legitimate so he's not exaggerating or making up a story.

Everyone using these machines does not experience the problem.  What's the usage habits difference between those that do and those that don't is not clear.

It apparently is legitimate-enough of an issue that WP made a programming change on timers so the Normal/Regular cycle reduced to low speed for the last few minutes of the wash period, sometimes calling it the "Gentle Wash System" or "Ultimate Care."

Presumably some Kenmore models also did the speed reduction.  I have a 3-speed 1999 Kenmore Series 90 that does not.  It has a separate speed control, speed is not programmed into the timer cycles, and agitation remains at the selected speed throughout the cycle.  High agitation is tagged as "Heavy Duty" and Slow is tagged as "Regular" or "Delicate" depending whether it's coupled with Fast or Slow spin.

I have a 2003 Whirlpool "Ultimate Care II" model with a separate speed control but the timer does include a speed change to Low during the last 4 mins on Normal and to Ex-Low on Casual/Perm Press.  Interesting that if an Ex-Low speed is selected on Normal, the speed *increases* to Low at the shift-point (but continues to be intermittent for Handwash/Wool).  Rinse is at the selected speed.

KitchenAid is known for 3-speed models running High agitation at the low (mid) motor speed coupled with an agitator that has a larger-diameter base and larger fins.  Low agitation is at the lowest (ex-low) motor speed.

 

[justjunque]

Interesting

The specific washer that I was looking at, but don't have any way to make happen at this point, is a Kenmore 80 Series. I don't know what year, but probably 1990s.
The control panel is marked "Heavy Duty", as well as "Ultimate Fabric Care".
So, if I see one like that, and feel that it's time to make it mine; that type would be more gentle on clothes?

Barry

 

[revvinkevin]

 What DADoES said....

 

 

I had a 1984 Kenmore 24" BOL model for 2-3 years, one of the first of the direct drives, it had a spin drain, rather than neutral drain.  The agitation was one speed, fast and aggressive.  One time I washed a load of cotton button front shirts and when the load was done, two shirts had tears in them.  Needless to say I wasn't happy and used that washer very little after that.

 

I still have a 2000-ish top of the line Kenmore Catalyst washer with electronic touch controls.  I like this washer A LOT as it has a 3 speed motor and adjusts the agitation speed based on the cycle AND water level.  Most of the time it washes & rinses at the middle speed, which is slower than the "normal" direct drive.  The fastest (normal) agitation speed is reserved for the heavy duty cycle.

 

Kevin

 

 

 

[vintage1963]

Shredmore?

The Kenmore we had back in the 1980s never gave us any problems with shredding or tangling. It performed very well. I would love to find another set like the one we used to have.

 

[justjunque]

Ed,

I'm glad to hear that you had a positive experience with your Kenmores.
Did you see the 1980s pair that I posted a link to in the Shoppers Square?
Obviously, you'd have to have them shipped quite a distance, and appnut said they look like 60 Series.
But, they appear to be in good condition, and if they're your dream machines...

Barry

 

[DADoES]

 
<blockquote>Vintage1963:  The Kenmore we had back in the 1980s never gave us any problems with shredding or tangling.</blockquote> Was that a belt-drive or direct-drive?  It could have been either depending on exactly when and which model in the 1980s.

 

[iowabear]

No doubt they could be hard on clothes, but did they ever get the job done quickly with very short wash and cycle times.

 

I wonder if they are kind of a mismatch with today's modern detergents which I suspect work better with longer cycle times.  Although I don't really know that for sure, just sort of a guess.

 

[vintage1963]

Barry

Barry,
I did see the set you posted to the Shoppers Square. They look to be in great shape. The set we had was an 80 series and had the Dual Action agitator. I have seen a few sets come up for sale over the years but I still haven't acquired any. Hopefully someday I will!

 

[vintage1963]

DADoES

I can't recall exactly if the washer we had was a belt-drive or direct-drive. If I am remembering correctly the set was bought in 1986. I was quite impressed with the looks of the machines...the styling, the control panels, and most of all the Dual Action agitator in the washer. I remember quite clearly the sound of the washer when it was in operation. It sounded to me as if it were "shifting", sort of like the transmission on an automatic vehicle. It wasn't loud, but I could hear it.

On a side note regarding the dryer, it never tangled anything up either. Large items such as sheets weren't rolled into a ball and everything was always dry. The front load Electrolux pair I have now is notorious for tangling. Just yesterday when I was unloading the washer most of the items had to be separated before they went into the dryer. As for the Electrolux dryer, it always rolls the bed clothes into a giant ball. Every single time. I like the Electrolux pair well enough, but given the chance they would be gone in a heartbeat if I ever find the Kenmore set I want.

 

[justjunque]

So much to take into consideration!
Since Kenmore was built by Whirlpool; did Whirlpool branded washers of the same era have the same issues?
My mom always had Whirlpools, and the one before her current one must have been late 80s or 90s.
I don't remember it ever doing any damage. It also doesn't seem like it had a dual action agitator.

The one she had before that went back to probably the 1960s.
That had a black "Surgilator" agitator with a chrome top, and the waterfall type lint filter with a glass top, so you could see the water swirling around inside it.
That was my first experience with washers, and the one that sparked my interest.
Plus, I love the sound of a belt drive Whirlpool.

I also love the looks of vintage Maytags, but I have absolutely zero history with them, and know nothing of their reputation as far as being rough or gentle on clothes.
I know they have a great reputation for longevity and dependability.

My prediction is; I'll just get confused and overwhelmed by all the choices, and pros and cons of each brand/model, and the result will be that I'll never buy anything vintage.
I'm like that. I know me.

Barry