Speed Queen Experts Needed

[mrb627]

Upper Cabinets....

Prevent a stack as being an option.

I would question having the newest nicest laundry pair in the community laundry room... Probably just me. A friend that shared a duplex with a similar setup had issues with a neighbor constantly using her machines.

Is there room for a portable dishwasher, if need arises?

Malcolm

 

[frigilux]

Malcolm-- The wall of the kitchen with no cabinets will be home to my 6-ft work table, housing the Kitchen Aid mixer, the Keurig coffeemaker, food service-size plastic wrap and foil boxes, knife block, etc., just as in my current kitchen. I'm truly not bothered by losing the dishwasher. I've been "practicing" washing dishes manually and found that a good sponge, classic yellow rubber gloves, a glass/bottle brush, and commercial pot scrubbers are working out well.

I'm not too worried about anyone using the SQs. All eight units have a laundry pair, so no one is really looking to do laundry in someone else's machine. Remember, this is a very small town. I know nearly everyone currently in the building---some only casually; some very well. No chance in this little village for the cloak of anonymity one might have in a bigger town.

 

[yogitunes]

you can always get a portable or counter top dishwasher.......no big deal there...

one thing I would investigate, how do the other machines in that location look, scuffed and scratched?, or good shape?.....gives you an insight to any abuse your machine might suffer from in a walkway situation....

then again, you could always install a coin-op set....the humor in someone using your set is at least you will recoup the cost....

interesting thought, is this part of a HOA, or how does one account for the electric/gas/water for these machines?

 

[frigilux]

I love it: Coin-op Speed Queens!

Each set of laundry hookups is tied in to the corresponding apartment's water and electricity. All hookups for dryers are electric, which surprises me, since they sit right next to your gas furnace and water heater.

Most of the machines are in good shape. A few look like they've been through several moves.

 

[askolover]

Good idea!!

Martin, that's a fabulous idea!  I'd do that if I were in that situation. 

 

[lordkenmore]

No front load washer? No dishwasher? Not cooking much?

 

OK, buster, just who are you, and what did you do with the Eugene we all know and love?!?

 

LOL

 

[earthling177]

Ben would probably say he warned us (and Eugene) about the pods...

Eugene, my best wishes that everything goes well and you live a very happy life in the new digs!

 

[lordkenmore]

Some thoughts...for what they are worth... And apologies for stuff that may seem incredibly obvious.

 

If you haven't done it already, it would be worth actually measuring the space available, and measuring the washer. I personally find it too easy to guess something will or will not work...only to find when actual measurements are done that I was totally wrong.

 

Another option: would it be possible to put the washer in the apartment itself? Even paying for a hookup would likely be less than a new washer. (The dryer could still live in the hall, even if you went with a new dryer due to space. But dryers seem less important to me than washers.)

 

Like others, I have concerns about good laundry equipment in that hall. While it's a small town--and I understand just where you are coming from on that--being in the hall does expose the equipment to a lot of possible wear and tear just with things happening. Someone dropping a bag of groceries by accident, and a can of tomato paste flying and dinging a washer. Thus, I personally wouldn't be inclined to buy a TOL SQ TL.

 

In the same vein, another obvious savings would be getting a mismatched set--i.e. the cheapest dryer that will work for what you need. Why pay SQ pricing if WP will work? Since it's in a hall, who cares if there is a mismatched look? (This approach might make FL SQ more affordable!)

 

In your position, I guess I'd also consider other options. Is there a cheap, decent FL washer that might fit?

 

Sorry if all these are things you've thought about...

 

But I have to admit: I honestly wonder how happy you'll be with a SQ TL (hence the suggestions at making FL cheaper by using a cheaper dryer, or using your existing washer with a new hookup, or even getting a cheap new FL washer). You are clearly a FL fan, and I can remember at 2 TL machines that I can remember you having as secondary washers. As I recall, you liked playing with them...but that was about it.

 

 

[lordkenmore]

Dishwashers

I'll echo what was said about portable and counter top dishwashers earlier.When I moved into this place, a huge minus (for me) was no dishwasher...and I planned to rectify that ASAP. Unfortunately, it never happened--I couldn't find a cheap portable in my area, among some other issues. But the kitchen space was limited--about what an apartment has, or less--and my plan was just to dump the dishwasher permanently by the sink. I'd have probably blocked part of the cabinetry (which could have been used for dead storage), and had a decent path left to the sink (for getting water, or washing that handful of stuff that is never DW safe, like good knives).

Today, I might consider exploring the option of a countertop DW. I actually think (as I write this...not necessarily what I'll think in a year, a month, or even tomorrow LOL) that a countertop DW might be a good choice for me. Small, but big enough for a single person. It wouldn't take as long to fill with dirty dishes. It might mean having to have fewer dishes.

 

For the moment, I get by with hand washing. I hate washing dishes, and it's probably one factor of why I lack enthusiasm for cooking these days. A DW will be on my list of things I want for my next place...but, at the same time, I guess I have to admit that to a degree it's negotiable. That is, other factors might easily cancel out the drudgery of hand washing dishes.

 

[lordkenmore]

Off topic ramble...

Is it possible, if you don't care too much about appearances, to just bring your Maytag set with you and stack them rotated? That is, the set is supposedly narrower (27 or 29 inches?) in width, and if you rotate it 90 degrees


 

Rotation can be helpful, and it was the trick my parents did in part with the house where we lived in the 70s/80s. The laundry area was not wide enough for both the washer and dryer. (I still remember moving day. I was about 5 or 6 at the time. My mother took one look at the washer and dryer sitting there, obviously too big to squeeze in, and used a word beginning with "d" that she would not have appreciated coming off my lips. LOL)


 

But the problem was solved by rotating the washer 90 degrees. The washer was probably a bit less convenient to use--one had to stretch a bit to close the lid, and the dryer had to be moved on the rare occasions full access was needed for repairs on the washer. But we got by fine for the 15+ years we lived there.

 

[yogitunes]

could that be an option.....a portable set in your APT?....

I would go with the Avanti/Midea/MagicChef....and at least 1.7 or larger....this would fit in the kitchen or bath for use....

hoping there is a camera setup in that complex....just in case something happens, damage to machines, clothing/detergent theft....

just the thought of this hallway setup seems odd to me, and maybe others...running up and down switching out load after load.....

I don't know, I would think a regular coin op laundry setup would be somewhat better, at least you could do several loads at one time....

but if your content with this arrangement, who are we to argue....

if you get time, could you post a few pics of this setup...this is not something you see everyday...

 

[frigilux]

Honestly, as I mentioned upthread, washing dishes is not a problem for me. I plan to abandon the dishwasher for the next few weeks so manual dishwashing won't be one of the many adjustments I'll have to make when moving to the apartment. The most important thing I've realized is that dishwashing must be built in to the time allotted for a meal. I'm used to tossing the dirties into dishwasher and walking away. The time adjustment isn't really a problem, either; I just have to remember to add 10-25 minutes to the meal's time frame depending on the number of dishes and cookware involved in preparing the meal.

I did a bit of research online and found the Polder dish rack shown below gets many raves for capacity and flexibility. The extra pull-out drain rack can be used for cookware, or as shown, glasses, etc.

In all honesty, the most challenging adjustment involves radical changes in shopping for groceries. I have had two refrigerators and a large, dedicated freezer for the past 30 years. In a few weeks, I'll have only a smallish refrigerator. No more buying huge bags and boxes of frozen food at Sam's Club. The eight pound bag of ice I keep for iced tea via the Keurig will have to go, as well. It alone will take a substantial amount of the freezer space. No more buying several roasts or a dozen 1-lb. rolls of ground beef when they're on a super-sale.

I'm also fond of making casseroles, batches of chili, vegetable soup, sloppy joe meat, taco meat and meatloaf, then portioning all of it into Hefty blue-lidded plastic containers. The freezer in the second fridge usually has 30-40 of these containers. Pull one out, heat it in the microwave and you have an instant meal. That practice will have to be severely curtailed.

As for switching to a SQ top-loader as the daily driver, I look upon it as my way of having a 'vintage' washer. I liked the AWN542. It performed well. But as long as a front-loader was in the laundry room, I would naturally gravitate toward it. With no front-loader to tempt me, I'll adjust to using a top-loader. It's all good, LOL.[this post was last edited: 7/9/2017-16:10]

http://https//www.amazon.com/dp/B0028Y4C50/?tag=thesweethome-20&linkCode=xm2&ascsubtag=AgEAAAAAAAAAAEkYAAAAAHk1pI8AAAAAWWKPCw

 

[foraloysius]

But.....

What happens to me?

 

[henene4]

Fridge/Freezer space

Even though I don't know the exact layout of your new location I'd bet you could fit a small freezer somewhere (under a table, or even on top of the main fridge). Not having enough freezer storage space has always been kind of an issue with our household back home, and being abled to batch-cook certain foods saves hours.

Living without a DW is something that I personally hate, but as long as you are alone, it usually works out perfectly fine.
However, in the few student communes that I've been in that had no DW, there usually was chaos. Same goes with bussy familys. Such arrangements just produce to much dirty dishware over a to spread out timeframe to make everybody washing their own dishes or collecting a days worth of dishes in the sink feasable.

Fun story: My brother moved into a flat with some of his student buddies about a year ago. First they wanted to go without a DW due to space concerns.
Before they even properly oved in, they changed their mind.

 

[frigilux]

Louis--- This is the toughest thing about the move. I've tried to find a new home for Missy, but no one wants a 14-year old cat with claws. I am waiting on a call from a no-kill shelter about an hour from here. They'll contact me when a spot opens up. It's a great shelter; the animals are lavished with attention and love by the staff. Hopefully they'll find a foster home or someone who wants to adopt her.

 

[foraloysius]

Yes, I thought about your cat while reading this thread. I'm sorry she can't come with you. I hope you find a nice new home for her. No neighbours or friends who want her?

 

[logixx]

Pretty much my reaction to everything Eugene has written in this thread so far:

 

[logixx]

The Maytag set, the dishwasher... and now the cat has to go as well?!

Where are you moving to? Hell?

 

[appnut]

Luigi, I was thinking the exact thing, probably about the exact time while I was taking a shower.  And I was going to ask the same question. 

 

[frigilux]

Two health issues are making it increasingly difficult for me to care for house, yard and garden. I decided to downsize and get out from under the responsibilities of home ownership. As I mentioned upthread, it's been a year of upheaval and change. While I'm coming to grips with a return to apartment life, it really isn't so bad. There are upsides to the move and I'm staying focused on them. Losing a dishwasher is the least of my worries, LOL.