Speed Queen Front Load Machines
- Thread starter Iowegian
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mrb627
Well-known member
Delicate cycle
The Delicate/Bulky cycle on my Imperial machine does not omit the pulse spins between rinses. The rinse program matches the other cycles exactly.
Malcolm
The Delicate/Bulky cycle on my Imperial machine does not omit the pulse spins between rinses. The rinse program matches the other cycles exactly.
Malcolm
I think the biggest reason why the wash time is so long on the Huebsch/SQ machines is because the engineers were forced to bring down the water levels so the machine would use less water. Less water = More wash time required to get the clothes clean.
Since a few members on here like to increase their water level, (Cough Cough) that suddenly negates the need for the longer wash times. On the other hand, it really improves rinsing capability and takes more soap out of the clothes.
I personally find that my Huebsch front loader, even with its 25 minute wash cycle, is still more gentle on my clothing than the 8 minutes of washtime in my old GE top loader.
I do agree that it would be nice if Alliance sold a retrofit kit which could allow the user to select wash time and water level on their front loading machines. I would pay whatever Alliance would charge for a kit like that.
I think it is a shame that Miele discontinued their 48xx models. Their large capacity machine was on my shortlist next to Huesbch. The reasons why I picked the Huebsch over the Miele:
- Longer rated cycles. The Miele was rated to 15,000 cycles, the Huebsch to 25,000
- The Miele uses a composite plastic outer tub, the Huebsch uses a porcelain covered steel tub. Less potential for smell.
- Huebsch offered a 3 yr warranty, Miele only offered 1 yr. If Miele is so good, why don't they stand behind their products? Most other washer manufacturers are only 1 yr as well. (To add another 2 years to Miele would have cost $1000 extra.)
- The Demo set I looked at was a year old and both washer and dryer were $4000. The Huebsch set I bought was $1300 cheaper. It would have been $1700 cheaper if I had bought new.
- Huebsch machines are made in Ripon, WI. The Miele machines are made somewhere in Poland if my memory serves me right. So, waiting for parts isn't as long.
- Any commercial laundry equipment service depot can service a Huebsch. Their machines are mechanically identical to their laundromat equipment. Miele requires that the machine must be repaired by an authorized service depot.
- Much more intuitive controls. More knobs than buttons. Miele has no knobs, all buttons. This is more of a matter of personal preference.
The downsides to not buying Miele:
- The Huebsch has less cycles than the Miele. Then again, I don't see myself using a "Beach Towels" cycle anytime soon.
- The Huebsch has a 3.3 cu.ft drum, the Miele has a 4.0 cu.ft drum.
Uhm... that's about it. So, picking the Huebsch was a no brainer over the Miele.. Now, if I was living in Europe, the Miele would have been my first choice. (Hopefully, it would have been cheaper too.)
Since a few members on here like to increase their water level, (Cough Cough) that suddenly negates the need for the longer wash times. On the other hand, it really improves rinsing capability and takes more soap out of the clothes.
I personally find that my Huebsch front loader, even with its 25 minute wash cycle, is still more gentle on my clothing than the 8 minutes of washtime in my old GE top loader.
I do agree that it would be nice if Alliance sold a retrofit kit which could allow the user to select wash time and water level on their front loading machines. I would pay whatever Alliance would charge for a kit like that.
I think it is a shame that Miele discontinued their 48xx models. Their large capacity machine was on my shortlist next to Huesbch. The reasons why I picked the Huebsch over the Miele:
- Longer rated cycles. The Miele was rated to 15,000 cycles, the Huebsch to 25,000
- The Miele uses a composite plastic outer tub, the Huebsch uses a porcelain covered steel tub. Less potential for smell.
- Huebsch offered a 3 yr warranty, Miele only offered 1 yr. If Miele is so good, why don't they stand behind their products? Most other washer manufacturers are only 1 yr as well. (To add another 2 years to Miele would have cost $1000 extra.)
- The Demo set I looked at was a year old and both washer and dryer were $4000. The Huebsch set I bought was $1300 cheaper. It would have been $1700 cheaper if I had bought new.
- Huebsch machines are made in Ripon, WI. The Miele machines are made somewhere in Poland if my memory serves me right. So, waiting for parts isn't as long.
- Any commercial laundry equipment service depot can service a Huebsch. Their machines are mechanically identical to their laundromat equipment. Miele requires that the machine must be repaired by an authorized service depot.
- Much more intuitive controls. More knobs than buttons. Miele has no knobs, all buttons. This is more of a matter of personal preference.
The downsides to not buying Miele:
- The Huebsch has less cycles than the Miele. Then again, I don't see myself using a "Beach Towels" cycle anytime soon.
- The Huebsch has a 3.3 cu.ft drum, the Miele has a 4.0 cu.ft drum.
Uhm... that's about it. So, picking the Huebsch was a no brainer over the Miele.. Now, if I was living in Europe, the Miele would have been my first choice. (Hopefully, it would have been cheaper too.)
@tomturbomatic:
Thank you for the very informative post!
Do you feel that the fixed 24 minute wash time causes more wear on fabrics than a conventional top-loader set to a standard 8-12 minute wash cycle?
How would you rate the rinsing performance if you let the machine do its thing with the extra rinse function selected?
Part of my interest in the SQ FL is water savings. We pay right at $0.01/gal (water and sewer cost). We do about 9 full loads a week, so the FL's additional cost could be recovered in 5-1/2 to 7 years versus the SQ TL. Then, anything after that time would go "in the bank" so to speak.
Thank you for the very informative post!
Do you feel that the fixed 24 minute wash time causes more wear on fabrics than a conventional top-loader set to a standard 8-12 minute wash cycle?
How would you rate the rinsing performance if you let the machine do its thing with the extra rinse function selected?
Part of my interest in the SQ FL is water savings. We pay right at $0.01/gal (water and sewer cost). We do about 9 full loads a week, so the FL's additional cost could be recovered in 5-1/2 to 7 years versus the SQ TL. Then, anything after that time would go "in the bank" so to speak.
autowasherfreak
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jul 28, 2008
- Messages
- 3,637
I would love to have a SQ front loader, a SQ top loader, and for a dryer the SQ double dryer. If I'm going to dream, I'm going to dream big, LOL.
@ronhic:
The whole subject of machine capacity is something that should be much clearer than it really is. I remember when U.S. machines were rated by weight, but somewhere along the line, they changed to volume. And now there are different volume measurement methodologies (IEC and DOE) that make things less clear than ever. Probably even less so in the case of some front loaders that advertise 4+ cubic foot capacity, but owners complain about the machines not being able to find a balance solution to spin out and abort the cycle sometimes...
The Amanatag we have now has a 3.2 cubic foot tub IIRC. I think it is pretty close to the same size as the big Whirlpool DD machines that we owned previously. I think the Whirlpools may have been deeper but smaller diameter tubs.
The SQ FL has a 2.82 cubic foot capacity listed in one part of their website, but it also mentions 3.0 and 3.3 in other places. I imagine that number depends on the measurement method, though.
My better half, bless her, stuffed one of our Whirlpool DD machines full of throw rugs. Broke the coupler between the motor and transmission. But that was an easy fix - $5.00 for the part and about 30 minutes time. I really liked our DD Whirlpools. We owned three of them over a 25 year period and the only reason we ever got rid of any of them was because we sold them with our houses when we moved. In 25 years I replaced 2 pumps and one drive coupler - that's pretty darn good reliability in my book. Simple is good.
The whole subject of machine capacity is something that should be much clearer than it really is. I remember when U.S. machines were rated by weight, but somewhere along the line, they changed to volume. And now there are different volume measurement methodologies (IEC and DOE) that make things less clear than ever. Probably even less so in the case of some front loaders that advertise 4+ cubic foot capacity, but owners complain about the machines not being able to find a balance solution to spin out and abort the cycle sometimes...
The Amanatag we have now has a 3.2 cubic foot tub IIRC. I think it is pretty close to the same size as the big Whirlpool DD machines that we owned previously. I think the Whirlpools may have been deeper but smaller diameter tubs.
The SQ FL has a 2.82 cubic foot capacity listed in one part of their website, but it also mentions 3.0 and 3.3 in other places. I imagine that number depends on the measurement method, though.
My better half, bless her, stuffed one of our Whirlpool DD machines full of throw rugs. Broke the coupler between the motor and transmission. But that was an easy fix - $5.00 for the part and about 30 minutes time. I really liked our DD Whirlpools. We owned three of them over a 25 year period and the only reason we ever got rid of any of them was because we sold them with our houses when we moved. In 25 years I replaced 2 pumps and one drive coupler - that's pretty darn good reliability in my book. Simple is good.
@qualin:
Thanks for the comparison between your Huebsch(SQ) and the large Miele machine.
$4k for a laundry pair? Wow! I wonder how many people that buy at that price point actually do their own laundry or have domestic help doing it. Kind of like the people that buy $7,000 ranges that are only used by the caterer.
Thanks for the comparison between your Huebsch(SQ) and the large Miele machine.
$4k for a laundry pair? Wow! I wonder how many people that buy at that price point actually do their own laundry or have domestic help doing it. Kind of like the people that buy $7,000 ranges that are only used by the caterer.
ronhic
Well-known member
Capacity
I coiuldn't agree more. Capacity is very hard to determine when measurements differ.
All I can offer is that Europe and Oz still use the weight method to determine and enable comparison. Speed Queen front loaders here are rated at 8kg.
Now, on the issue of cycle times and wear on clothes. My own experience is that clothes, in general, will last significantly longer washed in a front load machine than they will if washed in a top-load machine. A wash component of 24 minutes isn't long either....my shortest 40c cotton wash on my machine is 68 minutes...38 minutes of that is washing, but there are 2 rinses and 3 spins that follow.
There is a reason front load machines don't have a lint filter. They don't need one as they produce significantly less lint which, in turn, means there is less wear on your clothes...
I coiuldn't agree more. Capacity is very hard to determine when measurements differ.
All I can offer is that Europe and Oz still use the weight method to determine and enable comparison. Speed Queen front loaders here are rated at 8kg.
Now, on the issue of cycle times and wear on clothes. My own experience is that clothes, in general, will last significantly longer washed in a front load machine than they will if washed in a top-load machine. A wash component of 24 minutes isn't long either....my shortest 40c cotton wash on my machine is 68 minutes...38 minutes of that is washing, but there are 2 rinses and 3 spins that follow.
There is a reason front load machines don't have a lint filter. They don't need one as they produce significantly less lint which, in turn, means there is less wear on your clothes...
mrb627
Well-known member
Delicates
I would only add the additional spin if the items being washed are heavy and too wet to dry in a reasonable amount of time. Many times, wrinkle free items would finish better in the dryer without the additional spin.
Malcolm
I would only add the additional spin if the items being washed are heavy and too wet to dry in a reasonable amount of time. Many times, wrinkle free items would finish better in the dryer without the additional spin.
Malcolm
When the Delicate cycle skipped the spin was when I had the extra rinse option selected. It drained and went into the distribution speed, but did not spin after the extra rinse. Maybe it should not have done that, but I have not bothered with it since. I bought it mainly for rugeand was looking for a cycle with a higher water level.
As for wear, I never noticed much wear with my TLs, but I do not load them heavily. Tumbler action washers used to be gentler on the fabrics, but with the reduced water levels, they are not as gentle as they used to be.
I tried the extra rinse option, but found it to be a waste of water for my rinsing preferences because of the partial extraction between water changes. You might come to different conclusions.
As for wear, I never noticed much wear with my TLs, but I do not load them heavily. Tumbler action washers used to be gentler on the fabrics, but with the reduced water levels, they are not as gentle as they used to be.
I tried the extra rinse option, but found it to be a waste of water for my rinsing preferences because of the partial extraction between water changes. You might come to different conclusions.
mrb627
Well-known member
Load Size
Between the two, I find that the load size to be only slightly smaller in the Miele. And I don't really notice any better or worse rinsing in the Miele either. The Miele does take considerably longer to complete a cycle with similarly options to the Speed Queen.
Malcolm
Between the two, I find that the load size to be only slightly smaller in the Miele. And I don't really notice any better or worse rinsing in the Miele either. The Miele does take considerably longer to complete a cycle with similarly options to the Speed Queen.
Malcolm
I just found out my local LG/Whirlpool dealer is now carrying Speed Queen. I'll have to go check it out.
I think that if I lived in an Apartment or a Condo, where the washer could be installed in the kitchen European-style, a Miele W3033 would be a great machine for two people. We'd probably have more frequent loads, but it would be a luxury in comparison to having to use common area laundry.
Just an update:
My parents and I went to 2 places to look at the machines in mind. We went to a big box appliance wholesale to see the Miele W3033, but they didn't carry that model, just the Novotronic W1612. The drum of the machine was SMALL; there's no way that you can put a Queen sized fitted sheet in there, let alone a King size! I think the W1612 and W3033 have the same drum capacity, so I would assume that the W3033 would have the same small drum. The salesperson was trying to persuade us that the Miele and other European machines were "crap," and Samsung would be a wiser and better choice. The Korean set was very well-priced too, at $1200CAD for the washer (4.3 cu.ft drum) and the dryer. We knew what was "crap" so we thanked the salesperson and headed to the Speed Queen/Huebsch dealer.
At the SQ dealer there was an Imperial Series Stainless Steel washer/dryer set at the front door. The price of the set was shocking; $2999 for the washer and $1999 for the dryer. The drum of the washer was quite a bit bigger than the Miele, but still small compared to the Samsungs and Maytags. The salesperson looked very honest (compared to the one at the big box store), so I asked her if a King-sized duvet cover and a fitted sheet could be washed in one load. She said no, and kindly told us not the get the FL for one simple reason: the knobs and controls are electronic, and will have problems after 5 years (just right after the warranty expires, of course, LOL). Quite a few of her customers complained that a $3000 washer stopped working after 5 years (i.e., people can accept a Korean machine breaking down in 2 years, which cost $700). She recommended the toploaders, where the switches and timers are still mechanical. And for comparison, she also showed us a 2-year-old Samsung that was heading to the dump field, and a Whirlpool. Both of those machines were made almost entirely out of plastic, including the drum. The stainless steel was just a thin piece of metal "glued" on to the plastic drum to look like a true metal unit.
In conclusion, after looking at our 2 top choices, both didn't suit our needs very well. Our top priority was to wash the King-sized bedding in one load, and none of the machines could do that. We could go back to a toploader, but the Huebsch TL unit didn't look convincing enough that washing our clothing in it would make them last any longer than in our current machine, as the Huebsch TL has an agitator with threads around it (think huge bolt in the middle of the drum). Hopefully there will be more FL from Miele with bigger drums, and wait for the free 10-year warranty promotion to show up (we just missed it). For now, I'll continue to do more research and learn more about the technology here, but stop looking at machines in person.
My parents and I went to 2 places to look at the machines in mind. We went to a big box appliance wholesale to see the Miele W3033, but they didn't carry that model, just the Novotronic W1612. The drum of the machine was SMALL; there's no way that you can put a Queen sized fitted sheet in there, let alone a King size! I think the W1612 and W3033 have the same drum capacity, so I would assume that the W3033 would have the same small drum. The salesperson was trying to persuade us that the Miele and other European machines were "crap," and Samsung would be a wiser and better choice. The Korean set was very well-priced too, at $1200CAD for the washer (4.3 cu.ft drum) and the dryer. We knew what was "crap" so we thanked the salesperson and headed to the Speed Queen/Huebsch dealer.
At the SQ dealer there was an Imperial Series Stainless Steel washer/dryer set at the front door. The price of the set was shocking; $2999 for the washer and $1999 for the dryer. The drum of the washer was quite a bit bigger than the Miele, but still small compared to the Samsungs and Maytags. The salesperson looked very honest (compared to the one at the big box store), so I asked her if a King-sized duvet cover and a fitted sheet could be washed in one load. She said no, and kindly told us not the get the FL for one simple reason: the knobs and controls are electronic, and will have problems after 5 years (just right after the warranty expires, of course, LOL). Quite a few of her customers complained that a $3000 washer stopped working after 5 years (i.e., people can accept a Korean machine breaking down in 2 years, which cost $700). She recommended the toploaders, where the switches and timers are still mechanical. And for comparison, she also showed us a 2-year-old Samsung that was heading to the dump field, and a Whirlpool. Both of those machines were made almost entirely out of plastic, including the drum. The stainless steel was just a thin piece of metal "glued" on to the plastic drum to look like a true metal unit.
In conclusion, after looking at our 2 top choices, both didn't suit our needs very well. Our top priority was to wash the King-sized bedding in one load, and none of the machines could do that. We could go back to a toploader, but the Huebsch TL unit didn't look convincing enough that washing our clothing in it would make them last any longer than in our current machine, as the Huebsch TL has an agitator with threads around it (think huge bolt in the middle of the drum). Hopefully there will be more FL from Miele with bigger drums, and wait for the free 10-year warranty promotion to show up (we just missed it). For now, I'll continue to do more research and learn more about the technology here, but stop looking at machines in person.
launderess
Well-known member
Whatever
Have a vintage Miele w1070 which is rated to hold about 5kg (ll pounds of wash) and am doing a load of four (4) king sized cotton sateen sheets atm. While the drum was full when dry sheets were loaded, just opened the door after the wash water drained and the load compacted down to between one-half to three-quarters full.
The Miele w3033 is rated to hold slightly more than mine (IIRC 5.5kg) so draw your own conclusions.
Have a vintage Miele w1070 which is rated to hold about 5kg (ll pounds of wash) and am doing a load of four (4) king sized cotton sateen sheets atm. While the drum was full when dry sheets were loaded, just opened the door after the wash water drained and the load compacted down to between one-half to three-quarters full.
The Miele w3033 is rated to hold slightly more than mine (IIRC 5.5kg) so draw your own conclusions.
paulc
Well-known member
bobo
I have a Miele rated at 6kg, I could comfortably get two king sized bedding sets ( 2x duvet covers, sheets, pillow cases )with no problems.
I have a Miele rated at 6kg, I could comfortably get two king sized bedding sets ( 2x duvet covers, sheets, pillow cases )with no problems.
There is a possibility that the drum unit in the W1612 is smaller (5.5kg according to Miele Canada) than other 6kg machines (W3033 - but it's also rated 5.5kg in Canada, but 6kg in the US); so dare I say that it is not possible to wash four King-sized sheets in the W1612, but possible in other machines with a bigger drum and a lower weight capacity rating.
It just blows my mind to imagine so much laundry stuffed into such a small drum; even when the load is wet, there's probably no room for the stuff to move around, and with so little water, I don't see how clothes and linens get cleaned properly. I have to see it to believe it!
It just blows my mind to imagine so much laundry stuffed into such a small drum; even when the load is wet, there's probably no room for the stuff to move around, and with so little water, I don't see how clothes and linens get cleaned properly. I have to see it to believe it!
launderess
Well-known member
Er, No. Did Not "Stuff The Washing Machine Full"
Thank you very much.
Have been keeping house with this Miele washer long enough to know it's limits and how to load.
More than enough room for a folded fist was left at the top of the dry load, which by all professional and domestic measures is deemed good and proper.
Again the proof was in that after the wash was soaked down the load tumbled freely within the "10 to 2" or "10 to 4" clock measure.
It is quite easy to tell when a Miele or at least my model is over stuffed. It makes horrible noises and you can literally hear the wash moving about in one soild mass.
Thank you very much.
Have been keeping house with this Miele washer long enough to know it's limits and how to load.
More than enough room for a folded fist was left at the top of the dry load, which by all professional and domestic measures is deemed good and proper.
Again the proof was in that after the wash was soaked down the load tumbled freely within the "10 to 2" or "10 to 4" clock measure.
It is quite easy to tell when a Miele or at least my model is over stuffed. It makes horrible noises and you can literally hear the wash moving about in one soild mass.
launderess
Well-known member
Pay Attention Son, You Might Learn Something
As Foghorn would say:
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As Foghorn would say:
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Front loaders can be loaded to the top. Naturally, you're not supposed to force item in with your foot... but 'to the top' can be fine.
This is my washer doing towels. Towels are especially forgiving because a load of them will shrink down quite a bit. Of course, my washer is a European one so it has long cycles etc. etc. But it just goes to show that you can fill the drum up and still get some nice tumbling.
Alex
This is my washer doing towels. Towels are especially forgiving because a load of them will shrink down quite a bit. Of course, my washer is a European one so it has long cycles etc. etc. But it just goes to show that you can fill the drum up and still get some nice tumbling.
Alex
ronhic
Well-known member
Bobo
Listen to what people on here who have European machines say about them.
Learn from our many many years experience.
Miele will certainly make a couple of different drums for the various size machines that they retail, however, without exception, every single Miele machine produced in the past 40 years and in current production can take a KS quilt cover, fitted sheet, flat sheet and 4 pillow cases as a minimum.
4 kingsize sheets would also work equally well given 8 single sheets equates to 4kg and a king sheet is approximately the size of 2 singles.
Listen to what people on here who have European machines say about them.
Learn from our many many years experience.
Miele will certainly make a couple of different drums for the various size machines that they retail, however, without exception, every single Miele machine produced in the past 40 years and in current production can take a KS quilt cover, fitted sheet, flat sheet and 4 pillow cases as a minimum.
4 kingsize sheets would also work equally well given 8 single sheets equates to 4kg and a king sheet is approximately the size of 2 singles.
@launderess
Wow. Just wow. I'm speechless! I wonder if a King-sized duvet cover and fitted sheet would work; now I have to find a place that will let me try!
@logixx
The drum of your washer is larger than the one I saw in the W1612. I would say the drum size in the Miele was close to the size of a 12 quart stock pot:
Wow. Just wow. I'm speechless! I wonder if a King-sized duvet cover and fitted sheet would work; now I have to find a place that will let me try!
@logixx
The drum of your washer is larger than the one I saw in the W1612. I would say the drum size in the Miele was close to the size of a 12 quart stock pot:
Has.....
Somebody been sniffing the HE again!!!
Bobo if you really want user friendly advice and information from tried & tested users then please dont insult our understanding and intelligence by above said picture!!! The actual drum of the washer is much larger than the window of the washer.
All Miele washing machines from vintage to modern are perfectly capable of washing said king cal queeny whatever duvet covers and sheets!!
We hope you take the information above, and it is always as well to check out what you require and make an informed decision and purchase!!
p.s. just washing two king duvets, 8 pillow cases and 4 t-shirts in the Servis Quartz rated 4.5kg, which does a better job of washing, rinsing and less creasing than the Fagor 6kg washer - more water and no holes in the drum...LOl
Somebody been sniffing the HE again!!!
Bobo if you really want user friendly advice and information from tried & tested users then please dont insult our understanding and intelligence by above said picture!!! The actual drum of the washer is much larger than the window of the washer.
All Miele washing machines from vintage to modern are perfectly capable of washing said king cal queeny whatever duvet covers and sheets!!
We hope you take the information above, and it is always as well to check out what you require and make an informed decision and purchase!!
p.s. just washing two king duvets, 8 pillow cases and 4 t-shirts in the Servis Quartz rated 4.5kg, which does a better job of washing, rinsing and less creasing than the Fagor 6kg washer - more water and no holes in the drum...LOl
ronhic
Well-known member
Bobo
I think you might like to consider some deep inhalations over that stock pot or else one of us may just tip it over your head and start banging it with a wooden spoon!
I think you might like to consider some deep inhalations over that stock pot or else one of us may just tip it over your head and start banging it with a wooden spoon!
ozzie908
Well-known member
Size is not everything 
The PW 6065 I have is rated at 6.5 kg its a whole kg less than the Aqualtis I had before but I have not noticed any considerable difference in what I have put in it in fact the Miele will wash and spin a rug I would never have considered putting in the Hotpoint.
Austin
The PW 6065 I have is rated at 6.5 kg its a whole kg less than the Aqualtis I had before but I have not noticed any considerable difference in what I have put in it in fact the Miele will wash and spin a rug I would never have considered putting in the Hotpoint.
Austin
