Speed Queen Front Loader

[eurekastar]

We're all familiar with the recent controversy regarding Speed Queen's radical redesign of its top load washers.  But my question is why did Speed Queen abruptly withdraw their front loaders from the market only to bring them back a year later?  AND when the front loaders were brought back, were there any substantial design changes (other than aesthetics)? 

[this post was last edited: 5/18/2020-13:20]

 

[agiflow3]

They APPEAR to be the same machines. Those in the know will chime in.

 

[DADoES]

 
IIRC, the generally-accepted reason for withdrawal (of several conjectured) is that they had a contract to supply a crapload of frontloaders to a commercial customer so needed to divert all available production to that project.

 

[launderess]

Few others will certainly know better and chime in

But other than design estethcs and few other bits SQ front loaders essentially remain what they always have; commercial washers sold for home use.

For some that is perfectly fine; those washers don't coo in several different languages, have dozens of special cycles and features like Miele, LG, Electrolux and rest. WYSIWYG, robust washing machines and dryers designed and built to process multiple loads day in and out for years.

https://www.reviewed.com/laundry/co...oading-stainless-steel-washing-machine-review

compared to latest incarnation

https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/speed-queen-brings-back-front-load-washer-300843283.html

SQ has upped their a game a bit for front loaders, but only just. They still don't offer a heater, and largely like the on premises commercial washers/dryers from same brand rely upon chemicals and some adjustment of cycles to get certain benefits.

 

[sudsmaster]

Um, I think the rationale behind the lack of internal water heaters in commercial front loaders like the SQ is because most laundromats have piping hot water readily available at the tap. Especially considering that an active laundromat will have the hot water lines pre-heated from use so there isn't the dread temperature drop that a home washer might encounter. A savvy laundromat owner would probably want to save energy $$$ by using a shared water heater that runs on less expensive natural gas than individual electric heaters in each washer.

Just a hunch.

For home use, I consider an internal water heater to be essential, especially with newer washer designs that minimize water usage and thus would encounter a bigger temperature drop between home water heater and laundry load.

 

[launderess]

Local laundromat

Like most others (the good ones anyway) along with commercial/industrial (ditto) have circulation systems on hot water supply. Thus opening the taps gives instant hot water with out having to bleed off cold as it were.

Being as this may since many laundromats have pre-wash set for "cold" and don't spin out water between that cycle and main wash; unless hot water going into machine is over say 160F, don't see how temps will be 140F or even 120F.

This could vary by climate and location, but tap water in NYC area during colder times of year is chilly. Haven't looked in ages to see if local laundromat washers mix cold and hot water for pre-wash. Know they use tap hot for part of final rinse (to flush fabric softener), but also use cold. Am guessing former is to make sure even thick gooey FS is moved from dispenser. Hint; it doesn't always work.

Now an industrial laundry can program machines to do multiple "hot" washes of short duration. After first 12 minute wash at "hot", second and perhaps third won't see dramatic drops in temps because machine, tub and laundry is already warmed if not hot.

Think main reason why laundromat washers don't bother with anything else that tap hot is they believe customers will use chlorine bleach for white loads. That substance covers up a multitude of wash day sins.

 

[launderess]

Steam is far more efficient in terms of heating for laundries than using electricity IIRC, and certainly likely is cheaper.

Have peeked at ratings plates for SQ laundromat washers and they can accept steam connections, but highly doubt any washerteria in USA does so.

https://www.speedqueen.co.nz/Brochu...g-45kg/Installation-and-Operations-Manual.pdf

Most states have very strict rules on who can operate what sort of boilers, and above certain PSI or whatever requires courses and licensing.

SQ does offer commercial units with electric heating capability, but looking at those kw ratings don't think you'll be seeing them in home use.
http://docs.alliancelaundry.com/tech_pdf/production/F232135en.pdf