Speed Queen top loader review / Consumer Reports.org

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The 210º and 710 RPMs have been around for a VERY long time...not sure how long though. The stroke can be visible on every SQ that I've ever seen (including wringers--where's that darn protractor). It's so nice to just hear a whrrrring noise of the machine vs. the crazy thumping of my prev Whirlpools short stroke. The spin is A M A Z I N G. Absolutely NO vibration that is visible or audible, and no louder than the wash cycle while doing so. Also clothes don't seem nearly as compress (aka pact up against the tub wall) as I'm use to...I'm hoping that translates into less wrinkles.

I was concerned about the tubs as well coming from Whirlpool, but I think most laundromat versions are 2.8 cu feet vs. 3.3. I see no issues with mine once I got it installed last night (FINALLY!). The agitator is much smaller the Whirlpool corkscrew and make for even more room. It gently moves the clothes around the tub with that long stroke--even on large loads. Also the tub will index on large loads--moving clothes around even more. I am going to have to increase the water level switch as mentioned in this thread as it fills to what I would consider a "large" load, not superlarge--at least there is an option for that (although you have to work for it a little).

Will post pics once the inserts come in and I'm all tweaked out.
 
Dan, for most loads (dress and casual shirts, cotton and denim pants etc) we use the SQ's slower spin speed. Drying time only takes an extra 10-15 minutes and the clothes come out of the dryer wrinkle free and ready to wear.
 
I love my Speed Queen washer as well. I did have to raise the water level since like others have found that its too low for a full washload.
CU has really gone downhill and what they recommend sometimes doesnt last. Look at how they rated the Maytag Neptune TL a few years ago. They said it raised the standard by which all other machine are judged against for washability. So people went out about this POS machine and many were returned. We bought the Maytag Samsung built Neptunes...washer is history after almost 4 years. I take what CU says with a grain of salt lately. I ended up cancelling my subscription to it since they were not showing all the products that they are rating. Their "Select Ratings" sucks. And on top of that if you want to see all the ratings you have to subscribe to CU online. Nah I will pass.
I will say one thing about my SQ washer is that it cleans well. But the agitator vanes need to clear the base a bit more so t doesnt trap lint in the flex vanes. The 710 spin does OK but the spin could be a tad longer and the spray rinse should be moved so it doesnt dump clean water into the wash water draining away. If I am at the machine I will let it drain and come up to speed then reset it at the "spray" and it will spray for a good long 2 minutes.I still double deep rinse every load.
Now I am looking forward to getting the dryer.
 
> the spray rinse should be moved so it doesnt dump clean water into the wash water draining away. <

The only time I've seen this happen with our SQ is when we've put too much detergent in, and the tub is close to sudslock. It's never actually locked, but with a lot of suds it takes longer to ramp up to full spin speed, and that's when the spray rinse kicks in before it's up to speed.
 
Never had the washer sudslock on me at all. When I choose the Ex Large water level the washer does drain fast but for some oddball reason once the water level switch is reset them the water will spray in. Doesnt last long maybe 30 seconds but thats the spray rinse. With smaller loads the washer does get up to full speed then it will spray.
 
I also agree that CU is biased against Top Loaders.

This is only anecdotal but it is the result of asking everyone I know with a front loader whether they are happy and it seems anyone with one two years old has had to deal with a lot of repairs.

I am kicking and cussing at my GE top loader because after 6 years the motor is hinking out (only works on fast) because my last top loader lasted 12 years with zero problems.

Consumer reports wasn't testing for the very serious issue of vibration on front loaders for years. American front loaders are huge and vibration is a serious issue and even more serious for anyone with an install not on a concrete slab.
 
Mike.........

What's the end of your drain hose look like?.....

if its has the corrugated hose with the "funnel" at the end...and depending on your drain pipe (should be 1 1/2inch minimum)....cut this end off, and keep the hose as short as possible, ether by ctting it short or shoving it into the drain pipe....you would be suprised how much faster the water pump out and ramps up to speed quicker....

I did this on my Mother in Laws SQ TL.....it allowed more water to be pumped at a faster rate rather than be restricted by that funneled end.....just a thought
 
Yeah, the '97 Amantheon we had did the same thing most of the time. It started the spray rinse before the tub was even up to speed. I really wanted to like that machine but it fought me every step of the way.
 
I don't think that the spray rinse should be starting that soon. My SQ comes up to full spin speed well before the spray rinse starts. Now mine is almost 4 years old, so the cycle timing may have changed somewhat...
 
Cycle Diagram

Is there a cycle diagram chart folded up in the console that might indicate whether this is normal behavior or a malfunction?

Malcolm
 
I got to use some Speed Queens!

I went to a laundromat nearby that has Speed Queens. As happy as I was to use them, I was also a little disappointed for a while. I need to tell the caretaker to have the water levels adjusted. A few of them were too low, and for a while I was worried I'd have to run them through another cycle to get them properly rinsed. However, by the end of the rinse cycle, the suds had cut down a lot and my clothes didn't feel soapy at all. I was afraid I'd end up with clumps of soap on them, or that icky soapy feel when they were done, but, they came out fine! I'm still going to mention it to someone though, so the next time I go there, I won't have to worry.
And for those of you wondering, I didn't overload or oversoap them lol. But there were a lot of suds since the water levels were so low, especially in the washer I washed my denim work pants in. And everything came out clean!
 
my brand new neutral drain frigidaire, started the spray when the timer clicked on the spin, but it sprayed appox 30 seconds.. The frigidaires should not really be criticized for what they cost (for the t/l) they are a steal. They are an average performer at best. alr2903
 
I had to adjust my new Speed Queen by 1.5" of water! They are set that low due to EPA regulations. Also the hot water is "restricted flow" and it fills slower than cold or warm (according to SQ), again EPA. HOW that helps environmental issues, who knows. Speed Queen laundromats helped me evaluate my SQ purchase. The machines are very "duty-driven", meaning that it does what it needs to in 30 minutes...while you think that's not enough time, it certain is in a SQ. The three minute rinse seems extremely quick to me, but the spin/rinse is always perfect...go figure. I love how dutiful and unassuming the machines are--thrilled so far, on day 5!
 
Spray Rinse Feature

I had a thought on this. Do you suppose the spray rinse happens soon on the newer SQ's during the spin because the water level was initially set at the factory at a lower level. This might result in the tub draining quicker, then the spray rinse would be right where it should be. It's just a thought. Our SQ is the 2007 model, and it ramps up to spin speed for a good couple minutes before the spray rinse starts (or so it seems). Mike L.
 

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