Speed Queen Washers (current models)

[strongenough78]

DanMan

Kenmore/Whirlpool came out with the Permanent Press with "Cool Down Care". What that would do is on the PP cycle, after the first wash cycle the machine would then do a partial drain, pause for a couple of minutes, then refill with cooler water and agitate at a slower speed to reduce wrinkles. That would happen twice before the first spin cycle then resume as normal. That's how the Whirlpool models did it, the Kenmores would do a partial drain, then agitate for about a minute while filling, it would then stop agitating, fill the rest of the way, and agitate at a slow speed. This would also happen twice before the first spin cycle, then resume as usual.

 

[strongenough78]

mrb627

That's exactly what they do now. I'm skeptical about it though.

 

[DADoES]

There have been several variations of the cool down sequence amongst Whirlpool and Kenmore models over the years.

Very early "wash-n-wear" models did not agitate during the cool down, they simply did repeated partial drains and refills through a couple timer increments.

As noted, a variation on Kenmore involved a partial drain (until the water level pressure switch reset), then fill and agitate simultaneously (at low speed) for the remainder of the drain increment until the timer advanced to the next increment. If the target water level hadn't been reached (which was the usual case, except perhaps in cases of very high water pressure), then agitation stopped on the 2nd increment until the fill level was reached at which point agitation resumed for two minutes. Repeat the sequence for a two-stage cool down, then continue with drain/spin/rinse/spin.

Whirlpool's Knit cycle (which was separate from Gentle) had a one-stage cool down. I don't know Kenmore history that well, if they carried a Knit cycle with cool down.

Perm Press was cut back to a single-stage cool down later in belt-drive production when conservation became a concern. Our LDA7800 originally had a double-cool on Perm Press, a replacement timer was revised for single. The original timer had the shift to low speed agitation at 4 mins for the remainder of the cycle including rinse. IIRC the replacement did shift to low for the last 4 mins of wash, but the cool down and rinse may have been at high speed.

Far as I'm aware, direct-drive units always had a single-stage Perm Press cool down, with no separate Knits cycle. Spin-drain models drained almost completely until pressure switch reset due to the water kicking up.

 

[rayjay]

Spped Queen Front Loader

Hey Jetcone..... Let us know when it is delivered and how you like the Spped Queen Front loader with the heater.

I was wondering if you can adjust the water level on this one too???

Thanks

Ray

 

[danmantn]

I wonder why the heated version is only available on the front load, rear control model?

 

[mysteryclock]

Would love to see some pictures of the FL when it comes in!!

 

[mrb627]

Front Loader w/ Heater

I will be going shopping tomorrow if the weather improves. Might be putting my order in for an FL with a heater. I wonder why the "Imperial" model doesn't have it. They went as far as to upgrade the galvanized dryer drum to stainless steel, but no boosted heater. If I thought I could live without the heater, I would go for the Imperial set for SURE!

But no heater? Strange...

Malcolm

 

[danmantn]

I lust after the Imperial as well. We want a FULL review when you get it. CONGRATS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[mysteryclock]

I was sort of puzzled too why their obviously TOL Imperial didn't have a heater. At that price point (and who they are competing with at that $ range) it really is a glaring omission.

My only real beef with the SQ FLs in general are the simplicity of the cycles / lack of advanced options. The build quality seems tremendous for a home machine, but they are really almost oversimplified. It makes me wish someone would offer a mod kit to replace the control panel with an iPod Touch that could offer a variety of built-in cycles, full-control options for us geeks and a killer GUI.

 

[mrb627]

Quantum Control

Speed Queen's Quantum control for their commercial machines offers more flexibility to the cycles. Not sure what the price difference would be between the actual vended commercial machines and the horizon line.

Malcolm

 

[mrb627]

Order Place

Well, I have placed my order for a Speed Queen FL washer w/ Boosted Hot and Matching dryer. They will be delivered on Wednesday.

I can hardly wait.

Malcolm

 

[appnut]

YAY!!! Malcolm, 46 years ago that day our new Norge15 DispensoMat was delivered at our house.

 

[mrb627]

Love That Norge

Love that Norge with its TAKE NO PRISONERS agitator!

Malcolm

 

[toploader1984]

wow! congrats malcom!! i am looking forward to some videos and pics of it, there aren't many pics or movies of the speed queen FL.

 

[mrb627]

Speed Queen Front Loader Videos

I totally agree. There aren't enough videos of these beauties online. The Speed Queen video channel on YouTube is okay, but needs to be more informative. The first SQ dealer I went to this morning had a complete cutaway of a top loader on the sales floor. It was surrounded by plexiglass. I didn't ask him if it was operational, but it looked like it would have done dry agitation if it had been plugged in.

The second dealer that I went to had the front loader on the sales floor. The pricing they offered beat all other quotes. The salesman said they have been selling the hell out of the SQ's as a whole. Pretty amazing for a company that has virtually no marketing department.

I certainly hope the delivery goes off without a hitch as it has already been a week since I have done any washing. I may have to hit the local laundry mat tomorrow. Actually, I have a spare TL in the garage. I will probably hook it up tomorrow and do some washing tomorrow night.

Malcolm

 

[mark_wpduet]

I can't WAIT to see vids of your SQ FL washer I haven't seen any good vids of it.

 

[mtn1584]

Congatulations

Malcolm
Congrats on your new purchase. Back in June I'm pretty sure you recommended SQ to me when I was deciding to get a new TL. "GE or SQ". I purchased the TOL TL and matching dryer. They are hands down the machines I've ever owned. Best of luck to you, and I hope you post some videos on You Tube real soon.
Mike

 

[mrb627]

Could Have Been Me...

I have been a long time advocate of the Speed Queen brand. I have convinced quite a few people to evaluate them. Unfortunately, I have not been as successful in convincing anyone to go for the front load set yet. So, I am more than HAPPY to take the plunge myself.

Counting down the minutes till they are delivered and installed.

 

[danmantn]

Can't wait!

 

[mark_wpduet]

Lets all hope

they use more water than the LG! I also HATE the deciding to spin routine on my Duet! It would be so nice for it to drain and just ramp up. That would save so much time! Sometime it takes ten min's to decide to spin. I can't wait to see vids of this thing. My Duet is almost 5 years old, when it dies, I think I'm getting a SQ FL