Speed Queen Washers (current models)

[appnut]

Malcolm, congratulations!! Very nice. Since the timer is the "flip-set" variety, the knob doesn't move at all during the cycle I gather. I thoroughly read through the manual right after you announced you were getting these. I think my only frustration would be the lack of adjusting wash times based on soil. Yes, the original 8 or 9 minute wash was wayyy too short. But the 24 minute wash is just toomuch overkill I think. Whites would be the only thing I'd want washing for 24 minutes. It's rare I wash anything other than whites for the 18 minutes in my Fridgemore. It's usually the 12 or 13 minute normal wash time and that's more than adequate. And the PP cycle doesn't lessen much, just down to 20 minutes. See if you can perceive any difference between the Normal & PP cycles other than the 4 shorterr minutes of wash time and the amount of time for the 1000 rpm spin speed of 2 vs. 3 minutse on PP vs. Normal, accoreding to the manual. Maybe subsequent versions will allow soil levels like on the top loaders. Just wish when you paused, advanced timer, and restarted it would "move" to that point in the cycle. Bob

 

[yogitunes]

THE MAIN QUESTION.............

Can you "POP" to top and adjust the water level?...is there a screw for adjustment, or is the pressure valve permanently set?...in case someone wanted to increase the level, unlike my frigidaires that can't be adjusted, if I knew this when I got them I would not have purchased this set....

 

[mrb627]

Wash Times

True, the wash times are not adjustable. But 24 minutes should be more than enough to get your clothes clean. And since you don't spend 16+ minutes agitating in multiple rinses like in most other machines, wear on clothing should be minimal. So for me, this was a non-issue.

Malcolm

 

[mrb627]

Pop the Top

Yogi,

I have yet to open her up to see what is in the control panel. Not sure that I will for a while, at least. I feel that there is more than enough water at the factory set level.

I would almost say that there were some available adjustments in the control panel since these are commercial machines and the ones at the laundromat have cycle adjustments that can be made by the owner/operator. I would love to get my hands on a set of service manuals for this machine.

Malcolm

 

[danmantn]

Malcom, call SQ HQ, while you may not get a true service manual, they did send me a somewhat technical/troubleshooting guide on the TL...had some interesting info on there. Worth a shot.

 

[danmantn]

Giving the Queen her crown back...

Mtn1584, here is a pic I found on my mobile phone that I had of the "Q" logo that I added myself to the washer. Sorry for the blurry photo, it's all I have until I get back to town.

I'm not sure why SQ decided to eliminate that on the 09 models, but it's certainly been around for decades. I referenced old models and guessed the location by viewing recent pics on here. It also looked REALLY good on the washer lid (center, above lift handle area), but I figured it would experience water/wear there, so I went to the original location. The logo is a nice alluminum/metal of some sort. Shines great with "Sheila Shine" polish...which I use on the stainless steel tub occassionally.

The dryer door is too large to put one on it like they use to do, so I just left it off as I couldn't find a spot that I liked. Interestingly, in the SQ videos on YouTube, SQ shows my model WITH the Q logo. Odd.

 

[norfolksouthern]

What I've seen here so far

I sent the Whirlpool Duet back for a boot replacement. Meanwhile, my experience with that machine is that it proved to be finicky with detergent. It will tolerate Tide HE reasonably well, as long as there's not too much of it. The water level is very limited, so you only need less than 1/2 a measure. Otherwise, it is not likely to rinse adequately. I had yet to have the SUD light come on, so I assume I was using it properly. Also, about 1/3 cup of bleach in the cleaning cycle definitely works in eliminating any musty smells, and greatly helps in preventing the growth of mold.

With all this said, I still feel that the Duet, and other makes and models like it, are very limited in their capabilities. Commercial-grade equipment such as the Speed Queen front loaders being discussed on this thread is bound to be more flexible in detergents, and the action in the video was very well demonstrated. I would expect this Imperial set to out last other brands, and feel that the Speed Queens may very well become tomorrow's classics. This IS today's 1-18. In stainless, of course!

NorfolkSouthern

 

[mtn1584]

The Queen looks good with her crown

DanMan
You are the MAN! Thanks for the picture, that is the one I was waiting for. She looks great. I have also noticed that in the SQ Youtube video our machines have the "Q" emblem on them as well. I wonder why they decided to move it to the console instead of the front panel.
Mike

 

[mrb627]

The Noble Q

One of the things that intrigued me about the stainless set is the emblem is still on the washer and dryer. I would like to start collecting SQ advertising literature and laundromat items to deck out my laundry room.

Any recommendations for a good SQ wall color?

Malcolm

 

[danmantn]

Not sure about the wall color--hmm...something that would really go with the washer...stainless goes well with darker colors, but getting the right darker color is tricky in small rooms.

There are NOT many SQ ads out there as SQ never has been much into advertising. The most I've found is from the 70s with actors of the day and Tide detergent. They seems to have advertised more in the 50s. Also have a few episodes of TPIR from the 70s where they gave them away (of course with stainless steel tub and drums).

There is a run-down Speed Queen laundromat near my parents - I'm just itching to buy it and revamp it, but I keep controlling myself. They have a grand old "instructions" sign still hanging there from the 70s with the SQ logo on it (words, not the Q) I'll snap a pic of it sometime next week. This was actually the first place I evaluated a SQ. I took a queen comforter there and washed it in a 2.8 cu ft TL, the machine had excellent turnover...even for that size...been sold ever since.

Note the classic "Q" on the front. The basic design of this machine (screw on front, lipped design in back, is still identical to my 2009 model.

 

[danmantn]

And don't forget the required Speed Queen measuring glass. It actually holds up to 1 cup. They appear on eBay every so often from between $6 and $15. There is one on eBay now for a whopping $35! I would guess they are from the 50s/60s/70s...and have the same logo as the SQ wallpaper on here. I caught a deal at 2/$13 and have one on the SQ and the WP.

http://www.rubylane.com/shops/theot...,cs=Collectibles:Advertising:Speed+Queen.html

 

[mrb627]

Speed Queen Measuring Glass

Yes, I have seen the measuring glasses on ebay several times. I have even lost auctions 2 or 3 times on them. I will keep my eyes out for them in the future.

Currently, I am working on locating the sweet spot for setting the dryer so that it dries enough without overdrying. I actually prefer the thermostatic control to an electronic sensor.

The electronic sensor will usually fail in drying a small to medium load while the thermostatic controlled system will function as normal.

Dan, have you found the ideal setting for the dryer yet?

Malcolm

 

[rayjay]

Malcolm.... Good luck with your new Speed Queens. What a beautiful set.

Are you happy with the amount of water in the washer????

Do you think it is a little more than the other front loaders out there now?

Are you happy with the washing ability?

Please let us know.

Ray

 

[danmantn]

The ideal dryer setting...

I usually park 95% of the loads between "More Dry" and "Less Dry" - with it leaning toward the more dry section. I'm still experimenting with it. I seem to be drying more and more on "Delicate" temperature...seems to produce less wrinkles and the clothes aren't stiff and doesn't seem to take any more time (I average 1 hour). I haven't used any dryer sheets yet...from the discussions on this board...SQ recommends only one sheet, if any. It's amazing it does as well as the WP with sensor, but doesn't have a sensor!

I **LOVE** the Wrinkle Out cycle...does a great job, and is the next best thing to ironing.

The SQ owners manual gives tips on which cycle to use based on load size - but it seems opposite to me? I was wondering if that was a typo.

I've been drying most of my clothes on the "Regular/Delicate" cycle with "Delicate" heat. Perm Press doesn't seem to dry as well for whatever reason. Perhaps this is where the heat really gets hot on a SQ? Perhaps that will degrade over time.

I guess I'm finally paying attention to how to do it properly, prior to the education of the SQ manual, I would throw it all in the Whirlpool dryer and just set it to "VERY DRY" and scortch everything for a hour. They were dry when they came out--which was my only criteria back then.

Just curious--does your washer have an end of cycle buzzer/chime? The ones at the laundromat have a beep, my TOL does not have one, but the dryer has the traditional buzzer.

My dryer rack is coming today (after UPS screwed up the delivery). Expect it about a month after you send your card in.

 

[mtn1584]

DanMan

Hey Dan,
Check your e-mail.
Mike

 

[mrb627]

Ray...

Yes, I am pleased with the amount of water used in the washer. The wash action created by having the paddles go from the front to the back of the tub increases the cleaning ability of the machine. Plus, the paddle is angled so that water is launched towards the center of the tub.

I am not sure whether it is more water than other front loaders out there today, but because the drum is a true horizontal axis, the water is exposed to the entire depth of the drum.

Malcolm

 

[mtn1584]

Malcolm

Check your email
Mike

 

[mrb627]

Dryer Settings...

In drying the few loads that I have done, I have been using all the cycles to see what works. I will need to focus on one particular cycle and identify the perfect setting for it. Then move on to the others.

Like you, I too prefer to dry clothes on the delicate/low heat setting. In the last dryer I had that was thermostatically controlled, Maytag LDE412, setting on the PP cycle at the More Dry setting, drying was perfect whether you had one item or a full load. An electronically controlled dryer would shut off with a small load after not sensing the items right away. Furthermore, they would heat the interior and shut off without cooling down.

So, perhaps using the low heat and setting the dryer to MOST DRY on the Regular cycle is gonna be my best choice.

Malcolm

 

[mrb627]

Cycle Signal

Dan,

No, my washer does not have an end of cycle signal. No problem, the LG's I had had a signal, but it would never work reliably.

The dryer does have the buzzer.

Malcolm

 

[danmantn]

I don't miss the end of cycle on the washer at all. The one on the WP is mostly ignored when it goes off...it's the dryer that usually determines when you need to do something (next batch is always hanging out in the washer).

One of the things that I have been doing is getting the clothes 98% dry---just a tinge of dampness in them..then hagining them right out of the dryer...sure helps with wrinkles. According to the SQ manual, is also perfect for ironing at that point, if that's something you do.

I REALLY wish mine had all large knobs on it for all functions like the Imperials. The small "flip" switches for extended tumble and extra rinse have no business on a TOL washer/dryer. Looks like a switch you would buy at RadioShack - and it interrupts the Swooosh pattern. A minor quibble, if any quibble at all--the buttons are very tactle though.