The New Speed Queen Set / Hi-Diddle-Dee-Dee Apartment Life For Me

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frigilux

frigilux

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Joined
Mar 3, 2007
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12,663
Location
The Minnesota Prairie
The new Speed Queen set arrived and I've already done three loads of wash (large load of bath linens; medium load of shirts/dress shorts; small load of filthy white towels/rags used to clean the house before the final walk-through by purchaser.

I did a manual soak with the small load of filthy whites and it worked beautifully! Didn't need to use extra water at all. A single rinse vanquished all traces of the 1/2-cup of Clorox.

Used the Normal Eco cycle on the load of lightly soiled shirts/dress shorts and all emerged clean. Used the Hot setting to get a bit of warmth for the wash water. I think the Eco cycle will do just fine handling lightly soiled small-to-medium loads that can be washed in what is, for all intents and purposes, cold water.

Photo 1: The new pair.

Photo 2: The pass-through hallway to get from the front to the back of the building. These are the four sets (and furnaces/water heaters) of the upstairs apartments.

Photo 3: I think this can be considered mainlining hot water to the washer. Yes, those faucets are attached to the pipe leading out of the water heater. Super hot washes!

Photo 4: Thick, sudsy wash water using Tide Ultimate Stain Release. Small load setting.

Photo 5: Washer control panel.

Photo 6: Dryer control panel (it was drying the load of bath linens)

Photo 7: My neighbor's cool vintage KitchenAid set. Will sneak in during the night and get a close-up of control panels.

Photo 8: My new dishwasher---NOT. A friend was over for lunch and these are the dishes, washed with a sponge and Dawn Power something or other. I like the Polder dish rack.

Since I won't have a range for two weeks, I made a tasty microwave meatloaf, Damn Good Deli Macaroni Salad (chopped, microwaved cauliflower in place of elbow mac) and iced tea. The range is on backorder.

And so, apartment life begins.

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Hope these give you years of good service...although knowing you, you'll  probably be buying some new exciting washer within 5 years. LOL

 

I have to admit that one concern I had (which I may or may not have voiced, but was voiced by others) was how well the appliances would survive cosmetically in a hall. But judging from what I can see in the photos, it looks like other appliances are doing well. I saw one "problem"...and then realized it was something on my computer monitor, not the washer!

 

I like the KA set. I can't say I'm horribly wild about DD machines for a variety of reasons. (Although I do recognize they could be incredibly durable, and there was ease of repair.) But I wouldn't mind having that one set pictured...
 
Living without a range

for even two weeks could be a pain! Although to my mind this time of year is probably the best time for that. I have a hard time working up enthusiasm for cooking these days (partly because I hate doing dishes!), but I note my enthusiasm really tends to fall when it's warm out. I like having things that need no real cooking (e.g., salads), or, at most, a fast trip through microwave.
 
I think the Eco cycle will do just fine handling lightly soiled small-to-medium loads that can be washed in what is, for all intents and purposes, cold water.

 

My big concern with the eco cycle isn't temperature. The thing that concerns me is that IIRC the only rinsing is by spray rinses. I won't say it wouldn't work--it seems to me I've heard of washer designs that did work--but I'm a little cautious.
 
Lord Kenmore-- As you can see, the little hallway is quite narrow and it gets a lot of use. My upstairs / front-of-the-building neighbor and I park in the garage and walk through the hallway with all purchases; groceries, etc. Both of us will be careful. We are near a park and kids from the two back apartments come tearing through to go out the front door. Time will tell. All my detergents / laundry additives are in an unlocked cupboard above the SQs. I guess we're a trusting bunch, LOL.

Range-Free Kitchen: My college roommate and I weren't on the campus meal plan. We cooked with a microwave for four years in our dorm room. I learned to make everything from steak (using a Corning sizzle pan) to lasagna. It will be fine. The appliance dealer felt bad about the backorder, but...what can you do? It is what it is. Probably should have hung on to one crock pot, eh? If I start jonesing for roast beef I can borrow one.

Normal Eco cycle: I dosed the Tide HE Turbo parsimoniously and the clothes were rinsed adequately. I'd never use the cycle for large loads or heavy fabrics like bath towels.

And you're right...in a year or two there will probably be a SQ front-loader sitting in its place. I want to see--or, more accurately, hear and feel how the GE front-loader (photo #2 in original post) handles big loads and high-speed spins. The top-load SQ is quiet during spins--I purposely unbalanced the towel load a bit for the final spin and even then it was quiet and didn't rumble or vibrate.
 
congrats!....yours look to outshine every set there...I am sure some will be envious....who knows, one of the other tenants may purchase it off you should you choose to go with a FL set....

keep us posted....and we look forward to more pics.....
 
My college roommate and I weren't on the campus meal plan.

 

Interesting that you didn't have to have a meal plan! I only know my old college's policies, but they were adamant that people who lived in the dorms had to have some sort of meal plan. I understand that there is still a policy. I think now--and maybe even my era--there was some leeway (e.g., breakfast might be optional).


 

I want to see--or, more accurately, hear and feel how the GE front-loader (photo #2 in original post) handles big loads and high-speed spins.

 

It would be interesting to note. I did notice that washer in the photo, and thought it proof that a front load machine can survive. Although, of course, I suppose it might only survive with carefully calculated loads, and the lowest spin speed possible... It will be worth paying attention to.


 
 
Thanks for the comments, everyone. I have to admit it's still fun to watch a spin-drain. Some things you never outgrow. The angled fill flume is more effective at spray rinses during the first spin than was the one on my AWN542. The longer final spin (9 minutes at 770 rpm, I believe) produces noticeably drier results. I was pleasantly surprised upon pulling the big load of bath towels from the washer. The gentle splish-splash during agitation reminds one of a Whirlpool Surgilator.

SQ did a great job remaking their front-loaders and tweaking their top-loading machines.

Martin-- There's a Neptune front-loader in the downstairs laundry.

I'll have to go there on the ruse of checking my water softener tank and snap photos of the laundry pairs.

Lord Kenmore-- College food service: I had to provide a written explanation of why the meal plan would not work well for my situation. I was playing in a rock band that travelled the tri-state area and consequently I wouldn't be around for most breakfasts or suppers. They accepted my explanation and allowed me to opt out. My roommate's explanation was that he was our roadie (not true) and wouldn't be around for most meals. Technically, we weren't supposed to have a microwave in the room, but our RA would give us a heads-up when the fire marshall was expected and we'd hide it. Technically, we weren't supposed to smoke pot in the room either. Oh, college days...
 
Glenn and Chetlaham: I'll get photos...eventually. I'm the new guy in the building so I don't want "He's messing with everyone's washers and taking photos of them!" to be among their first encounters with me. I can imagine everyone is a little protective of their laundry equipment since they're in a common area.

Peter-- Thanks; I am impressed with the tweaks Alliance made to their SQ top-loaders. This is the first time since 1987 I haven't had a front-loader as my daily driver.

Ben (washman): Are you out there somewhere? Hope you are doing well and getting a chuckle out of Frigilux, of all people, purchasing a top-loading, defiantly non-HE Speed Queen washer.
[this post was last edited: 7/29/2017-16:54]
 
Eugene:

Congratulations on your new home and appliances, here's hoping you get many years of use of them, and that you enjoy many years of good health too.

I have not made meatloaf in many years, but I often made them in the microwave and it's hilarious to me how people say they are yummy until they learn it came from the nuker, then all of a sudden, they are "rubbery", LOL!!! People don't fool me, they ate half of the meatloaf before finding out, couldn't be that bad!

If Ben gives you any trouble we'll send you a bag or two of laundry detergent pods to Tide you over, pun intended... :-P

Cheers,
   -- Paulo.
 
Paulo-- I'm actually having a bit of fun cooking in the microwave since there's an end point in sight. Made meatloaf sandwiches for Friday's lunch to mask the lack of browning. I'm cooking chicken thighs today to make chicken salad for sandwiches when my sister and her husband arrive this afternoon.

Also want to wash a twin-sized comforter today using the SQ's Bulky cycle. From what I understand it provides constant, slow agitation and a fast spin. The comforter was used to cover the back seat of the car during the move. It is actually fairly soiled and therefore a good test of the cycle.

But first...I'm playing baritone in a brass group this morning, so I'd best get ready and head out the door.
 
Thanks, Steve, but I think the primo-condition vintage KitchenAids belonging to my neighbor give the SQs a good run for their money. This is as close as I'll ever get to owning vintage laundry equipment, so I'm enjoying it. Dropping little bundles of items around the agitator holds a nostalgia factor for me, as does watching the load roll over after agitation begins. The crowning vintage-era touch is the spin-drain. Pretty rare on a top-loader purchased in 2017.

Water Temperatures: Absolutely perfect in my book!

Hot: 148 degrees
Warm: 110 degrees (same as the 'Medium' temp on the 1960 Kenmore Model 80 I grew up with)
Cool: 90 degrees
Cold: 61 degrees (current tap cold temp)

I assume warm and cool temps will drop when our tap water goes down to near 40 degrees in January.

Bulky cycle worked well on the twin-size comforter. Will wash a queen-size next weekend.
 
I'm very happy for you, and envious on downsizing(!), I'm trying to get there as well. [I've got stuff I have to idea what to do with, among of which is a complete set of American Peoples Encyclopedia of 1956 and yearbooks from 1961 - 1976, and more books and books! I have 3 sets of family china I'll never use. Etc. Etc. Etc.]
But I'm glad you posted the pictures, esp. the one of the common area so others can get a good idea what you were talking about. The upkeep of a home gets to be to much after a certain age. Like I said, Less Is More.

I really like your Speed Queens, I have the 432 model and so far, so good. Really like the fast cycle times on it. Are you going to get covers for them?
Again, very nice.

Barry
 
Louis-- Thanks. I've been adapting recipes to utilize the microwave and so far it's working just like it did back in 1977-81. I already feel quite at home in the apartment. It really isn't bad at all. Trying to break myself of the habit of being up and about in the middle of the night. Neighbors will not appreciate that. I walked across to the park and sat on a bench by the river with a cup of coffee early this morning. It was very peaceful. And I don't have to mow or take care of any of it!

The washer is purring away washing sheets at the moment, with the air pockets sticking up out of the Tide-scented water. I'd forgotten about that tendency with traditional agitator washers. The tub is indexing a fair amount, so that's probably aggravating the issue. Sheets used to wrap themselves tightly around the agitator on my wildly-indexing 2005 Frigidaire top-loader. The first spin should deflate those air pockets for the rinse.

Barry-- DO IT! Downsizing significantly has been the best decision I ever made. I'd accumulated so much 'stuff', most of which was fun to have but saw very little-to-no actual use. Radically scaling back possessions has been a very cleansing, empowering experience. I have what's needed to be comfortable and no more than that. My small apartment is a breeze to keep clean. It's wonderful.
 
Trying to break myself of the habit of being up and about in the middle of the night. Neighbors will not appreciate that.

 

I'm not sure that simply being up and about would necessarily be a problem, as long as one tries to be reasonably quiet. Sitting at a computer browsing AW.org, or reading a book shouldn't be problem. But they might not enjoy listening to you play that baritone you mentioned earlier at 3 AM...

 

Old joke:

 

A couple of drunks stagger into an apartment lived in by one of the two.

 

The second points to a big gong. "What's that?"

 

"My talking clock."

 

"Talking clock?"

 

The first drunk hits the gong hard. From the other side of the wall, comes: "Quit that! It's 2 AM in the morning!"

 

 
 
Nice setup! and welcome to apartment life!

I have a shared laundry room (commercial schulthess washing machine and dryer, £4.50/5.80$ per load) I use the dryer but not the washer since I got a top loader earlier this year for my apartment.. My neighbours used to leave their laundry in them all the time for several hours so it was unpractical for me
 
Congrats and welcome to apartment life.

I like the flexibility the SQ offers... Third rinse? Cool!

Microwave cooking: Yeah, you can a lot more than most people use it for. I have an elderly Panasonic that lets you do multiple cook times & power levels back to back. 1 min at 100% power, 2 min @ 90@, 3 @ 80%, etc. is great for frozen foods if you can't stand and watch.

Maybe a counter top dishwasher? Am thinking of getting one for a friend who just moved to an apartment without a d/w.

Jim
 
@frigilux

It's amazing the amount of clutter one accumulates over the years, and if you don't use it or need it, the best thing to do is to get rid of it.

@mralex

That's the trouble when things are shared - inconsiderate neighbours.
 
@frigilux

It's amazing the amount of clutter one accumulates over the years, and if you don't use it or need it, the best thing to do is to get rid of it.

@mralex

That's the trouble when things are shared - inconsiderate neighbours.
 

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