The Norge Automatic Washer Pro/Con Thread

[Ultramatic]

 

 

Over the years I've read comments for and against Norge and it derivatives such as Ward's, etc. They are all scattered about Automatic Washer, so folks lets hear all those pro's and con's in one single thread. A place anyone thinking of acquiring one can go to get it straight from the horses mouth. And if you can back-up your claim with articles and images, better yet.

 

 

[stricklybojack]

.
Well to kick things off the name is freakin' awesome.
In this way Norge and Kelvinator rule the appliance planet...of a different and better universe.
[this post was last edited: 10/13/2015-18:07]

 

[stainfighter]

Childhood and NORGE

1966- Grandpa upgrades from wringer to BOL
1 cycle Norge. OMG I was in heaven!
Solid tub drama at bits finest

 

[norgeway]

Well, I think..

They are NOISY, and use a lot of water, but no better machine has ever been built to clean filthy nasty work clothes and rinse them perfectly, the best washer ever, a Maytag on normal speed washes about like a Norge on gentle.

 

[yogitunes]

well on the 'pro' side

I think its was the only domestic machine built with a 1hp motor....yeah, it was THE machine for someone who worked in construction or a mechanic...

and that 20lb capacity could hold a lot....

noisy yes, especially that tub break when it would 'BANG'....

 

[rockland1]

Norge aka Magic Chef

In the 80's sold a number of Magic Chef Laundry pairs. There was a lot to talk about
when selling. The motor was 3/4 HP at that time. When you showed a customer
the tub......well nothing else was close. At that time you could say it was a company owned by Maytag. They also had a generous rebate for the customer and the salesman! Whats not to love?

 

[wayupnorth]

I just remember the tv commercials with "Hear the solid sound of quality, Knock on any Norge, Years from now, you'll be glad its a Norge"

 

[washerlover]

I must give my two cents' worth (please note my avatar is a '66 Norge tub shot). I would say that with a burpalator lint filter agitator, lint removal came in second to a GE Filter-Flo. Agitation quite vigorous, and amazing rinsing. Yes, very noisy, but not much more than a Frigidaire 1-18. And I believe we can credit Norge for inventing the fabric dispenser wheel -- no need for any dispensers relying on a solenoid or other electric device. And did Norge come up with the "timeline" dial as well?

 

[Ultramatic]

 

 

Yes they did come up with the timeline. 1953, 54 I think?

 

[Ultramatic]

 

 

Well, it seems the Norge is quite a washer. The conscientious is that it's noisy,  but washes and rinses well. One H.P. motor? I think I'm in love.

 

[gansky1]

Norge, Norge, Norge

What a fun washing experience, though not for the dirty clothes as Hans said!
Here are a few videos of my Norges agitating - turn down the sound ;-) and judge for yourself.

It had been a while since I'd used the solid-tub 56 Norge so when Ross in AZ passed along a dispenser wheel for his washer now in my care, I had to use it.



56 Norge - garage testing


1981 Norge-Wards BOL washer


The above Wards washer originally came from Ben, found behind an appliance store IIRC. Here is his video:

 

[akronman]

my 2 cents

my 1978 Norge ran for about 36 years, not bad at all. Loud, great turnover, the partial nuetral drain followed by the spin and spray worked well. The burpolator and filter and dispenser are something unique for all washer hobbyists to see, very loud and effective and fun, you'll know the machine is running for sure.

Mine also allowed choices of Fast-slow, fast fast, slow-slow, slow-fast. Also 5 water temp wash rinse combinations. All in all a damn fine, loud, excellent washer for 36 years.

And then it needed new bearings......

 

[brucelucenta]

Norge was a very popular washer and dryer set back in the 50's. The old solid tub washers went out long before the dryers did, so there are very few of them left now. When they came out with the perforated tub machines in about '63 or so, they were the largest capacity at the time. Norge always washed well from the solid tub models to the perforated tub ones. The solid tub models tended to have oil seal failures after the machines were a few years old and would let oil get into the tub with the clothes and all over them. They were good machines though and lasted quite a while under normal use.

 

[goatfarmer]

Maybe the ultimate Norge

is RickR's Touch & Wash.

http://https//youtu.be/LI7yJhLKhF0

 

[yogitunes]

THAT's the videos I was trying to find, as Rick was changing out the different lint filters......

 

[bajaespuma]

Had it not broken down, my Wards/Norge would be my Daily Driver today. No-nonsense washing ability and large capacity coupled with good cycles and versatile controls. A Grand old Brand gone the way of the Do-Do bird because of corporate nonsense as with so many.

 

[alr2903]

I have posted about my long gone Magic Chef/Norge in another thread.   One way to say it is,  you might not notice a big difference when you first buy it.    When it is gone, you will definitely miss it.   The little bit of extra noise was well worth it.  The matching dryer not so much...

 

[daveamkrayoguy]

I don't know what there is, but if I'm ever in an appliance store and see a Norge or Admiral, or happen to be in a Montgomery Ward & see a M/W or Signature, I seem to graduate towards a White-Westy or Frigidaire preferring them...

 

But there are things I like about the Norge machines other than them being notoriously rough on clothes even on Delicate settings/speeds...

 

However, I've never seen anyone wearing anything that would make me think, "Oh, No!--That got washed in a NORGE!"...

 

 

-- Dave

 

[Ultramatic]

 

 

I too have heard about the rough washing. Anyone have first hand experience?