Types of washers available in Asia, specifically the Philippines

[revvinkevin]

Greetings to all! I am currently on vacation in the Philippines and earlier today I was wondering through one of the local "SM" mega-department stores, (which, from what I remember, is the size of the shopping mall in Anchorage, Alaska, except one extra floor, for total of 4!). So, this time I remembered to bring my camera and now I'm going to share my findings with you.

So first off... the single tub washer only. No spinner, no wringer (except your hands), just the tub and agitator/wash plate thingy.

As the Philippines is a poor country and there is NO "middle class", this appears to be the least expensive "assisted" laundering option. Well, that is except for your hands in the bucket with the wash board! (actually they don't even have wash boards)[this post was last edited: 4/29/2011-09:16]

 

[revvinkevin]

The interior......

No automated water extraction here!

 

[revvinkevin]

The next option up the ladder is the venerable Twin Tub.. and boy was there a plethora to choose from! I believe choices varied from 6kg up to 10+kg capacity and from Panasonic to Sharp to "American Home" to you name it, there were MANY to choose from! [this post was last edited: 4/29/2011-09:19]

 

[revvinkevin]

A few more.......

And with the drain hose running up the side like an old wringer washer, I'm assuming these are gravity drain.

 

[revvinkevin]

The next "option" is the "all in one" unit... stainless steel wash basket, impeller thingy at the bottom, computer controlled and again, capacities up to 10+kg.

 

[gansky1]

HELLO KITTY!

 

[revvinkevin]

A few more... including Whirlpool?

 

[revvinkevin]

Good morning Greg!

If I had my own computer with Photoshop I could group these together, but I don't so I can't.

Anywho.... The interiors of these fancy all-in-ones... which range from the flat impeller thingy....

 

[revvinkevin]

... to the impeller with a raised... something...

 

[danmantn]

Cool, thank for posting!

 

[revvinkevin]

... to a regular agitator with the cork-screw auger![this post was last edited: 4/29/2011-07:54]

 

[revvinkevin]

Now moving WAY up the option ladder....

(because they are A LOT more expensive.)

We now have the (more or less) Euro sized FL washers from Electrolux...[this post was last edited: 4/29/2011-07:56]

 

[revvinkevin]

... to LG, etc.

 

[revvinkevin]

I was also surprised to see at another store, "our" American sized and built Whirlpool top load washer (with matching dryer) along with this Speed Queen washer labeled as an 'American Home" brand! [this post was last edited: 4/29/2011-07:57]

 

[revvinkevin]

Interior...

Yup, definitely a Speed Queen![this post was last edited: 4/29/2011-09:29]

 

[revvinkevin]

But at these prices....
(at the current exchange rate, this is approx $846 & $775 respectively.)

I hope you all have enjoyed my little photo tour of some of the machines I've found here in the Philippines!

Kevin

 

[matthewza]

all in ones

those samsungs (pics after the twin tubs with 5 year warrantee on motor) are very cool. i have the 13 kg model but here in SA the styling on the cntrols sre different. and about 15/16 years ago we could get the whirlpools (made in brazil). there was the 7.1kg "easy touch" and 9 kg "auto heating".
and yes those speed queens are definatly speed queens. any fool can tell you that

 

[foraloysius]

Thanks for the pictures. It's nice to have all those styles of washers available. The white toploader sure looks stylish, I think I see that is a Sanyo, is that right?

 

[revvinkevin]

Hi Louis,

Yes that one is a Sanyo. There were many brands and I doubt I can remember them all. But I do remember seeing Sanyo, Samsung, LG, Panasonic, Whirlpool and American Home(Speed Queen). Maybe I'll have to go back again tomorrow and take notes this time... LOL

I also remember seeing an "ELBA" front load washer. I don't know what an Elba is, but then I'm not familiar with all the "Euro brand" washers.

Kevin

 

[joe_in_philly]

Very cool, Kevin. I was in the Philippines last year and was fascinated by the appliances. My partner's family has all their laundry done by hand by live in "helpers." I am sure they thought I was nuts wanting to see how the laundry was done.

 

Most houses have outdoor areas for doing laundry. Even new, modern condo complexes have roof top areas for doing laundry, with each unit having its own private laundry area.

 

If you get a chance to visit a "dollar" store featuring Japanese products, it is worth it. There were so many interesting gadgets, protectors, and containers for everything imaginable, and then some.

 

[mixfinder]

Asians all Washed Up

I spent 7 weeks in China, Singapore, Shanghai, Hong Kong and Taiwan.  Through out China front loaders are the norm for automatics and portable impeller driven top loaders taking a second place.  For those expats or nationals who wanted a larger option, GE's name plate was apparent but the innards appeared to be Haier.  I was very surprised to the quality of appliances offered to Chinese in their own country.  I soon became aware factories manufacture items based on the specs a customers contracts them to build.  Second class products arriving in the US have nothing to do with Chinese quality control and everything to do with US companies making a dollar on our back and allowing the Chinese to take the heat for crap products.  Outside of Mainland China and in Taiwan there was a huge Whirlpool presence and those with kitchens and laundry rooms large enough to hold them had typical US full sized appliances.  Buick co-brands with China to provide cars so I might conjecture if GM still had an interest in Frigidaire we might be seeing the name plate showing up in Chinese homes.

 

[kic]

Thanks

How fascinating especially like the first three pics.

 

Matthew, those Whirlpool's... had it not been for the cheap control board I reckon they would still be going strong. It's the same problem with them all. Lights up light a Xmas tree and all you get are blinking lights.

 

 

[matthewza]

kic

i have had both the 7.1 kg easy touch and 9 kg auto heating. the only thing i didnt like was the agitation. even on the whites (heavy) cycle the agitation was poor. but maybe i just thought that because i was so used to the agitation of a speed queen and heavy duty whirlpool. and the worst part is that its just about impossible to get spares for them. thats why i stay far away from them. and the 7.1 kg that didnt heat the water also didnt have an extra inlet valve for hot water. eco friendly i suppose.

here is a pic of the 7.1 kg

 

[matthewza]

money shot

money shot

 

[matthewza]

will post pics of the 9 kg auto heating tomorrow

 

[nmassman44]

I went to the Sharp site and was surprised to see that they make a solid tub washer. I downloaded the brochure that I will have to scan to post here. Very interesting to say the least. They are touting that a solid tub washer will save water over a perforated one and clothes are better protected.

 

[DADoES]

Elba

 

Fisher & Paykel sells an Elba line in the U.S. via Sears Outlet.

 

 

http://www.elbaappliances.com

 

[foraloysius]

Here's a picture of an Elba frontloader. Probably something Chinese.

 

[dj-gabriele]

The ELBA washer looks like one of the Merloni machines of the 90s!

 

[newwave1]

This is an interesting thread.

My brothers in laws lived in Hong Kong and he moved there and both machines they had were a merloni made philips whirlpool washer dryer and a uk hoover new wave both were purchased over there. That Elba is 110% A merloni made servis machine over this side of the pond.

The model was out roughly 12 or so years ago.

Omg that electrolux washer is strange having the electrolux styling the cheaper turkish made vestel machine drums! how confusing! Very odd!

Darren