Washer/Dryer Decisions

[revvinkevin]

the Maytag machines, look like rebadged Whirlpools to me.

 

 

~ Qualin,  

 

After Whirlpool bought out what was left of Maytag (April 2006), Maytag as we knew it, ceased to exist.  

Everything labled as a "Maytag" since then is exactly that, a rebadged Whirlpool.

 

Kevin

 

[qualin]

To Timborrow

Hey Tim,

If you haven't bought a machine yet, just don't go out and buy the first thing you see, you could really regret it.

I grew up in a family of five, we did about ten loads a week using a 12 lb GE Filter-Flo washer. We eventually replaced it with an early 80's Inglis (Aka Downmarket Whirlpool) washer which held up until I moved out.

Let me put this into perspective... Let's say that your typical sub-$1000 GE/Whirlpool/Maytag/WCI machine has a rated specification of about 3,000 cycles.

Assuming 10 loads a week for your family of four, that's 520 cycles a year. With that kind of usage, the machine will last approximately six years before it will be outside of its rated specification.

Then take Miele, which rates their machines at 10,000 cycles. With the same workload, that machine will last about 19 years before it will be outside of its rated specification.

Then take Speed Queen/Huebsch, which rates their machines to 25,000 cycles. With that same workload, it will take 48 years before reaching that specification.

Then again, they're not designed for a domestic workload, they're designed for a much heavier commercial one. In a small hotel, bed and breakfast or other hospitality use, they could see up to 16 cycles a day.

Even doing 16 cycles a day, it could run for just a bit over four years before needing overhauling. In comparison, a 3,000 cycle machine would last about six months, then it would be disposable because they're not meant to be repaired.

That kind of puts things into perspective, doesn't it?

 

[timborow]

Still haven't bought anything

I took the GE front loader apart tightened everything I could, made sure the water pump hose was attached firmly, and put it back together. It has worked OK but it still isn't right. I have called four dealers in our area about Speed Queen. They won't even consider ordering one for me. There is a dealer in ALA. that has one washer, but the lady that answered the phone couldn't even find the model number on it. That a kind of scared me off from them. I have found a washer called Estate by Whirlpool that is supposed to be like the traditional washer, but who knows. We are still looking, but who knew that buying a new washer dryer set would ever be so tedious in America? I think it is a shame what has happened to laundry appliances.

A funny Lowes story. I was looking at a Whirlpool and a Maytag . When I asked why they looked so similar (I knew why..just wanted to see what he said) he said "I'm not real sure but those Maytags are a lot more heavy duty than the whirlpools, but I would go with the one that don't have that center post thing(he didn't call it an agitator). Folks say them clean clothes real good" needless to say I went on my merry way.
Tim

 

[rp2813]

Keep in mind that most new top loaders (if not all of them) don't fill up their tubs completely for the wash cycle, and can use even less water for the rinses, so you may not be able to do loads as large as the tub size leads you to believe.

 

If you can manage with the GE for a while longer, check out estate sales and craigs list for top load machines built before manufacturers started in with their water saving designs.  A ten or 15 year old machine from a reputable manufacturer and used by a little old lady only on Wednesdays or some such thing is what you're after.  Even older than that for a true Newton-made Maytag.  Older Kenmores and Whirlpools aren't too difficult to find parts for. 

 

Estate is, I believe, Whirlpool's economy brand.

 

[qualin]

Heh.. Don't buy Estate, unless you want to do some modifications to the machine right away to defeat all of the water saving things they put into it.

I'm sorry to hear that you are having issues trying to find Speed Queen machines.

Have you tried ordering from AJ Madison? They do free nationwide delivery on orders over $1199.

http://www.ajmadison.com/cgi-bin/ajmadison/AWN542.html (TOL Top Load)
http://www.ajmadison.com/cgi-bin/ajmadison/AFN50R.html (Rear Control Front Load)
http://www.ajmadison.com/cgi-bin/ajmadison/ADE4BR.html (TOL Electric Dryer)
http://www.ajmadison.com/cgi-bin/ajmadison/ADG4BR.html (TOL Gas Dryer)

I wish that they had something like AJ Madisons in Canada.

 

[timborow]

SPEED QUEENS

In all of my searching, I found a Coast to Coast store 40 miles away that had Speed Queens. He only had 1 pair in stock. It was the basic level washer (AWN412) and dryer(ADE3RLG). I got the pair for $900. Wow! They work like a charm and we are very happy with them. The only thing is that I can't watch it wash because of the lid switch. Can it be deactivated easily without harming the washer? Thanks for all of the advice. I'm sure we are set for years to come.

Tim

 

[rp2813]

You did good!

I pulled up SQ's site and that machine does everything I would need it to. 

 

Your persistence in hunting down a SQ machine got you an excellent deal.  You're all set for many years of service from the only modern day top loader that's built to last.

 

[timborow]

I agree

It is only two speed, but who cares? We only use regular and gentle anyway. We have had extra rinse on our other machines, but rarely used it because we try to use a small amount of detergent anyway. If something does need to be rinsed twice, we can turn the dial to rinse again. Everything has come out Speed Queen clean so far.

 

[mixfinder]

Lid Switch

The lid switch is by the right lid hinge. You can feel it with your finger and hear it click when you push up on it. A ruler wedged under the lip and against the top of the tub will hold the contacts up so the washer works with the lid up. You can defeat the lid switch by removing the cover to the back of the machine and moving a few wires but its best not to do that while the machine is still under warrantee. If you use the Search-O-Lator and check the blue threads for Speed Queen you can see several illustrations of how to by pass the switch.

 

[mrcleanjeans]

Congrats on the BEST modern TLs today. You don't need 3 speeds with a Speed Queen anyway, because the high speed agitation is only 68 OPM, vs. the 180 OPM that some machines have!

 

[qualin]

Congratulations!

I'm glad to hear you are happy with the machines.

You got a great price on that set.

I hope they give you many many years of trouble free service.

 

[timborow]

Thrilled

My wife has been thrilled with our new set. She has told everyone how well it works and how fast it is. Needless to say that makes me happy too. Thanks for recommending Speed Queen.
Tim