Thread Number: 25032
O.K., in Dave's honor: Why does everyone think (GM) Frigidaire is so great?
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Post# 386503   10/20/2009 at 11:13 (5,273 days old) by gyrafoam (Wytheville, VA)        

I have a love/hate relationship with them so I will decline to comment until I give everyone else a chance to do so.




Post# 386516 , Reply# 1   10/20/2009 at 11:52 (5,273 days old) by mickeyd (Hamburg NY)        
Is Dave the tall slender quiet genius I met in Canton who ac

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?

Post# 386523 , Reply# 2   10/20/2009 at 12:27 (5,273 days old) by mickeyd (Hamburg NY)        
opps!

mickeyd's profile picture
As laundress might say: "One should never stay away from Automatic Washer."

I see that Dave is mrcleanjeans and even more miraculously, I kept wondering what had happened to Jed, only to learn just now that he has become
the wonderful French Canadian lebron. ;'D

I love it when I'm a moron.

But who was that cool Dude you brought to Canton? How is he doing?

I'll talk about Frigidaire later tonight; off doctoring:YIKES!


Post# 386526 , Reply# 3   10/20/2009 at 12:33 (5,273 days old) by rollermatic (cincinnati)        
frigidaire is great

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because it simply is

Post# 386559 , Reply# 4   10/20/2009 at 14:39 (5,273 days old) by mixfinder ()        
The Ticket to Acceptance

I was so terribly poor in my childhood, shamed, teased by the kids on the school bus and forever scarred. I silently studied the patterns of all my friends’ parents when I went to their homes. Most of my mom's Dutch relatives were hitting the gold and built and remodeled houses. The standard was always quality that merits envy. The huge majority of wealthy had Frigidaire. The chrome, design features, heft and absolute array of intimidating controls and features made on slack jawed. I begin to work for money in the fields of neighbor and as soon as I was old enough to get a work permit went to work in restaurants. I painted houses, babysat, cut asparagus before school and worked anywhere I could for money and an escape from my father's cruelty. Every cent earned had a goal that either, Sunbeam, Frigidaire, Electrolux, Farberware, Corning Ware, and all the products I saw successful people using. It becomes a faith based love affair. There is nothing as elegant, musical or comforting that cooking on a Custom Imperial range. The gentle swish of the water filled dishwasher turned crystal clean results. People would gasp and marvel as I loaded gunk covered plates and vessels into my Custom Imperial dishwasher with pushbutton cycle operation. The beautiful grand refrigerator with enough lights to run a high security prison, gleaming sliver shelves that rolled out, the hydrator door that folded down like a table and the lid opined to give full access to the crisp and fresh garden produce. Casually step on the pedal that opened the freezer and roll out the shelves or grasp a handful of cubes from the bin that was on the door. Pressing the GM medallion let the door swing open with a whirr and whoosh. Year after year, the stunning glory of dazzling porcelain, reflective chrome and glamour of lights and glass made say to myself, "I have arrived". I was finally one of the monied, the elite, the ones who draped themselves in shades of casual elegance. My kitchen was the object of everyone's desire amazed meals for 12 or 50 or even 2000 rolled effortlessly from those iconic machines. I didn’t clean them; I gave then a massage and finished with caress. I spoke to them in supportive and nurturing tones and was so grateful that which I had desired so long became manifest in the flesh.

I had one Frigidaire washer and dryer, a matched Sandalwood Custom Imperial from 1964. The washer cleaned well and rinsed well, though I was more impressed with the Flowing-Heat dryer. It turned permanent press perfectly and the auto dry was spot on without getting too hot. Frigidaire held less than Maytag so smaller loads in the dryer played a part in wrinkle free operation.

My first frigidaire range purchased for mom in 1967. I was a sophmore.


Post# 386571 , Reply# 5   10/20/2009 at 15:28 (5,273 days old) by lebron (Minnesota)        

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I like them because they turned my washer world upside down when I found out there were machines that had the agitators bounce up and down.

Post# 386574 , Reply# 6   10/20/2009 at 15:34 (5,273 days old) by goatfarmer (South Bend, home of Champions)        
I don't think they are so great!

goatfarmer's profile picture
We serviced Frigidaire 1-18's when they were new, and under warranty. They were horrible!
Never had less than 2-3 of them in the shop at one time for transmission replacement. The bellows seal would get punctured, and water would wipe out the transmission bearings. Then you usually had to torch off the tub support, which had rusted to the shaft, to be able to remove the transmission.

They were inexpensive to buy, cheaply made, and glad I don't see them anymore!

kennyGF


Post# 386582 , Reply# 7   10/20/2009 at 16:11 (5,273 days old) by laundromat (Hilo, Hawaii)        
FRIGIDAIRE-ITUS Carefull,you may catch it too!!

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I was almost as fortunate as Mixfinder in that a lot of our neighbors were "piss elegant" and Had to always replace their old (5 years) appliances with the new and improvd models. Most of them had FRIGIDAIRE appliances and delt with either Rudolf's Appliance,Norman R. Mitchell or Eckes Appliances.Rudolf's and Eckes also serviced the equipment and would let me watch in their shop as the techs worked feverishly on those gems. Nine out of ten times,the breakage was the fault of the user and their lack of appliance maintanance Eckes always had the needed parts for replacement and were amazingly fast in the labor end.The nicest kitchen was the one in the kasey's house. They had a FRIGIDAIRE Imperial in charcoal gray bottom mount freezer refrigerator,a charcoal gray Custom Imerial Three Ring Agitator washer and electric dryer,a stainless steel KitchenAid Superba dishwasher and a stainless steel Suburban gas cooktop with matching double wall ovens.The washer died in 1977 but I was able to replace the faulty pump and sold it to a friend for $150.they still have it and use it on a daily basis.Everything else was still their when I was visiting them for the last time in 1985. They are both gone now but their nkitchen and the rest of their home was imaculately clean.

Post# 386598 , Reply# 8   10/20/2009 at 17:39 (5,273 days old) by norgeway (mocksville n c )        
What I grew up with...

We had a 55 pulsamatic and a 69 custom deluxe, my dads sister had a 63 custom imperial,they just were plain better than about everything else, ditto for everything else they made, best product g m made, much better than any of there cars.

Post# 386615 , Reply# 9   10/20/2009 at 18:19 (5,273 days old) by mrcleanjeans (milwaukee wi)        

Thanks Steve for the honors. In fact, Frigidaire would have been next in "my series."lol. I love Frigidaires because of their up-and -down agitator in all of it's forms, the looks of them ,the super high spin speeds on many of the models,the overflow rinse and solid tub on alot of them,and the fun factor in the whole kit and kaboodle.

Post# 386626 , Reply# 10   10/20/2009 at 18:39 (5,273 days old) by turquoisedude (.)        
I am only a recent convert...

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But, my, do I love my one Frigidaire washer and the spray-tube dishwasher! I think the 'rollover' action that the Frigidaire Pulsator-type washer generates is the best wash action I have ever seen! And despite what might be seen as awkward racking, I just love the design of the older Frigidaire spray-tube dishwasher. Can't wait to get more! A matching dryer to that washer of mine is a new goal...
Hmmm... Come to think of it, the very first cooking I ever did was on Mom's 1956 Frigidaire range, too... I remember the distinctive 'clunk' the oven thermostat made when it cycled the oven element on and off.


Post# 386633 , Reply# 11   10/20/2009 at 18:59 (5,273 days old) by rinso (Meridian Idaho)        

GM Frigidaire washers were never very repair-free, though there are some exceptions, like the Unimatics. For one thing, they had too many different mechanisms over the years, which drove washer techs nuts. There was also a bit of car repair mentality in the engineering. I'm sure GM thought one repair per year should be considered normal as long as they designed in plenty of horsepower. They did a superb job of washing clothes.

One has to really compliment manufacturers like GM Frigidaire, Kelvinator, and Philco, for daring to think outside the back-and-forth agitator box, and for that matter, think outside the box for all their appliance lines.


Post# 386666 , Reply# 12   10/20/2009 at 20:11 (5,273 days old) by joelippard (Hickory)        


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First of all, I grew up with a Solid Tub Rollermatic and the sounds it made are burned in my mind. It never had one repair in the first 18 years. The timer went and the dumbass repairman told mother it could not be fixed. Also noteworthy is the fact that the machine ran every single day when I was a baby washing diapers, this went on for years (of course) then handled laundry for 3 people including all my dirty childhood play clothes, couting in my playing with it also and I think many other machines would have choked under those conditions. I know some of the neighbors with Maytag's had to have service, and Grandma burned thru a Whirlpool about every 5-7 years. The Ol' Frigidaire just kept on thumping.

They are unique among all others. I've compared the quality of their cabinets and paint to others and they are superior in finish and in weight of metal, these days anything metal no matter the weight is a rarity. The beautiful designs and the loads of features. They are hell to work on, make no mistake, but when you get one fixed right it seems almost rock solid, I find the rinsing ability in my solid tub versions to be outstanding. I love the blue agitator in my '65, the "Haulin' Ass" spin speed in the '67 Rapidry, and the huge capacity in the 1-18, not to mention it's power. The first time I ran the 1-18 it made me jump when it came on as I had not been around a Frigidaire in 20 years or more.

When I went from my previous Whirlpool DD to my 1-18 I immediately noticed better looking, cleaner looking, more well finished clothing and I have become accustomed to such luxuries now and would stop at nothing to keep my Frigidaire's running.


Post# 386684 , Reply# 13   10/20/2009 at 20:28 (5,273 days old) by frigilux (The Minnesota Prairie)        

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Frigidaire Washers: Great styling which changed radically every few years. And I always admired their "We don't care if every other brand on earth has oscillating agitators" attitude.

I grew up in a town of 1,800 people. The local Frigidaire dealership did the most business, so the town was loaded with Frigidaires. Maytag, Speed Queen and Coronado (Wizard--Go Franklin! Go, go Franklin!!) brands were also available. And there was a Sears catalog store.

My parents? SEARS people. I felt completely ripped-off. I've come to appreciate vintage Kenmores, but the whole time I grew up, I wanted a Frigidaire washer in the worst way.

When I returned home from college to live in my parents' house, I marched right to the Frigidaire dealership, and to my utter horror, found WCI's had taken their place. Of course, I've come to like WCI's now, but at the time it was terrible.



Post# 386685 , Reply# 14   10/20/2009 at 20:32 (5,273 days old) by toggleswitch2 ()        
Did those fat radiant tubes glow red on *high*?

Never saw even one Frigidaire anything in my city/area.

Did see one Frigidaire 70s washer in the late 80s at a summer-home on the far east end of Long Island.

Saw many a southern home with Frigidaire. Thought the brand to be more popular there. Those homes I did see with Frigidaires tended to have ALL appliances by Frigidaire, so again I assumed it was the builders' choice.


Post# 386693 , Reply# 15   10/20/2009 at 20:48 (5,273 days old) by gyrafoam (Wytheville, VA)        

Rather than getting all bogged-down in the nightmare of repairing some of the machines I'll keep my comments to the art of using them.

I grew up with Frigidaire laundry equipment. First a Unimatic and then a Multimatic. Bought a few on my own including a used '68 WXN that I will forever kick myself for selling, and a new Poppy 1-18 set in '79.

I've used a spray-tube dishwasher in an apartment I once lived in (it sucked) and I've had an early 70's Custom Imperial dishwasher with the little extra spray-arm on one end of the main spray-arm. It was a great dishwasher and it would hold a huge load. I've used countless Frigidaire refrigerators, stoves, food waste disposers,and air conditioners.

Every generation of washers and dryers were so unique. They all had plenty of quirks. You had to be careful how you loaded a Unimatic or Multimatic and how much wash time you set or you could suffer a really tangled mass of clothes. Coupled with the Rapidry Spin and you could end up with some pretty wrinkled stuff as well.
Washing anything less than a half-load was in invitation to unbalance the machine and you could come back to find it stopped in mid-cycle. The Deep Action Agitator did a great job if the tub was packed full.
Better make sure you have good water pressure as well or you may only get a partial tub of water.

IMO the best of the best washers were the '63 and '64 Three-Ring equipped machines mainly because of the larger-tub. The best cleaning Frigidaires ever---- even if the spin was pretty lame. Of course, one could always convert a Rapidry Rollermatic by replacing the Deep Action Agitator with a Three-Ring. That way you get the best of all worlds.

The 1-18's were feature-packed and strange birds. Unlike the solid-tub Rollermatics, if you packed a 1-18 full the rollover would stop.With a TOL model that had "infinite" agitation control, you could slow down the agitation just a bit and greatly increase the rollover! I have only recently discovered that REDUCING the water-level to less than you think it needs, makes for decent rollover in a 1-18. Strange.I never use a water-level higher than Large even for the biggest load. They sudzlocked easily as well, although they sure did do a through rinse. The Spray-Ring is kool.

The dryers were great as well. Of course, the Filtramatics and Filtrators were unique, and could be a pain in the ass on a busy wash day. But you could put them just about anywhere since venting wasn't an issue. From '65-'69 the Gas Dryers had the heating mechanisms in a strange arrangement under the top panel of the machine. All you had to do was lift up the panel and take a peek to see what all the trapped moisture from burning gas could do as far as surface-rust is concerned. A shame. The electric versions were excellent and I never had a complaint about using an electric 1-18 Dryer either. No problems.

If I have any regrets it was that I guess I thought they would always be around. Too bad I didn't sock-away a '58 Ultra-Clean set in Sunny Yellow or that wonderful WXN.

The American appliances have never been the same without them and there will never be another GM Frigidaire.



Post# 386695 , Reply# 16   10/20/2009 at 20:50 (5,273 days old) by swestoyz (Cedar Falls, IA)        

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Growing up a GM guy, I've naturally gravitated towards Frigidaire appliances. Sleek styling, a plethora of options on all lines, and unique solutions to commonalities in the white good industry have helped build the 'if it's in the drive way, it may as well be in the kitchen' attitude at my place.

By far one of my personal favorite design feats is Unimatic transmission. The Unimatic design is completely unique and screams automotive theory. During the post War years through the mid sixties Frigidaire appliances were built like TOL Buicks/Oldsmobiles/Cadillacs. Thick porcelain finishes, glamorous control panels, and a fit and finish that I've always felt only trumped by Maytag.

I'll admit that they may not be the easiest to work on, are even harder to procure replacement parts for, and doubly complicated by GM's infinite wisdom to classify unique parts for each model year. And while the Jet Action washing is a wonderful washing method it didn't rub everyone the same way. I've always had good luck washing in any Frigidaire washer, but I must give credit to those pioneers in this hobby who have washed thousands of loads, way be before me, and have freely given tips and tricks to everyone on the best way to use these machines. You certainly can't assume that you can use it like a Maytag!

So, with that said and with all the points that hurt GM and Frigidaire, the uniqueness and glamor that have surrounded these machines build enough of a case to make them one of my favorite to use. Well, at least with towels anyway. ;-)

Ben


Post# 386697 , Reply# 17   10/20/2009 at 20:52 (5,273 days old) by laundromat (Hilo, Hawaii)        
Radiantube elements

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The many neat features the FRIGIDAIRE ranges had were remarkable to say the least.Yes,the radiantube elements got up to a bright orange glow and because their desing was like that of a triange or cone shape,the heat was automaticaly radiated up to the serface where the cookware was.One of the demos was to place an ice cube into the drip pans that would hold up to a cup of spillage,place a tepot or small sauce pan onto the right front burner and let it come to a rapid boil.Once that was acomplished,you'd take a wooden spoon and lift the radiantube upright showing the customer the still frozen ice cube.That proved that the heat was in fact radiated upward. Don't even attempt tha on any other electric range.Another fact was the reason the FRIGIDAIRE ranges had porcelain drip pans is that the competitors had to use crome or stainless steel to reflect the heat to the cookware shortining the length of time needed to radiate enough heat for whatever you were cooking.They were also the first self cleaning oven that had their insulating door seal located on the inner cavity,not the door.GE,and others, always had theirs on the door and it needed to be replaced at least twice during the lifetime of the product.

Post# 386699 , Reply# 18   10/20/2009 at 20:54 (5,273 days old) by gyrafoam (Wytheville, VA)        

Thats right, Ben. I completely agree. Unimatics are the best "towel-washers" ever and the Filtramatic/Filtrators are the best "towel-dryers" ever!

Post# 386700 , Reply# 19   10/20/2009 at 20:56 (5,273 days old) by mrcleanjeans (milwaukee wi)        
Why we care about Frigidaire

Steve, I never knew they were that quirky. It's so kewl to learn all these tidbits about our beloved appliances. Frigidaire (GM of course)is still one of my all time favorite lines of appliances. I even love the Spin Tube machine since it was totally different from all other dishwashers of its day with the exception of Youngstown Kitchens, a similarish design overall.

Post# 386715 , Reply# 20   10/20/2009 at 21:30 (5,273 days old) by gadgetgary (Bristol,CT)        
1967

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My Mom was still using a Maytag wringer washer(went thru four kids with that one). She decided to get an 'automatic washer'. The choice was a Frigidaire Rapidry 1000 or a Maytag(both available thru local dealers intown).
My parents looked at both and since my father worked for a division of General Motors they decided on the Frigidaire.
It was a wonderful machine, and was matched with a Frigidaire dryer in 1970.
Mom passed away in 1968 and never had the luxury of a dryer.




Post# 386721 , Reply# 21   10/20/2009 at 21:39 (5,273 days old) by toggleswitch2 ()        
Mine's on the door, as pictured.

~They were also the first self-cleaning oven that had their insulating door seal located on the inner cavity, not the door.


Anyone have such a pic?


Post# 386781 , Reply# 22   10/21/2009 at 05:37 (5,272 days old) by norgeway (mocksville n c )        
Monotube units,

How many know what other ranges used T.K. monotubes, these were NOT a Frigidaire product they were made by a company known as T.K. These units were used on Philco,Admiral Universal and some Kelvinator,I think they distribute heat better than any unit made,the surface units today are a joke especially for canning,my partners mom has a new whirlpool, and has broken several units with a canner and the stove is less than 4 years old...pitiful. T.K--Terro and Kift.

Post# 386785 , Reply# 23   10/21/2009 at 06:25 (5,272 days old) by chestermikeuk (Rainhill *Home of the RailwayTrials* Merseyside,UK)        
Frigidaire

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Hi all, fascinating to read all these threads about machines / branding / pricing etc....

My first visit & wash convention in 2001 at Roberts had me in awe of all these machines...The control towers just look soo elegant and then I could remember the jetcone agi washers we had in those colourful launderettes over here!!!

The first machine I used at the convention on my own was The Lady Kenmore 57 , I have a real soft spot for that machine (and where is it now...Lol)

I love the retro look and robustness of the Maytags and have the honour of a top loading set, wringer, twintub and the latest front loaders...!!

Question: What was the perceived brand structure / hierarchy / pricepoint / of the day?? was it...from the top down??

Frigidaire
Maytag
Whirlpool
Kemore
Norge etc



Post# 386803 , Reply# 24   10/21/2009 at 07:47 (5,272 days old) by gyrafoam (Wytheville, VA)        
Mikey, thats a tough one-----

Hmmmmm. I think in sheer numbers sold the Kenmore would ring the bell. Sold through all the Sears, Roebuck & Co. stores, who offered payment plans, they were just the ticket for many a couple starting a family, or a family in progress.

I believe the public percieved quality level of Frigidaire and Maytag the same. Most of the people I remember did. Then Hotpoint/GE, then Kenmore/Whirlpool (Whirlpool was not heavily marketed in the "deep-south" until RCA divested (in 1966?).

Then there were the rest: Kelvinator, Speed Queen, Westinghouse, Norge, Philco/Bendix, Bradford, Wizard, Wards, etc.

I also think a major variable would have been what part of the US you lived in. For instance Blackstone and Easy were almost unheard of in the "deep south" and I only saw them when visiting relatives up in New York-----who were mostly Maytag people. If you lived in Milwaukee, Speed Queen and Kelvinator were likely the most popular. Ohio and Michigan were likely BIG Frigidaire country.

And keep in mind it was the major automobile manufacturers who marketed three pretty big sellers and I would think the public might percieve quality level or price point via these companies. American Motors=Kelvinator, Ford=Philco/Bendix, GM= Frigidaire.

Also, families starting out in the post WWII economy were struggling and scratched and clawed to make every penny count.
So department stores such as Sears, Penny's, and Wards did a great business of selling whatever brands they had via revolving credit plans.
In Atlanta, (where, in the old days EVERYBODY was nearly all gas--heating,stove,waterheater,clothes dryer,etc.) the Atlanta Gas Light Company sold mostly Maytag and Westinghouse and you could make your monthly payments on your gas bill. They didn't care if you only sent $1.00 a month as long as you paid something, and you could take as long as you needed. Needless to say, they made a LOT of friends that way!

Anyway, thats my two shekels. It will be interesting to hear some other opinions as I am sure most everyone percieves things differently (no!----in THIS group of "alley cats"?).


Post# 386832 , Reply# 25   10/21/2009 at 09:28 (5,272 days old) by mickeyd (Hamburg NY)        
De Frigidairibus

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Following Frigidaire's directions, forcing yourself to load in four quadrants and drop the clothes vertically rather than horizontally is completely counterintuitive; but once you master it, your tangling woes are over. Even so, I remember yanking many a "rope" out of the washer and tossing the whole cable into the dryer--a boy in hurry, doing Mom's bidding-- and our "Roper" dryer which lasted THIRTY YEARS in a family of eight, always delivered soft fluffy unraveled laundry. Funny that a Roper could solve the Frigidaire rope issue:->

Frigilux says:"My Parents? SEARS people. I felt completely ripped-off. I've come to appreciate vintage Kenmores, but the whole time I grew up, I wanted a Frigidaire washer in the worst way." The exact sentence exists in my mind; just switch the brands. We HAD to have a Frigidaire. The Tower which lasted a decade, then a gorgeous copper Rollermatic in 65 or 6. Loved going over to my Aunt Marie's because she alone had a KM, the delights of which were mesmerizing. Spent hours in her basement, absolutely gaga over the spray rinsing, the neutral drain and the right-out-of-washer-heaven sudsreturn, so sad to return home to the imposing Tower.

To Mikey's point: In this neck of the woods, Buffalo and Western NY, Frigidaire was king, then Speed Queen/ Norge/Whirlpool, in terms of hierarchy. In terms of popularity, most houses had Kenmores with sudsavers. In the oldest neighborhood, whose homes lacked basements, the Easy Spin reigned supreme; everyone had one except the grandparents who had Wringers, many of them Maytags from the sole Tag store here. Interesting to note, I never saw a Tag automatic growing up. Not one. Maybe the rich people had them, and thought they were better than Frigidiare's, and we working class stiffs didn't know any better.;'D;'D;'D. We were told that the Frigidaire's were "the best on the market!" Still believe it. Would never prefer a Tag over a Fridge--except maybe when and if I get rich, LOL.

Sick of Frigidiares, I never went back, until the joining the club when I was reminded of their power and glory, and now could not live happily ever after without one. Here's a 62 Multi pullin' down a huge winter comforter in a luxurious 4 minute overflow rinse, the scent of fresh water intoxicating like Niagara Falls.



Post# 386869 , Reply# 26   10/21/2009 at 11:26 (5,272 days old) by thomasortega (El Pueblo de Nuestra Señora de Los Angeles de Porciúncula)        
Talking about frigidaires...

Hey Guys, after being very busy during the last weeks, I'm finally back.

First of all, I want to excuse me to all my friends that I abandoned. My inbox is full of unread emails, now I'm going to start writing the replies.

Emilio Berisso, from Buenos Aires may be thinking that I'm the most arrogant guy in the world because after all the wonderful help he gave me during the negotiation to get my Unimatic, I didn't phone or email him to let him know the machine arrive perfectly.

Back to the topic, as we're talking about Frigidaires, what do you know about that horizontal axis top loader by Frigidaire? I can't remember where I did see it.


Post# 386879 , Reply# 27   10/21/2009 at 12:47 (5,272 days old) by gyrafoam (Wytheville, VA)        

Thomas I haven't forgotten you. Am trying to get a bit of help. Will be in touch via e-mail.

Post# 386884 , Reply# 28   10/21/2009 at 12:56 (5,272 days old) by danemodsandy (The Bramford, Apt. 7-E)        
For Toggles: Southern Frigidaires

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Toggles:

You're correct that builders often used Frigidaire down South; GM was very aggressive in going after that business, offering great pricing and more features for the money than other manufacturers did on their "builder quality" offerings. The South was in a huge subdivision-building boom for about twenty years there.

For existing homes, Frigidaire was a top choice because of Georgia Power, who offered Frigidaire majors on much the same basis Atlanta Gas Light had for gas stuff. As long as you paid something, they didn't hassle you.

Later, when Sears made credit easy, they captured much of the Atlanta area. In the '50s, you saw many different brands there. By the later '60s, there was a whole lotta Kenmore goin' on. Because of Sears' E-Z terms, people could often treat themselves to more appliance than they could elsewhere (Sears' "no down payment" terms were what made the difference). Keyboard Lady K's were pretty common, and 800's too.


Post# 386919 , Reply# 29   10/21/2009 at 14:32 (5,272 days old) by mickeyd (Hamburg NY)        
Concerning Frigidiares, Con'd

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Dueling wonders of KM's versus Frigi's, revisited--when i fell back in love with them, after early abandonment.

Kenmore: the riveting spray rinse, the excitement of the first time.....how long does each one last? How many will there be? How 'bout that clang of the valve between the first minute of spin and the beginning of the sprays. Then it does it all AGAIN after the rinse. You're kidding me---EIGHT six second sprays--HEAVEN!

Then Frigidaire came through in about 1960 when the 1140 spin was followed immediately with the rinse fill and NO PAUSE. The water whirled from the wide flume, the tub flying high, the pulsator going up and down, a chaos of spray, an orgy of water. It was dazzling. I called my Aunt Ellen into the basement to show it to her when the machine was new and we both got wet from the spray during the long long coast.

Answered prayers, Frigi has a spray. Then as Steve hints, the 1-18 spray in warm water (both valves open, high pressure) out of multiple (anyone know how many?) ring-jetted water spouts--pure dreamscape stuff.) Many of us Unimatic users fantasized about just such a rinsing system, and when an engineer had the same dream and made it a reality we were awestruck. Remember, Gents & Ladies?

Inverted Panel--don't know how it happened--no joke!


Post# 386946 , Reply# 30   10/21/2009 at 16:57 (5,272 days old) by iheartmaytag (Wichita, Kansas)        

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This is not meant to be naughty, but there is something sensual about a Frigidaire in action.



Post# 386952 , Reply# 31   10/21/2009 at 17:15 (5,272 days old) by mickeyd (Hamburg NY)        
Kelly writes of "the stunning glory of dazzling porcela

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Indeed. For Kelly and Steve. Sorry for a fake light, but all the rest is real, over a half a century old--almost 60, I think.

iheart......have you ever seen the black tube pulsator on the pulsamatic? The similarity is unmistakable. Maybe someone will post a pic. My gram had one, and I know Robert has one, not sure if he has the phallic agitator.


Post# 386969 , Reply# 32   10/21/2009 at 18:58 (5,272 days old) by joelippard (Hickory)        
Since we're doing pictures

joelippard's profile picture
I'll never pass up an opportunity. How could you not love something so "Simply Complex" ;)

Post# 386970 , Reply# 33   10/21/2009 at 19:00 (5,272 days old) by joelippard (Hickory)        
Why Just Look

joelippard's profile picture
At all that splashing, What a Mess!

Post# 386978 , Reply# 34   10/21/2009 at 19:51 (5,272 days old) by norgeway (mocksville n c )        
Black pulsator...

My grandmothers 55 pulsamatic had that ,did have a sexual look to it.

Post# 386994 , Reply# 35   10/21/2009 at 21:13 (5,272 days old) by mickeyd (Hamburg NY)        
Calling all Gansky's

mickeyd's profile picture
Hello Amazing Graceful Greg

Wonderful Robert says that you have the older Pulsamatic. Do you have a pic handy to show Iheart and company the infamous black tube pulsator? Keeping it clean and G-rated as you would expect with children tuning in.

Your friend,

Mike.


Post# 387049 , Reply# 36   10/22/2009 at 03:04 (5,272 days old) by strongenough78 (California)        

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I've never had the oppritunity to use a Frigidaire washer before. I hope someday I can. I must say from the video's I've seen, I'd love to try or even own one of the earlier models with the 3 Ring agitator. I LOVE Roberts turquoise set. I can't remember the year lol. But I do love it. I like the Jet Action too, but I'm leaning more to the 3 ring types. I have to admit I don't like the 1-18. I've seen a few videos where there is little or no turnover, and they don't rinse as well it seems. It seems like there's just as much suds at the end of the rinse cycle that there was in the wash cycle. So yeah I'd go for a Unimatic. If that's the correct one lol. Great turn over, and virtually eliminates suds if oversoaped like in Roberts video. Plus 1140 RPM spin speed! I think EVERY washer should have that. That means less time in the dryer! Maybe one day I'll be able to come to one of Roberts Wash- In's and maybe get to use that beautiful machine, and maybe a few others of his. The strange thing about Frigidaire washers, I've never seen anyone here with one. No one in my family, or friends of the family. It was either Maytag, Whirlpool or Kenmore! I wonder if that's a west coast thing?

Post# 387187 , Reply# 37   10/22/2009 at 12:38 (5,271 days old) by norfolksouthern ()        

StrongEnough: You are sadly mislead on the 1-18. They do, in fact, have excellent turnover. And they rinse better than most anything on the current market. It's just that they are so efficient with detergent, you actually need very little. And yes, you see foam but that's because the cones disturb and oxygenate the water surface so much. I sure wish I had a video system so I can display the rollover properly. Why, oh why do so many people overload these things?

NorfolkSouthern


Post# 387298 , Reply# 38   10/22/2009 at 20:18 (5,271 days old) by norgeway (mocksville n c )        
Appliances in the south...

My friend Gyrafoams impressions about Frigidaire are about like mine...In the town I am from, Lenoir N.C., a town touted for years as the furniture manufacuring center of the south..population in the 50s about 14000 now about 22000 or so , we had the following appliance dealers..
W.E.Shaw-Frigidaire--Considered one of if not the best store, likewise, Frigidaire was considered the best brand.
Teague Furniture-Norge and Philco
W.B.Lindsey-Speed Queen and Hotpoint
Bernhardt and Seagle-Westinghouse and Amana
Shields-Bendix Kelvinator and Maytag
Leftwich-Westinghouse
Duke Power Co. Hotpoint...Just like Atlanta, you could have the bill added monthly to your power bill.
Crowells-G.E.
Home Electric-G.E.
Valmead Furniture-Leonard
O.P.Lutz Furniture-Frigidaire and Monarch
D.D. Suddreth-Philco,Gibson andMaytag
How we got all those stores carrying the same thing ill never know But most people were loyal to there store,in other words if you had an account at Teagues,you might not like Norge as well as Frigidaire, but you had an account there so you bought what he sold,usually if you were rich,you shopped at Shaws, which meant Frigidaire, Or Zenith TV, oh yeah I almost forgot
Carolina Tire and Appliance-Crosley
Overall, there was more Hotpoint Ge and Frigidaire than anything else,but a fair amount of Westinghouse.


Post# 387374 , Reply# 39   10/23/2009 at 00:04 (5,271 days old) by strongenough78 (California)        
Norfolk Southern

strongenough78's profile picture
Go get yourself a web cam or something! lol just kidding. I would be interested in seeing how a properly loaded and soaped 1-18 works. I just based my opinions on them from the videos I saw of them. And they were quite a few. The ones that I did see with good turnover, looked to have a pretty small load in them to achieve that. And again, just by what I've seen am I basing that. Hopefully one day soon you'll be able to put better faith in me on the 1-18's. I am pretty open minded, so I hope you don't think differently about be in regards to that. Thanks for the heads up!

Post# 387384 , Reply# 40   10/23/2009 at 00:24 (5,271 days old) by unimatic1140 (Minneapolis)        
One word...

unimatic1140's profile picture
Drama.

That is all that's needed in an automatic washer to get top ratings in my book.



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