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)   |   | |
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I have a love/hate relationship with them so I will decline to comment until I give everyone else a chance to do so. |
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Post# 386516 , Reply# 1   10/20/2009 at 11:52 (5,273 days old) by mickeyd (Hamburg NY)   |   | |
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Post# 386523 , Reply# 2   10/20/2009 at 12:27 (5,273 days old) by mickeyd (Hamburg NY)   |   | |
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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)   |   | |
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Post# 386571 , Reply# 5   10/20/2009 at 15:28 (5,273 days old) by lebron (Minnesota)   |   | |
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Post# 386574 , Reply# 6   10/20/2009 at 15:34 (5,273 days old) by goatfarmer (South Bend, home of Champions)   |   | |
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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)   |   | |
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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.
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Post# 386598 , Reply# 8   10/20/2009 at 17:39 (5,273 days old) by norgeway (mocksville n c )   |   | |
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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# 386626 , Reply# 10   10/20/2009 at 18:39 (5,273 days old) by turquoisedude (.)   |   | |
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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# 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# 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)   |   | |
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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.
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Post# 386699 , Reply# 18   10/20/2009 at 20:54 (5,273 days old) by gyrafoam (Wytheville, VA)   |   | |
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Thats right, Ben. I completely agree. Unimatics are the best "towel-washers" ever and the Filtramatic/Filtrators are the best "towel-dryers" ever! |
Post# 386715 , Reply# 20   10/20/2009 at 21:30 (5,273 days old) by gadgetgary (Bristol,CT)   |   | |
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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 ()   |   | |
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~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# 386785 , Reply# 23   10/21/2009 at 06:25 (5,272 days old) by chestermikeuk (Rainhill *Home of the RailwayTrials* Merseyside,UK)   |   | |
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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# 386832 , Reply# 25   10/21/2009 at 09:28 (5,272 days old) by mickeyd (Hamburg NY)   |   | |
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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# 386879 , Reply# 27   10/21/2009 at 12:47 (5,272 days old) by gyrafoam (Wytheville, VA)   |   | |
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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)   |   | |
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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)   |   | |
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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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Post# 386952 , Reply# 31   10/21/2009 at 17:15 (5,272 days old) by mickeyd (Hamburg NY)   |   | |
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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)   |   | |
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Post# 386970 , Reply# 33   10/21/2009 at 19:00 (5,272 days old) by joelippard (Hickory)   |   | |
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Post# 386978 , Reply# 34   10/21/2009 at 19:51 (5,272 days old) by norgeway (mocksville n c )   |   | |
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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)   |   | |
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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?
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Post# 387374 , Reply# 39   10/23/2009 at 00:04 (5,271 days old) by strongenough78 (California)   |   | |
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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!
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Post# 387384 , Reply# 40   10/23/2009 at 00:24 (5,271 days old) by unimatic1140 (Minneapolis)   |   | |
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