Newest Member of the Frigidaire/GM Club

Will probably move on my 890 "Portaway" Ironer.

Long story short:

Saw this ironer on fleaBay, and for once a Frigidare ironer (or any large ironer) was located in NYS. However this may be let it go since was busy deciding on the now much lamented purchase of the Whirlpool portable.

Well imagine my surprise when the thing appeared on an upstate NY CL listing. Even better the seller was basically giving the unit away for nothing. Thing failed to get any bids at a rather low price on eBay, and seller wanted it gone after finding it in a newly purchased home.

What could one do? Rang the man up and inquired about condition and so forth. After putting the ironer through some paces while on the telehone with moi, and one could hear the motor running etc, ironer was mine for the taking if shipping downstate could be arranged. How could one say no? Main concern of the seller was that the unit NOT go to a scrap metal scavanger (apparentlty there had been many calls of that nature), and assured him one wasn't one of those.

Through the magic of U-Ship ironer arrived earlier today and one set about cleaning and polishing. Used a "Julbilee" type cleaner,polish, wax on everything but the lower foot rest and inner cabinet, so now the thing shines like 1950's porcelian and chrome should. As you can see from the photographs rust is about here and there, and perhaps someday will get around to dealing with that, but overall the condition is grand. Also am here to tell you, this thing is HEAVY!

One other issue is one cannot get the roller to run on "high" speed. From seller testing whilst one was on the telephone with him, knew about this and thought it was simply ignorance of use, but sadly no. Will know more after reading the owner's manual, if one is doing something wrong, or something is out of whack with the machine.

Why take in this unit? Well for one aside from my Pfaff, this ironer has the longest roller one has seen on a domestic ironer, about 29". While one initially loved the small portable Ironrite, the roller width is really too small for anything but tiny napkins without folding things. Sheets in that unit are out of the question, as are any other large flatwork items. My Pfaff unit is still working like a champ, but as with the Miele washer it is going on. Also there isn't any local or even USA support for Pfaff ironers. My one contact at PfaffUSA has sold his Pfaff sewing store and taken a position with Pfaff corporate on the west coast.

Well, thats' me for you. Won't be doing any ironing with the Frigidare ironer until after the holiday. Must fit new padding and a roller cover, as well as fully examine and test the electrics and motor.

Ironrite "smell"? Do youse mean like gear oil and steam? *LOL*

All ironers, and indeed ironing damp linens in general produce the wonderful scent of steam from clean washing. Even better when things have been hung outside for a bit.

L.


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Post# 395436 11/23/2009 at 20:02 (5,278 days old) by launderess (Quiet Please, There´s a Lady on Stage)
Checkrate/Likes Not a "Jet-Action" washer, but GM built none the less

Post# 395437 , Reply# 1 11/23/2009 at 20:03 (5,278 days old) by launderess (Quiet Please, There´s a Lady on Stage)
Checkrate/Likes *Did Somebody Say "More"?* Money shot

Post# 395443 , Reply# 2 11/23/2009 at 20:29 (5,278 days old) by favorit ()
Checkrate/Likes *congrats, it's a beauty !* i see two independent coils, 3 kw total draw ? ...if so, by the cord size i'd say it works @ 220/240 V the open left side was (is) a big plus goooood flatwooooork :)

Post# 395444 , Reply# 3 11/23/2009 at 20:42 (5,278 days old) by launderess (Quiet Please, There´s a Lady on Stage)
Checkrate/Likes *Thank You!* No, 15amps at 1575watts. IIRC only Ironrite made vintage ironers sold in the USA that ran on 220v power. Same ironers were sold under the Maytag brand as well. Only saw such units once, each was an eBay auction years ago, and units had come out of a commercial laundry. Though ironer meets UL requirements for the day, it wouldn't pass modern electrical codes today. Over 1500watts on a 20amp circut might be ok, but never on 15amp service.

Post# 395493 , Reply# 4 11/23/2009 at 23:02 (5,278 days old) by westingman123 ()
Checkrate/Likes Very nice! Nearly as pretty as my Ironrite. Now, the pressing (sorry, couldn't resist) question: does it have that Ironrite ironer smell? Oh, the aroma of pressed linens off the line. How do you love it?

Post# 395515 , Reply# 5 11/24/2009 at 00:10 (5,278 days old) by launderess (Quiet Please, There´s a Lady on Stage)
Checkrate/Likes *Speaking of Ironrites* Will probably move on my 890 "Portaway" Ironer. Long story short: Saw this ironer on fleaBay, and for once a Frigidare ironer (or any large ironer) was located in NYS. However this may be let it go since was busy deciding on the now much lamented purchase of the Whirlpool portable. Well imagine my surprise when the thing appeared on an upstate NY CL listing. Even better the seller was basically giving the unit away for nothing. Thing failed to get any bids at a rather low price on eBay, and seller wanted it gone after finding it in a newly purchased home. What could one do? Rang the man up and inquired about condition and so forth. After putting the ironer through some paces while on the telehone with moi, and one could hear the motor running etc, ironer was mine for the taking if shipping downstate could be arranged. How could one say no? Main concern of the seller was that the unit NOT go to a scrap metal scavanger (apparentlty there had been many calls of that nature), and assured him one wasn't one of those. Through the magic of U-Ship ironer arrived earlier today and one set about cleaning and polishing. Used a "Julbilee" type cleaner,polish, wax on everything but the lower foot rest and inner cabinet, so now the thing shines like 1950's porcelian and chrome should. As you can see from the photographs rust is about here and there, and perhaps someday will get around to dealing with that, but overall the condition is grand. Also am here to tell you, this thing is HEAVY! One other issue is one cannot get the roller to run on "high" speed. From seller testing whilst one was on the telephone with him, knew about this and thought it was simply ignorance of use, but sadly no. Will know more after reading the owner's manual, if one is doing something wrong, or something is out of whack with the machine. Why take in this unit? Well for one aside from my Pfaff, this ironer has the longest roller one has seen on a domestic ironer, about 29". While one initially loved the small portable Ironrite, the roller width is really too small for anything but tiny napkins without folding things. Sheets in that unit are out of the question, as are any other large flatwork items. My Pfaff unit is still working like a champ, but as with the Miele washer it is going on. Also there isn't any local or even USA support for Pfaff ironers. My one contact at PfaffUSA has sold his Pfaff sewing store and taken a position with Pfaff corporate on the west coast. Well, thats' me for you. Won't be doing any ironing with the Frigidare ironer until after the holiday. Must fit new padding and a roller cover, as well as fully examine and test the electrics and motor. Ironrite "smell"? Do youse mean like gear oil and steam? LOL All ironers, and indeed ironing damp linens in general produce the wonderful scent of steam from clean washing. Even better when things have been hung outside for a bit. L.

Post# 395540 , Reply# 6 11/24/2009 at 04:01 (5,278 days old) by alr2903 (TN)
Checkrate/Likes I think these would be perfect for folks that own a bed & breakfast. A nice little extra touch.

Post# 395543 , Reply# 7 11/24/2009 at 05:24 (5,278 days old) by laundromat (Hilo, Hawaii)
Checkrate/Likes *FRIGIDAIRE mangle iron* This was the only two speed ironer I ever saw. I owned one in Maryland and it worked great!

Post# 395632 , Reply# 8 11/24/2009 at 12:59 (5,278 days old) by launderess (Quiet Please, There´s a Lady on Stage)
Checkrate/Likes *Well Mine Is Sort Of A* LOL But thanks! Actually am certain Frigidaire did not build these ironers, as they are almost exactly like those made by Conlon, including the foot controls. Am going to have to look up the patent numbers on the unit to find out. L.

Post# 395677 , Reply# 9 11/24/2009 at 16:52 (5,278 days old) by hydralique (Los Angeles)
Checkrate/Likes *Congrats on this, Launderess!* How nice you've been able to save this, and will presumably be able to put it to good use . . . good luck with it!

Post# 395678 , Reply# 10 11/24/2009 at 17:00 (5,278 days old) by goatfarmer (South Bend, home of Champions)
Checkrate/Likes *Great job, Laundress!* Nice machine! That'll take your mind off that darned ol' Whirlpool......