Very last Filter-Flo

I am all for innovation, product improvement, and just plain "making better", but I am terribly skeptical of new appliances these days. I have never openly embraced change anyway, which may be a bad thing, but there is just no comparison between a FF, even the final versions which I've heard had leak prone tubs and transmissions that leaked oil more quickly than their older siblings (just what I've heard). If you stand in front of a 1996 or later GE washer with a transmission(not the Hydrowave models), watch the machine while it's agitating and you can see the whole cabinet twisting and shifting due to torque from the transmission. I am instantly reminded of Mom's 1961 Kenmore 70, which I would rountinely sit on, and say "what a joke" that new GE might just collapse or bend if a 10-year old sat on it.

I firmly believe that most of the cheapening of appliances over the past 20 years or more is due to the inability of the appliance makers to maintain prices consistent with manufacturing costs, in other words - due to consumers, so we've been handed what we asked for. Since prices didn't go up, quality had to go down.

I paid $358 (on major sale) for a Kenmore 70 series new washer in the summer of 1986. It's retail price was $479. You can go to Sears and buy a Kenmore 500 for that today at certain sale times, more than 23 years later. Sears either made a mountain of money on my purchase, OR they've cheapened the new stuff. I think the later mostly.

Here's an interesting thought: Most of us here grew up fascinated with by the washing machines that were around us. I wonder what the 3-year olds of today who are doing the same would or will say about our old-school Kenmores, Maytags, and GEs when those kids are in their 20s? In the U.S., they've been exposed to the Hydrowaves, the Whirlpools that stop when the lid is opened, the poorly made front loaders ad nauseum, and the Calypsos and Cabrios (the list goes on). Could be some interesting insight one day to talk to one of those guys...

Gordon


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Post# 406332 1/15/2010 at 19:39 (5,208 days old) by bajaespuma (Connecticut)
Checkrate/Likes and a TOL to boot! CLICK HERE TO GO TO bajaespuma's LINK on Boise Craigslist

Post# 406333 , Reply# 1 1/15/2010 at 19:51 (5,208 days old) by vintagesearch ()
Checkrate/Likes kewl

Post# 406334 , Reply# 2 1/15/2010 at 20:17 (5,208 days old) by supremewhirlpol ()
Checkrate/Likes Yes!! 1995 GE Profile I think? I had that very same one! Spot Scrubber with mini-basket. Very nice machine indeed!

Post# 406800 , Reply# 3 1/17/2010 at 10:20 (5,206 days old) by autowasherfreak ()
Checkrate/Likes What year did GE quit making Filter Flo's?

Post# 406811 , Reply# 4 1/17/2010 at 10:49 (5,206 days old) by dnastrau (Lords Valley, PA)
Checkrate/Likes *The last Filter Flos...* ...were made in 1995 as far as I know. When we purchased our first house in August of that year we went appliance shopping and I remember the salesman talking about the new design of GE washers coming out soon. He talked about how GE demonstrated how well they balanced themselves by running one on spin with a large phone book in it. Too bad the new design turned out to be a total POS with self destructing transmissions. Andrew S.

Post# 406892 , Reply# 5 1/17/2010 at 16:13 (5,206 days old) by kenmoreguy64 (Charlotte, NC)
Checkrate/Likes 2 *It's a shame....* I am all for innovation, product improvement, and just plain "making better", but I am terribly skeptical of new appliances these days. I have never openly embraced change anyway, which may be a bad thing, but there is just no comparison between a FF, even the final versions which I've heard had leak prone tubs and transmissions that leaked oil more quickly than their older siblings (just what I've heard). If you stand in front of a 1996 or later GE washer with a transmission(not the Hydrowave models), watch the machine while it's agitating and you can see the whole cabinet twisting and shifting due to torque from the transmission. I am instantly reminded of Mom's 1961 Kenmore 70, which I would rountinely sit on, and say "what a joke" that new GE might just collapse or bend if a 10-year old sat on it. I firmly believe that most of the cheapening of appliances over the past 20 years or more is due to the inability of the appliance makers to maintain prices consistent with manufacturing costs, in other words - due to consumers, so we've been handed what we asked for. Since prices didn't go up, quality had to go down. I paid $358 (on major sale) for a Kenmore 70 series new washer in the summer of 1986. It's retail price was $479. You can go to Sears and buy a Kenmore 500 for that today at certain sale times, more than 23 years later. Sears either made a mountain of money on my purchase, OR they've cheapened the new stuff. I think the later mostly. Here's an interesting thought: Most of us here grew up fascinated with by the washing machines that were around us. I wonder what the 3-year olds of today who are doing the same would or will say about our old-school Kenmores, Maytags, and GEs when those kids are in their 20s? In the U.S., they've been exposed to the Hydrowaves, the Whirlpools that stop when the lid is opened, the poorly made front loaders ad nauseum, and the Calypsos and Cabrios (the list goes on). Could be some interesting insight one day to talk to one of those guys... Gordon

Post# 406917 , Reply# 6 1/17/2010 at 17:47 (5,206 days old) by supersurgilator (Indiana)
Checkrate/Likes I always liked those newer model FF's because of the white console. With as much negative feedback as GE appliances receive it is amazing that people still even buy them.

Post# 406953 , Reply# 7 1/17/2010 at 18:28 (5,206 days old) by norfolksouthern ()
Checkrate/Likes I seriously doubt that anything made after 2007 is going to have any collector value, except for Speed Queens. Maybe. That's because of the new government mandates that eliminate the warm rinse featured on older top loaders. Also, with the lack of attention that many people give to today's HE top and front loaders, there is that smell issue. Some kids will be very likely to remember that smell, and most likely in a negative way. I will go on to say that my Duet has been an OK machine to watch. However, it really bears little difference from watching a dryer. The high speed spin is really the only interesting part of the whole cycle. There really isn't much to like about today's machines, except for perhaps their looks. Unless, of course, you enjoy folding cloths. NorfolkSouthern

Post# 407263 , Reply# 8 1/18/2010 at 22:49 (5,204 days old) by mtn1584 (USA)
Checkrate/Likes *The worst thing General Electric ever did....* Was to stop making Filter-flo washers, I am surprised that they not lose their washer business altogether. It reminds me of the 1980's when they put new compressors in their refrigerators, they were dying in 5 years. Their refrigeration division took a big hit. They totally destroyed their washers, and I believe it was because FF were not rated that highly by CR. Ironically their POS machines they make today are highly rated. This is a prime example of why CR sucks. The highly rated GE Hydrowave with infusor is like washing a full load of towels in a traditional top loader, but only using the low or mini water level. Are u kidding me? This is a top rated machine?....BS

Post# 407964 , Reply# 9 1/21/2010 at 07:40 (5,202 days old) by tomturbomatic (Beltsville, MD)
Checkrate/Likes 1 Alexander Pope said it best in his Essay on Criticism, "Be not the first by whom the new is tried, nor yet the last to lay the old aside."

Post# 798482 , Reply# 10 12/10/2014 at 19:51 (3,418 days old) by GELaundry4ever (Nacogdoches, TX, USA)
Checkrate/Likes 1 *I have a post-filter-flo GE washer! I remember whenwe ffirst* I wish I had my old GE back! You regret it if you ditch the filter-flo for a post-filter-flo model! I know I will!

Post# 798483 , Reply# 11 12/10/2014 at 19:52 (3,418 days old) by GELaundry4ever (Nacogdoches, TX, USA)
Checkrate/Likes 1 *shaking during agitation* When my GE post filter-flo washer was brand new, it shook during agitation! It did that sawing noise too!

Post# 798610 , Reply# 12 12/11/2014 at 15:06 (3,417 days old) by askolover (South of Nash Vegas, TN)
Checkrate/Likes my grandmother had one that was still going strong at 40 years old when she passed away.

Post# 868210 , Reply# 13 2/21/2016 at 16:22 (2,980 days old) by GELaundry4ever (Nacogdoches, TX, USA)
Checkrate/Likes *miss the filter-flo* I miss the filter-flos. Everything from the dramatic action, to the sounds they made.