Thread Number: 37429
BOL GE Filter-Flo and Hotpoint machines from the 1970s and 1980s
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Post# 556468   11/14/2011 at 10:01 (4,517 days old) by KenmoreGuy64 (Charlotte, NC)        

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Well, some may be surprised by this, and as Martin/Yogi once very well described it, there was a recent disturbance in the force when I housed a GE FF washer in my garage for a few days at the end of summer this year.

I find myself being interested in a few other brands of machines - not enough to get all bent on collecting lots of them (thank goodness) but a good GE FF or a nice Maytag might be a fun diversion on occasion.

Well, it seems that a fellow member may have an early 80s true BOL Hotpoint one-dial wonder for me, which is VERY cool on several fronts, as I like BOL appliances and I have always been most interested in GE behind the WP Belt-drives. I feel a little-bit like a kid waiting for Santa about it.

I remember being fascinated by the $248 dollar special BOL GE that was advertised nearly weekly in a Denver newspaper from 1980 or so to 1983 when we moved. It was a one-dial wonder also, didn't have any toggles, but had plastic blanks in the toggle cut-outs. I think there were standard and larger capacity models. Single cycle, hot or warm wash, and nearly 360 degrees of timer arch for the normal cycle. Seems like some had a FF pan, others had no recirculation at all. I thought this machine was WAY cool. Kenmore had a couple models like this too, but seldom could I find them in the stores.

So, my question is this, to all the GE knowledgeables out there - can you tell me about the various BOL models over the years? Does anyone have literature on them? I know sometimes manufacturers left these models out of their brochures. I am simply anxious to learn about these.

I'm looking forward to whatever you guys can tell me! Maybe this will be a fun thread?

Gordon





Post# 556477 , Reply# 1   11/14/2011 at 10:36 (4,517 days old) by akronman (Akron/Cleveland Ohio)        
BOL FF

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These 2 pictures are from late 77 or early 78


Post# 556479 , Reply# 2   11/14/2011 at 10:37 (4,517 days old) by akronman (Akron/Cleveland Ohio)        
last one

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2nd page of catalog pictures


Post# 556481 , Reply# 3   11/14/2011 at 10:50 (4,517 days old) by mickeyd (Hamburg NY)        
2nd page, 2nd control panel

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the one with FIVE switches on the left. Have only ever seen 4. Does anyone know what the 5th button is for? Thanks.


Post# 556482 , Reply# 4   11/14/2011 at 10:56 (4,517 days old) by pulltostart (Mobile, AL)        
BOL

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Gordon,
Most of my exposure to GE literature has been the catalogs that GE/Hotpoint inserted in the Sweets catalogs over the years. I don't believe I've ever seen anything in print with less than 2 toggles; this goes for both GE and Hotpoint. I know the more-basic versions existed but apparently were not widely promoted. I suspect these models were available as contract goods, in lieu of to the general public. But this is just speculation on my part.

Lawrence


Post# 556487 , Reply# 5   11/14/2011 at 11:08 (4,517 days old) by ozzie908 (Lincoln UK)        
To those that know these machines???

ozzie908's profile picture
How did the dryer vent if no outside exhaust was needed?
Is is a condenser dryer?

Austin


Post# 556493 , Reply# 6   11/14/2011 at 11:30 (4,517 days old) by peteski50 (New York)        
BOL!

peteski50's profile picture
This is the real hotpoint BOL from the late 60s.

Post# 556498 , Reply# 7   11/14/2011 at 12:15 (4,517 days old) by yogitunes (New Jersey)        

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The "5" button machine was a Program version...matching wash/rinse temp to speed control for that particular load.....no guess work

Colorfast cottons
Non-Colorfast cottons
Permanent Press
Polyester Knits
Silks and Woolens

I prefer seperate wash and spin speeds, and seperate wash and rinse temps.....with controls like that.....there is no load that can't be done in a machine like this....you could turn a Gentle cycle on the timer into a short wash cycle for a quick load, at Normal speed, all with a few flip of the buttons....the variables are endless!....I think for the most part if you have only one vintage machine in your collection, it should be a MOL to TOL FilterFlo......very few machines out there give you this much control over every aspect of washing.....and add the Mini-
Basket option......versatile!........and this comming from a person who used to despise these machines!........once you see the guaranteed roll over from the ramped agitator, and the clear rinses......water hog or not.....you will be sold!

of course we are waitng for JammanJoe......tap, tap, tap......to get his new toy hooked up.......and then we'll have one more member converted!


Post# 556501 , Reply# 8   11/14/2011 at 12:58 (4,517 days old) by mickeyd (Hamburg NY)        
Always wondered

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Why later GE's didn't have fabric selections the way everyone else did, 1-18 etc. And so they did. Thank you, Martin.

 

And I know what you mean about the versatility of the 4 toggle temp&speed combos with the mini-quick button. You can deliberately create impossible cycles: cold wash, warm rinse, slow agitate, fast spin, extra rinse, basket water level, 18 minute wash on mini quick. Then what the heck kind of load would you put in it ?Laughing

 

Pete, that BOL Hotpoint is awesome, truly a machine after Gordon's heart, except, of course, for that irritating second speed. Damn.


Post# 556504 , Reply# 9   11/14/2011 at 13:18 (4,517 days old) by kenmoreguy64 (Charlotte, NC)        
This is the most BOL machine I have....

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Actually this and a close cousin.

This is a 1981 Kenmore 200 series washer. Not bad at all for almost BOL. There was a 100 series too that was truly B O L , as it had no adjustments for water level (22-gallon fill only!!!) and a white timer knob, the Perm cycle was inactive and marked as a giant OFF section, and no ebony insert on the left. I would go nuts to find one of those.

I also have a 1980 Kenmore 200 - same basic machine but the larger 25-gallon tub, again no water level, and no black insert on the left. Because both have the perm press cycle, they aren't quite true bottom of the line to me.

G



Post# 556507 , Reply# 10   11/14/2011 at 13:49 (4,517 days old) by mrb627 (Buford, GA)        
Agitator?

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Gordon,

Did the Kenmore above have a Straight Vane or Penta Vane agitator in it?

Malcolm


Post# 556512 , Reply# 11   11/14/2011 at 13:57 (4,517 days old) by kenmoreguy64 (Charlotte, NC)        

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Malcolm -

It's a Penta-Vane, as it is considered a large capacity machine and this is the lowest on the totem pole of the large cap. agitators.

In 1980 there was a 100-series standard capacity machine (single cycle, no frills) and it had the straight-vane agitator (but it was used in several other models as well).

I have found both of these agitators to be very effective. The standard straight vane is silly-splashy in lower water levels (put a smock on if you're going to watch the machine with the lid up) but the Penta-Vane with its shorter vanes and deeper tub is more sensible.

Interesting note: I just took a Penta-Vane machine out of service which has a manual filter, and put in service a straight-vane machine, with the identical pump and lint filter. Granted the straight-vane machine holds less laundry, but the filter takes five or six loads to fill, vs. two in the Penta. Odd...

Gordon


Post# 556513 , Reply# 12   11/14/2011 at 14:02 (4,517 days old) by kenmoreguy64 (Charlotte, NC)        
Here's a pic for you Malcolm

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1981-1986/7 Penta-Vane. 1980 and earlier were gold.

Post# 556526 , Reply# 13   11/14/2011 at 15:01 (4,517 days old) by macboy91si (Frankfort, KY)        
BOL One-Dial Wonders

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We had the DD version of the washer in the late 90's, temp on the dial and a blank section to the right with huge "OFF" section. The pump leaked forever and since the machine was in the basement it never mattered as much. It went to storage when my parents moved some bit later and I later resurrected it and sold it to the local high school for the locker room. The machine worked great, but was pretty rusty and scuffed from the years of abuse and neglect. This is the machine, after working on it and seeing the abuse they can take that made me appreciate the DD machines.

 

-Tim


Post# 556528 , Reply# 14   11/14/2011 at 15:07 (4,517 days old) by MaytagA710 ()        

Here is a 90s GE FF Brochure, showing the BOL machine at the bottom.


Post# 556529 , Reply# 15   11/14/2011 at 15:08 (4,517 days old) by MaytagA710 ()        

More BOL goodness.


Post# 556530 , Reply# 16   11/14/2011 at 15:10 (4,517 days old) by MaytagA710 ()        

Again...


Post# 556531 , Reply# 17   11/14/2011 at 15:10 (4,517 days old) by MaytagA710 ()        

And why not some more!?

 

 


Post# 556532 , Reply# 18   11/14/2011 at 15:13 (4,517 days old) by MaytagA710 ()        

Here is a control panel of a McClary that showed up on Kijiji not too long ago.


Post# 556537 , Reply# 19   11/14/2011 at 15:31 (4,517 days old) by macboy91si (Frankfort, KY)        
BOL

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Apparently these machines are so BOL they don't show up in the brochures.

 

-Tim


Post# 556539 , Reply# 20   11/14/2011 at 15:36 (4,517 days old) by kenmoreguy64 (Charlotte, NC)        

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That McClary is pretty much the BOL machine I'm talking about, but as a matter of good measure, McClary had the sense to add a water level adjustment. The BOLs of GE and Hotpoint that I've seen don't even have that.

Post# 556540 , Reply# 21   11/14/2011 at 15:41 (4,517 days old) by pulltostart (Mobile, AL)        

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Tim,

Your comment is consistent with my earlier post.  These catalog sheets that are shown are taken from GE's Sweets inserts.  They never did publicize a washer more basic that the models with 2 cycles, 3 temperature combinations and 3 water levels.

 

The only current day BOL I'm aware of is the Roper washer with the "stainless steel" control panel and a black timer knob.  Turn it on, it works, then it shuts off.  End of story.

 

Lawrence


Post# 556544 , Reply# 22   11/14/2011 at 15:48 (4,517 days old) by pulltostart (Mobile, AL)        

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Gordon - would this meet your requirements for 'BOL'?

 

Atlanta CL.

 

Lawrence



CLICK HERE TO GO TO pulltostart's LINK on Atlanta Craigslist

Post# 556554 , Reply# 23   11/14/2011 at 16:43 (4,517 days old) by Pulsator (Saint Joseph, MI)        

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I absolutely ADORE BOL washing machines! I would love a front load washer with 2 buttons: warm and hot!

I remember pining away over those Galaxy machines at Sears when I was younger. I almost bought one too, I decided on a portable World Washer instead. Still regret that choice to this day!


Post# 556558 , Reply# 24   11/14/2011 at 16:53 (4,517 days old) by kenmoreguy64 (Charlotte, NC)        

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Hey there Lawrence, YES, that is about as BOL as you can get.

These low-end machines typically all had the straight vane agitator, which was ordinarily white. For several model years, some really BOL models had special agitators molded in a medium gray (possibly to use up scrap regrind plastic which can become a bit discolored, so it gets tinted gray to make it uniform). Many of those models that had the gray agitators also got special blue porcelain baskets, which were a step down from the speckled baskets, and were very much like the old blue baskets that Kenmore used in the 1960s.

They sold A LOT of these basic machines with the brown panels...

Gordon


Post# 556566 , Reply# 25   11/14/2011 at 17:09 (4,517 days old) by peteski50 (New York)        
Hotpoint!

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This is the BOL 1955 Hotpoint we had - my parents got this just after I was born and it lasted until 1961. As basic as they come with black goose neck adjator.
Peter


Post# 556581 , Reply# 26   11/14/2011 at 18:15 (4,517 days old) by combo52 (50 Year Repair Tech Beltsville,Md)        
BOL WASHERS

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GE, WP, KM, HP and even MT made BOL machines mainly for getting customers into the store with the hope of stepping them up to something more expensive. These machines were often called NAIL DOWN models because the salesman was to think about them as if they were nailed to the sales floor. In some cases if a salesman actually sold one of these models he LOST commission from other sales and needless to say earned nothing on the sale of the BOL model.

 

The machine that has Gordon excited is a 1984 HP super capacity one dial washer that only gives the choice of hot or warm wash with only cold rinses all at full water level [ 25 gallons per fill ]. There is no lint filter so I guess we can't even call it a Filter Flow washer LOL. In any case the washer is in great shape and it will make its way to Gordon's collection at some point soon.


Post# 556584 , Reply# 27   11/14/2011 at 18:30 (4,517 days old) by MaytagA710 ()        

Here is a picture I took from Kijiji, BOL Kenmore set that is like the Galaxy or Capri models, white plastic top.


Post# 556586 , Reply# 28   11/14/2011 at 18:33 (4,517 days old) by bajaespuma (Connecticut)        
How BOL will you go?

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We had family friends who were quite well-off, but they ALWAYS bought BOL GE appliances because Warren, the Father , of course, felt that spending any more money on a home appliance was idiotic to the point of being criminal. The wife chose her battles wisely; she didn't care about the white goods and spent a fortune on lots of other more fashionable stuff.

 

Even at that age I remember being fascinated by their albino Filter-Flo's that had almost all of the same warts and wrinkles as our own, but were monochromatic and missing things like backsplash pedestals, panel lights and the gadgets. Still, as long as that pretty blue filter pan was found on top of that shiny black bakelite Activator, I was a happy customer (from some of the brochures and manuals I've been able to find, it turns out that we owned a later version of this same model; later in 1960 somebody decided to declare that year their "Golden Anniversary Year". This and a couple of other models from this line, including Gansky's gorgeous silver WA-855T were redesigned to sport some gold in the control panels. This BOL also got a lift from a couple of pedestals. GE had a habit of continually changing model specs throughout the model year and sometimes had 7 or 8 versions of the same model. I loved this machine):


Post# 556664 , Reply# 29   11/14/2011 at 23:29 (4,517 days old) by CircleW (NE Cincinnati OH area)        

I remember seeing very basic models of washers and dryers at the GE dealer a few blocks from my house. This hardware store (Snyder's) had everything from these BOL to the Americana TOL models on display, and at one time was one of the largest GE dealers in southwest Ohio. The most BOL set I recall seeing was the same as a coin-op model without the coin box.

In the early-mid 70's, I sent to GE for their full line appliance catalog. What they sent was the same as what was in the Sweet's catalog set, and did not have these lower models, nor coin-op. The GE dealer had a much larger catalog at their desk, which included coin-op machines and I think these most basic models were in that section. One of my neighbors had a BOL GE dryer that said "Commercial Dryer" on the control panel, but it wasn't a coin-op.


Post# 556702 , Reply# 30   11/15/2011 at 05:43 (4,517 days old) by Easyspindry (Winston-Salem, NC)        
My mother's best friend from college . . .

. . . had a Westinghouse wringer washer for years. It was a large machine and I remember holes in the metal agitator. Gravity drain.

Her first "automatic" was about as BOL as you could get. It was a Kenmore. It was filled manually with a hose. Set the timer from 20 to 5 minutes. It would wash, drain, spin, off. Then manually re-fill the machine with fresh water, set the timer for a few minutes. It would rinse, drain, spin, off.

She thought it was wonderful.

I wish I knew what happened to that machine.

Jerry Gay


Post# 556703 , Reply# 31   11/15/2011 at 05:59 (4,517 days old) by mrb627 (Buford, GA)        
Pentavane in White

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I don't remember seeing too many of the penta-vane's in white. Now the penta-swirl was a different case. Thanks for posting the pictures...

Malcolm


Post# 556737 , Reply# 32   11/15/2011 at 08:48 (4,516 days old) by kenmoreguy64 (Charlotte, NC)        

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Malcolm -

There were more models from 1973-1980 with the gold Penta-Vanes than the 1981-1986 production white versions. The Penta-Swirl went to white in 1976 and was very widely produced. I think for some time Kenmore kept the gold as a reminder on the sales floor that you were looking at a lower line machine. The 'Vane models in white were 1981, 1982, and 1984 models:

81 - a 200 (the one pictured above), 2 500s (including one very bizarre model which I've never seen), and a well appointed 60 series.

82 - a 100, a 300, another 500, and two more 60s that replaced the 81 60-series.

83 - no models came out in the large 1983 line which used the Penta-Vane, in fact the 29-inch 1983 60 had a DA.

84 - two 400 models for Toyota, and one 70-series model, also for Toyota.

By my count that's 12 models. Other than the Toyota models, these were all out of production by early 1984, that's why they aren't all that common. The 100, 200, 300, and 500 series machines were all 'plastic top' plastic control panel models. The 60s were the entry level black panel machines, and the Toyota models had the revised printing on the black panel consoles, which have been discussed in other threads.

Gordon


Post# 556866 , Reply# 33   11/15/2011 at 18:20 (4,516 days old) by kenmoreguy89 (Valenza Piemonte, Italy- Soon to be US immigrant.)        

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What means BOL?
The GE model WWa7800m showed in the 90s brochure it's my washer!!!


Post# 556873 , Reply# 34   11/15/2011 at 18:47 (4,516 days old) by pierreandreply4 (St-Bruno de montarville (province of quebec) canada)        
Canadian viking washer dryer set

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Hello everyone if you look at this canadian viking washer dryer set i beleve it contains both some ge parts as well as some hotpoint parts here is what i mean

1-Side swing lid (hotpoint tech)

2-Water level knobs and temp knob as well as the 3 knob {hotpoint tech}

3-Timer Knob (ge tech)

and inside the lint is the famous filter flow pans seen on all ge washers if i had to go vintage and could not find the inglis washer dryer set of my dreams [*my grandomother set inglis liberator push to start with dryer) that would be a set that i would try to find as a vintage set year i think around 1970 but if any expert knows the precise year they are welcome to post it.


Post# 556874 , Reply# 35   11/15/2011 at 18:49 (4,516 days old) by cfz2882 (Belle Fourche,SD)        
BOL

BOL=Bottom Of The line-basic simple machine.My most BOL washer is a '95 DD 24"KM
just the timer knob only and a gray agitator.


Post# 557045 , Reply# 36   11/16/2011 at 13:31 (4,515 days old) by kenmoreguy89 (Valenza Piemonte, Italy- Soon to be US immigrant.)        
@ cfz2882

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Thank you!

Post# 557065 , Reply# 37   11/16/2011 at 14:36 (4,515 days old) by gansky1 (Omaha, The Home of the TV Dinner!)        

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This is my almost BOL GE washer - the same model I grew up with though ours was a couple of years newer.

Post# 557066 , Reply# 38   11/16/2011 at 14:38 (4,515 days old) by gansky1 (Omaha, The Home of the TV Dinner!)        

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This one has h/w, w/w, c/c. Our GE had w/c

Post# 557067 , Reply# 39   11/16/2011 at 14:39 (4,515 days old) by gansky1 (Omaha, The Home of the TV Dinner!)        

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Money shot. These pics are before I restored it - now in the basement

Post# 557073 , Reply# 40   11/16/2011 at 15:37 (4,515 days old) by pulltostart (Mobile, AL)        

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Pierre,

Cool Vikings - definitely a cross-breed between GE and Hotpoint.  Are these yours?  Or available somewhere?  Or just a photo you've collected?

 

Lawrence


Post# 557077 , Reply# 41   11/16/2011 at 15:51 (4,515 days old) by macboy91si (Frankfort, KY)        
Greg's GE

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I think the GE pictured in Greg's photo is "comfortably" BOL. It has the basic options but no other frills. Also I wish GE would have kept this clean, un-cluttered style, it's very sharp looking.

 

-Tim


Post# 557089 , Reply# 42   11/16/2011 at 17:27 (4,515 days old) by pierreandreply4 (St-Bruno de montarville (province of quebec) canada)        
its a picture i save a while back but one of my aunts had th

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no its a pic i save from a canadian craiglist but 1 of my aunts had this set when i was a kid lol

Post# 557208 , Reply# 43   11/17/2011 at 09:19 (4,514 days old) by Tomturbomatic (Beltsville, MD)        
Really Bottom of the Line machines

Frigidaire and GE both had BOL washers where you adjusted the temp at the faucets. I saw one with a single hose connection, others with both hot and cold hoses. One GE was still a FilterFlo, but had no temp selection. Other BOL GEs had no filtering, but did have water temp selections and I saw one two speed GE with no water temp selection. I think the Frigidaire Super model washer for 1960 was made with temperature controlled by the faucets.

The machine that was filled with a hose and went thru the agitate, drain and spin was a semi-automatic. It saved labor over using a wringer and was a good machine for someone who did not have the faucets for an automatic.


Post# 557474 , Reply# 44   11/18/2011 at 00:51 (4,514 days old) by qualin (Canada)        
To Gansky

What year is your GE FF?

My parents GE FF was almost like that one, except that it had a Suds Saver Control in the middle and had more temperature selections. I don't recall it having a water level toggle though.

The white toggles are spot on! Can you post a picture of the timer?


Post# 557651 , Reply# 45   11/18/2011 at 19:34 (4,513 days old) by bajaespuma (Connecticut)        
If it's a V-14, then

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it's probably from 1967 or 1968. The toggles are set in a black rectangle that is symmetrical and it seems to still have a black spiral ramped activator under that green filter pan so I'm going more toward "D" (even though this was the first year for GE to declare that it's washers could really handle 16 pounds of mixed heavies instead of 12, or er, uh 14, yeah 14, that's the ticket.

 

Here's a picture of a WA-650D  which was as low as they went in the 1968 Sweet's Catalog, but because Gansky's is/was a 550 BOL (one less toggleswitch)  that model was still rated as a V-14. I seem to remember a couple of years when GE sold V-14's, V-16's and "HEAVY DUTY 18's" all at the same time. Prolly what LeFever described as a "get them in the store" model. What can I say, GE did lot's of strange things to sell their washing machines:


Post# 557683 , Reply# 46   11/18/2011 at 21:14 (4,513 days old) by rogera608s (Tucson,AZ)        

Not BOL........but still fun to see in real life one of the machines from the 70's brochure. Here is my WWA8450V programmed washer.


Post# 557685 , Reply# 47   11/18/2011 at 21:23 (4,513 days old) by rogera608s (Tucson,AZ)        

And the tub shot.


Post# 557765 , Reply# 48   11/19/2011 at 08:10 (4,512 days old) by kenmoreguy89 (Valenza Piemonte, Italy- Soon to be US immigrant.)        
rogera608s

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What a NICE GE!!!!!!!

Post# 557783 , Reply# 49   11/19/2011 at 09:21 (4,512 days old) by yogitunes (New Jersey)        

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I grew up with a BOL GE FF....one cycle, 2 water temps/levels.........

sorry guys....not that exciting...and the damn thing would never die!.....

granted I never knew how great the wash action was with that swirled activator, or the clear rinsing compared to others......


but to be stuck with this same machine for your entire life, or so it seemed......you would kill for some options....

I see the beauty in them, but to go for one of these as a daily driver, and no other machine ever in the collection.....NO!


Post# 557912 , Reply# 50   11/19/2011 at 21:39 (4,512 days old) by Jonvance1990 ()        
question about the GE portable Dryer

I remember as a lad we had a matching portable GE portable washer and dryer set, and I remember that it did not have an exhaust vent hookup. My question to anyone who ever owned one is, how was it even possible to operate a dryer with no outside exhausting?

Post# 558104 , Reply# 51   11/20/2011 at 14:03 (4,511 days old) by kenmoreguy89 (Valenza Piemonte, Italy- Soon to be US immigrant.)        

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Jonathan, it probably was a condenser dryer, this types of dryers does not work at all, they "works" condensing air with a condensor, the condensor is a kind of radiator and should be cooled by colder ar flowing inside of it, the moist air pass by the other side and the moist should be condensed on it and collected in a tray or took out by a hose in a bucket, in some modern stackable units like that the washer has an entry for that hose and a collector for the water, when is full the washer drain the water......
I owned just one condenser dryer in my life, it was given to me by a neighbor who was moving away, I hated it, it was in my garage, took 4-5 hours to "dry" a load!
It will never come out completely dry anyway!
So here is the answer to your question: yes you can but you'll never have a real dryer!


Post# 558114 , Reply# 52   11/20/2011 at 15:44 (4,511 days old) by yogitunes (New Jersey)        

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there were also a few dryers that did not vent or condensate.......
they forced air past the heating element, over the clothes and out thru a screen and vent in the front door.....talk about ventless...


Post# 558121 , Reply# 53   11/20/2011 at 16:21 (4,511 days old) by jamiel (Detroit, Michigan and Palm Springs, CA)        

jamiel's profile picture
one of the ge compact dryers vented from the bottom of the door--there was a filter "trench" which sealed to the bottom of the door.

Post# 558140 , Reply# 54   11/20/2011 at 17:43 (4,511 days old) by kenmoreguy89 (Valenza Piemonte, Italy- Soon to be US immigrant.)        

kenmoreguy89's profile picture
Martin, I can't imagine the rooms where these dryers were placed, they should have called them sauna maker dryers! LOL

Post# 558142 , Reply# 55   11/20/2011 at 18:05 (4,511 days old) by yogitunes (New Jersey)        

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yeah....most likely a bathroom.....like you need more moisture there.....or even a kitchen.......

but if thats what was available, and all you could use, you had to make do.....

I have seen some strange and odd setups for washers and dryers......but if push came to shove, and this is what I had to work with, you do what you have to to get by....

I think those non-vented dryers were by Sanyo, or under that name, a very small and compact unit....


Post# 558146 , Reply# 56   11/20/2011 at 18:25 (4,511 days old) by Launderess (Quiet Please, There´s a Lady on Stage)        
Hoover's Dryer

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That was mated to their twin-tubs was non-vented IIRC as was Maytag's "Porta-Pair", though believe in each instance one could attach a vent hose.

Seem to remember more modern incarnations of not vented small dryers by brands such as Avanti.

To the best of my knowledge the only condenser dryers offered in the USA were full sized units, or part of combination washer/dryers. This changed when Equator and similar small frontloading W&D combos hit the market back in the 1990's or so.



Post# 558149 , Reply# 57   11/20/2011 at 18:31 (4,511 days old) by macboy91si (Frankfort, KY)        
Hoover and Maytag

macboy91si's profile picture
Both have a 3" vent.

-Tim


Post# 558151 , Reply# 58   11/20/2011 at 18:34 (4,511 days old) by macboy91si (Frankfort, KY)        
GE Portable

macboy91si's profile picture
Ge's portable was a GE, not Japanese and the earlier models (21") vented in the front under the lint filter as the only option. 120v dryers don't make near the heat as their 240v brethren, and in the cooler months the extra moisture is welcome. If you use one of these as a main unit, you're probably in a "do what you have to do" situation to begin with. Been there, bought the t-shirt and then dried it in a portable vented indoors :)

-Tim


Post# 558165 , Reply# 59   11/20/2011 at 19:19 (4,511 days old) by kenmoreguy89 (Valenza Piemonte, Italy- Soon to be US immigrant.)        

kenmoreguy89's profile picture
Just my opinion.....I'd never buy a dryer that vent inside, moisture for me is not so good and it is an hazard for the house especially in winter months when internal condensation risk to get your walls and windows "sweat", mold growing etc....OMG no no no! the GE in question was also showed in a closet, I cannot imagine in what conditions the closet would get in a few months with that dryer running inside, a little moisture is okay in the house, but a dryer is a dryer and actually 5 pounds of (dry) laundry makes their amount of moist even if spinned at high rpm, especially in closer spaces like an apartment bedroom,kitchen or bathroom.
At this point I think would be best bringing laundry to a laundromat......
Talking about voltage.... a friend of mine own a 120volt portable whirlpool vented dryer and it makes the same heat like mine that it is a 240volt model......there's no difference..........
I know of some english and aussie portable models wich haves a door venting, but you could also put a venting hose when you dry heavier loads.....



Post# 558254 , Reply# 60   11/21/2011 at 07:55 (4,510 days old) by macboy91si (Frankfort, KY)        
Venting

macboy91si's profile picture

I don't think it's that uncommon for the portables Federico. GE was one of the unique models that did the "internal" venting on their 1st versions in the 70's. The 24" redesign that came in the 80's introduced actual venting on these. From 1970 on though WP/KM, Maytag, Hoover and the Hitachi design (used on many Japanese rebrands) had vents on the back for external venting if inside, all 3" except the WP/KM which had a 4". During that time period there were still a considerable amount of apartments and even houses that were still not equipped with dedicated washer/dryer hookups. 120v is not that hot, trust me, compare the exhaust from a 240v to a portable and then you tell me that. A FULL-SIZE GE dryer vented indoors is a furnace whereas a little 120v Hoover is like a space heater. Using a very large pillow case for the lint catching work well leaving only some added moisture. Most of what I dry in these type of dryers comes from their mates, all of which have 850+ rpm spin. The Maytag and Hoover's are into the 2000RPM range.

 

I've never had mold or soaked walls either from running these. I get a little consensation on the windows for about 30 minutes during the thick of the cycle and then nothing, keep in mind that once the moisture is out of the clothing for the most part, the dryer is a circulating heater, it move a lot air around. I never understood why someone would run these in their bedrooms, and I've never seen one in a closet run like the GE ad's display but like I said, if you had to have one, you'd put it where you can. Who wants to lug laundry down 4 flights of stairs, put in the car and drive 4 miles just to wait for the machines there?

 

-Tim


Post# 558301 , Reply# 61   11/21/2011 at 11:47 (4,510 days old) by kenmoreguy89 (Valenza Piemonte, Italy- Soon to be US immigrant.)        

This post has been removed by the member who posted it.



Post# 558306 , Reply# 62   11/21/2011 at 11:54 (4,510 days old) by kenmoreguy89 (Valenza Piemonte, Italy- Soon to be US immigrant.)        
It all depends........

kenmoreguy89's profile picture
Will be....everything depends by house to house, how big are the spaces etc... and situation by situation I think......Me, now like now, I think I would rather bring my laundry to a laundromat or hang it on a rack as the hot moisture in my rooms would be very annoying to me, I've wood windows and moist would get them to be very bad, I'm actually fighting with some mold growing and paint peeling in the corners of them in the bathroom due to shower moist.

I was not clear when I talked about voltage, I was not meaning full size dryers, of course full size dryers haves an higher airflow, and, of course, hot air coming out (as portable are obviously smaller than a normal size), it looked like you said the difference was just in the voltage, I've a portable 240volt dryer, it is actually a bigger and nice portable model and I can dry in it a full load from my GE Extra large capacity washer, but as obvious it takes longer than a normal size though, and it makes the same heat and have the same airflow of a 120 volt one...but again, I'm talking about portables.....


Post# 560167 , Reply# 63   11/29/2011 at 11:45 (4,502 days old) by Jsneaker ()        
Venting a "portable dryer" indoors

My brother has a client who own a number of NYC properties. I was in one of the totally remodeled mid-level apartments. Much to my dismay, I saw a "combined" stack GE(Eletrolux-made)washer and dryer that was vented into one of those stupid "vent-pots"! The dryer was a 120V. YECCH!

Post# 560220 , Reply# 64   11/29/2011 at 15:26 (4,502 days old) by kenmoreguy89 (Valenza Piemonte, Italy- Soon to be US immigrant.)        

kenmoreguy89's profile picture
Ventpots........... always wondered how the hell can a person just think for a second they really work....China-junk scam...as for the "Washing balls" etc......they should have to call them washing ball***t! LOL


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