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Thread Number: 42567
Speed Queen Front Load Machines |
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| Post# 626371 , Reply# 1 9/20/2012 at 15:50 (4,228 days old) by laundromat (Hilo, Hawaii) | ||
 As nice as they are in design (inner and outer stainless steel tubs with perferated stainless steel paddles) and features, they are expensive and have smaller tubs ( 3.1 cu ft) then most competitors. The Maytag/Whirlpool/Amana front loaders have bigger capacity and are a bit more reasonably priced. LG also makes a larger capacity washer and Frigidaire Affinities are great in capacity, convenience and they make models as low as $549 at Lowes. I went to the Sears OutletStore here and found a new Frigidaire top of the line Affinity inthe box for only $400! I bought it for my brother who had a similar washer you have that went and took a crap ( berrings and pump ) so I gave him the Affinity. He said that he and his wife noticed how much cleaner their clotheswere gettiing and how much less lint was accumulating in the dryer.Renie told me that the clothes never loked or smeled as clean as their new washer gets them. | ||
Post# 626373 , Reply# 2 9/20/2012 at 16:04 (4,228 days old) by Pulsator  (Saint Joseph, MI) |
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 I have a Speed Queen FL washer and I LOVE it! It's definitely one of the best washers I've ever used! It does lack on features and there is no soil level selection but that doesn't really bother me. Less stuff to break! It's been my experience with the spin that the spin bursts tend to be a bit unbalanced if you don't have a full load, but they only last about 6-8 seconds before stopping to let the pump catch up. After the wash and between rinses, instead of doing a full spin, it does 4 pulse spins, getting gradually faster with each pulse. The only actual full speed spin the machine does is the final spin. (It does 4 pulses first then goes full speed for the final spin.) I can't say that I have any clue how the machine would react with your floor (mine is on cement), it'll probably shake a bit, but during the pulse spins, it's only for a few seconds at a time and then it moves on, the final spin tends to balance better and it has always been smooth sailing for me when the final spin comes around. Yes the machine costs more and has less features, but it's built so much better!!! As for the capacity, I've done comforters in mine with no issue. The Electrolux Wave Touch dryer I use with it also has issues coping with the size of the loads that come out of it. (And that's and 8.0 cubic foot dryer!) So I don't think that it has any capacity issues. The longer wash time certainly means it can cope with more laundry. It also seems to be far more balanced during the pulse spins and final spins if it's filled up. (And it never gets fussy about balancing trying to get the clothes just right for an eternity!) And it only takes 44 minutes for a regular load. Better than most FL machines today! | ||
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Post# 626379 , Reply# 5 9/20/2012 at 16:30 (4,228 days old) by Pulsator (Saint Joseph, MI) |
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Something I should add, mine came with special feet adapters for upper floor installations. They clip onto the front 2 feet and are about 3 inches in diameter. They are large adhesive pads that stick to the floor and will hold the washer still if it starts shaking. It may shake but, if properly installed, the pads will not allow the machine to walk. Also, I have never had my machine jump. If it decides the load is too unbalanced for a pulse spin, let alone the final spin, it will stop and redistribute. The Speed Queen difference is that it will only stop if it thinks it'll jump or the tub will bang against the cabinet. Most machine seem to try and keep their shocks from having to do any vibration absorption (which makes sense considering how cheaply made most of them are.)
There are others on this site (I'm can think of 4 or 5 at least) that have Speed Queen FL washers and they all love them. Hopefully someone will have some experience with them on a wood floor... | ||
| Post# 626393 , Reply# 7 9/20/2012 at 17:28 (4,227 days old) by Iowegian () | ||
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@Pulsator: Thanks - I downloaded SQ's install instructions and I didn't see those mentioned, only the typical rubber feet that go over the leveling bolts... | ||
| Post# 626397 , Reply# 8 9/20/2012 at 17:39 (4,227 days old) by laundromat (Hilo, Hawaii) | ||
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I still say it's the users who don't follow the easy directions and never take care of their appliances that cause most of the problems with front loading washers.They either leave the door shut after use causing mildew, use a high sudsing detergent instead of HE, use way too much bleach causing rust and corosion, and never check pockets for loose change or other foreign objects. That may be why 99% of the broken models I have restored are still in use years after I repaired them. I prefer the larger capcity models and,in fact, will be getting LGs new 30" set in SS when I return home. Before I left, I set up the area where they'll look great and be more practical. I had to wait until they arrived to be sure I had the right measurements. I setup dliery for 10/25/12. I readthese will easily wash up to 25 pounds of dry laundry. Anyway. I ope whatever you buy works great and does meet your needs. | ||
| Post# 626400 , Reply# 11 9/20/2012 at 18:02 (4,227 days old) by Maytagbear (N.E. Ohio) | ||
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If I were buying a new washer, I'd mortgage my cat for the Speed Queen front loader. If. Lawrence/Maytagbear | ||
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Post# 626406 , Reply# 13 9/20/2012 at 18:41 (4,227 days old) by Launderess (Quiet Please, There´s a Lady on Stage) |
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"Technically complex "
Does not have to automatically equal poor quality and or early demise due to planned obsolescence. It all comes down to design and quality.
Commercial laundry and dishwashing machines have long been technically complex with various amounts of computer controls, the difference however is how the systems are designed and installed to isolate them from certain damage. Both in laundry and dishwashing machines you are going to encounter environments that are moist and warm, something computers/motherboards don't normally like. If certain electronic/computer controls are not protected to an extent from such things it will hasten their demise/shorten their useful lifespan. | ||
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Post# 626438 , Reply# 15 9/20/2012 at 21:10 (4,227 days old) by whirlykenmore78 (Prior Lake MN (GMT-0500 CDT.)) |
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SQ FL.
Is probably about the best you are going to get today unless you want a Miele which would give you more cycles and options. Depending on where in central IA you are you should look on line for dealers in either the Des Moines area or the Minneapolis area. One for sure in The Minneapolis area that carries both lines Miele and SQ is Warner's Stellian. I do not know of any in Des Moines.
WK78 | ||
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Post# 626457 , Reply# 17 9/20/2012 at 22:23 (4,227 days old) by Frigilux (The Minnesota Prairie) |
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I checked Consumer Reports, and Speed Queen front-loaders received a very low score for "freedom from vibration" during spins. This probably doesn't matter if you're installing it on concrete, but it might be of some concern in an upstairs laundry room.
Receiving best scores for vibration: Samsung WF511AB ($1300) Samsung WF520AB ($1400) Kenmore Elite 4154 ($1300) Kenmore Elite 4153 ($1000) Shop by model, not brand, as other Samsungs (priced $600-800) scored poorly for vibration. | ||
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Post# 626767 , Reply# 22 9/22/2012 at 10:13 (4,226 days old) by logixx (Germany) |
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I second what qualin said about concrete shaking. I used these Speed Queens at a dorm where they were installed on a concrete first floor. The floor would noticeably vibrate during some spin cycles. But that's the same with Miele. These washers rely on their weight, rather than on sensors, steels balls or gel packs, to stop the unit from moving around. There are several reports from European users saying how their Miele goes into spin unbalanced because the overall construction of the washer can handle it - but then again, European homes usually don't have a wooden construction like in the US (or Canada, I suppose).
Alex | ||
| Post# 626866 , Reply# 25 9/22/2012 at 17:34 (4,225 days old) by ronhic (Canberra, Australia) | ||
Bobo
Firstly, consider what you will wash and how often you wash them before deciding a larger capacity machine is the way to go.
Consumer magazines both here in Oz and in the UK have found that consumers rarely if ever reach the capacity of the machine - don't let looks deceive you! Choice magazine has just revamped their testing procedures to focus on 'average load' rather than 'full capacity' as a result. It appears that people only put in about 3.5kg of washing regardless of the machine size. A machine that is comfortably or fully loaded rather than partly loaded will generally spin better and without excessive vibration. Miele machines are generally 6.5kg or larger these days and as an indication of capacity, my old 4kg Hoover stated a full load was 8...yes 8!!! single bed sheets and 8 pillow slips. Any European machine will be capable of taking a KS cover and a bottom sheet...in fact, they'll take 2 of each, not be at 'capacity' and not even blanch at it. Don't be put off by what appears to be a smaller tub. Just fill it and go! | ||
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Post# 626891 , Reply# 27 9/22/2012 at 19:17 (4,225 days old) by Launderess (Quiet Please, There´s a Lady on Stage) |
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Miele 4***** Series
First they have been discontinued by Miele, so if you want one better act quickly as dealers will not be getting anymore new stock. Rumor has it Miele was losing money on each unit and for that and other reasons decided to pull the plug.
Next though the 4xxx units are indeed large per directions in the owner's manual they are only loaded 3/4 drum max. This is opposed to say quasi and or "large" front loaders that follow the age old principles of loading the drum full leaving about a fist's worth of space at top. | ||
| Post# 626916 , Reply# 28 9/22/2012 at 20:57 (4,225 days old) by mrb627 (Buford, GA) | ||
Long Wash Times | ||
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Post# 626924 , Reply# 29 9/22/2012 at 21:19 (4,225 days old) by Tomturbomatic (Beltsville, MD) |
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Good idea Except that the Delicate cycle skips a spin between the rinses. | ||
| Post# 626955 , Reply# 30 9/22/2012 at 22:18 (4,225 days old) by bobo () | ||
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I guess a 24-minute wash isn't that bad, as we run 2 regular cycles (2x15mins of agitating) to make sure our clothes are clean. Maybe our washer isn't that great..... | ||
| Post# 626960 , Reply# 31 9/22/2012 at 22:35 (4,225 days old) by bobo () | ||
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Sorry, I forgot to add this in my previous post (I couldn't edit it): What is the wash/agitating time for Miele machines? | ||
| Post# 626962 , Reply# 32 9/22/2012 at 22:42 (4,225 days old) by mrb627 (Buford, GA) | ||
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Delicate cycle | ||
| Post# 627077 , Reply# 35 9/23/2012 at 15:12 (4,225 days old) by AutoWasherFreak () | ||
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I would love to have a SQ front loader, a SQ top loader, and for a dryer the SQ double dryer. If I'm going to dream, I'm going to dream big, LOL. | ||
| Post# 627081 , Reply# 37 9/23/2012 at 15:36 (4,225 days old) by Iowegian () | ||
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@mrb627: Using the delicate cycle sounds like a reasonable work-around. Do you add the separate spin cycle because the delicate cycle uses a lower spin speed? Is the amount of wash water the same with regular, perm press and delicate? Thanks | ||
| Post# 627089 , Reply# 39 9/23/2012 at 16:01 (4,225 days old) by ronhic (Canberra, Australia) | ||
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Capacity
I coiuldn't agree more. Capacity is very hard to determine when measurements differ.
All I can offer is that Europe and Oz still use the weight method to determine and enable comparison. Speed Queen front loaders here are rated at 8kg. Now, on the issue of cycle times and wear on clothes. My own experience is that clothes, in general, will last significantly longer washed in a front load machine than they will if washed in a top-load machine. A wash component of 24 minutes isn't long either....my shortest 40c cotton wash on my machine is 68 minutes...38 minutes of that is washing, but there are 2 rinses and 3 spins that follow. There is a reason front load machines don't have a lint filter. They don't need one as they produce significantly less lint which, in turn, means there is less wear on your clothes... | ||
| Post# 627091 , Reply# 40 9/23/2012 at 16:05 (4,225 days old) by mrb627 (Buford, GA) | ||
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Delicates | ||
| Post# 627136 , Reply# 42 9/23/2012 at 18:42 (4,224 days old) by bobo () | ||
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@Malcolm: I just figured out from this site that you also have the Miele W3033; compared to the Speed Queen, how much smaller is the drum of the Miele? Are you able to wash just as much clothing as the SQ, or you have to downsize? | ||
| Post# 627147 , Reply# 43 9/23/2012 at 19:20 (4,224 days old) by mrb627 (Buford, GA) | ||
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Load Size | ||
| Post# 627151 , Reply# 44 9/23/2012 at 19:39 (4,224 days old) by Iowegian () | ||
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@mrb627: Do you sense any differences in gentleness/fabric wear between the SQ and the Miele? | ||
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Post# 627182 , Reply# 45 9/23/2012 at 21:27 (4,224 days old) by Frigilux (The Minnesota Prairie) |
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| Post# 627232 , Reply# 46 9/24/2012 at 03:20 (4,224 days old) by qualin (Canada) | ||
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I think that if I lived in an Apartment or a Condo, where the washer could be installed in the kitchen European-style, a Miele W3033 would be a great machine for two people. We'd probably have more frequent loads, but it would be a luxury in comparison to having to use common area laundry. | ||
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Post# 627357 , Reply# 48 9/24/2012 at 18:37 (4,223 days old) by Launderess (Quiet Please, There´s a Lady on Stage) |
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Whatever
Have a vintage Miele w1070 which is rated to hold about 5kg (ll pounds of wash) and am doing a load of four (4) king sized cotton sateen sheets atm. While the drum was full when dry sheets were loaded, just opened the door after the wash water drained and the load compacted down to between one-half to three-quarters full.
The Miele w3033 is rated to hold slightly more than mine (IIRC 5.5kg) so draw your own conclusions. | ||
| Post# 627358 , Reply# 49 9/24/2012 at 18:56 (4,223 days old) by bobo () | ||
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@ Launderess I would assume you literally stuffed the drum full with no space at the top? I thought it was no-no to overload the washer like that! | ||
| Post# 627361 , Reply# 50 9/24/2012 at 19:04 (4,223 days old) by paulc (Edinburgh, Scotland) | ||
bobo | ||
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Post# 627376 , Reply# 52 9/24/2012 at 19:50 (4,223 days old) by Launderess (Quiet Please, There´s a Lady on Stage) |
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Er, No. Did Not "Stuff The Washing Machine Full"
Thank you very much.
Have been keeping house with this Miele washer long enough to know it's limits and how to load. More than enough room for a folded fist was left at the top of the dry load, which by all professional and domestic measures is deemed good and proper. Again the proof was in that after the wash was soaked down the load tumbled freely within the "10 to 2" or "10 to 4" clock measure. It is quite easy to tell when a Miele or at least my model is over stuffed. It makes horrible noises and you can literally hear the wash moving about in one soild mass. | ||
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Post# 627379 , Reply# 53 9/24/2012 at 19:58 (4,223 days old) by Launderess (Quiet Please, There´s a Lady on Stage) |
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Pay Attention Son, You Might Learn Something | ||
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Post# 627385 , Reply# 54 9/24/2012 at 20:40 (4,223 days old) by logixx (Germany) |
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Front loaders can be loaded to the top. Naturally, you're not supposed to force item in with your foot... but 'to the top' can be fine.
This is my washer doing towels. Towels are especially forgiving because a load of them will shrink down quite a bit. Of course, my washer is a European one so it has long cycles etc. etc. But it just goes to show that you can fill the drum up and still get some nice tumbling. Alex CLICK HERE TO GO TO logixx's LINK | ||
| Post# 627416 , Reply# 55 9/25/2012 at 00:00 (4,223 days old) by ronhic (Canberra, Australia) | ||
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Bobo
Listen to what people on here who have European machines say about them.
Learn from our many many years experience. Miele will certainly make a couple of different drums for the various size machines that they retail, however, without exception, every single Miele machine produced in the past 40 years and in current production can take a KS quilt cover, fitted sheet, flat sheet and 4 pillow cases as a minimum. 4 kingsize sheets would also work equally well given 8 single sheets equates to 4kg and a king sheet is approximately the size of 2 singles. | ||
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Post# 627426 , Reply# 57 9/25/2012 at 02:32 (4,223 days old) by chestermikeuk (Rainhill *Home of the RailwayTrials* Merseyside,UK) |
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Has.....
Somebody been sniffing the HE again!!!
Bobo if you really want user friendly advice and information from tried & tested users then please dont insult our understanding and intelligence by above said picture!!! The actual drum of the washer is much larger than the window of the washer. All Miele washing machines from vintage to modern are perfectly capable of washing said king cal queeny whatever duvet covers and sheets!! We hope you take the information above, and it is always as well to check out what you require and make an informed decision and purchase!! p.s. just washing two king duvets, 8 pillow cases and 4 t-shirts in the Servis Quartz rated 4.5kg, which does a better job of washing, rinsing and less creasing than the Fagor 6kg washer - more water and no holes in the drum...LOl | ||
| Post# 627429 , Reply# 58 9/25/2012 at 03:03 (4,223 days old) by ronhic (Canberra, Australia) | ||
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Bobo | ||
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Post# 627431 , Reply# 59 9/25/2012 at 03:40 (4,223 days old) by ozzie908 (Lincoln UK) |
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Size is not everything :) | ||
| Post# 627528 , Reply# 64 9/25/2012 at 16:34 (4,223 days old) by ronhic (Canberra, Australia) | ||
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Provided you're not talking about putting the actual quilt in, the Miele will just shrug it's shoulders and get it done.
...with results that should have you questioning why more people don't look past their misconceptions and hang-ups about 'size' and own them. ...and why you put up with so called 'good results' which were nothing of the sort compared to what a Miele can deliver. | ||
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Post# 627544 , Reply# 66 9/25/2012 at 18:49 (4,222 days old) by Launderess (Quiet Please, There´s a Lady on Stage) |
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Let's Go To The Video Tape, Shall we?
Both the W1612 and W3033 have the same size rated tub, 5.5 CuFt. The only difference is in appearances and or cycles.
CLICK HERE TO GO TO Launderess's LINK | ||
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Post# 627547 , Reply# 67 9/25/2012 at 19:01 (4,222 days old) by Launderess (Quiet Please, There´s a Lady on Stage) |
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This Debate Has Been Going On For Ages
Between North Americans and Europeans regarding front loading H-axis washing machines.
Bottom line is you pays your money and you takes your chances. Laundromat and or commercial laundries size their equipment according to the dominate loads presented by customers and or what is required for fast through-put. A 5-6kg (11 to about 12 pound) capacity front loader should be able to handle most everyday normal wash loads. If you want to get things done faster you take a page from commercial/laundromat washers and look for fast cycle times. If however your main needs run to very large loads on average twice a month or so (and this includes duvets, duvet covers, quilts, etc) then go for a larger capacity washer with or without fast cycles. Ideally H-axis washers give better laundering results with less problems/vibrations when used at or near full capacity. Having a 20lb washer when you only do 10lbs on average weekly is sooner or later asking for trouble with some models today. Most simply cannot figure out how to balance a "small" load and or will simply do so even if it is unbalanced; banging and clanking away. | ||
| Post# 627551 , Reply# 68 9/25/2012 at 19:20 (4,222 days old) by bobo () | ||
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For some odd reason, according to Miele Marine website the W1612 and W3033 are rated as 6kg washers. The machines look exactly the same as the ones on Mieleusa.com. CLICK HERE TO GO TO bobo's LINK | ||
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Post# 627557 , Reply# 69 9/25/2012 at 19:54 (4,222 days old) by Launderess (Quiet Please, There´s a Lady on Stage) |
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*Sigh* | ||
| Post# 627561 , Reply# 70 9/25/2012 at 20:24 (4,222 days old) by ronhic (Canberra, Australia) | ||
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Miele don't offer a model in our market under 7kg these days.
Here is the weight guide out of my parents Italian made Electrolux. Laundry weights The following weights are indicative: bathrobe 1200 g napkin 100 g quilt cover 700 g sheet 500 g pillow case 200 g tablecloth 250 g towelling towel 200 g tea cloth 100 g night dress 200 g ladies’ briefs 100 g man’s work shirt 600 g man’s shirt 200 g man’s pyjamas 500 g blouse 100 g men’s underpants 100 g Lets just accept that it is a QS quilt cover and sheets and that the KS one you're referring to weighs 1kg. But just for kicks and giggles, lets use 1.5kg, that means a Miele will have no issue whatsoever taking: - KS Quilt cover 1.5kg - KS fitted sheet say 700gm - KS flat sheet say 1kg - 4 pillow cases 800gm Total load = 4kg....well under the 5.5 or 6.0kg capacity. CLICK HERE TO GO TO ronhic's LINK | ||
| Post# 627600 , Reply# 71 9/26/2012 at 00:09 (4,222 days old) by bobo () | ||
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I thought Germans were very scientific..... :) Half a kilogram is quite a bit, in science of course! That's what I thought too, the 5.5kg and 6kg machines are the same. | ||
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Post# 627803 , Reply# 72 9/26/2012 at 21:07 (4,221 days old) by Jetcone (Schenectady-Home of Calrods,Monitor Tops,Toroid Transformers) |
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I 've had the Horizon FL
on the third floor of my house for 12 years and I only ever feel it slightly and that is during the pulse spins, once it gets up to speed only once in a while the wine glasses will vibrate at 1000 RPM"s but that is high frequency vibration, its not the whole house rocking.
BTW Horizon is the same machine as SQ, Horizon is sold on the Alliance commercial side , it is identical to the SQ FL. | ||
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