Thread Number: 10024
Speed Queen introduces 'BIG DOORS'
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Post# 184761   1/21/2007 at 12:07 (6,276 days old) by askomiele (Belgium Ghent)        

I was surfing on the internet. Just crossing SpeedQueens site, they have upgrade their washer with big doors. Good quality with a big entrance. Good!




Post# 184770 , Reply# 1   1/21/2007 at 13:14 (6,276 days old) by brisnat81 (Brisbane Australia)        
They now have big doors

And no sign of a heater?

Wasnt there a Boost Heat switch on the control panel before?

Has the controls for the heater shifted, or have they removed it?


Post# 184777 , Reply# 2   1/21/2007 at 14:17 (6,276 days old) by appnut (TX)        

appnut's profile picture
Nathan, the Model ATSA5A model has the boosted hot temp on the temperature selector knob.

Not only do these models have the new bigger door, it has THE LONGER AWSH TIMES!!! Regular is a 24 minute wash; Perm Press is 20 minutes; hand wash/delicate is 12 minutes!! Hopefully CR will give these versions improved washability scores!!


Post# 184787 , Reply# 3   1/21/2007 at 16:52 (6,276 days old) by frigilux (The Minnesota Prairie)        

frigilux's profile picture
That's good news, Bob. A 24-minute wash is more in line with other FL'ers cycle times. I'll bet that machine shoots right up the ratings. Unless CR does one of their updates, we'll have to wait til next year to find out.

Post# 184798 , Reply# 4   1/21/2007 at 17:52 (6,276 days old) by andrewinorlando ()        

They had to lengthen the wash times....they lowered the water consumption from almost 20 gallons per load down to 13.9 gallons.

Post# 184818 , Reply# 5   1/21/2007 at 19:29 (6,276 days old) by frigilux (The Minnesota Prairie)        

frigilux's profile picture
I'm amazed at how little water FL'ers are using these days. Cleaning scores are very good for them in CR's tests, too. My Frigi FL'er is old-school and uses closer to 28 gallons per load.

My machine claims to match the water level to load size, but it really just fills to the same level for every load. I wish it would use less water for very small loads, because they don't tumble well in all that water.

Both my pre-Electrolux frontloaders had water level controls which was nice. I generally used a lower water level even for full loads, just because it kept sudsing down and the clothes seemed to lift and drop better. Cleaning was never a problem, either.


Post# 184829 , Reply# 6   1/21/2007 at 20:19 (6,276 days old) by sudsmaster (SF Bay Area, California)        

sudsmaster's profile picture
Bob,

Where did you get the info on the wash times? I looked at this site a few weeks ago, but couldn't find anything that detailed how long the wash times are.

I'll look some more...


CLICK HERE TO GO TO sudsmaster's LINK


Post# 184833 , Reply# 7   1/21/2007 at 20:24 (6,276 days old) by sudsmaster (SF Bay Area, California)        
Found it

sudsmaster's profile picture
I see in the use and care manual that the regular wash is indeed 24 minutes, perm press is 20 mins. Also, selected the boosted heat will lenghthen the wash cycle from 30 to 60 minutes, that's a good thing.

If it weren't for that stupid full-width door hinge I might get serious about the new SQ's. As it is, I'd have to remove the bi-fold doors from my laundry closet to be able to open the washer door. The hinge is in the right location, it's just needlessly too far to the right.

Oh well ;-)

But considering these are true horizontal washers, with stainless outer drums, I think they give the new big Miele a good run for the money.


Post# 184845 , Reply# 8   1/21/2007 at 21:28 (6,276 days old) by launderess (Quiet Please, There´s a Lady on Stage)        
Warm Rinse

launderess's profile picture
Is provided as well. It's been quite along time since one has seen an American washing machine top or front loading offering this feature.

Post# 184851 , Reply# 9   1/21/2007 at 21:45 (6,276 days old) by appnut (TX)        

appnut's profile picture
L, my Frigidaire front loader offers a warm/warm temp selection. When using a hot wash, I usually switch the knob to that setting once the wash wter begins to drain. In fact, the GE, Whirlpool (& cousins), and LG washers all offer a warm/warm temp selection. Bosch doesn't.

Post# 184860 , Reply# 10   1/21/2007 at 22:26 (6,276 days old) by sudsmaster (SF Bay Area, California)        

sudsmaster's profile picture
My Neptune 7500 also offers a warm/warm wash/rinse temp selection. Moreover, if you select the "stain cycle", then the first rinse will be the same temp as the wash. This means that you can have a hot wash followed by a hot rinse - something NO other modern consumer machine seems to do (unless it's hidden in a pre-selection). I routinely use this option when using soap and STPP instead of detergent.

Additionally, I've noticed that the "warm rinse" option, at least on the 7500, is really a "tempered cold" rinse, in that it regulates at 80F, not the 105F of a warm wash. I'm assuming most modern washers' "warm rinse" isn't truly warm but rather a lukewarm setting also. Yet another reason to use the stain cycle.

What else the stain cycle does is insert pauses between each tumble pattern, effectively lengthening the wash cycle by about 50%. This is why if I would normally select a 16 minute wash, with stain cycle I'll select a 10 minute wash, and the wash time will still be about 16 minutes. Thus I can get a true warm or hot first rinse without the cycle taking any longer than normal.

BTW, I'm still experiencing very nice results with the Ivory soap/STPP combination. I haven't found any need for fabric softener or even vinegar. Towels come out more fluffy and absorbant. Sheets come out both crisp and smooth/soft, esp when line-dried. Dark colors seem to look better, also, freed of the nearly ubiquitous optical brightener fluorescent dye conundrum. No sign of graying of whites, either.


Post# 184896 , Reply# 11   1/21/2007 at 23:27 (6,276 days old) by peteski50 (New York)        
Speed Queen

peteski50's profile picture
I am so happy they extended the main wash cycle period. I do feel that the 24 minutes should have a option to shorten that if the clothes are lightly soiled. But you can't have everything, after all we appliance people do not design the specs. I also feel they could have added a prewash / soak, but the rinse / spin could be used for that option.
Peter


Post# 184910 , Reply# 12   1/22/2007 at 04:08 (6,275 days old) by sudsman ()        
This mabe be the machine for us now

Its good to see SQ finally got it together Theis just may be what I am looking for. Need a little bit mor info .. Am going to contact my distributor today.

Post# 184932 , Reply# 13   1/22/2007 at 08:14 (6,275 days old) by tomturbomatic (Beltsville, MD)        

In most front loaders that offer a warm rinse setting, only one rinse is warm, the last one. In some toploaders of the WP persuasion, a warm rinse is what used to be called cool.

Post# 184945 , Reply# 14   1/22/2007 at 09:18 (6,275 days old) by oxydolfan1 ()        

Approximately how much do the Speed Queen front-loaders run?

Post# 184953 , Reply# 15   1/22/2007 at 10:04 (6,275 days old) by peterh770 (Marietta, GA)        

peterh770's profile picture
They don't run much; they have very short legs.

Post# 185000 , Reply# 16   1/22/2007 at 12:58 (6,275 days old) by mrb627 (Buford, GA)        
Water Level Adjustment?

mrb627's profile picture
I wonder if the Speed Queen machines still use a mechanical water level pressure switch. One that could be slightly tweaked if desired.

MRB


Post# 185065 , Reply# 17   1/22/2007 at 18:55 (6,275 days old) by sudsmaster (SF Bay Area, California)        
Get a leg up

sudsmaster's profile picture
The previous models seemed to sell for between $1200 and $1500 for the different washer models (heated version most expensive). I would expect the new versions to be in the same ballpark.


Post# 185179 , Reply# 18   1/22/2007 at 22:58 (6,275 days old) by gansky1 (Omaha, The Home of the TV Dinner!)        

gansky1's profile picture
Peter - what'cha been up to lately and what's his name? You've been almost giddy in your posts lately, anyone we know??

Post# 185384 , Reply# 19   1/24/2007 at 06:00 (6,273 days old) by bearpeter ()        
How can SQ be good at cleaning/stains with 24 mins wash?

My AEG spends no less than 85 mins on the wash before moving on to 60 mins completing 4 rinses and final spin. Now that cleans the hell out of ANYTHING!

Not impressed with this machine after reading the manual...


Post# 185389 , Reply# 20   1/24/2007 at 06:11 (6,273 days old) by oxydolfan1 ()        

I'm not impressed with the price range and the limited availability....

Post# 185416 , Reply# 21   1/24/2007 at 09:26 (6,273 days old) by peterh770 (Marietta, GA)        

peterh770's profile picture
Well, my Miele spends 48 minutes in the cotton main wash and even 30 minutes in the delicate main wash, and it cleans the hell out of anything, so I guess that debunks that you need an 85 minute wash to get anything clean...

The SQ probably does just fine with 24 minutes.

Yeah the price is a bit high, and for whatever reason, Alliance is not teaming up with any big retailer, so limited availability will have to be dealt with. But really, once you purchase your machine, is limited availability really an issue?


Post# 185510 , Reply# 22   1/24/2007 at 15:03 (6,273 days old) by whirlcool (Just North Of Houston, Texas)        

Remember, one of Speed Queens selling points is that all the gearing in the transmission is metal, no plastic gears are used there. So I imagine that is not cheap to manufacture and probably contributes to the higher price of the machine.

Post# 185519 , Reply# 23   1/24/2007 at 15:42 (6,273 days old) by revvinkevin (Tinseltown - Shakey Town - La-La Land)        
The price of new machines....

revvinkevin's profile picture
$1200 - $1500 for a new SQ front loader? That seems right in there with other middle to upper-line models from LG, Bosch, Siemans (giggle) or even Whirlpool and Kitchenaid!!

Post# 185573 , Reply# 24   1/24/2007 at 18:36 (6,273 days old) by bearpeter ()        
Peter 770...touche!

suppose youre right. Most of the time the AEG is heating up to about 40 degrees, plateau-ing there for a while and then heating up to temp. I imagine your miele does the same....
Would be nice for someone to find the optimum time to clean everything perfectly and maybe save us all some time.

Still think the SQ times are a joke (ducks and runs flippin' fast)


Post# 185582 , Reply# 25   1/24/2007 at 19:00 (6,273 days old) by irishwashguy (Salem,Oregon.............A Capital City)        
i have the link for the Queens Chanmber right here

irishwashguy's profile picture
Take a look. Those machines with the big doors look really good. Just click on the home laundry link.

CLICK HERE TO GO TO irishwashguy's LINK


Post# 185584 , Reply# 26   1/24/2007 at 19:02 (6,273 days old) by irishwashguy (Salem,Oregon.............A Capital City)        
The # to the Queens Chambers

irishwashguy's profile picture
Here is their toll free #---They will give you the wash times. Or at least they should---1-800-345-5649

Post# 185601 , Reply# 27   1/24/2007 at 20:11 (6,273 days old) by oxydolfan1 ()        

It's weird....Speed Queen apparently never did catch on around here. I've never known anyone who owned one in this area...

Post# 185713 , Reply# 28   1/24/2007 at 23:11 (6,273 days old) by sudsmaster (SF Bay Area, California)        

sudsmaster's profile picture
If you get the TOL SQ front loader model, the one with the heater, then the wash times could be a lot longer than 24 minutes. That's because the machine will pause when the heater is on, and according to the manual, that could add anywhere from 30 to 60 minutes. So that 24 minute wash could become 84 minutes, just by selecting "boosted hot". Of course, you'll get 140F water, but that should be just fine for all but non-colorfast cottons, washable woolens, or very delicate items. And if you're getting delicates so dirty they need longer than 24 minutes... try wearing an apron next time.


Post# 185769 , Reply# 29   1/25/2007 at 07:17 (6,272 days old) by launderess (Quiet Please, There´s a Lady on Stage)        
Very Long Wash Times, Such Stuff and Nonesense

launderess's profile picture
American laundry detergetns both HE and otherwise are desigened with that market's laundry habits in mind. That is to say are quite "aggressive" detergents designed to work quickly and effectively within short wash times. This no doubt developed from top loading washing machines which usually had maximum 18 minutes or so wash times, but could always be extended by resetting the timer.

Amercian washing machines by and large do not spend time heating wash water like European machines, that alone takes anywhere from 10 minutes or more (depending upon such variables such as incoming water temp/chosen wash temp, and heating power of the machine). The preferred method of whitening within the United States is chlorine bleach, which works quite quickly and indeed will harm textiles with long exposure times.

Now, SQ's former max wash time for cottons of 9 minutes probably was good enough for most loads, but because the machine lacked a method for extending wash times, besides aborting the cycle and starting over, many consumers simply assumed their laundry would not come clean.

American laundry detergents, again keeping with short wash cycle designs of most machines, will loose effectiveness with very long wash cycles. That is to say the ability to hold soils and muck in suspension and keep them away from laundry is not indefinite. After about 15 minutes or so the formula will weaken and that can lead to soils being redeposited right back onto laundry.

Good laundry practice is a combination of time, temperature, mechanical action and chemicals. An increase in any variable leads to a decrease in the others. That is to say powerful chemicals will require less time, temp and even mechanical action than weaker. The only chemicals in todays modern detergents that benefit from long contact times are enzymes and oxygen bleach. Again American wash habits prefer chlorine bleach for stain removal, even with detergents that contain enzymes (which LCB deactivates).

One bug-bear for Americans towards front loaders is the LONG cycle times of some machines. Again unlike Madame La France, Mrs. Average American Housewife is not used to doing small amounts of laundry each day. Rather the stuff builds up and is done once weekly (if that). If a families entire wash was mainly white/colourfast cottons that could all be laundered in hot water with bleach, then a machine that took over an hour *might* not prove such a bother, but that rarely is the case. With several loads of laundry to do most Americans do not wish to prolong the chore any longer than necessary. One reason I've kept the Hoover TT around despite the extra work and dreadful noise, is there are simply times one does not wish to wait ages for the Miele to do a load of laundry. If the Hoover weren't around, probably would look for a small vintage portable/compact top loader for the same purpose.


It is a pity Alliance didn't make some design adjustment for short or long cycles. Eariler "Homestyle" washers had timer controls, do not understand why SQ felt the need to abandon that design for such and inflexible replacement.



Post# 185799 , Reply# 30   1/25/2007 at 08:51 (6,272 days old) by the7 ()        
Eariler "Homestyle" washers had timer controls

My older versoion Huebsch FL (sistor of SQ) has such more flexible timer-control.
Heavy -> 15 min wash
Normal -> 9 min wash
Light -> 7 min wash

I prefer this timer-control than the newer control.



Post# 185801 , Reply# 31   1/25/2007 at 08:52 (6,272 days old) by the7 ()        

The control console.

Post# 185802 , Reply# 32   1/25/2007 at 08:57 (6,272 days old) by the7 ()        
LTZ85 with heater

I have owned for nearly one year and our family are happy with this FL when compared with my Maytag DC TL.

Post# 185833 , Reply# 33   1/25/2007 at 11:40 (6,272 days old) by bearpeter ()        
Stuff and Nonesense, Laundress?

I'm not so sure....

Your message made sense, somewhat, but I have had experience of a Frdigedaire combo when I lived in Mexico and found stain removal deplorable. The TL'ers on sale in the UK have a "G" rating for wash performance which is the lowest, sadly.
The fact that you can leave a FL'er to do it's job without having to re-programme for heavy soiled stuff is a big plus, regardless of lengthy wash times!!!
As much as I am not a lover of TL'ers for heavy loads, I would love one for the every day things like bedding, towels and lightly soiled stuff. they make light of this type of washing and would save lots of time....so long as you have a couple of dryers to keep up with the volume of drying too!!!

Think this is the first time we have exchanged messages, nice to meet you!

Peter


Post# 185855 , Reply# 34   1/25/2007 at 12:46 (6,272 days old) by dadoes (TX, U.S. of A.)        

dadoes's profile picture
So then, is a 15-min+ wash (estimated at the highest soil level) followed by a 2-hr soak (with the same water/detergent), followed by a few more mins of agiation much too long in my F&P toploader? The soak time can't be reprogrammed directly but can be manually advanced when the desired time has passed (or automatically shortened by half with the Time Saver option, but that shortens all phases of the cycle).

Post# 185860 , Reply# 35   1/25/2007 at 13:25 (6,272 days old) by zipdang (Portland, OR)        

zipdang's profile picture
DADoES, the scenario you describe might not be too long if used in conjunction with a European detergent (like Persil) intended for longer wash times, versus using a North American detergent with a shorter window of effectiveness (like Tide HE). I'm just guessing, though, but maybe Laundress can offer her wisdom.

Post# 186307 , Reply# 36   1/26/2007 at 22:44 (6,271 days old) by sudsmaster (SF Bay Area, California)        

sudsmaster's profile picture
"That is to say the ability to hold soils and muck in suspension and keep them away from laundry is not indefinite. After about 15 minutes or so the formula will weaken and that can lead to soils being redeposited right back onto laundry. "

Pray tell, which components, exactly, are incapable of holding soil in suspension for more than 15 minutes.

And where are you getting this information?


Post# 186319 , Reply# 37   1/26/2007 at 23:16 (6,271 days old) by launderess (Quiet Please, There´s a Lady on Stage)        

launderess's profile picture
Read it years ago when "Googling" around the Web researching laundry detergents.

Post# 186364 , Reply# 38   1/27/2007 at 05:31 (6,270 days old) by angus (Fairfield, CT.)        

I noticed that Speed Queen has now eliminated the warm rinse option on its top loaders.

Post# 186381 , Reply# 39   1/27/2007 at 08:48 (6,270 days old) by logixx (Germany)        

logixx's profile picture
The TL'ers on sale in the UK have a "G" rating for wash performance which is the lowest, sadly.

I'm not sure, if the European washability testings can be applied one-to-one to top loaders. TL's don't have stepped heating and cycles taking +/- two hours (our washer takes 2:20 hrs for the 140° Energy Label cycle, Miele's*) Cottons 140°F + Intensive cycle takes 1:49 hrs).

*) according to the German Miele Liquid Wash manual

Also, the washability test include stains such as blood, oil, soot, red wine, cocoa,... The Euro washability tests are based upon a 60°C / 140°F cycle. Since most TL's don't have built-in heating, the machine will immediately fill with hot water probably causing some stains to be set immediately.
I think to accurately rate a TL's washability we should have tests better tailored towards TL-like wash cycles and not just apply the same standards used for FL's (because this is what I think is happening).

As far as cycle times and load sizes are concerned: I don't mind our washer taking 2 hours to wash a 13 lbs. / 6 kg load, since everything is done automatically by the machine. I don't even need to pretreat / soak stains - it's all conveniently done for me. And if I don't need a high-performance cycle I can cut the cycle time by almost 50% simply at the touch of a button. :)

Alex


Post# 186607 , Reply# 40   1/28/2007 at 02:04 (6,270 days old) by sudsmaster (SF Bay Area, California)        

sudsmaster's profile picture
OK, here's the skinny:

The best soil suspension agent, bar none, is STPP. It also has other admirable qualities, but I'll stick to just this one for the sake of this discussion.

In phosphate free detergents, the soil suspension chore goes to CMC, or carboxy methyl cellulose. This is a wood pulp product (processed) that looks much like lint when dry. When moistened, it has a viscous quality in concentration. CMC is used both in American laundry detergents and in Persil.

Persil may contain other substances to replace the other functions of STPP, such as zeolites. Zeolites are effective for softening water without causing a precipitate, but they have no soil suspending activity.

Seeing that Persil uses pretty much the same soil suspending agent as American phosphate-free laundry detergents, I tend to doubt that American detergents are less able to withstand long hot wash cycles than European detergents. It may be, however, that the lack of zeolites and over-reliance on sodium carbonate for water softening in American detergents results a greater tendency for hard water precipates being redeposited on clothing. But I doubt this has any relationship with heat or wash time.

Here's a link that discusses CMC and other cellulose compounds, and here's a except:

6. Carboxymethyl Cellulose
Carboxymethyl cellulose, generally as its sodium salt, is the most widely used cellulose
ether. CMC is water soluble with a DS of 0.4 to 1.2 in common applications. It was
originally used as a replacement for natural gums in adhesives, but it has since developed
many uses of its own. Sodium carboxymethyl cellulose is readily water soluble because of
its ionic nature; its largest use is in laundry detergents, where it helps to suspend soil
particles during washing. This resistance to greases and soil has made CMC useful in
fabric sizing as a soil repellant. Because CMC is completely nontoxic, it is used in many
food applications, where its affinity for water prevents drying of the product. Although it
is generally no longer used as an adhesive, per se, it is still used in adhesives as a
thickener.


CLICK HERE TO GO TO sudsmaster's LINK


Post# 186751 , Reply# 41   1/28/2007 at 18:00 (6,269 days old) by bearpeter ()        
reply to Logixx ( germany)

Hi there..
The TL'ers I am talking about are the same TL'ers sold in the US... (not the euro H-Axis TL'ers we are used to here...)

Greetings to you and your loved one's

Peter


Post# 186752 , Reply# 42   1/28/2007 at 18:07 (6,269 days old) by bearpeter ()        
reply to Logixx again.... sorry!

Like you, I do not mind the long wash programme times..... I am not there lol! I don't have a "wash day" I let the machine do the work from start to end... No problem the machine is on most days!


Peter



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