Thread Number: 44348
Bought One: Frigidaire Immersion Care TL'er
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Post# 651669   1/7/2013 at 16:31 (4,097 days old) by Frigilux (The Minnesota Prairie)        

frigilux's profile picture
We'll, the score is now Temptation 1, Household Budget 0, LOL! Yes, I did it: Stopped by the Frigidaire dealer, talked him down to $675 and bought the new Immersion Care washer. I'll be living on the change in the mayo jar for the next three weeks, but I only had to put $100 of it on a card.

Could have gotten a more sophisticated-looking Maytag impeller machine for $30 more, with a stainless steel tub and detergent dispenser...but I'm far more curious about the Frigidaire.

I bought the upper-end model, as it has the "waterfall jets" and far more features than the lower-end machine.
It would appear Frigidaire is using everything from their former TL line; they just removed the agitator and put an impeller in the bottom. The impeller is a separate piece from the tub; it's not molded in Skinny Mini-style. But it moves only with the tub. The tub is exactly the same as my 2006 TL'er.

It will be installed by noon tomorrow. I may have to leave work early, cough, cough.

Here's a photo of the tub:





Post# 651671 , Reply# 1   1/7/2013 at 16:38 (4,097 days old) by Frigilux (The Minnesota Prairie)        

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Here's a screen shot of the console from the owner's manual.

Cycle Options:

1. ENERGY SAVER: reduces water temp; lowers water usage slightly and also extracts more water to reduce drying time. (Extended spin, maybe? Top speed on this machine is 800 rpm.)

2. WRINKLE RELEASE: Adds a deep rinse with warm water to relax existing wrinkles, and then lowers the speed of the final spin to prevent setting new ones.

3. FRESHWATER RINSE: Use this option when additional rinsing is desired. (Doesn't say it's a deep rinse, so it probably isn't.)

4. FABRIC SOFTENER: You must turn the fabric softener switch to the on position for correct operation of the fabric softener dispenser. (Again, doesn't say this means there's a deep rinse.)

5. STAIN TREAT: Gives cycle the agitation time of "heavy soil" selection plus a mid-agitation soak. (Doesn't specify length of soak.)


Post# 651672 , Reply# 2   1/7/2013 at 16:42 (4,097 days old) by zipdang (Portland, OR)        
Congrats!

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Would love to see one of your famous stain tests after you get your new machine!

Post# 651675 , Reply# 3   1/7/2013 at 16:56 (4,097 days old) by Frigilux (The Minnesota Prairie)        

frigilux's profile picture
David, my gut tells me this machine will flunk that test with flying colors. But you can be sure I'm going to put it through its paces just to see what it can and cannot accomplish.

Post# 651678 , Reply# 4   1/7/2013 at 17:04 (4,097 days old) by WP-Dude22 (Trinidad and Tobago )        

hmmmn would also like to see a vid of your washer in a cycle wanna see the wash action.

Post# 651706 , Reply# 5   1/7/2013 at 18:13 (4,097 days old) by mickeyd (Hamburg NY)        

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So excited and happy that you went for it--and the mayonnaise jar gave me a nice chuckle. This should be very interesting. Had a feeling, reading your recent posts, that you were on your way. It's a great day ! congratulations!

On my sister Peggy's new GE, the Fabric Softener switch means you get a real rinse, which in this crazy new world means the load is actually SPUN after the wash, and the rinse fills to the actual selected level. If you do not select Fabric Softener, the load simple drains for 6 minutes, then fills to a default low water level for the rinse. I am not making any of this up. The skimpy manual DOES NOT reveal any of this.


Post# 651707 , Reply# 6   1/7/2013 at 18:19 (4,097 days old) by lebron (Minnesota)        

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Niiiice! Can't wait for pics


Post# 651708 , Reply# 7   1/7/2013 at 18:22 (4,097 days old) by Yogitunes (New Jersey)        

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I too would love to see a real video of this in action with a load of clothes...

but as JohnL mentioned, theres no turnover, just clothes swished around ina soaking pool of water.....this should be interesting!


Post# 651724 , Reply# 8   1/7/2013 at 19:19 (4,097 days old) by Frigilux (The Minnesota Prairie)        

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1. "Wash action"? "Turnover"? What is this, f*cking 1990 or something? The clothes don't actually have to move---OMG, how lame would that be? Front-loaders have proved that even visible water isn't necessary. Here's how new washers work: You put the clothes in, toss in a Tide Pod, post what you've just done on Twitter and Facebook, and then something magical happens during the 90-minute cycle and everything just comes out clean. I know this because...

2. ...There is a huge banner stuck to the front of the washer that says "BEST CLEANING..." so there's nothing to worry about, guys; nothing at all.

: )






This post was last edited 01/08/2013 at 00:58
Post# 651731 , Reply# 9   1/7/2013 at 19:42 (4,097 days old) by mrb627 (Buford, GA)        
Congrats

mrb627's profile picture
Happy that someone took one for the team and bought one.

Anxiously await more pix and the ultimate video!

Malcolm


Post# 651737 , Reply# 10   1/7/2013 at 19:59 (4,097 days old) by toploader1984 ()        
frigidaire TL

frigilux i am so happy for you! congrats i hope you like it! i too plan on getting this machine next year as i have a 2009 frigidaire top load similar to yours, the video that i saw on youtube the tub was 3/4 full with water and rollover was awesome!!! i am guessing it was on the manual water setting.... so i don't know what people are talking about saying it's lame, the other part the video showed the clothes were just saturated and not much rollover so that must have been the auto water level.... frigidaire must have done that because too many people were complaining about these new machines not having a manual water level adjustment, i know you will give us a thorough review of this machine ;-) i too am looking forward to a video ;-) i hope it is quiet, my laundry room is by the bedroom, the frigidaire i have now has a loud drain pump.

Post# 651759 , Reply# 11   1/7/2013 at 22:09 (4,097 days old) by gansky1 (Omaha, The Home of the TV Dinner!)        

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You'd better sign up for advertising on your YouTube video. You'll pay for the machine!

Post# 651766 , Reply# 12   1/7/2013 at 23:07 (4,097 days old) by golittlesport (California)        

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I knew you'd give in, Eugene. Now, over-ride the lid switch and get the video cam out. Can't wait to hear your review.

Post# 651776 , Reply# 13   1/8/2013 at 00:31 (4,097 days old) by pdub (Portland, Oregon)        

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Congratulations on your newest Frigidaire.

I'm hoping you have good things to report and will stay tuned.

Enjoy!


Post# 651809 , Reply# 14   1/8/2013 at 06:08 (4,097 days old) by Frigilux (The Minnesota Prairie)        

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Curses! I've just come to the realization that not only will I not be able to slip away from work early, I have rehearsal tonight, as well.

OK, down to business:

1. Here's a photo of the lid-lock. It looks similar to other lid locks on Frigidaires which I've been able to work-around by sticking a screwdriver into the 'slot', thus holding down the little lid-switch lever just under the top of the cabinet. Unfortunately, the slot on this washer is far narrower (even narrower than it appears in the photo above) and a screwdriver won't fit. I'm thinking a table knife is probably thin enough/heavy enough to do the job. If there's some other voodoo involved with the lid lock, then I'm stuck. The plexiglass lid isn't too smoky, and it will be easy to see the machine in action, but it will definitely produce a video-defeating reflective glare. There's a "bright tub light", which turns on when you lift the lid, off when lowered. There doesn't appear to be a way to turn the light on manually, as you can with my front-loader. Let's hope for the best.

2. I no longer have a working video camera, and will probably have to create video on an iPad. I've reopened an account at YouTube, and am hoping there's an easy way to transfer video from iPad to YT.
(UPDATE: Couldn't be easier! Apparantly I just have to pull up the video on the iPad, press the YouTube icon in the transfer box and it's a done deal.)

3. Thanks for comments, both positive and skeptical. It will be interesting to learn what the washer can and cannot do. Let's hope "cleaning clothes" falls under the can-do column, LOL. It's safe to assume I'm approaching this washer with low expectations and a great deal of curiosity. Immersion Care's slogan is "Thoroughly Soaked, Thoroughly Clean" and the manual states that the wash action "moves water and detergent through the clothes." They are careful not to mention actual movement of clothes.




This post was last edited 01/08/2013 at 09:41
Post# 651880 , Reply# 15   1/8/2013 at 16:41 (4,096 days old) by mrb627 (Buford, GA)        
Arrival?

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Did you get you new toy?

Malcolm


Post# 651893 , Reply# 16   1/8/2013 at 17:47 (4,096 days old) by Frigilux (The Minnesota Prairie)        

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I was able to get home for 90 minutes and ran a 2/3-full load of odds-and-sods; a couple of bath towels, a large cotton tablecloth (stained with chocolate frosting in a few spots); two short-sleeved shirts with food stains on the front (pre-treated with Amway stain spray); a couple of pairs of summer shorts; a couple of briefs and heavy cotton undershirts; a couple of hand towels with blood from shaving cuts; maybe 8 or 9 lightly-soiled bar mop towels.

Normal Cycle: heavy soil (71 minutes--44 of it wash/agitation); auto water level; warm (85-degrees is not warm, people!); no special rinse or fabric softener options; max spin (which turned out to be nowhere near 800 rpm. I'd say it was 625, same as '06 top-loader.)

Wash is...odd, but clothes definitely did the reverse turnover, blooming up from the center. Tub filled about half full of water. The initial load-size sensing and fill took about six minutes. Counter-clockwise "stroke" is longer than clockwise. Clockwise stroke seems to move the clothes the most. It's hard to even call it "turnover"; they just move around in a fairly random pattern. The tablecloth seemed to do the least moving, although there is a fair amount of squeeze-and-release action.

I think too much water would look more dramatic, but probably not improve results.

120 rpm spin for about 4 minutes before four rinses which consist of: a 25-second spray while tub spins very slowly counterclockwise. Then drain and a ramp up to about 240 rpm. I don't know how, but those four little rinses removed Tide With Bleach HE powder very well. By the fourth rinse, you could hear there was no more suds in the water that was draining. ????? Don't ask me, I hardly believe it, myself. Softened water and a regular (2nd line in dosing cup) amount of detergent.

Pulled the clothes out and had a sniff---almost no detergent scent at all.

Bad news: Lid lock is more complicated than it used to be. May have to pull off front panel and have a look. Doesn't seem to be magnetic, either.

Stains removed from hand towels and tablecloth (both untreated), as well as from shirts.

Will do more rigorous testing over the next few days.

Jesus! Maybe Maytag was right: Move the water through the clothes, not the clothes through the water, LOL!

Gotta get back to work.


Post# 651954 , Reply# 17   1/8/2013 at 21:12 (4,096 days old) by mayguy (Minnesota)        

Looking forward of seeing the video and other updated reviews.

Post# 651957 , Reply# 18   1/8/2013 at 21:54 (4,096 days old) by pdub (Portland, Oregon)        

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Positive review so far if it removed all those stains. I'm also looking forward to a video and more feedback.

Thank You Again!


Post# 651964 , Reply# 19   1/8/2013 at 22:38 (4,096 days old) by Frigilux (The Minnesota Prairie)        

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Ran two more loads: a small load of four pairs of black pants and about eight pairs of thick black socks, on Delicate. I used Perwoll, which actually created a thin blanket of suds during the wash. I stopped the washer when the 4th rinse (that would be the 4th 25-second spray) was completed, before the final spin started. I squeezed out a couple of pairs of socks and....absolutely no suds. Not a damn bubble, even. I just don't get it!

But that was a small load. Let's see how it rinses a BobLoadŽ of heavy bath linens. Which leads us to this load: Six large, heavy bath towels, three hand towels, half a dozen bar mops. I had to press down on the load to get it under the rim as pictured, so it's overloaded.

Heavy Duty cycle; warm water setting; auto water level; normal soil. Powdered Tide With Bleach HE. Odd: The Normal Cycle is almost 10 minutes longer than Heavy Duty. Hoping for 800 rpm final spin.







This post was last edited 01/08/2013 at 23:56
Post# 651967 , Reply# 20   1/8/2013 at 22:47 (4,096 days old) by Frigilux (The Minnesota Prairie)        

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This load was a struggle for the agitation. There was noticeably less movement of the clothes. Motor smelled pretty warm by the end of the wash. The towels did shift positions, but it was slow going. Agitation had a few interesting moves, doubling the length of the counterclockwise stroke, then almost equal strokes.

Again, four 25-second spray rinses with a brief, approx. 250 rpm spin between each. Again, stopped machine before final spin and squeezed a couple of towels. No suds. Could have squeezed it into a glass and taken a drink. Absolutely baffled. Is this going to be the best-rinsing washer I've had?

Here's the load about 8 minutes into wash agitation. Tub is a little more than half full of water. Would have liked more water with this load. Will mess around with the manual water levels tomorrow, but I'm guessing it's already at the maximum level.




This post was last edited 01/08/2013 at 23:52
Post# 651968 , Reply# 21   1/8/2013 at 22:54 (4,096 days old) by Frigilux (The Minnesota Prairie)        

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I'm pretty sure the final spin stepped up to 800 rpm. All three loads were very nicely balanced during final spin. The last few minutes of slow agitation during the wash seems to balance everything out. And there's no more agitation for the rest of the cycle.

I'm guessing the Fabric Softener option is a deep rinse, as it adds about 9 minutes to the cycle. A Freshwater Rinse (extra spray rinse) adds 2 minutes.

Now, to figure out how to work around the lid lock. If I could get the light to stay on when the lid is down, I could video right through the glass. Damn it! Will have to pull off the front panel and see what's up with the lock. Or maybe I can get the dealer/service guy to defeat it.

OK, time for bed. This weekend there will be a large load of heavily-stained whites to wash. The ultimate cleaning-ability test.

Here's the load at the end of the cycle. Noticeably wetter than after 1300 rpm spin in front-loader, surprise, surprise. It was a lightly-soiled load, so no comments on cleaning ability.




This post was last edited 01/08/2013 at 23:26
Post# 651981 , Reply# 22   1/9/2013 at 00:46 (4,096 days old) by alr2903 (TN)        

Hello Frigilux. Nice Frigidaire.  We had similar 2006 T/L's.  Is the wash action part of the "old indexing" system or is this an all new electronic type drive system? Thanks.  It is a nice looking machine.  alr


Post# 651983 , Reply# 23   1/9/2013 at 00:53 (4,096 days old) by toploader1984 ()        
frigidaire TL

it's a new system electronic controlled motor with a poly v belt drive system, tub and suspension basically the same as older machines.

Post# 651994 , Reply# 24   1/9/2013 at 04:37 (4,096 days old) by Frigilux (The Minnesota Prairie)        

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Here's a photo of the water level at Max fill setting---toploader1984, I knew you'd be interested in seeing that. The water is nearly up to the holes third-row-down-from-the-top in the tub, just a tad lower than my '06 used to fill to. After taking this photo, I threw a couple of bar mops and a washcloth in, and my original thoughts proved true: A fair amount of clothes-to-clothes friction is an important element of the wash action. The items drifted and swirled aimlessly in the huge amount of water.

I need to wash moderate-to-heavily soiled loads to better gauge the cleaning power. Properly loaded, the meager maximum load size will ding this washer's score in CR tests. Am also curious as to how the machine will handle queen-sized bed linens.

The washer qualifies only at "Tier 1" in Energy Star's hierarchy. By contrast, the Maytag Bravos (impeller) line and my 2010 Frigidaire front-loader are "Tier 3", which is the best Energy Star rating. I'm guessing part of this is because of the relatively generous amount of water used in the wash portion of the cycle. If the deep rinse option fills to the same level as the wash, then this machine uses just as much water as the '06 top-loader.

I've been pondering the impressive rinsing. I use twice the detergent in this washer compared to the front-loader because there's so much more water in the tub. Still, the detergent solution is much more concentrated in the front-loader, which may explain why the Immersion Care has an easier time getting rid of detergent/suds--the detergent solution is far more diluted to begin with. Or maybe it's because there's no agitation during the rinses. The slow, approximately 250-rpm spins between each "rinse" make sense because you wouldn't want to compress the clothes too much during the rinsing process.

The washer's mechanics are very quiet during the wash agitation, but the sound of the water--the "ocean waves" you hear in toploader1984's video link in his related thread--are louder than I expected. Once the pump, etc., kick in during drain/spin, it's the same loudness as my '06 Frigidaire top-loader.

The "Waterfall Technology" doesn't do much. The rather anemic jets turn on only once for four or five minutes near the beginning of the wash cycle. The excellent fill flume (about 3 inches wide at the source; water fans out impressively from there) had already saturated even the huge load of towels by that time. Maybe they get more of a workout in the Comforter or Bedding cycles. I'll throw in a comforter this weekend and find out.

A couple of 250 rpm (or so) spins occur during the initial fill, which dissolves and distributes detergent throughout the load.

While I've become accustomed to loading 7 towels and 8-12 large hand towels in the front-loader with room to spare, when I washed the same bath linens as above in the '06 top-loader, it was split into two maximum capacity loads: Four towels and a couple of hand towels in one load, three towels and the remaining hand towels in the second. I'll bet The Immersion Care would do much better with similar loading.




This post was last edited 01/09/2013 at 08:40
Post# 651996 , Reply# 25   1/9/2013 at 05:29 (4,096 days old) by retro-man (- boston,ma)        

I have a set from 3 years ago with the agitator and indexing tube. great turnover and the rinses are incredible. The cycle for colors give a 3 minute spin rinse before the main full rinse cycle. It looks from your 1st pic that the lid lock looks just like mine. yes the butter knife will work but what i did was cut a piece of thin scotch bright cleaner scubbing sheet about the same width as the slot and about 4 inches long. that fits into the slot and you can have the lid up. knife came out once during sping and fortunetly it fell on the floor and not into the machine. looks like an interesting machine.
Jon


Post# 651997 , Reply# 26   1/9/2013 at 05:58 (4,096 days old) by Frigilux (The Minnesota Prairie)        

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Jon--Unfortunately, the lid lock is more complex, now. It sounds like a couple of interlocking steps take place whenever the lid locks. I tried the old method of just pressing down on the lever that's visible in the slot, but it didn't work. The tub light shut off, and I thought "Awesome, here we go!" Then you can hear the other step in the lock process trying to engage "click...click...click..." Then you get an error code.

It is an interesting washer; very, very different than what I'm used to. I don't want to get too excited about it until it proves it can clean loads with more challenging soils/stains.



Post# 652002 , Reply# 27   1/9/2013 at 06:39 (4,096 days old) by mrb627 (Buford, GA)        
Lid Lock

mrb627's profile picture

Instead of defeating the lid lock, get a couple of LED flashlights and stand them in the two back corners of the glass lid, dim the surrounding laundry room lighting and fillm away.

 

Malcolm


Post# 652004 , Reply# 28   1/9/2013 at 07:05 (4,096 days old) by Frigilux (The Minnesota Prairie)        

frigilux's profile picture
I'll give that a try, Malcolm. Thanks for the suggestion. Another possibility: There are probably a dozen little screws in the frame that holds the window in the lid. I suppose I could just take the glass out. Unfortunately, I'm so feeble with tools and mechanical projects that if I can't get the glass back in correctly, I'd just unplug the washer, put a blanket over it and never use it again, LOL.

I can find solutions to and fix problems with food prep issues in the kitchen (or at my job with things like music arrangements/orchestrations) without batting an eyelash; but put a screwdriver in my hand and my IQ drops 50 points.





This post was last edited 01/09/2013 at 07:58
Post# 652013 , Reply# 29   1/9/2013 at 08:08 (4,096 days old) by gansky1 (Omaha, The Home of the TV Dinner!)        

gansky1's profile picture
Very interesting washer, thanks for all the updates and the photos.

I'm not terribly surprised you're finding a decent rinsing ability, the dilution factors are probably rather high after four slow sprays with (moderate) extraction between each spray period. The Resource Saver Whirlpool DD washer was reputed to be a good rinser as well, using a similar routine but with recirculated water. The '09 Cabrio I had was a rather poor rinsing machine on heavy loads but I attributed this to the short spray period and most of the water spray itself falling onto the impeller rather than directed at the clothes at the sides of the basket. When I took clothes out of the Cabrio and put them into a warm, agitated rinse in another machine, the sudsy truth was apparent.







Post# 652018 , Reply# 30   1/9/2013 at 09:08 (4,096 days old) by Yogitunes (New Jersey)        

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How is the lid latch attached to the lid?.....normally a few screws and that would come off....place that in the slot with a piece of duct tape....problem solved!....too easy of a simple solution for many machines....

a lot of these newer machines have to physically see/know that the lid opened between each load to reset......


Post# 652021 , Reply# 31   1/9/2013 at 09:32 (4,096 days old) by Frigilux (The Minnesota Prairie)        

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I'll check that out. See, this is what I mean: I would have never thought of trying that, Martin. Even if it doesn't work in the end, that's an example of coming up with a couple of different solutions to try that evades me when connected with anything even remotely mechanical in nature. My brain just freezes. Ironically, both my father and stepfather were fearless with mechanical things. Neither of them would hesitate tearing a washer apart and putting it back together. Just taking the front panel off would be a big issue for me.

Gansky-- We'll see how well it rinses out bleach when I run a big load of whites this weekend. The manual says to add a Freshwater Rinse, which I'll do. I was immediately impressed with the fill flume. The water hits the clothes perfectly, with great coverage.




This post was last edited 01/09/2013 at 13:26
Post# 652064 , Reply# 32   1/9/2013 at 15:11 (4,096 days old) by foraloysius (Leeuwarden, Friesland, the Netherlands)        

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Congratulations on the new purchase! I'm enjoying this thread, I'm glad you like the machine so far.

Post# 652123 , Reply# 33   1/9/2013 at 20:01 (4,095 days old) by vintagesearch ()        

Congrats on the new purchase, there just may be proof in the pudding here. Real happy for you.
I'm nervous to see how our new LG will hold up.


Post# 652142 , Reply# 34   1/9/2013 at 21:14 (4,095 days old) by Frigilux (The Minnesota Prairie)        

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Martin, your idea worked. I removed two screws holding the latch thingy to the lid, put it into the slot of the locking mechanism and we were in business! You have to hold it down in the slot until the lock engages; from that point it holds itself in place for the remainder of the cycle. Since I can see the machine in action through the glass, I'll just remove it again when it's time to make a video.

Malcolm, I think your idea will work well, too. I put two flashligts face down on the glass and it lights the interior well enough to make a video.

Randy-- CR's reliability data shows LG washers (both top- and front-loading) are currently the most reliable brand. That's not a guarantee, of course, but it bodes well. And LG washers are highly-rated, too.

Thanks for your input and well-wishes, everyone! I hope to make a video sometime this weekend.


Post# 652175 , Reply# 35   1/10/2013 at 02:06 (4,095 days old) by mixfinder ()        
Way To Go

I am having dishwasher challenges and I am tempted to pick one of the better performing Electrolux/Frigidaire machines.  Even though I know better Frigidaire is ingrained in my soul as a very good thing.


Post# 652194 , Reply# 36   1/10/2013 at 06:04 (4,095 days old) by Frigilux (The Minnesota Prairie)        

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I washed a medium-sized load of very stained kitchen whites (filled out to full-load status with two dozen clean bar mops) with commendable results despite an unwelcome surprise. Using a nearly full scoop (as directed) of powdered Tide w/Bleach HE and 1/2-cup chlorine bleach, I chose the Whites cycle, hot water, an extra spray rinse, auto water level, and the Stain Treat option, which the manual says adds a mid-agitation soak. Then, SURPRISE!, the washer filled with (temp-controlled) cold water and continued on its merry way. I was not happy, but decided to just let the machine do its thing. 

 

At cycle's end, I pulled everything out for inspection.  To my utter astonishment, all stains were removed save for a big mustard stain on a chef's apron and some telltale gray on a bar mop that I'd used underfoot to clean an area of the kitchen floor.  In cold water. With a (relatively short by today's standards) 63-minute cycle.  Bleach was rinsed out very well with the five spray rinses.

 

The Frigidaire front-loader, using the profile-wash Sanitize cycle would have tackled the couple of stains that remained (with an hour-and-45-minute cycle), but the results far exceeded my expectations.  I'd also thrown in a couple of very worn white wash rags that I use in the laundry room to see if they would be shredded by the impeller.  There were definitely more (and longer) strings pulled along the frayed edges which wouldn't have happened with the front-loader, but they emerged intact with no additional holes.  And clean.

 

Granted, the machine is operating under ideal circumstances; with softened water and an excellent detergent.  And frankly, had there been no LCB used, I'm sure more stains would have remained unconquered.

 

IT'S DIFFERENT NOW: I decided it's ridiculous to continue using the terms 'turnover' and 'rollover' with the Immersion Care (and probably other impeller-based machines) because those terms no longer apply.

 

Turnover/rollover is a rhythmic, orderly process in which a traditionally-agitated load moves in graceful unison.  Each brand of our beloved vintage machines has its own version of the dance: Think of the balletic lift-and-dip movement of a ramped GE or Westy; the grab-and-submerge of a Kenmore's Roto-Swirl; a 1959 Maytag's "slow-and-steady" with its zen-like calm surface water; the pulsing, staccato movements created by Frigidaire's Jet-Action agitation.  We recognize those distinctive rollover patterns, and have--quite correctly with those washers--linked rollover with cleaning ability.

 

To watch the Immersion Care during agitation is frustrating and unsettling.  Turnover, as we know it, does not exist.  Instead, items shift position in a slow, unpredictable, very undemocratic, and quite honestly, visually repulsive manner.  It's like watching a film frame-by-frame.  "Why does item A get to disappear and reappear five times when item B hasn't moved in five minutes?" "Oh my God, isn't the mound of items that formed ages ago ever going to pull itself apart?"

 

This frustration only increases when the load emerges clean because it shouldn't.  None of the visual or aural cues we're used to occurred, and there just wasn't enough damn water in this film.  And instead of being happy with these unexpected results, I'm kind of pissed-off because it feels like the bad guy won.

 

Next test: An even crazier load of kitchen whites this weekend, with photos and, hopefully, video.  Then a good old dirt-'n'-grime load.  It can't possibly handle that well.  Right?

 

 




This post was last edited 01/10/2013 at 09:39
Post# 652202 , Reply# 37   1/10/2013 at 07:33 (4,095 days old) by georgect (Fairfield, CT)        
Kitchen whites...the next washing saga

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Can't wait to see the results of "crazy load of kitchen whites".
A video would be cool.

I hear/feel your plight regarding clothes turn over and water level and the out come is clean clothes...it sounds like craziness to me too!


Post# 652210 , Reply# 38   1/10/2013 at 09:14 (4,095 days old) by golittlesport (California)        

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I wonder if the Stain Treat option you selected substituted a cold wash to prevent stains from setting in hot water?

Post# 652255 , Reply# 39   1/10/2013 at 13:07 (4,095 days old) by paulc (Edinburgh, Scotland)        
Frigilux

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I am really loving this thread. When I first saw this new Frigidaire T/L I was instantly hooked. I have had a fascination with Frigidaire T/L since 1994 when one of our department stores had one model for sale. I really wanted one but my partner at the time refused as he was wary of T/L and had never seen one before!I have avidly followed threads on the Skinny Mini also.

Your machine looks great ( I prefer it to LG's waveforce ). I am so please you are getting great results and look forward to the videos.



Post# 652332 , Reply# 40   1/10/2013 at 20:19 (4,094 days old) by vintagesearch ()        

This is so interesting I must say! Perhaps ketchup on white tees! I stain my white tanks with ketchup or popsicle stains tisk tisk on me. Frigidaire the quiet contender goes on.....

Post# 652333 , Reply# 41   1/10/2013 at 20:25 (4,094 days old) by Launderess (Quiet Please, There´s a Lady on Stage)        
She Looks Nice But Is She Clean?

launderess's profile picture
I'd like to see the clean items boiled and or washed in a front loader at temps >140 to see if any detergent and or soil residues remain.

Still, am that glad you've found yourself a new machine that works to your standards. Am also enjoying your running comments, keep them coming!

L.


Post# 652353 , Reply# 42   1/10/2013 at 22:22 (4,094 days old) by Frigilux (The Minnesota Prairie)        

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So, tonight I decided to throw an old queen-sized comforter into the Immersion Care, mostly because I was curious about the Comforter cycle, and what it would do to help a top-loading impeller machine deal with something that front-loaders handle quite well.

The waterfall jets played a bigger role, especially during the fill and early in the wash cycle. You'll see them in a forthcoming video and understand why they never fail to elicit a chuckle. Anyway...I was going to play nice and choose the Fabric Softener option, which provides a deep rinse, but decided to leave the machine to its defaults, so we got the 4 spray rinses.

Agitation: Aggressive agitation the first few minutes, similar to the Normal cycle, with longer counterclockwise strokes. Then it slowed down to Delicate speed, but with very long strokes (several tub spins) in each direction, maximizing water movement. That makes sense, because there's no way on God's green Earth the gentle agitation is going to get that comforter to shift positions. And it didn't.

Again, from sheer curiosity, I switched to the Heavy Duty cycle to see if a more agressive agitation pattern would shift the thing. Nope. Back on the Comforter cycle, I let it play out. Good thing I'd loaded the more soiled end of the item at the bottom of the tub, because the top was never underwater during the cycle.

Following the final spin, I reached in to pull it out, only to find a thin layer of lint all over the part of the comforter that was never submerged. Yikes. Our first epic failure. Silver lining: The soiled end of the comforter (toward the bottom of the tub) was clean. And the unsightly veneer of lint was removed by the dryer.

To be fair, I've always thought comforters should be washed in a front-loader. Top-loaders of all kinds have a hard time with them. Furthermore, a reasonable person would have reached in and moved the comforter around a few times during the cycle and selected a deep rinse.

AND WHILE WE'RE ON THE SUBJECT: My enthusiasm concerning the Immersion Care should in no way lead you to believe I think it's the equal of my front-loader. After this weekend, I will never wash a load of kitchen whites in it again, as I miss the stain-banishing profile wash and grease-stripping 155-degree water made possible by the front-loader's internal heater. It's also gentler on fabrics, and dispenses chlorine bleach in the first rinse, making it possible for the detergent's enzymes to do their job first. The list could go on and on. Having said that, the Immersion Care has exceeded my expectations, and given the choice between bringing back the agitator-based 2006 Frigidaire top-loader or keeping the Immersion Care, I'd definitely keep the Immersion Care. No contest; it's the better washer.

Launderess: I'll throw the forthcoming load of kitchen whites into the front-loader after they come out of the Immersion Care to see if uber-hot water brings any residue out of the woodwork.

Rich: You are correct; the Stain Treat option overrode my request for hot water. In a smarter machine, that option would provide a cold pre-wash, followed by a warm or hot wash.

Kelly: I grew up with a severe case of Frigidaire envy, living in an all-Kenmore household. Having had two TOL Frigidaire dishwashers in the early-to-mid 2000's, I'd strongly suggest you choose another brand. They cleaned basic loads very well, but weren't up to the task of pots/pans. Recent CR tests put all models of the brand in the bottom half of the ratings.

Again, thanks for your comments, everyone! I'm having a lot of fun with this strange, new toy. Made pasta sauce for supper and encouraged guests to be ruthless with the tablecloth and napkins, LOL. Hoping to have video posted by Sunday night.








This post was last edited 01/10/2013 at 22:48
Post# 652515 , Reply# 43   1/11/2013 at 19:32 (4,093 days old) by mickeyd (Hamburg NY)        
Love, love, love the lights!

mickeyd's profile picture
Aworg in arrears due to Bereavement, what a blast to find this classic, well-developed Frigilux Washcyclopedia.

How many here are secretly--OR NOT--coveting these New Age machines in the stores with an eye to maybe buying one?

When you wash something by hand--I know, I know, who'd believe we'd ever stoop to not using a machine--the rinse method is strikingly similar to the Frigidaire's: wet article under the faucet, squeeze; wet, squeeze, probably 3 or 4 times, if you stop to remember. And that really works amazingly on de-sudsing. Hmmmm. Interesting.

Think I'll sneak by Best Buy, Sears, & Lowes, pretending not to be too interested in the modern marvels.


Post# 652550 , Reply# 44   1/11/2013 at 23:48 (4,093 days old) by spiralator60 (Los Angeles)        
Question

Frigilux,

Thanks for your detailed report! There is one question. Does the machine do a spin or neutral drain after agitation before extraction?


Post# 652581 , Reply# 45   1/12/2013 at 06:00 (4,093 days old) by Frigilux (The Minnesota Prairie)        

frigilux's profile picture
Darryl: The machine drops to a slow, more even-stroked agitation. It continues to agitate that way during the drain. When it senses the tub is nearly emptied, it begins a slow counterclockwise rotation which steps up to about 120 rpm for about 3 minutes. The the rinses begin. It sprays fresh water onto the load (as the tub spins very slowly) for about 25 seconds, followed by a quick drain, then a brief spin of about 250 rpm. The process repeats three more times, before the final spin.

Mickeyd: The whole impeller thing really bugged me, so I finally just bought one to see what they're like in person. After being impressed with the first few loads, I'm finding more Achilles heels, unfortunately. I'm making a video of a load of dress shirts as I type and am finding the impeller has a hard time grabbing the lightweight, slippery fabric. It did a better job with heavier cotton fabrics.


Post# 652668 , Reply# 46   1/12/2013 at 12:51 (4,093 days old) by mickeyd (Hamburg NY)        

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The inside of yours looks so much like that of the 11 pound Haier, they could pass for brothers. I'll get a pic up when I can to stun you with the similarity. Who makes the new Frigidaires? And does your list as an 11 pounder?

Good luck with the load. Maybe for light, slippery loads, you need to Bob-load the machine, ;'D


Post# 652812 , Reply# 47   1/12/2013 at 22:45 (4,092 days old) by spiralator60 (Los Angeles)        

Thanks, Eugene!

Post# 653586 , Reply# 48   1/15/2013 at 17:38 (4,089 days old) by bpetersxx (laf in on the banks of the Wabash River)        

bpetersxx's profile picture

I would consider one of htese since it has some kind of recirculation jets or some such thing As long as it has something that simulates recirculation like a manual clean lint filter I'm happy



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