Hen's teeth Hoovermatic...

Hello, I thought some people might be interested in this - it's an incredibly rare version of the Hoovermatic 3301L with gas heating of the wash-tub as opposed to the standard electric version. It's model number is 3301G and even still has it's original manual. Apart from the gas heating elements, it's as a standard 3301L using the same pump/ motors and tubs. The control for the gas heating is on the lower front panel and is the same type of control knob as used on the main control panel. Where there would normally be the temperature control knob there is one with two off positions and two motor run positions, as on the lesser models of the Hoovermatics with no heater. The machine was built by Hoover in Paris - according to my family it was a very rare option, even at the time - considering the rarity of the standard 3301L nowadays this is probably fairly unique especially in the UK where as far as Hoover UK told me, it was never offered for sale.
This one sat at the back of a barn in my family's house in France and was going to be scrapped until I rescued it and brought it back to the UK. It needs some cosmetic attention - mostly cleaning but generally is in great condition. There seems to be no corrosion at the bottom of the spin tub and the internal rubber hoses are fine. Not so the spin mat which has turned to some sort of semi-liquid... Also, very unfortunate is that the drain pipe attachment is missing... I certainly don't hold out much hope to find one of them...
In any case the search is on for one as I intend to restore this machine, particularly due to it's rarity but more for sentimental reasons. If anyone has any leads to such a hose, I would be very grateful if you could forward me the details. My grandmother certainly thought the 3301 was a good design as there was the British, standard version in her house here in England too... That one was used consistently for 36 years and actually still works, though is now in her church... I have posted some pictures and will add more of the internals soon...

Photos... < > Photo 1 of 5 View Full Size


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Post# 864259 1/27/2016 at 07:44 (3,010 days old) by Whispermatic (Guildford)
Checkrate/Likes 2 Hello, I thought some people might be interested in this - it's an incredibly rare version of the Hoovermatic 3301L with gas heating of the wash-tub as opposed to the standard electric version. It's model number is 3301G and even still has it's original manual. Apart from the gas heating elements, it's as a standard 3301L using the same pump/ motors and tubs. The control for the gas heating is on the lower front panel and is the same type of control knob as used on the main control panel. Where there would normally be the temperature control knob there is one with two off positions and two motor run positions, as on the lesser models of the Hoovermatics with no heater. The machine was built by Hoover in Paris - according to my family it was a very rare option, even at the time - considering the rarity of the standard 3301L nowadays this is probably fairly unique especially in the UK where as far as Hoover UK told me, it was never offered for sale. This one sat at the back of a barn in my family's house in France and was going to be scrapped until I rescued it and brought it back to the UK. It needs some cosmetic attention - mostly cleaning but generally is in great condition. There seems to be no corrosion at the bottom of the spin tub and the internal rubber hoses are fine. Not so the spin mat which has turned to some sort of semi-liquid... Also, very unfortunate is that the drain pipe attachment is missing... I certainly don't hold out much hope to find one of them... In any case the search is on for one as I intend to restore this machine, particularly due to it's rarity but more for sentimental reasons. If anyone has any leads to such a hose, I would be very grateful if you could forward me the details. My grandmother certainly thought the 3301 was a good design as there was the British, standard version in her house here in England too... That one was used consistently for 36 years and actually still works, though is now in her church... I have posted some pictures and will add more of the internals soon... Photos... < > Photo 1 of 5 View Full Size

Post# 864331 , Reply# 1 1/27/2016 at 14:47 (3,010 days old) by chestermikeuk (Rainhill Home of the RailwayTrials Merseyside,UK)
Checkrate/Likes 2 *Well I Never...* Hi Jensen What an absolute treasure of a find within your family, had I seen that I would have suspected photoshop...never realised Hoover made such a washing machine, was it Hoover that made it or an independent gaslec retailer that retro fitted it? Certainly hits the top of the rare pile. for the outlet pipe you can still get Hoover twintub hoses and cut it shorter to fit the outlet, all the ones I have seen as spares are rock solid and break to touch. we are scrapping a few machines later this month for spares will keep an eye out..if you get chance can you take a pic of the internal gas burner please. Enjoy the renovation!!

Post# 864357 , Reply# 2 1/27/2016 at 16:48 (3,010 days old) by Sesteve (London, UK)
Checkrate/Likes 2 Wow Jensen That is spooky. I picked up some service information a couple of months ago and meant to post on it but have been struggling for time. It covers models 3302 - 3306 which I think is the next model on looking more like the 3314L The 3302G has a gas heat exchanger and the 3302 E.ET has an electric one rather than the standard element. The service instructions are all in English too so not sure if these were ever made. Here a a few photos I've hastily taken. Looks great I have to say. Good luck in the restoration and keep us posted on progress. S :) Photos... < > Photo 1 of 6 View Full Size

Post# 865142 , Reply# 3 2/2/2016 at 04:01 (3,005 days old) by Whispermatic (Guildford)
Checkrate/Likes *That is strange!* Hi Mike and Steve, thanks for your replies Steve, that is indeed a very strange coincidence - I haven't been able to find out anything at all about this model from anywhere! Mike, thanks for the tip regarding the hose - the only trouble is I don't have the original with the 'bayonet' connector for the outlet in the corner of the washtub or I could at least salvage that part and connect it to a newer hose. I believe the machine was manufactured by Hoover in France - the instruction manual (attached) has been specifically printed for that model, and the gas installation certainly looks factory installed. Sorry for the delay in getting pictures of the internals - hopefully this weekend I'll have some time to do them. Another (unrelated) question: do you know anything about the connection from the spin tub to sump hose in a T5090? Mine is leaking severely from that connection - the rubber hose pushes onto a solid plastic tube with a trap inside the tub, but that tube seems to just be sitting inside a rubber gasket with no obvious means of tightening it. All the best, JR View Full Size

Post# 865210 , Reply# 4 2/2/2016 at 14:50 (3,004 days old) by Sesteve (London, UK)
Checkrate/Likes Hi Jenson I'm guessing the outlet is larger than the auto rinse inlet on a T5024 as the arrangement looks similar. Just thought if it was similar then those hoses are still available. No chance of it lying around back where you collected the machine? - I imagine you've already had a good look. With regard to the T5090, the spin can outlets are a PITA to get the hose on and sealed properly - I think it's the same for all previous models with the rear exit drain hose. There may be a better technique that I'm not aware of but I have used a piece of wood to push on the top of the outlet by moving the spin can to one side and pushing the outlet hose on as tight as it will go. Why they went for this arrangement is anyone's guess - it would have been better if the outlet had been moulded onto the outer can. Looking forward to some pictures of the internals. Steve

Post# 869626 , Reply# 5 2/28/2016 at 16:53 (2,978 days old) by sesteve (London, UK)
Checkrate/Likes Did you get a chance to take any more pictures of this Jenson? Would be great to see it in more detail. I can look to scan the service info for you if you want it Cheers S

Post# 869977 , Reply# 6 3/1/2016 at 12:07 (2,976 days old) by RevvinKevin (Tinseltown - Shakey Town - La-La Land)
Checkrate/Likes WOW, you weren't kidding - hens teeth is right! I don't think I've ever heard of ANY machine in the last 50 years that had a built in gas heater, let alone in a twin tub, WOW! Yes I too would love to see more photos of the internals, how the heater vents, etc. Thanks for posting this uber rare machine! Cheers, Kevin

Post# 869987 , Reply# 7 3/1/2016 at 13:41 (2,976 days old) by Keymatic (London / UK)
Checkrate/Likes Hi Jensen, Also cant wait for more pics ? Did you get hold of another plug in elbow connector ? I think i may have a spare :) Cheers Keith