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Thread Number: 71850
/ Tag: Modern Automatic Washers
New Front Loader |
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Post# 950389 , Reply# 1 7/27/2017 at 22:48 (2,461 days old) by MattL  (Flushing, MI) |
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I'm sure the Sq chorus will start soon, but I'd be hard pressed to justify buying a SQ. I've been quite happy with my Duets, and if I was buying today it'd be LG. I think it has the best bang for the buck. | ||
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Post# 950421 , Reply# 5 7/28/2017 at 05:43 (2,461 days old) by Frigilux (The Minnesota Prairie) |
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Another winner you might consider: The Maytag Maxima series. I had the 8100 pair and absolutely loved them. Excellent washing performance, internal heater, steam feature for stain removal, sanitize cycle for boosted wash temps when washing heavily stained kitchen whites. 4.5 cu. ft. capacity in a 27" wide cabinet. Model 5500 (also with internal water heater, steam and sanitize features) can be found for around $800 and receives a rating of Excellent by Consumer Reports. Mine were on pedestals. Loading and unloading was incredibly easy. Really liked the styling, as well; especially in the gray color. (See photo)
I sold the pair with my house (too deep for current installation in apartment) and spent some time looking into SQ. If you're looking for longterm durability and ease of service, SQ is your machine. While it lacks an internal heater, it has great options like soak, prewash and up to 4 extra rinses. The washer would sit about 6 inches from my water heater, so I wasn't worried about unintended cold fills. Ultimately, I went with a SQ top-loader in my situation, but may replace it with a SQ front-loader at some point in the future. I prefer a FL format, but cost and a couple of other factors came into play. I used to steer friends toward LG (all of whom are happy with them) but I think the Maytag Maxima series is the gold standard in performance and features. If you're looking for something that will last 25 years and is easily serviced, SQ is hard to beat. Good luck with your purchase, but definitely check out the Maytag Maxima series. 
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| Post# 950444 , Reply# 6 7/28/2017 at 11:11 (2,461 days old) by golittlesport (California) | ||
recommend a heater
I would recommend a machine that will heat the water, unless you only wash in luke-warm or cold water. Front loaders don't use enough water to clear the line of cold water before hot water enters the drum, resulting in warm water when you select "hot."
On my old front loader (Frigidaire) without a heater, I'd fill the machine on the "hot" setting, then pause and drain the tub. This would purge the water line of cold water. I'd still only get water as hot as the water heater was set. If your water heater is not next to the washing machine, you may have to do this routine more than once to get a hot water wash. PITA I like the option of the machine heating the water to deep clean whites and sanitize when needed. Would you want a dishwasher that didn't heat the water? That's just my opinion, but I would not want a machine that didn't heat the water, especially a front loader. That rant over, I'll share that I now have an LG front loader with turbo wash and LOVE it. I know SQ is said to be well-built, but the lack of a water heater disqualifies it in my book. As far as longevity, you could buy two LG's for about the same price as one SQ, so you'd spend the same amount of money over time. Good luck either way. | ||
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Post# 950763 , Reply# 9 7/30/2017 at 09:26 (2,459 days old) by appnut (TX) |
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Post# 950768 , Reply# 10 7/30/2017 at 10:10 (2,459 days old) by Tomturbomatic (Beltsville, MD) |
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Nothing wrong with efficiency in the use of energy, right? | ||
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Post# 950775 , Reply# 13 7/30/2017 at 11:16 (2,459 days old) by DADoES (TX, U.S. of A.) |
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Post# 950884 , Reply# 16 7/31/2017 at 08:45 (2,458 days old) by DADoES (TX, U.S. of A.) |
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Rubaducky, one of those is a non-resetable thermal fuse, the other is a high-limit thermostat. The thermostat trips if airflow through the element is obstructed, resets when it cools. The fuse functions as a failsafe for the thermostat and blows if the thermostat fails, or if the element shorts to ground and doesn't stop heating. The proper replacement "kit" includes both on the premise that the thermostat may be bad if the fuse blows. The dryer usually will still run if this fuse blows but it won't heat. Air temperature in the drum is controlled by a thermostat on the blower housing, and another thermal fuse probably is there. The dryer usually goes dead if this other fuse blows. | ||
| Post# 950906 , Reply# 17 7/31/2017 at 11:24 (2,458 days old) by golittlesport (California) | ||
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LG model
I have the LG 3570. I chose it for the turbo wash and steam features. The turbo wash recirculates the water during wash and deep rinses via two spray jets. It also features a spin spray rinse which is rare in a front loader. The steam feature heats the wash water to about 150 degrees to sanitize and deep clean.
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Post# 950936 , Reply# 19 7/31/2017 at 15:18 (2,458 days old) by DADoES (TX, U.S. of A.) |
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Yes, the third "silver" piece is the thermal fuse. The internal fuse linkage basically melts when it blows (at 352°F). This business about slamming it to the floor for a reset blow my mind. I suppose a sharp impact could make the melted ends of the linkage touch but it can't possibly function properly. The high limit thermostat triggers at 295°F, resets when it drops by 80°F (I think). Thus, the high limit thermostat normally prevents the element from getting too hot, if airflow is obstructed or for whatever reason. The thermal fuse doesn't come into play unless the high limit thermostat fails to shut off the element at the "normal" overheat point. | ||
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Post# 950987 , Reply# 20 7/31/2017 at 21:51 (2,457 days old) by combo52 (50 Year Repair Tech Beltsville,Md) |
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TF Keeps Triping On A 27" WP Built Dryer | ||
| Post# 950992 , Reply# 22 7/31/2017 at 22:30 (2,457 days old) by Rubaducky (Texas) | ||
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@Combo. Posted reply #21 as you were posting. Thanks for the suggestions. Will take another look inside and see if any cracks, etc. | ||
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Post# 951017 , Reply# 23 8/1/2017 at 05:42 (2,457 days old) by Frigilux (The Minnesota Prairie) |
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Bill-- I've been reading your thread, too, mostly because your fix for the referenced dryer part was to slam it on the floor. Now that's ingenuity! 👏
Anyway, if you are considering a Speed Queen purchase, I'd definitely go for the front-loader rather than the TL. John (combo52) and The Other Eugene® (Lorainfurniture) give it their stamp of approval for reliability and (when needed) ease of service. The reason I chose the top-loader had to do with the depth of the machine (only 28") and, primarily, the potential for noisy spins when a FL is installed on a wood floor. I've been a staunch proponent of the FL format since 1987. A revolving door of top-loaders (KitchenAid, Frigidaire, Frigidaire Immersion Care, SQ AWN542) also graced my laundry room as second machines for fun, but the daily driver was always a front-loader.
A GE front-load pair sits next to the SQs in the common laundry area and I've heard it in action a couple of times. The owner always chooses the lowest spin speed, so it hasn't caused much of an uproar, but it's definitely louder during spins than my SQ TL. Having said that, a FL SQ is probably in my future. The lack of an internal water heater---always a deal breaker for me in the past---is a moot point as the washer is, literally, connected to the hot water pipe leading out of the gas water heater. Water entering the washer is 150 degrees instantly. The SQ FL is only a bit deeper than the TL, so it shouldn't cramp the narrow passageway through the laundry area shown in the other thread.
If depth wasn't such an issue and if overhead cabinets didn't preclude putting them on pedestals, I'd get a Maytag Maxima 8200 set in a heartbeat. But since I already have a SQ dryer, superhot water is literally only a couple of inches away, and machine's depth (30-1/2") is acceptable, it only makes sense to go with a rear-control SQ FL...when the time comes.
This post was last edited 08/01/2017 at 07:17 | ||
| Post# 951099 , Reply# 26 8/1/2017 at 13:14 (2,457 days old) by Rubaducky (Texas) | ||
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@Frigilux. Just curious, why hands down the maxima over top of line LG, or even the SQ FL....since your water heater connection makes the SQ lack of heater a nonissue? Thanks. | ||
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Post# 951161 , Reply# 28 8/1/2017 at 18:37 (2,457 days old) by Frigilux (The Minnesota Prairie) |
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Why I'm a fan of the Maytag Maxima (model 8200 replaces 8100):
1) Capacity: 4.5 cu. ft. drum in a standard 27" wide footprint. Best bang for your footprint dollar. 2) Steam option boosts stain removal for large loads of heavily-stained kitchen whites. 3) 'Profile wash' when using Sanitize cycle. Water is gradually heated from warm to very hot, optimizing stain removal. Less prone to set protein-based stains than filling washer with very hot water right off the bat. 4) Very effective Power Wash cycle cleans the spots off a leopard. 5) Very effective Cold Wash cycle that mimics a vintage Kelvinator's 'Magic Minute.' 6) Quiet operation even at 1400 rpm spin speed (Note: New 8200 model has 1200 rpm max. spin speed.) 7) Automatically doses detergent (via refillable cartridge) tailored to water hardness, cycle, soil level selection. 8) Interior light on model 8100/8200 makes watching a well-lit event! 9) Styling. Love, love, love the look of the Maxima in dark gray color. No spongy control pads to press. Control panel is solid. A light touch against a solid surface activates selection. 
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| Post# 951399 , Reply# 29 8/3/2017 at 07:34 (2,455 days old) by mark_wpduet (Lexington KY) | ||
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Post# 951403 , Reply# 30 8/3/2017 at 08:28 (2,455 days old) by Frigilux (The Minnesota Prairie) |
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1. Kelvinator's Magic Minute: The tub filled about 2/3 full and began its concentric agitation for a minute or so; agitation continued as the tub finished filling. The rationale was that detergent was more concentrated during the Magic Minute and helped remove stains. I don't really buy it, but it was a selling point for the company. The concentration of detergent in today's HE washers (especially front-loaders) is far greater for the entire wash portion of the cycle.
Maytag's Cold Wash cycle wets the clothing with a spray of detergent-laden water. Then it tumbles at varying speeds, sometimes fast enough to plaster the load to the sides of the drum, essentially pulling the super-concentrated detergent through fibers. The rest of the water and (some additional detergent) is added after about 15 minutes and the cycle continues. I found cleaning very effective---but I'm not one to wash everything in cold.
2. No Maytag has recirculation, as did my TOL 2010 Frigidaire. Water for the wash and 1st rinse is sprayed in a fan-like formation if you use the auto-dosing detergent cartridge. It looks like recirculation in photos, but it is not. This post was last edited 08/03/2017 at 10:39 | ||
| Post# 951427 , Reply# 32 8/3/2017 at 11:59 (2,455 days old) by brucelucenta () | ||
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LG But LG has re circulation on the heavy duty cycle. | ||
| Post# 951445 , Reply# 33 8/3/2017 at 14:35 (2,455 days old) by mark_wpduet (Lexington KY) | ||
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LG has recirculation
on almost all cycles if turbo wash is on.....from what I gather....and it also does a legit spray rinse....
I swear I thought the TOL Maxima had re-circulation based on the pictures. Good to know it doesn't.....The cold wash cycle you described sounds similar to the way the rinses work on my duet....after each spin, the washer slows but keeps a slow spin as it fills pulling water through the clothes and sloshing it all over while the clothes are still plastered to the drum. I think it REALLY helps with rinsing. Even though I don't like using COLD either, I'll bet it's a cool cycle to watch. I'm personally still so torn on getting an LG with turbowash or a Maxima when my washer dies. I may get the Maxima simply because it will fit my old school duet pedestals.. | ||
| Post# 951584 , Reply# 35 8/4/2017 at 13:00 (2,454 days old) by mark_wpduet (Lexington KY) | ||
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they might
I had much trouble finding this out...and I still don't know for sure because of the different answers I got...Calling Whirlpool, giving them details on my machine....one person said no, the next 2 said yes....they linked me to the pedestals and they look exactly like mine in the picture - they even asked me if those looked like the ones on my current duet.....At any rate, I'm semi-confident my 2005 pedestals will fit current WP or Maytag FL's.
As for Kenmore - who knows? I know WP makes Kenmore (or they used to), I think its LG now. But Kenmore likes to to design changes so who knows. At any rate - pedestals are a huge expense but they are so nice to have. It would be a major waste if they did not fit and if they don't, I'm not so sure I would buy more.....because I don't think a FL washer sitting on the floor is any worse than a regular dryer...they are at the same level, but people seem to complain about bending down to unload the washer, yet that was never EVER a problem with a dryer - but it's the same thing. | ||
| Post# 951593 , Reply# 36 8/4/2017 at 14:41 (2,454 days old) by Iheartmaytag (Wichita, Kansas) | ||
Mark I am fairly sure the pedestals will fit the newer models. All you really need is the size (footprint) and the leg mounts to match up.
Where you will notice they are from a different version is the styling is slightly different, so you may not have chrome stripe where the newer pedestals would have.
And you are correct about them being an expense. I paid $250 each for mine, but I got a $400 rebate card back, so I figured they only cost me $100 in the end. | ||
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