Thread Number: 74399
/ Tag: Modern Automatic Washers
Looking for agitator washer enthusiasts for buying guide |
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Post# 982022 , Reply# 1   2/9/2018 at 11:48 (2,239 days old) by speedqueen (Metro-Detroit)   |   | |
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Best New Models: * Last stock of old 2017 transmission-style SQ machines * Kenmore "90 Series" - a good top of the line model * Whirlpool with a two-speed motor |
Post# 982024 , Reply# 2   2/9/2018 at 11:52 (2,239 days old) by speedqueen (Metro-Detroit)   |   | |
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Post# 982030 , Reply# 4   2/9/2018 at 12:38 (2,239 days old) by RevvinKevin (Tinseltown - Shakey Town - La-La Land)   |   | |
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Excellent info Richard, thanks!
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The problem is so many of the new machines out there (with an "agitator", except those Richard listed above) is they are just a top load HE machine with an "agi-peller" installed. They're no more useful or effective than the standard top load HE washer with a wash plate / impeller. From what I've seen first hand, they're actually less effective when you factor in how little water they use, the speed the agi-peller rotates / reverses and how completely useless the extremely SHORT and woefully underfilled "agitated" rinse is. (1/4 of the water there should be and barely 1 minute of agitation!!!)
FYI... the Laundry Alternative is supposed to be releasing a full size, non-HE, agitator washing machine in about 6-7 months.
Personally I'm a "front load guy" and have been for the last 20 years. Tho I do have vintage agitator machines too and connect one once it a while to run some laundry through, just for fun.
I've had / used a couple of those impeller machines (Whirlpool Cabrio) and personally don't care for those impeller machines. They seemed to do an OK job getting my lightly soiled laundry clean, but I'm not convinced "wash action" isn't harder (more ware) on the items being washed.
Kevin
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Post# 982032 , Reply# 5   2/9/2018 at 13:05 (2,239 days old) by DADoES (TX, U.S. of A.)   |   | |
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LiamWirecutter, Regards to used ... I recommend a Whirlpool/Kenmore/KitchenAid direct-drive toploader with a 3-speed motor (not 2-speed) and preferably a separate speed control. Many 2-speeders without a separate speed control reduce the agitation from high to low via the timer cams toward the end of the (regular/normal) cycle, but high speed is quite aggressive and a separate speed control provides more flexibility to run the entire wash period at a lower speed. There's a large selection of such KM and WP machines on the used market -- resale shops, CraigsList, etc. KitchenAid models (which aren't as plentiful) had/have larger lower fins on the agitator and most 3-speed models of that brand ran on medium motor speed for high agitation. For a new agitator toploader, Fisher & Paykel's WashSmart is quite flexible and fully-featured. It operates in a pseudo-HE mode on Regular and Heavy cycles by running a pretreatment process that showers a concentrated detergent solution over the load for several minutes while the basket rotates at 25 RPM, then fills rest of the way with cool water for an agitated wash. Other cycles skip the pretreatment, starting directly with the agitated wash. There's a choice of water-saving shower rinse or deep-fill agitated rinse. Five manual water levels or auto-sense (which picks one of the five levels per the sensing process). Five wash temperatures controlled to specific degrees (rinses are cold). The Allergen cycle fills with full tap-hot if hot is temp is selected. Max spin speed is 1,100 RPM. Your current review mentions F&P as less-reliable ... but just to say, I have a 1999 model that has had one repair for the duration (replacement of the pump) and a 2004 model that has needed no repairs. |
Post# 982041 , Reply# 6   2/9/2018 at 14:38 (2,239 days old) by good-shepherd (New Jersey)   |   | |
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I believe he is looking for opinions directed towards available New top loaders. Highly unlikely the people visiting that website would ever consider a used washing machine. |
Post# 982066 , Reply# 8   2/9/2018 at 18:01 (2,239 days old) by stricklybojack (South Hams Devon UK)   |   | |
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There are three issues at heart of many discussions around here that in many ways over lap. One is simply top load vs front load. The other is the proliferation of sensors and computer electronics in appliances, especially washers. Front loaders pretty much demand sophisticated electronics to balance the load for spin as far as i understand it. Some see this as planned obsolescence run amok and prefer to set the controls as they wish rather than have the machine run a pre programed setting. The third is advent of water and energy conservation measures that have left some washer designs crippled. Much like American cars in the 70's with their smog control retrofitted motors being a pale imatation of their 60's selves. This post was last edited 02/09/2018 at 23:10 |
Post# 982078 , Reply# 9   2/9/2018 at 19:08 (2,239 days old) by EEMac (Olympia, WA)   |   | |
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The agitator top-loader cleans my stuff very well, including the occasional grungy work gear. For gentleness, there's the gentle cycle. Efficiency is less of a concern for me than the other things I value.
When I bought my Speed Queen last year, I wanted something that: Was reliable for decades Washed as well as machines when I was growing up in the 1970s-1980s Cleaned better and more quietly than my old front-loader Had physically and conceptually simple controls That's one perspective; I'm sure others will chime in also. |
Post# 982080 , Reply# 10   2/9/2018 at 19:36 (2,239 days old) by twintubdexter (Palm Springs)   |   | |
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Without concern for water or electricity usage, which washer would be the better choice? Speed Queen 2017 top load model AWNE92SP or Speed Queen front load model AFNE9RSP113? I still have time to change my mind. I don't like the way the washer door opens into the dryer but I could adjust.
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Post# 982093 , Reply# 11   2/9/2018 at 21:48 (2,238 days old) by dylanmitchell (Southern California)   |   | |
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Liam, thanks for your interest in top load agitators. Top load agitators like my Speed Queen AWNE92SP 2017 model do a good job of moving water and detergent through clothes and getting soil out. There's also good clothes turn over and movement from the agitator. I went back to the agitator style top loader after getting frustrated with an HE top loader non-agitator that didn't clean well, Often got unbalanced, and never seemed to use enough water and I'd often use extra rine or even run another cycle after seeing soap residue on clothes.
Speed Queen top loaders at least the pre-2018 models had some other great features: deep tub/ full fill water option, no lid lock, brake, drain and spin at the same time helping push debris out, metal parts, reliability, and durability. For 2018 the SQ TL is a different machine and the early reviews are not good so I'd look for another brands agitator model or a commercial style front loader if I couldn't find a 2017 SQ. How do Wirecutter, Reviewed, and Consumer Reports test agitator top loaders? Speed Queen created Eco-Normal to meet Dept of Energy 2015 regs a cycle that uses a spray rinse and may not clean as well as the other cycles. I'd be interested to see your thoughts on how a Speed Clean works in any cycle except Eco-Normal. Dept of Energy Regs for 2018 are why SQ says they had to redesign the washer. Wirecutter and Sweethome which seems to have been rolled into the Wirecutter are excellent sources for product reviews. I'll often research products there before buying. They're now part of the NY Times but the reviews still seem relevant and worth reading. I appreciate the info you and others offer. The Wirecutter did throw shade on the AWN432SP in a review suggesting that it's so inefficient you could save money by getting a new washer every eight years or so. However new models can fail or require repairs before hitting the eight-year mark. But to be fair Consumer Reports are not fans of Speed Queens and Reviewed said the AWNESP92 didn't clean clothes well. And for the question of the AWNE92SP or Speed Queen front load model AFNE9RSP113 (2017 models), I'd go for the one that fits your daily needs best. The FL will give you some more flexibility for a bit more cash. |
Post# 982167 , Reply# 15   2/10/2018 at 15:04 (2,238 days old) by dylanmitchell (Southern California)   |   | |
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We're in a throwaway disposable economy where consumers expect to buy a car or appliance use it for 8-10 years (some a little more some a little less) then toss it or trade it in on something new restarting the cycle. Through getting a washer past the 5-year mark without major repairs in unlikely. Agitator top loaders are a niche market for those who like to have control and vintage machines are like vintage cars for people reminiscing the days of quality construction and easy repair. Folks on this site are enthusiasts and collectors
If someone asks me to recommend a washing machine I'll suggest a TL 2017 SQ or Maytag Commercial and for FL a 2017 SQ or LG. A used FL SQ can be a great buy too. For bulky loads and large comforters, a FL may suit them best. Most will end up buying something from Big Box store or Costco like an LG FL vs from an independent appliance shop. The agitator washer and SQ fans are sophisticated savvy buyers who know what they want and will go to independent shops but make up a small percentage of buyers. Civic reference about being the most well rounded useful, reliable car is like the joke about the Toyota Corolla being reliable, boring, and doing the job required of it but boring like a washing machine and nothing to get excited about. Consumers want something that does the job required of it without a lot of fuss or fine-tuning. Enthusiasts want something that excited them and they can exert control over like the older SQ, Mieles, etc. Unfortunately, reliable boring washers that do the job are not what's currently being sold. |
Post# 982619 , Reply# 16   2/13/2018 at 11:41 (2,235 days old) by liamwirecutter (Boston)   |   | |
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Thanks to everyone who chimed in, I appreciate it! May follow up with some of you in the next couple of days. |
Post# 982658 , Reply# 17   2/13/2018 at 14:31 (2,235 days old) by johnb300m (Chicago)   |   | |
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Lots of great points.
I'll play devil's advocate too. Back in 1982, my parents paid almost $400 per unit for their Maytag washer/dryer pair. And that was for the lower end units. The dryer lasted till 2004. And the washer went till 2017. In 2018 dollars, that's just over $2,000 for the set. Many modern machines accused of sucking today, are usually less than that. And they have lots of imported components. Part of the issue with cheapening machines and less American jobs is....the market just won't pay $2,000 for a set all that often anymore. With that said, everything is more expensive today from labor to materials, and the money that stock holders demand. Yet that purchase price has stayed the same or gone down, leaving less investment in the machines themselves. In Todayland, if you spend 2,000 - 3,000, the quality is generally still there (but not all the time), it's just that that price is nauseating or untenable to many today. So more consumers gravitate to the cheap sets. Which signals to companies that they need to make more cheap sets to compete. But then consumers get mad at the cheap sets. They go to buy another set, but get ANOTHER cheap set. Either because they choose to, or increasingly, have to. And 'round n round we go, down the drain. |
Post# 985835 , Reply# 19   3/8/2018 at 13:10 (2,212 days old) by johnb300m (Chicago)   |   | |
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Post# 985841 , Reply# 21   3/8/2018 at 14:31 (2,212 days old) by liamwirecutter (Boston)   |   | |
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Thank you! Submitted a fix |
Post# 985857 , Reply# 22   3/8/2018 at 17:12 (2,212 days old) by Lorainfurniture (Cleveland )   |   | |
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Is even the slightest inaccuracies when aw.com is involved! Great article, it was a pleasure talking to you |