Thread Number: 83031  /  Tag: Modern Automatic Washers
Speed Queen Front Loader
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Post# 1073142   5/18/2020 at 11:59 (1,437 days old) by eurekastar (Amarillo, Texas)        

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We're all familiar with the recent controversy regarding Speed Queen's radical redesign of its top load washers.  But my question is why did Speed Queen abruptly withdraw their front loaders from the market only to bring them back a year later?  AND when the front loaders were brought back, were there any substantial design changes (other than aesthetics)? 




This post was last edited 05/18/2020 at 13:20



Post# 1073151 , Reply# 1   5/18/2020 at 12:58 (1,437 days old) by agiflow3 ()        

They APPEAR to be the same machines. Those in the know will chime in.

Post# 1073157 , Reply# 2   5/18/2020 at 13:29 (1,437 days old) by DADoES (TX, U.S. of A.)        

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IIRC, the generally-accepted reason for withdrawal (of several conjectured) is that they had a contract to supply a crapload of frontloaders to a commercial customer so needed to divert all available production to that project.


Post# 1073159 , Reply# 3   5/18/2020 at 14:09 (1,437 days old) by Launderess (Quiet Please, There´s a Lady on Stage)        
Few others will certainly know better and chime in

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But other than design estethcs and few other bits SQ front loaders essentially remain what they always have; commercial washers sold for home use.

For some that is perfectly fine; those washers don't coo in several different languages, have dozens of special cycles and features like Miele, LG, Electrolux and rest. WYSIWYG, robust washing machines and dryers designed and built to process multiple loads day in and out for years.

www.reviewed.com/laundry/...

compared to latest incarnation


www.prnewswire.com/news-r...

SQ has upped their a game a bit for front loaders, but only just. They still don't offer a heater, and largely like the on premises commercial washers/dryers from same brand rely upon chemicals and some adjustment of cycles to get certain benefits.


Post# 1073164 , Reply# 4   5/18/2020 at 14:34 (1,437 days old) by SudsMaster (SF Bay Area, California)        

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Um, I think the rationale behind the lack of internal water heaters in commercial front loaders like the SQ is because most laundromats have piping hot water readily available at the tap. Especially considering that an active laundromat will have the hot water lines pre-heated from use so there isn't the dread temperature drop that a home washer might encounter. A savvy laundromat owner would probably want to save energy $$$ by using a shared water heater that runs on less expensive natural gas than individual electric heaters in each washer.

Just a hunch.

For home use, I consider an internal water heater to be essential, especially with newer washer designs that minimize water usage and thus would encounter a bigger temperature drop between home water heater and laundry load.


Post# 1073170 , Reply# 5   5/18/2020 at 15:02 (1,437 days old) by Launderess (Quiet Please, There´s a Lady on Stage)        
Local laundromat

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Like most others (the good ones anyway) along with commercial/industrial (ditto) have circulation systems on hot water supply. Thus opening the taps gives instant hot water with out having to bleed off cold as it were.

Being as this may since many laundromats have pre-wash set for "cold" and don't spin out water between that cycle and main wash; unless hot water going into machine is over say 160F, don't see how temps will be 140F or even 120F.

This could vary by climate and location, but tap water in NYC area during colder times of year is chilly. Haven't looked in ages to see if local laundromat washers mix cold and hot water for pre-wash. Know they use tap hot for part of final rinse (to flush fabric softener), but also use cold. Am guessing former is to make sure even thick gooey FS is moved from dispenser. Hint; it doesn't always work.

Now an industrial laundry can program machines to do multiple "hot" washes of short duration. After first 12 minute wash at "hot", second and perhaps third won't see dramatic drops in temps because machine, tub and laundry is already warmed if not hot.

Think main reason why laundromat washers don't bother with anything else that tap hot is they believe customers will use chlorine bleach for white loads. That substance covers up a multitude of wash day sins.


Post# 1073172 , Reply# 6   5/18/2020 at 15:14 (1,437 days old) by Launderess (Quiet Please, There´s a Lady on Stage)        

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Steam is far more efficient in terms of heating for laundries than using electricity IIRC, and certainly likely is cheaper.

Have peeked at ratings plates for SQ laundromat washers and they can accept steam connections, but highly doubt any washerteria in USA does so.

www.speedqueen.co.nz/Broc...

Most states have very strict rules on who can operate what sort of boilers, and above certain PSI or whatever requires courses and licensing.

SQ does offer commercial units with electric heating capability, but looking at those kw ratings don't think you'll be seeing them in home use.
docs.alliancelaundry.com/tech_pdf...



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