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Thread Number: 85508
/ Tag: Modern Dishwashers
Should I swap out my Speed Queen set for this KitchenAid set? |
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Post# 1100592 12/14/2020 at 15:47 (1,222 days old) by Marky_mark  (From Liverpool. Now living in Palm Springs and Dublin) |
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 Hi guys
Last year I bought a used Speed Queen AWN542 washer and (separately) the matching gas dryer ADG4BR. I’m happy with both! However... I’ve just seen this KitchenAid set for sale near me. Seller says they are in good condition and come with a 30-day warranty for $450 for the set. Should I or shouldn’t I?! Mark | ||
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Post# 1100593 , Reply# 1 12/14/2020 at 16:00 (1,222 days old) by RP2813 (Sannazay) |
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 I'm not a big fan of Speed Queen, so it would be an easy decision for me to pick the KA pair. The KA dryer in particular is infinitely better -- a tried and true Whirlpool design that won't toast your clothes. Whirlpool's direct drive washers are super reliable. No belts to eat up like so many SQ washers like to do. | ||
| Post# 1100594 , Reply# 2 12/14/2020 at 16:09 (1,222 days old) by Pierreandreply4 (St-Bruno de montarville (province of quebec) canada) | ||
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Post# 1100595 , Reply# 3 12/14/2020 at 16:17 (1,222 days old) by appnut (TX) |
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Post# 1100600 , Reply# 4 12/14/2020 at 16:47 (1,222 days old) by Geoff (Cape Coral, FL) |
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Kitchen Aid for me. | ||
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Post# 1100613 , Reply# 5 12/14/2020 at 17:52 (1,222 days old) by DADoES (TX, U.S. of A.) |
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 The KA's speed control references three agitate choices (High, Low, Ultra Low). Presumably it's still equipped with a 3-speed motor and the large-base agitator, and High = mid-speed, Low = lowest speed, and Ultra Low = lowest speed intermittent. Interesting that the Low/High selection is tagged for Sweaters, if my eyes are catching it correctly. | ||
| Post# 1100624 , Reply# 6 12/14/2020 at 18:52 (1,222 days old) by Repairguy (Danbury, Texas) | ||
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Post# 1100626 , Reply# 7 12/14/2020 at 18:55 (1,222 days old) by Marky_mark (From Liverpool. Now living in Palm Springs and Dublin) |
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Thank you, guys!
Well then it sounds like this KA dryer should work even better than the Speed Dryer. I like that it has electronic moisture sensing and an even larger drum. The washer also looks good and very flexible. I believe it has triple dispensers, with timed bleach and fabric softener dispensing, right? Mark | ||
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Post# 1100628 , Reply# 8 12/14/2020 at 19:00 (1,222 days old) by Geoff (Cape Coral, FL) |
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Correct | ||
| Post# 1100629 , Reply# 9 12/14/2020 at 19:09 (1,222 days old) by Repairguy (Danbury, Texas) | ||
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The dryer is definitely better than the Speed Queen. Yes the washer has detergent, timed bleach, and fabric softener dispensers. Spin starts on low and switches to high. You can still get tap hot water but it will not allow a warm rinse with hot water even if you switch to warm/warm after machine has filled for wash with hot.
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Post# 1100633 , Reply# 10 12/14/2020 at 19:31 (1,222 days old) by combo52 (50 Year Repair Tech Beltsville,Md) |
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Best W&D Pair For a collector like us the KA W&D wins hands down, if a customer asked which pair will last longer and get the job done well with less service expense the SQ is the winner.
Assuming both sets are in excellent condition now the SQ set will last 10-15 years longer in a family of four than the KA because of repair expense and NLA parts.
I would get the KAs, when we talked about them last night I missed the fact they were black, after you get them and if you decide to keep them you can easily get $500-600 for the SQ pair.
John L. | ||
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Post# 1100658 , Reply# 11 12/14/2020 at 22:20 (1,222 days old) by Marky_mark (From Liverpool. Now living in Palm Springs and Dublin) |
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Thanks everyone for all the great info! John: it was great catching up with you yesterday. I forgot to mention that this set was black. I’m not surprised that so far everyone has agreed the WP/KA dryer beats the SQ. But I guess I am surprised that no one has voted for the SQ washer over the KA. I thought AW had its fair share of SQ devotees. I’ve heard the KA fills slowly and I don’t think there’s a spray rinse until the final spin. What is the top spin speed, 650 RPM? I’ve read on AW that the KA has a gentle yet thorough wash. Melvin/Repairguy: what you said is really interesting. I don’t do warm rinses; tap cold is fairly warm in the desert anyway. But I’m surprised that it won’t do a warm rinse if selected after a hot fill. Anyone know why? | ||
| Post# 1100660 , Reply# 12 12/14/2020 at 22:28 (1,222 days old) by Repairguy (Danbury, Texas) | ||
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Post# 1100664 , Reply# 13 12/14/2020 at 22:57 (1,222 days old) by Yogitunes (New Jersey) |
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Post# 1100681 , Reply# 14 12/15/2020 at 07:04 (1,221 days old) by combo52 (50 Year Repair Tech Beltsville,Md) |
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Vintage KA Laundry Pair Vs A Newer SQ Pair The KA should fill fairly fast, certainly equal to the SQ.
The SQ washer would be just a little more energy efficient due to its faster spinning 640 vs 710 and of course the SQ would also rinse a little better, although the KA will get rid of more sand and lint and will not leave streaks of lint and minerals on dark clothing because of its more sophisticated neutral drain system.
Overall I would diffidently have the KA laundry pair in my laundry room assuming you have other W&Ds if a problem arises.
John L.
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Post# 1100724 , Reply# 15 12/15/2020 at 13:30 (1,221 days old) by marky_mark (From Liverpool. Now living in Palm Springs and Dublin) |
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Post# 1100730 , Reply# 16 12/15/2020 at 13:44 (1,221 days old) by DADoES (TX, U.S. of A.) |
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| Post# 1100732 , Reply# 17 12/15/2020 at 14:05 (1,221 days old) by twintubdexter (Palm Springs) | ||
one risks exile for bucking the majority, but... Before making your decision, ask yourself if you would feel differently if those laundry appliances said Whirlpool or Kenmore on them? The KitchenAid name on washers & dryers is not the same thing as on a KitchenAid stand mixer. In the case of the laundry appliances, the name (with regards to longevity, quality and repair-free life) is like beauty...only skin deep.
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| Post# 1100764 , Reply# 18 12/15/2020 at 18:31 (1,221 days old) by oldschool88 (NJ) | ||
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Ordinarily, I would shout "blasphemy!" at anyone considering swapping out a pre-2017 Speed Queen...but that KA set is awfully darn nice hardware. I'd make the exchange without hesitation, assuming the KA washer has no transmission fluid leakage or other major issues. | ||
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Post# 1100783 , Reply# 19 12/15/2020 at 20:23 (1,221 days old) by Marky_mark (From Liverpool. Now living in Palm Springs and Dublin) |
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Glenn: thank you. Oh and I meant to say “lid switch” as I knew it wouldn’t lock. I’ll definitely bypass it somehow. Gotta see what’s goin’ on in there. Joe: I’m all for bucking the majority! I want to hear all opinions. I have been on the lookout for a Kenmore set for a while but haven’t seen anything that’s in good condition and not yellowed. I specifically wanted the Kenmore with the “Ultra Rinse System” that does two spray rinses after the wash and another two sprays after the deep rinse. One thing that puts me of this KA washer is the lack of a spray rinse after the wash. I also prefer the look of the inside of the SQ washer in stainless steel. And I like the SQ’s agitation arc and the sound it makes and the wide tub better than the chugga-chugga of the WP DDs with the narrower tub. I also like the drama of spin drains, call me crazy! Although the DD may work better with the dual-action agitator and neutral drain. I believe that the WP dryer wins hands down over the SQ dryer. I think this KA set looks really nice on the outside, better than the SQs. I do want a matching set (I know that’s a little silly of me). So I don’t want to pair the SQ washer with a KA dryer. | ||
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Post# 1100784 , Reply# 20 12/15/2020 at 20:24 (1,221 days old) by RP2813 (Sannazay) |
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I didn't even notice until I went back to take a closer look that the KA washer offers the coveted (by some or perhaps many) slow wash/fast spin option that I've always associated with TOL Maytags. Between that and the three available speeds, the KA beats the SQ hands down when it comes to customizing cycles.
This decision is really a no-brainer. I'm feeling hopeful that since the PS area has a reputation for clean, low-mileage vintage machines, this KA pair could be plug and play after not much more than visual inspections and taking them for a brief spin, so to speak. | ||
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Post# 1100787 , Reply# 21 12/15/2020 at 20:49 (1,221 days old) by DADoES (TX, U.S. of A.) |
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Post# 1100788 , Reply# 22 12/15/2020 at 20:53 (1,221 days old) by DADoES (TX, U.S. of A.) |
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Post# 1100789 , Reply# 23 12/15/2020 at 20:55 (1,221 days old) by Marky_mark (From Liverpool. Now living in Palm Springs and Dublin) |
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Ralph: Yes I specifically hunted out my current SQ TOL model with the separate fabric selector switch offering all combinations including slow wash with fast spin. I believe this KA only has two actual wash speeds, the third option being the lower of the two speeds but intermittent. The motor is apparently 3-speed, with its top speed only being used for draining and fast spin — different to WP and KM versions. So yes this KA will give me all the options and flexibility I could ever need. I’m going to look at this set on Friday. Maybe I’ll be the proud owner of a “new” washer and dryer by the weekend!
I’ve only ever seen the wash action of DDs on YouTube. I’ve never used one in person. And when watching the agitation with the lid open, I do prefer the SQ to the WP/KM/KA DDs. That isn’t something I would normally drop into conversation, but you guys understand where I’m coming from, right?! | ||
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Post# 1100790 , Reply# 24 12/15/2020 at 21:25 (1,221 days old) by RP2813 (Sannazay) |
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For sure Mark, I prefer long stroke agitation over the neurotic fast stroke action of direct drive, orbital or whatever other types of transmissions render it. I just would rather have it be done by a pre-orbital Maytag or a belt-driven Whirlpool-sourced washer than any Speed Queen-sourced machine going as far back as the 1970s. That said, I wouldn't hesitate to make an exception for the KA washer you're considering. I've witnessed a KA machine in operation and it's not nearly as annoying as its lesser Whirlpool cousins.
I got stung once by a belt-eating, poor rinsing Amana top-loader that was top-rated by Consumer Reports. No Speed Queen-sourced TLs for me ever again, even as a back-up machine. The only SQ I'd ever consider would be a front-loader, and it would have to be competitively priced considering they don't even offer an on-board heater. | ||
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Post# 1100822 , Reply# 26 12/16/2020 at 09:30 (1,220 days old) by lakewebsterkid (Dayton, Ohio) |
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SQ vs KA As much as I love Speed Queen’s long stroke and smooth transmission, however I would take the KitchenAids every day of the week. | ||
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Post# 1100877 , Reply# 28 12/16/2020 at 19:35 (1,220 days old) by combo52 (50 Year Repair Tech Beltsville,Md) |
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By Passing The Lid Switch On A KA TL Washer | ||
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Post# 1100880 , Reply# 29 12/16/2020 at 19:56 (1,220 days old) by marky_mark (From Liverpool. Now living in Palm Springs and Dublin) |
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Thank you all so much for all the help and info.
I wish this KA had spray rinses after the wash as well as during the final spin. Although in reality perhaps it doesn't make that much of a difference. I just like the idea of more spray rinsing.
Actually I have just remembered that I did once use a WP direct drive machine. It was a Kenmore laundry center. I didn't know much about it at the time. I washed my clothes with "normal" agitation speed and OMG that thing gave them a good thrashing which didn't please me. But I believe that this KA set is apparently gentler.
Oh the reason I said that they are slow to fill is because I was searching this site for info on KA washers and I came across a post that Geoff made in 2006. I think he said that they were slow to fill if I remember rightly. BTW, what happened to your set, Geoff?
Mark | ||
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Post# 1100893 , Reply# 30 12/16/2020 at 23:25 (1,220 days old) by thomasortega (El Pueblo de Nuestra Señora de Los Angeles de Porciúncula) |
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@john: you're right, somehow I was thi king about an electro ic control panel like the Catalyst and Calypso (the two machines I bypassed the lid switch by adding a toggle switch) Soon (when I don't feel lazy enough) ill have to do the same with the Maytag Shitennial. Temporarily I just unscrewed the lock from the lid but I dont like the visual and the lid doesn't close completely. If I let it complete the cycle, it won't restart if I don't "open" the lid. | ||
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Post# 1100894 , Reply# 31 12/16/2020 at 23:28 (1,220 days old) by thomasortega (El Pueblo de Nuestra Señora de Los Angeles de Porciúncula) |
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@Mark: I have some jump connectors that are great. I discovered them thanks to Kevin. I bought two boxes (I think 100pcs) and gave one to him. When you need, we both have plenty of them. No wire stipping or cutting, just crimp them on the wires and you're good to go. | ||
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Post# 1100961 , Reply# 32 12/17/2020 at 15:47 (1,219 days old) by Geoff (Cape Coral, FL) |
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Hi Mark,
It always seemed to me at least that mine was slower to fill than a regular direct drive that filled from the back. I gave mine to my mother years ago and it quickly became her favorite machine. She misses it greatly. I always told her that when they sell the house that the Kitchen Aid was not to be sold with it and it would come back to me. Well, I wasn't able to get it back in time and it sold with the house. Took me a while to get over that because it was my own fault. One quick thing about the warm rinse. It is auto temp controlled at 70 degrees. It even says so in the manual. It's regulated to temp controlled Cold temperature. If your tap temp is cold, it alternates between warm and cold until the tub is filled. It worked great in the winter but it never added added warm in the summer.
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Post# 1100966 , Reply# 33 12/17/2020 at 16:03 (1,219 days old) by Geoff (Cape Coral, FL) |
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Sorry, one more thing | ||
| Post# 1101121 , Reply# 35 12/18/2020 at 23:10 (1,218 days old) by Good-Shepherd (New Jersey) | ||
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$450 for the set. Should I or shouldn’t I?! Whilst everyone is discussing the pros and cons of SQ vs KA they've probably been sold and installed in some multi-family rental unit. | ||
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Post# 1101122 , Reply# 36 12/19/2020 at 00:01 (1,218 days old) by Marky_mark (From Liverpool. Now living in Palm Springs and Dublin) |
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Ok now I’m definitely convinced. I need a KA set! Thank you, guys. I really appreciate all the input. As soon as I saw this set for sale a few days ago I contacted the seller straight away. He said he would be out of town until yesterday. So I contacted him again yesterday and unfortunately he said the set has now been sold to someone who had previously expressed an interest. I was so disappointed! But fortunately these machines are not too uncommon. So I am checking listings for others. Would a KA set like this be more desirable than a similar Kenmore set? If so, why? I ask because Kenmore sets are easier to find. I really liked the look of the KA set.
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Post# 1101131 , Reply# 37 12/19/2020 at 03:15 (1,218 days old) by thomasortega (El Pueblo de Nuestra Señora de Los Angeles de Porciúncula) |
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Mark, if you have the chance, also put your hands on a Calypso.. At first I wanted one just because it's "weird" (the same way I'm desperate to find a neptune TL), until I ran the first load and. WOW, what an incredible washer! | ||
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Post# 1101143 , Reply# 38 12/19/2020 at 08:49 (1,217 days old) by DADoES (TX, U.S. of A.) |
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Direct-drive action is essentially the same across all the lines, other than nuances specific to the various brands. Kenmores don't have the larger-base agitator with reduced agitation speed, typically don't (some possibly do but my 1999 90 doesn't) shift to slower agitation for the last few mins of the wash period, and don't have stepped-spin. The Catalyst and Resource Saver models have more substantial differences. | ||
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Post# 1101145 , Reply# 39 12/19/2020 at 08:51 (1,217 days old) by DADoES (TX, U.S. of A.) |
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| Post# 1102257 , Reply# 41 12/28/2020 at 00:16 (1,209 days old) by panasonicvac (Northern Utah) | ||
I may get criticized for this but...
If I had to choose for myself on which set I would prefer to have, I think I would honestly go for SQ. Now I'm not a collector as I'm basically a consumer on washers and dryers but I think would rather have something that would last longer and something I would have better luck on finding parts for. SQ all they do is produce laundry products, Kitchenaid on the other hand sells more than just washers and dryers and they don't even sell laundry products anymore. I'm sure without a doubt in my mind that Kitchenaid performs better but I usually like to keep my clothes cleaner and last longer so I don't think I would need something that would be very aggressive on my clothes. Anyways, those are my thoughts.
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Post# 1102260 , Reply# 42 12/28/2020 at 00:50 (1,209 days old) by DADoES (TX, U.S. of A.) |
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KitchenAid laundry was always Whirlpool dryers and direct-drive toploaders or the German-sourced frontloader so nothing esoteric about it regards to parts other than model-specific items such as timers and the uber-sized agitator ... except for the upscale Pro Line® dryer which was sourced from ADC/American Dryer Corp. | ||
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