Inga,

Think you will be all set for many years regarding parts for the Speed Queen FL.

They will still be making their Commercial Front Loaders, just no Consumer models after February 2018. The Commercial version, the Horizon model is a basic twin to it's retail unit sold to Homeowners so parts supplies should be readily available for years to come.

Jeff

Inga, I have the stacked front loader set from SQ and I’m told they will continue to make that set as it is identical to the commercial pair except for the facade. If you don’t mind them stacked, it might work for you. I have had exceptional service from mine with a couple of quirks. And I do wish they had an allergen/sanitize cycle, or at least an onboard heater. Does your budget stretch to Miele? That’s my dream.

Miele Little Giant is small but not slow. It's designed for throughput in commercial environments. 5000W heater can provide any wash temperature you want, pronto.

Ifoco - did you end up buying your Speed Queen Front load washer and dryer? If so, how do you like them? Thanks!

I did buy a set. I ordered them in Feb they delivered Mar 1st. Sat in the garage until I was able to rip out old Asko set, rework cabinet, plumbing exhaust and finally get them operational not that long ago. I have a set in our Florida home and really like them. My opinion hasn't changed. They wash great, hold a lot.

I guess a lot of people don't like them because they don't have a heater to heat the water.

I generally wash everything pretty much the same except whites and a heater is not a priority for me. In fact, it's one of the things that makes the cycles so long. The european models take forever to get a small load done. I'm also not big on a lot of fancy stuff that I \think a lot of people really like. No plastic parts and longevity is what I like.

I felt fortunate to have been able to find them as I heard on this forum they were no longer making the front load for the US market. The place I bought them from another story. Will never buy anything from them again.

Inga.

Thanks Inga. Curious to what cycles in the washer and dryer you like best? We are thinking of getting the frontloader and matching stainless dryer. There is one left by us. Thanks!

Can't believe they still have some. Maybe they"ll give you a deal. I had to pay top dollar and some along with the crappy service which was free:)) normal or quick wash cycle is what I primarily use. If I have a lot of whites I will use the white cycle and hot water. I run the sink on hot hot water tank is not far away.then start machine.

I'm here alone right now so I will have dirty yard clothes but not a large load.

For my regular clothes will use either quick wash or normal with warm water.

Dryer: for sheets and towels I will use hot. I like to just set the time I think it will take rather than all the fancy do dads, that sense moisture etc. But that's just me, simpler is better. I can tell if they are still damp and need another 5 or 10 minutes.

My clothes come out clean and smell good even after stinky clothes from working outside in over 100 degree temperature.

Hope that helps

Inga

Thanks - that does help! Yes - I think it is a good deal $2500 for stainless front loader and gas dryer.

go get them! Disregard my comment on drying, I have electric dryer.

I like Speed Queens warranty but with no heater it wouldn't have worked for me. Yes it has hot tap but when you consider the small amount of water it uses and filling into a cool machine with cool clothing the hot wash is at best warm. How much water does it use on just the wash cycle??

Mama,

You did see my wash temps on my Speed Queen FL in this post?

https://www.gardenweb.com/discussions/5193795/my-three-weeks-and-counting-with-a-speed-queen-fl-afne9bsp113tw01#n=30

Jeff

Jeff,

I just read all of your scientific tests. Very interesting and thanks. I missed though why you have 2 machines.

Inga

Hi Jeff, hope you and the family are all well.

I do remember your post now that you reminded me. Thank You.

So just looking into front loaders and I did find Speed Queen front loaders for sale... Did they decide to keep carrying them? Anyone purchase one recently?

https://speedqueen.com/products/home-products/front-load-washer/

Yes. The SQ FL are back in production. Apparently SQ had a large government contract to fulfill and had to shut off residential supply until that was completed. So, you can buy one now.

Ah. Thanks for the info. I didn't know if they had decided to revamp the machines or if enough people complained or what. It's finally time to say goodnight to my Maytags and try out a new set up. Looking to install a side by side washer and dryer with a counter over them. I was looking through the spec sheet and I thought it said it needed 12" clearance above the top. Will have to write to SQ to confirm. Mine will be in the kitchen area, so I want to build a cupboard that hides them.

Good luck! Hope it works out for you! The SQ is a very nice FL washing machine. I'm sure you would be happy with it. I have the TL 5 years this summer. Very pleased. Knocking wood. Don't want to jinx myself!

SEA SEA I just looked at the specs. Would you consider one if your TL ever bites the dust? I have always said I would not go back to a FL. My last LG gave me fits trying to do a final spin with a full load of towels, no matter what cycle or what speed. But the SQ specs seem to indicate it has a good balancing systems and we know how rock solid our TLs are. I wish the capacity of the FL were closer to 4.0; I would possibly consider it in the future if it was. But that price sure is something.

Hi armjim,

First, let's put the kibosh on thoughts like that! haha. Our TLs are going to hang in there! Fingers crossed. But, I do like to think ahead so I'm prepared in case of disaster. Um, yes and then kind of no, to your question.

My reasons for yes are that the SQ FL is a good, solid, well built washer that would likely outlive our TLs from what I've read. So yes I would consider a SQFL, in that sense. The ability to keep itself together for spins is proven. I've had a FL very nearly seriously damage the room it was in because it came apart from itself during spin on a heavy load. That was scary and ultimately, a terminal failure.

But, I do hesitate in this sense: It doesn't have an internal heater. Not really liking that. I'm not certain if that would keep me from buying one if needed, but that is a big issue with me. I can deliver 140F water to that washing machine, but with such a low amount of water being delivered, would it stay at 140F? Probably not. And in reality, if we are using high temps to banish unwanted organisms from our laundry and washing machines, 140F is not enough. It helps, but it's not a sanitize environment if we are being truthful with ourselves. We still have to rely on chemicals to do that job.

Then, once in a while there is a problem with a SQ. Sometimes there are lemons. And from what I've read, trying to get a repair, or even a sensible or knowledgeable repair can be an uphill battle. That is NOT ok. I don't see any reason for these SQ owners to be given the run around and ultimately, not be helped with their repair. SQ does like to play the "I've never heard of that happening card" with owners and I call bs on that. I don't like that and that alone might be a deal breaker for me. I can't emphasize enough how much that does not sit well with me. One never knows if they are going to get a washing machine that is glitchy or simply a dud.

I do think about this because I've been in washing machine h3ll too many times with previous FLs and I don't ever want to be there again. Plus I have a problem lots of other people don't have is that I can't get most of today's w/d into my house due to narrow doorways. A SQ TL or FL will fit into my house. So it has to stay on my list of possibilities regardless of the downsides I mention above. A Miele will fit as will an Asko, but both of those machines can be a similar repair problem if issues come up, not to mention in some cases, financially prohibitive to go through an out of warranty repair.

Then the cost of a SQ FL presently. For that kind of money I can buy a Miele, roll the dice on reliable service (we are in an area that service would likely be a problem) and have a quality internal heater inside the machine...see how it's a tough call to make? I hope I don't have to be in that situation any time soon.

Yeah, it's a tough call. The main thing that draws me to SQ is their durability and old school features. I've been able to fix our old Maytags myself - I watch a youtube video and between my husband and me, we've been able to replace parts and get them working again. Though, seems lately we've been doing more repairs then washing, so ready to move on to greener pastures - I hope.

The more I read, I think I may just keep my fingers crossed and get a less expensive LG or Electrolux... still have lots of appliance research to do (entire kitchen suite).

I did get an email back from abt.com where I asked about how much spacing the side by side SQ's needed if in a cabinet. I got 3 separate emails - one said would recommend 6" above to allow flexibility for other machines to fit down the road. One said, 2" on the sides. And the last said 4" in the back.

That is nice that ABT wrote you back. Hopefully the info they provided helps you make the choice you need to make. I will say this though, if you get a SQ FL that is not glitchy or a dud, it will be a workhorse for you. But you just never know what you are going to get...

Thanks Sea Sea - I totally get what you are saying. My other concern with the SQ is how much water they use. I live in LA, so water conservation is always a concern here. If I could find a FL that doesn't use as much water AND actually works, that would be fantastic. ;)

I am surprised that people have had trouble getting their SQ's fixed when something goes out... Is it just trying to get stuff covered by the warranty from SQ or is it techs not knowing how to work on them?

I hope yours keep going forever!! I think my Maytags are from the 1980's... the manuals are hilarious looking.

thanks!

Thanks hapahaole! Me too.

It seems to be both. Techs not always trained all that well (I suppose) and then from what I've read and my own experience with SQ direct and the retailer is that they have a policy of denying that they've ever heard 'that issue' then don't cooperate going forward. In the end I did get a timer replaced, but not until we had to go through a little dance of "gee, we've never heard that before". I did get service and it went well, but it was a small window into that world. I keep that experience close to heart as a timer is an easy and cheap fix, not like what some customers had to go through.

Then I have an issue with suds out the drain pipe (TL issue with certain types of plumbing). There is some part that SQ makes and knows about to assist with this issue, but when I phoned them to inquire they played dumb again and I couldn't order the part. I ended up solving the issue by accident with a washcloth placed exactly so, but once that washcloth gets moved from it's perfect placement, I'm likely to be back at square one.

PS I think you would meet your water requirements with a SQ FL. I get what you are dealing with though. I'm from LA and understand how water use is a thing you have running in the back of your mind daily. Even as a renter back then I was diligent about keeping water use as low as possible.

You know SEA SEA when I was a kid we had neighbors who had their washer drain into a long hose out to the backyard. I was always intrigued by that. Maybe that will solve your wash cloth just so problem. ;)

Isn't that something. My mom had her washer drain out a window into the camellia bushes outside the house. Warm climates, you can do that. Wish I could. I've thought on it. A lot. It would solve a problem.

Sea Sea, I have to drain my SQ TL into the laundry sink because the standpipe is the old standard 1.5" diameter. And not easily changed. Would involve jackhammering out cement to upgrade.

Depending on your house & construction, it may be relatively easy to change out the drain to 2" diameter. That is IF the problem is because you have a 1.5" drain line.

ETA, when I lived in western OK, the laundry room was adjacent to the garage and close to the garage door. I rigged up a long drain hose to dump the water on the thirsty front lawn during spring, summer, fall. Dry climate/ sandy soil. Was easy enough to assemble/ disassemble on Wash Day.

Cilantro, this house is on slab, pipes run through concrete. I do think I have 1.5" stand pipe. Sounds similar to your situation. It then meets up with antiquated, narrow city sewers that are crumbling and full of pine roots. Yes, it's as fun as it sounds. lol

It would be my dream situation to drain to outside to irrigate the dry sandy soil here like you used to do.. My w/d is in a bathroom and I haven't (yet) come up with a way to happily drain the washer to outside. I still think on it. If I had a door to outside I think it would be easier. For now, barring having an innovative and handy side-spouse, I'm hoping the 'just-so' washcloth stays in place. It is quite magical in the trouble it averts.