Speed Queen top loaders

16 years ago

Hello everyone,

I'm new to gardenweb, and thrilled to have found it. I can't wait to explore gardening tips, recipes, and the many other features of this great site. For now, though, my immediate reason for coming is this forum. We're in the market for a new W/D and I've been researching as much as possible. I'm dismayed by all the negative reports (My 25 year old Maytag made it through four kids and at least 2 loads a day for the duration).

I'm thinking of going with Speed Queen. I want a top loader because I do not want any potential problems with odor and I have a bad back, do not want to bend. I don't need any bells and whistles, just a machine that cleans and will hold up.

I've read pretty universally good reviews of Speed Queens, though I guess they can be a little hard to find. The only criticisms I've read are: they can be somewhat noisy (not a huge problem since it'll be in my very deep basement), and one review said the spin was not long enough and the clothes came out wrinkled. Wrinkling would be an issue with me since I rarely iron.

Just wondering if anyone has experience with these issues, and also what model people have tended to prefer. Thanks in advance for any advice.

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Comments (7)

sparky823
16 years ago
Speed Queen is what you want if you want something that is similar in build and longevity to your Maytag. They also have a great warranty. My sister has one and she has never bragged about a washer till she got this one. She likes the fact that it washes large loads and that is doesn't get off-balance. It also drains the water by spinning it out like your Maytag does which will mean cleaner clothes cause the dirt doesn't settle back on them.I don't think you would regret getting a SQ.
washerman8
16 years ago
Marydon,
I was the one who complained about the spin cycle not being long enough. When I wash a heavy load of jeans or towels, I just spin them twice. The washer is really a great one. I wouldn't buy anything else on the market today. If you can get a set, I would recommend it highly.
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After much research last January, we ended up with a Speed Queen washer and dryer, but we got a frontload washer. Our previous frontload washer and dryer were 10-year-old Maytag Neptunes. I see that you want the top loader but consumer input on Speed Queen products is next to nil on the web, so I thought I might at least answers some of your questions. On the SQ front load washer, the washing times are shorter than most which is a big plus. I cannot speak re: the top loader. There is no buzzer when the wash cycle is completed and there is no delay start option. Dryer takes normal time and does have a buzzer. There is no moisture sensor, so I stay close by so clothes don't get "baked." Unfortunately, I've noticed more lint with this dryer and our bath towels are now "puckered" at the ends even though I use the delicate cycle. Another frustrating thing I've never encountered is that the silkscreening on some of DH's t-shirts is "cracking." I always wash these inside out, but I don't know if this is from the washer or dryer. When we purchased the SQ set from a local dealer, we thought we had made a wise purchase due to the 3-year warranty, machines were US-made and because they were one of 2 manufacturers that had a washer that hinged on the right side to fit in our space. Unfortunately, just after the front loader was used, it malfunctioned. Large replacement part was shipped in a single-wall cardboard box and damaged. There is no toll-free number for Speed Queen customer service and no one stepped up to follow through. After thirty days without a washer, we wrote a letter to the CEO. A new washer arrived within a week. In summary, we are not happy with these machines. I'm sorry to disappoint you, but I would keep researching. We subscribe to Consumer Reports online. They have a current review of washers. They review the front loader but not top loader. Good luck!
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I checked on Speedqueen.com for the height dimensions & they don't have it with the lid up. I also called them & the tech didn't know & would have to measure one. He wasn't near one. I'll find out Monday from the appliance store. My problem is that if it's too high I'll just have to change my cabinets. I've been meaning to do that anyway. Then I would repair the Maytag until I do the cabinets. I have a repairman scheduled for Monday afternoon to fix the Maytag. I do have a contract on all my appliances, but thought it was time to get a new machine. The Maytag is 17 years old. I'm supposed to get a new transmission. It kept agitating while draining, but never went into a spin. Can't wait to get it fixed or get a new one. I am very careful putting in my sheets on each side of the machine. It's always with the king size. I think the rollover action is very strong. I've had it checked & they say it's washing as it should. I gave up. Sometimes I can get them to stay under water & just wash & rinse. If I have to untwist them to rinse, they are full of soap. I keep doing that until the water is clear. So much work. When people unravel clothes & put them in the dryer, they may be full of soap. I've also washed just one king size sheet to stop the twisting, but then that one turns into a rope. Sometimes I feel like I'm washing my sheets by hand. Very rarely do I have a problem in the dryer. I do know of a couple of people with some twisting in their tl Whirlpools. I don't want to buy another problem if I can help it.
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I've seen others reviews by this site, they are universally poor. We've never had stains remain on clothes with our SQ TL. We have never had clothes get tangled in the agitator. When it says 27 minutes to wash, it is 27 minutes. Are they complaining that a heavy duty wash or one with extra spin cycles (or whatever) takes longer? Yes, it is not a time machine, sorry. Spin speed is 710 I think (from memory) - the one downside to our old F&P TL (which was a great machine also) which was 1000 or 1100. That is a negative, but the other complaints from this useless review are without merit as best I can tell. Many of us don't like FL, or HE TL, I would not have either type of machine, it's an agitator TL or nuthin'.......
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Yes, it's somewhat loud. My laundry room is between the garage door entrance and kitchen and I have to close the door when I'm doing laundry because of the noise. But understand that the noise does NOT bother me. I love the sound of my clothes actually cleaning/moving/washing. After having a POS LG I will take noise any day with the SQ. But yes, it's somewhat loud.
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hailefinn
16 years ago
Marydon---I am very satisfied with my SQueen. Ditto to what Sparky wrote. I think it is quite--the utility room is next to the family room and when running it never bothers us. I pretreat the stains I see---whites I usually add Borax or bleach and soak for about 20 to 30 minutes then wash. I just unloaded a load of colored clothes and found a stray white washcloth was there too---with a stain--proof that stains should be pretreated/bleached.

I bought SQ because I think it is a solid built washer and commercial laundries use them.

washerman8---I hadn't thought of spinning a 2nd time but I will try that.
marydon
Original Author
16 years ago
Thanks for the responses. I'm going to look at the SQs today. Luckily it turns out I have a dealer about a mile away!
sparky823
16 years ago
Let us know if you liked them or not and what you get.
dcm1234
16 years ago
Picking up the following tomorrow:

AWS51NW washer - paid $565 + tax
AES68AWF dryer - paid $475 + tax

I hope they're as reliable as my 30+ yr old Whirlpool washer and 40+ yr old Kenmore dryer.

I'm curious why the SQ's don't have ATC on their TL washers and moisture sensors on their dryers. Anybody know?
dadoes
16 years ago
ATC and moisture sensors require an electronic board, they're probably aiming to keep the controls to a traditional electro-mechanical design.

Speed Queen top loaders

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sparky823

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Speed Queen top loaders

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