I do love MOST things about this washer. I previously had a Kenmore Elite Calypso Top Loading HE for 12 years. I wanted to get back to an agitator/fill-with-water type washer because I didn't feel my clothes were getting as clean. Odd thing about this Speed Queen though, is in the User's Manual, it directs you to use a low-sudsing HE detergent (see picture!) Of course I read this after I'd gone out just to buy regular detergent and used it in the four loads I've done so far with fine results. I even ran an extra rinse cycle on this last load just to see if there was any remaining soap, but none of note. I will try it with the HE detergent that I have on hand to see if it still cleans well.
Pros for this washer:
- Will fill to the top on Extra Large setting.
- The lid does not lock. You can open the lid at any time during the entire wash/rinse/spin cycle.
- Very short wash times.
- CLEAN laundry! Can actually smell the clean. Didn't notice the absence of that clean smell until I got it back with this washer.
- End of wash signal.
- Delayed start for up to 24 hours (haven't used this yet but looking forward to setting for early morning so laundry doesn't sit wet overnight.)
- Extended, 5 year warranty on parts and labor comes with the washer. I've read that some people say you're paying for it in the cost of the washer, as the price used to be $300 less than current selling price.
- Can set up to 9 different Favorite settings.
- Different wash cycles have different spin speeds (e.g. delicate spins slower than permanent press).
Cons for this washer:
- The most annoying thing is that this washer will not fill, agitate or spin when lid is open. I can understand agitate and spin, but fill? Directions tell you to pour detergent in bottom of washer, then add clothes, THEN close the lid to add the water. That means some clothes are just sitting right on top of non-diluted detergent. This is a very annoying feature, and I would love to figure out how to override for at least the fill time. I even watched a video on YouTube before I bought, which showed a guy doing a load with the lid open. He doesn't state he's tweaked it in any way. He is using the AWNE82, and I have the AWNE92, but I can't imagine that Speed Queen changed that feature between their two electronic models.
***EDITED: I used the instructions and photos I found on the discussion forum of www.automaticwasher.org to bypass this feature - easy to do and works great now!. (http://www.automaticwasher.org/cgi-bin/TD/TD-VIEWTHREAD.cgi?39369) I'm leaving this as a CON, however, because of the need to bypass it.***
- Size of tub is only 3.3 cubic ft. - however, I still was able to fit one queen sheet set and one twin sheet set and 5 bath towels in one load.
- When delivered, the tub had a black film on it. You can't see it with the naked eye, but rub a white towel in the tub and you'll see it. I had read about this and was prepared, but it did take two no-clothes wash cycles, one rubdown with Goo Gone and FOUR rubdowns with Windex and a white towel before it was all cleaned off.
- The only cycle for NORMAL is combined with the ECO setting, which starts with warm, then switches to cold water, regardless of your settings. Also, the directions say to not use the fabric softener dispenser on the ECO setting. This is annoying. So, instead I will set up a Favorite for my "normal".
I've only had this machine for one day, so these are all initial impressions. I will update if anything of note happens. Even though it looks like I've listed many cons, these are minor, and overall I'm very pleased with the machine. One thing I realized, however, is if you don't use HE detergent, it may become hard to find regular detergent in the stores! Also, at the time of this writing, there were three pictures on Amazon for this unit. The main picture it is showing is NOT the AWNE92 with 9 cycle settings. It is showing the AWNE82 with 3 settings. I've attached a picture of my AWNE92 panel.
***EDIT: Update 1/2016 - still loving this machine, definitely worth the money!
After about 15 years or so of having our whirlpool top loader with agitator, it finally started showing signs that it was giving up. So over the past several months or so I have been researching washing machines. One thing that I notice about most people who own a "HE" top load washing machine is either the thing breaks A LOT or people hate it because it doesn't seem to clean clothes that well. So, I also decided to research front loaders..............and unfortunately, you get a similar bleak picture regarding front loading machines. You hear about error codes where the washing machine will no longer work and needs service, part failures, etc. What the heck happened to a simple old school washing machine? Well the one company that seems to sell them is Speed Queen. It seems like everyone loves their Speed Queen's reliability and ability to clean clothes quickly and efficiently. I do admit that the price tag on the Speed Queen's can make you squirm in your chair and make you have 2nd thoughts about purchasing this machine when Whirlpool and some other manufacturers still make an old school washer. So what prompted me to purchase Speed Queen vs other brands? Simple. Look at the way they are built and check out their standard warranty on Speed Queen's website! Now granted........I have only had my Speed Queen for about a week but I have already done about 15-20 loads of laundry since it was delivered. Keep in mind that there is some residual black residue inside the washer. I simply filled the tub with hot water and detergent and ran 2 full cycles. That seemed to eliminate a good majority of it instead of having to scrub the heck out of the washer. After the 2 initial cycles, I then added rags and towels to a 3rd cycle and found that there was still a little bit of the black residue inside. However, the washing of the rags and crappy towels removed whatever remaining black residue was in the tub. So no scrubbing of the tub for me. Let the machine do it for you. Yes this machine is a little noisy but if it means my clothes are being washed properly and not in 6 inches of water like the HE machines I'll take it! On a heavy duty cycle with extra large load, heavy soil, and adding the 2nd rinse option takes the washer about 40-45 minutes from start to finish. So far, I'm very pleased with it. I'll update later down the road if I notice anything.
***UPDATE***
I've had my Speed Queen for almost a year and it's still running like champ with no isses! I'm very pleased with my washing machine. This machine can see upwards of 20 loads of laundry at any given time within a span of 2 days. I would have kicked myself in the ass if I would have bought an "HE" machine. Best "old school" washing machine that I have seen or used so far. Love it!
I can't tell you how much I love this machine. With the onslaught of "eco friendly" washing machines producing units that barely provide enough water to clean clothes, I'm so glad that Speed Queen makes this older, traditional unit. We have had TERRIBLE experiences with the newer machines that have no agitators and use very little water. My clothes were never as clean, and the whites? What whites?? The were all turning dingy! I put a tshirt on the top of a small load of laundry and put a black pen dot on the sleeve. I then sat and watched the entire laundry cycle. That tshirt NEVER MOVED! By the end of the washing cycle, it had only JUST gotten wet, but never moved at all and the black dot remained. This was with a $700 eco friendly machine. What a piece of garbage.
We tried two different eco friendly machines that were recommended at both Lowes and Home Depot. Awful. Finally, an honest employee admitted that the newer machines that had no agitators received many complaints. He himself would never buy them, and instead, recommended either a front loader or the Speed Queen (has an agitator, has water level control, and is a commercial unit). It was more expensive, but boy it was amazing. Back to having clean clothes again. I would never, ever purchase a non-agitator machine again. This machine is amazing and well worth every penny.
Purchased from a local Speed Queen dealer. I would highly recommend this product.
You have choices!!! You can select the amount of water you want, choose to save water or not, choose to per-soak a load, to rinse 1-3 times,optional favorite settings mode, it also offers water saving options (echo wash), etc.
This machine offers short cycles about 30 minutes. YEA!!! I have clean clothing, (That doesn't smell like mold/puke/armpits... after it has been washed UN-like laundry washed in HE machines...).
Clean and fresh smelling clothing. Boy, have I missed that for the past 10 years, trying one HE machine after another (9 in all) each of then lasting as little as 6 to 14 months before they broke down and/or had been repaired so many times they were replaced as lemons. Countless (5 year repair/replacement polices) all worthless. But the Speed Queen washer includes a 5 year warranty, it's made in the USA, so I won't have to hear parts are unavailable, any more. How can ya go wrong?
For those who are confused when reading the manual about the recommendation of using HE detergent, I called Speed Queen, and HE detergent is recommended with the ECO setting, since it uses less water. ALL the other settings, use your REGULAR detergents!! :) The Speed Queen washer is #1 for the amount of water for the fill and rinse, which is wonderful! Speed Queen uses metal parts, not plastic (other brands), which adds to the life span of an appliance. Being able to lift the lid and adding an item I forgot, is another benefit of a top lid washer. Purchased from a local Speed Queen dealer and it is Made in the USA!
Feature Product
- Top Load
- Touch Pad
- 120 Volts
- Stainless Steel
- Residential
Description
The Speed Queen 26" 3.3 cu. ft. Top-Load Washer is designed, built and tested to deliver commercial-grade performance. It features a 210-degree agitator with 60 strokes per minute, providing maximum water-to-laundry contact. It also features tubs that spins during the draining process, preventing dirt from lingering in the wash. The three temperature settings make sure your clothes suffer no damage when the proper temperature is selected. There are bleach and fabric softener dispensers which distributes those items itself when it gets to that point of the cycle. An extra-rinse option lets you rest assured that your garments have been thoroughly cleansed of dirt and soapy residue. The outer appearance of the unit is a clean white. Available at AppliancesConnection.
The GE Cabrio we had previously would not spin-out....my wife was spending upwards of two hours trying to get it to fully spin out. The local repairman told her that "its your fault...you don't know how to load a washer..!" This with two towels and two pairs of Levis...??
Checked out reviews on Amazon...Speed Queen was Very Highly Rated.
Went to the same...Local dealer..and found that I saved almost $200 by purchasing thru Amazon and getting it shipped directly to the house.
One of the rear legs had been bent in transit...I called Speed Queen, they referred me to the wholesaler I purchased the machine from.
Wholesaler asked me for a picture of the bent leg and the Serial/Model #'s of the washer, and I had the leg within a week.
Spent an hour or so replacing it...(I don't mind a little "hands-on" if it saved me that kind of $$$...!)
During the replacement it became apparent that this machine is built to last..! This is a very SOLIDLY Built Machine!!
Loads only take 30 minutes and are Clean...!
VERY Happy with this "Old-School" Machine..!!
As far as I know the last washing machine on the planet that lets you own it rather than it owning you. Purchased after reading scores of nothing but rave reviews. You can add mine to them.
Purchased from 1 Stop Camera and Appliance, a pleasant transaction with folks that seem to "get" that the customer likes to stay informed of how the process is proceeding. Wonder if I will ever experience this level of customer service again.
This washer washes clothes well. Isn't that the point after all? The control panel is very very easy to use, well thought out, intuitive. All metal construction. Speed Queen quality. All the options you might want.
The price is well worth it! Love love love it!
This Speed Queen is replacing a 20 year old Kenmore washer that was slowly dying. Everything works perfectly, and it really seems to be a better washer then the one I had. I like the touch panel and the simplicity of this washer. Ordering from Amazon goes smoother then ordering elsewhere.
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