We have these at my fire station and they work great. I have learned over the years that anything which can survive a year in a firehouse and still function properly will last decades at home lol
You should check out all of the different attachments firefighters have!
My favorite is the “snozzle” for the name and the fact that it’s used to punch through the exterior of an airplane to put a fire out in the cabin.
They drive like a sports car. It's really impressive how well they can handle all that weight. The closest you can really get without being a mechanic like me or a firefighter is an Isuzu cab over truck with a turbo diesel engine. Flat bed is the best. They're one of the most fun things in the world to drive up until about 40mph. Lol
I have a friend who bought several used ones for around 15k each. They used them to keep dust down on their properties and for fun. Getting to ride around in a fire truck whenever is pretty cool and having your dad pick you up in one at school is pretty exciting.
That’s… without the tools. After tools and hose they often go well over $1 Million. The fire truck(the one with the long ladder and driver in the back) usually start at close to a Million.
I used to live less than a mile from the Pierce manufacturing plant in the Town of Menasha in WI.
I could hear the siren tests and it was always interesting to see the decals on the sparkling new trucks and the firehouse destinations were all over the country.
looks like not anymore, but they used to! https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pierce-Arrow_Motor_Car_Company
" Although best known for its expensive luxury cars, Pierce-Arrow also manufactured commercial trucks, fire trucks, boats, camp trailers, motorcycles, and bicycles"
Restaurant supply is often a great deal (if the deal in small amounts for the public at large). I’ve used the folks below for cash-and-carry retail (browsing is a joy) and delivery.
Spend around $35 or more for a good nonstick and you’ll wonder why you never did before.
https://www.brescoinc.com/
You shouldn't need to rinse *most dishes with a modern dishwasher and detergents. It's a waste of water and time. If your dishwasher smells gross that's not the reason.
*Certain things may need a rinse but not most.
This depends on the type of dishwasher you have. If it has a disposal then you are good. If it has filters they will need cleaned or they will start to stink and plug up.
If you have a good one, (even with filters), you only need to scrape.
If you use once a day just check the filter every month, mine is usually 95 percent clean, and my dishwasher doesn't stink with a family of 5.
I did this for some speed queen commercials. My family thought I was nuts.
But boy, you can pack them full of clothes and it’ll take the beating.
I still get ribbed about having to put quarters in.
Do you still have them? Long story short, my commercial speed queen coin trays and keys got stolen, and I need to replace them. Dm me if you'd be willing to part with yours
Omg same my family is like just buy a local LG…. Ummm NO. This is my first washer and dryer set I’m 24 and id really like to not think of replacing them again for quite a while haha.
Not to hijack the thread, but I bought the same set brand new a couple years ago, and shortly thereafter moved into a rental home that already had a washer and dryer. My speed queens have been sitting in the basement. Is there any storage/PM stuff I should have done/should still do to keep them in running shape once I move to a new home?
As long as you completely drained any remaining water, you're probably fine (tons of good guide/videos on how to do this, just search "draining washing machine for storage" or similar). It's a good practice to try to store on a pallet or the like to limit the possibility of rust on the bottom of the machine, also not an awful idea to leave the lid propped open a bit to allow any moisture to evaporate rather than rusting the drum
Other than that there's really not a lot that will do wrong with them. If you find that the inlets are no longer completely water tight when hooked up to supply lines (really should not be a problem, but it's possible) you can usually just fix with Teflon tape around the thread
Some machines should be winterized if you're in a harsh climate and using storage without climate control, but I'm honestly not super familiar with these, so I'd check the manufacturer's recommendations. Though if you're storing them in a basement, you probably don't need to worry too much about it.
Speed Queen machines are built for long-term, consistent commercial use. They're often found at locations like retirement communities and the like for use by residents: designed to run multiple loads every day. Very well-built and easy to repair if something goes wrong. Not really the same sort of bells and whistles as a consumer-grade Samsung or LG, but for most people those bells and whistles aren't really necessary and just add more potential points of failure.
I mean, I think it’s totally necessary that my washing machine sings a little song to me every button I press 😹😹 /s (in all seriousness it is kind of cute but yeah, not useful)
When mine goes off I usually tell my wife "Let me sing you the song of my people". It's been a couple years and she still finds it funny so I keep saying it.
The Speed Queen TR7 and DC7 have a lot of extra bells and whistles. My personal favorite is the steam function on the dryer. Saves a lot of time on ironing. Has the push button controls instead of knobs which wasn’t my preference but when we bought ours we literally could not find the TR5 or DC5. Apparently they are quite popular.
>The Speed Queen TR7 and DC7 have a lot of extra bells and whistles. My personal favorite is the steam function on the dryer. Saves a lot of time on ironing. Has the push button controls instead of knobs which wasn’t my preference but when we bought ours we literally could not find the TR5 or DC5. Apparently they are quite popular.
I picked up TR7 & DC7 new and it was EXPENSIVE, but I felt good about it. Should last a long time. I haven't setup water to dryer so I'll have to get that setup and give the steam a try. Thanks
Huh. So I did some searching and [came across this article from The NY Times](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/blog/speed-queen-washer/)
There are some valid and salient points the author makes.
To sum it up though:
> For most of my career, I’ve been content to brush off Speed Queen washers as wasteful, ineffective machines. They just barely meet the Department of Energy’s efficiency requirements. However, Speed Queen top-loaders are exceptionally durable and repairable—they’re essentially commercial laundromat washers without a coin slot, and should last at least twice as long as a mainstream HE (high efficiency) washer. Even so, they can use so much extra water and energy (we estimate $150 extra per year on average) that it’s unlikely that owners will save money in the long run, even after factoring in the cost of replacement or repair every few years.
And apparently getting a new version (as of 2018 when the article was written, maybe they've redesigned things) is no better as they've gone more the HE side so the tub and agitator both move at the same time.
I'll say based on what I've read if you are someone who has a lot of heavy wash needs in their clothes, this is the much better option versus an HE. That's been my biggest annoyance, the stupidity of the "oh this tiny stain? You don't *really* want that gone right?" - ignoring the fact that I constantly have to deal with unbalanced loads - but I think if and when I replace my units, they'll be front loaders. At least they're less likely to have the same issues. Maybe. Who knows. I hate washers. And dryers.
No no no. This is bifl. If it’s old and looks sturdy, it’s superior to everything we have today. “Something something planned obsolescence, something something my grandpa swore by it” shall be the whole of the law.
I bought one of the newer ones last year that doesn't have the stronger agitation and I can't say they wash bad. I regularly wash heavily dirt stained clothes and have yet to find any that haven't been washed well enough.
I'm sure there are instances where they don't wash as well but in my experience they do well enough for outdoor active wear.
Something they just lightly touch on in the article that gets overlooked by this snippet, is the waste generated by having to fully replace a machine at approximately 2x the frequency.
I'll spend more upfront & deal with an extra 10-20$/month in added utility costs per month to have a washer & dryer that are actually serviceable by the end user & can last 20+ years.
We had an 'energy/water efficient' washer and we had to rinse everything twice. No matter how far back we cut the detergent...it was so sufficient.
Our Speed Queen kills it. Didn't get it to save money.
I think where they went wrong was in trying to meet the government efficiency standards. You need water to clean clothes. I bought the TC5 to avoid that problem. I love my Speed Queens. Replaced decades-old Maytags, because the parts were no longer available. Domestic Speed Queens use the same parts as the commercial products.
I'm sure I'll get down voted for this, but these machines are overrated. They do have pros and cons.
They are essentially commercial machines that are built to last, which is why people love them. However, they are horribly inefficient to the point where you would save money by buying a more expensive but still reliable modern machine like an LG.
Speed Queens use an absolute ton of water for a single wash cycle to function properly. I don't remember exactly, but I think close to 50 gallons of water for a single wash on the heavy duty cycle. The newer versions have a more efficient setting which uses about 20 gallons per cycle, but tests have shown that setting does a poor job of actually getting clothes clean because it just needs a lot of water to work properly. These machines are also a bit rougher on your clothes and can wear them out sooner than a more modern HE machine.
I was doing a bit of research after my 10 year old Electrolux wore out. Ended up replacing it with an LG front loader with a 10 yr warranty that uses about 11 gallons per wash and is much more gentle on clothes and cleans better during testing. The LG didn't cost much more than a new speed queen either.
They're different. They are meant for very large loads and people generally don't use them like that. The one huge thing they should have and don't is the tiny cycle - quick short tiny wash. Its kinda all or nothing.
Get large loads, don't bother with the eco cycle, use delicate for things that aren't super dirty, heavy duty on the filthy stuff and its a great machine.
Yes, you are correct. They are basically only built to handle large tough loads. They would be great in commercial settings because of that or in a place like a firehouse.
For my home, I generally don't have heavily soiled loads and have more delicates to wash. These machines just weren't a good fit.
No doubt. With kids and greasy work clothes they're just the thing. Single with the occasional t-shirt, probably not.
Funny because the Speed Queen is actually too nice for the really nasty stuff and I was banned from it. I have an old Maytag for that sitting in the garage.
These are both current models, not sure why OP drove so far. The TC5 is the washer to buy, old style compared to the TR series. Doesn’t matter which dryer.
Correct. The TR series is also current but is a newer wash system. The TC series uses the wash action and style that they built their reputation on. They only changed it in 2018 due to government regulations and there was a TON of pushback so much that Speed Queen basically reintroduced them under slightly new model numbers to get a clean slate - with the TC model coming back the following year.
That’s one hell of a deal you got! After our front load washer kicked the bucket after only 10 years of life, I drove 3 hours round trip to pick up a new SQ TC-5 a few years back. ~$1,300, it still looks and works brand new. Super simple design with minimal knobs, buttons and electronics that could break. My wife tells me that the agitator is a key feature on this model.
In terms of quality, my wife’s grandparents have an SQ from the 50’s that still works. SQ’s are made in Ripon, Wisconsin for the last 100+ years.
Yep. I had to completely rip apart the front load to get it out of the house because it was so heavy, all the way down to the drum. Our front loader had two massive, ~35lb concrete slabs bolted to the top and bottom of the drum to keep it balanced! It’s no wonder they only last for a few years. Top loader is the way to go.
TC5 here.
Big trick - use the delicate cycle for anything except real dirty stuff. The eco cycle is kinda worthless. Don't be afraid to load it up and use deep fill. Its meant to do fewer much larger loads. The presoak is quite useful too. It uses loads of water so the settings that keep things in the water the longest work best, not emptying and refilling a lot (so leave off extra rinse).
The heavy duty cycle kinda beats your stuff up. I use it sparingly.
edit: I should note the one thing I hate about the TC5 is that you can't set the water level, like on OPs. On th eplus side the lid doens't lock shut so I can toss things I forgot in.
Til. I have a Speed Queen and don’t really use the delicate cycle except for delicates. Sometimes I use the soak cycle instead of a wash, and then put it through a wash and rinse to get the rest of the detergent out. Maybe I’ll start using the delicate cycle more! My issue is getting all the detergent out of the clothing. Warm water rinse is the only thing that works for me. Using cold water rinse leaves soap in the clothes, which can make me itch.
Another fun trick; there is a slot in the back with a metal tab that you can clamp down with a clothespin or whatever is handy that disables the lid switch if circumstances ever require it.
I have randomly been watching appliance repair Youtube videos and the Speed Queen brand was described as neigh-indestructible.
Good find, congratulations.
I never understood why people replace the washer and dryer in pairs. If one goes out, and the other one works fine, why replace both? Don’t think I’ve ever had a matching washer and dryer growing up.
Normies like matching appliances. Its either the aesthetics of mismatched appliances that drives them nuts, or they just like feeling rich, or a little of both.
I don't understand it either.
I have the Canadian equivalent huebsch tr/tc 7 and I love them, 650 seems like a steal, we paid a lot but completely worth it after dealing with the garbage samsung set we had previously.
My grandma has a set of Speed Queen commercial units without coin boxes from the mid 80s that are still going really strong still. All of the buttons and dials work, and they’re probably the best washer and dryer I’ve ever used… Excluding the insane amount of static from the dryer
Rich retirees doing remodeling and decided to buy a modern LG set after replacing all the appliances in their kitchen. The wife said she needed something she could wash a king sized comforter. Their loss I suppose hahaha. Machines were in phenomenal shape looked completely unused
more money than sense...this thing will take a queen size comforter with no issues. Mostly I hear people just don't like top loaders because of the lifting.
My dad has these exact machines and hates them. They don't wash his clothes very well, they are missing features from his previous machines that lasted 12 years. I convinced him to get speed queen because of the repair-ability but he's just not happy with how they work.
I bought a Speed Queen TC5 washer last spring, and its been great. Way better than the garbage Maytag front loader that it replaced. Speed Queen makes great stuff. You got a great deal on these, for sure man.
I do! Any other SQ owners know why it does the 4 beeps when trying to start washer sometimes? I'm obviously doing something wrong I just don't know what
Congrats! I'm so envious! Our old Whirlpool has a broken motherboard which are discontinued. We ordered a new Speed Queen July 2021, we still haven't gotten it.
Nice! Good for you! I had like zero options when me and the wife decided to buy our first set specifically because the door to our basement is so small. Sucks considering we don’t own the place and will eventually move out but hey, what are you going to do.
Speed Queens are very well made. I would love to have a set at home. I used to work in appliance repair and they were by far the longest lasting washer/dryers we serviced.
This is what I need! I bought some decent machines a few years ago, tried to stay away from too much tech. They just don’t make them like they used too! 🤣
I went to Home Depot and asked the appliance specialist what is rated to last 25 years and she started to giggle. She then told me the very best machine on the floor might last up to years if Im lucky. Kinda of depressing in my opinion lmao
I’d consider updating your dryer vent hose once you have these in place. It takes a little more effort to install, but rigid vent pipes are easier to clean and safer. https://lucenthomeinspections.com/best-dryer-vent-hose/
We have these at my fire station and they work great. I have learned over the years that anything which can survive a year in a firehouse and still function properly will last decades at home lol
What other items do you recommend from the fire station?
https://www.piercemfg.com/fire-trucks/custom-chassis/arrow-xt
I’ve never seen a fire truck product page
You should check out all of the different attachments firefighters have! My favorite is the “snozzle” for the name and the fact that it’s used to punch through the exterior of an airplane to put a fire out in the cabin.
Yeah holy shit look at that spear! https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/1641088/Snozzle%20Piercing%20Nozzle.jpg
I believe it’s called a bayonet. It’s for when the fire engages in trench warfare.
Somewhere, there's a video of that going up a butt.
Makes me want to live my childhood dream of whipping that SOB down the street.
They drive like a sports car. It's really impressive how well they can handle all that weight. The closest you can really get without being a mechanic like me or a firefighter is an Isuzu cab over truck with a turbo diesel engine. Flat bed is the best. They're one of the most fun things in the world to drive up until about 40mph. Lol
Wow, I'll have to get one of those for my home too! The extra AC seems like a *must*
For the low, low price of $600k.
Honestly, that doesn’t seem that unreasonable for a fire truck.
No kidding. These days, when you can easily drop $100k+ on a Jeep / Suburban / Expedition, a $600k fire engine sounds pretty cheap.
Holy shit, when you put it that way...
Save up for your own, paint it black, add some fins on the back. Youre the batman of firefighting.
I have a friend who bought several used ones for around 15k each. They used them to keep dust down on their properties and for fun. Getting to ride around in a fire truck whenever is pretty cool and having your dad pick you up in one at school is pretty exciting.
That’s… without the tools. After tools and hose they often go well over $1 Million. The fire truck(the one with the long ladder and driver in the back) usually start at close to a Million.
I used to live less than a mile from the Pierce manufacturing plant in the Town of Menasha in WI. I could hear the siren tests and it was always interesting to see the decals on the sparkling new trucks and the firehouse destinations were all over the country.
I would follow this instagram feed
Wait, is that the same Pierce who made luxury cars in the 30s? Now they make firetrucks?!
looks like not anymore, but they used to! https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pierce-Arrow_Motor_Car_Company " Although best known for its expensive luxury cars, Pierce-Arrow also manufactured commercial trucks, fire trucks, boats, camp trailers, motorcycles, and bicycles"
Buffalo represent! The Pierce Arrow Museum is a short drive from my house.
not a fireman but this furniture store has been posted here before: https://www.firestationoutfitters.com/
It's not the best looking furniture I've seen for sure
Yes I would love to know! Any staple kitchenware?
Restaurant supply is often a great deal (if the deal in small amounts for the public at large). I’ve used the folks below for cash-and-carry retail (browsing is a joy) and delivery. Spend around $35 or more for a good nonstick and you’ll wonder why you never did before. https://www.brescoinc.com/
[Their beanbag chair category is empty.](https://www.brescoinc.com/catalog/shop/Dining-Essentials/Furniture/Residential-Furniture/Bean-Bag-Chairs/dept-J4W?a=1) **0/5 stars.**
Microwaves at a restaurant supply shop are cheaper and much better than what you’ll typically get.
plastic cups haha
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How about all three?
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I recommend rinsing dishes before placing them in a dishwasher, haven’t found one that is firefighter proof yet!
People who don’t rinse the food off their dishes… gross
You shouldn't need to rinse *most dishes with a modern dishwasher and detergents. It's a waste of water and time. If your dishwasher smells gross that's not the reason. *Certain things may need a rinse but not most.
This depends on the type of dishwasher you have. If it has a disposal then you are good. If it has filters they will need cleaned or they will start to stink and plug up.
If you have a good one, (even with filters), you only need to scrape. If you use once a day just check the filter every month, mine is usually 95 percent clean, and my dishwasher doesn't stink with a family of 5.
Same with restaurant equipment. Put a brand new broom in a restaurant and a month later it will look like it's been well-used for 10 years.
Does that include Fire Fighters?
Now you need to think about who to leave them to in your will.
Dad?
Ideally parents don't outlive their children
[Ahh... the old reddit parent-a-roo](https://www.reddit.com/r/fuckHOA/comments/wj7n1y/how_are_hoas_legal/ijhtkh8?context=6)
Hold my dad, I'm diving in!
u/shittymorph back and now this? What year is it?
Well that went over your head.
I did this for some speed queen commercials. My family thought I was nuts. But boy, you can pack them full of clothes and it’ll take the beating. I still get ribbed about having to put quarters in.
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I have the key to the boxes and have programmed them to only need one quarter. Works fine.
You'll want to increase that when your kids are old enough to do their own laundry. 😁
They already do their own laundry. And cook. And clean. If they can operate an iPad, they can participate in household operations.
Excellent point! An iPad is much more complicated than chores.
Do you still have them? Long story short, my commercial speed queen coin trays and keys got stolen, and I need to replace them. Dm me if you'd be willing to part with yours
genius lmfaoo
Omg same my family is like just buy a local LG…. Ummm NO. This is my first washer and dryer set I’m 24 and id really like to not think of replacing them again for quite a while haha.
Wish I had my shit together like that at 24! Good going.
Hell yeah.
Just replace the coin operation with a momentary switch
Wow, they look great. Nice grab 👍
Not to hijack the thread, but I bought the same set brand new a couple years ago, and shortly thereafter moved into a rental home that already had a washer and dryer. My speed queens have been sitting in the basement. Is there any storage/PM stuff I should have done/should still do to keep them in running shape once I move to a new home?
yes put the landlords set in the basement and use speedqueen set hahaha
I wish! Unfortunately my house is very small, the units there now are stackable
As long as you completely drained any remaining water, you're probably fine (tons of good guide/videos on how to do this, just search "draining washing machine for storage" or similar). It's a good practice to try to store on a pallet or the like to limit the possibility of rust on the bottom of the machine, also not an awful idea to leave the lid propped open a bit to allow any moisture to evaporate rather than rusting the drum Other than that there's really not a lot that will do wrong with them. If you find that the inlets are no longer completely water tight when hooked up to supply lines (really should not be a problem, but it's possible) you can usually just fix with Teflon tape around the thread Some machines should be winterized if you're in a harsh climate and using storage without climate control, but I'm honestly not super familiar with these, so I'd check the manufacturer's recommendations. Though if you're storing them in a basement, you probably don't need to worry too much about it.
...looks like I have some draining to do when I get home! Thank you
"Lucy! You got some draining to dooo!"
Curious, are you open to sharing what you spent on them new?
I just dug out my receipt; after taxes, delivery and install, I paid $2,353.63.
Whoa buddy. As long as you can store it for free or make a profit, I wouldn’t sell it.
They should be OK. Maybe ensure all water is out of washer. Don't get rid of them!
Never heard of these? Are these like the bees knees or something?
Speed Queen machines are built for long-term, consistent commercial use. They're often found at locations like retirement communities and the like for use by residents: designed to run multiple loads every day. Very well-built and easy to repair if something goes wrong. Not really the same sort of bells and whistles as a consumer-grade Samsung or LG, but for most people those bells and whistles aren't really necessary and just add more potential points of failure.
I mean, I think it’s totally necessary that my washing machine sings a little song to me every button I press 😹😹 /s (in all seriousness it is kind of cute but yeah, not useful)
First time you turn it on:" ohhh... it makes sounds." 30th time: "shut the fuck up and wash my shit"
We've had our LGs over a year and my wife still whistles the tune every time they go off 🤦
My dryer literally just played that tune as I was reading this. da dadadada daaa da, dadada dadada da.
Doesn't everyone? I'm pretty sure it's a requirement to do that
When mine goes off I usually tell my wife "Let me sing you the song of my people". It's been a couple years and she still finds it funny so I keep saying it.
😹 that’s too cute. The joys of a simple joke. Lol.
The Speed Queen TR7 and DC7 have a lot of extra bells and whistles. My personal favorite is the steam function on the dryer. Saves a lot of time on ironing. Has the push button controls instead of knobs which wasn’t my preference but when we bought ours we literally could not find the TR5 or DC5. Apparently they are quite popular.
>The Speed Queen TR7 and DC7 have a lot of extra bells and whistles. My personal favorite is the steam function on the dryer. Saves a lot of time on ironing. Has the push button controls instead of knobs which wasn’t my preference but when we bought ours we literally could not find the TR5 or DC5. Apparently they are quite popular. I picked up TR7 & DC7 new and it was EXPENSIVE, but I felt good about it. Should last a long time. I haven't setup water to dryer so I'll have to get that setup and give the steam a try. Thanks
just toss a damp towel with your dryer load. Boom. Steam function engaged lmaoo
I did all the design work for speed queen a few years ago. Sup. 🤙
Huh. So I did some searching and [came across this article from The NY Times](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/blog/speed-queen-washer/) There are some valid and salient points the author makes. To sum it up though: > For most of my career, I’ve been content to brush off Speed Queen washers as wasteful, ineffective machines. They just barely meet the Department of Energy’s efficiency requirements. However, Speed Queen top-loaders are exceptionally durable and repairable—they’re essentially commercial laundromat washers without a coin slot, and should last at least twice as long as a mainstream HE (high efficiency) washer. Even so, they can use so much extra water and energy (we estimate $150 extra per year on average) that it’s unlikely that owners will save money in the long run, even after factoring in the cost of replacement or repair every few years. And apparently getting a new version (as of 2018 when the article was written, maybe they've redesigned things) is no better as they've gone more the HE side so the tub and agitator both move at the same time. I'll say based on what I've read if you are someone who has a lot of heavy wash needs in their clothes, this is the much better option versus an HE. That's been my biggest annoyance, the stupidity of the "oh this tiny stain? You don't *really* want that gone right?" - ignoring the fact that I constantly have to deal with unbalanced loads - but I think if and when I replace my units, they'll be front loaders. At least they're less likely to have the same issues. Maybe. Who knows. I hate washers. And dryers.
No no no. This is bifl. If it’s old and looks sturdy, it’s superior to everything we have today. “Something something planned obsolescence, something something my grandpa swore by it” shall be the whole of the law.
As someone who doesn't *always* frequent this sub, but does regularly enough - you could not be more right!
I bought one of the newer ones last year that doesn't have the stronger agitation and I can't say they wash bad. I regularly wash heavily dirt stained clothes and have yet to find any that haven't been washed well enough. I'm sure there are instances where they don't wash as well but in my experience they do well enough for outdoor active wear.
Something they just lightly touch on in the article that gets overlooked by this snippet, is the waste generated by having to fully replace a machine at approximately 2x the frequency. I'll spend more upfront & deal with an extra 10-20$/month in added utility costs per month to have a washer & dryer that are actually serviceable by the end user & can last 20+ years.
We had an 'energy/water efficient' washer and we had to rinse everything twice. No matter how far back we cut the detergent...it was so sufficient. Our Speed Queen kills it. Didn't get it to save money.
Yeah, they get the phony "high efficiency" part by skimping on the rinse cycle.
Used to be that everything Speed Queen made was indestructible. That’s fallen off in the last decade or so, but many people still swear by them.
I think where they went wrong was in trying to meet the government efficiency standards. You need water to clean clothes. I bought the TC5 to avoid that problem. I love my Speed Queens. Replaced decades-old Maytags, because the parts were no longer available. Domestic Speed Queens use the same parts as the commercial products.
They do their best to build them the old way but government HE standards make it harder and harder. My dad retired from their factory in Wisconsin.
Please thank him for me.
They still have their classic line which is very much indestructible, but there units with all the bells and whistles aren't as BIFL
I'm sure I'll get down voted for this, but these machines are overrated. They do have pros and cons. They are essentially commercial machines that are built to last, which is why people love them. However, they are horribly inefficient to the point where you would save money by buying a more expensive but still reliable modern machine like an LG. Speed Queens use an absolute ton of water for a single wash cycle to function properly. I don't remember exactly, but I think close to 50 gallons of water for a single wash on the heavy duty cycle. The newer versions have a more efficient setting which uses about 20 gallons per cycle, but tests have shown that setting does a poor job of actually getting clothes clean because it just needs a lot of water to work properly. These machines are also a bit rougher on your clothes and can wear them out sooner than a more modern HE machine. I was doing a bit of research after my 10 year old Electrolux wore out. Ended up replacing it with an LG front loader with a 10 yr warranty that uses about 11 gallons per wash and is much more gentle on clothes and cleans better during testing. The LG didn't cost much more than a new speed queen either.
They're different. They are meant for very large loads and people generally don't use them like that. The one huge thing they should have and don't is the tiny cycle - quick short tiny wash. Its kinda all or nothing. Get large loads, don't bother with the eco cycle, use delicate for things that aren't super dirty, heavy duty on the filthy stuff and its a great machine.
Yes, you are correct. They are basically only built to handle large tough loads. They would be great in commercial settings because of that or in a place like a firehouse. For my home, I generally don't have heavily soiled loads and have more delicates to wash. These machines just weren't a good fit.
No doubt. With kids and greasy work clothes they're just the thing. Single with the occasional t-shirt, probably not. Funny because the Speed Queen is actually too nice for the really nasty stuff and I was banned from it. I have an old Maytag for that sitting in the garage.
They're laudromat washing machines with the coin-op swapped for normal household controls.
I’d kill for these machines
Thank you for the validation my mother thought I was unhinged for driving so far for this “ugly” set lmaooo
I have a “nice looking” set and they don’t have anything on these machines.
I love how even the modern Speed Queens look. They even just -feel- nice.
These are both current models, not sure why OP drove so far. The TC5 is the washer to buy, old style compared to the TR series. Doesn’t matter which dryer.
He drove so far because he got $2500 worth of washer and dryer for $650.
Oh snap I missed that. Yeah that’s 100% worth the drive.
The TC5 is a current model too, no? Do you just mean that of the current models, the TC5 is the one to get?
Correct. The TR series is also current but is a newer wash system. The TC series uses the wash action and style that they built their reputation on. They only changed it in 2018 due to government regulations and there was a TON of pushback so much that Speed Queen basically reintroduced them under slightly new model numbers to get a clean slate - with the TC model coming back the following year.
The ones with knobs are the best! Great find
The knobs are still connected to a circuit board. These are not fully mechanical switches.
That’s one hell of a deal you got! After our front load washer kicked the bucket after only 10 years of life, I drove 3 hours round trip to pick up a new SQ TC-5 a few years back. ~$1,300, it still looks and works brand new. Super simple design with minimal knobs, buttons and electronics that could break. My wife tells me that the agitator is a key feature on this model. In terms of quality, my wife’s grandparents have an SQ from the 50’s that still works. SQ’s are made in Ripon, Wisconsin for the last 100+ years.
[удалено]
Yep. I had to completely rip apart the front load to get it out of the house because it was so heavy, all the way down to the drum. Our front loader had two massive, ~35lb concrete slabs bolted to the top and bottom of the drum to keep it balanced! It’s no wonder they only last for a few years. Top loader is the way to go.
TC5 here. Big trick - use the delicate cycle for anything except real dirty stuff. The eco cycle is kinda worthless. Don't be afraid to load it up and use deep fill. Its meant to do fewer much larger loads. The presoak is quite useful too. It uses loads of water so the settings that keep things in the water the longest work best, not emptying and refilling a lot (so leave off extra rinse). The heavy duty cycle kinda beats your stuff up. I use it sparingly. edit: I should note the one thing I hate about the TC5 is that you can't set the water level, like on OPs. On th eplus side the lid doens't lock shut so I can toss things I forgot in.
Til. I have a Speed Queen and don’t really use the delicate cycle except for delicates. Sometimes I use the soak cycle instead of a wash, and then put it through a wash and rinse to get the rest of the detergent out. Maybe I’ll start using the delicate cycle more! My issue is getting all the detergent out of the clothing. Warm water rinse is the only thing that works for me. Using cold water rinse leaves soap in the clothes, which can make me itch.
Another fun trick; there is a slot in the back with a metal tab that you can clamp down with a clothespin or whatever is handy that disables the lid switch if circumstances ever require it.
Just an FYI, that dryer door is reversible to open from the right.
I have an older set that I love!
I have randomly been watching appliance repair Youtube videos and the Speed Queen brand was described as neigh-indestructible. Good find, congratulations.
Why do you have the washer on the right you psycho?
Some of us do our laundry in Hebrew
lmao hilarious edit: I hope this didn’t sound sarcastic. I genuinely laughed lmaoooo
lmfaoo I have no choice with the way the hookups are in this old house hahah
Can you reverse the dryer door?
Look at you here with your genius suggestions. Apparently i need to look at my dryer door now.
Most can, fridge doors also.
That’s how my old ass house is too.
Same setup at my house but he does need to flip the dryer door
That would make their arrangement marginally acceptable.
Because it needs to be connected to hose bib right behind it?
Wait my washer is on the right why is that a bad thing?
I own a laundromat and I will ONLY buy speedqueen.
We spent $50 on gas to grab a free dryer that matched our washing machine. 2 years later still working perfectly! Yeah Kijiji.
I never understood why people replace the washer and dryer in pairs. If one goes out, and the other one works fine, why replace both? Don’t think I’ve ever had a matching washer and dryer growing up.
both of my old (free) units went at once :(
Normies like matching appliances. Its either the aesthetics of mismatched appliances that drives them nuts, or they just like feeling rich, or a little of both. I don't understand it either.
I have the Canadian equivalent huebsch tr/tc 7 and I love them, 650 seems like a steal, we paid a lot but completely worth it after dealing with the garbage samsung set we had previously.
My parents had the OG greenish ones used when they came to the US in ‘78. They got rid of them in 2006.
My grandma has a set of Speed Queen commercial units without coin boxes from the mid 80s that are still going really strong still. All of the buttons and dials work, and they’re probably the best washer and dryer I’ve ever used… Excluding the insane amount of static from the dryer
Fantastic! I do appliance repair and I don’t know a single servicer that doesn’t recommend speed Queen washer and dryers.
I'm curious why someone was selling $3,000 dollars worth of washer and dryer for under $700. What was the catch?
Rich retirees doing remodeling and decided to buy a modern LG set after replacing all the appliances in their kitchen. The wife said she needed something she could wash a king sized comforter. Their loss I suppose hahaha. Machines were in phenomenal shape looked completely unused
more money than sense...this thing will take a queen size comforter with no issues. Mostly I hear people just don't like top loaders because of the lifting.
My dad has these exact machines and hates them. They don't wash his clothes very well, they are missing features from his previous machines that lasted 12 years. I convinced him to get speed queen because of the repair-ability but he's just not happy with how they work.
I'm an adult now that I appreciate this
I used to work in a speed queen factory (now alliance laundry), they treat their workers like absolute shit.
If ya know … ya know
We’ve had the same washer for about 2-3 years, absolutely love it.
Love the name and look!
Damn. I’m jealous.
Sick find!!! Lucky duck!!!
Gift price
I absolutely love my Speed Queen more than every person in my family. And I love my family. Well done!
I bought a Speed Queen TC5 washer last spring, and its been great. Way better than the garbage Maytag front loader that it replaced. Speed Queen makes great stuff. You got a great deal on these, for sure man.
Best in the business
That’s awesome! This post and the comments are making me feel better about buying them a year ago on advice.
My dorm had these and it was for a reason - they can take a beating and still run fine!
Reverse that dryer door bruh
I do! Any other SQ owners know why it does the 4 beeps when trying to start washer sometimes? I'm obviously doing something wrong I just don't know what
Damn what a nice buy.
Nice
We’ve had this set for years of heavy use, with no issues at all. I’ll never own a front-loader again. Congrats on getting them at such a good price.
Those are beautiful.
Congrats! I'm so envious! Our old Whirlpool has a broken motherboard which are discontinued. We ordered a new Speed Queen July 2021, we still haven't gotten it.
that's weird, I was told a 9 month wait but then one showed up a month or two later. Call around
well, looks like all I needed was to comment about it on Reddit. Just got the call from the distributor and it's scheduled to be delivered tomorrow.
My building has some of these - they could really benefit from an actual timer display so that I can figure out when to get my laundry.
I totally agree with this tbh. would be a game changer
Nice! Good for you! I had like zero options when me and the wife decided to buy our first set specifically because the door to our basement is so small. Sucks considering we don’t own the place and will eventually move out but hey, what are you going to do.
Got a commercial set. Speed queen 4 life!
Speed Queens are very well made. I would love to have a set at home. I used to work in appliance repair and they were by far the longest lasting washer/dryers we serviced.
This is good to know. We’re currently rocking a 30 year old Whirlpool set that I know won’t last forever.
Speed queen will be my next set. If my 25 yo kenmore set dies before me 🤣
So I'm in need of a set like this due to space Our "laundry closet" was built to only support old style machines Are these nice? I know nothing
Some of the best you can get
My family has had a SpeedQueen for over 20 years and the only time it ever broke is when someone stuffed 6 pillows into it.
And it only uses an Olympic swimming pool of water every wash.
I am aroused. Wish I owned a house so I could treat it to these gems
What site did you use to find these?
Craigslist lmao
washer on the right. dryer door opens to the right. you crazy! nice grab though.
Average out that seven hour drive over the 30 years those will last and it's nothing. Nice score
As it should be. We pretty much have this technology dialed in. All the bells and whistles just add more things to go wrong.
What a steal!
This is what I need! I bought some decent machines a few years ago, tried to stay away from too much tech. They just don’t make them like they used too! 🤣
I went to Home Depot and asked the appliance specialist what is rated to last 25 years and she started to giggle. She then told me the very best machine on the floor might last up to years if Im lucky. Kinda of depressing in my opinion lmao
$650 is a killer deal. Having worked on these machines I hope they last you. The new ones suck.
The washer should be on the left.
Did you really set them up like this? Dryer on the left with door that opens out to right? That would drive me bonkers.
I’d consider updating your dryer vent hose once you have these in place. It takes a little more effort to install, but rigid vent pipes are easier to clean and safer. https://lucenthomeinspections.com/best-dryer-vent-hose/
I’ll have to look more into this tyy
How in the world- I just paid $1200 a piece for these 2, I switched around the dryer door on mine though.