Commercial Laundry Comparison- Speed Queen vs Maytag

Richard is here today to talk to us about two different options for washers for more of a commercial setting. When we say commercial setting means that they are perfect for apartment complexes or in hospitality settings. These units are  usually coin-operated or pay-per-use kind of setting. These are different than home operated machines because they are built to withstand heavy use and can be operated multiple times in a day. Let's take a look at two top-load options from Speed Queen and Maytag.

Visuals

Throughout the years, the different manufacturers have re-styled the machines to make them look more modern. Both have a little bit of style by adding a black interface to a mostly white machine. making it have a sleek design. Because these machines last a long time, models don't really change from year to year like most things now-a-days. Overall, both The Speed Queen and Maytag look pretty good.

Warranties

We cannot tell you which one is more durable or reliable, but we can compare the different warranties. Maytag has a one year warranty plus a 10 year warranty on parts such as the motor and drum. The Speed Queen unit has a three year warranty on all parts and in-home labor and also comes with a lifetime warranty on the outer drain tub and the stainless steel wash basket.

Options

The Speed Queen has a load size feature where you can adjust how big the loads are with the water amount. The Maytag machine does not have this option, but instead has a deep water fills option that has a sensor to examine how much water should be added depending on how much is in each load and then it adds a little more. Maytag also has additional options like a pre-soak option which the Speed Queen does not have. Maytag also has 4 different temperature options and has 7 different wash cycles. The Speed Queen has 4 wash cycles and other small options like the load size, extra rinse, and wash temperatures. I think Maytag wins this category because you have more of a variety with washing.

Size & Hoses

The Speed Queen size is at 3.2 Cu. Ft. capacity while the Maytag unit is at 3.5 Cu. Ft. capacity. There is a little difference, but when next to each other you can tell that there is a size difference. Both machines do come with hoses to the water lines. This is actually unusually for most washers which are usually sold separately.  The Speed Queen comes with a braded hose and the Maytag comes with a stainless steel hose.

Agitators & Drums

Both machines have a stainless steel drum which is more durable than plastic drums. There is a different quality to the drum though. The Speed Queen drum is thicker. Speed Queen has a fenced out agitator that rubs up onto the clothes during the cycle. Maytag on the other hand, uses a cork screw style agitator and drum which actually pulls that cloths down the machine and back up to the top. This gives a better rotation and is more gentle on clothes.

Take a look for yourself at these two options to figure out which one would be best for your property. Please watch our video for more information: 

Maytag ® Commercial-Grade MVWP575GW

Speed Queen ® Commercial-Grade TR3000WN

Let us know if you have any specific questions about appliances.

What Cleans Better? Washers with an Agitator vs No Agitator

Keith is here today to show you the difference between a washer that has an agitator and one that has a pulsator or an impeller.



An agitator is what are in older machines, mostly found in top-load washers. They are in the middle of the drum and turn. This allows your clothes to move through the water against each other to get the clothes clean. This method is more aggressive and is better for more dirty clothes.

A pulsator is a newer technology that does not have anything sticking out in the middle of the drum. Instead, in the middle of the drum is a wheel that moves the water. This allows your clothes to rub against each other to get them clean. The method uses friction between the clothes to get them clean. This method is more gentle on your clothes and is better for lighter fabrics. With a pulsator, it will not get stretched out like it would getting caught with an agitator. Without something in the middle of the drum, there is actually more room for your clothes.

The pulsator technology came from the front load washer. Front load washers do not have an agitator either and tumble clothes over each other. The manufacturers took this technology and applied it to the top load washers to improve the machine.

When looking for appliances in your next apartment or condo building, you will have to decide between an agitator or a pulsator washer. We hope that this will help you decide which one might be better for your units.

More Freezer Room Please! Chest Vs Upright Freezers

Should I buy a chest or an upright freezer?

This is a common question we hear from our customers. Should I buy an upright freezer or a chest freezer? You might have a bigger family or buy in bulk to save money and time from going to the grocery store. If this is the case, you might need extra freezer space for frozen foods, meat, and other snacks besides the room that you currently have in your refrigerator unit in your kitchen.

Think about your options. Decide how much extra space you need. Do you need more refrigerator space too? If so, you might want to consider a second refrigerator unit to store in the garage or basement. You may find yourself coming to the conclusion that a second refrigerator still is not enough room for freezer space. If this is the case, your best option is to look at getting a freezer unit.

There are two main different types of freezers. There's the chest freezer that looks like a large box or chest with one top side having hinged pieces to open and close a lid upward. The other option is an upright freezer which looks a lot like a normal refrigerator where the doors open in the front, but just has a freezer compartment.

Take a look at these categories to evaluate the differences and determine which option is best for you: 

Area Space:

A chest freezer requires space above the unit to open and close the door. For easy access inside, you should not put or store anything on the top of the unit. With a chest freezer, you will want to consider not putting things in the front of the unit so that you have room to stand and dig around in the freezer. Some chest freezers have wheels on the bottom for easier movement. A upright freezer needs more space in the front as the door swings open and to the side. You could store just a few things on top of the unit as it won't interfere with accessing the interior.

Size:

If you need something bigger (20+ Cu. Ft.) and have bulky food items than a chest freezer might be best as it typically has bigger capacity space for storage. Most people will store their most bulky foods at the bottom to keep them frozen solid for longer periods of time. Most chest units have baskets on the top, so you can put smaller items like veggies and ice cream in for easier access. If you need a unit where you don't need tons of space for bigger sized meats, than you should consider an upright freezer.

Organization:

Most chest freezers don’t have many dividers or bins, whereas most upright freezers have shelves, bins, and drawers. If you like to stay organized and see all of your food when opening the door you will probably lean more towards an upright freezer unit. Remember, the more time that you leave the door open the more energy it takes to keep all of the food cold.

Frost free or manual defrost?

One big difference is how the two styles defrost. Almost all chest freezers are manual defrost, meaning that a few times a year you would have to take all your food out and leave the freezer open and unplugged to allow all the frost build up to melt.  Most have a drain in the bottom that you can remove to let the water drain out. The benefit of this type of system is that food tends to last longer because it stays colder. The downside is they build up ice or frost. Most upright freezers are automatic defrost although there are some models that are manual. With an automatic defrost the way the freezer eliminates frost is by fluctuates the temperature a few degrees every so often to automatically to eliminate the frost. The trade off is that food tends to not last as long because the food gets exposed to warmer temperatures.

We hope that this guide made it a little easier to know what the differences are between a chest and an upright freezer. With a variety of shapes and sizes it is easier to find the perfect unit for your specific needs. Please contact our team today if you have any more questions about what is best for you.

FRONT-LOAD VERSUS TOP-LOAD WASHERS

Does front-load or top-load washing machines best suit your needs, that is the question. If you’re in the market for a new washer you might need to take a look at some of the great new technologies with the appliances. Take a look at these pros and cons of both front-load and top-load washers before deciding which one is best for your needs.

Energy Efficiency

The most energy-efficient washers tend to be high-efficiency top-loaders. Research and testing indicates that the highest-efficiency is the top-load washer vs. front-load or top-load with a center agitator. You can save on energy, water, detergent,  and money when you decide to get an appliances that is Energy Star Certified.

The difference between a front-load washer and top-load washers is that a traditional top-loader will float your clothes in water and rotate them with a center agitator. A front-load washing machine rotates the drum to move the clothes, rather than having an agitator in the center.

Most high-efficiency top-load washers don’t have an agitator. Instead, there’s a wash plate at the bottom that creates turbulence for the clothes. A test between a high-efficiency top-load washers vs. front-load machines, high-end front-loaders tended to use less water and were more effective at cleaning clothes.

Cost & Features

When making any major appliance purchase, your two primary considerations are likely to be cost and features.

Front-loaders use less electricity. According to research front-load washers cut electricity use by up to 50% when paired with an electric hot water heater.

Front-loaders leave clothes less wet at the end of a wash cycle.  Front-load machines spin faster than top-loaders, and therefore leave clothes 10% drier, which means that your dryer doesn’t need to work as hard or dry as long, which also translates to energy savings.

Front-loaders can be more costly at purchase. As with any appliance, the upfront cost will depend on the brand and how many features you choose. But, on purchase price alone of comparable models of top-load vs. front-load washers, the front-loaders tend to be more costly.

Pros and Cons of Top-Loaders

Even if you have already made a determination that a top-load washer is right for you, you still want to understand the top-load washing machine pros and cons so that you can make a well-reasoned purchase. Here are things to consider when purchasing a top-load washing machine:

Clean and Gentle. High-efficiency top-loaders tend to clean clothes better and be more gentle on fabrics. 

Faster spinning means less drying. While one of the high-efficiency, top-load washing machine benefits is that it spins faster than a machine with an agitator, it also means that fast spinning could cause clothes to tangle, so you want to be sure to untangle items before placing them in the dryer.

Large capacity. Because of the high-efficiency of a  top-loader has no center agitator pole, it has more room and can accommodate a bigger load of laundry.

Less vibration. One common washing machine complaint is that the appliance can cause a vibration on certain kinds of floors. Often this is less of an issue for a front-load washer versus top-load washer, but the high-efficiency top loader versus front-loader has an even better Consumer Reports score on vibration.

Less opportunity for mold growth. Mold growth in front-load machines has been a problem for a long time, and it actually has been the reason for lawsuits against some large appliance manufacturers. However, Consumer Reports indicates that mold doesn’t seem to be an issue for high-efficiency top-load washing machines.

Significant potential for repair costs. High-efficiency top-loaders tend to be more complex than standard top-load washers, and the more features that are added to an appliance, the more opportunity there is for something to go wrong. In the comparison of high-efficiency top-load versus front-load washers; there are similar maintenance and repair costs because of the complexity of both.

We hope this is a great guideline for you to understand the difference in features between a front-load washer versus top-load washer. Please contact us if you have specific questions for your laundry needs and our team can definitely find you a solution that works best for your needs.

5 Benefits of Stainless Steel Interior Dishwashers

There can be lots of different options when shopping for a new dishwasher, let alone, any major kitchen appliances. We have heard of having stainless steel on the outside of appliances as a finish and design option, but what is the big deal with it being in the inside? Having stainless steel in the inside is not just for looks. There are a couple of great benefits of having stainless steel rather than the standard plastic interior, but there are still a couple of things to consider before making the switch.

1. Stainless steel interior is more sturdy and constructed better. Using metal instead of plastic makes the structure of the appliance more durable.
2. Stainless steel allows for higher heat. Meaning that the temperature of the water, during the wash cycle can be heated higher and cleans a little more efficiently. During the drying cycle, the stainless steel retains heat better which will save you energy and money.
3. Quieter wash cycles. The heavier interior steel walls help absorb the loud washer sounds better. This makes your dishwasher quieter during wash cycles comparing it to plastic interiors.
4. Stainless steel interior more sanitary. Stainless steel does not leave foul odor like a plastic interior would. Odor is usually a sign that there are bacteria present or has damages from hard water. With stainless steel, you do not get stains, odors, or damages caused by hard water.
5. Stainless steel has better value. The upfront cost of stainless steel is more, but over time, stainless steel can save you energy and money.

Overall stainless steel interior is better in performance, durability, look, sanitary , and bang for your buck. Call us today if you have any more questions or are ready to make the switch in your properties.

The True Value of Green

                Who doesn't want to improve their quality of life, be less impactful on our environment, and save money all at the same time? One way to do all three of these things is by buying energy efficient appliances. Our home appliances take up most of our energy consumption and take a toll on our environment. In the US most of our energy is still from nonrenewable sources, such as fossil fuels and nuclear energy, which has a huge impact on our planet! When we have appliances that are not energy efficient it wastes important resources and costs more money!

                By going green, we can save green! Buying energy efficient appliances can save you 30 % or more on your energy bill every month! This is something everyone can be pleased with; at the same time these appliances are lessening our energy use which helps our environment. An easy way to go green with buying new appliances is by looking for Energy Star rated or certified appliances. Energy Star is a voluntary U.S. Environmental Protection Agency government program that assists both businesses and consumers in saving money and protecting our planet by being more energy efficient. Different examples of energy efficient appliances are dishwashers and washing machines. They can use less water and a more efficient shorter cycle. Dryers that are energy efficient use less energy in a drying cycle.

Buying appliances that are produced using recycled materials can be a cheaper option, but won’t save you on your energy bill. It can be less impactful to keep on using older machines and replace some of the parts. You can even look into buying reclaimed and used appliances as an option, but is not as energy efficient as buying an Energy Star rated machine.

                The process of living a greener lifestyle can be overwhelming, from a first glance. We have been conditioned to live a life in the manner that is not always thoughtful towards our environment. The good news is that going green with your appliances can’t be any easier now-a-day, and will not only help our planet, but will also save you money! So when shopping around always look for the Energy Star certification logo or ask your sales representative if the appliance is Energy Star rated.

Recipe- Easy Potsticker Soup

Celebrate Chinese New Year with this delicious Asian soup that is as healthy and easy to make as it is tasty!

Ingredients:

1/2 pound Chinese or napa cabbage, thinly sliced

2 celery ribs, thinly sliced

2 medium carrots, cut into matchsticks

1/3 cup thinly sliced green onions

2 to 3 tablespoons soy sauce

2 tablespoons rice vinegar

3 garlic cloves, minced

2 teaspoons minced fresh gingerroot or 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger

1/2 teaspoon sesame oil

6 cups reduced-sodium chicken broth

1 package (16 ounces) frozen chicken potstickers

Directions: In a 4-quart slow cooker, combine the first nine ingredients. Stir in chicken broth. Cook, covered, on low until vegetables are tender (5-6 hours). Add potstickers; cook, covered, on high until heated through (15-20 minutes). Makes 6 servings.

Nutrition Facts: Serving size (1 1/3 cups): 198 calories, 6g fat (2g saturated fat), 28 mg cholesterol, 1302 mg sodium, 23g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 2g fiber), 13g protein