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.

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.