Product review (4 stars): Speed Queen laundry appliances
After 32 years, classic Maytags--made in Iowa--began to fail, and repairs proved expensive. I talked with appliance repair people and read online reviews of new machines. Over the last 30 years, once reliable U.S. makes have been taken over by marketers. Speed Queen is the only exception. Current European and East Asian makes offer little improvement, and some of those makes cost far more.

Speed Queen has not been a big part of U.S. consumer markets since the 1960s--instead focusing on commercial markets, mainly laundromats. Speed Queen seems to have overcome frequent failures of the early electronic appliance controls. Their electronic models are among the few laundry appliances continuing to carry 5-year, in-home, parts and labor guarantees. They are made in Wisconsin.

A neighbor and I bought two each of model AWNE82SP clothes washers and model ADGE8RGS gas-fired dryers from Yale Appliance in Boston--a reliable company with a service organization. There are around 30 such large, locally oriented appliance firms left in the U.S. Without one nearby, an Amazon partner could be a good choice. In the fall of 2016, the "82" model washers came with discounts and rebates. They were apparently being remaindered in favor of newer "92" models with more extras, costing about another $100.

Controls on a Speed Queen washer and dryer are similar. Both have a power button, a start button, a dozen function buttons, about 20 indicator lights and a time-remaining display. The washer has options for pre-wash, second rinse, wash temperature, soil level (wash time) and load size (water level). The dryer operates by either timing or moisture sensing. It has options for temperature and for dryness when using sensing. A permanent-press wash cycle with mid-range settings and no extras takes just under 30 minutes.

Speed Queen appliances should be prepared by thoroughly scrubbing drums with a household cleaner, adding a gallon of water from a pail before operating a washer, plus a full cycle with detergent before a first load of wash. Otherwise grime from manufacturing may stain a wash, and the drain pump of a washer might overheat. Installation guides have directions and warnings.

Speed Queen appliances are noisier than classic Maytags but vibrate less. They clean and dry clothes about as well. The washer has a bleach dispenser, which our Maytag lacked. After a permanent-press cycle, the washer leaves clothes damper than the Maytag did; they take longer to dry. Speed Queen provides stainless steel drums instead of enamel fused over plain steel like a classic Maytag. We saw no advantage for normal uses.