GM Frigidaire 1-18 Washer!

[@NovemberJoseph]

Summer at Grandma's! My Grandma had one, I loved to stand there alone and watch the agitator and water spray out. I was as tall as the washer and would use a stool to see. Late as an adult, my mother said Grandma was there the whole time watching me. She said he's so cute he stays for the whole cycle. She couldn't understand my interest but thought it was so cute. She died in 1980 I always wondered about her washer. I like to think you have it now and are taking good care of it for Grandma.

[@groovygranny5565]

OMG, I LOVE it. I raised my two sons using a Frigidaire like this.They are now 48 and 51. I had it for 35 years. The BEST top loading washer EVER!! It literally beat the dirt out of the clothes. Even the sound brings back memories. I remember all of it, the chirp in the spin cycle, the squeaky, grinding brakes. What a hoot! Thank you for posting.

[@barbaravendro913]

I had the same machine for years. You couldn't ask for a better washer. Folks are now buying these machines used because the new machines suck.

[@robertbecker4917]

Best top loading washer ever made, really got clothes clean and spin dry was off the hook. Very little time in dryer. Wish we still had it, raised 10 kids with this machine and it kept up fine for +30 years👍👍

[@michaellowry6924]

Grand memories you have treasure them.

[@One-Day-After-Another]

I'm 51 too and my grandma had this type of Frigidaire... and I remember it would scare me when she used it (I got over that after a while)... it made this noise during agitation that sounded spooky to me as a kid...We had a whirlpool at our house and I always remember thinking her machine was so much better than ours the way it agitated. I too think these were the BEST

[@patricksantini4090]

These were the best washing machines ever!!! THEY were number one on getting your clothes clean. Was rated the best washing system... Wish they still made them...

[@jkminnich]

My grandma still speaks very fondly of her Frigidaire washer. She hates her new washer and would give anything to have it’s back.

[@WasherGames2023TVAnimation]

My dad once had a Frigidaire washer, too! We replaced it in October 2021 because the Frigidaire dryer we had wasn’t heating when it was activated. Because of the fact that we couldn’t fix the heating problem, we got an LG WM3600 washer, and I like LG a whole lot. I mean, I still like Frigidaire. In fact, I wish we could’ve kept the Frigidaire at the very least in our backyard for me to own in the next few years when I get older.

[@jflclc]

We had one of these growing up in the 70s. Best machine ever. My mom cried when it stopped working. They sure don't make them like this anymore.

[@goldamerica8314]

my mom had it in avocado green, it was amazing. that machine worked like a charm, and never broke down. 18 years not a repair!!!

[@featheredcoyote5477]

I'm 37 yrs old. My Frigidaire washer and dryer are both from 1976. Who can say that they own an appliance that's 41 yrs old and work's better than what's produced today!

[@nikkilove4934]

I was born in 1976. I'm 42 of age soon be 43 next month. That's a very old Frigidaire

[@firealarmtechguy4444]

Keep that 1-18 going for AS LONG AS YOU CAN. IT TOOK ME 6 YEARS TO FIND ONE. They are even rarer then Calypsos

[@NVHSChadSheppard1]

Used to have a 1979 Kenmore BD washer, way better than these newer belt drive ones today

[@featheredcoyote5477]

@David No sir. It's 44 yrs old and we've never replaced anything on it. Used 3 times a week. Love the ole green machine

[@kyjimbo511]

Frigidare made some fantastic kitchen appliances during this time. Their "Flair" range is still sought after today and remains both beautiful and functional. We had Frigidare cooktop, wall oven and refrigerator in the early 60's and they all worked well for many years.

[@jemerson722]

I don't feel guilty watching these videos. Compared to some other KZbin vids, these are very CLEAN.

[@whirlpool1978]

I really miss Swestoyz' older 1-18 youtube video-the one where he comments "This is the 1978 Frigidaire 1-18" and later washes grease rags in it-it had been deleted. I wished it were still on KZbin.

[@mcdadee2]

the turnover in this washer is awesome, because the operator knew just which water setting to set the machine on. I would have this person wash my clothes anytime. Great Job!

[@russ5024]

looking at the load level on the agitator made it easy

[@mikeplott292]

I remember using this "agitator" - type washer from 1967 through 1975. Washed the clothes thoroughly! My father kept it in tip-top shape by servicing this machine himself!

[@haroldfannin9554]

Mike Plott Frigidaire called it a pulsator!

[@cnnw3929]

Frigidaire Jet-Cone: The most fun you'll ever have washing cloths!

[@billynage]

I never get tired of looking at this great machine. Those towels really get scrubbed - I can only imagine how clean they come out! Thanks for posting, I'm a big fan!

[@gogolay4877]

Billy Nage I

[@KevBear715]

This is a great machine. I am amazed at its rollover action.

[@mcdadee2]

Wow, whoever loaded this washer knows what to set the washer on, they know how much detergent to add, the water level setting, and the wash and spin speed, not to mention the great turnover. Awesome, you can come and do my laundry anytime. Great job!

[@BroccoliBeefed]

McCormick Norris .LOL! It's not rocket science. Pretty easy to figure out ;)

[@Geoffr524]

Had a version of this washer, but without a window in the lid. The transmission that controlled the agitation (up/down), finally broke, then my dad bought a Frigidaire front loader (1980), but that thing never cleaned clothes well enough. The up/down agitation was awesome, in that the clothes actually got pretty clean. The top loader had a very noisy agitation, and the other thing that kept breaking was the mixing valve (Hot/Cold), would know it when water pooled under the Frigidaire washer.

[@websurfin9575]

This machine needs to be manufactured again & sold on the appliance market!

[@georgegarcia7416]

I could watch this video over and over...my dad used to work on these machines...and he loved the engineering that went into it. There were no belts in this machines...only a clutch and a bunch of hefty rubber rollers...I was so mesmerized...😊😊

[@ic1815]

Oh, the song. The whole vibe. Love.

[@ajbroome3369]

My mother had one. It lasted forever. It was back when it was GM built. simple engineering and built like a tank

[@reihankhan6980]

you are so hot😍

[@hyperlexis]

Built like a tank but that roller drive was definitely not simple engineering. Unfortunately one reason why stopped using in favor of simpler, cheaper designs.

[@isfeldt34]

Good ol reliable General Motors! there quarkyness lol.

[@jbooks888]

Excellent agitation action - really get the clothes to roll over and not so much ripping at the clothes. And that spray rinse before the final deep rinse really is fabulous! Your clothes will be well rinsed with that step.

[@larryszczepanik8591]

this was one of the best washing machines i ever had

[@randyporter3491]

The BEST washer ever produced ! Got clothes cleaner than anything today and held up well. PLUS, I've just had to come to terms with the realization, that I have no life. I'm sitting here watching a washing machine run, Really ??

[@randyporter3491]

I just realized that I'm actually sitting here watching a video of a washing machine run. Never thought I would say that ! LOL! But, the fact that someone was good enough to make this video, is testament to a classic, well made piece of machinery, that is fondly appreciated by so many. I'd love to own another one.

[@drott150]

Thanks for the laugh. I've recently developed an obsession with classic washing machines and have been asking myself the same question: Has it really come to *this?* LOL

[@alecvip7562]

What about the direct drives?

[@fixman88]

I listen to the sounds to help me concentrate while i study. That, and I've worked on a few.

[@Michael-uu9nv]

We have something in common

[@mikeinsf]

Oh my God, wow thanks for posting this! This really takes me back! My mother had one of these washers (and the matching dryer) they were "harvest gold" in color. I was in 3rd or 4th grade, and I could remember how I wanted so bad to "sit" on the agitator because I thought it would be fun! Never happened though. . . everytime you open the washer lid, it would stop! Oh well!

[@TherealCentral1]

God I wish that washers were still made like this

[@fargeeks]

Look at that!!! Its a HE washer that actually kicks ass

[@blueandwhite363]

These were the best Frigidaire washers. The unimatics also.

[@Hermione1952]

yes I bought my first at an auction in 1970 and then two more sets one burned in a house fire and the last was given to a family member because she liked it so much....miss those machines no other machine cleaned like them

[@beefycajun]

My mom had the 1971 equivalent to this model Wash cycle and soak cycle on timer. At a lower water level you are straining the washer and wearing clothes more. (Had in avocado color Model WAIS or WIAS --not sure) Spin speed advertised 880 rpm. One model listed 1,000 rpm but was not the top of the line model 9t was a 3 speed washer with two wash cycles, soak cycle and extra rinse option. 3rd slowest speed called handwash

[@dave8168]

Those were awesome machines. My mom had a couple of them when I was a kid. There was nothing those machines couldn't clean. If one of these manufacturers were to bring back the up/down agitator, I'd buy one in a heartbeat.

[@heroknaderi]

That is definitely a solid machine

[@818Dimples]

Frigidaire used to be a division of General Motors & I remember the old classic Frigidaire, Maytag, Whirlpool, GE washers & dryers.

[@Channel-cm7yc]

I got to sell what remained of those classic names back in the 80’s. I honestly couldn’t sell it today knowing what piles of crap everything is today!

[@izabelaradziszewska6427]

That's great. I hope someday they be buyable again 😔

[@dualactionsurgilator]

Awesome turnover! These thumpers could really bring it to a load of dirty clothes. You've done a great job wioth this one.

[@izabelaradziszewska6427]

I agree with you

[@JorgeRodriguez-po7kx]

Like the Cerrone Music at the beginning and the Up and down motion of the agitator

[@mindsaglowin]

I feel cleaner just watching this.

[@alexvega7527]

That spray rinse wow !! Amazing

[@mgrella63]

Awesome washer I Love that spray rinse! Why cant current manufacturers make a spray rinse like this? and wash too?

[@jayceledonia8447]

My father bought one for my mother. The first time she washed in it, it sounded like a jackhammer inside the house. My father promptly loaded it back on a truck and took it back to the appliance dealer for his money back. And the load of laundry it attempted to wash was loaded with lint! Exchanged it for a Speed Queen washer that lasted 41 years before it finally died. My mother never liked automatic machines. We had a wringer washer for years for my dad's work clothes and our jeans. That was probably a 50 year old Dexter. Think the last dryer my parents had was a GE. When I started selling appliances, I would sell mostly Maytags and Kelvinators (which were the same as a Frigidaire, but sold for a lot less), then Whirlpools with another company, then Magic Chef (Norges), which were easy to sell because they had really big tubs in them. I just got rid of my old Magic Chef washer after 34 years, and I did laundry practically every day for that time. I still have the matching Magic Chef gas dryer which I think I had to put 1 belt on in all the time I owned it. Now everyone gets these front loaders. Good washers, but a pain in the ass to fix most of them and really expensive. People still call me for washers, even though I have not sold appliances now for 10 years. I send them to the little mom and pop dealers who still service what they sell. SO glad to see the demise of Sears and Whirlpool pulling the plug on them after 100 years. Their salespeople hardly knew what they were selling, and the service department was the biggest collection of idiots on earth.

[@quiet1j]

aww this brings back memories.. we had this exact same one... i loved these kind.... even though they ripped some my clothes.

[@mcdadee2]

the person that loaded this washer knows just how much water to set the machine to fill with, they know just how much detergent to add, they know just how many clothes to add for the right water level, it creates the perfect turnover, I would have to do my laundry ANYTIME!

[@loucrappi5869]

I love old appliances I like that washing machines that's right next to the one that you're showing right now

[@tynishabrown3088]

This is a new obsession i have adapted since being pregnant 😂 washing machines ....i actually enjoy it

[@BroccoliBeefed]

I dont think there were defects, it was just a more complicated and temperamental design. These 'jackhammer' washers, as I've always called them were extremely noisy. They cleaned like nobody's business, but they were very noisy and splashy, in addition to not being reliable.

[@haroldfannin9554]

BroccoliBeefed I always thought that a Norge was much more loud!!

[@patcola7335]

Our family had a Fedders Norge 20lb. Capacity washer from 1974 to 1983 and to this day I have never heard any washer that was louder than that thing. We had it in our basement and you could still hear that thing going. Cleaned like nobody's business though. HEAVY DUTY INDEED !

[@vacuzman]

great machine.. My Aunt had one for years in Advacado Green.. It really was a good washer and the clothes came out so nice and clean. Never tried the Sears Ultra Detergent.. Looks like great sudsing action in this video. Enjoy watching.. Keep em coming!!

[@mtsproduction29]

I like this washing machine

[@jayblackwood4700]

We had one in harvest gold with matching dryer . Best machine ever ! 1973. I'm sure

[@brucemcgee2281]

I had an original version of this washer. I was working at Sears, and couldn't haul a used appliance. It has been 18 years, and I still wanted the frigidaires.

[@albertcarello7133]

These are the finest Frigidaire washers ever made! With this vigorous agitation it's best to use LOW SUDSING HE DETERGENTS.

[@marvinneuman8420]

My parents had it in green. Was the best machine. Years and years of quality

[@jrankine91]

Great washer and love the music!!

[@NVHSChadSheppard1]

I forgot which sears detergent I used for my 1979 kenmore, it was a great detergent too. My 1979 Kenmore still works to this day.

[@martinbirdwell3982]

These Are My Favorite Machines

[@alexvega7527]

Holy cow what a nice spray rinse :)

[@BroccoliBeefed]

People are probably fine with that because although these washers cleaned your clothes like nobody's business, they sounded like jackhammers and were almost just as loud. I also heard they were maintenance nightmares.

[@bigdick7793]

What a fantastic machine

[@madlyderanged]

Very interesting wash action.

[@mimageb1141]

why you change your washer? this one is awesome.

[@papichulohoy]

Disco should come back

[@One-Day-After-Another]

I'm going to say this: Since 2005 I've had a FL washer and I love it and would never want to go back to a top load washer ... with the EXCEPTION of this one... If they still made these machines in 2023....this is the one I would buy... seriously.

[@blogshagify]

These were washers for kids with grass stains in their baseball uniforms, car mechanic dads. They cleaned amazingly

[@Critique808]

@mythicky They clean like the dual action agitators. The clothes get turned over.

[@MyDan58]

they should bring this machine back, and ditch the top loaders with the spinning agitator on the bottom

[@marcusmarkus3266]

Dont know if this washer is as loud as its sounds if they could design it to wash quieter it could sell as a decent top loader great rollover and gentle agitation .....would like to see a extra large load to see if the roll over is as good with a small load

[@unolegguy7]

marcus markus They are loud as hell ..There called the thumper cause that is all you heard but all washers were loud.... back then.. They had no transmission just some silicon rollers that would drive this metal drum that had a tie rod like design to pull up and down....

[@Critique808]

marcus markus It was pretty noisy but it washed well.

[@Euluanatabata]

' - aaa

[@BroccoliBeefed]

marcus markus . Yes they were louder, actually. I can't believe the two on here claiming they were quiet machines. Please! They were anything but.

[@davenwin1973]

We can only imagine what changes would have been made with the washers, if GM still owned Frigidaire. Frigidaires from 1980 & up don't compare.

[@ApolosaCakau]

Ah yes the fabulous spray rinse 😍

[@chavitavb]

Now these washer have added elbow grease unlike today's washers!

[@JordansMom769]

My grandmother had a washer like this in early 70s. I don't know what brand it was but that thing was louder than this. I was little so it would scare me 😄 BOM-BOM-BOM-BOM-BOM-BOM-BOM-BOM-BOM-BOM

[@02chevyguy]

I think this is the first time I've witnessed Sears Ultra-Plus detergent suds up like that. All the times I've used it, there's been practically none to very little suds.

[@petermaz701]

Why did these washers never fill up to tub capacity? It seems they were he before there time.

[@dave8168]

'cause the dial was set for medium. If set to large, the machine would fill all the way up.

[@spacemissing]

Best agitation and best spin of any design, ever, period.

[@patcola7335]

Whirlpool washers were better.

[@BroccoliBeefed]

They actually cleaned better, but despite what fans of them say on here, they were also extremely noisy, they were maintenance nightmares, and the technology was more costly than the oscillating agitator designs, hence their demise. ______________________________ mythicky wrote: did those pulsing agitators really clean as well as the oscillating ones?

[@kenst2470]

they were when working properly a quiet machine. considering the amount of cleaning action they produced. Not only did they clean better it didn't take nearly the recommended amount of detergent other machines required. The competition back then had agitations that would lazily move the clothes back and forth like it had a hangover. The market wanted a more inexpensive machine and in the trade clothes that were not as clean.

[@BroccoliBeefed]

***** , that might be true, but the reason the market shift was made to the Kenmore swivel agitator was because of the reasons I state. And you are absolutely fucking nuts to think the machine depicted here was ever quiet. They sounded like jackhammers. Give me a break.

[@kenst2470]

lol the market shifted when gm sold to white consolidated and sold the westinghouse under the frigidaire name. oh and calm down were just talking. i can still look at a screw and tell you where it went on those machines. i know its not something to be proud of it just describes how many i fixed in my dreams at night as well

[@kenst2470]

not if working properly most of the time people would either over adjust or underadjust the knuckel on the agitation arm. and there were a couple screws that would come lose on the part the agitation arm slides into. but what i said was considering the washing action compared to other machines you can say that it was a quiet machine

[@BroccoliBeefed]

***** Dude please. This machine was not quiet by any stretch of the imagination. What the hell is wrong with you, are you deaf? Stop going to rock concerts please. Or if you do, take some ear plugs.

[@unolegguy7]

The clean better than any washer I have ever had .. They last forever also cause there is no transmission in them..Yes they are loud but it never bothered me plus they spin really fast.. They are so hard to find though a good used one.. They were always rated number one in cleaning until W.C.I. bought and ruined the company..

[@rogercamp6071]

Yes we had one of the WCI Frigidaire washers from 1986 and it was a complete POS,replaced it with a Kenmore and it wasn't much better,first washer barely lasted a year and dealer wouldn't make it right until my wife got the number for Sears in Chicago and the dealer brought another one that the motor gave out on, finally went to a Maytag set that went 14 years with only repair was a dryer belt,wish we'd kept it

[@tb717]

now thats a spray rinse..speed queen take note.

[@fargeeks]

tb717 oh they did

[@heatherwight1425]

I have a WC-6, that I used up until yesterday... really mad I have to go get a new one and none of the newer ones have agitators... how do they get the clothes clean just by swishing around.

[@jordanstory3945]

Nice spins.

[@sweetvannah6894]

I have that washer

[@HotpointForever]

Nice agitation movement, agitates the load well!

[@IsauTDI]

And the jet flow lint filter?

[@Gaygarious]

Why doesn't someone renew the infamous pulsating action? Cost preventtive, prolly!

[@dave8168]

'cause it cleaned TOO well.

[@Channel-cm7yc]

To expensive too manufacture. A lot of things changed in the late 70’s. I didn’t like these Frigidaire’s as well as earlier machines.

[@humansRAdisease]

I was trying to describe this to a millennial friend. Had one growing up. Super clothes movement through the water but certainly not the quietest washer 😄. I'd love to find one in good working condition!!!

[@jetcone]

Ben my 1-18 has the same squeak , I'm thinking its a loose motor pulley, did you solve it?

[@KazantzidisRomanos]

its more like ballbearings i think

[@Kg277]

2:36 Whooooaaaaaaaa! Still though, I bet this pounding action is pretty easy on the clothes unlike a rotating agitator that seems ready to shred everything!

[@BroccoliBeefed]

Kg277 , suction cups

[@patcola7335]

Back and forth agitators were around for the last century. If the design didn't work it would have been scrapped long ago . All you naysayers hating on agitator washers saying it rips the clothes don't know what you are talking about. Yeah....you all know better than the engineers who made them and the people who used them for decades.

[@Benicio_Fols]

I like it

[@Ilovewashers]

That noise the machine makes when it comes to a complete stop sounds like the GE portable washer I used to have when it came to a complete stop.

[@robertwhite9898]

Those where great machines

[@mrmjb1960]

It looks like a young man pleasuring himself,LOL!

[@dualactionsurgilator]

@wentsurfing The belt drive Whirlpool mechanism certainly is much quieter than the Frigidaire.

[@DELFO2907]

@SpazChat why did it break so often? where there some defects or something like that?

[@haroldfannin9554]

DELFO2907 because nobody ever had them serviced until they quit!

[@pony053]

In THOSE days GM really WAS The Mark Of Excellence

[@backtoasimplelife]

Thanks for putting this up. Do these 1-18s all have a water filter? How long is a normal cycle?

[@haroldfannin9554]

Normal cycle could be up to 18 minutes on some models!

[@swestoyz]

@DELFO2907 GM stopped producing appliances in 1980 when they sold the Frigidaire division to WCI. After the WCI acquisition, Frigidaire washers were built using the Franklin mechanism, forever leaving the GM pulsating agitation as a thing of the past.

[@Channel-cm7yc]

Yeah 1980 was a year of changes for Speed Queen and Frigidaire among many other things in the appliance world. Oh god WCI era which I sold was just purely junk to just about anything on the market. A huge embarrassment as the store I worked for sold them. Lots of warranty work on those transmissions you name it! A heavily tarnished reputation!!!

[@TedsGMC]

Yes! Nice washer! What is the name of the song that you are playing at the beginning and the name of the group? Just to let you know GM was "famous" for Frigidaire washers, but GM wanted to get out of the appliance industry since the early 1970's and also,YOU might not be aware of this GM had lawsuits with there washers, due to the fact that in some instances the washer could tip over if the washer was "severly unbalanced" during a spin cycle.

[@Critique808]

I had the same washer like this. Why is your washer still working? Mine lasted about twelve years.

[@MatheusCosta-cs1eh]

Essa Lavagem é Eficiente? This Wash Efience? Sorry for My Inglish...i am Brazilian!

[@eduardoguerrero42]

MSC TV Hi! , this washer is not a HE washer, it is a old washer machine, its so cool to see how this washer can wash very well, when it is a "classic" one sorry for my english, I tried to write better 😅👋

[@raulvillareal6825]

Estoy de acuerdo con esos videos son.bastante informativos ojala pudieran enviar mas.

[@koutsoumbos]

what the name of the song in the background. love the washing machine, i still have one

[@NVHSChadSheppard1]

Sears ultra detergent is the best!

[@mythicky]

did those pulsing agitators really clean as well as the oscillating ones?

[@dave8168]

Better, actually. The only ones that come close are the Whirlpool dual action agitators.