Kenmore Elite Catalyst - “Overload” Test

This video is partially a request. The request was to see an overloaded situation in the Kenmore Elite catalyst, however I wanted to use a different agitator for this specific load than what was originally requested. This video also proved that is in fact possible to suds lock one of these Direct Drive machines. For this load, I washed all of my shop towels with the new Kitchenaid Pentascrub agitator.
Cycle Selections: Warm/Warm - Heavy Duty - 12 Minute Wash
Detergent: Foca Powder

[@maryrobert80]

If your machine ever goes into suds lock again, pour just a little bit of softener and water into the detergent dispenser and it will go right down to the pump and kill the suds because fabric softener kill excess suds!!! Great video and thanks for sharing it with us!!!

[@nhrawashervideos6567]

I think the controls on this machine are crazy cool. Not only do you have the choice to soak your clothes in extremely concentrated detergent before the wash begins, you also can choose whether or not you want auto temp control. Its cool to see how similar these washers are in the control aspect to their calypso brothers. I'm definitely on the look out for one of these.

[@DrummerboysWashersAndMore]

It’s definitely a very fun machine to use, and also cleans very well. I don’t plan to ever get rid of it, and will more than likely keep all my other machines for a very long time!

[@caseyoliver165]

@@DrummerboysWashersAndMore yeah don't get rid of that because these New machine's these days are Nothing but garbage and they don't do good at all so I wouldn't get rid that washer at all because of heard Nightmares about these New washer's and they are a complete joke but you got yourself a good one and so I would keep it as longs as you can.

[@washingandmowing15]

@@caseyoliver165 not all are LG front loaders are the only good things not even speed queen works well anymore

[@caseyoliver165]

@@washingandmowing15 Yeah but LG WASHERS are junk and they don't last long and you end up having all kinds of problems so old school is the way to go period.

[@caseyoliver165]

@@washingandmowing15 better than LG I KNOW THAT

[@patcola7335]

Excellent ! That five vain scrub flex is by far the best straight vain agitators I think the direct drives ever had.

[@petermaz701]

yes agree with you 100%

[@DrummerboysWashersAndMore]

I agree! I think they do a really good job at cleaning, and they clearly create a lot of water turbulence.

[@chadsheppard3576]

Awesome neutral drain growl sound

[@chineeboy18]

Using HE laundry detergent eliminates these problems caused by a suds-lock. You can also pour Fabric Softener into the tub with some extra water. It supposed to prevent the tub and pump from generating more suds during the spin cycle. You always do good work with these videos. 💯🎉

[@ScantPear]

He detergent never works it produces zero suds… even the newer regular detergent produces zero suds as well… the older regular detergent in the calypso only produced a little bit of suds…

[@albertcarello619]

J VON J Archie: I had a 1992 Maytag and I found that using too much detergent caused suds-lock in the first spin. After the rinse cycle it would then be back to a normal spin. Using even an excessive amount of HE detergent would cause first spin suds-lock.

[@dynatrak]

Glad it's back in service. What a suds show! Looks like that's a highly effective agitator, too.

[@DrummerboysWashersAndMore]

I really believe that the agitators like this one were one of the best cleaning ones made, since they can scrub the load for a good part of the turnover, rather than only at the bottom. I was really surprised as to how many suds it produced too, as i’ve used the same amount of this detergent in this machine (with the Triple action agitator) and it didn’t suds up this much at all!

[@biggysmoovemusic7777]

This agitator looks pretty mint I have to say. I’ve never actually seen a single action agitator in this color. What an amazing discovery!! I gotta say as well, this machine was breaking through that suds lock too. Also I think I found another Catalyst model 😁

[@albertcarello619]

@biggysmoov: Even my 1992 Maytag will suds-lock in the first spin if there were this many or more suds despite it's spin-drain. Also if too much detergent is used during the spray -rinse in the first spin you can hear foaming and frothing happening slowing down the first spin by 10%. After the initial rinse the cycle will go back to normal and complete without further issues. Still I would use a 2nd rinse with fabric softener.

[@jerryholston6536]

Good job Drummer Boy I appreciate it keep up the good work I love these videos

[@kmcdowell1250]

I don’t think I’ve ever seen the straight vane kitchen aid agitator before, ever. Cool agitator

[@DrummerboysWashersAndMore]

I had never seen one either, so when I saw this one for sale I just had to get it!

[@DADoESofTX]

KA had this agitator on their first-generation laundry line, which was before expiration of the agreement for dual-action to be exclusive to Kenmore.

[@albertcarello619]

@kmcdowell250: Some people say the dual action agitators clean the best of any of the designs.

[@washingandmowing15]

Man I would love to see some smaller blankets overloaded in this thing. That would be interesting.

[@DrummerboysWashersAndMore]

Come spring when this machine is unwinterized, I will have a lot of stuff that will be able to be washed. I don’t want to overload it and break it obviously, but I could do a larger or full load of blankets for you.

[@washingandmowing15]

@@DrummerboysWashersAndMore Thanks a lot!

[@d15pi63]

Foca is a good detergent, but a 1/4-1/2 cup may have reduced the suds locking that was experienced. Foca comes in a liquid form as well...Thanks for sharing the video.👍🏼👍🏼

[@albertcarello619]

D15 Pl: Foca detergent would cause my 2018 Speed Queen to trigger suds-lock error codes. The wash,spin,rinse lights would flash 3 times indicating a suds-lock condition. Speed Queen says to use only HE detergents in their Washers especially the TR SERIES AND THEIR FRONT LOADERS.

[@albertcarello619]

D15 Pl: Speed Queen says if you use a regular non- HE detergent in their TR SERIES WASHERS to use only 1/2 the manufacturer's recommended amount. I myself use only HE brand detergents in my 2018 TR5 washing machine.

[@albertcarello619]

D15 Pl: I think liquid FOCA is HE COMPATIBLE and would be better suited for this machine.

[@cindyreeves2099]

That's like the coolest lookin adjitator, I want one really bad.

[@caseyoliver4718]

When it does that just use fabric softener like Downey or any fabric softener would work because it will eliminate the suds in your washer it will dissolve it

[@MatthewJames-st5wv]

Can’t wait to see this!

[@joao.gutierres]

The washers from US are so different from that we have here at Brazil. It’s so cool.

[@erossinema8797]

João this is a vintage USA Kenmore (Whirlpool) washer. It was introduced in the 1990s and discontinued by the time 2000s arrived . I dont know why the engineering differs so much from country to country. It does seem weird

[@petermaz701]

This demo kind of proves that this agitator causes more water turbulence than the DA agitator. I agree with Pat that this particular straight vein agitator is probably the most effective in the direct drives.

[@DrummerboysWashersAndMore]

I think it also is a little better at cleaning, since it can scrub the clothes all the way down, whereas the DAA only really scrub the clothes at the bottom.

[@petermaz701]

@@DrummerboysWashersAndMore Definitely I’ve said that all along that’s how I felt, but there are the DA fanatics out there.

[@albertcarello619]

I would strongly recommend using HE low sudsing detergents in this machine. For many years SEARS AND WHIRLPOOL always recommended using low sudsing detergents in their washing machines.

[@DrummerboysWashersAndMore]

I normally do not have any issues with oversudsing in this machine, nor have I had any with the other machines, even with this kind of detergent. This is actually the first time I’ve suds locked this machine, and I admit I probably used too much detergent.

[@videolover2014]

With that overloaded load & a huge sudslock, especially causing the spinning to struggle during the Intermediate Spin, yeah that it would’ve needed an Extra Rinse. My request on this for another Overloaded Test: Cycle: Heavy Duty Catalyst: On 2ND Rinse: On Water Level: Large Load Wash/Rinse Temp: Warm/Warm or Hot/Cold (ATC: Optional) Agitation Time: Your choice of how long of Main Wash… Add Powdered Detergent & Fabric Softener… Agitator: As in this Video, as I’d add the Fabric Softener in both the Fabric Softener Dispensers.

[@jacobflanigan6343]

Use the old whirlpool dual action agitator with fabric softener dispenser on a medium load of whites with the whitest whites cycle with max agitation time with catalyst treatment and extra rinse with a hot cold temp

[@charlespurviskellyjr.7210]

I’d say the next time, do one of these three things Either… (01). Use half a cup or at the most, three quarters cup of detergent instead of a full cup. (02). Use some fabric softener the next time, but pour it directly into the tub instead of the dispenser. Detergent and fabric softener does not mix, and thus, the fabric softener will kill the suds instantly. I’ve tried this method with the machines I’ve tried it with. (03). Or just try adding a second rinse the next time with fabric softener (but this time, you can put it into the dispenser, and see if that will work). -Charles-

[@DrummerboysWashersAndMore]

I tried to add a second rinse to this load in the video, but once it starts filling for the first rinse, you can’t add a second rinse. I also didn’t want to add fabric softener for this load since there were some microfiber towels that I use for stuff like cars. I also didn’t expect it to suds lock since i’ve used that much detergent before in this machine and it didn’t have any issues, but I used a different agitator at that time.

[@albertcarello619]

Charles Purvis Kelly: Always set for a second rinse when using a high sudsing detergent. In this machine I'd only use low sudsing (HE) detergents.

[@charlespurviskellyjr.1232]

@ Albert Carello: This is Drummerboy’s machine, not mine, but your point is well taken, but I would use but in today’s machines (whether or not it is a high efficiency machine), I would always make it a point to use a low sudsing high efficiency detergent. Especially with a machine that is manufactured in 1998 or later (front loader or top loader), which is that’s what this machine is (a 1999-2001 Kenmore Elite Catalyst). -Charles-

[@scrubflex4922]

Hey Drummerboy, love to see an full length feature with the TURQUPISE "PentaScrub" in action again.

[@DrummerboysWashersAndMore]

As soon as I can unwinterize the machines, I plan to make a whole bunch of new videos, so that’s definitely going to happen!

[@scrubflex4922]

@@DrummerboysWashersAndMore AWESOME

[@DylBuilder1]

That was a very sudsy catalyst treatment!

[@jaymeeweide8120]

14:15 can you make a video of your Kenmore elite callous washing on normal empty?

[@jeromedavis8575]

I would've used fabric softener especially to help knock down suds.

[@DrummerboysWashersAndMore]

The main reason I didn’t do that for this load is because of the towels I was washing were microfiber ones that I use to dry our cars after washing them.

[@shanemiller8461]

i love the kenmore catalyst

[@DrummerboysWashersAndMore]

so do I! They’re very versatile machines.

[@albertcarello619]

Shane miller: This machine should be used with only HE DETERGENTS.

[@DrummerboysWashersAndMore]

@@albertcarello619 That’s actually incorrect. The use and care guide VHS tape actually shows this machine being used with Tide + Bleach powder detergent, which I have a box of, and that is not a HE detergent. In 2001 when this machine was made, HE was not as big of a thing as it is today, and therefore, this machine was probably originally intended to be ran with HE detergent, at least not the way it is today.

[@albertcarello619]

@@DrummerboysWashersAndMore I know the original Tide With Bleach powder is moderate sudsing. Today it's HE TURBO which can be used in all machines HE or Traditional.

[@scrubflex4922]

Also, please make more videos using the Kitchenaid PentaScrub agitator.

[@DrummerboysWashersAndMore]

I definitely plan on it!

[@scrubflex4922]

Awesome!!!

[@pony7124]

I have a request for the catalyst. Use the same agitator (the kitchenaid one) with sheets on Handwash/causal (extra slow-slow) on 6 or 8 min wash with catalyst option

[@pony7124]

My lg top loader runs on 5 amps I think. and of course the maytag runs on 7 amps.

[@mckayschannel4834]

where do you get that agitator at, i would really like one in my collection

[@harrycrafter18]

I’m surprised it’s up and running, was the membrane board sorted out? I saw the control was acting up and you explained what it needed, seems it’s back already?

[@harrycrafter18]

Ahhh as it seems I should have just looked at the vid before this, nice I’m glad it’s all back

[@DrummerboysWashersAndMore]

@@harrycrafter18 It was a very simple project to replace it. It was more tedious than anything since everything in the control panel is mounted to the back of it. I was able to get the part ordered and delivered in a few days and had it running correctly last weekend.

[@charlespurviskellyjr.7210]

The second spin is WAY faster than the initial spin was. -Charles-

[@DADoESofTX]

Catalyst treatment always runs at low spin.

[@charlespurviskellyjr.7210]

@@DADoESofTX I was actually talking about the initial spin cycle that took place after the wash cycle agitation right at the 26:42 point of the video. The catalyst spin cycle I wasn’t worried about as much. -Charles-

[@StrongEnough78]

It was suds locked.

[@raptorbirdsfan2024]

Do you still happen to have that Teal Single-Action Agitator with the Fabric Softener Dispenser there? 🤔

[@vectorcollector4893]

By any chance do you remember a KZbin channel by the name of Kenmore washer which featured a Kenmore 700 Direct Drive?

[@DrummerboysWashersAndMore]

I do not recall the channel or the videos, but I have seen the Kenmore 700 Direct Drives before.

[@DADoESofTX]

I have to say … this is not an overload. There is adequate rollover per a proper full load.

[@DrummerboysWashersAndMore]

I agree. This machine has a “King Size” capacity tub so even with every shop towel I own put into it, It still probably had room for some more.

[@colinthepanamerican]

what year is this washer, is it a 2005?

[@DrummerboysWashersAndMore]

This machine was built the 10th week of 2001.

[@scrubflex4922]

Thank you for your videos Drummerboy, they're awesome. And, especially for using different agitators to show their wash action. I have this agitator in white as well but, been searching a long time for the turquoise Kitchenaid one. Where did you order it from?

[@DrummerboysWashersAndMore]

This agitator came from Ebay. I also have the white version of this agitator, and am currently using it in our families Amana Belt Drive.

[@scrubflex4922]

What were you searching for when you found it?@@DrummerboysWashersAndMore

[@DrummerboysWashersAndMore]

@@scrubflex4922 I don’t remember specifically what it was, but I believe it was something along the lines of “Kitchenaid Washer Agitator”

[@scrubflex4922]

Okay, thanks...I'll search with your lead.@@DrummerboysWashersAndMore

[@thomastrainsmore2010]

On the first load why Is it spinning its suppose to rinse and agitate

[@DrummerboysWashersAndMore]

In the beginning of the video, when the machine first starts, That initial spin and spray is the “catalyst treatment.” It fills some water through the detergent dispenser to create a strong concentration of detergent and water, and sprays it over the clothes while spinning to help loosen up dirt and stains prior to the initial wash.

[@thomastrainsmore2010]

@@DrummerboysWashersAndMore Ohh nice

[@albertcarello619]

My 2018 Speed Queen TR5 SERIES WASHER would definitely display suds-lock error codes. The WASH,RINSE AND SPIN CYCLE LIGHTS WOULD FLASH 3 TIMES INDICATING A SUDS-LOCK CONDITION. In the inside of the lid it says to use only HE DETERGENTS.

[@DrummerboysWashersAndMore]

this washer, despite having an electronic control panel, doesn’t have any sort of suds lock detection, so even when it’s sudslocked as badly as it was here (which is the worst i’ve gotten it to suds lock) it will still keep trying to spin.

[@albertcarello619]

@@DrummerboysWashersAndMore No warning lights here indicating cycle malfunction like the 2018 Speed Queen TR SERIES TOP LOADING WASHERS HAVE .

[@albertcarello619]

@@DrummerboysWashersAndMore From day 1 when WHIRLPOOL invented the automatic washer they always recommended low sudsing detergents.

[@DrummerboysWashersAndMore]

@@albertcarello619 this machine does have a couple of fault codes built in, but they’re mostly for internal or logic faults. I’ve set a fault code for the lid switch before, and I know in the manual it shows faults for things such as extended fill and drain times, motor over current, and unbalanced loads.

[@MatthewJames-st5wv]

Would you be interested in doing a deep cleaning video of this washer? This would consist of taking off the cabinet and inner tub to clean.

[@DrummerboysWashersAndMore]

I probably won’t do it this year, since i’m going to be winterizing the machines, but I will do my best to make a video on it at some point.

[@MatthewJames-st5wv]

So how do you winterize your machines? I just manually empty the pump.

[@DrummerboysWashersAndMore]

Usually I put a gallon of RV Antifreeze in the machines and set them to spin in order to get antifreeze into all the lines. I actually just made a video on this process since it’s gotten below freezing this week. I’m hoping that I’ll have it uploaded sometime this week!

[@MatthewJames-st5wv]

@@DrummerboysWashersAndMore Oh ok, cool. Can I ask where in the U.S you are located?

[@DrummerboysWashersAndMore]

@@MatthewJames-st5wvI’m from Northern Illinois, not too far from Chicago

[@MatthewJames-st5wv]

@@DrummerboysWashersAndMore Oh we're close. I'm in NWI (suburb of Chicago)

[@calvinmayo7990]

why do you keep on changing the agitator in it???????????

[@DrummerboysWashersAndMore]

I change it to show off what the different agitators can do. Sometimes its also because different people request to see a load with a specific agitator.

[@albertcarello619]

Ariel laundry detergent is very similar to FOCA.

[@DrummerboysWashersAndMore]

Ive heard that Ariel is pretty good, I just haven't found any yet. I will keep looking though.

[@albertcarello619]

@@DrummerboysWashersAndMore You should be able to find Ariel at any Walmart.

[@samaddison5891]

This is when washers were still built quality not like today

[@chadsheppard3576]

Agreed, I miss my old 1979 Kenmore 80 series BD washer it was almost 45 years old and only had to replace the motor

[@MatthewJames-st5wv]

Can you do a small load on the lowest water with this machine? Maybe on Regular/Slow agitation?

[@DrummerboysWashersAndMore]

Currently the machines are all winterized, but when I un winterize them I can definitely do that!

[@MatthewJames-st5wv]

@@DrummerboysWashersAndMore Oh ok. So what do you use as your main washer?

[@DrummerboysWashersAndMore]

@@MatthewJames-st5wv It depends on where I’m at. At the house that these machines are kept at, the main machine is the 2016 Amana NTW4516FW1. There are also a couple other machines in our family such as my dads 1985 Maytag A382 (which I have videos of) and my moms DD Amana NTW4600VQ1 (which I will make a video on soon).

[@TheRealDorran]

Can you put a Mexican Easy agitator into this and overload it to the top of the tub? [Or as much as you possibly can.]

[@DrummerboysWashersAndMore]

I don’t know that that type of agitator would fit this machine without significant modification, but I can do more overload tests with other agitators that I have.

[@tracyfarmer6259]

Now you used to much detergent not you know not to do that again very suddy ❄❄

[@albertcarello619]

Tracy Farmer: Use only HE DETERGENTS or HE TURBO DETERGENTS ( TIDE HE TURBO). HE TURBO is even less sudsing and rinses more easily.

[@albertcarello619]

Tracy Farmer: Even my 1992 Maytag would have a first spin suds-lock condition with this kind of sudsing I also noticed.

[@florin_prelege2570]

Two Fabric softener dispensers?

[@DrummerboysWashersAndMore]

This machine originally had the triple action agitator which did not have a fabric softener dispenser. I don’t have the correct turquoise colored cap for this agitator so i put the fabric softener dispenser on instead. Normally this machine would only have one dispenser.

[@videolover2014]

Notice though that a Washer to officially have the 2 Fabric Softener Dispensers is on the GE GTW585, which to me is pretty odd, but also pretty interesting to see, & hopefully to see it on Kirk Rivas’s Channel soon.

[@albertcarello619]

I ca see why more and more detergent makers are now making their products HE COMPATIBLE. Perhaps Foca will eventually follow suit. Hopefully!

[@DrummerboysWashersAndMore]

In my opinion, these detergents clean a little bit better than HE, but I can understand your point. I plan to redo this test with a little bit less detergent in the future to get a full load without suds locking the machine.

[@jasonjennings8125]

Foca is very sudsy

[@jasonjennings8125]

Fabric softener

[@TheRealDorran]

7:25

[@cammycamdemos9799]

Hello there

[@DrummerboysWashersAndMore]

Hello!

[@intelboydj1]

44:18 40 mph

[@DADoESofTX]

640 RPM.

[@caseyoliver165]

This washer is Not over loaded at all and you called that overloaded that's Normal

[@DrummerboysWashersAndMore]

This is not what I’d classify as normal for this setup. It’s a much heavier load, maybe not super overloaded, but still a larger load than I’d normally run in this machine.

[@caseyoliver165]

@@DrummerboysWashersAndMore No it wasn't overloaded at all and if it was overloaded that washer wouldn't have No turnover at all that's Normal as longs this washer has movement it's fine it's Not overloaded.

[@DrummerboysWashersAndMore]

@@caseyoliver165 This was not horribly overloaded, but it’s still not what Id call a normal load. It was a very heavy load, and except for in videos, i’d never run a load this large or larger with it. It puts unnecessary strain on the clutch, motor, and motor coupler.

[@caseyoliver165]

@@DrummerboysWashersAndMore I can understand that but that washer is actually designed to wash up to 16 bath towels per load so it's designed to wash heavy loads Not meaning jam packed No but you're washer can handle large loads so washer is Not weak like the high efficiency washers are No. But that goes for any other washer's out there you can not overload any of them but that load you got in yours it won't hurt it that's considered a Normal load you don't just wash loads like that very often it you are saying right

[@cindyreeves2099]

Oh and roblox is down

[@erossinema8797]

What is the reason for overload tests? Overloading washers is popular, but it's an incorrect way to use the machine. However this is when washers actually cleaned in 35 to 45 min. and did not break. No it's not a baby boomer thing Very cool wash action. The centrifugal soak ( catalyst ) actually is an effective pressurized soak