Anyone still use a Twintub?
 

I have a colleague who has admitted to still owning a Servis twin tub washing machine and in fact still uses it to wash overalls and other old stuff like boots n bits .
Does anyone else still use one in anger?

Re: Anyone still use a Twintub?
 

I know someone who has an old twintub (brand not disclosed) in her stable, used to boil-wash and spin-dry muddy jodhpurs and other horse-riding/mucking-out apparel.

Re: Anyone still use a Twintub?
 

Berco boilers are also very popular in stables, used to boil up a bran mash when needed. (A feed sometimes needed in cases of colic and laminitis)

An ordinary automatic machine is just fine for mucky jods and boiling modern stretch materials just ruins them. For comfort, you want riding pants that look like they were sprayed on and modern materials with a large Lycra percentage are superb. It's numnahs (big thick saddlecloths) which are the load from hell for washing machines. Some stables have very large industrial washing machines to handle horse rugs.

David

Re: Anyone still use a Twintub?
 

my other half collects them, (..yes) and are periodically wheeled into the kitchen as a 'treat'. I find them rather uncivilised.

Re: Anyone still use a Twintub?
 

I've always used twin tubs. My first machine was a Hoovermatic, and I now use a Sanyo. Of course the British definition of twin tub may be different from the Australian...

Re: Anyone still use a Twintub?
 

I gave up the fight to maintain ours - a Rolls Rapide and one of the first Servis Supertwins - about ten years ago, in favour of a so far maintenance free Miele automatic. The two twintubs along with several single tub machines and spin dryers and a huge Bendix LT washer-dryer have nearly all been rehomed to collectors in recent months, and several at least are back in operation. Time's running out for a sole remaining Hotpoint Empress single tub.

A '30s Burco boiler has been our source of hot water for baths etc. since the Rayburn sprang a leak about three years ago. Honourable retirement to the attic comes its way in a fortnight when we move to a property that has an immersion heater.

Paul

Re: Anyone still use a Twintub?
 

Washing machine and spin dryer in separate tubs in a single outer casing is the Brit one....

You can still buy a brand new one if you wish.

Re: Anyone still use a Twintub?
 

Wow Paul, I'm impressed!

I used to fix Rolls Rapides when I was still at school in the 60s.

And Burco boilers until 2002 when I retired.

If you have a 30s Burco it will be the one with plate elements bolted on underneath. Last time I saw one of those was around 1994.

Re: Anyone still use a Twintub?
 

I still have the manual for our Hot point (it had automatic spin-rinse) but the machine went a decade ago. We kept it for some years after getting an automatic mainly for doing the washing on returning from holiday, as it would do a wash in 5 mins. Eventually we needed the space. Very economical as you could do several loads using the same lot of detergent.

Re: Anyone still use a Twintub?
 

I've got one, a mid 1980's Hoovermatic, I found it for sale at the local recycling centre when I needed a washing machine urgently (my main machine had met its maker....). It did the job nicely until I bought a new machine, and then I couldn't bring myself to get rid, I've still got it!

I use it when I have a huge amount of washing to get through, as a full load can be washed, rinsed, and spun in about 15 mins, and it washes really, really well. I quite enjoy the whole thing, I make sure I've got some good music on, a coffee on the go, and it's soap splashing heaven;)

Re: Anyone still use a Twintub?
 

Same as Australia, then, though they came many shapes and sizes. There was a really oddball Australian fibreglass bodied twin tub made by Lightburn that was based on the company's cement mixers!

Re: Anyone still use a Twintub?
 

There's a generic-looking chinese plastic twintub offered from various online retailers including ebay and amazon which has been the subject of a safety recall due to defective insulation.

OT but the white goods forum has several serious safety recalls from big brand manufacturers which may interest washer fans!

Re: Anyone still use a Twintub?
 

LG Make a range of modern day twin tubs but not for the UK Market.

I did a "find your nearest store" on the website and if I wanted one I would have to go to the United Arab Emirates!! (think I will give it a miss)

https://www.lg.com/ae/semi-automatic-washing-machines

Re: Anyone still use a Twintub?
 

Aaaah .... the scandal of Rolls Rapide!

The English Electric 'Liberator' [yes those of 'The Lightning' high altitude interceptor] was a cracker!

Burco boilers are great too ..... for mashing an 'all grain' real ale! (I seem to recall that Burco took over Roberts Radio too .... ?)

Re: Anyone still use a Twintub?
 

I have two TTs here .The very first one made by Hoover and the last model[5090] so two machines from either end of the time scale both work well.I use the later model when the weather is good .Doing a whole weeks washing including hanging it out in less than an hour while the auto is still only half way through its cycle .The humble twin tub may look silly and a little crude to anyone born in this century but when they came on the market they were a godsend to the British housewife and an end to hours of back breaking work

Re: Anyone still use a Twintub?
 

Aieee! Lightburn!! The Australian branch of my family were foolish enough to buy a Lightburn "Zeta" in the early-1960s.

They rapidly realised their mistake and bought Holdens everafter.

Re: Anyone still use a Twintub?
 

I think your machine is the later version of mine, the T5054

Re: Anyone still use a Twintub?
 

I seem to remember my old Mum's Hoovermatic twin tub having a large stucco pressed aluminium top lid? Anyway - it was a very reliable appliance .... in fact I can't ever remember having any trouble with it. It was also a huge / quantum leap up from the old boiler and mangle .......

Re: Anyone still use a Twintub?
 

And didn't need plumbing in.

Re: Anyone still use a Twintub?
 

If it's not too OT could I ask why the twin tub, which seems to be much quicker, went in favour of modern automatic machines?

I remember them from the early 80s we had one as did my grandma (think she held on to hers as long as possible).