'97 Maytag Dependable Care

[cehalstead]

My current washer is a '97 Maytag Dependable Care. While I have never been completely satisified with its performance compared to the '80 model Maytag it replaced, I have come to realize from the various posts on here that I probably have one of the better toploaders recently made. Any comments?

 

[westytoploader]

I have a Maytag DC

Hang onto it!! While the 1980 Maytag is of course the best, this design is definitely better than today's Maytags and I think it's the best modern washer I've owned. I have a machine from 2003, and it was made shortly before Maytag pulled the plug on their residential Dependable Care line (coin-op versions are still being produced as far as I know) and put all of the Norgetags into the stores. The original LoadSensor (corkscrew-style DA clone) agitator was unimpressive; John (Coldspot66) send me a long turquoise Power-Fin to put in it, and with the short, fast-stroke transmission it really washes well. The Power-Fin, which has a large base, doesn't seem to bother the tough Maytag "Orbital" tranny (however, using a large-base agitator in a DD Kenmore on high speed will result in a rebuild), and I've been using it regularly for over 6 months. It handles a much larger load than the LoadSensor, surprisingly, and the turnover rate is incredible. IMHO, it has the fastest turnover on an oscillating agitator I've seen; something you have to see to believe. Also, because of the faster stroke, the built-in lint filter works better, eliminating the need for the ineffective self-cleaning one on the washer. The large diameter of the tub makes for an impressive spin; it removes more water than my DD Kenmore does.

I have heard, however, that this particular design develops problems with the center seals after a few years of use causing the machines to leak...mine is pushing 2 years, doing 12-14 loads a week, and nothing has happened. I'd rather repair it than replace it considering the crap out on the market today...

 

[powerfin64]

mine is from 95

I have to agree completely with westytoploader.
mine has been fastastic, never been worked on or leaked to this day. I have and use both, the powerfin 12 and Loadsensor agitators. I use the loadsensor for the extra large loads and handles them with no problem.
Don't get rid of your machine.. you'll be sorry if you do.

Rich

 

[maytagbear]

I got my Maytag in '97, as well

And I love it! I miss the A208 I had from '78 to '95, but, oh, well.

I have the AAE9806, which I believe was the TOL then.

My usual settings are: warm wash, cold rinse, extra spin, energy saver, slow agitation and fast spin.

I have used this machine a great deal, at times 4-5 loads a day. Now that I live alone, 2-3 loads a week. Never a problem, and I am very content with its performance. I do find the white agitator a little boring, but not enough to do anything about it.

I hope to have it the rest of my life. Likewise the matching dryer.

Lawrence/Maytagbear

 

[peterh770]

Maytag still makes that design for the coin-op market with no plans on changing to the Atlantis design. In the coin-op world, it is the opinion of most store owners that these are the best toploaders out there.

 

[peterh770]

Maytag still makes that design for the coin-op market with no plans on changing to the Atlantis design. In the coin-op world, it is the opinion of most store owners that these are the best toploaders out there.

 

[cehalstead]

'97 dependable care

Any one have a Power-Fin 12 that they would like to sell? I am willing to pay fair market value and shipping.....
Can these still be purchased from Maytag Parts?

My e-mail address is [email protected]

Thanks....and thanks also for the responses....no question, I will keep it as long as possible..

 

[westytoploader]

In case you were wondering...

Here's what a full-sized Power-Fin on fast speed, low water level looks like in an OrbiTag.

Btw, I'm washing a large load of towels (larger than I normally have to wash) as we speak on the Regular cycle, and they're rolling over pretty darn well.

I highly recommend a TURQUOISE Power-Fin for the OrbiTags!!

 

[gyrafoam]

Last summer Mark (Lightedcontrols) took me to his favorite appliance store and while he was talking to his friends there I was browsing through the new Maytags. You can imagine my suprise to run across a brand new "Dependable Series" (complete with porcelain tub and Load-Sensor agitator)! It was listed as their model #5300. I have been on the lookout for them elsewhere since then and have found them TWICE, both times at independent appliances stores. All the different owners claimed Maytag was going to keep making them. I had an early (1992) TOL "orbital" for a while and my only gripe was that the 90 second rinse was way too short. With a FULL load the clothes were just beginning to roll-over when the rinse was OVER! I thought the old "Helical drive" really got the clothes moving and provided a much better rinse. -Steve

 

[westie2]

Maytag Dependable's

When I had to replace the drain hose on mothers A806 went to the dealer here and they had the same 5300 washer dealer said this model and the topload stack washer/dryers were going to be available along with the commerical washers made in Newton. The independents are are only ones that can order these machines.

 

[partscounterman]

Maytag Dependables

Oh, so now that Best Buy kicks the Maytags butt outta bed, they are crawling back to the independant dealers. I have not seen the dependable on the website. Besides, I don't know what they did, but the Dependable Care machine the past coupla years have been not the greatest machines. It looks like the same old Maytag, but they must have cheapened it because I've seen too many problems with them- mostly with the main tub seal.

 

[cehalstead]

power fin

I had an old black replacement power fin agitator that I had bought for my former machine. I installed the power fin....what a difference!!!! I can only do "large" loads now, but who cares? They get cleaner that way..... (I would still like to have the extra-large power-fin if I can find one.) Thanks for the advice.....

 

[kenmore1978]

Rinse time

Funny you shouldmention it, but as much as I like WP/KM machines, I always thought the 2 minute rinse time was sorta stingy, especially on the delicate cycles. Clotes sometimes would get to rollover maybe twice before it was drain time.

 

[pulsator-power]

I've heard of a few Maytag Stores in the Northeast. Anyone know if they are nationwide yet?
Jerry

 

[cehalstead]

'97 Maytag Dependable Care

.....my '97 Dependable Care has been used hard....at LEAST 10 loads a week, and not one repair.....besides all the other reasons we have discussed here, that alone will make me keep it...by the way, I ordered a Power-Fin agitator today....

 

[gyrafoam]

The friend I sold my '92 Orbital to still has it---no repairs for him either! He loves it, I just could not get past that damned 90 second rinse!!!! If I had Unimatic1140's genius I would have altered the timer myself and given it a three minute rinse! My '92 had a plain old turquoise "Power-Fin" but with the shorter skirt of the orbital's.

 

[SactoTeddyBear]

Re: Maytag Stores:

Hi! Pulsator-Power, we have "The Maytag Store" here in Northern California. They have a pretty good-sized Showroom, with a lot of "Hands-On" Operating Appliances and they invite people to bring in some Laundry or something to prepare of Food items and even their own Dishes and Glasses, to wash in the Dishwashers. They even have some other Manufacture's Dishwasher's to use for comparison, between theirs and Maytag's.They have a Bosch, Frigidaire, GE, Kemore and a Whirlpool. They also have a "Closed-Circuit" group of Video Camera's for Cooking Sessons and they have the Overhead Angled Mirror to enable you to see what is going on at the Cook-Tops of the Food preparation.

This first Maytag Store opened closest to me {which is about 45-minutes away} opened about 3-years ago. One of the other Stores is about 1 1/2 hours South in another City are from where I live and I've checked it out, finding it to be somewhat smaller and before the newest Maytag Store. The Guy's who Co-Own that Store, Own 3 or 4 other Stores, besides they opened about 2-years ago, their own Warehouse, for storing the new Appliances, for being more readily available locally instead of having to wait for something to be Shipped, besides for a place to sell "Freight-Damaged" Appliances.

Peace and Happiness, Steve