Attention Maytag Dishwasher Guru's...WU - 600

[Brent-Aucoin]

Here for your viewing pleasure is Steve beautiful "new" Maytag Direct Drive Dishwasher. Model WU-600.
Steve and I installed this today, and what a beauty! We ran a load of dishes on the regular cycle, and I could not get over how quiet this dishwasher is! The motor is huge, and the pump and hoses looks like something you would have for a swimming pool!
Here is where all of you Maytag Guru's out there in Appliance Land can educate me.
This is a Series - 02. The serial number is 230031-SF. Does anyone know what year this treasure was brought to life?
Also, how long was the direct drive pump made for the Maytag Dishwasher line?
Thanks!
Brent

 

[Brent-Aucoin]

Here is another of the Front!

 

[Brent-Aucoin]

And the Racks are like new!!!
Brent

 

[gyrafoam]

We had a great time installing this machine. The motor does sound like a large pool pump when starting up-----a very powerful sound and very impressive.

Brent is such a great guy to come help me with this installation. I added a non-factory insulation jacket---which when combined with the dimensions of the machine, barely fit in the space. A smart move as the machine is fairly quiet----although one can certainly hear the different spray arms in action------as Brent said, "almost sounds like a clothes washing machine sloshing water around!"

I'm hopeing someone can let me know what vintage this machine is-----?

 

[gansky1]

I told you it was MUCH quieter!!

Beautiful machine! Congrats Steve!

Aside from the gold paint on the panel skewing the dating by sight ;-), the 02 Series was from around 1972-74. Do you have a plastic or stainless tower coming up from the lower wash arm? The 02 series incorporates a new timer and control switch as well as other earlier (series 01) improvements to the tub, wiring harness, door, hinges, and base frame from the original 1969 design.

The rear mounted pump (under the right rear corner of the tub) was the original design for Maytag dishwashers was used from 1969 to 1975 when the belt-drive machines were intro'd. These were rather unpopular to service for accessibility - the machine had to be pulled from the cabinet for any pump/motor issues. However, this design was surprisingly quieter than the later front-motor, belt-driven machines we're all familiar with. I was shocked to hear my WP400 dishwasher when I got it home and running - I had only ever heard the later, belt-drive machines. Our WC-300 (1981) sounded like a train running through the kitchen. I was told that in the very early version of the Maytags, the wash arms could get in sync with one another and the sound of the arms moving in unison drove people crazy. Supposedly, they changed the rotation speed slightly to ensure they wouldn't ever match speeds.

 

[sheerlookhomes]

very sheer!

such a beautiful machine..looks very 'sheer' to me!
I wish I had one the same

 

[Brent-Aucoin]

Great Information Greg!
I forgot that you have that portable direct drive Maytag! Your Portable was in amazing shape also! What year is your built - in Maytag that you have in your kitchen?
Do you by chance know what were the changes that were made to the timer from the 01 to 02 series?
What I loved about Steve's new baby was the "chunk" of the timer. Very cool to hear a dishwasher with this type of timer.
I would love to hear on of the early versions of the Maytags with the wash arms in sync! That would be so awesome! I wonder what it sounded like? It would be music to our ears.
Who was it in the club that had the portable Maytag with the top that opened. (top loader) When you opened the top, the actual wash arm would come up because it was on the lid. Was that you? That seems like ages ago when I saw that one. I am assuming that it was a direct drive also?
Thanks for the info Greg!
Brent

 

[mayken4now]

Dishwasher (Maytag that is) Saturday

WOW, you guys. How on this green earth did such a beautiful peice of Americana get to Atlanta? I am sure they are out there, but this is the TOL. I have information on this machine, which will be to Steve soon, as far as the publication(s) go. This machine based on litureature information was manufactured in or near March 1970.

You go boys with your WU600 installation. It looks perfect.

Ok, another trip to Atlanta is up for me.

Brent, you is the ---- honey.

Steve

 

[tlee618]

Steve, what a beautiful dishwasher!! So glad that Brent was able to help you with instalation. Don't you just love being able to put plates in the top rack. Can't wait to hear where you found this one. Terry

 

[gyrafoam]

Terry------

It was on E-Bay just before I went into the hospital. I put a bid on it and promptly forgot all about it. When I got home I had a reminder from the seller to contact her! The machine was located in Winston-Salem,N.C. The seller had removed it along with her old GE cooktop and built in oven, in preference for newer equipment----poor thang.

 

[gansky1]

02 series was 1972-1974

The first of the 600 series up to the 02 series change in 1972 had a China/Crystal cycle button, changed to crystal/plastics.

As with any appliance, it's sometimes/usually good to get a model that wasn't the very, very first off the line. Some good improvements are made after the "bugs are worked out" which looks like it's the case with these Maytag dishwashers. Maytag and Whirlpool entered the dishhwasher market rather late (late 60's) and ended up producing some of the best of the machines.

 

[appnut]

Greg, Whirlpool had dishwashers in 1960. What am I missing here?

 

[varicyclevoice]

I am so jealous......!

Hey guys, I have always been a KitchenAid guy but I love the Maytag 600 model. Your pictures are gorgeous! I would give anything to find that model in the condition that you have it. I found a Maytag 600 once and then sold it for a mere fifty dollars about 10 years ago...I could kick myself now!

 

[varicyclevoice]

I am so jealous.....

Congratulations on your beautiful Maytag dishwasher. It is incredible. I've always been a KitchenAid guy but that model 600 is one of my favorite models and would love to be able to add that one to my collection. I had that Maytag machine once 10 years in excellent condition and I was a fool after sellling it for a mere $50.00! I could kick myself right about now.

 

[mrcleanjeans]

wonderful world of Whirlpool

Whirlpool had electric dishwashers way back in 1914.

 

[gansky1]

Whirlpool -

I meant the ones that actually got dishes clean. Hee hee!

 

[peteski50]

Maytag Dishwasher

Steve
This is a real awsome machine. I am glad you posted it I was waiting in anticapation. Do you plan on running a Bob load in it?
Peter

 

[pdub]

I'm green with envy!

What a beautiful dishwasher. You and gansky are the only ones I have seen with this style of a Maytag pushbutton dishwasher. Congratulations, I'm sure this thing will run forever.

Patrick

 

[gyrafoam]

Pete-----

It hasn't had a "Bob" load yet but it won't be long before it does. What with all the fall and early winter holidays, it should get a real work out.

My kitchen sometimes resembles an asssembly line turning out kugels, sponge cakes,plain pecan pies and especially the bourbon and chocolate variety , German Chocolate cakes soaked in Amoretto, and my famous Red Velvet cakes.

Not to mention the big meals coming up, Sukkot, Thanksgiving, etc.

Oh yeah, this machine will get a good workout!
I like the ability to load large pots and pans on either rack.
My dishes are "continental" size and easily fit in the upper rack with room to spare---a feat not possible in the KitchenAid I previously used because the guard for the upper spray arm was too low.I always had to turn them sideways and place them on the outside areas of the lower rack.

Just let me know which holiday dinner you plan to attend!