For Sale - Avocado Green Maytag Washer and Dryer

[maytaggirl]

I have a beautiful Maytag washer and dryer set that I have used for 14 years (1 person, no children ) The original owners passed away and they used the set sparingly. I inherited them. I have really loved these for many years and knew they were special. The seal started to leak on the washer and I was told it would be better to replace than to pay for the part and the labor. As I began looking to sell them, I came across your site. I would like them to go to someone that would really appreciate them. The dial area is very retro looking.

Does anyone know the year(s)?

Washer - KA806
Dryer – DE606

I have 5 or so photos and can send more. They are in good condition (the interiors are very nice), but do have a couple of dents and some areas where there is some white paint smudges on the outide. The washer needs a new seal as well. If anyone is interested in purchasing them, please let me know. Any information on these would be helpful.

Sincerely, Miss Kyle Decker

 

[maytaggirl]

inside dryer

inside dryer

 

[maytaggirl]

another photo

another photo - note the white stuff on the lid is detergent

 

[sudsmaster]

Very nice.

If I'm not mistaken, that washer is an 806S. The S means Suds-Saver. Does it have two drain hoses?

I'm guessing it's mid-1960's, but others here probably can pin down the year more closely.

The washer is top-of-the-line, I believe. The dryer is MOL.

 

[qsd-dan]

What's leaking, water or oil? Also, where is the leak coming from?

Just about any water leak on these washers are extremely easy to fix. Fix the leak and run it another 40 years. I'd be more than happy to walk you through it step by step.

There isn't a washer/dryer made today that can even begin to rival this set!!

 

[jasonl]

A806

MMMmmm... Avocado Maytag.

Amazingly I still don't own the first avocado major appliance :-(

 

[polkanut]

My dear,

DO NOT, I REPEAT DO NOT sell this set. Anything that you would buy to replace this set will pale in comparison in terms of quality, durability, etc. Have the leak fixed if you're not a do-it-yourself kinda person, and this set just may outlast you, no kidding!

 

[toggleswitch1]

My mom bought hers (of similar style) in '66 (W)and '68 (D).
The washer was $250 new for an A206. At the time I was told that was a week's pay give or take.

The a206 that mother had included:
H-W-C water temp selections. A "hot" wash gave a warm rinse. Warm and cold wash gave a cold rinse.
"Regular" and "Gentle" action/speeds
3 water levels.

So to answer one of your questions, I want to say this style was made unit about '72/'73, when the aqua/turqoise was replaced with a a gold color.

 

[filterflo]

Miss Decker, if you decide to keep the set, I can put you in touch with someone in Phoenix who would service your set for you. The advice given in this link is accurate, this set is of much higher quality than you can ever buy new today.......

 

[frontaloadotmy]

Miss Decker

The letters at the end of the serial number can be used to
date the machines.

 

[super32]

memories

This was the first tag i ever worked on. Ok so im dating myself...lol These are 67', 68, or 69. They both have P.P. The washer is not a "S". The botton configuration is not correct. In any case, im sure it will end up in a good home. The set is absolutly beatiful.

 

[countryford]

I'm intrested in that set

I would be willing to purchase that set from you, if you decide to sell them. I live in Tucson, and can come up and pick them up. If you want to email me [email protected] we can discuss the sets. Thank you so much. Justin

 

[sparkymarky1973]

My 2 cents

Hi

I am from the UK and have been a member of this site for a number of years.

I know you should...KEEP THEM!

Get the washer fixed is my opinion. After reading over the years many posts about 70s Maytags I know they are built like like tanks and like others have said will still outlast anything else you could buy. You won't get another washer and dryer with the quality thats in these Maytags.

I wish we had them over here in the UK as I would get a set like a shot.

Mark

 

[70series]

This is one gorgeous set. I concur with everyone on this thread that you should have the washer repaired. For Maytags, sparingly used almost means never used. We had an A206 from 1972, which I grew up with. It washed two loads a day for 6 people, and never needed a repair. A low mileage set like this will go on for many more years. You will not find any set that can compare to these in quality or reliability.

Good Luck,
James

 

[maytaggirl]

comment + answers to questions + new question on MOL?

Thank you to everyone for the advice. I have purchased a new set (LG front loader set) so now I'll have to decide whether to keep them in the garage until that set wears out (or maybe sell that set) or still try to sell them. I wish I would have written to all of you sooner.

Questions: the leak is water coming from the bottom right of the washer (I think it's the bottom right towards the back)

The washer does have two hoses coming out of it.

Also, I am not sure what the first post means by MOL (middle of line)?

Thanks, Kyle

 

[qsd-dan]

"so now I'll have to decide whether to keep them in the garage until that set wears out"

I hope you're in your earlier 30's, otherwise you'll be long dead before you wear out that Maytag set. LOL!!!

"or still try to sell them."

Well, it depends. If it's just a washer and dryer to you and nothing else, then sell it someone who will truly cherish them. If you have just acquired a newly found respect for them, then keep em for a while longer. There are good chances that someone here will take them off your hands if they don’t work out in the future.

"Also, I am not sure what the first post means by MOL (middle of line)?"

Yep, that's correct.

 

[maytaggirl]

more questions

Thanks everyone,

I appreciated your help and comments about my Avocado Green Maytag Washer and Dryer. I am in my early 30’s and talked to my parents to try to decide what to do (to keep my new LG set or to get the Maytag washer repaired and try to sell the LG set I bought in Nov.) Or even wait until the LGs wear out and go back to using the Maytags.

If I would offer them for sale, (someone from Tucson expressed an interest) what do you think is a fair price to ask? The washer has the white paint marks and I noticed a dent on the front (like a door ding), and it has a leak. Otherwise they are really quite nice. That may help me to make my decision. Also, can the ding and the paint be removed during a “refurbishment” if I were to keep them for a long time? I would maybe consider keeping them as well if I could restore them close to “perfect”. How many years can they really last with light, but regular usage I wonder? And is it hard to find parts? That is the reason that the person I called said to buy a new set. He said it’s expensive to fix and he was worried that he might not have been able to find a seal. If they sit in my garage (AZ) for a couple of year without use, will it hurt them? My email is [email protected]

I really appreciate you help!

Kyle

 

[polkanut]

Parts are still quite easy to find for your 'Tags. And, seeing that you are in AZ., I don't think that it would hurt them if they sat idle for a year or so. Be sure to drain any water out of the washer before storing, and possibly clean out the exhaust pipe for the dryer too.

 

[polkanut]

I received an email from the originator of this thread as to what would be a fair price for this pair. I told her that I felt that $200-250 was a fair price seeing that they need some repair work. She felt that $200 was fair. And, I was told that they going to be possibly residing in Tucson. So, who is going to be the proud owner of 2 of Newton's finest pieces of laundry equipment ever made?

 

[maytaggirl]

still for sale

Hi Everyone,
The Tucson home didn't materialize and I still have these for sale. Please feel free to email me and make an offer if anyone is interested in them. I would like them to go to a good home. Thanks!

 

[gadgetgary]

Hey Boys and Girls....

Did the dryers also have a light up panel? The back panel of the W/D look a bit different.

 

[maytaggirl]

light up

Hi, the dryer's panel is a white material that doesn't look like it would light up at all (patterned metal?). The washer's panel is a material that would allow light to come through (milky white material). I have never seen it light up though, so can't be sure if it does or not. The washer is model A806 per the sticker on top and KA806 from the ID plate on the back. The dryer says DE606.

 

[liamwa]

Lighted Console

The 806 washer is suppose to light up during use. You may need to change your FS2 light starter, the light tube itself, or both. These can be accessed by removing the cover on the back of the control panel.

Liam

 

[liamwa]

I should mention that both the FS2 light starter and the florissant light tube will be readily available at your local hardware store.

Liam

 

[volvoguy87]

Lights.

Yup, the washer should light up. The dryer, unfortunately, will not light up.

The washer is a KA806 which is translated as follows:
K= Avocado Green color. There was a different letter for each color except for white, which had no designation. Had your washer been white, it would have been an A806.
A= All Maytag washers of this era had an A here.
8= An 800 series washer. The 800 series washers and dryers were second from the TOL (top of the line) models. The 800s were the TOL with dials. The TOL machines, known as 900s, had a row of buttons instead of a center-dial and also featured illuminated control panels. The 900s, unfortunately, did not offer the cycle selection of the dial machines, so while they were higher in the model lineup, the 800s were the most well-featured and flexible machines offered. The 800 series was also the largest capacity Maytag offered at the time.
0= All Maytag washers and dryers of this era had a 0 in this position.
6= All 800 series washers ended with a 6. The lower end models ended with a 6, 7, or 8 depending on the year of production (and minor design changes), but the 806 was a constant designation, although there were some changes.
_= If your washer had the optional "Suds Saver" feature (yours does not) it would have an S after the model number.

Your dryer's DE606 is roughly translated as follows:
D= Dryer
E= Electric. If it was a gas dryer, the E would be a G. The electric version you have is a DE606, while a gas version would be a DG606.
6= One step down from the 800 series dryer. There was no 700 series washer or dryer at this point in Maytag production. I don't know what the features of the 600 series dryer are. A timed cycle and an automatic cycle perhaps? The next dryer down in the model lineup was the 300 series, which had only timed cycles. The 600 series dryers, unfortunately, do not have illuminated control panels.
0= All Maytag washers and dryers of this era had a 0 in this position.
6= Halo of Heat dryer. This is an earlier design of dryer dating back to the 1950s and in production until about 1975. Its capacity is small by today's standards, but pretty capable for the capacity of Maytag's washers into the 1970s. The Halo of Heat dryers are known for lasting a long time, drying evenly, and very quiet operation. They do, however, need to be level (the legs screw in and out to adjust for an uneven floor). They require the removal of the cabinet for servicing, although it is well worth the effort. The lint filter is in the back of the drum, which is a bit of a pain. About 1975, all Maytag dryers were changed to the #08 series, which feature larger capacity, a larger door, and a lint filter in the front in the lower left corner of the opening. The basic design of the #08 series dryers was in production until about a year ago, I think. Many people like the #06 Halo of Heat dryers because the clothes come out more fluffy and evenly dry. They are also known for having very accurate dryness sensors on the automatic cycle. Be careful, however, because Halo of Heat dryers run on the warm side and if overloaded or mis-loaded can damage some synthetic fabrics.

I love my Maytag center-dials, I hope you do too, and be sure to clean the washer's lint filter in the agitator,
Dave

 

[appliguy]

The 608 dryers had electronic dry control just like the 806.

the only difference between them was the 806 had a lighted panel and the 606 did not. PAT COFFEY

 

[constellation86]

Wow these look just like the ones my mom had. The dryer didn't have the pilot light and the washer wasn't a suds saver but other than that they look exactly the same. What a blast from the past!
Nicholas