Maytag 606 and 206, any info?

[wannapinkset]

Hi all.

I just know some of you have info about Maytag 606 and 206. Any idea about year made or lighted backs? I know they have the center dial, but they arent as old as the ridiculous priced pink ones on eBay are they? Any info at all is appreciated. I might be able to get a set. Not my frog eyes, I know but still nice I think till my dream pair comes along. They are Harvest gold. Oh well, maybe next ill find an orange set? lol

 

[mayken4now]

I just know some of us do. Read the archives, and then let us know your name. Welcome.

 

[wannapinkset]

Well it seems there is a difference between shaded gold and not. It seems they are seventies models (Harvest gold color kinda tipped that off already) and I read that the 606 is close to the 806, but the search here doesnt work for me at all so I either read all day and get nothing done or get to work.

My kids and husband will need cake or cookies when they get home so work wins. My name is...........mud if I dont make those cookies. lol

Its Linda actually but thats all im telling on the www in todays stalker psycho world.

 

[pturo]

Somewhere in the archives, around late fall 06, someone posted a really cool catalogue for Maytags of this era with a features chart. It will solve all of your queries on this type of Maytag. Phil

 

[danemodsandy]

606's

Hi:

These are 1970's, and don't have lighted controls. The dryer of my Maytag pair is a DE606 (Dryer, Electric, Model 606, as opposed to DG606, for Dryer, Gas, Model 606). My washer is an LA108, so not what you're looking for.

The dryer is electronic sensor drying only, with no timed cycles available. The centre dial has cycles for Air Fluff, Damp Dry, Permanent Press, and Regular. There are four cycle modifier buttons at the right side of the control panel; you can select Low Temp, Regular Temp, Regular Dryness, and Extra Dryness. The modifier buttons are set up so that you can select one Temp button and one Dryness button at the same time (example: for sheets, I press both Regular Temp and Extra Dryness).

End-of-cycle is indicated by a chime. In the Permanent Press cycle, the chime rings repeatedly during the final phase of the cool-down cycle. For other cycles, it chimes once, shortly before the machine shuts off.

The electronic drying sensor is quite accurate, and the drying time is much, MUCH shorter than it was on my old Whirlpool machine. Disassembly of the cabinet for service and cleanout of lint is very easy, and the top of the machine is porcelain, not paint like most machines of that era. I have been told that electronic Maytag dryers should be grounded for proper operation, so mine is; it's a simple matter of attaching copper ground wire to the grounding screw on the back of the unit, then attaching the other end of the ground wire to a grounding clamp fastened to a cold water pipe. Easy. Both clamps and wires are in every hardware store worth its salt.

You would be pleased by a 606 dryer, I think. Here's a photo of my pair:

 

[hoover1060]

608

Here's my almond colored A608 from 1979.
Two speeds, 4 temps, 4 water levels, three cycles(Reg, Prem press and soak)
I absolutely love this machine!

 

[wannapinkset]

Thank you all for the info. I apreciate it so much. Now I have decision to make. I really want a set of frog eye kenmores, so this was just going to be a bonus till I found the ones I wanted. I mistakenely thought they had lighted backs. Im not so sure I want to drive 3 hours one way for them, even though im sure they are worth it. Its just not my dream set is all and so now im just a little torn on should I or not. They are minty and I like them, but love them I dont.

hmmmm.

 

[danemodsandy]

My Vote:

I say do it. First, you'll gain valuable experience in owning vintage machines, on a pair that is easy to service and has good parts availability. Owning vintage IS a little different, and there's no way to explain the difference until you've lived with it. Basically, though, you learn to be sensitive to your machines, listening to the sounds they make, to be sure they're okay, and you learn to be self-reliant if they need a repair. You also learn the importance of maintenance- vacuuming lint out of dryer cabinets, replacing washer belts periodically, etc. And you learn how to search out parts that the local appliance parts place says aren't available for "them ole machines".

Second, you'll have a salable pair that you can resell when you find your frogeyes. There's always somebody looking for vintage Maytags. That will give you workable machines now, and yet the money you have in them can be reclaimed later. The value of new machines is only going one way- down.

And you'll be helping to keep a good set of vintage machines out of the hands of somebody who just wants a washer and dryer cheap. Owners like that- who have no real appreciation for vintage, just price- often run vintage machines into the ground, then scrap them. The way I look at it, those of us who own vintage are custodians, not owners. We're taking care of the few remaining machines so that future generations can appreciate them. If all vintage machines were to disappear from the face of the Earth, there would be no yardstick against which to measure the crappy quality of today's appliances. If enough people learn that appliances were once made to be genuinely durable, there could someday be a demand for better quality in new machines. As matters stand, it's been so long since sturdy machines have been made that a lot of younger people think it's normal to buy a new washer every three to five years.

It's also normal for us weirdo vintage owners to own "interim" machines while we're looking for dream machines. I personally would like to have Maytag's top-of-the-line A906 washer and DE906 dryer, with electonic pushbutton controls. But those are fairly rare machines; they don't grow on trees. And as I mentioned to Greg here lately, I don't yet feel experienced enough to be a responsible custodian of such a fine and sophisticated pair. The 906 dryer uses a heating system called the Halo of Heat, and it requires more expertise to service than the 1970s Maytags do.

Bottom line: Go for it. You won't be sorry, you'll have a fine pair of machines that you can rely on, and you'll learn a lot of ins and outs that will come in very handy when you find your dream machines. Oh, and you'll have some VERY clean laundry. After a month of owning my Maytags, I find that my clothes are much cleaner and brighter than I was accustomed to with my former direct-drive Whirlpool pair.

 

[goatfarmer]

You won't find a more dependable machine than a Maytag. Harvest Gold '06's are getting harder to find every day.

Depending on the price, and condition, I might make a 3 hr trip.

kennyGF

 

[bpetersxx]

Thats why I grabbed these when I could before they disappeared into the night never to be seen again

 

[bpetersxx]

the workroom

 

[pturo]

Vintage Maytags are great machines! A lighted control panel model is something to aspire to, it took me a few years. I think that the top of the line Maytag products of this era were smart and sexy. Sometimes,I just go to the basement and have a glass of wine with my DG906 lighting the laundry room and cool jazz music. How many other things that are smart,sexy, grounded, and attached to the wall with a gas pipe can you think of? Seriously though, collecting is fun, and when you have other models you can pick up more economically, they can be harvested for a lot of parts for the best ones,and then there is this group whose members might need certain parts to complete their collection. Have fun. Attached is a DG906 gas TOL that I just love. Phil

 

[danemodsandy]

Ooooh.

*Busily Windexing the monitor after licking the screen*

 

[wannapinkset]

So can you tell by looking if these are lighted backs or no?

I have drove further for things but for some strange reason feel reluctant and torn. Stange.

I have a set of Frigidaire jet action 1 18s, but the washer has a new rattle, and yes owning vintage is most def different than new (though I honestly never had new, never wanted new, im backwards im told) simply because to let something go like a new rattle or knocking may mean you no longer have a repairable set. My clothes are really clean with my frigidaires, avacado or not.

I love it that you state we are merely custodians till the next owner. Its how I feel about my home, furniture, land, and appliances. We are only here a short while, and should leave something for the next ones that would love and care for them as do we.

So wadda ya think? lighted backs? No? Worth it? They are dead cheap by the way. I dont know what my problem is. Im usually so go getum.

 

[pturo]

I don't think they are lighted backs. I belive the 806 and 906 washer and dryers of this era were,those below were not, as you state them to be a 606 and 206. Hard to tell from the pics, but there should be some reflection from the panel if they were glass(lighted)ones. The non lighted ones were white, with a sort of pebble texture to them.

 

[jimmyb]

Go for it!

I say do it!

They do not look light lighted panels but if you notice the single dot above the dryers timer it is a pilot light which glows when running the washer should have one two which also glows red while running through the cycle and will remain on until the lid is lifted or the timer is pushed in (a little reminder to say hey there are wet clothes in here, I learned on this site). Here is a picture of my A606 washer and matchin HDE606 dryer.

 

[jimmyb]

And my newest set

Just picked these up on Saturday! LA806 washer and LDE808 dryer. Washer still needs attention with quite a bit of soap and scale build up. I do not thhink the previous owner ever washed with hot water or bleach.

I appologize in advance for such large pictures - first time I have uploaded any!

 

[danemodsandy]

Definitely Not Lighted

Nope, those are older 606s with the "pilot" light above the centre dial, not 806s with the lighted console.

GRAB. THEM. They are damn nice machines, will serve you well, and you'll have something nice to sell when you find your frogeyes.

 

[danemodsandy]

jimmyb:

I feel for you! When I got my LA108 washer, I had the same problems you did. It took a full afternoon of rubbing and scrubbing to get it clean. The dryer was even worse.

What IS it with people that they can let nice stuff get filthy like that?