Maytag Jetclean dishwasher performance and reliability?

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dustin92

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I picked this up for free tonight, found on my local facebook free stuff group- I have been looking for a white dishwasher for a while now, we replaced our refrigerator and stove, but the dishwasher is still almond (yuck!), a mid range Kenmore Ultra Wash from 1998. The new Maytag is also from 1998 (looked it up on appliance 411) and seems to be nearly TOL with many options and adjustable racks. It is model # MDB5000AWW, Serial # 17600650UY. From what I can tell, this is a D&M designed machine, with a lower spray arm, center tower, and full top shower spray arm. I haven't hooked it up to power or water yet, but I did clear out the spray arms and filter backwash arm, which were all nearly completely blocked. The only other experience I have with a D&M machine is a lower end Maytag portable I repaired and sold over the summer. It seemed to wash equally as well as our Ultra Wash, but It's racks were shot. This one's racks are fairly nice, a few rusty spots though. How are these for performance and reliability? I know the Ultra Wash has never had a repair since 1998, and washes fairly well, but not perfect. We usually use Cascade platinum Tabs, and I never pre rinse. The machine came from the original owner (I assume) and included all the original manuals and literature. I will try to post some pictures tomorrow.
 
MT Jet-Clean DW

Has NOTHING to do with a D&M DW and never did, that said your KM Ultra-Wash DW is a better DW than MT ever built, paint the front panels and live with the almond console, or paint the outer part of the console as well, you don't know how good you have it now.
 
The Kenmore works fairly well, but I just haven't been overly impressed with the performance, and the racks are pretty rusted out. If nothing else, I'm going to install it for a while and keep the Kenmore in the garage in case it doesn't work out. Good to know it is a "real" Maytag though. I just wondered what the reliability record was on these, that's one thing I can't fault the Kenmore with.
 
I have a 97

Maytag JetClean that has had only one significant repair in 17 years...and that is the timer developed a dead spot on it and wouldn't open the detergent cup. Washability really is top-notch. I've seen it out-wash my mother's Kitchenaid KUDI23 for similarly soiled dishes and pans. I don't pre-rinse, just scrape the scraps off for the dog and into the dishwasher it goes. I was considering a Whirlpool/Kenmore UltraWash at the time I got this one but the stores close to me then didn't have the color I was wanting so I ended up with my Maytag. I've never regretted it. I have used Electrasol/Finish most of its life. FYI, those smaller jets on the wash arms are easier to clog with occasional pieces of plastic wrap. Just check periodically and remove if found and it will serve you well.
 
We are on our second Maytag DW (we had a 93 and an 08) and both were very reliable.
They both cleaned very well with no debris left after the wash cycle. The only reason we still don't have our 93 model is that it went with the house when we sold it. We wish we could have taken it with us.

I find that Cascade Complete powder in the box works best with our machine.Finish powder also worked well.
 
Here it is: Spent most of the day installing it, and it seems to work perfectly and is washing it's first load right now. I am getting a minor leak around the door seal, but otherwise it works well. It is much quieter than the Kenmore as well, which is a major plus. The Kenmore has been winterized, and is hanging out in the garage until further notice. We will see how the performance is, but if it doesn't wash at least as well as the Kenmore, it is out.

dustin92++12-15-2014-16-32-43.jpg
 
That MT is a good performer. Parents had it in their home for 18 yrs before they had it replaced. It's also a relatively quiet machine for its age. You should be pretty pleased with it's performance. But as mentioned earlier, do keep an eye on the holes in the wash arms. They do manage to get blocked sometimes with little pieces of plastic and what not from who knows where.
 
These were not bad dishwashers. The 5000 was not our best seller. Not because anything was wrong with it, it was just at a price point that customers would choose 1 model up or down. You door leak could be something as simple as adjusting the door catch. A 5/16 (I think) loosen up the bolt just below the plastic catch on the machine. (Not on the door). Slide it back just a pinch, re tighten the bolt. This is assuming the gasket is still in good shape. You may have to play with it a bit to get it just right. You should have to give a little push to get the door to latch shut.
 
We have had a JetClean II QuietClean 300, Model MDBM601AWW since 11-2005 and it has never had a repair. (minus taking it apart to clean out metal shards that made it to the grinder...) It's cleaning ability is the reason we use the real china on Thanksgiving again, provided you load it as per the use and care manual. It REALLY out cleans the 1990 KitchenAid we had before it.
 
Yes, it was a recalled model, but I spoke to the previous owner last night, and the recall repair was made in 07. I knew there were some recalled models so I did some research. I did find a bit of a scare when I unplugged the old one- the plug was burned to a crisp. All blackened around the prongs and the brass plating was burned off. I had to use the same cord for the Maytag, but I will buy a new cord and install it tomorrow. At least it is very easy to get at, there is a cupboard door on the back side of the dishwasher, and the plug is literally right there. Lucky we didn't have a fire!
 
Yes, it was a recalled model, but I spoke to the previous owner last night, and the recall repair was made in 07. I knew there were some recalled models so I did some research. I did find a bit of a scare when I unplugged the old one- the plug was burned to a crisp. All blackened around the prongs and the brass plating was burned off. I had to use the same cord for the Maytag, but I will buy a new cord and install it tomorrow. At least it is very easy to get at, there is a cupboard door on the back side of the dishwasher, and the plug is literally right there. Lucky we didn't have a fire!
 
Well, did some Christmas baking, and now running round 2 of dishes: Dinner dishes from meatloaf, mashed potatoes and veggies, and baking dishes from 2 different kinds of cookies. AND I got 2 yes (TWO!) cookie sheets in! Only one would fit in the Ultra Wash, the upper rack wash arm seriously limited the capacity. Not saying it was a bad dishwasher, but it had it's quirks. The dishes almost always came out spotless, that's 100% better than the BOL GE we had at the old house.
 
GusherB:

Our current Maytag is also from the same series yours is in. Another weak part of this dishwasher is the handle that opens the DW. They break then you have to pull on the door hard to open it. Which will result in a cracked control panel. Ask me how I know.

Replacement door handles are available on Ebay and Parts sellers. They are about $25. and a very easy replacement job. About 20 minutes.
 

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