Maytag MDBTT59AWW vs. GE Potscrubber 845

[nashman50]

Can anyone give some insight into the performance of the Maytag MDBTT59AWW dishwasher compared to a GE Potscrubber 845 dishwasher? I currently have the GE disconnected in a house I am remodeling and this Maytag came up for sale near me new in the box. I was going to go look at it, but I don’t want to consider it if it’s an inferior machine. Thanks for your input!

 

[appnut]

Chrlie, I'm going to need more than just "Potscrubber 845".  Is it a GSD845 or is it a PTD845 or some other model number?  As for the Maytag, looking at the user manual, it appears to be one of the initial Maytag models based upon Whirlpools Tall Tub Point Voyager platform in around 2006 or 2007 after Maytag's acquisition by Whirlpool.  I had the Kenmore Elite version and it was a good dishwasher. 

 

[nashman50]

I was wrong. It is a Potscrubber 840. Mind must have been going nuts. The specific model number is GSD840P-45.

 

[appnut]

Charlie, the GE is from the very late 1980s, early 1990s.  I loved my 1987 GSD1200 Potscrubber.  In fact, my 2006 Kenmore Elite replaced the GE.  The Maytag has a more flexible, larger capacity than the GE with it's pop-up wash tower in the bottom rack.  I never had too many issues with loading and I threw filthy dirty encrusted dishware and casserole dishes at it.  the Maytag is quieter, but takes almost 2 hours to complete a cycle and uses 66% of the water the GE does.  But the GE is much faster.  It's also noisier than the Maytag.  But I still miss the GE to this day.  What kind fo condition is the GE in?  Does it appear to not been used much?  The GE will give outstanding results, particularly with the wash temp boost option selected.  And the Maytag is new in box?

 

[nashman50]

The GE has been well used but I’ve torn most of it apart and cleaned everything. It looks mostly like new outside. It looks like the wash arm holes have enlarged over the years, but I would assume they can be replaced. The inside has yellowed somewhat, but I figure that is normal too.

I looked on Sears Parts Direct and they only sell the tower and wash arm separately. Do you know if it is available as an assembly and if it is difficult to replace? I have already replaced the door corner baffles and the front panels.

 

[appnut]

Ge's wash arm holes were big. That's the way they were designed. I never had issues with the bigger wash arm holes at all in fact I like hearing the power that came from that

 

[cam2s]

GE made the Potscrubber series for many decades so it's hard to say where it falls into the line without seeing it but those turbine pumps and large wash arms holes where all about moving a large volume of water around. Much different that say the high pressure needle jets in a Maytag Jetclean. Those where the holes in my Potscrubber III...don't worry it moves the water around with no problem. I would be very careful about replacing the spray arm, if it is indeed an old school model it probably has the multi orbit system and the proper parts may be hard to come by. You would have to downgrade to the standard arm and I don't think you would want to do that.

 

[nashman50]

I’ll take some pictures of the inside tomorrow and post here. Is there any way to tell if the wash heat booster is actually working after all these years?

The house is a 1992 model, so I would guess it was manufactured somewhere a little before that.

 

[nashman50]

Here are the pictures of the GE. Do you think I should save this one or get the Maytag?

 

[appnut]

This is a tough decision in some ways. The GE has no electronics to go bad. I think there's still replacement motors available, Combo52 would be able to tell you. It's faster than the Maytag.

 

[cam2s]

From what I can tell the Maytag is a real Maytag tall tub machine, not a whirlpool clone. I have not personally used one but other members here have reporting having good luck with them. It certainly would be quieter, more efficient and have easier to use racking. The GE you have does have the multi orbit system and from the pictures looks to be in decent shape. The biggest draw back is that it does not have the passive filtration system. This isn't a necessity but it does improve performance. As long as you followed good loading habits and used a cycle with lots of water changes you'd be fine. You can replace the motor in it if necessary. They've changed it from a shaded pole motor to a PCS motor, the performance is just a good and it's quieter and draws less power. Probably the best course of action would be to hook up and use it for a while. If you like it keep it, if not dump it. I attached the thread from when I rebuilt by Potscrubber. It is an older, more TOL unit than yours but the major components are the same. You can at least get an idea of what working on one is like.

Potscrubber III?

I need another dishwasher like I need a hole in my head but this older GE showed up on a local Facebook group. I’ve always been fascinated by the older GE potscrubbers...if it was a 1200 I probably would have been on the way already. This is one looks fairly upper end with the all the buttons...

www.automaticwasher.org

 

[coldspot66]

If the Maytag is a true Maytag tall tub, door latch handle (that always breaks) is
NLA, as is the control panel (in any color). The GE might be a safer bet, although older.

 

[appnut]

John, thanks for making those comments bout the Maytag.

 

[nashman50]

I actually did do some research on the door latch handle and Sears Parts Direct still lists one but only in black. Seems like a lot of people are looking for them in white, but of course they are no longer available.

 

[nashman50]

And the GE used to be absolutely filthy--owned by a bachelor who did nothing but smoke and drink coffee. A little elbow grease and Oxygen Orange cleaner from Dollar tree made it turn out pretty nice. It used to have black panels, but I finally found white replacements from Fox Appliance Parts in Georgia to match the rest of my kitchen.