Maytag Portable. Any good?

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hobarthero

hobarthero

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Hi I came across this today and it looks to be in immaculate condition. Are these units any good? I know older Maytag stuff is usually great quality but I also know they’re more known for washers and dryer’s. Let me know if this is worth picking up or not. I know many of you fine folks can guide me in the right direction.
-Shannon

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We had this almost exact machine growing up. Bring a friend it’s a heavy beast and as noted she’s not exactly quiet. The reverse rack configuration will take some time to get used to but once you learn it you’ll be able to really shovel it full and enjoy stellar performance in both racks!
 
Here she is!

Oh man this has been taken care of wonderfully and she looks gorgeous. The smallest little skuff marks in a couple spots. It hardly looks 1 year old, let alone almost 40. I have to get a new faucet adapter tomorrow as I haven’t owned a portable model in recent years. But I’m beyond excited to hear her run again. I’ll try to get a video of a cycle in operation as well. Any recommendations on detergent for this model that work the best with hard water? I appreciate the advice from everyone. Here’s a few pictures of it at home tonight as well.

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These are my favorite dishwashers

A big fan of reverse rack Maytag dishwashers, they hold a ton and you can set things anywhere in that lower rack. I sold appliances for a very brief time while Maytag had these in production. The rep we had in training dumped an entire can of poppy seeds in the dishwasher, started the cycle, we went to lunch and when we came back the cycle was almost finished. They did this to demonstrate the filter system and there wasn't a single poppy seed in that dishwasher. I also thought the reverse rack made sense as you weren't spraying food from the plates and dishes from the lower rack up into the insides of the glassware as in the usual rack placement.
 
Portable MT RR DW

This is the great thing about portable DWs , many people bought them and just never used them, so now we are finding these unused machines.

 

Hi Shannon, have you checked the condition of the belt ?, you might want to before you end up with a DW full of water you have to bail out, or worse a DW full of dirty dishes.

 

The urethane belts these used tend to harden and break just from sitting, MT cheaped out and used these belts because they did not have to use a tension idler system because it was a stretch belt. It is also a shame they did not use a rubber belt because the urethane belt made a lot of squealing and squeaking noises Etc.

 

I am sure you will have fun with this DW, keep us posted.

 

John 
 
Alternative Belts?

Are there any alternatives to the belt used in this machine that would be quieter and longer lasting. This is a WC502 by the way as I don’t think I specifically mentioned that.
Shannon
 
Temp Boost

Shannon, when this button is pu8shed in, if water temperature isn't 140 degrees during the main wash, there is a thermostatic hold and timer delay until the temperature is reached. Also, during the heating delay, the little light on the control panel is off and turns back on when temperature is reached.
 
RA Dispenser

Can I find a rinse aid dispenser that I could install myself. I have no issues with doing any of that. Not sure of all the parts required though, so information on that would be helpful. I’d love if I could find an owners manual and a service manual for this machine. It seems hard to come across one so far.
Thanks,
Shannon
 
Service Manual

Shannon, you can obtain a copy of service manual in our online manuals section. The 1984 Maytag Service Manual to download is $7.99
 
Shannon, I've gone through the service manuals I've downloaded over time. I cannot find the WC502, but I can find the undercounter version, the WU502. The 1984 service manual has the WU502. There's also a 1984 Sales brochure.
 
Hard Water Deposits

So I ran it today and it cleaned great, the issue here is our hard water (about 15-20 grains hard in most places). I have a lot of hard water deposits left on the dishes and I’m thinking this is because of the lack of a rinse aid dispenser. What is required to add a dispenser? I am using Cascade Complete powder. Any insight on better detergent or what would be best to remedy this issue would be appreciated!
-Shannon
 
Hard Water deposits

Hi Shannon, CC Powder is not a good detergent with water that hard, yes a rinse aid dispenser will mask the water spot problem, but you really need a better detergent, or a home water softener, or you can add phosphates to the CCP, it can also help if you put the dishes in really covered with oils and lots of sugars etc, but it is hard to get enough of these soils in a load on a regular basis.

 

I would try a TOL tablet in the main wash dispenser and also fill the open cup with the CCP and see how that does.

 

John L.
 
Tablets

Thanks John, I was hesitant to use tablets as I’ve seen some people say that they don’t work well with these older machines. With my newer machines I’ve always had very good luck with finish quantum tablets. Would that be OK to use in this machine?
 
Shannon, I would try the Quantum tablets again and put the Cascade powder in the prewash dispenser. Also use the temp boost option to extend the main wash period beyond the default 13 minutes. I'm also adding Finish Booster (for hard water) to the prewash or Lemi-Shine detergent booster in the main wash dispenser along with the detergent pod. If hard water deposits are showing up in the dishwasher, then once-a-month run either Lemi-Shine Dishwasher Cleaner or Finish Dishwasher cleaner. When using those machine cleaners, start on regular wash cycle or the low/energy/light soil dial setting and turn on the temp booster option too.
 
Rinse Aid Kit

So I was searching through the service manual and I found the part number for adding the rinse aid dispenser (or rinse conditioner as they call it). The Maytag kit part number is 9-1572, but I can’t seem to find it, I’m assuming it’s not made anymore or there is an updated part number that I don’t know. I’d like to have the option of using rinse aid and it seems like a pretty simple addition. Anyone who has the parts or could direct me towards them would be greatly appreciated.

-Shannon
 
Dispenser Kit Ordered

I have the dispenser on order. (Thanks Melvin!) I will get it installed ASAP. In the meantime today I’ll run it through a wash with the finish tabs and wash booster. I’ll let you guys know the results!
-Shannon
 

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