That is one beautiful dryer.....I love the little blue flame they put on the control panel of GAS dryers.......one of our guys put a blue light behind it that glows when the flame is on.....outstanding!
Maytag Pushbutton dryer (900 series?)
- Thread starter cmlrobison
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Yeah, I really like that flame as well. One of my grandmothers had a new set of 'Tags in '66 or '67 when they built a new house and the dryer had that flame. Ironically, being a farm housewife, she always line dried so I doubt it got much use.
Gas DG906 Dryer
These are beautiful dryers, but unfortunately they are a little like an Italian Sports Car great to look at but not great for heavy everyday use. This was undoubtedly the only TOL gas dryer made in 1970 that still had a constant burning pilot. It also had limited versatility in the availability of settings for, dryness, temperature, length of air-dry cycle and their was nothing like the 2 1/2 hour Wrinkle Gaurd cycle that WP and KM offered at this time to keep wrinkles from setting. It was also the smallest full sized dryer in its day in drum capacity and they were fairly slow having just over 1/2 the BTU gas input rating of the TOL WPs at the time. 18,000 VS 30,000 for the WP.
This is also not a great dryer to leave running when you are not around as it lacks at least 1/2 dozen safety features that are in current dryers to prevent fires.
But all in all a very cool dryer that is worth keeping and restoring, one good thing is that while many parts are NLA you can usually find what you need as most of the parts were common to all the other Gas HOH dryers.
These are beautiful dryers, but unfortunately they are a little like an Italian Sports Car great to look at but not great for heavy everyday use. This was undoubtedly the only TOL gas dryer made in 1970 that still had a constant burning pilot. It also had limited versatility in the availability of settings for, dryness, temperature, length of air-dry cycle and their was nothing like the 2 1/2 hour Wrinkle Gaurd cycle that WP and KM offered at this time to keep wrinkles from setting. It was also the smallest full sized dryer in its day in drum capacity and they were fairly slow having just over 1/2 the BTU gas input rating of the TOL WPs at the time. 18,000 VS 30,000 for the WP.
This is also not a great dryer to leave running when you are not around as it lacks at least 1/2 dozen safety features that are in current dryers to prevent fires.
But all in all a very cool dryer that is worth keeping and restoring, one good thing is that while many parts are NLA you can usually find what you need as most of the parts were common to all the other Gas HOH dryers.
Gee whiz John. Thanks for that uplifting and encouraging post. Now if you'll excuse me, I'll just drag my thoroughly disillusioned and depressed carcass out into the backyard and dig up some worms to snack on. 
During what years were the 900 series washers and dryers made? I don't think I've ever seen one in person so they must be quite rare.
redcarpetdrew
Well-known member
Now, now John...
Let's let the nice lad enjoy his new prize first before we pee in his corn flakes... ;^)
RCD
Let's let the nice lad enjoy his new prize first before we pee in his corn flakes... ;^)
RCD
macboy91si
Well-known member
Short Lived
I think the 906 lasted from 66 thru 1970.
Shame, I think the 906's are gorgeous, even though I think you get more flexibility with the 806. I also enjoy the 160/A900 of previous years.
-Tim
I think the 906 lasted from 66 thru 1970.
Shame, I think the 906's are gorgeous, even though I think you get more flexibility with the 806. I also enjoy the 160/A900 of previous years.
-Tim
Gas DG906 Dryer
The 906 and 806 were identical in every way except in exterior styling of the control panel, even the price was almost the same.
I wasn't trying to be negative in my description of this rare and beautiful dryer, I was merely explaining why so few consumers were willing to pay a premium price for a dryer that couldn't began to compare a TOL GE, KM , WP or Frigidaire dryer.
The 906 and 806 were identical in every way except in exterior styling of the control panel, even the price was almost the same.
I wasn't trying to be negative in my description of this rare and beautiful dryer, I was merely explaining why so few consumers were willing to pay a premium price for a dryer that couldn't began to compare a TOL GE, KM , WP or Frigidaire dryer.
redcarpetdrew
Well-known member
Sigh...
I do beg to disagree. The Halo's were quieter than most and built like tanks. Now, did this mean that they were 'more fun' to service? Sure! Totally! You bet! But look at the quantity (and quality) of Halos still out in service today compared to, say, Frigidaires or the like. They don't last this long in this great of numbers by being inferior. Just as today, customers back then didn't have the money to spend it on garbage.
Of course, the Halo design gave way to a more efficient design which was also easier to service. This is the case for the most part in appliance design evolution. The Maytag Halo was in production for quite a while before it changed, tho. But as collectors, we tend to look at what we want not in terms of efficiency but what touches or calls to us. Obviously, this dryer really appealed to this lad and as such I would let him enjoy his 'welcome home' thread. What's better or worse than the other is a subject and a thread for another day, which I will look forward to as healthy debate is one of the wonderful things about this club and I DO value your opinion, John!
RCD
I do beg to disagree. The Halo's were quieter than most and built like tanks. Now, did this mean that they were 'more fun' to service? Sure! Totally! You bet! But look at the quantity (and quality) of Halos still out in service today compared to, say, Frigidaires or the like. They don't last this long in this great of numbers by being inferior. Just as today, customers back then didn't have the money to spend it on garbage.
Of course, the Halo design gave way to a more efficient design which was also easier to service. This is the case for the most part in appliance design evolution. The Maytag Halo was in production for quite a while before it changed, tho. But as collectors, we tend to look at what we want not in terms of efficiency but what touches or calls to us. Obviously, this dryer really appealed to this lad and as such I would let him enjoy his 'welcome home' thread. What's better or worse than the other is a subject and a thread for another day, which I will look forward to as healthy debate is one of the wonderful things about this club and I DO value your opinion, John!
RCD
I just want to go on record saying that I was not offended by John's comments. I had hoped that the tongue in cheek response I left above to his initial post would make that clear. Having been a lurker here for a good six months prior to joining I'm well aware of his preferences. Let's face it, he makes no secret about them. But I would imagine that anybody who'd had a long career as a service tech would develop strong preferences for one brand or another based on their experience. I've made a career as a corporate aircraft mechanic and, based on my experience I've developed a strong preference for Gulfstream business jets over all other manufacturers. If someone were to challenge my preference I would probably defend it as vigorously as John does his and list a whole series of justifications for it.
That being said, people who purchase vintage cars, vintage homes, vintage appliances, etc, usually aren't primarily looking for performance or features. I have an Automatic Electric model 40 desk phone from the 1940's sitting on my living room end table. By no stretch of the imagination could it be considered a feature laden phone. But I love the way it looks. I love the sound it makes when it rings, and I love the way it feels in my hand when I pick it up to answer it. Of course, all of the things I love about that phone have more to do with style than features, and when it comes to style a vintage Maytag has it in spades, while still being robust enough to use as a daily driver. In short, since finding this blog I've grown to love old Maytag's, and if John loves old Whirlpools and Kenmore's that's fine by me. I'm not the least bit offended by his enthusiasm for his preferred brands and generally try to read all of his posts.
That being said, people who purchase vintage cars, vintage homes, vintage appliances, etc, usually aren't primarily looking for performance or features. I have an Automatic Electric model 40 desk phone from the 1940's sitting on my living room end table. By no stretch of the imagination could it be considered a feature laden phone. But I love the way it looks. I love the sound it makes when it rings, and I love the way it feels in my hand when I pick it up to answer it. Of course, all of the things I love about that phone have more to do with style than features, and when it comes to style a vintage Maytag has it in spades, while still being robust enough to use as a daily driver. In short, since finding this blog I've grown to love old Maytag's, and if John loves old Whirlpools and Kenmore's that's fine by me. I'm not the least bit offended by his enthusiasm for his preferred brands and generally try to read all of his posts.
redcarpetdrew
Well-known member
Not to worry...
I'm not really upset, either. I have to respect a man who stands by his convictions! John has more time in the field than I do and he shares stuff that I didn't know but am willing to learn. That being said, I still love my Maytags... ;^)
RCD
I'm not really upset, either. I have to respect a man who stands by his convictions! John has more time in the field than I do and he shares stuff that I didn't know but am willing to learn. That being said, I still love my Maytags... ;^)
RCD
just push a button
The pushbuttons make it so easy to use that even Peg Bundy and Gaby Solis could do laundry!
The pushbuttons make it so easy to use that even Peg Bundy and Gaby Solis could do laundry!
