The Maytag Dishwasher Big Blue Binder

[philr]

I just got another WU-601 which was advertised for free! The ad said "old dishwasher" and there was no picture but I took a chance and inquired about the brand/model! It's owner emailed me  back telling me "it's a Maytag, but I don't have pictures, can't find the model.

I sent him a picture of my model tag and he went back to me and told me saying it's the same model, WU601...

I was quite thrilled as the outer panels on mine were drilled to install wood kits, I fixed them but I was searching for other panels. It's just a few months older than the other one (the tag doesn't say series 01) but the serial number shows May 1976 vs September for the one above in this thread. 

 

I was so happy, even if it was free, I gave the owner $20 for it. I didn't expect to find another WU601 and he didn't expect to get any money for it so we were both happy I think!

 

[brucelucenta]

You know, the very best dishwasher I ever have owned was one I bought at Circuit City around 1998 or 99 I think. It was a Maytag made machine rebadged as a Jenn Air. It was when they still had the tower that came up through the center to clean the top rack. That machine held more dishes and pots and pans of odd shapes and cleaned better than any dishwasher I ever had. I replaced it with a three rack Maytag that I was very disappointed in. It not only would not hold as much, it was actually harder to load and didn't do as good a job at cleaning.

 

[brib68]

Pic #11 in the first post

That control panel looks like the model my mom had, purchased around 1979-80. Hers was a convertible portable with the butcher block top.

As I recall, she followed all the instructions for seasoning the butcher block--rubbing in mineral oil and whatever other steps--and then never used it because that was the only spot in the kitchen where the big Litton microwave would fit. So it was a bit of a workout rolling the dishwasher with microwave across the room to hook it up.

 

[norgeway]

RE Maytag

I have never liked a Maytag washer, but the dishwashers were wonderful, they would blast off anything.and I still think that the belt drive unit had to be more reliable than having the motor under the pump.

 

[rpms]

When did the three rack Maytag dishwasher come out? Was it around very long?
The first time I saw one I wanted it. Did they arrive about the same time as the dryer with the airing cupboard?

 

[appnut]

The 3-rack Maytag was probably out on the market for only 2-3 years at the most.  From what I gather it suffered from major performance issues as a tall tub machine.  The bottom rack was very narrow in height and was only best suited for skillets, fry pans, 9 x 13 casserole dishes and similar "depth" cooking vessels.  the middle rack was for plates and such.  The brochure pictures presented the most optimum, perfect load.  In reality, I remember it being perceived as not a very flexible loading machine in the real world.