What we're picking up this evening...

[charbee]

Well, after hanging around here long enough, we've come to appreciate the "simple elegance" look of the center-dial Maytags, and realized that a pair of classic white center-dials would look great in our laundry-nook-in-progress, once it's finished. Found this dryer for fifty bucks on our local craigslist, and we're going to go pick it up this evening. Not sure of model number yet, but we're hoping it's a "lighted control panel" model! We'll post pictures after we get it home and out of the truck. Eventually, a matched pair of lighted-control Maytags from the 60's or 70's is our goal.

 

[mayken4now]

Maytag DE606. It is not a lighted control panel. Still, a very desired machine there. It is a Halo-of-Heat. I have the matching washer A606 that is in "mint" shape.

 

[charbee]

Thanks for that ID, mayken4now!

Just got home with it. It is, indeed a 606. Serial number is 707402 DZ, and from what I've been able to find that means made in Dec of 1967, if I'm adjusting the chart right. We'll take pictures in the morning, when we've got enough light.

It is in really, really SWEET shape! The man said that it was his mother's, bought brand new, she was the only owner. Looking inside the drum, the "blades" or "paddles" that come out seem to have copper wire in the recesses. Was that some sort of feature?

And did someone post a copy of the owner's manual recently? or was that for another model? We're excited about getting it up and running, but that's got to wait until tomorrow. Just glad we got home with it!

Tried to use the "search" on the forum, and it's not working, guess that's known?

 

[appnut]

Charbee, those "copper wires in the recesses" are the electronic sensors, they are there, not as an accident or something broken so to speak. And congratulations Bob

 

[charbee]

Thanks, appnut...

Went scrolling through the archives and stumbled on a thread talking about the electronic sensors being in the "paddles" and figured that was what they were talking about. The man said that the dryer had been in continuous use since it was brand new (he thought since the mid-60's), up until last month, when his mom moved to a retirement home. So, if my date extrapolation is right (and not sure if it is...the "date chart" I found on google only goes back to 1980, gives "D" as 1991, but that there was a 12 year cycle between useage of the year so I figured out 1967), this baby has been pumping for nearly forty years! That's so cool!

 

[mayken4now]

Charbee:

Does the man have the washer as well? I am sure you would like to get a matching set. I love sets! Contact me through email if you are interested.

The copper wire is a must, do not disturb it at all. It is very important to mositure in fabric as to whether the dryer runs or shuts off.

Steve

 

[charbee]

Thanks Steve,

He didn't have the matching washer, he said that the original washer broke and his mom got rid of it awhile back, and the one she got as a replacement was not a Maytag. A matching set is definitely our goal, but not sure if we want to find a mate for this one yet, or wait and see about finding a matching set with lighted controls. We will definitely get in touch with you about your minty 606 if we decide to go that route.

 

[charbee]

Pics are up!

The dryer is in even better condition than we thought!! We've uploaded some pics of the cleanup to the server. The chrome on the console is flawless. The dial is like new. The drum shows absolutely no signs of wear. It was obvious that the back had not been taken off in its nearly 40 years of existence, but the inside lint/dirt was not as bad as we'd anticipated. Thank goodness for "original owners" who believe in well-kept appliances! It's obvious the lady who owned this jewel really took care of it, and more importantly, never abused it!

Right now it's sitting next to that LA510 washer we first asked y'all about last year...no comparison...it's like an immaculate '65 Chrysler Imperial sitting next to a beat-up '85 Chevy Astro van...something must be done...;-)

http://automaticwasher.org/cgi-bin/00ShowCollectionGETD.cgi?dir=/COLLECTIONS/CHARBEE/

 

[rp2813]

Char, that machine looks like NEW! I bought a used gas model back in 1990 with lighted panel but same electronic control. It replaced an electric model that I couldn't use where I was moving because the place didn't have a 220 hookup for it. That gas model was the best dryer I have ever owned, quiet, efficient, and the easiest thing in the world to use, turn the dial, give it a push and then forget about it. If the drum hadn't frozen up I'd still have it along with it's companion harvest gold mid-line washer. I LOVED that dryer and I'm sure you are going to love yours.

Just one word of caution. When I still had my electric dryer the heating coil broke while drying a load of laundry and it ended up nearly causing a fire as the coil hit the cabinet and started turning the entire cabinet into a giant heating element. If you have any doubts about the coil while you own this machine, I suggest getting a new coil to be on the safe side.

I remember back in the 70's Consumer Reports consistently top-rated Maytag washers but they weren't as nice about their dryers. After owning that sweet little gas model I don't understand how CR didn't rate them just as highly as the washers.

You're also correct about not rubbing too hard on the painted surfaces. You need to be equally careful not to rub off the Maytag logo directly above the aqua colored lower panel.

 

[charbee]

Thanks, rp2813

We are thrilled at how well-preserved this gem is! Thanks for the heads-up about the heating element. We were thinking of ordering a spare, just in case. We still have to finish re-routing the 220 to the laundry space before we can hook it up (Yes, unfortunately, we're still using the nasty, noisy "newer" Westinghouse set we griped about last year...been a long year!)

Also, forgot to mention that one of the most wonderful things about this dryer is that when you open the door and sniff, it smells like...NOTHING! Hallelujah! No heavily-perfumed-so-much-it-makes-you-wanna-choke laundry-product residue! We ended up having to order an entire new input duct assembly and lint filter for the '91 Maytag dryer we got last year because of all the perfumey residue that was ingrained in it. This wonderful 606 is amazingly scent-free! Neither of us can stand heavily-perfumed laundry, we just want our clothes to be clean. Guess it comes from growing up with a mother who put soooooo much heavily-scented "downy" in every load that her towels actually REPELLED water! Hated taking showers with her towels...they just pushed the water around, didn't really absorb any!