Recognizing Washer Designs

Washer Designs will begin with the most popular and go thru to the least popular. Study these so that you will become comfortable identifying exactly what you are really working on. Don't let the ink on the name plate fool you.

Whirlpool Designs

There are FIVE basic Whirlpool designs that you need to master.

(The old Whirlpool standby belt drive ceased production in 1985 and unfortunately should no longer be repaired. Extensive information will be found in my original printed Whirlpool manual. Many parts are discontinued and those available are very expensive. It is just too old a design to fool with; very few are still in service.)

Design on the Right is very popular

Design 1. Original Direct Drive 1986- 2007. This design is easily recognized by the two plastic strips up the back.

You can reach over and feel them without pulling the washer out from the wall. (It has several lids switch designs.)

Direct Drive Console

Original Direct Drive Component Layout

Designs 2 & 3 replaced the Original Direct Drive

Design 2. Whirlpool Oasis, Cabrio and Bravos are model names- Low profile agitator - (Sometimes also referred to as a Direct Drive because it lacks a belt) From 2007 -

This design is recognized by a front center lid lock and a push to start button. It is fully computerized.

Cabrio Console

Cabrio Stubby Agitator

Design 3. Standard agitator - VMW Vertical Modular Washer 2007 -The VMW is identified by 6 lights below the selector plus a start button.

All VMW's have a Start button but a standard height agitator

Bottom View

Design 4. Whirlpool's Calypso was only made for a short time; It was an early - somewhat unsuccessful - entry into low profile agitator, minimal water and energy saving designs. Made from approx 2004-2006. The Calypso has a unique short agitator (Nutator) and a front name plate that hides the lid hold down screw. Few are still in service.

Design 5. Duet front loader The first truly well designed and successful entry into the modern front loader world. Their design has been copied by all the other manufacturers. Larger models are made in Germany. Manufacturing started about - 2000 -

Maytag Brand Names (Primary brands are bold). Maytag was purchased by Whirlpool in 2006 and all the Maytag factories were closed up!

There are only two significant Maytag designs to master, the two-belt and single belt. Any Maytag top loader made after 2007 has Whirlpool insides. Maytag has powerful brand recognition and is still widely marketed by Whirlpool as top and front loaders.

Maytag Two Belt "Dependable" - 1960-2006

Maytag Single Belt, Performa, Atlantis, Insignia - 1995-2006

There are two other minor Maytag designs, the Neptune and the TL. Few front loader Neptunes remain in use and should be avoided. The "TL" is a weird top loader that was made for a very short time.

Maytag Tilt Front Neptune - 1998- 2006 (First Front Loader since 1970) Legal problems with the Neptune contributed to Maytag's demise.