The Magic Chef Corporation can trace its history back to 1850 when a St. Louis merchant named John Ringen opened two of the world's first home appliance stores. The company that grew from these stores became popular in Missouri during the 1870s when Ringen encouraged George Kahle to increase the production of two popular cooking stoves that were sold at the stores. The company became a subsidiary of the Whirlpool Corporation in 1911 when Whirlpool® founder Lou Upton purchased the company from John Ringen's grandchildren. Upton named the company “Magic Chef®” in 1929 to capitalize on consumers' desires to become better cooks.
The company that would later become the Magic Chef Corporation would see steady growth during the 1910s when it introduced one of the world's first dishwashers in 1914. These dishwashers used brushes that were connected to hand cranks to wash dinner plates in standing water. These dishwashers are highly sought after by many antique collectors because they offer interesting insights into how products were advertised to consumers during the early 20th century.
Whirlpool introduced its first Magic Chef automatic dishwashers in 1955 to consumers who were searching for a cheaper alternative to the dishwashers that were sold in department stores. They featured upright rectangular designs that were designed to clean smaller loads of dishes efficiently. They also typically featured a laminated top that was notched at the edges to allow consumers to install the dishwashers near sinks.
Whirlpool improved this design during the 1960s and 1970s to produce eye-catching dishwashers that are avidly collected by vintage home appliance collectors. These dishwashers featured large levers, large dish pans and powerful motors that were designed to help consumers wash dishes more efficiently. They also featured colorful doors and tops that were easy to customize. Moreover, consumers could have purchased optional accessories that could have been used to wash delicate cups and saucers. Most consumers purchased these dishwashers by visiting a local Whirlpool dealership who offered Magic Chef dishwashers.
Magic Chef dishwasher parts that were produced during the 1980s and 1990s feature many new design elements that were designed to offer more value to consumers. Some of these features included a multistep cleaning system, a food disposal and larger dish pans. Other popular features included more powerful motors and waterproof hoses that were easy to maintain. Many Magic Chef dishwashers can still be found in homes located across the United States. Magic Chef dishwasher parts are now produced by the Maytag Corporation.
Magic Chef dishwasher feature energy efficient motors and agitators that are designed to save consumers time and energy. They also feature box-like designs that are designed to accommodate the needs of home owners who wish to save space. Many consumers enjoy using these dishwashers because they feature modern touch pad technology that is easy to use.