The Forgotten Story of the Maytag Wringer Washer Butter Churn
Did you know that Maytag once made more than just washing machines? Back in the early 20th century, Maytag offered clever accessories to help families get the most out of their investment, including a meat grinder and a butter churn that attached directly to their wringer washers.
At first glance, making butter with a washing machine might sound odd. But these were not makeshift hacks — they were purpose-built, standalone attachments designed to safely harness the Maytag’s electric motor.
A Practical Solution for Hard Times
In the 1930s, money was tight for many rural families. Even a washing machine was a big-ticket luxury. With the passing of the Rural Electrification Act in 1936, more farm households finally gained access to electricity. Maytag seized the moment by offering multi-use accessories, making it easier for families to justify the expense of an electric washer that could help with other daily chores too.
One of the most interesting of these was the original Maytag butter churn. Heavy and industrial for its day, it mounted to specific square-tub E-model machines. But cleaning was a chore, and the original design wouldn’t fit newer washer models.
A Smarter, Simpler Butter Churn for Today
Fast forward to today: thanks to Cottage Craft Works, you can still churn butter using your vintage Maytag wringer washer — but with a practical, Amish-made twist.
This Amish reproduction butter churn is much more convenient than the original. It’s designed to work with all Maytag E, J, and N wringer washers. Simply remove the agitator, slide the churn box onto the shaft, and place a wide-mouth Mason jar filled with room-temperature cream inside. The washer’s gentle back-and-forth rocking motion transforms your cream into fresh, homemade butter in about 10–15 minutes — about 50% faster than a traditional hand-crank churn.
Cleanup is easy too. Using standard Mason jars means no complicated parts and no hard-to-reach corners — just wash the jar and you’re ready for your next batch. Plus, you can make and store your butter in the same jar, just like the Amish do.
Keep Your Vintage Maytag Working Hard
At Cottage Craft Works, you’ll find a wide range of Amish-made replacement parts to keep these classic Maytag wringer washers in top condition. It’s no wonder that these old workhorses are still running laundry for families who value sustainability and simple living — not just in Amish communities but anywhere people appreciate durable, practical tools.
If you’re looking to add more self-reliant tools to your homestead or cabin, don’t miss other great finds like:
- Hand-Crank Grain Mills — Make fresh flour right at home.
- Off-Grid Water Pumps — Keep your homestead supplied no matter where you live.
- Traditional Butter Churns — Standalone options for churning butter without a washer.
Bring Heritage Into Your Homestead
Whether you’re restoring a family heirloom or living a back-to-basics lifestyle, the Maytag Wringer Washer Butter Churn attachment is a timeless reminder of how innovative — and practical — old-fashioned solutions can be.
To learn more about keeping your vintage Maytag running or to order your own butter churn attachment, visit Cottage Craft Works.