Maytag Neptune Washer ~ My Husband's Dream Machine
Written: Mar 20 '01 (Updated Mar 22 '01)
|
Product Rating:
|
|
| Ease of Use: |
 |
|
| Durability: |
|
|
| Ease of Cleaning: |
|
|
| Style: |
 |
|
|
Pros: Maytag quality, high efficiency, max extract feature, auto water level control
Cons: High end on prices
The Bottom Line: If you want the best in washers that Maytag has to offer, check out the Neptune front loader. The price may scare you, but it is well worth the cost.
|
|
|
| JDinPA's Full Review: Maytag Neptune MAH4000 Front Loader Washer |
When the dryer, that had come with the house we bought, finally coughed up a big lint ball and keeled over, I already knew what brand I wanted to replace it with. Maytag. I had been browsing through the washer and dryer aisles for several months, just thinking about which one I would like. Since the old washer and dryer were both about 20 years old, they had served their purpose on earth well. I thought I had better get both a washer and a dryer ~ I mean I didn't want to give our old washer a panic attack with her old friend carted off and a new young spiffy machine plugged in as her new neighbor!
Now while I was indirectly looking for what I wanted, I was really looking for what my husband would greatly appreciate. You see, my husband does all the laundry. He does it well and takes great pride in his clothes hanging methods, his clothes folding design, and in attacking and eradicating stains, spots and wrinkles. Hey~! I'm not kidding here! lol
We have been married almost 9-years now and I have never had to do laundry. It is actually a great trade-off for me, who would not put nearly 1/2 the effort into the task as he would. I do the mechanical, repair and handyman stuff on the property in addition to the cooking, shopping, putting all the kid's clothes away, and other general household cleaning jobs. My husband does the laundry, cleans the bathrooms, gives the boys their bath and keeps the litter boxes clean. (And NO you can't have him! lol) And if you are thinking he might be a tad obsessive - well, I guess I could agree with you there, but who am I to complain when someone else is doing the job for me!
Even though the Maytag Neptune is expensive, I wanted it. And so, there I was in the store buying both a washer and a dryer. My husband had no clue what I bought until it was delivered and set up. He couldn't wait to try it - especially since the laundry had built up for a few days without a dryer to use. There is a video that comes with the Neptune to show you how to work it and how to get the best performance out of it ~ yes we did watch it, and it is not all that boring or long and it is helpful to know that you will need less detergent, that the machine will mix the bleach you add with water before adding to the tub, and stuff like that.
The Maytag Neptune is a front loading washing machine, similar in design to the front loading commercial "big load" washers you may have seen at a self-service laundry. The door swings open (you can have it set to open to the left or right side) to reveal a stainless steel tub set back at a slight angle.
A nice feature is that you can open the front door to throw in clothes you have forgotten while it has started filling ~ there is a door lock light that comes on when the tumbling action starts, but until that time you can still get into the washer. The water will not pour out, for this washer uses only about 33% of the water a regular washer would use (that means you are saving about 66% in water useage). Even in an emergency, like you just remember that your wallet, watch, or your Stuart Little was in the wash, you can stop the machine and open the door and not have any water come out (unlike the flood in the movie).
The Maytag Neptune tumbles your clothes, spinning first one way and then the other. There is no agitator, which not only means there is more space for big loads, but it helps save on the wear and tear your fabrics may get from using a washer with an agitator.
One automatic feature of the Neptune is that is has an automatic water level control system built in. The machine will fill the washer to the proper level depending on how full you have filled it ~ a couple small items, only a little water; a big comforter, more water, and so on. This is pretty neat and it really does work that way! Another feature that is an extra help is that you can select Max Extract and the washer will spin out 30% more than during it's regular spin cycle ~ this is an optional command as you might want your heavy cotton towels spun vigorously, but you would not want your fine delicates that do not hold the water anyway to go through this extraction process.
Besides having a water saving feature, the Maytag Neptune has been given an Energy Star, exceeding the Federal Energy Efficiency Standard. Saving money and using less energy at the same time is something most people would agree to. This model uses approximately 282 kWh per year, with the 177 kWh per year rating for the lowest model and 1298 kWh per year for the least energy efficient washer out there ~ what this means to your pocket book is that this model will cost you about $23 a year to run (based on 8 loads of clothes a week and paying just over 8 cents per kWh).
An automatic detergent, bleach and fabric softner dispensers are standard. Pour what you are using in the labeled detergent compartments and the machine will add each one when the time is right, as well as mixing the bleach with water before letting any into the load of clothes. Maytag does recommend using High Efficiency laundry detergents with this model ~ HE detergents are formulated so that you require quite a bit less to get the job done. Just look for the detergents with an "HE" or "High Efficiency" on the label.
The Maytag Neptune has a porcelain enamel top to it that holds up better over time. It will resist chipping and scratching better as well as hold up to laundry detergent and chemical spills. This may not seem important now, but this "extra" will add years to the overall exterior condition of your machine.
For fabric selection you are given the choices of whites, colors, delicates and hand washables.
For wash/rinse temperatures you have hot/cold, warm/warm, warm/cold, and cold/cold.
Wash options give you Max extract, extra rinse, stain cycle, and reset if you want to cancel an option.
The wash cycles are Regular, Prewash (wash will take approx. 70 minutes on this setting), Heavy/Stains (60 minutes), Normal (39 minutes), Light (33 minutes), Plus you can choose to have a delayed washer start by selecting Delay Hours of from 2 to 8 hours from the time you hit the Start button. You may choose either Quick (33 minutes wash time) or Normal (39 minutes) for the cycle used under the delayed start option. You can throw your clothes in before leaving for work or play, and set the washer to start just before you get home - the clothes will be ready for the dryer without having sat all day damp and getting all wrinkled and crumpled.
This washer is very quiet and makes a low humming sound when it is running. You may also hear sloshing and whirring and gurgling sounds - don't worry you'll get used to all these new noises! LOL
Maytag gives you a 5-year warranty on the Neptune. If you have any questions you can call Maytag at 1-888-462-9824, or better yet visit their website at www.maytag.com and actually get to view 3-D photo's of this washer, see an animated version of just how it all works, and check out the insides for yourself!
If you can get over the sticker price shock and look at all the features and quality you get with this washer, you will put it high on your wish list! Make whoever does the laundry at your house happy!~ :o)
Thanks for reading! Judy
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 1,050
|
|
|
|
Epinions.com ID:
JDinPA
|
 in Electronics |
 in Pets |
 - Top 500 |
|
Member: ~*~ Judy ~*~
Location: The Endless Mountains
Reviews written: 402
Trusted by: 286 members
About Me:
If I am not here, then surely I am someplace else!
|
|
|
- Add to My Yahoo!: 
- Add to Google Homepage: 
© 1999-2009 Shopping.com, Inc.