ApplianceAdvisor Appliance Report MAYTAG and JENNAIR 2001 Kitchen

The New Appliance Report from ApplianceAdvisor.com

MAYTAG (a division of Whirlpool)
800-688-9900

2006 Kitchen & Bath Show Introductions
Pulled out of the show at last minute.

2005 Kitchen & Bath Show Introductions
The Maytag Press Kit
Unlike the Press Kit monsters from Whirlpool, or Viking, or GE, or even Miele's press kit from hell, Maytag this year compressed all their press kits from all their brands and divisions onto a tiny flash memory stick dangling from a handy shoelace necklace. You may ask "What of it?", but only because you cannot see the vital evolutionary importance of Maytag's decision. Maytag's PR people demonstrated growth and learning, the ability to integrate new technologies and to employ them in creative ways. Based on cranial size Public Relations people theoretically had the capacity for intelligent thought, but this was the first concrete proof of it. One can only guess at the great strides we might see in the next thousand generations.
http://www.applianceadvisor.com/2005Appliancephotos/2005Maytag10.jpg

New Classic Configuration Washer Pair
Washer MAV5902 $550-$600. Not found on Maytag website in 2008. Assumed terminated.
http://www.applianceadvisor.com/2005Appliancephotos/2005Maytag6.jpg

New Neptune Washer and Dryer
These may be the washers discontinued by Whirlpool in 2006. Assumed terminated.
http://www.applianceadvisor.com/2005Appliancephotos/2005Maytag4.jpg
http://www.applianceadvisor.com/2005Appliancephotos/2005Maytag7.jpg

3 Prototype Slide-In Ranges
All gas model MGS5, and electric coil or electric ceran model MES5. These models ducked and weaved, avoiding Whirlpool's evil henchmen, getting into, and staying in, production.
http://www.applianceadvisor.com/2005Appliancephotos/2005Maytag8.jpg
http://www.applianceadvisor.com/2005Appliancephotos/2005Maytag9.jpg

New OTR
UMV2186, 36" wide, non-duct vent opens at top when in use.

2004 Kitchen & Bath Show Introductions
Dryer Center with De-Smeller
This is a two in one unit with a standard Neptune dryer at the bottom and a Rube Goldberg type shaking, rattling, venting de-smelling device on the type. Obviously driven by Whirlpool's 2001 launch of the Personal Valet, this unit features steam, lightly blown air, and soft shaking of clothes hanging in this closet like device styled like a circa 1950's refrigerator. MSRP at $1100. We have no idea if this unit works or not, but this seems to signal that the category of "cleaning while not removing the dirt", is for real.
Update 2006: Product killed by Whirlpool.
http://www.applianceadvisor.com/2004Appliancephotos/maytagdryer1.jpg
http://www.applianceadvisor.com/2004Appliancephotos/maytagdryer2.jpg
http://www.applianceadvisor.com/2004Appliancephotos/maytagdryer3.jpg
Maytag dryer page

3 Door Fridge
Maytag showed a bottom freezer drawer refrigerator with 2 French doors. A unit it is sharing with Jennair, it features an internal water dispenser, an energy star certification and a price at $1600 - $2000.
http://www.applianceadvisor.com/2004Appliancephotos/maytag3door.jpg
Maytag page

2003 Kitchen & Bath Show Introductions
No Question About it, a Really Big Oven
Launched simultaneously under the Amana and Maytag brands, this family of 30" ranges feature 5.22 cu ft oven.
The ranges comes in gas and electric each with higher or lower featured versions.
Gas top: Lower version: (2) 12K and (2) 9.2K BTU burners MSRP $670
Gas top: Higher version: (1) 16K, (1) 12K, (2) 9.2K, and (1) 5K BTU burner with a 600 BTU for simmer. MSRP $1200
Electric top: Lower version: (1) 12" 2,700W, (1) 9" 2,500W, (2) 6" 1,200W MSRP $570
Electric top: Higher version: (1) 12"/9" 2,700W double, (1) 9"/6" 2,400W double, (2) 6" 1,200W, (1) 6" Warming Center MSRP $1200
The gas and electric ovens features adjustable self clean, hidden bake, various warming and keep warm functions, 12 hour automatic shutoff, some sort of half rack feature (which we do not fully understand), closed door broil, large window in door, and lots of features specifically designed for Sabbath. They do not seem to have convection.
http://www.maytag.com/mths/products/Q502/erviewmodels.jsp
http://www.maytag.com/mths/products/Q502/grviewmodels.jsp
http://www.applianceadvisor.com/2003Appliancephotos/maytagrange.jpg
http://www.applianceadvisor.com/2003Appliancephotos/maytagimagesset.jpg

Armed Guards Protects New Washer
I love the pomp and circumstance of a new product launch, and Maytag went all out with the Neptune TL top loader washer. An elevated glass security area with an armed guard (2 arms to be exact) saying no pictures. It was a wonderful touch. The Neptune TL top loading washer features a 3.5 cu ft stainless tub, 24 wash programs, automatic dispensing of bleach and softener, 12 hour delay wash, water conservation options, and instead of a traditional agitator, the washing action is accomplished by two side mounted rotating-squat-spiral-frictional devices which turn through the clothes and the water. (look at the pictures). Maytag claims that this design minimizes fabric stress, increases capacity (no actuator), and uses up to 50% less water and 40% less energy. They must transmit the power to those 2 actuators through a few linkages to the center axis of tub spin (our guess). There are more moving parts, but perhaps not that many. This design is the Maytag answer to the Whirlpool 2001 Calypso Washer. MSRP $1000 -$1300. The dryer unit is MSRP at $600 - $800.   Should be available now but it is still not as of this writing November 2003.
http://www.maytagneptune.com/maytagneptune/washers.html
http://www.applianceadvisor.com/2003Appliancephotos/maytagneptunetl2.jpg
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2002 Kitchen & Bath Show Introductions
The World's First Three Rack Dishwasher
The Maytag Jetclean II has added a third dish rack for high pressure pot scrubbing.   To accomplish this feat of packaging sleight of hand, Maytag has a 20% taller tub than earlier Jetclean dishwashers, but all in the same standard dishwasher footprint and height. The Jetclean II sports 4 spray arms, a middle rack which is height adjustable, hidden controls, and uses a water quality sensor to keep average water use to 5 gallons per wash. Energy Star certified. This unit will be available 4th Qtr of 2002 and wiil retail at $450 to $700.
http://www.maytag.com/mths/products/apl_family.jsp?family=JetClean+II+Three-Rack+Dishwashers&domain=Dishwashers&cs=0&BV_UseBVCookie=Yes

Neptune Line Extension
A new Neptune washer with a spin cycle option providing slower spins and longer spin cycles for more delicate clothes. This is not a leading edge product line extension. It's marketing folks and an entry level engineer keeping busy.
http://www.maytag.com/mths/products/product.jsp?model=MAH6500AWW&cs=0&BV_UseBVCookie=Yes

Gemini Line Extension
Do you remember that 30" double oven job from Maytag that came out 3 years ago.....yah the one with the pizza oven and the main oven that you kind of need to get on your knees to get food in and out of....well anyway they now have a gas version.
http://www.maytag.com/mths/products/apl_family.jsp?domain=Ranges&family=Gemini+Ranges&banner=GasGemini&cs=0&BV_UseBVCookie=Yes&cf=home

Bottom-Mount Refrigerator
Similiar to, but slightly smaller than, the new Jenn-Air bottom-mounts, these 30" wide, 19 cu ft units feature vertically adjustable shelves, dual temperature zones, optional freezer drawer, and a full width crisper drawer for your big vegetable needs. Energy Star rated. MSRP at $900 to $1200.
http://www.maytag.com/mths/products/apl_family.jsp?family=Bottom+Freezer+Refrigerators&domain=Refrigerators&cs=0&BV_UseBVCookie=Yes

2001 Kitchen & Bath Show Introductions
Very Clever Fridge Idea
New "Wide by Side" side by side refrigerator provides additional storage space for big things in both the fridge and freezer sides. The top of the fridge side is wider than the bottom, while the bottom of the freezer is wider than the top. Bring on the turkeys, lasagnas, and baked stuffed pig's head cause this here fridge will fit it. Available Feb 2001. Prices start at $1650. Of course there is always that wacky question of why anyone buys side by sides? The Wide by Side also features adjustable shelves, temperature controlled drawers, and other good stuff.
See the Advisor Rant About Energy Star
http://www.maytag.com/mths/appliance_breakthroughs/default.jsp?cs=0&BV_UseBVCookie=Yes&cf=home
http://www.maytag.com/mths/products/apl_family.jsp?family=Wide-by-Side+Refrigerators&domain=Refrigerators&cs=0&BV_UseBVCookie=Yes

High Efficiency Top Loader Washer
A High efficiency option added to the Atlantis Washer top loader line. Saves 50% of the energy used by conventional top loaders. "We at Maytag are proud to be the industry's leader in developing high-efficiency appliances". Energy Star rated. 301 grade stainless steel tub option. 2 low efficiency washers retail at $650 - $750. 1 high efficiency washer retails at $800. Available October 2000. How does Maytag save this Energy on the $800 unit, we asked? Maytag said:

"Maytag’s High-Efficiency, Energy Star-rated Atlantis washer (model MAV9600) saves 50 percent of the energy of traditional top-loading washers with a reduction from maximum water fill volume used per cycle (reduced 1.0 - 1.5 gallons) and slightly lower water temperatures during hot wash (down to 120 F) and warm wash (down to 75 F) cycles. And, according to extensive Maytag laboratory testing, the High-Efficiency Atlantis washer offers energy savings without compromising cleaning ability. The water reduction saves energy while providing more than enough water to wash an average load of laundry (average load is 7 lbs.)."

http://www.maytag.com/mths/products/apl_family.jsp?family=Atlantis+Washers&domain=Washers&cs=0&BV_UseBVCookie=Yes

New Top Loader Washer Introduced, World Saved
New Performa Washer has added features such as larger capacity, new adjustable agitator, and customized water levels. Maytag VP and GM of Laundry was quoted in the press release as saying: "The new Maytag Performa washers and dryers are a perfect example of our focus on how to ease the work of life and enhance the job of living." Of course the Maytag VP never said that. Thinking up lines like that is what PR people are paid for. The advisor believes that this is mighty tall talk for the simple addition of an adjustable water level. Quotes like that should really be reserved for when Polio is wiped out, or when someone invents an automatic diaper changer. Retail price of $470
http://www.maytag.com/mths/products/apl_family.jsp?family=Performa+Washers&domain=Washers&cs=0&BV_UseBVCookie=Yes

Gemini Range Line Extension
Maytag's brilliant 2 oven 30" range was refreshed with the addition of 2 coil cooktop option, and 1 ceran cooktop with warming center option.
http://www.maytag.com/mths/products/apl_family.jsp?domain=Ranges&family=Gemini+Ranges&cs=0&BV_UseBVCookie=Yes

Advisor Charges Maytag with "Trafficking in Historic Press Releases"
It can be very attractive for a manufacturer to re-launch last year's new technology again this year, and next year for that matter. It helps to keep the company in the press, it thickens the press packet so it looks like the company has been very busy, and frankly who the hell can remember what happened last year, so there isn't a very big downside. Maytag may have over launched this year, with 4 historic re-issues.
    -Maytag again introduced 2X Accellis range.
    -Maytag again introduced Maytag's first dishwasher with stainless tub.
    -Maytag again introduced its fridge with Climate Zone.
    -Maytag again introduced its Neptune Washer.

2000 Kitchen & Bath Show Introductions
New Food Storage Tech in Fridges
The ClimateZone Refrigerator is designed to keep food fresh longer in their new drawer systems. Optimal drawer temperatures and humidity are set electronically for meats, citrus or vegetables. Prices start at $1,899 and is available 1st Qtr. There is some disagreement as to what "longer" means, and the Advisor is waiting to see and peruse the various academic studies before deciding that this technology provides real user benefit.

Range With High Speed Oven
The Accellis 2X Range promises to cook food twice as fast as a normal range using microwave and radiant heat. Features include a ceran top, self-cleaning oven, no preheating in rapid cook mode, and automatic adjustment of recipes designed for conventional ovens. Can be a conventional radiant oven without microwaves, but cannot be a microwave oven without the radiant. Does not include convection, but the Advisor is unsure if this is a negative. Convection is for cooking inside, not for browning outside, and this system uses Microwaves to cook inside. Perhaps a lack of convection is a problem here only when the Microwave system is not used. Any thoughts from you guys out there? In anycase, for convection, and microwave-only use you'll have to step up to the Jennair built-in oven. This unit should sell like hotcakes….or Pokemon cards, as we believe that this is the only rapid cook technology available in a 30" range. Correct us if we are wrong. Power to the people. Bravo Maytag. Available Q3, 2000. How about a dual fuel model?

New Washer & Dryer For The Anally Retentive
The Neptune Washers are redesigned and improved with a new curvaceous look, an LED touch pad (optional LCD touch screen). Optional touch screen models feature 55 pre-programmed stain settings and the ability to program 24 of your own favorite/custom cycles. (Good grief!) The Advisor does not want to know you if have 24 favorite washer settings. The Neptune Dryer is redesigned with the washer-matching curvaceous look, the new LED touch pad (optional LCD touch screen) and a "favorites" programming in the high end model.

New Stainless Dishwasher Interior
Maytag introduced their first dishwasher with stainless steel tub. Retail of $649 (a $50 premium) and available in May. Can one of you experts out there tell us what is the functional benefit of a stainless tub over other tub materials?