frontloadfan
New member
OK, here goes, here is my initial review of the new Maytag Neptune (Samsung).
First of all this is the Model 8700, not the top of line 8900. As I understand the 8900 has direct drive and the sanitize function whereas the 8700 does not. Also realize that this is not the same Maytag Neptune front loader that has been around since 1997. That model had a regular door (no glass) and earned a bad rep. with recalls and finally a class action lawsuit. This is the new Maytag Neptune built with the help of Samsung and it does include the glass in the door. It dwarfs the old Neptune (3.81 vs. 3.3)in size.
This must be a initial review in that there does seem to be an issue with this machine. Until I can ascertain if my noise issue is part of the basic machine operation or is a defect that can be corrected, I must make this a initial review.
First, regarding the noise issue, this machine runs very quite most of the time. Basic wash and spin moves are very quite. My old Frigidare FL alway had a loud electronic hum as it washed. With this machine there is very little noise most of the time. Even the swoosh of the water is very minimal compared to the Frig FL as the water level seems to be much lower.
The problem is when the machine pumps out the water. The powerful pump makes a loud noise which you expect. What you would not expect is for the machine to have a rattling sound like something is loose. I really can't believe that this is a designed noise. I think maybe something needs to be adjusted. Only time (and a service call) will tell. I will be calling Lowels today, but I will not be available to receive a service call until late next week. Any case, after I have my service call, I will post back and state the outcome.
Now, lets get down to the operation of the machine. Overall, I am very pleased with the performance of the machine. It is electronic control and at first it seems really complicated, but it actually turns out to be a simple operating machine. To start out, you select from one of the cycles below. As you switch from cycle to cycle with a dial, a different countdown time is displayed. The machine has a memory in that if the last time you used a cycle you used certain options, the machine will set to those options when you dial to that cycle. Below are the cylces and the "basic - no options" run times:
Super Wash 1:00
Normal 51
White 42
Wrinkle Contrl 40
Color 51
Delicate 40
Hand Wash 42
Quick Wash 29
Now there are the options and soil levels. Each option and soil level adds a given number of minutes to the times above.
Heavy Soil Level 10
Medium Soil Level 5
Light Soil Level Time is unchanged
Prewash 25
Extra Rinse 13
Extended Spin 2
Aside from all the above, the machine offers two stand-alone options:
Rinse & Spin 15
Spin Only 9
Regarding water temps (ATC reps. temp contol, when the internal heating element will engage):
Hot/Cold
ATC Warm/Warm
ATC Warm/Cold
ATC Cold/Cold
Cold/Cold
After having used the machines for three loads, what is my impression?
Compared to my Frig. FL, this machine uses much less water. With the Frig FL, you could see maybe 3 inches of water in the bottom of the tub, with this machine you can hardly see water in the bottom.
My Frig. had a constant battle with suds, even using the HE detergent. It got to be where I used a fraction of what they called for and the suds still did seem to come out. Somehow this machine does one great job in that regard. With the Frig. you can smell the detergent in the clothes taking them out of the machine. With this machine, there is no detergent smell at all.
My Frig. would fast spin and then stop. You would then need to wait a full 60 seconds while the machine would just sit there while you waited to get your clothes out. With the Neptune, it doesn't just sit there. It finishes the fast spin and there is 2 minutes left on the time. It uses that time to fluff up your clothes. You put the clothes in and the tub is full. As the machine washes the clothes, the tub appears to be less that half full. Then at the end after it fluffs your clothes, the tub is full again!
Another nice function is that when you use the prewash. With the Frig. you would turn the dial to prewash and it would run it and then you were required to go ahead and set it to the regular cycle. With the Neptune, you push the button for the prewash and it is seamless with the regular wash. That is way more convenient.
The machine offers a delay function and has a really nice chime that can be set for high, low and off.
Overall, machine seems to be very sturdy. You fill it up with loads my Frig. couldn't start to hold and the machine doesn't seem to strain at all with all that weight. It advertises itself as the largest capacity front loader you can buy (3.81), but if you go to Sears, they will tell you that Kenmore FL can actually handle a larger load. It appears to me that the Kenmore/Whirlpool/Maytag may all be identical in tub sizes with the Maytag getting the extra .01 with the size of the paddles?
In conclusion, I am very happy with the performance of this machine. My only concern is the excessive rattle sound when it expells the water. I have the pedestal, but the sound doesn't seem to be coming from it, but rather from within the machine itself. Once I have had a service call, I will post back. If it turns out the rattle is "normal", I certainly couln't recommend this machine for anyone who needed to have it within a kitchen or other living space. I have a landry room with a closing door, so it is not that hugh of an issue for me (although if it is something that can be corrrected, I do want it corrected). Another caution, this machine is the same width as a standard washer, but it is several inches deeper. If you have clearance issues, you will certainly want to measure carefully before getting this (or any of the other Mega machines).
First of all this is the Model 8700, not the top of line 8900. As I understand the 8900 has direct drive and the sanitize function whereas the 8700 does not. Also realize that this is not the same Maytag Neptune front loader that has been around since 1997. That model had a regular door (no glass) and earned a bad rep. with recalls and finally a class action lawsuit. This is the new Maytag Neptune built with the help of Samsung and it does include the glass in the door. It dwarfs the old Neptune (3.81 vs. 3.3)in size.
This must be a initial review in that there does seem to be an issue with this machine. Until I can ascertain if my noise issue is part of the basic machine operation or is a defect that can be corrected, I must make this a initial review.
First, regarding the noise issue, this machine runs very quite most of the time. Basic wash and spin moves are very quite. My old Frigidare FL alway had a loud electronic hum as it washed. With this machine there is very little noise most of the time. Even the swoosh of the water is very minimal compared to the Frig FL as the water level seems to be much lower.
The problem is when the machine pumps out the water. The powerful pump makes a loud noise which you expect. What you would not expect is for the machine to have a rattling sound like something is loose. I really can't believe that this is a designed noise. I think maybe something needs to be adjusted. Only time (and a service call) will tell. I will be calling Lowels today, but I will not be available to receive a service call until late next week. Any case, after I have my service call, I will post back and state the outcome.
Now, lets get down to the operation of the machine. Overall, I am very pleased with the performance of the machine. It is electronic control and at first it seems really complicated, but it actually turns out to be a simple operating machine. To start out, you select from one of the cycles below. As you switch from cycle to cycle with a dial, a different countdown time is displayed. The machine has a memory in that if the last time you used a cycle you used certain options, the machine will set to those options when you dial to that cycle. Below are the cylces and the "basic - no options" run times:
Super Wash 1:00
Normal 51
White 42
Wrinkle Contrl 40
Color 51
Delicate 40
Hand Wash 42
Quick Wash 29
Now there are the options and soil levels. Each option and soil level adds a given number of minutes to the times above.
Heavy Soil Level 10
Medium Soil Level 5
Light Soil Level Time is unchanged
Prewash 25
Extra Rinse 13
Extended Spin 2
Aside from all the above, the machine offers two stand-alone options:
Rinse & Spin 15
Spin Only 9
Regarding water temps (ATC reps. temp contol, when the internal heating element will engage):
Hot/Cold
ATC Warm/Warm
ATC Warm/Cold
ATC Cold/Cold
Cold/Cold
After having used the machines for three loads, what is my impression?
Compared to my Frig. FL, this machine uses much less water. With the Frig FL, you could see maybe 3 inches of water in the bottom of the tub, with this machine you can hardly see water in the bottom.
My Frig. had a constant battle with suds, even using the HE detergent. It got to be where I used a fraction of what they called for and the suds still did seem to come out. Somehow this machine does one great job in that regard. With the Frig. you can smell the detergent in the clothes taking them out of the machine. With this machine, there is no detergent smell at all.
My Frig. would fast spin and then stop. You would then need to wait a full 60 seconds while the machine would just sit there while you waited to get your clothes out. With the Neptune, it doesn't just sit there. It finishes the fast spin and there is 2 minutes left on the time. It uses that time to fluff up your clothes. You put the clothes in and the tub is full. As the machine washes the clothes, the tub appears to be less that half full. Then at the end after it fluffs your clothes, the tub is full again!
Another nice function is that when you use the prewash. With the Frig. you would turn the dial to prewash and it would run it and then you were required to go ahead and set it to the regular cycle. With the Neptune, you push the button for the prewash and it is seamless with the regular wash. That is way more convenient.
The machine offers a delay function and has a really nice chime that can be set for high, low and off.
Overall, machine seems to be very sturdy. You fill it up with loads my Frig. couldn't start to hold and the machine doesn't seem to strain at all with all that weight. It advertises itself as the largest capacity front loader you can buy (3.81), but if you go to Sears, they will tell you that Kenmore FL can actually handle a larger load. It appears to me that the Kenmore/Whirlpool/Maytag may all be identical in tub sizes with the Maytag getting the extra .01 with the size of the paddles?
In conclusion, I am very happy with the performance of this machine. My only concern is the excessive rattle sound when it expells the water. I have the pedestal, but the sound doesn't seem to be coming from it, but rather from within the machine itself. Once I have had a service call, I will post back. If it turns out the rattle is "normal", I certainly couln't recommend this machine for anyone who needed to have it within a kitchen or other living space. I have a landry room with a closing door, so it is not that hugh of an issue for me (although if it is something that can be corrrected, I do want it corrected). Another caution, this machine is the same width as a standard washer, but it is several inches deeper. If you have clearance issues, you will certainly want to measure carefully before getting this (or any of the other Mega machines).
gggrrr
) 
