Tim, the soak only is just that. It fils with water, agitates for aocuple of minutes and then soaks until you decide to advance the timer to the damp dry setting to drian out the machine. the 30 minute soak is all automatic and ends with a spin period. The delicate cycle works like this. Load the machine about 1/2 to 3/4 full at the most and use the highest water level. Set the timer at the 10 minute mark with the delicate button pushed in. the washer will fill, soak, agitate at the 8 minute mark for aminute, soak for 4 more minutes, agitate again for a minute, then soak, spin with spray rinse, fill for rinse cycle and have a shortened agitate period for rinse, and then will advance through a shortened damp dry period also. the final spin period is shortened also for Perm Press. Remember, this is the machine that was used in commercial laundromats with the 6 position fabric selector knob. It was Maytag's way of getting a machine that had a delicate setting to satisfy customer's desire for such a setting and not have the expense of a 2-speed motor. Speed Queens of the time had a gentle agitationn on the fabric selector, but all spins were thenormal spin speed.
Tim, the only difference between the two auto dry cycles is the Perm Prss cycle has a longer cooldown period of around 10-13 minutes. the regular cycle has a cooldown period of only about 4-6 minutes. also, if the dryer does have a buzzer, then it will sound during the cooldown phase as a reminder to come get the clothes when it finishes.
