New Maytag Center Dails at Lowes

[Chetlaham]

Ok, so I was at Lowes and noticed the sales guys were putting out the New Line of Maytag Center dials. I immediately went to investigate them thoroughly. The controls are redesigned as is the balance ring on the tubs, which appears to be much larger and very long going all the way almost touching the top. Spinning it I could hear a lot of water splashing inside the balance ring. Tub also appears to rock back and forth with a bit more ease. The Dryers appear to be the same inside and out, just the control panel looks different. The thing that made me loose hope was when I turned the water level switch one the full fill agitator washer it felt like I was rotating an electrical contact switch rather than the hard, clunk and snap as when adjusting a manual pressure type switch which leads me to believe whirlpool took out the separate pressure switch and built one into the control board. The contacts just tell the board how much pressure took look for. So I guess no screw can be adjusted to turn to raise the water level like on the older machines? Second thing that stood out was the fact despite this was a dual action agitator machine the washer also had a "Clean with Affresh" cycle, which makes me think even though you can select the water level it might still fill less than 2/3 through.

 

Anyway, what is your take on them?

 

 

 

 

[Chetlaham]

Affresh cycle:

 

[Chetlaham]

Redesigned balance ring:

 

[DADoES]

 
I saw these updated models recently.  Tweaked the dials on one yesterday, noticed the water level switch different but didn't look close enough to notice the balance ring.

 

[rockland1]

Maytag ???

These reek of Whirlpool. A Maytag in name only.

 

[pierreandreply4]

looks nice but would of prefered to have this kind of dial

its nice but would of prefered to have this kind of dial for the washer where i set the wash time to the washtime i need and pull the dial to start and yes i am kind of old fashion when it comes to topload washer

 

[Chetlaham]

You know, now that you posted that pic I have to say these nobs vaguely resemble them. Personally the print should be a bit larger IMHO.

 

[mrb627]

Knobs

I saw these and can't get over those stupid knobs. So flimsy. Reek of cheapness. Is Whirpool the new WCI?

Malcolm

 

[washman]

Interesting pics

I wonder why my machine is lacking a "clean with affresh" setting?

 

[Chetlaham]

Affresh setting

My best guess is these are not like the original agitator belt drives that came out a few years ago where it fills close to the top. My thinking is along the lines of filling 1/2 or 1/4 the way than agitating the clothes into a wet mess onto the bottom much the impellers. Customer thinks they are getting a traditional top loader...

 

Im thinking about getting one of these just out of curiosity. I'm itching to know how high the water does actually fill.  One good thing I did pick up on in the use and care guide is that these will fill with the lid open and once full as long as they are closed within 10 minutes the washer will lock and continue agitation. If not the water pumps out for those curious.

 

 https://secure5.whirlpool.com/assets/pdfs/product/ZUSECARE/MVWC200BW_Use and Care_EN.pdf 

 

[qualin]

It makes me wonder why a top loading washer "needs" an Affresh cycle. I always left the lid up on my top loader. Mold and odor were never an issue or a problem.

 

[rinso]

"Is Whirlpool the new WCI?"

 

Malcolm, I've been wondering the same thing for a long time. Even the previously much-maligned, lowly Frigidaire has seen a quality improvement and some real innovation since Electrolux took over the line of products from White Constipated Industries.

 

[mrb627]

why my machine is lacking a "clean with affresh" set

perhaps it is because your outer wash tub is porcelain on steel and not plastic.

Malcolm

 

[whirlcool]

I don't like those electronic rotary selector switches. When you see a dial to turn you have a tactile expectation. With these it's like turning "air", no positive contact feel at all. I first saw these kind of selector switches on LG front loaders when those came out.

When I first saw the control panel I too thought Whirlpool with a little bit of LG thrown in for good measure.

 

[joe_in_philly]

I noticed that Whirlpools have new dials as well. I thought they felt more substantial, and look nice.

 

 

[DADoES]

 
I turned only the water level switch, it had positive detents although not as springy/snappy as a old-style pressure switch.

 

[iheartmaytag]

Why Clean washer with Affresh?

Because Whirlpool owns and sells Affresh--DUH!

 

[washman]

ha ha ha

White Constipated Industries. Love it. I never heard of them referred like that before.

Did to a bit of research on them though, they were run by a series of beancounters which explains the cheapness of the products.

 

[paulc]

I must say

I much prefer the Whirlpool control panel. Interesting that both washers have 4 rinse options. I wonder how effective the 2nd spray rinse option is.

US toploaders have all but disappeared from the UK market, we only had a very limited choice in the first place.

 

[washman]

Paulc I assume edinburgh Scotland?

Was there in 2007 to place my mother in Morningside Cemetary. Is Jenners still going strong?
I brought my Fulton Stormsheild brolly there.

 

[paulc]

Edinburgh Scotland....

Yes, I live there, Jenners is still going strong all be it owned by House of Fraser. Strangely enough we have a couple of laundrettes that still have Speed Queen commercial T/L's although they lid lock so you cannot see the wash action and I fear they do you partial wash water replacement rinse.

 

[gansky1]

I was at the Mart the other day, not intending to stop in the appliance department, and noticed the new knobbage on the WP and Maytag machines.  I didn't get close enough to the WP to touch them but did fiddle with the Maytag knobs.   It's getting more difficult to distinguish between manufacturers again as it did in the 90's when most everyone went to monochrome white or the dreaded almond/bisque.  Now it looks like Korea is the default trend-setter in appliance aesthetics.

 

[pierreandreply4]

looking at this new maytag and whirlpool

looking at the new whirlpool and maytag time knobs i would say the only washers with tradisanal knobs are ge and speed queen but for how long??? hard to say

 

[ddbeltdrive]

When I was looking at new washer I looked at the step down model of the Whirlpool washer pictured above, model number wtw4800bq. Upon turning the dials and noticing the electronic feel of the water level switch I imediately decided on the older model wtw4800xq which has a traditional water level pressure switch. As far as I'm concerend im happy with this washer. It fills with water and does its job. I have only one complaint about it. It will not handle my heavy comforter like my 13 year old kenmore 70. It will fill for wash, sense the load, go through wash, drain but forget sensing the load for spin cause its just too damn heavy!

Since the Kenmore is 13 years old and has been run hard and put away wet for the past 13 years I ordered a new clutch and agitator dogs. I have a new pump that my dad gave me still in the package. Im going to tear it apart this weekend and give it a freshening. After 13 years of heavy use I think its wise to rejuvenate it and keep it around and use it for my heavy loads like my comforter, mattress pads, and kitchen/bath rugs.

http://www.whirlpool.com/laundry-1/laundry-2/washers-3/-[WTW4800BQ]-1021875/WTW4800BQ/