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They are no longer available and Maytag has been sold to Whirlpool and are being replaced inside by the Whirlpool DUET design.

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I am always asked what to buy so here goes: I always recommend Whirlpool products unless you want the best like Sub-Zero and Wolf.   There is no substitute for Sub-Zeros as they keep your food fresh. I do not recommend the 700 series built ins unless you just like the cabinet style. The standard Sub-Zero never lets your food get colder than 34 degrees and that keeps them fresh. All other refrigerators and brands use -21 degree air to cool the fresh food and it zaps out all the moisture and the value out of the food, spoiling it. The others also bring the warm smelly air into the freezer causing freezer burn and spoilage there. Sub-Zero is the only one that keeps your food fresh and freezer at zero.   Wolf is a remarkable design (new) and will guarantee the final result every time. I use both the Wolf oven and Sub-Zero refrigerator in our home.   Washing Machines: I only recommend Whirlpool (Kitchen Aid)  front loaders (DUET). They only use 4 gallons of water per fill and a Table spoon of HE soap. HE Tide powdered soap is an enzign that eats the dirt and has special conditioners and suds killers that allow the front loaders with low water use to work properly. Liquids including washing machine detergents only dilute the dirt and etch off the surface of the fabric threads Be sure to select extra rinse to be sure that all the residue leaves the items. Also ball up the items so they do not tangle when you load the machine. Pay a little extra and get a model that has a clean cycle.   Dryers: Again I recommend the matching dryers (Whirlpool DUET). They pay for themselves, because they are so efficient. The DUET washer and dryers use almost half of the energy of old top loaders of five years ago. The DUET dryer is high capacity and low energy and will compliment the DUET washer in preserving the condition of your fabrics.   Dishwashers: Again, Whirlpool and at least the Gold model. Preheat the water at the sink so you start with good hot water to save energy. Use Cascade Complete Powder. Powder only has suds killers and proper softeners and rinse agents. Liquids including washing machine detergents only dilute the dirt and etch off the surface of the fabric threads or dishes. Look for a higher Phosphate percentage of 8%, because they are taking it out and so the dishes are not rinsing clear.   Ovens and Stoves: Again Whirlpool except for Wolf. Some like gas, I like electric, but when it comes to ovens Electric is always better and they clean better. The new ranges have duel fuel now with gas burners on top and electric convection ovens on the bottom. I always recommend and use convection ovens,   Microwaves: There are some new types called rectifiers, no transformers. They are expensive, but pay off in being able to cook more like a regular oven. You can very the power and heat for all kind of cooking even softening butter. The popcorn pops every kernel too. Mine is over the stove and recommended.   Compactor: I do not use them and prefer a new insert that holds bags for wet and dry garbage as well as recycled items.   Disposers: In-sink-erator is the only brand to get and have a great in home warranty. They also make instant hot dispensers.   Hot water dispensers: In-sink-erator makes them in many styles now and they save energy. They only use the energy that it takes to heat three cups of coffee or tea a day and provide instant 190 degree water 24/7. Some models come with a filter for hot or cold water at the same faucet. My model even has chilled refrigerated water as well as hot; it saves on ice.   Refrigerators: Whirlpool and their lines, unless you want the best; then it is Sub-Zero. Ice dispensers are a plus today and worth the extra money.   Sinks: Kohler   Where to buy: Lowes   Hope you enjoy all the new stuff. Oh, That old refrigerator that is 10 years old is robbing you blind. They are using $400 to $500 dollars a year to run. All the new models only use about $50 to $75 dollars a year to run and pay for them selves in no time. Some electric companies even give you money to replace them on top of that; you can't loose.

Customer Question and Answers:

Yes; Whirlpool also makes a front loader and it works great too. If you are up-grading from a Whirlpool brand, stay with it and I am sure you will be happy. The Duet Model is my recommendation now.

  Customer writes:
Subject: Service record for the old Maytag Neptune washing machine (up dated June 2008)
 
I am interested in buying a Neptune washing machine but have heard some negative comments on their service record. Do you have any information concerning their reliability and or difficulty being serviced?
Thanks

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The service record had been exceptional. Most problems have been due to the user not following directions for a new system and the installers not hooking them up correctly or improper handling causing shipping damage. That was in the beginning, but after Maytag tried to make it better it got worse and the imported model was a failure. After Whirlpool obtained Maytag they junked the import and now are using the reliable Duet Model with the Maytag Label. Problem solved unless someone sells you one of the old models.

People have expected too much from the new front load innovation. The biggest problem in usage I find, is due to the salesperson and deliverer not instructing the customer how to use it. Perhaps if the sales people were using one at home they would be more helpful. In the beginning, this was required. you have heard of the recalls and they were the result of people not using authorized service or had not registered them so were not notified of the upgrade offers FREE!
The main thing to remember; it uses so little water that people use too much soap, bleach and softener. Use only 1 tbl. spoon of soap and be sure to use HE soap (powder Tide) that is low suds and has proper rinse agents for front loaders. The washer just won't work right with out this type of soap and will also start to smell bad if other soaps are used. Also use Warm/Warm water and extra rinse.
Only use 1 tsp of bleach Max and 1 tsp of softener. Mix or add warm water to fill dispenser. Warm water keeps them from staining and coagulating.

To load the washer roll up the clothes and fill the tub completely, 5 items or more even when doing blankets or sheets fill it up.  Rubber backed rugs are not  recommended...

This is a much larger machine than top loaders about a 25 pounds as compared to the 18 pound top loader. The top loader uses about 40 gallons or more of water per fill and the front loaders only uses about 4 gallons. That is why you don't need to use so much soap or bleach.

There are clips on the back of the older machines and if the drain hose is not held in them correctly after the installation, the drain hose will kink and cause all kind of troubles. This must be readjusted if the washer is moved again. The Duet models do not use a clip, but the drain pump clogs up with link and may need cleaning if it says long drain (LD).

The hot water is required during the cold wash, as the computer will bring the temperature up to about room temperature or around 70 degrees to activate the detergent. If the water can't get warm enough it can shut down the washer. Also water pressure is important. If you are on a farm or using a well, it must be watched to see that the pressure can be maintained or the washer will stop until reset. This is to insure that the clothes are rinsed properly and soap is not left in them to irritate the wearer. Plugged screens in the fill hoses are also the cause of low water pressure and can cause the dispensers not to empty. Do not remove the screens to clean them or you will damage the valves. They are not removable any longer and void the warranty. Just use a tooth brush or paint brush.

Take it from my wife, there is not a better washer that gets her clothes cleaner and treats them kinder than the Neptune or the Duet. She has used every brand and model (I treat her right) as I have access to them being a service man. She never has to worry if the wash is perfect after it is done. She has used the top loading Neptune and loved it until she got a new Duet Washer and Steam Dryer. She says her clothes have never been so nice and the dryer is always perfect when the cycle is over and the automatic cycle works. She does not iron anything anymore!

Hope this is helpful.

Dave...

message 12/00: We have two sets of the Neptune washers and they have both worked great up until now.  Today one of the washers started squeaking while it is running.  The machine is 2 years old.  Do these washing machines have a belt? I have visited the Maytag site and was dismayed to find that they want to sell the service manual and don't tell you anything about the inner workings of the machine. If the washer does have a belt - is it hard to replace?  Any info you could give me would be greatly appreciated.

In answer to your question; (First, Maytag only provides information to subscribers of Priority Service. They charge for all other questions. We pay a high price for this service as a Priority Servicing Dealer. The cost of our service includes the information we obtain to properly service the product. It is not an option for us.)

It does have a belt; and sometimes it does slip some with heavy loads. The usual cause is improper loading. DO NOT LAY ITEMS IN THE TUB! Ball up items and toss them in and pull pant legs inside out half way up the legs to make them shorter. Items with straps can be put in mesh bags. If the items all wrap together they all have to be lifted up in one chunk and the belt will slip some and that is its normal function. Also you must use HE soap so the items will be treated properly and wash correctly. It just won't work right with any other soap. Powder is best and we recommend Tide. Also too much soap is a hole in the foot. Only use one table spoon full and if you have soft water only one. No more than one capful (1 tsp) of liquid bleach and if you use Downy, only us 1 tsp. A normal measurement of soap or softener is for a top loader that holds 40 gal. of water or more is Half a cup is for 40 Gal. and 1/4 cup is for an 20 Gal. amount. Your washer is less than 4 gal.

Also use Warm Warm so the soap will work and the items will separate better and rinse completely. Also use extra rinse so all the soap will be flushed out as there is so little water it takes an extra rinse to do the job.

It will take about 7 loads to get the machine working correctly after the above measures are used. We have 11 to 14 grains of hardness and 1 tbls is more than enough. If you use HOT wash it will activate even more of the soap, even in hard water, so sometimes you may get over sudzing with a HOT wash.

We recommend;  Warm Warm - Extra Rinse - Max spin.  

Hope you enjoy the better wash and savings with the above recommendations.

Dave... 

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