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Maytag Review

Tuesday, March 19th

2024 Dishwasher Reviews

Maytag Review 2.5 Star Rating

Maytag

2.5 Star Rating
  • Dual power filtration
  • PowerBlast heavy duty cycle
  • Louder than other models

Remember the old commercial about the Maytag man getting bored while waiting for someone to call for repairs? Their point is that Maytag is so good at what it does that their appliances won't ever need a repair person. Customer feedback indicates, however, that the complaints might not actually get to the repair person, or the parts might not be covered under the warranty. That said, there are very nice features that can be included in your Maytag model. Maytag "s dishwashers may not offer the fancy features that many brands will carry, but they don't carry their price tag, either.

Dual-power filtration

Stainless steel blades coupled with micro filtration grind up and dispose of hard food so that it's out of the tub and won't stick to other dishes. It also allows for cleaner water to splash against your dishware and glassware. Maytag's site shows a video where they put this feature to the test. They inserted a frozen pizza, chocolate cake, and peanut butter sandwiches in the appliance and ran it. By the end of the cycle, all had disintegrated and there was nothing left (don't try this at home, kids).

PowerBlast cycle + dry

PowerBlast is a heavy-duty cycle to scour off the toughest, stuck-on food. Plus, with PowerDry, you can get your dishes up to 60% more dry with this option, where there's heating drying coupled with a powerful fan. Need your dishes even cleaner? Some of the models have steam sanitizing to offer you not only clean, but sanitized dishware, glassware, and of course, eating utensils.

Third rack

Some of the models come with an additional rack at the top of the tub to hold silverware, especially sharp knives that might poke you in a traditional basket; thin plastic lids that might otherwise fall through a space in the rack; and oddly-shaped utensils that would otherwise get in the way on a different rack or silverware basket.

Keep it simple

Maytag's focus is on functionality, not how many bells and whistles they can add on and charge you for. Therefore, there are about ten models to choose from, which keeps the choosing process from being overwhelming. Another added benefit is that with fewer choices in this brand with mid-range dishwashers, there's not a wide span between lower-price models and higher-price models.

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Noisy

Maytag's noise level isn't the quietest. The average, standard dishwasher's noise level is 52 decibels (dBA), and Maytag can be quieter than average, hovering near 47 decibels, but never hitting the level of what the industry considers quiet at 44 decibels or less. You'll hear it, but it shouldn't compete with your conversations in the kitchen. There are dishwashers from other brands that have a noise level of the high 30 dBA range, and they offer more features, but you'll also pay for that. Check out our other reviews for better noise levels, if sound level is important to you.

Cost

  • From $799 to $999

Our favorite Maytag

Model MDB4949SKZ may be noisy at 50 decibels, but we like the cleaning/drying features. The Dual Power Filtration does the pre-scrubbing for you, the PowerBlast cycle scours away the stuck-on food, Heated Dry really does dry the dishes, the high upper rack fits tall pots and pans below it, Leak Detect helps identify and contain possible leaks, the stainless steel tub is quiet and rust-resistant, and the front panel is fingerprint-resistant.

Warranty

The Maytag dishwashers have a 10-year warranty on the steel tub, nylon racks, and the chopper. We've read that many users have complained about the machine not working - leaking, the motor pump going out, wheels on the rack not working. We find it curious that the warranty doesn't cover the motor or the actual workings of the appliance. It seems that if the appliance is going to go bad, it may happen within the first few months. Those who have had the appliance for several years seem to have no complaints.

Customer service issues

Users have said that the manual doesn't include Contact Us information, thus making the user take more time to find and reach customer service. Others have said that once you contact customer service, they may not get back to you. In addition, if the parts and labor aren't covered in the warranty, there's another stumbling block. Perhaps the commercials about the Maytag repairman having no work might not be because the dishwasher runs perfectly, but because what does break, the warranty doesn't cover.

Affordable but disappointing warranty

Maytag has been known for its dependability and its fair price point. They may not have as many super-chic features as most other brands you might encounter, and they may not be whisper quiet, but maybe you're not looking to pay for that, either. If you want a long-standing household name and don't need many fancy features or a long list of models that will just confuse you, Maytag might be your choice. Remember to take the very limited warranty into consideration before your purchase.

Which Brand of Dishwasher is the Best?

Most of us don't think too much about our dishwasher. We load the dishes, it cleans, we empty. But when the dishes aren't coming out as clean as they should, it's taking more rinsing to get all the food off, you're drying your dishes by hand because the machine doesn't, or if the coating on the tines is chipping off, you might start thinking about replacing your appliance for one that holds up and maybe has some nice features that you deserve.

Did you know there are three types of dishwashers? There's built-in, countertop, and drawer. Built-in dishwashers are the traditional dishwashers most of us have had in our homes. They are full-sized or even narrow and apartment-sized, and are slid in below the counter. Counter-top dishwashers can be found in Europe and are just that - they are small and fit on the counter. The drawer models are shallow and fit below the counter. Because they are the most common type, we will look at only the built-in models.

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Dishwasher FAQ

Most homes have the space for a 24" dishwasher. Dishwashers come in 18" , a shorter below-counter model, or a countertop model, but they are quite rare in the US. The most standard color front panel these days is still stainless steel. Stainless looks nice and can blend nicely with other stainless appliances, regardless if your dishwasher is a different brand than your other appliances. Another common door is fingerprint-resistant stainless. It can be a slightly different sheen than traditional stainless, but is much easier to keep clean.
Dishwashers can run from $250 to $2,000. Your cost will vary, based on the brand, size, and features you select. Installation is another factor to consider with dishwashers. With big box stores, the install fee seems to be between $150 and $300, and includes the parts for the installation kit. It's wise to get a professional plumber's help with water hookup as you could pay dearly in flooring costs if there were a leak due to human error.
Entry-level machines may have an outdated front panel, may run loudly which could compete with the noise level of your conversations, have a limited number of tines to hold dishes in place, and a plastic tub which can rust more easily and radiate the noise from the sprayers. The higher-end dishwashers may offer interior lighting to see way back in the machine so you don't miss unloading any dishes, a smart feature so you can monitor and control the appliance from a distance or order detergent on a regular basis. They can feature more than 100 spray jets, jets that focus on specific glassware or specific pots and pans for a super clean load. They can feature grinding of leftover food so as not to clog your drain, soft water for a spotless finish even on plastic containers, and sprayers that change direction to get to every nook and cranny. These models may cost more, but the options may seem endless, and can have quite good user reviews.
Some brands have had complaints that their model can break within months. On the other hand, some can last more than ten years. Check the warranty of the brand you think you'll purchase. Most offer a one-year limited warranty with an extended warranty on some of the parts, up to usually five years. It's possible that your appliance has a ten-year warranty on some of the parts, so be sure to read our reviews for those details and also check for even more details from the manufacturer.
Most dishwashers will fit 14 place settings, which includes dishes, glasses, and silverware. Some dishwashers can hold 15 or 16 place settings, which is great for a large family or for parties so you're not waiting for one load to finish before you wash the rest of the place settings. Having a third rack and eliminating the silverware basket will add room to the bottom rack for more dishes or cookware.
The newer feature that's becoming more standard in dishwashers is the third rack. It's a shallow, top rack that fits silverware so you don't have to use the silverware basket. Or, keep your silverware basket and use the 3rd rack for long utensils like tongs, small plastic lids that might otherwise fit between the tines, small appetizer utensils that are hard to dig out of the silverware basket, or steak knives that might otherwise poke your hands if you wash them pointy-end up. Also, adjustable racks throughout the dishwasher make it easy to accommodate stemware, cooking pots, water bottles and more.
Some dishwashers can be barely audible, at below 40 decibels. These dishwashers usually include a smart feature so you can monitor and control the cycles from your smart device since you may not even hear the appliance at all. If your dishwasher has a 44 decibel rating or lower, it is considered by the industry to be a quiet dishwasher, so check for that. But, other dishwashers can be noisy and compete for your attention whether you're in a conversation, trying to watch your movie at a reasonable volume, or reading. The more inexpensive models may be at 50 decibels or higher, and we suggest avoiding those if you have an open-concept house where you for sure could hear the wash and rinse cycles.
Depending on the store you choose, delivery fees will vary. Our research finds that if you live within a reasonable distance from the store, the delivery could be free if the dishwasher costs $400 or higher. Since a majority of the dishwashers cost above $400, you can hope for free delivery. If your dishwasher is less than $400, you could pay $100 for delivery, so rather than spend your money on delivery, add the $100 or so to the price of the dishwasher to get more and better features plus free delivery.
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Continued from above...

Think about what you want in your new appliance. You'll obviously want a dishwasher that does a good job of washing your dishes. There are a lot of fun features you can have, such as a third rack, lights, and smart capabilities, but if the machine doesn't do a good job of actually washing your dishes, what's the point of any of the bells and whistles?

So once you choose a brand that you like, you can select your wish list features such as the third, top rack; a quick-wash cycle; a delay start; self-cleaning filters - yes, you should know if you need to clean your filters for maintenance, which is typical; food pulverizers; interior components made of stainless steel to promote longevity; child locks; sanitizer settings; sustainable materials; special jets under the silverware caddy; and smart capabilities, so you can control the dishwasher from your phone or smart home system.

And that's just the beginning. Here are several other criteria to keep in mind as you shop for your new kitchen appliance:

  • Average price range. You can spend anywhere between $250 and $2,000, depending on the brand and the features you're looking for. The less expensive, lower-end models may require you to rinse your dishes more, and the more costly, higher-end models can have smart features, meaning you can control the machine with your phone.
  • Installation. Be sure to ask if there's a fee for installation. Installation rates can vary, but expect an additional $200 for install.
  • Finishes, handles, and control panel visibility. Dishwashers, like most kitchen appliances, come in white, black, and stainless steel. There are two additional styles, which are finger-print resistant stainless steel and black stainless steel. The black stainless is a darker stainless, and the finger-print resistant looks like traditional stainless, but resists the dreaded finger prints. If you can be open to something besides stainless steel, white or black should save you a couple hundred dollars. If you choose the pocket handle over the bar handle, that could also save you some bucks. It's nice when the control panel hides when the door is shut. But if you don't mind looking at it, you can save yourself some money here, too.
  • Detergent. No matter what, use the right detergent. Using a poor quality dishwasher detergent, no matter the brand you choose, can make the best brands have poor quality output, due to no fault of the appliance. This is a simple, good decision everyone should make. Once you receive your new dishwasher, the manufacturer will probably recommend a detergent for optimum cleaning and drying results.
  • Noise. Most of us don't want to hear the dishwasher running its cycles as we are moving throughout the kitchen or resting in a room nearby. Most models are rated in decibels to convey the cycle's quietness. A machine rated lower than 44 decibels (dBA) is considered by the industry to be officially in the quiet range. Machines in the mid to high 50s are louder and could definitely compete with your conversation or for your attention.
  • Rack style. Racks are important features and should be carefully considered. Nylon-coated racks are the best because they are less likely to crack over time. Tines in rows that fold down are great for items that are large or unusually-shaped. Look for at least one folding row of tines. Having a top rack with an adjustable height is beneficial so you can lower it for taller glasses, vases, or stemware, or raise it if your cookware is tall or bulky.

    The best top racks have three adjustable heights where you can set both the right and left high or low, or one side can be high while the other is low, allowing space for taller cookware on the bottom rack. A third rack is becoming a more common feature, even with the more reasonably-priced appliances. This third rack is above the traditional top rack and is shallow, so it allows plenty of space for the glasses below it. Some people like to line up their silverware in between the small tines. It can fit shallow, awkward items like cup lids, tongs, long-handled serving/cooking utensils, where in other places in the dishwasher, they might be a hard fit. Not everyone is a fan of the third rack as it does take up space, but it is a feature that is growing in popularity. If, however, you end up not liking it after trying it, it's easy to remove.

    Consider even the little things like clips to hold delicate glasses in place, to make sure your glassware doesn't bang against anything else during the wash cycle. Ball bearings in the racks make the racks move more smoothly and don't jerk around the dishes as you pull or push the racks. A fancy, new feature is an interior light in the dishwasher. It certainly isn't necessary, but it's nice for seeing all your items as you load and unload. These are in the more expensive lines, of course. Now, imagine what you will load in your machine, especially on the bottom rack.

    Some dishwashers have their tines far apart, allowing space for pots, pans, bowls, and larger pieces. Others have several tines that are closer together for thinner salad plates and dinner plates. Still others have wide tines with additional tines that flip up or down, depending on the load. Check the thickness of your plates and think about if you want your plates closer together or far apart - tine width is a personal preference, but important in your dishwasher-buying decision making.
  • Available space. Be sure to measure the space you have. Most dishwashers come in 24" , so that's easy, but if your kitchen is on the small side, the space allotted might be only 18" . Save yourself a restocking fee and extra delivery charge by making sure the dishwasher will fit your kitchen space.

To help you make this important purchasing decision, Top Consumer Reviews has evaluated today's most popular dishwasher brands. If you're done spending too much time pre-washing your dishes, continually re-arranging them because the rack and tine design is poor, drying them after the dishwasher supposedly dried them, or re-washing after the clumps of old food just don't come off after a full cycle, do consider a new dishwasher. You can save a lot of time by not pre-washing, post-washing, and drying. And with all that extra time, you could relax reading a book or watching your favorite show while a super quiet dishwasher does all the work while making virtually no noise.

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