Maytag started as a manufacturer of farm equipment before branching out to household appliances in 1907. The brand later became synonymous with dependable washing machines but because, with the company’s acquisition of the Amana brand, they were also able to offer a full line of refrigerators.
By the year 2001, Maytag was carrying a vast selection of household appliances, including washing machines, dryers, vacuum cleaners, dishwashers, cooktops, ranges, and refrigerators, and was marketing these under several brand names: Maytag, Hoover, Jenn-Air, Amana, Dixie-Narco, and Jade.
The now defunct Maytag Corporation was among the top 3 major appliance companies in the North American market when it subjected to a take-over battle among three companies in 2005. The battle ended with Maytag’s acquisition by the Whirlpool Corporation in 2006.
Although Whirlpool decided to close down the Maytag headquarters office in Newton, Iowa, as well as a number of its manufacturing plants, the Maytag brand is still currently used on re-branded Whirlpool appliances.
Maytag Refrigerator Key features
Maytag refrigerators boast of their Built-To-Last™ features that include Foam-To-The-Floor construction, Strongbox™ hinge design, easy-rolls wheels, and radius doors. Foam-To-The-Floor construction provides greater insulation and prevents cold air from escaping the fridge interior, while its Strongbox™ hinge design ensures durability. Easy-roll wheels improve handling and radius doors allow maximum access to refrigerator contents without the need for additional space.
Most models are free standing units, but counter-depth refrigerators that have a shallow profile are also available. Counter-depth units are designed to fit flush with kitchen counter modules for a built-in look. Refrigerators are available in white, black, biscuit, or stainless steel finish, and have either contoured or flat doors.
Contoured doors hide hinges while flat doors give the unit a more traditional look. Some models can also accept optional handle accents and custom panels or “trim kits” to match existing kitchen cabinetry.
Adjustable tempered-glass shelves come standard in Maytag refrigerators, and almost all models have smart shelving solutions including Elevator Shelves™ and Beverage Chiller compartments.
Elevator Shelves™ are shelves that roll up and down smoothly, even when loaded with food, to accommodate tall items like wine bottles and pitchers, while Beverage Chiller compartments can hold small cans and even two-gallon containers and keep them up to 4° degrees colder than the rest of the fridge interior.
Spill-Catcher™ shelves, which are sealed around the edges to contain liquids for quick and easy clean up, are also available. Maytag also offers FreshLock Crispers with humidity control. This sealed crisper is ideal for storing fruits and vegetables because its adjustable humidity settings keep fresh produce longer. Both come standard with bottom-freezer refrigerators.
Newer models have electronic cooling systems with upfront electronic touch pad controls, digital read-out displays and multiple temperature sensors. This system allows independent temperature adjustment in the fresh food and freezer compartments.
Models with external icemakers and water dispensers are sold with PuriClean® retractable water filters. This filter system removes water impurities while retaining fluoride. Other models have Maytag’s Quiet Plus sound silencing system. This system reduces refrigerator sounds and noises by up to 47 decibels.
The complete line of Maytag refrigerators is Energy Star® qualified. These units are 25% more energy efficient and reduce usage costs in the long haul. Maytag covers their refrigerators with a limited 1-year warranty from the original date of purchase, for parts and labor to correct defects in materials or workmanship.
Maytag Refrigerator Product types available
The refrigerator is one of the most important kitchen appliances and much thought must be put into it before buying one. Several issues, including the budget and amount of available kitchen space, access to electrical outlets and water sources, design, and styling preferences must first be considered.
Once these general issues have been addressed, choices can be narrowed down to the models that will suit design needs.
There are 27 different refrigerator models currently available from the brand. These models include side-by-side, bottom-freezer, French door, and top-freezer refrigerators and are available in many colors.
Side-by-side refrigerators have narrow twin doors for convenient access to fridge contents in tight kitchen spaces. Vertical storage spaces allow a variety of freezer capacity options. Total storage capacities range from 22 to 25 cubic feet.
Bottom Freezer Models
Bottom-freezer models place fresh food at eye level and allow direct access to fresh produce. Freezer compartments either glide-out or swing-out from the fridge body depending on the model. There are 9 models with total capacities ranging from 18.5 to 25.0 cubic feet.
French Door Refrigerators
Although the priciest of the line, French-door refrigerating systems combine the advantages of both the side-by-side and bottom-freezer models. The twin doors fit any kitchen design and the bottom-freezer configuration allows more storage space for fresh goods. Maytag currently has 9 models in the selection with storage capacities ranging from 20 to 25 cubic feet.
Fridge with Top Freezer
Refrigerators with a top-freezer compartment put frozen goods at eye level and are ideal in households where frozen goods are purchased more frequently. The only top-freezer model in the Maytag refrigerator line has a total storage capacity of 21 cubic feet and automatic moisture controls.
The reversible door placement feature allows the fridge door to open either to the left or right depending on the customer’s preference.
All refrigerators are Energy Star® qualified. These units have greater energy efficiencies that translate into greater savings when it comes to energy consumption.
Maytag Refrigerator Buying Information
Maytag offers a limited 1-year warranty from the original date of purchase, for parts and labor to correct defects in materials or workmanship. The warranty is only valid in the United States or Canada and applies only when the unit is used in the country in which it was purchased. The warranty does not apply anywhere else. Extended warranty options are available at additional cost.
Consumer complaints concerning refrigerator relay ignitions have spurred the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission to recall about 1.6 million Maytag refrigerator units in March 2009. Electrical failure in the relay, the component that turns the refrigerator’s compressor on, can cause overheating and poses a serious fire hazard.
Other complaints include icemaker breakage and defects, difficulties in maintenance and replacement parts, and some incidents with the company’s customer service department.
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