I don't have the 9700 model but the 9600 model and I really like it. The Consumer Report guide I believe didn't state that the Maytag Epic had a high repair record but that Maytag did. In fact I think that the Epic was listed 4th in the list of front loaders in the last Consumer Report that I received. Maytag is now owned by Whirlpool and the Epic is a new Maytag made by Whirlpool.

Thanks for that info, for06. I did go to CR and noticed that Whirlpool had the lowest repair record in FL washers. Funny thing is CR makes note in their summary of the Epic that would have given it a higher rating except for the repair record of "that brand". They must not know it is made by Whirlpool.

I feel good knowing that you like your 9600. Any problems with vibration? Mine will be over crawl space.

The only time mine really vibrates is when I've over loaded it with hooded sweatshirts. I have 4 kids so when its cool outside they wear them a lot. Mine is in a laundry room over a cut out area (about 8 ft wide) of our basement where the floor joist spans from one side of the concrete foundation to the other. Its fine with that.

The Maytag Epic is actually an upscale Whirlpool Duet rebadged to be a Maytag. This means that CR's reliability reports for Maytag don't apply. Use the Whirlpool reliabilty reports instead.

Thanks for replies. I feel comfortable enough now to go ahead and order the Epics. Whirlpool does have the best FL repair record. I think I won't have any vibration issues since our laundry room is set up similarly to yours, for06.

Has anyone who owns the maytag epic had problems or concerns regarding effectiveness of rinses. I own a Whirlpool 9400 and I am experiencing difficulty in getting proper rinses from the normal/casual cycle to whites, and sanitary cycles. Yes, I use HE liquid detergent and use as little detergent as possible. I understand they both are Whirlpool products but maybe water levels are different for each machine. Especially for the rinse cycle. Appears that amount of rinse water is equal to wash level water. So not enough water to rinse. Will be experimenting with adding vinegar to rinse (as suggested by a poster) and hope that helps. Detergent residue is the issue. Is there a way to default the water level? May consider switching to the Epic. Also, my cotton tops are beginning to wear through. Not sure if LG washer (vibration issues, replaced with Whirlpool) is to blame or the Whirlpool.

thanks...

Hi,

I see you have decided to go ahead and order the Epics and I feel you have made a good decision.

I dont have the dryer (my 8-year-old Maytag dryer is still functioning perfectly) but I have the Epic 9700 washer since the beginning of December, 2006. It replaced my 14-year-old Hotpoint TL washer, which I was never happy with. I have been extremely pleased with the Epic since day one and I donÂt have any issues to report.

I find the vibration to be nearly nonexistent and the little that there is, is only in the spin. However, my conditions are not the same as yours, as mine is on a concrete floor in the basement. I also find this machine to be extremely quiet with any audible noise also only in the spin, but it is negligible and not at all disturbing. The high spin speed has also decreased my drying time drastically. The other night, I put a load of towels in the dryer, went up to take a shower, and when I came back down, the towels were dry.

I have been struggling for years for a way to get my husbandÂs work clothes REALLY clean. He works outdoors doing fence installation and he comes home with mud embedded in the knees (and other places) of his jeans. Many times (with my old washer), I washed his work clothes twice and still was not pleased with the results. With the Epic, they come out spotless after one wash. I have also washed some of his clothes that he was wearing when working on our cars, and were badly soiled with engine grease. They also came out of the wash perfectly clean. For badly soiled loads such as these, I use the sanitary cycle, which is longer than the othersÂdue to the time it takes to heat the water (I think), but I donÂt believe all that much longer than washing them twice in a TL and still not having great results.

I have quite a few clothes with applied beading, etc. and they are perfectly intact. I do use the gentle cycle for my clothing (which uses more water to reduce abrasion).

I did read that the Epic uses a bit more water than some of the other FLÂs (donÂt know how true this is) and I have had no problems with rinsing. It does have a rinse/spin only cycle if you feel you need additional rinses. There is also the option of adding an extra rinse to most cycles.

It is made by Whirlpool but I understand that it is actually a rebadged KitchenAid Ensemble. Whirlpool also owns KitchenAid. I read that the KitchenAid Ensemble is a very reliable, proven machine and that Whirlpool made it into a Maytag to re-establish the Maytag name, after all the problems theyÂve had with past Neptunes. However, I cannot guarantee the accuracy of this information but it appears to be true, as I have seen pictures of the KitchenAid Ensemble, and the Epic and Ensemble appear to be virtually the same machine, with possibly some minor differences.

Five and one-half months is not long enough to determine reliability, but there have been no problems so far.

I hope this information has been helpful. Good luck with your new machines!

Genie

Genie,

I don't visit here often these days but what a helpful review.

You couldn't be/sound more reasonable.

Best of luck with your new machine.

(I'm partial to Maytags as well but have their LAV top loader - I'm not sure it's available any more)

Again, best of luck.

For those of you who own the Epic, I was wondering if it allows you to soak your clothes. That is the thing I love most about top loaders, that you can soak your laundry overnight before laundering. But I know that front loaders are much better for your clothes. Thanks.