Steam is a hot topic in the appliance business and no place is it hotter than in the Maytag Bravos Steam MED6600TQ (electric) / MGD6600TQ (gas) dryer. A relatively new feature for dryers, the steam cycle is intended to prevent wrinkles in clothes that have been dried.

Also good for reducing wrinkles and freshening clothing, the steam cycle uses heat and a water spray to relax fibers and remove odors from dry fabrics. It's useful for perking up clothes that have been folded in a suitcase or that have become wrinkled while hanging in an overly crowded closet. Those who prefer crisply ironed shirts are not likely to find this cycle to be a suitable alternative to ironing. A trip through this cycle will perk up previously ironed shirts, but it won't eliminate the initial labor for you.

Aside from the steam setting, this is basically the same machine as the lower priced regular Bravos dryer. Either way you opt to go, with steam or without, the Bravos machines offer the best new feature a dryer can have -- a sensor. Maytag's IntelliDry sensor is an onboard chip that adjusts the dryer settings based on contact with the clothing in the drum. This sensor is smart enough to turn down the heat before clothing can be damaged. We highly recommend you look for a sensor feature on any dryer you are considering purchasing. It may cost a bit more, but the sensor is the best new technology for clothes dryers we've seen in years.

You can expect this Bravos Steam dryer to be fairly quiet when compared to other machines. It offers Maytag's quietest suspension system, QuietSeries 400, to limit excessive vibration. Not just quiet, but also spacious, this model has 7.0 cubic feet of capacity -- one of the largest machines available to match a top-loading washer. When it comes to cycles, this model is incredibly well equipped. Five temperature settings cover all the fabrics you're likely to dry, while seven various cycles handle everything from ultra-delicates to durable. Extended tumble gives you up to 90 minutes of wrinkle-prevention for permanent press items.

The steam on this model is an added plus, but not a must-have feature. If you're shopping for a well-equipped dryer, and need to keep the price down, we suggest choosing a sensor over the steam feature. A sensor is far more useful and important as it actually protects your clothes from over-heating damage.

You can identify this Maytag dryer by its characteristic see-through door. For a dryer with steam, the Bravos MED6600TQ / MGD6600TQ bears a moderate price tag and is a particularly good value.


Pros: Good value for a model with a steam cycle
Cons: Verdict still out on how useful the steam setting is

Warranty
1 year