KDC-17 Lover

[annaMLam]

Hello everyone,

I bought a house in Dec 2022 and it came with a dishwasher; which might have been a huge selling point for me since it was a vintage KitchenAid Customer by Hobart; but it was also the location and no crowded neighbors ; along with the size and space for all the grandkids at the same time.

Unfortunately, at the closing the older owner said, "Oh that old thing hasn't worked since 1995 I just didn't want to replace it or pay to have it disposed of." Which we found was basically how he felt about all the appliances in the kitchen; but we had our own so I hadn't even checked out if anything worked or not since working vintage appliances was part of what came with the house.

While cleaning out things we found a "NEW" timer in a drawer; he had bought it in the 90s and never installed it. My son and I installed it and bam! Vintage dishwasher working perfectly.

Since then a few things have happened, the water inlet got clogged up; replaced it, the float got stuck up, tapped it water now comes in.

I've lurked a little and I plan on searching through the archives because currently the water only comes in during the Pre-Soak cycle and not during wash or rinse. Everything else works perfectly just if you don't start it on pre soak you get no water.

Thanks!
Anna

 

[phillymatt53]

The Kitchenaid KDC-17 is very similar to my KDC-19.
I used mine today, and it does a terrific job on a load of dishes, pots & pans, etc.
I had a few minor issues with leaking hoses in the past, but those have been cured.
But that machine is definitely worth hanging onto.
Double-check the float for free up-down movement, and particularly the switch that is under it. it may have sediment causing binding, or some corrosion.
Because if the float sticks "UP" water will not work.

 

[DADoES]

annaMLam, you need to cite the specific model of your KA from the tag on it.

The KDx17 series (dates from 1971 to 1974) and KDx-17A (1974 to 1976) don't have a float. They have a pressure switch for overfill protection, as I recall. A KDC-17 (Custom, bottom-of-the-line model) doesn't have a soak. It has only two cycle choices, Full (prewash or prerinse, 2nd prerinse, wash, rinse, rinse, dry), and Rinse Hold (rinse, rinse).

 

[phillymatt53]

If it's anything like mine, it initially fills, then pauses while the heating element brings up the water temp, then starts the prewash, etc.
Same happens for the final Sani-rinse.

 

[DADoES]

If it's anything like mine, it initially fills, then pauses while the heating element brings up the water temp, then starts the prewash, etc.
Same happens for the final Sani-rinse.

The 17 series isn't like your 19. Water heating is featured only on the Superba, and on it to maintain the main wash and after-rinses with a 700 watts of heating, and boost the final Sani Rinse (if selected) to 180°F with 1,400 watts of heating. Sani Rinse is featured only on the Superba. The Superba (and Imperial) have a Soak cycle, which doesn't involve any heating for the soak/dwell period.

The Purge function at the start of all cycles on the Imperial and at start of the Soak cycle on the Superba is a half-fill (one minute timed) and drain to flush the supply line of standing cold water.