1950s Swanmaid dishwasher like kitchen aid new find

[appnut]

richard, oh yeah, I'd say that's a Kitchenaid with different color vinyl on the racks and a different brand label with appropriate electricals to support the kind of electrical current y'all have. Good luck with it!!! I'm thrilled you managed to save it. And it's so nice to have another dishwasher afficianado around.

 

[jetcone]

Thats one cool

dishwasher find Richard. It looks like parts from a Kitchen Aid or a complete knock off. The underside is not like a KA machine nor is the pump part under the spray arm but that spray arm is amazingly similar except for the holes.  I hope you can get it working again what fun would that be?!

 

 

[appnut]

thanks Jon. I knew someone here would find the dissimilarities and point them out, which is good!!

 

[steved]

thread 33346

I posted a Swanmaid brochure that seems newer than this model

 

[passatdoc]

Looks like my grandmother's early KA from the 1950. Handle, upper rack, and wash arm all the same. I believe hers had an on/off switch on the right in the same position as yours. Could your machine have been produced in the UK under license? It looks for all the world like a rebadged KA KDS-2 or thereabouts.

 

[jetcone]

Steved

I'm battin ZERO here help me out:

 

<span style="font-size: x-large; font-family: Times; font-weight: normal;">"ZERO posts found for steved swanmaid" and 33346</span>

<span style="font-size: x-large; font-family: Times; font-weight: normal;">jon</span>

<span style="font-size: x-large; font-family: Times; font-weight: normal;">
</span>

 

[rapunzel]

So what brought you to Asthall Manor?

Thanks for the interesting link. I found myself fascinated with the Midford sisters, especially Diana and Unity. Now there is some interesting and spirited aristocracy, not like those bland and pasty royals.

 

[steved]

Jon

search just for "swanmaid" thats how I found it. It was inder a "Which?" magazine article on dishwashing machines

 

[ricky5050]

Thanks

Hi thank for the comments, I'd love to get it up and running, Ive even thought about stripping a modern dishwasher for parts , the only thing is it cannot accommodate a top spray arm as there is not enough clearance, so a modern puny lower arm would not be strong enough to reach top rack, if I used original lower cast iron wash arm, it would need a hefty motor ie an original kitchen aid one! And if I found one it basically means I need all the other electrics etc.

Regarding it's history the owner says it's sat in the pantry for 50 years so probably broke down at about 10 years old, It looks like it's had a hard life so was probably used almost as a commercial machine perhaps with large numbers of guests at the manor.

I only found out Asthalls history after goggle ing it for the courier to collect, but the owner was lovely and very helpful

If you look at Post# 542958, Reply# 14 I've already included the link to the report on which dishwashers and steved copy of the brochure ( I hope that's ok )

Richard

 

[toploader55]

That Spray Arm...

Is Identical to a Hobart except the Spray Nozzles are round instead of being shaped. I wonder if SwanMaid had Hobart make certain parts ? Nah,

 

[alr2903]

The brandname, "Swanmaid" is appealing.  If your tank is water tight, and you or some of our american cousins could locate new racks. Could  a more modern machine supply the parts you need?  It would be so nice to have it restored and it has a historical prominence. Thank you for the photo's and best of luck with your project.  arthur

 

[ricky5050]

Yes I think you're right

Hi I'm sure swan must have used kitchenaids design to model their machine on, as it's too similar to be fluke.

I'll do some investigation!

Any spares in the uk ?

Richard

 

[petek]

Interesting find and history. It wouldn't be unusual that it might have been built under license with KA's patents and receiving royalties etc. Like for example other than Hoover which had plants in Canada and the UK, other brands like Eureka, Kirby, Lewyt etc had some of their vacuums manufactured in Canada by a 3rd party for the Cdn market depending on the model

 

[jetcone]

Thanks Steve

I found the link now and read the Which? report. I think those interior action shots are terrific! Why didn't they do that over here?

 

 

[jetcone]

Wow looking over that Swanmaid

it sure did have heavy use! It looks like someone took out the motor and pump to repair it and never brought it back. Is that all thats missing from under the machine?

 

 

[Unimatic1140]

Wow that is like an alternate-universe KitchenAid, amazing.  Same shape of the wash arm, but the holes are completely different.  Love the reverse dark-speckled porcelain interior!

 

Very cool find!

 

[ricky5050]

Hi

Hello jet cone yes the motor pump and drain valve missing, , hi Robert yes I cannot understand why a manufacturer would copy so much but change little things like the hole shapes and pump arrangements.

I'm tempted to try a modern single outlet dw pump and connect to modern dw electrics and use the internal heater tank to PRE heat the water , just not too sure about the electrics !!

R

 

[ozzie908]

Swanmaid dw

Many years ago ie mid 80's I worked at a fishing hotel near to Hereford, It had what looks to be the exact same machine I remember the cycle was only about 10 mins once it had heated the water in its tank, The service man came one day and was explaining the reason for the heavy wash arm it was designed so that when the hot water came out of the tank it would absorb some of the heat thus protecting the dishes and when it rinsed it held the heat thus helping to keep it hot to allow it to dry. I know when you pressed the silver button the machine would click and the light would come on then you heard the hissing of the water heater then it would run and fill so you heard gurgling then the swish of the wash after 5 mins of washing it would drain then do the same again to rinse when the light went out it was all over time to empty and refill. I think it would do about 20 cycles a day it was classed as a commercial. Sorry cant help with anything useful it just evoked a memory

Austin

 

[dogboy44]

Wouldn't it be great

If the trend would be moving back to shorter cycle times like this? I have a friend with a new Bosch that take 135 minutes for a cycle!

 

[jetcone]

The cycles are all extended

these days because manufacturers are using "squirt guns for pumps" and letting the chemicals do all the work!

 

My KDS-14 bolts the dishes in and hits them with 50 gallons/minute of water! They are screaming to be let out everytime! Thats why the big mechanical bolts on the door!