1957 Pink Hotpoint Dishwasher, Oven, Stove Top

[tomturbomatic]

The machine provides 2 washes

The machine does a 1 minute shower from the top center of the tank before the drain closes and the First 5 minute wash begins. That is followed by a Second 5 minute wash. It is possible that the one of those gel pacs or some tablet would work in the absence of a working dispenser, but I don't know for sure. This is the least of problems with the machine.

Please do not try to operate the motor with the broken impeller. The imbalance in weight between the whole side and the broken side can ruin the motor if it run like this.

The rinse agent dispenser is not a mandatory accessory if you have soft water and if it does not work and you have hard water, you can use one of the solid rinse agents.

Check with Larry at Modern Parts to see if he has any parts for this machine.

 

[1952crestwood]

Oh, good info, Tomturbomatic! Thanks.

I never thought about the imbalance issue. I won't plug it in or attempt to run it until I get a replacement impeller. I'm so glad you mentioned that since I was thinking of testing it out one day. Once I get this home, and sell off some of my other vintage things to help pay my budget back for this and the trip costs, I will contact Larry as you suggest.

I suppose those detergent pack things might work but aren't those formulated for the longer wash cycles of today's machines? As this has the two separate five minute wash cycles, I wonder if the pack would only partially dissolve in the shorter 5 min run, then still be available to "wash" during the first rinse cycle. The more I think on this, the more interesting the questions become. I'd love to read more input from folks on what they think on such a scenario. Since, I'm not going to risk the motor getting whacked on account of that imbalance thing, I will likely start hunting up a replacement dispenser door so as to make it all a moot point.

Fortunately the unit won't be pressed into service anytime soon, and will mainly be stored for future use, so I have lots of time to address these issues. However, I will start buying the replacement parts soon as I find them since I don't figure there are all that many parts still available for these.

You've likely already found that I posted some cell phone pics of my Norge built ins to your email, Norgeway. When I can get my better camera out to the garage for better pictures of the set, I will post them on the Super forum.

Thanks again for all the great input, tech help and support.
Robyn

 

[xpanam]

Water fill

Hey Tomturbomatic. It looks like they change to a side fill at sometime. Look at the photo on the right side of the tub from reply #24? And reply #22, looks like just a cap on top?

 

[tomturbomatic]

My dishwasher like this fills from the top. The instruction manual says it fills from the top and I think if we had a good picture of the outside of this machine, you would see the copper tube running to the top center of the tank. I don't know what the square thing is. It was not until HP went to the GE style machine, I think, that they stopped filling from the top. In later years, it was a spray from the front corner, but it was from the top.

 

[xpanam]

I thought all HP-DW Filled from the top too! but look at the picture from reply#24 post. What is the inlet on the right side of the tank for? The one with the two screws?

 

[1952crestwood]

I will try to take pics when I get it home....

of all these question areas and see if they can be answered. I am wondering about all the ones that you guys have brought up myself. I thought the feeder tube for the upper spray nozzle ran up the outside of the unit and connected on the top, outside of the tub. I'm wondering if by '58 they enclosed it between an outer shell and an inner tub shell (?). I'm kinda enjoying this "search for the great whats-it" (as in the movie "Kiss Me Deadly") when it comes to all the little mysteries that the pics I have now don't show. Just comparing this one I have bought to other pics I have collected over the years, I can see some changes between the 56, 57, and 58 models, even though they are basically the same as far as racks, the impeller and general outer appearance. Door Handle styles, placement of the Hotpoint badging, and differences in the upper rack frame design are the things that stand out to me most. For instance the name badge on this one is on the door under the handle, whereas my Aunt's 56 and (I believe) a 57 model had the Hotpoint Dishwasher ID on that wide horizontal vent hood over the door. The placement of the wetting agent dispenser went from the floor of the tub on the 56 models to what appears to be the door on my 58. Saturday is getting closer and I'm getting more excited all the time. By the time I do the 12 hour drive on Saturday it might take me a day to recover enough to take and post the pics, but I'll get on it as soon as I feel human again.

 

[chris74]

I think the newer gel pacs...

...are formulated for short cycles at lower temperatures meanwhile. But five minutes is of course a very short period. Solid wetting agent, yes but do one put it in from the start? There is no solid Jet-Dry over here in Germany so I can't tell...

 

[tomturbomatic]

There are TWO five minute washes so maybe the little brick of detergent would last through the total of ten minutes. The solid Jet Dry is in a little basket maybe 1.5 inches deep and 1 inch wide that is clipped onto the upper rack.

 

[1952crestwood]

Question for you Tom....

From what I have seen in the below video, the little door I am missing covers the detergent for the second wash and allows the first rinse period to complete. Then through weight imbalance, the door rotates and uncovers the detergent for the second wash. If I were to use these solid detergent packs, and with no door to protect the detergent (meant for the second wash) would there be any undesired result of the intended first wash & rinse periods basically becoming one long wash period, while the second wash & rinse period just being one long rinse?

 

[tomturbomatic]

The cycle is not rinse, wash, wash, rinse. It is spray, wash, wash, rinse, rinse. Like most machines with a cycle that begins with a wash, the part of the dispenser holding detergent for the first wash is uncovered. I don't know how fast the little bricks dissolve, but if they dissolve slowly, one might work for both 5 minute wash periods. But before you deal with that, you need an impeller. You also need to see if the motor is any good. HP dishwashers had shitty motors. I know where two are that have not run in years because the owners got tired of replacing the motors which were annoyingly loud when they did work.

 

[1952crestwood]

Thanks for clarifying that for me Tom.

I was thinking it was Spray, Wash, Rinse, Wash, Rinse. With how you described it, I can now see how those tablets might work out, but of course you are right that the impeller and other things need to be taken care of first. I had no idea that this machine was as inferior as all that with the motors. I'm disappointed in that as I was hoping this was a pretty tough unit. Still and all, at the end of the day, my purpose for this machine was predominately as a sentimental, attractive, built in, dish rack for hand washed dishes, so if it doesn't get restored and fully working, I can't say I'm too let down. What I think I may do now, is keep the 1965 Frigidaire Imperial Dishmobile that I was thinking I would sell if this Hotpoint were functional or could be expected to be lightly restored to become functional. The Dishmobile is a "low mileage" unit, and should do fine for the few times I would want a fully working DW. This info about the Hotpoint motors lack of reliability is helpful to know so thanks again Tom.

 

[tomturbomatic]

New, replacement motors might prove more durable, but the originals and their replacements in the 50s and 60s were not durable. Part of the problem might have been the construction of these models. Hotoint hints at it darkly in the Detergent section of the owner's manual:

Warning: Do not use soap or any detergent other than those recommended above, as foam or suds may work their way into the motor, causing a motor failure. I think moisture managed to work its way into the motor anyway causing many failures.

HPs were fairly good dishwashers. They were the first to offer two washes with fresh detergent in each wash. They were early leaders, but were passed by other manufacturers as time went on. Sorta sad.

 

[1952crestwood]

Good to know that there might be replacements..

that aren't original equipment, leading to a return of the problems. If my motor is bad, I will check into what might work in it's place someday.

Thanks again for the helpful info.

 

[1952crestwood]

WE MADE IT!!!!

Just giving a fast update to say that I made the trip up to Ohio and back on Saturday. "Harriet" and I made it home safe and sound. The seller was a real sweet person and very helpful. You really couldn't ask do to business with a nicer guy. I will post some pictures soon, but I'm still recovering from the day that started at 2:30 AM, on the road from 4:30-11 AM, then back on the road again from 2-8:30 PM. About 714 miles round trip. Those last few miles were a challenge to stay awake, but I kept thinking of "Harriet" in back and all the years I'd searched for one like her, so it helped. Pics to come soon and thanks again to all of you who have been so supportive and helpful with information.
Robyn

 

[1952crestwood]

Oh, and before I forget....

The seller removed the impeller and ran the unit through all it's cycles. My motor and timer works FLAWLESSLY and it's quiet as can be! I was so excited to see and hear it run. The Calrod unit heated up as it should and even after just a minute, the interior was toasty warm. We didn't have any water connected to it, and so it may still show a leak after so many years. I can now finally clear up the mystery about the "square" on the top. I looked up inside, expecting to see the spray/fill thing and there as nothing but the square indent which creates the raised square bump on top. It was explained to me that in some areas, it was a code requirement that you have an "air gap" (like the fill tube in a toilet tank) to protect the city water systems from a possible back wash of dirty water from the unit. Sure enough, mine came from an area that required that, so I can assume that is why there was no top spray/fill on mine. There it was, plain as day the narrow copper tube that came up from the main inlet valve underneath, ran up the side and curved over a larger diameter pipe which comes down, has a trap then goes into the side wall, coming out low on the right inside wall. I can see how such a set up would be kinda hard to execute from the top. Now that I have gone back over the info I downloaded from the manuals/brochures section, I see that this unit was offered with a normal water supply, or with an air gap system to meet with certain codes. Of course not really knowing much about the mechanics of things, it didn't dawn on me until the seller showed me that mine was the air gap type. Pics to come tomorrow.

 

[1952crestwood]

First pic

Ahhhhh. At last!

 

[1952crestwood]

The Inside Dope....

on the spray inlet situation.

 

[1952crestwood]

The cool air gap thingy....

Might be common knowledge to folks on here but this was a new one on me.

 

[1952crestwood]

First view of the Reversible Roll-R-Rack....

in it's upper position with the bottom hidden behind the frame. All stocked with my Aunt's same melmac dinnerware that I used to hand wash and put into her Hotpoint like this to air dry in the 1970's. (Pardon the burnt/blistered purple serving bowl. It is a "signature" of my late Aunt's often hectic life. Just lets me know that this was part of her original set versus all the replacement pieces I've added to her set over the years.)

 

[1952crestwood]

Rack in the lower position.....

with it's bottom showing below the rack.

 

[1952crestwood]

The colorful swirl I remember from my youth...

I can see where this machine might not be the most efficient at getting everything as clean as later units with more standard racking, spray arms etc......but nothing beats that Hotpoint Swirl when you have colorful dinnerware to rack into it.

 

[1952crestwood]

Top rack full...

Ahhh, the memories! And a look to the future when I someday get this installed in a dream kitchen.

 

[1952crestwood]

Close up of the lighted indicator dial....

looking forward to replacing this with a nice new one and getting a new bulb in behind it.

 

[1952crestwood]

Might not actually add any real strength....

but I really love how extra strong this door design looks with that wall around it.

 

[turquoisedude]

Fabulous, Dahling!

'Harriet' looks just grand, Robyn. Congratulations!!! The inside speckled tub looks amazing - I've never seen a dishwasher with an interior like this before. The test loads suit the machine perfectly, too. Thanks for sharing the latest pictures!

 

[westingman123]

So pretty!

I've got to agree, that colorful swirl in to die for! You've even made me rethink my "no MelMac" position.

Harriet is lovely! Waiting with bated breath for the test wash.

 

[1952crestwood]

Thanks TurquoiseDude and Westingman123

You guys are so sweet, and your comments just ramp up my feelings about Miss Harriet. As far as Melmac dinnerware, I grew up with the two sets you see here. Windsor Melmac in the "Rainbow" offering with two place settings each in pink, yellow, blue and white. The various serving pieces for that come one each in those same colors like a yellow lidded sugar bowl, blue divided serving bowl, white cream pitcher, yellow platter etc. My Aunt bought those through Jewel-Tea Company in about 1959 or 60. The other set is Royalon's "Corsage" pattern and that was purchased through an offering in Safeway grocery stores in 1964. That set was pretty comprehensive as it has lilac colored melmac tumblers to match, place mats that match the flowered pattern on the plates, matching glassware that put the flowered pattern on clear glass drinkware etc. I have always loved bright, "happy" colors, so these were always a draw for me. Westingman123, I hope you will find a lovely, colorful set of Melmac for your first set. Some people love it, others hate it, but I would recommend determining how "tough" you need your set to be. I've seen some really thick, heavy pieces that should survive an atomic blast, but they are heavy and a bit clunky. I've also seen some really thin sets that aren't worth bothering with but there are so many beautiful colors and patterns that run the gamut between.

 

[peteski50]

Happy Hotpoint!

Hi Robyn,

I am very Happy you finally got your dream machine. I hope you are able to get it working one day soon. The MelMac really is the topper. Keep us posted and Best Of Luck with this Dream.

Peter

 

[westingman123]

Hey Robyn

To tell you the truth, my Aunt Mildred had a lovely set of MelMac in turquoise. I accidentally left a piece of it on the gas range, resulting in an unsightly scorch. I really caught it for that one, and at the time swore off MelMac forever.

Fast forward 30 years, and my darling Aunt has passed from Alzheimers. Going through the farm cabinets, what do I discover but that very plate? I swear, the woman kept EVERYTHING. At any rate, I really like your pastel set, and now will be "on the hunt."

By the way, welcome to the group of alliterative naming! Wanda Westinghouse resides in my kitchen, as you can see by my avatar. Oh, the things we applicance people do! LOL

 

[1952crestwood]

Thanks Peteski50....

I've been going out to the garage as much as I can to stare at it, open the door, roll the racks in and out, etc. I suppose it's still that thing of "I gotta go make sure I'm not dreaming and that I really do have my dream machine out there." LOL.

Westingman123, scorch marks and melmac....almost goes together like bank and money, doesn't it? Being a big turquoise fan, I bet I'd have loved your Aunt Mildred's set. Over the years I've gathered more sets of melmac than anyone person should ever admit to. It's usually because there is turquoise in it somewhere, or I like the shape or the pattern etc. I've been into that naming of "inanimate objects" all my life. We name our cars (55 Olds named "Elmer", former 59 Buick named "Lana" etc). and now it's crossed over into my appliances. I love the name "Wanda Westinghouse"!! I doubt anyone will fault us for naming them, but I bet I'd get some odd glances when people see me walk by and give our cars or my 50's kitchen goodies a loving pat as well as a loving comment as I walk by. LOL.