1988 WP DW flatware basket

[kenmore1978]

Been using my "new" '88 WP electronic DW for a few days now and definately notice that there are more flatware "rejects" than there were with the old '78 KM machine. I wonder if that's the result that CU got back in '88 and that's why they didn't think much of the "flatware in door" idea. I know one of the things that bugs me a little is that the basket can't sit upright on the counter, but since the front of the basket opens, it's a minor complaint. Otherwise, it seems to do a fine job of cleaning.

 

[coldspot66]

Having had silverware in the door for about 12 years, I've learned a few things on how to load. The best advice is to load dinner plates on the left front of the bottom rack so that the water will not be blocked to the silverware basket. Also don't overlap bowls or anything that will block water spray to the silverware. Also alternating handles up and handles down in the same compartment will help. My only complaint; I thought the basket is too small and ppl tend to jam silverware into the compartments; then they don't get clean. Also Heavy wash cycle was always used. Normal cycle only has 1 main wash. Heavy cycle has a prewash and rinse and then the main wash.

John

 

[kenmore1978]

flatware in door

As a matter of fact I DO load the plactes in the front and the bowls in the back. I also alternate the handles up and down, every dishwasher instruction manual I've ever read recommended doing that.

I have been using the NORMAL cycle, and it seems to be the equivalent of the WATER MISER cycle of the KM. So, this means the HEAVY cycle of the WP is the equal of the NORMAL cycle of the KM. However, I normally used the WATER MISER cycle on the KM and the flatware still came out better. Otherwise, the WP seems to clean as well as the KM. One of the things I liked about the KM is one could vary the wash times. NORMAL and WATER MISER defaulted to 20 minutes, but they could be shortened to 10 minutes or lengthened to 20 minutes. POTS & PANS defaulted to 30 minutes, but could be shortened to 20 or 10 minutes. I would lengthen the WATER MISER wash time if I was washing a load with rice or oatmeal in it. Not possible on the WP. KM also had a countdown, WP doesn't. On the other hand WP has a CLEAN light.

 

[appnut]

Do you use the water heat or high-temp wash option on the cycles? One guy in the club in particular, after I chided him for NOT using this option (he was complaining peanut butter wouldn't come off knives) because he said his water heater was set very high. But he admitted to me that after using the water heat option with the cycles, things got even cleaner, especially in the silverware rack. And do not attempt to compare the washing results of silverware ihn the KN vs. the WP. Completelhy different beasts. And wait until you use the pots & pans or super scour cycle. A long pre-wash delayed by heating water, a heated main wash, and on some models, automatically included the heated final rinse too. It's rare I DON'T use a water heating cycle.

 

[kenmore1978]

water heating

The problem I've noticed is that if I use the HI TEMP option, I can't have AIR DRY. So if something doesn't come off, it's then baked on. I've noticed a few things I miss from the KM, the option to shorten or lenghthen cycles, indicator lights to show where the machine is in the cycle, and the time left in the cycle. The KM also had a long basket where one end could be covered to put small items in. Actually, I kept that and put it in the WP.

 

[kenmore1978]

Air Dry

I take that back, turns out the Hi Temp is apparently standard on Pots & Pans, so Air Dry is permitted.