32 year old Kitchen-Aid by Hobart

[floyde]

I have a 1984 Kitchen-aid by Hobart. It's starting to make a lot of squealing sounds. Everyone I know who has purchased a new dishwasher in the last 10 years has had circuit board issues.

Is the a new dishwasher that is mechanical rather than electronic that the members would recommend?

Thank you!

 

[toploader55]

Pictures and model numbers always help with help !!!

 

[floyde]

Thank you

It's really not about the old dishwasher but I did post it here. It's a time to replace and I'm asking for recommendations for a new dishwasher that doesn't have an electronic control board but a mechanical one.

 

[brucelucenta]

Don't think there is such a creature with the exception of a very bottom of the line model in a few dishwashers. The newer machines have come a long way with circuitry now. Usually that is not an issue anymore. In fact, the newest Kitchenaid dishwashers made by Whirlpool are quite good at cleaning and whisper quiet.

 

[toploader55]

Speaking of new machines ... Check this out...

http://www.automaticwasher.org/cgi-bin/TD/TD-VIEWTHREAD.cgi?68422_10~1

 

[floyde]

Pics

Are parts still available ?

 

[swestoyz]

Are Parts Available?

They sure are.  I'm more familiar with the 15-20 series machines, but if you're getting a squeal during wash, there is a possibility that something has gotten in the pump, or your shaft seal might be on the way out.  The shaft seal assembly is still available, which would be the same part for all of the 21 series machines.

 

https://www.repairclinic.com/Shop-For-Parts/a9b121d623120/Model-KDS21-Kitchenaid-Dishwasher-Parts

 

[floyde]

Thank you

This dishwasher cleans like a dream. It's a little loud, but doesn't have to run for 2 and half hours either.

 

[kb0nes]

I'd try to keep that machine as long as you can keep it running. Common parts should be available for sometime at this point.

The squealing may go away if you just add a bit more fat to the machines diet, wash a butterdish without wiping it clean first.

As for electronic controls I wouldn't fear them. I've had electronic dishwashers for over 20 years and never replaced a board. Modern cost cut mechanical timers (if they were available) would probably be just as unreliable.

 

[joeypete]

What kind of squealing noise? Like when does it do that? Mine 1985 Hobart was doing that when the pump would stop. I discovered it was because of the detergent I was using. I've been adding small amounts of STPP to the loads and it hasn't done it since.

 

[floyde]

Detergent

I use cascade platinum action pacs. I think it has STPP.

 

[DADoES]

 
<blockquote>I use cascade platinum action pacs. I think it has STPP.</blockquote> Highly unlikely.  STPP (phosphates) were eliminated from mass-market / consumer dishwasher (and laundry) detergents some years ago.

 

[stevet]

STPP...

Glenn is absolutely correct. About the only dw detergent out there that has a miniscule amount of phosphates in it is select Finish products. Mostly in the powerball blocks.

It tells you precisely how much on the side panel. All others state "phosphate free."

You can search out the Commercial fryer boil out Cascade which used to be their commercial powdered dishwasher detergent. That still had phosphates in it.

But having had a number of series 21 and 22 machines, the squealing was rarely a cause for concern and happened after a drain period and would just come and go at random.

I agree with the statement of adding a little bit of fat to the dishwater in the form of not washing the dishes before turning on the machine.

 

[joeypete]

Oh noooooo

That's what I was using when mine made the horrible squealing and groaning noise!! I think they have too many suds...seriously. If you can get your hands on some STPP get it and use powdered detergent like Cascade Complete or Finish...I mean if you want to try and save the machine.

I've actually been using Regular Cascade pacs and haven't had a problem...they aren't as sudsy as the Platinum's.

Otherwise try to get some Cascade Fryer Boil out...it has phosphates in it...it's the commercial version..and it's available on Amazon.

 

[stevet]

I know what you mean,

Joe.
We have a KitchenAid KUDP02IRWH2 Tall Tub and usually use the Normal or Light/China Cycles with the Finish Tabs and if I add any kind of rinse agent to the machine, it will foam up so much that you can hear the pump cavitating. If I use the heavy duty cycle, it gives two after rinses and there is little to no foaming.Which would make sense since the detergent is further reduced by the 2nd rinse.

If I do the dishes, I crush up half of the tablet directly into the machine for the prewash, and then there is less detergent to foam up on even the normal cycle or L/C cycles. There is almost no difference in the cleaning results. If the wife does the dishes, she practically washes them first(I leave "stuff" on the dishes), she uses the full tablet in the main wash so there is sometimes a residual "smell or film" which will suds up when water is filling a clean glass. I have been trying to get her to do what I do but I have note been very successful so far.

I guess it all comes down to each individual machine and how it works with any given product and how much provides good results.

 

[askolover]

We're going to stop using tablets/pacs in our KUDI23 because of the suds in our softened water. Sticking with gel containing bleach or some powders and the fact that I can dose according to soil level. No problems with cleaning results.

 

[lowefficiency]

<span style="font-kerning: none;">kb0nes wrote:</span>
>>As for electronic controls I wouldn't fear them. I've had electronic dishwashers for over 20 years and never replaced a board.

 

There is at least one clear exception to this...  the almost 500,000 Bosch and Siemens dishwashers that were recalled for the faulty control panels that caught on fire.

 

https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2009/B...me-Appliances-Corporation-Due-to-Fire-Hazard/

http://www.bosch-home.com/us/dishwasher-recall.html

 

 

The pictures aren't pretty... and many of these were high-end machines.    We bought a house that unknowingly had one of these in it, so we went through the recall process and ended up taking the offer of a new Bosch for a discounted rate in lieu of a repair.    We're ultimately pleased with the outcome (and actually rather liked the older recalled Bosch dishwasher as well)...  but if you're considering a purchase of a used Bosch, you definitely need to check the model and serial numbers against the recall list!