Yep, after a new coat of paint and many hours of puzzling about how to rebuild the detergent cups, that ol' devil curiousity got the better of me... I had to find out how the 61 WP top-loader would do with a real load of dishes!
61 Whirlpool Dishwasher Maiden Wash
- Thread starter turquoisedude
- Start date
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With hubby's reluctant help ('Oh lord, it's not STAYING in the kitchen, is it?' was his lament...) I carried it from the basement to the kitchen. A cooking spree on Sunday morning gave me a good test load of dishes!
All hooked up and running and best of all NO LEAKS! I got 'em all!
I had no detergent cups in the machine, so I manually tossed in about a tablespoon of Cascade at the appropriate time of the cycle. No exactly 'automatic dishwashing' but I had to compromise for the sake of testing.
Overall, the machine ran well and reasonably quietly.
I had no detergent cups in the machine, so I manually tossed in about a tablespoon of Cascade at the appropriate time of the cycle. No exactly 'automatic dishwashing' but I had to compromise for the sake of testing.
Overall, the machine ran well and reasonably quietly.
Results and observations...
Overall, the machine did a decent job. I must admit that some of the glasses had some specks and 'yiblets' inside, but anything on the lower rack got scrubbed but good!
I am wondering if there had been enough water inside the machine... I will try a test with the machine empty to see if there is good sound of water hitting the top lid (like I hear with the MobileMaid or either of the KitchenAids).
I also wonder if perhaps I was too stingy with the detergent... I remember reading on a detergent box that 'If machine has no cups, put one tablespoon of detergent in the bottom of the machine'. I am not sure it was enough.
Finally, I find that upper rack is a bit of a pain. I seem to go through more glasses and mugs than anything. BUT I will bet this beastie will have no trouble with pots and pans!
It's a pretty unique machine however, I don't think it will earn a permanent place as the 'second in command' in the kitchen... One day I really will decide which machine gets the top honours! No, really... LOL
Overall, the machine did a decent job. I must admit that some of the glasses had some specks and 'yiblets' inside, but anything on the lower rack got scrubbed but good!
I am wondering if there had been enough water inside the machine... I will try a test with the machine empty to see if there is good sound of water hitting the top lid (like I hear with the MobileMaid or either of the KitchenAids).
I also wonder if perhaps I was too stingy with the detergent... I remember reading on a detergent box that 'If machine has no cups, put one tablespoon of detergent in the bottom of the machine'. I am not sure it was enough.
Finally, I find that upper rack is a bit of a pain. I seem to go through more glasses and mugs than anything. BUT I will bet this beastie will have no trouble with pots and pans!
It's a pretty unique machine however, I don't think it will earn a permanent place as the 'second in command' in the kitchen... One day I really will decide which machine gets the top honours! No, really... LOL
Can't get enough of those turquoises!
Paul,
Is that half-rack the only top rack for glasses and cups? Am still looking for detergent dispensers for you, but they'll most likely have to come out of another machine just like the one you have. And if that's the case, I severely doubt you'll get them LOL.
Sure is a pretty little thing. I don't know about you, but the more I get into this, the more I love top-loading dishwashers. They epitomize retro.
Thinking out loud, but couldn't you jury-rig a GE TL detergent dispenser to fit over those cams and do the job? Don't they both fit on with small "C" clamps?
Paul,
Is that half-rack the only top rack for glasses and cups? Am still looking for detergent dispensers for you, but they'll most likely have to come out of another machine just like the one you have. And if that's the case, I severely doubt you'll get them LOL.
Sure is a pretty little thing. I don't know about you, but the more I get into this, the more I love top-loading dishwashers. They epitomize retro.
Thinking out loud, but couldn't you jury-rig a GE TL detergent dispenser to fit over those cams and do the job? Don't they both fit on with small "C" clamps?
Ken, yep, that half rack is what came with machine (To paraphrase Peggy Lee: 'Is THAT all there is?') LOL
It does leave a good part of the lower rack for tall items like pitchers, though!
Top-loaders are indeed the embodiment of retro - I never thought of this before, but John Lefever pointed out that they are neater as any residue on the dishes will fall into the tub and not splash from a door panel onto cupboards or floors...
I had thought a GE cup might be adaptable, but it is the trip mechanism of the Whirlpool that would no longer work. SIGH.
I am hoping to get a trip into Queensbury, NY to see the Hansens soon - perhaps there may be one hidden among the spare parts!!
It does leave a good part of the lower rack for tall items like pitchers, though!
Top-loaders are indeed the embodiment of retro - I never thought of this before, but John Lefever pointed out that they are neater as any residue on the dishes will fall into the tub and not splash from a door panel onto cupboards or floors...
I had thought a GE cup might be adaptable, but it is the trip mechanism of the Whirlpool that would no longer work. SIGH.
I am hoping to get a trip into Queensbury, NY to see the Hansens soon - perhaps there may be one hidden among the spare parts!!
aldspinboy
Well-known member
It must be Whirlpool week lol.
Hey Paul your paint job is spectacular it really looks good !
Are you sure there was some stuff in the glasses ....I know you have rinse those dishes before you started that machine.
They look clean already before you ran that load...Ducks and runs.
Darren k
Hey Paul your paint job is spectacular it really looks good !
Are you sure there was some stuff in the glasses ....I know you have rinse those dishes before you started that machine.
They look clean already before you ran that load...Ducks and runs.
Darren k
mrcleanjeans
New member
Dishes will gleam in the Jet Stream
Congrats,and a wonderful paint job I might add! two things,there is not enough water in the tub . I had this model and it sounded like sweeping torrential waves,and did a FANTASTIC job on both racks. I was very fond of 12% phosphate Calgonite in that machine,this was in the late 70s. You never saw such a sparkle. Second, you should put about two TBS.of Cascade in the machine, it won't be too much even in soft water as it has an etch guard built in. Good luck,let us know the progress!
Congrats,and a wonderful paint job I might add! two things,there is not enough water in the tub . I had this model and it sounded like sweeping torrential waves,and did a FANTASTIC job on both racks. I was very fond of 12% phosphate Calgonite in that machine,this was in the late 70s. You never saw such a sparkle. Second, you should put about two TBS.of Cascade in the machine, it won't be too much even in soft water as it has an etch guard built in. Good luck,let us know the progress!
rollermatic
Well-known member
hi paul
that's a beautiful machine, love the color!
hope to come across an old whirlpool or westinghouse top loader myself some day.
just love top load dishwashers! they are so nostalgic! people today wouldn't know how to act around a top loading dishwasher!!!
and if it doesn't clean that great, oh well! whenever i get these beautiful old vintage machines i just think "if it runs, if it doesn't leak, if i can rebuild it, that's good enough for me!". just not leaking is a major thing for a old classic from 1961!
enjoy it, yiblets and all!
that's a beautiful machine, love the color!
hope to come across an old whirlpool or westinghouse top loader myself some day.
just love top load dishwashers! they are so nostalgic! people today wouldn't know how to act around a top loading dishwasher!!!
and if it doesn't clean that great, oh well! whenever i get these beautiful old vintage machines i just think "if it runs, if it doesn't leak, if i can rebuild it, that's good enough for me!". just not leaking is a major thing for a old classic from 1961!
enjoy it, yiblets and all!
cyclemonitor
Well-known member
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- Jan 25, 2011
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Top Loaders
Speaking of..... this is my favorite WP
Speaking of..... this is my favorite WP
cyclemonitor
Well-known member
- Joined
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- Messages
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cyclemonitor:
That use to by my machine. I bought that from someone here in the club. It was a great proformer. I kept it in my laundry room which is close to my kitchen. I so loved having a second machine. 22 minutes for the normal or "short wash" and everything always came out spotless.
That use to by my machine. I bought that from someone here in the club. It was a great proformer. I kept it in my laundry room which is close to my kitchen. I so loved having a second machine. 22 minutes for the normal or "short wash" and everything always came out spotless.
cyclemonitor
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jan 25, 2011
- Messages
- 581
as long as it's kept in the family!
I also have a twin brother I found here in Tampa...MY BOYS!!!
I also have a twin brother I found here in Tampa...MY BOYS!!!
