A departure from Ida's...

[deeptub]

Steel Frame

The steel frame that extended to the top of the tank was eliminated on the 21 series (1984), presumably because by that point a full insulation blanket for the tank trumped the ability to hold up a counter.

Interestingly, the "short frame" design of the 21-23 models is still much heavier and much more rigid than any of its contemporairies and most modern machines. If you raise one leveling leg of a 21-23, the machine will rock back and forth, not settle out-of-square like most new machines seem to.

T.

 

[hoover1060]

Hey Fred...

How about a pic of the front of your KDS17? It looks FAB in your kitchen.
I'm just about to leave work, I'll get a pic of the KDS17A and the old kenmore next to each other for comparison

 

[fnelson487]

OK - Here's The Front

I found this with the brushed chrome (I think - because it also had a stainless steel option) front. I was lucky. I would like to also find the frame holder for this unit which allows you to put any panel in you like including matching the wood cabinetry. Check out post 144943 in Connecticut above. That's a custom panel holder. Thanks Ken, turquoise is one of my favorites - also my mom's - she had a complete turquoise kitchen - minus the dishwasher. The only problem with this installation is that there is a brace in the back of this unit to hold up the granite countertop which causes the unit to stick out a bit. I am going to take this unit out and take off the ledge behind the dishwasher so that it is flush with the cabinets, the way it was supposed to be.

 

[fnelson487]

Here she is today

After cleaning up a load of dishes after making cole slaw. Perfect for a hot day in July in Chicago with a heat index of over 100!

 

[fnelson487]

Here's Her Sister

A KDS-57 Convertible Portable in the laundry room off the kitchen used for overflow. In brand new condition. This is my back-up machine, in case anything happens to the original!

 

[fnelson487]

And the Old Aunt

A KDI-14P built in to the laundry room next to the kitchen. Used often for pots and pans. No waiting for dishwashing in this house.

 

[hoover1060]

In she goes...

With both of my parents here "helping" this is definately not dull!
Here's the KDS17 going in...for a while I wasn't sure if the Kenmore would come out!

Note the metal frame construction. This thing is built like a tank!

Thanks for the pics of your machines too Fred!

 

[hoover1060]

here is where we are now

Its in place and anchored down.
The electric is hooked up.
I need to drill a new hole in the cabinet to run the water line and drain hose thru, as one of the frame members blocks the former one.
My dad's gone to the store to get a large drill bit...
It shouldn't be long now!

 

[gansky1]

It looks beautiful already!!

 

[hoover1060]

Finally after much weeping and gnashing of teeth...

Its in, and running and NOT leaking(THANK GOD!!)

 

[hoover1060]

we had leaks

From the fill hose(replaced the clamp) and from the drain hose(teflon tape fixed this)

 

[hoover1060]

water draining into the Viking

YAY, clean dishes are just around the corner!

Thanks to Greg and Fred for their help too!

 

[westytoploader]

Jeff, congratulations, looks great in its new home!! Glad to see you have it installed and washing away!

 

[fnelson487]

Yeah!!!!

She's a beauty and flush with the cabinet, just the way she should be. You will get a lot of good use out of that one and much pleasure just looking at it. It is a class act all the way.

Fred

 

[tlee618]

What a beautiful machine Jeff!! I bet that it even looks better in your kitchen that the picture shows. Can't wait to hear how you like it compared to the Kenmore. Terry

 

[foraloysius]

Congratulations Jeff, it's a beautiful machine. Lots of clean dishes for a very long time!

 

[Unimatic1140]

Jeff it looks just great!!!! Food will taste so much better eaten on dishes washed in a vintage KitchenAid (ok maybe I am crazy after all).

Fred great pictures as well. Your KDS-14 is georgous! Nothing like having two or more dishwashers handy and ready to wash.

 

[bobbyderegis]

It's a beauty, Jeff. You have to love those pretty amber lights! Boy, do I miss our 17-A.
Bobby in Boston

 

[frontaloadotmy]

Jeff

The black and wood grain do look very nice. Is that
a function button below the cycle indicator lights?
frntl

 

[hoover1060]

the button

Turns off the heater for drying, not sure if it turns off the blower or not.

I'm still getting used to its looks and "feel" the door is way heavier than on my Kenmore!

 

[appnut]

The blower stays on!!

 

[deeptub]

Congratulations, Jeff!
I don't know why, but I've always found it charming the way the Prewash light goes out and then the Wash light comes on a half second later with the opening of the water valve. Sort of the one bit of evidence of the complex electromechanical controls underlying the simple pushbuttons and lights.

I'm pleased that so many people are finding and using these machines for daily use (so to speak). I think regular use keeps them young. And it's possible that a lot of them are still in use in their original installations and are just becoming available to collectors (like Jeff's was). I got my first dishwasher (a KDS-17A) in 1998 and hoped it would get me through 2 years. Now 8 years later I'm still using it--it's been in 4 different apartments now! (Of course, 8 years ago I never dreamed that it would be the first of a fleet of dishwashers!)

Good times
T.

PS Jeff, I love the old flooring visible under your DW!

 

[hoover1060]

Thanks guys

I think I will really like this dishwasher once I get used to it. I know it has to be loaded a certain way, should not be a problem, and I generally rinse and under-load the dishwasher anyway.

That floor under the DW was also in the basement, but was taken up 3 years ago after the flood.
Man that stuff was/is ugly!!

 

[bobbyderegis]

I got to hear Jeff's new KD 17-A via telephone yesterday. It sounds so awesome, makes me long for the good old days when we had ours. I totally forgot the motor runs (one direction) for the entire length of the cycle. One of the nicest, most solid machines made. Congrats, Jeff.
Bobby in Boston

 

[hoover1060]

see the power!!

Thanks Bobby...
I saw the power of the "hurricane" this morning when I went to load the breakfast dishes. I had a couple of gladware things on the top rack, and after that rinse cycle you heard last night they were jostled all over the place. That thing must really pump the water!

 

[hoover1060]

first full load

Not quite a BOB load, but until I get the hang of loading this thing, this will be a full load...

 

[fnelson487]

Hey Jeff

We definitely need to get you a new silverware basket and get that gasket replaced.

 

[gansky1]

17 stats

1/2HP, stainless steel shaft, dual bearing motor. Pump circulated 40 gallons per minute through the 4-way Hydro-Sweep wash arm at approximately 10 p.s.i. (which explains your gladware jumping about) and 2 GPM from the sprayer above the top rack.

 

[hoover1060]

lightening fast...

OK so I started the machine, went downstairs and put in some laundry, took Jack for a walk, folded a load of laundry...
And the dishwasher was DONE in that amount of time!!!
The Kenmore took 96 minutes!!!
The Kitchenaid is all unloaded and put away already!!