A dream machine found!

[turquoisedude]

It took some searching, waiting, researching and a scheme that I deemed "worthy of Ricardo and Mertz", but I finally managed to find a dishwasher that was on my 'dream machines still to be found' list.
Perhaps you may have heard of this brand name...

 

[turquoisedude]

Meet my latest addition to the collection

Yep, that's 'an early KitchenAid top-loader' alright! It's a KDC-P2 to be exact. I had planned on getting this from Gregm back in April but my (expletive deleted) car didn't start the morning I was supposed to go and pick up the round GE portable...Anyway, I cooked up a scheme to pick this up while Hubby was away in Mexico two weeks ago. That all went to hell when I landed a new job, but I still figured out a way to head down to MA on the weekend while he was still away. I made a trip to Cape Cod, but I will have another post about that!
So, here's the KitchenAid on arrival in the garage on May 1st:

 

[turquoisedude]

The tub and racks are pristine! I am thrilled that all three sections of the top rack are still there!!
And yes, that's the classic blue cast-iron wash arm down there...

 

[turquoisedude]

For easy loading...

Eddie (toploader55) explained how the middle rack section can be placed in the 'loading position' - it really does make loading easy!

 

[turquoisedude]

What a wash!

I had to do a test run with a piece of plexiglas to check out the water action. I was in awe... I must make a video of this at some point soon!

 

[turquoisedude]

But you can't tell how a dishwasher performs until you actually do dishes in it, right?? Yes, I had guests for the weekend down in Ogden (Hubby's mother from the UK is visiting)but by golly, I was determined to try that dishwasher, even if it meant staying up until midnight... Well, I did..

 

[turquoisedude]

Echo kept me company, though!

 

[turquoisedude]

Test load was a day's worth of regular dishes, with a couple of mixing bowls. I used a Finish 'Quantum' power-ball gel-pak thingy (I got a free sample in the mail). The result?
WOW!!

 

[turquoisedude]

I wasn't sure about exactly how to rack things in a KA, but I had an illustration from an old repair guide that featured an KA front-loader as an example of a front-loader. I racked the plates like they were shown in the photo. I must have done something right, 'cause they came out beautfully clean!
And I think I have chose KitchenAid as having the best drying cycle ever. The fan-forced air dried everything spotlessly. WOW!

 

[turquoisedude]

And now, if the Kitchen Aid experts could help...

Would anyone be able to de-code the serial number of this machine to determine the date or year of manufacture?? The model number is KDC-P2, Serial number 157647, Spec: 8916. Could that '57' refer to 1957??
Oh, and the only thing missing from this machine is the mesh detergent cup... If anyone ever hears of one coming up for sale, please let me know!

 

[qsd-dan]

Sounds like a real score for a machine this old that operates 100% and doesn't leak. Congrats!

 

[dishwashercrazy]

Paul,

Gosh, another one! Your dishwasher collection has really taken off lately. Really nice.

Do I recognize that turquoise bowl?

Mike

 

[gansky1]

That's a beautiful dishwasher - it looks like you did a perfect job of loading. It's simply astounding how much you can put in the bottom rack and if the plates are down the center, the top will nearly always come clean. I put my KDS-14 through some pretty tough loading challenges and it always passed with squeaky clean - and dry - dishes.

 

[lordkenmore]

Great find!

"Echo kept me company, though!"

Echo was probably thinking something like: "Why use that machine? I could do a great job cleaning all the dishes with my tongue!"

At least, that seemed to be the opinion that most of the dogs I've lived with have had!

 

[bajaespuma]

Aferim!

And you're right, she does look a little like Ethel. Getting more and more interested in those cast-iron impeller KitchenAids. How does their cleaning compare with the Hydro-Sweep?

Your kitchen is gorgeous. I am planning on plagiarizing it one day.

 

[bajaespuma]

Appliance evolution

Interesting that KA rack tines went from being professional-styleloop-shaped and substantial to being very minimal single coated straight wire segments without even a tip cushion. You can smell the bean- counters as they come closer.

 

[hooverwheelaway]

Congrats!

That is a SuPeR cute machine! I love our KD12/14. It's by far my favorite out of all of our dishwashers!

 

[turquoisedude]

Dan: Thanks! It really is amazing that a machine of this vintage has no leaks or other issues. I almost kinda expect them...
Mike: Yep! You know EXACTLY where that turquoise bowl came from! LOL I use it all the time!!
LordKenmore: wasn't there a dishwasher or dishwasher detergent ad where the kids loading their dishwashwer had the family dog 'pre-rinse' them by tongue?!? Echo would probably LOVE that but, alas, he is not allowed...
Gansky: I was wondering about that 'plates down the centre' loading - the KDC5's silverware basket is smack dab in the middle of the lower rack. What is the best way to load plates in a KA with that configuration??
Ken: You have given me a great idea for a wash test video! The KA with the cast-iron arm VS the hydrosweep... Now, should I use that vile flour, mustard, and egg paste they used in the Youngstown Kitchens Jet-Tower test... Oh, and any time you want, come visit the turquoise kitchen! I may not have been able to pull off holding a wash-in, but any AWO member who feels like visting Canada is welcome any time!
Fred: Just one favourite among all those dishwashers? LOL There are at least 3 that I'd pick!!

 

[rollermatic]

paul, i would have been

more surprised if it had leaked! those machines were built very well. it has the same pump and motor as the 2 kd-12's and the kd-14 i have and none of mine have ever had a leak either!

i know hobart had about 7 pump seals left around the country for these machines, i just bought one at the cincinnati location last month. you might want to grab one!

i will look at the kitchenaid production chart i have to see if i can help determine a date. i have a bunch of hobart tech manuals i bought off a member here last year and have never looked at yet.

it's a great machine with that fabulous cast iron blue spray arm that rotates at about 50-60 rpms! i use my one kd-12 very frequently and it always does a great job!

enjoy it, i'm also anxious to see how you like the kd-5! it will even do a better job!