'A KitchenAid dishwasher for every kitchen....or basement....'

[turquoisedude]

So, after last week's 'shakedown' testing of the 62 KitchenAid Superba Varicycle portable, I figured it was time for a real test load with dishes.  

 

First, one has to make sure that the appropriate supplies are on hand.  Hacksaw? Check. Low-gauge home-made extension cord? Check.  Mop and rags for leaks? Check.  Exacto knife to make sure any safety seal on gin bottles can be dealt with? Check.  

 

Ah, but Hubby's in Brazil, so the testing could have gone ahead anyway.... Force of habit. 

 

[turquoisedude]

Of course some dishes would be needed... So I gave the pair of GE's in the Ogden kitchen a long Holiday weekend off and carefully accumulated this pile of dishes since my arrival back down here on Thursday evening.  

 

We have a nice assortment of dirty dishes: plates with salmon and chicken residues, a bowl that contained Greek Salad, cups, glasses, a barely dirty skillet, and the pièce de résistance, the bowls, mixer beaters, and utensils used in the fabrication of a banana chiffon cake. 

 

Worse still, these dishes were totally neglected! No pre-rinsing was done.  These are the original, unretouched photographs!  How will the rebuilt KDS54 cope?? 

 

[turquoisedude]

Never having owned a front-loading KA until now, I had to improvise a wee bit.  Here's my first attempt at loading the bottom rack. 

 

[turquoisedude]

Looked good, but that skillet hit the top rack.... Can't have THAT now, can we. 

 

A bit of presto-chango-rearrango was in order and it seemed to work this time.  

 

[turquoisedude]

Now for the upper rack.   I'll say it publicly, but the back section of the rack is not that easy to load (Yeah, I know this from the person who owns HOW many impeller-wash top-loaders....).  Still I think I did OK for a first attempt here.  

 

[turquoisedude]

Well a little further 'refinement' to my loading technique was needed...  I put the sugar bowl into the lower rack and freed up space for a measuring cup.  

 

[turquoisedude]

BUT... not everything fit.  I'll need to practice my Bob-Loading technique on this dishwasher for sure.

 

[turquoisedude]

Now for the moment of truth!  Modern Cascade was used in both detergent cups (I figured the dishes needed a double-wash).  I had to use the turquoise Full Cycle button, too... 

 

[turquoisedude]

It's running!  My neighbours are away so I had no phone calls about power hits or brownouts...  Phew!

 

[turquoisedude]

I cannot believe how quietly this dishwasher runs!  I must admit I heard less water splashing around than in my empty-tub tests.   I also noticed this dribble of water while the machine was washing or rinsing.  A quick review of the Service Manual quickly revealed that I did not leave quite enough 'gap' in the drain hose when I replaced it.  Fortunately I'll be able to correct that easily.   

 

But how will the 'Turquoisedude's Totally Unscientific Dishwasher Test' turn out???

 

[turquoisedude]

After the last rinse and before the final drain, I had to open up the door and peek.  

 

All I can say is WOW!  

 

The plates are sparkling, the utensils shiny, the mixer bowls and beaters and cake whip have no trace of dried-on batter, and the vintage Texaco 'Starburst' glasses are clean.  Not even a trace of the dreaded yibblets on the tops of the cups. 

 

I am totally impressed! 

 

[turquoisedude]

And phew! the detergent cup for the main wash seems to be releasing properly!  

 

Looks like I've got me a keeper here... LOL 

 

I still need to do some cosmetic work on the machine's outsides.  The butcher-block wood top needs to be sanded and varnished and I need to clean up the cabinet.  Heck, if I won't get run out of town, I may consider repainting the cabinet and front panels... turquoise.   Bet ya didn't see THAT coming... 

 

[classiccaprice]

Wonderful Paul! I'm still so green with envy. Glad it's working great for you!

 

[gansky1]

Squeaky clean, of course.

 

 Good loading techniques there, can't speak for Bob, but you'll at least get a BobLoad runner's up award.  You don't get the sash and roses that come with a full-on BobLoad win, but it's still an honor

 

[cadman]

Wow Paul, that's a serious load of dishes there and a great test for the new KA. There's a certain style to that panel I've always liked and I bet it'd look great in turquoise! Out of curiousity, what have you been running in the other DW's? Have you tried the Fryer Boil-Out yet? -C

 

[appnut]

Paul, you get BobLoad certification with the KitchenAid 1-arm wonder handicap scoring factor. I've been debating for a while what I could do to factor in the 1-arm wonder handicapping design. If I'd been there, I think I probably could have figured out a way to get the skillet in, had an idea just looking at the pictures. And if it had been a machine with upper level wash arm, I could have EASILY put in all the surplus with some "engineered" loading.

 

[toploader55]

Noooooo.

Hi Paul.
Don't Varnish or Urethane the top.

Start Coarse then work your way up to 300 grit. Tack Cloth it then use Mineral Oil.

Might take 4-5 coats but you'll get a rich patina and a safe cutting board to use for prep.

 

[frigilux]

Congratulations on a successful first test, as well as your official BobLoad certification! I'm always amazed at how well these single arm KitchenAid machines clean the upper rack when properly loaded. "Hurricane-in-a-box," indeed.

 

[norgeway]

So far ahead!

Of ANYTHING made today!!!!