A question about the old GE impeller dishwashers...

[strongenough78]

I asked someone who posted a video of one on youtube but never got an answer. But, how do those work? Is the water sprayed from the impeller spinning it, water sprayed from the bottom through the impeller spinning it, or is the bottom of the machine filled with water and the impeller spun with enough force by a motor to force the water up and hard enough to clean the dishes? I've always been curious about that.

 

[roto204]

A fan in a puddle

The impeller whirls in a pool of water, and slings it up onto the dishes.  There is no pumping going on to any degree, although some machines (like Mobile Maids) found creative ways to do things like drive auxiliary spray arms off the drain impeller while it ran in the wash direction.

 

On some machines, the impeller shape is the only thing that determines the path and force of the spray; on others, there are devices (such as on Hotpoints) to help direct the water to the top rack; on many machines, you needed a nice ring of dinner plates, saucers, and other flat things to guide the water up to the top rack.

 

 

 

[strongenough78]

Ah ok. I see now. Thanks Nathan

 

[turquoisedude]

If it is of any help, here's a video of my 1956 GE impeller-wash dishwasher just after it was brought back to life!

 

[strongenough78]

Wow thanks Paul, nice video and dishwasher. That thing must spin hella fast to be able to throw the water like that.

 

[roto204]

Plates can be key

Awesome video, Paul!  A "forbidden cycle," to be sure!  Those bowties are amazing.

 

If you advance to the 2:50 mark on my link, you can see how plates direct the water (compared to the earlier parts of the video, where it's just futzing around with an empty tub).

 

[combo52]

IMPELLER DISHWASHERS

I think I am correct in saying that on all US impeller DWs the motor ran at 1725-50 RPMs. This is also the most common speed for almost all automatic washers on hi speed and all clothes dryers. On almost all DWs with a real pump the motor runs at 3450 RPMS.

 

[philr]

Here's a video of my '65 Frigidaire D&M impeller dishwasher.