I am considering purchasing a KDS-18 dishwasher. The seller claims that it is still working but I wanted to check with the AWO members to get some guidance on parts availability and if people are still experienced in repairing this machine should the need arise. I have no experience in appliance repair but have always dreamed of having one of these wonderful machines and just wanted to make sure that I can maintain it as my daily driver if I am fortunate enough to get my hands on it.
Asking the experts
- Thread starter kakidd
- Start date
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Some parts, like seals, are still available from Hobart or Whirlpool. Timers are NLA and can be difficult to locate. Some newer Hobarts use the same motors as the later series KDS machines, so that's not too much of a problem.....yet.
I say go for it and keep an eye on ebay for future spare parts.
I say go for it and keep an eye on ebay for future spare parts.
rollermatic
Well-known member
i know pump seals are
available, i have a pretty good collection of kitchenaids myself. i saw a pump housing on e bay last week also. motors are available, i bought one off e bay last fall for 30 bucks.
other parts like drain valves and fill solonoids are to be found as well.
i have 22 kitchenaids at this time and have had to only replace 2 pump seals up till now. these machines are built to last! my daily machine is a kdss-17a and it has the original pump seal, pump, spray arm and motor! runs like a charm!
go for it!
available, i have a pretty good collection of kitchenaids myself. i saw a pump housing on e bay last week also. motors are available, i bought one off e bay last fall for 30 bucks.
other parts like drain valves and fill solonoids are to be found as well.
i have 22 kitchenaids at this time and have had to only replace 2 pump seals up till now. these machines are built to last! my daily machine is a kdss-17a and it has the original pump seal, pump, spray arm and motor! runs like a charm!
go for it!
Thanks Guys
I hope this works out as I rarely see these machines pop up in my area. I search Craigs List and hit the thrift stores but never seem to be lucky enough to stumble upon one. My mom purchased one of these new in 1977 and I have so many fond memories of challenging the machine to clean and it never let me down. All in less than an hour compared to the 2 1/2 hour cycle that my Bosch takes today and it does not clean half as well!
I hope this works out as I rarely see these machines pop up in my area. I search Craigs List and hit the thrift stores but never seem to be lucky enough to stumble upon one. My mom purchased one of these new in 1977 and I have so many fond memories of challenging the machine to clean and it never let me down. All in less than an hour compared to the 2 1/2 hour cycle that my Bosch takes today and it does not clean half as well!
stevet
Well-known member
You cannot go wrong!
There is a reason or many reasons why so many people love the 18's. If you really want to see it clean, get the newer style upper rack with the larger wash arm.
I think alot of the affinity for it was the fact that it provided classic cleaning ability that set the Kithcenaids apart from the rest of the flock but added the versatility that came from the additional wash arm under the top rack. That freed up the bottom rack to be used for pots,pans and dishes at the same time and still got all the dishware clean up top.
I have found one down side to many of theses 18-23 series machines, though, compared to the newer machines..
The newer machines with their super long cycles do tend to do a better job with the heavily encrusted pots and pans than did the K/A's of that vintage. You cannot clean a pan as well when you have the shorter wash times that the older machines had.
I must admit, however, that I did put a pot covered in dried on mac and cheese in my KD20-18-5 Frankenaid the other night on soak and scrub and with the 1400 watt element rewire job, it really heated the water to near boiling during the soak and that pot looked like it had just come out of the box, brand new, when the cycle was done. But that would be the exception to the rule.
You will love the 18 for sure, but it will sound like a truck compared to the Bosch I am sure!
There is a reason or many reasons why so many people love the 18's. If you really want to see it clean, get the newer style upper rack with the larger wash arm.
I think alot of the affinity for it was the fact that it provided classic cleaning ability that set the Kithcenaids apart from the rest of the flock but added the versatility that came from the additional wash arm under the top rack. That freed up the bottom rack to be used for pots,pans and dishes at the same time and still got all the dishware clean up top.
I have found one down side to many of theses 18-23 series machines, though, compared to the newer machines..
The newer machines with their super long cycles do tend to do a better job with the heavily encrusted pots and pans than did the K/A's of that vintage. You cannot clean a pan as well when you have the shorter wash times that the older machines had.
I must admit, however, that I did put a pot covered in dried on mac and cheese in my KD20-18-5 Frankenaid the other night on soak and scrub and with the 1400 watt element rewire job, it really heated the water to near boiling during the soak and that pot looked like it had just come out of the box, brand new, when the cycle was done. But that would be the exception to the rule.
You will love the 18 for sure, but it will sound like a truck compared to the Bosch I am sure!
I agree
The larger wash arm below the upper rack was more efficient. The only thing I disliked about those models was waiting for the water to "sani-heat" before the wash action started. I'm surprised to hear your opinion about the heavily soiled pots not coming clean in the 18. I remember loading many a burned on casserole dish in the 18, pushing soak & scrub and being amazed at how the dish sparkled when the machine was finished. Yes, the Bosch is quiet but I miss the sound of the water swirling in a good old Superba!
The larger wash arm below the upper rack was more efficient. The only thing I disliked about those models was waiting for the water to "sani-heat" before the wash action started. I'm surprised to hear your opinion about the heavily soiled pots not coming clean in the 18. I remember loading many a burned on casserole dish in the 18, pushing soak & scrub and being amazed at how the dish sparkled when the machine was finished. Yes, the Bosch is quiet but I miss the sound of the water swirling in a good old Superba!
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