Best “Modern” Dishwasher

[DADoES]

 
The tower in your first photo is attached to the lower rack, not to the spray arm.

The difference is just a variation in how to get water to the upper spray arm ... either via a spray jet aimed into it from a nozzle on top of the pump, or via a feed tube that runs up the back of the tub which avoids need for the tower in middle of the lower rack to prevent the user from loading something that would block the spray jet.

 

[hobarthero]

Water delivery

I figured it was for water delivery to the upper wash arm. I mostly just wasn’t sure if one system generally worked better than the other. Thanks
-Shannon

 

[cam2s]

The direct feed system was initially billed as a step up feature for the more TOL units. The other Whirlpool you where looking at was a Gold model that would have had the direct feed system. One is just as effective as the other than the direct feed system doesn’t eat any rack space.

 

[combo52]

WP DW Water Feed To Top Wash Arm

The center tower system has less problems, but the rear direct-feed works about as well.

 

The little bits of plastic you found in the WA nozzles was careless loading that allowed plastic trash to get into the DW. This is a major problem for some users, it seems that we see it most often in Maytag standard tub DWs, I guess because their arms have such small holes to catch the plastic bits.

 

John L.

 

[hobarthero]

Regular wear points on Power Clean?

Since these are technically vintage DW’s being over 20 years old, I would assume there are certain common areas of wear and tear that I should check out. Obviously as you have all stated, these are pretty rugged machines, but I want to go over everything with a fine tooth comb before the final installation. What should I check/clean specifically. I want to get top performance from this DW when it gets the first load.
-Shannon[this post was last edited: 5/27/2021-09:01]

 

[henene4]

Not too familar with the PowerClean

Assuming you are talking about that...

Regular issues commonly heared of are AFAIK that the pump assembly is just generally gunked up with stuff like glass and such.
That can reduce flow rate and thus cleaning ability.

Other thing is that sometimes the fill valves get scaled and thus the DW underfills since they are timed fill.
Checking for correct filling is a good idea.

Some people had parts of the wash arm assembly wear out and thus leak water by, but that is rare.

Rust spots on racks should be mended before using the machine much.

But others may have more insight on other areas...

 

[appnut]

These are very sensitive to not having a full charge of water for each fill as Henrik mentioned. If underfilling, the machine "cavitates" gasping for water. Sediment and scale will restrict flow over time in the inlet valve.

 

[egress]

if the plastic on the powerclean is the same stuff they used for the point voyager it'll start crumbling after a while and pieces of it will migrate into the sump. don't know how tolerant the powerclean is of small pieces of plastic, but I know our point voyager got plugged up pretty fast and I had to get in there and clean it out a few times before we replaced our silverware tray.

 

[cam2s]

These are pretty bullet proof machines. Pull the wash arms to check for gunk and make sure they rotate freely. You’ll want to make sure the filter screen under the wash is intact and doesn’t have any debris on it. As noted make sure it’s getting a full change of water. If there are any spots of rust on the racks address it quickly before it spreads. Otherwise it should work like a champ.

 

[hobarthero]

Installed!

Got it put in tonight. Seems to be working great so far, it smelled pretty musty from sitting these past few months, so I ran a load of finish dishwasher cleaner through it and that seems to have freshened it up. How do I go about touching up the racks? They are in good shape but a couple spots have wear that would be good to cover up before rust starts. I found an extra machine locally as well for $20 that I’ll keep around for parts if that’s necessary in the future as well. Thanks for the suggestions everyone
-Shannon

 

[egress]

lookin like she's ready for a load of the dirtiest dishes you can amass!

 

[maytaga806]

Give us an update on how you are liking your new unit! I bought a portable model from 2005 a year ago and it’s endured heavy use and it’s never flawed once. Mine is the direct feed model and yes both systems are very powerful. Someone said you can interchange your wash system with a powerclean from tower style to direct feed or vice versa. When I did that the upper wash arm wouldn’t receive full water pressure no matter what I did the black cap tower everything was aligned the way it should have so idk, anyways I’m keeping mine as a direct feed the way it came and it’s given me amazing performance and I also have videos of the interior while it’s washing. These are some of the most reliable machines made. Hope you are loving it and give us an update!!

 

[maytaga806]

The one thing I forgot to mention is that the soap dispenser didn’t work when I got the dishwasher, and it needed a new wax motor. So I got that and easily replaced it and it’s fully functioning the way it should on its own now incase you ever run into that as it looks the door was closed in the photo so hope it does work and someone had just closed it for whatever reason and then took the photos of it.

 

[hobarthero]

Running Flawlessly

I have been continuously impressed with the amazing performance of this machine. Everything comes out clean and dry every time and with 2 kids under 2 years old the certainly make lots of messes with dishes. 100% best machine ever built.
-Shannon

 

[mark_wpduet]

I LOVED these dishwashers

through the 90s I lived several places and they all had different models of these. Most of them were Kenmore brand's made by Whirlpool...I never once had an issue with any of them. If they still made these, if something happened to my dishwasher, this is the first thing I would buy...

But ... I've gotten used to quieter dishwashers and tall tub.....I'm sure the noise would be shocking. I also remember plastics in the top would always turn over and be filled with water because these are so powerful.

 

[iiijohnnymaciii]

One Thing

Nice machine! Congrats! Don’t forget to clean the air vent. After 15+ years those things can get gunked up.

 

[maytaga806]

I cleaned mine out just recently and wow the bizarre things that came out of it! Much better now.