Best Portable Diahwasher?

[ibuzzard]

I am new, and picking up my dirst vintage DW , a Kitxhenaide KDA-5, about which I have started a current thread. Thanks for input and making me welcome.

What would be considered the holy grail of portable DW's, if you have a concensus?( And where can I buy one near the Bay Area?)

We are upgrading our kitchen, but not yet reconfifuring the cabinets, so cannot use a built-in at this time. Anything we buy will be used daily. Thank you for all advice and opinions.

 

[jons1077]

KDS-60

I have a 1981ish KDS-60 which I believe is the portable version of the KDS-20. I think it's a great dishwasher. The only issue was it was washing poorly for a while and turned out to be a dirty filter screen at the inlet valve. A quick disassembly and cleaning and it's working like a champ.

 

[ibuzzard]

Thanks!

We elected not to buy the KDA-5, wife was not too thrilled with a top loading DW. Thanks for the referral for the KDS-60, I will begin looking for one for her.

 

[toploader55]

A KDS-60 or any KA from this era are pretty scarce.  That said they will be popping up all over the place.

 

In my collection my Daily Driver is what I call the KenWhirl. (Kenmore made by Whirlpool)  I borrowed these pics from CL but I have the Identical Machine.

 

Cleans Very Good. Don't care for the top rack configuration, but you can Pack it (BobLoad)it and it cleans just fine with a Three level wash.

 

As far as Portables go, I wouldn't buy a tall tub.

 

[appnut]

Eddie, what don't you like about the top rack?

 

[combo52]

I love the top rack design in these WP built standard tub machines, this is one of the few DWs I have ever seen that can actually get tall glasses clean even when they are placed in the corners of the top rack, My KDSS-20 could not even get smoothie glasses clean in the corners of the top rack.

 

And compared to the NEW GE DW I am trying out these top racks are great, in the GE everything slides around and the openings are so large that items fall through and the front to back rails end at the front and back so lids spatulas etc fall through as well. Of course this GE DW will only be here for a short while, LOL.

 

[toploader55]

Bob...

 

I don't like the rack because it doesn't tilt or raise and lower. Also one side of fold down tines wouldn't be bad either.  It's just many times I want to get a few more things in the machine and the top rack can't accommodate them just by a 1/2 to an inch. If it tilted or lowered, I'd love the machine 100%.

 

John...

 

No complaints about the cleaning at all. I have recently discovered that the Glass baking dishes (Lasagna type) that I use for meatloaf and baking Chicken Breasts with roasted vegetables will wash 100% spotless with Cascade Complete Powder with Dawn. (Bj's Wholesale). I fill both cups because I don't prewash or rinse anything.  I use the Normal Wash with HiTemp Wash heat. That gives a PreWash, Wash and two Long Rinses. I also incorporate the heated Dry.  being I am single, I have 1/2 a Maytag silverware basket I use.   I could never see the sense with that HUGE Flatware rack the machine came with. It takes up that whole side space which I now put my Glass Baking dishes. Even with dinner for 4, That Maytag Flatware Basket holds enough flatware and I said the machine is a great cleaner.

 

I had one Tall Tub Maytag in a brief stay at a residence and it cleaned OK, but for some reason I think the standard tubs have a stronger Wash Action.  I'm sure it's my imagination but I just feel more comfortable with a standard tub. (Plus it's more of a challenge to Jam it full and get great results)

 

Once everyone started with the Tall Tubs, isn't that when the Cycle time went from an Hour to an Hour Plus to over two hours pending on the cycle ?

 

[ibuzzard]

Johns1077....

...are you interested in selling your KDS-60, or can you point me toward another? Thanks, Steve

 

[jons1077]

Definitely hanging on to the one I have but just skim craiglist from time to time and one will likely pop up somewhere. They are still around. If I catch one I'll be sure to let you know.

 

[ibuzzard]

Thanks,...

I appreciate it!...