Best Vintage Dishwashers

[soveryone]

Hi everyone,
I’m new to the forum. There seem to be many on here with a lot of knowledge on the subject of vintage appliances. I’m looking for recommendations on good brands & models of vintage dishwashers. Any help is much appreciated.

Thanks

 

[chachp]

You're likely to get as many response as there are membe

 

<span style="font-family: 'courier new', courier;">I think though many will say the vintage Kitchen Aid machines can't be beat.  Of course, it depends how far back you want to go and what features you find important.</span>

 

<span style="font-family: 'courier new', courier;">For example, do you care if the machine has multi level or single level washing?  Do you care if it heats the water and/or does it dry the dishes with a air, heated air or an element?</span>

 

<span style="font-family: 'courier new', courier;">In the Kitchen Aid line I'm willing to bet most will say the 18 series if you're looking for all of the above.  If you want to go older than that my personal favorite is the 15, 16 and 17 series machines which offer some of the above but they clean like crazy and are fast you just have to follow some basic rules when loading them.</span>

 

<span style="font-family: 'courier new', courier;">Are you particular to the features?  Do you plan to use it everyday or occasionally?  I'm eager to see how others respond.  This should be a fun thread.</span>

 

[turquoisedude]

I'd say KitchenAid also. I've only ever owned the older models with a one-level wash system but they clean amazingly well.

A brushed-chrome fronted KDS-15 was up for sale on eBay recently.... just sayin'

 

[Ultramatic]

 

 

 

I have a KitchenAid KDS-58. They say the 18 series is the epitome of dishwashers. No arguments from me.  There are quite a few dishwasher experts here that are devoted KitchenAid users. 

 

[soveryone]

Is there a way to tell the model superficially? What is multi-level? Is that when there’s another sprayer at the top?
We are restoring a 1954 split-level & are using vintage appliances & fixtures. It’s not a real big home so nothing too fancy but I would like to use something from the 50’s or 60’s if possible. There was a beautiful brushed aluminum KA Imperial by Hobart on Offer Up but someone got to it before me. I hesitated because I’m not familiar with the different models & what I should be looking for. I think I missed out on a gem but no use crying over lost deals. I saw the one on eBay but it’s a bit out of the way.

 

[potatochips]

Hey Kari, there are ways to usually tell just by looking at the machine what it is, high end or not. I too am on the KA band wagon and normally I am a Maytag fan in and out.

If you are going back that far with appliances, for sure a KitchenAid machine would be the best to get. Not to mention they were the highest of the high end machines of the time.

 

[arris]

Kitchen Aid-18

I had a mid 90's Kenmore Ultra Wash, it was a great dishwasher !! Went to a 2015 Kenmore it was terrible, from the standpoint of time, I happened to get a KDI-18 from a member here.... It's a great dishwasher, 20 minutes wash time on Normal, air flow heated drying, not an Energy saver, but cleans GREAT !! Roughly about an hr. to wash and dry a load....

 

[whirlykenmore78]

To make it easy:

Just about any KA, or WP/KM Powerclean from the 80's thru the early 2000's will do the job better than any other. Also any MT Jetclean/Intelliclean from the 90's-2000's are solid performers. If you like GE the best bet would be a GSD-1200 these seem to work the best of all the GE models.
WK78

 

[thespiritof76]

If I may inerject here....

I vote for Whirlpool. I have had my Custom "70", from the early 1970s now for 4 years, and it has been a great dishwasher! Gets everything spanking clean, and has not given me any problems.

I also have a top loading 1963 GE Mobile Maid. That is also a very good machine. in some respects I even find the fact that it is a top loader more convenient in some ways. But yet the front loading Whirlpool can definitely handle things like cookie sheets and large dutch ovens better. But the GE cleans just as well, and has been just as trouble free.

Now,I required a portable model when I was first looking for a dishwasher. I lived in a rental property that simply did not have the space for a built in. But since then I have bought my own home and there is a space where a modern dishwasher was (WAS being the operative word, meaning I took the stupid thing out!), So since my Whirlpool is a convertible model. I am just going to have it permanently installed.

 

[soveryone]

For the KA’s... What are the differences between the Superba, Imperial, & Custom models? As for the numbers... Are the higher numbered models the more recent & are the lower the older models?

Thanks, Kari

 

[stevet]

Details on the way!

Kari,
I just emailed you a copy of the "Kitchenaid Inner Circle." This was an educational aid for Whirlpool employees to help them get up to speed on the Kitchenaid dishwashers after they bought the division from Hobart. It should clarify much of the information you are asking about.

Of course, we are all still here to help!
Steve

 

[panthera]

I wish

I could endorse KA, but they're limited in several aspects. Any GE with the multi-orbital arm will outwash any KA and that's Consumer Report's conclusion, not just mine.

 

[kd12]

I would have to say any KitchenAid with an upper spray arm. As much as I love the old '50s models, the failure to add an upper spray arm until into the 70s was a serious oversight. I think the next best vintage machines are the Sears Roto-Rack models. Built like tanks, and the roto-rack and spray tower worked about as well as an upper spray arm would have for cleaning. My grandma had a Harvest Gold one that ran as a daily driver from the early 70s until she died in 2005.

 

[appnut]

You know I'll agree with Kevin about a GE with Multi-Orbit wash arm will out wash a KitchenAid.  A GSD1200 is best since it doesn't have the electronics of the GSD280.  Also a Whirlpool PowerClean or Kenmore Ultrawash will outwash a KitchenAid.  As I've said before, one of the reasons why I bought my GSD1200 in 1987 was because it was ranked much higher in cleaning ability than a KitchenAid. 

 

[jakeseacrest]

stevet jealous! Where can the rest of us score that Kitchenaid Inner Circle guide?

 

[appnut]

Yes, Michael, I too was thinking the same thing!!! Was gonna probably email Steve!!!

 

[norgeway]

I will weigh in on this

Reverse rack Maytags are good, the only Maytag product I like, I hate all the Maytag washers, but the best is still a one arm wonder Kitchen Aid, that single wash arm will out clean ANYTHING made Try one and see!

 

[panthera]

Bob,

That's so true and the GSD1200 is the best choice - we have a few which have run perfectly, cleaned perfectly and never needed pre-rinsing or ultra-careful sorting and placing.

Our KA15 washes very well in the bottom rack. The upper rack (lifts up with the lid) requires that a 'row' be left open across the back. This makes the available space much smaller. If, however, one is willing to make the sacrifice, then it cleans super well in the bottom rack and gently at the top.

There's just no way around it, though - the GE self cleaning gigantic filter at the back of the dishwasher and the multi-orbital arm were rated better than even KA by an independent organization which adored KA for very good reason (and through clinched teeth, their review is delightful reading).

 

[panthera]

Bob,

That's so true and the GSD1200 is the best choice - we have a few which have run perfectly, cleaned perfectly and never needed pre-rinsing or ultra-careful sorting and placing.

Our KA15 washes very well in the bottom rack. The upper rack (lifts up with the lid) requires that a 'row' be left open across the back. This makes the available space much smaller. If, however, one is willing to make the sacrifice, then it cleans super well in the bottom rack and gently at the top.

There's just no way around it, though - the GE self cleaning gigantic filter at the back of the dishwasher and the multi-orbital arm were rated better than even KA by an independent organization which adored KA for very good reason (and through clinched teeth, their review is delightful reading).