Best Vintage Dishwashers

[firedome]

I'll agree with Hans...

and others that the single arm KAs clean amazingly well and quickly, plus they are among the best quality construction, something that can't be said of WP and GEs or even later KAs. Simple common sense loading obviates the need for the upper arm, and in engineering the prime directive is simple beats complex. The Custom and Imp models do just fine if you don't need the fancy cycles... Jim "arris" glad you like the KDI-18. We have a KDC17 and also had one for 15 years in the 70s and 80s. No machine is perfect but '50s to '70s KAs (KA 14 to 18 series) are great machines!

 

[stevet]

Inner Circle Secret!

I have to admit that I received the inner circle PDF from one of our very own members many years ago. For the life of me, I cannot remember who it was so if you want a copy, just email me and I will gladly send it to anyone who wants it.

So no need to be jealous.. it is yours for the asking.
Steve

 

[appnut]

Waves hand!!

I'm asking, please and thank you very much in advance.  Bob

 

[mrsalvo]

I was always partial to the Sears Roto-Rack. Or a good impeller dishwasher ofthe 50's. Something fun.

 

[askolover]

Maytag Jetclean will scrub the rust off a car bumper!

 

[cycla-fabric]

I would go with any dishwasher that has 2 level washing action, I do have a vintage KitchenAid KDS 17 as a spare machine that is used when parties require it, but that machine only has 1 wash arm on the bottom of the tub, and I have been disappointed at times when I load the machine with corning ware pots that I think shouldn't be an issue with cleaning(they have to go in the top rack as they would block the spray to the top rack if put on the bottom rack, so it would waste space on the top rack as nothing would get cleaned were the pot was on the bottom rack, I have used the soak cycle which I think is a waste of time, washes a bit then just sits there imitating a soak). If you are not doing pots in the dishwasher it washes great, but don't expect cleaning power as with a 2 arm dishwasher. Any vintage Whirlpool, GE, or Maytag is your best bet in my opinion.

Doug

 

[pierreandreply4]

kitchenaid is a good brand there are also good old ge potsrubber there are also Kenmore dishwashers that where powerhouse like old fashion rotoracks models or this model as well as reverse rack maytags adding pics of possible good models if they still exisit in the refurbish market?

 

[launderess]

Single wash arm dishwashers

Of old that could "scrub the rust off a car bumper" are all very well IMHO, but there are drawbacks.

All that high pressure washing seems to have done a number on my dishes and glassware done in the GE Mobile Maid.

As things are shoved about by the powerful jets of water they rub against tines of racks. As a result most of ones white china (plates, bowls, cups, etc...) have dark gray marks.

Perfectly new set of white coffee mugs from Corelle are all scratched/etched on outside.

Dishes that survived years in the old Kenmore/Frigidaire 18" dishwasher have been reduced to rack and ruin by just a few washes in the GE Mobile Maid.

https://www.thekitchn.com/the-best-way-to-remove-scuff-marks-from-white-dishes-225993

 

[ultralux88]

Is there any concern or good reason to not use one of these Vintage dishwashers as your primary machine? I've wanted an old Kitchenaid as long as I can remember (goes back to seeing Grandma's when I was little...), but I also don't want to end up all broken-hearted with a broken dishwasher that I can't fix either...

 

[norgeway]

I have used a

Kitchenaid Custom 21 for years now, never a problem.

 

[launderess]

No reason at all

Long as one is aware of limitations (if any, and or are willing to put up with a machine that is obsolete in terms of often finding spare parts easily. That and of course locating anyone to repair the thing should it become necessary.

Main worry to sort out with older KA and many other vintage dishwashers is lack of heating for main wash, and or rather puny heating power coupled with a short cycle.

Many dishwashers of old were on market at a time when nearly all households had tap hot water at or >140F as routine. The energy crisis of 1970's and or concerns about scalding have reduced those temps to 120F. This is all fine and well with modern dishwashers with built in heaters *and* thermostats that will hold the timer until proper temps are reached.

Like their commercial cousins then and pretty much today most vintage dishwashers relied up on *very* caustic detergents (heavy on chlorine bleach), and not to near boiling water temperatures. This combined with very powerful force of water (thanks to generous use of) meant these machines often could produce acceptable to great results even with short cycles. However they did so with what would be considered unacceptable energy and water use by todays standards.

My GE Mobile Maid has *5* (five) changes of hot water W-R-W-R-R-D, with each fill taking on lots of water. This for us is because of high water pressure and that the fills are timed and not controlled by a float.

 

[ultralux88]

The hot water isn't an issue, as we keep the water heater cranked up as fares it goes. My main fear is something breaking that I can't find a part for. I know I can fix the thing, as long as I have the parts to do so. I know they're known to be reliable and well built. I just don't know how much daily use a 60s, 70s, or 80s dishwasher is going to take after all these years. I really do want to use one as my primary dishwasher though.

 

[norgeway]

Get a good one

That has seen light use and you wont have any trouble, I have a friend who has a KDS 15 and has used it daily since BRAND NEW with out a single repair!

 

[ultralux88]

Thats what I wanted to hear, something to set my rampant anxiety at ease... I'd really LOVE to find one with the stainless steel wash tub, but I'm not holding my breath! I'm eyeing anything from a KDS-15 (Preferably with the Hydro-Sweep) to a KDS-18.

 

[speedqueen]

Include the KDS-20 too, it is an 18 minus the sprayer that washes the top of cups. I recently acquired one, it works wonderfully.

 

[electronicontrl]

my 2 cents

Maytag Jetclean (Reverse/Rack), KitchenAid, Whirlpool Power Clean / Kenmore Ultra Wash.

 

[stevet]

Just how clean..

did the casserole on the right side of that rack in picture 4 come out? Was there enough water pressure to strip it clean and make it look like new?
And I would think that if the top had as many pieces loaded in it, you would qualify for a Bob-Load for sure.

 

[appnut]

Michael, if that load hasn't been previously designated as a BobLoad, it is now!!!