whitetub
Well-known member
But they were ruled "not acceptable" !!!! Lol !!
Did it ever run with the door open?
Did it ever run with the door open?
Dishwashers. Consumer Reports. May 1974
- Thread starter whitetub
- Start date
Help Support :
Ohhhhhhhh!
THIS is the Consumer Reports I loved and deeply, deeply miss nowadays!!!
We had the portable/convertible WC 400, and it was exactly as described. It ran well for nearly 20 years. It came with the rinse aid dispenser, which we always used. Only two moderately minor repairs.
Thank you for posting this, Whitetub!
Lawrence/Maytagbear
THIS is the Consumer Reports I loved and deeply, deeply miss nowadays!!!
We had the portable/convertible WC 400, and it was exactly as described. It ran well for nearly 20 years. It came with the rinse aid dispenser, which we always used. Only two moderately minor repairs.
Thank you for posting this, Whitetub!
Lawrence/Maytagbear
That Maytag-------
had an unusual quirk. The lower spray-arm ALWAYS stopped in a position exactly parallel to the oblong SS filtration panel just below it!
Brucelucenta mentioned the Builders-Grade GE BOL DW. During the apartment building boom of the mid-sixties to the mid-seventies there were a gazillion of them installed including their companion machines badged Hotpoint. Either one sounded like a circular-saw when in operation (the Hotpoints claimed "Quiet-Wash") complete with snapping solenoids. You could hear them outside the building. Neither brand had any kind of filtration system. They were awful. There must have been a few million of them just in central Florida alone. In Tampa, the only dishwasher detergent that worked in one of them was Dishwasher All for some reason. Go 'figya.
The up-side was that usually one of those little GE Disposalls was also installed. Loud as hell, but VERY effective. I NEVER had one jam on me.
had an unusual quirk. The lower spray-arm ALWAYS stopped in a position exactly parallel to the oblong SS filtration panel just below it!
Brucelucenta mentioned the Builders-Grade GE BOL DW. During the apartment building boom of the mid-sixties to the mid-seventies there were a gazillion of them installed including their companion machines badged Hotpoint. Either one sounded like a circular-saw when in operation (the Hotpoints claimed "Quiet-Wash") complete with snapping solenoids. You could hear them outside the building. Neither brand had any kind of filtration system. They were awful. There must have been a few million of them just in central Florida alone. In Tampa, the only dishwasher detergent that worked in one of them was Dishwasher All for some reason. Go 'figya.
The up-side was that usually one of those little GE Disposalls was also installed. Loud as hell, but VERY effective. I NEVER had one jam on me.
Whitetub, thank you very much. CR was much better then.
Guys a brilliant idea! What if we did a survey showing the percentage of members who read/re-read the article. We could then send it to CU and say "see we told you, the old style was way better""
My mother had a Superba of this year! It lasted until 1987 and was used every single day.
vacerator
Well-known member
No,
that Frigidaire never ran with the door open.
that Frigidaire never ran with the door open.
The important thing that CU did not rate was the advantage of a machine with a wash arm under the top rack. If you used a dishwasher for pots and pans or mixing bowls, having a water source under the top rack could greatly increase the capacity of the machine, but CU did not test the machines with water blocking items in the lower rack which would have proved the advantages of that feature.
I recall a report from either CR or Consumer's Research that advised one spray arm under the lower rack is sufficient considering the small space of a dishwasher tank.
Although I understand why CR said, "No, no, no" to the Frigidaires that could spray 150 degree water and Cascade in the face of a child who opened the door (not that any of us would have done that when we were kids, right?)....but it sure would have been nice to read their take on those machines. Frigidaires were all over the town I grew up in. Most were very rusted and I heard a number of complaints about cleaning ability.[this post was last edited: 9/11/2016-14:46]
CRs 1974 Report On Built-In DWs
While I enjoy reading these older CRs I feel that this particular report was far from giving great advice to the average DW buyer.
The main reason that the MT WU400 was top rated was low energy usage, it was poor at washing flat ware, so-so at drying and CRs own tests showed the WP and KA DW were better at both these important tasks.
One of my other big grips with the report was it was ridiculous to put a lasagne casserole in the WP DW and show the noodles all over the filter afterwards and down rate the DW as a result. The large flat filter in the WP DW was self-cleaning, of all the hundreds of WP DWs like this that I serviced over the years I never saw a dirty filter in one. All the user had to do was empty the removable trap and dump it in the trash.
Had they done the same test with the MT or KA there would have also been a big mess to clean up. Probably the only DW in this test that would have gotten rid of all the noodles would have been the D&M built KM DW.
I have also always had a beef with CRs saying the ratings order are in order of [ estimated overall quality ] To put a cheap builder quality GE plastol tub DW in the same class as a KA was ridiculous. Anyone with a little knowledge of DWs and history of appliance longevity could tell that a KA DW would have approximately twice the life expectancy of GE DW [ and several other DWs in this test ].
Also as Tom mentioned the other big fault in CRs DW tests was that they only tested them with dishes which is an acceptable test for users that only wash dishes [ no big bowls, pots and pans, roasting pans etc ] but without a full wash-arm under each rack a DW will always have serious limitations in its ability to wash all kinds of kitchen items.
This is why there is no serious DW built today that does not have dual wash arms under each rack, CRs should have been able to realize this in 1974 and before.
John L.
While I enjoy reading these older CRs I feel that this particular report was far from giving great advice to the average DW buyer.
The main reason that the MT WU400 was top rated was low energy usage, it was poor at washing flat ware, so-so at drying and CRs own tests showed the WP and KA DW were better at both these important tasks.
One of my other big grips with the report was it was ridiculous to put a lasagne casserole in the WP DW and show the noodles all over the filter afterwards and down rate the DW as a result. The large flat filter in the WP DW was self-cleaning, of all the hundreds of WP DWs like this that I serviced over the years I never saw a dirty filter in one. All the user had to do was empty the removable trap and dump it in the trash.
Had they done the same test with the MT or KA there would have also been a big mess to clean up. Probably the only DW in this test that would have gotten rid of all the noodles would have been the D&M built KM DW.
I have also always had a beef with CRs saying the ratings order are in order of [ estimated overall quality ] To put a cheap builder quality GE plastol tub DW in the same class as a KA was ridiculous. Anyone with a little knowledge of DWs and history of appliance longevity could tell that a KA DW would have approximately twice the life expectancy of GE DW [ and several other DWs in this test ].
Also as Tom mentioned the other big fault in CRs DW tests was that they only tested them with dishes which is an acceptable test for users that only wash dishes [ no big bowls, pots and pans, roasting pans etc ] but without a full wash-arm under each rack a DW will always have serious limitations in its ability to wash all kinds of kitchen items.
This is why there is no serious DW built today that does not have dual wash arms under each rack, CRs should have been able to realize this in 1974 and before.
John L.
Glenn, That just demonstrated their limited brain power for which two cells occasionally banging into one another was sufficient.
CU did not test the machines with water blocking items in the lower rack
Of course not. Why that would have revealed the horrible design weakness of one-arm wonder KithcnAids. Heaven forbid what was perceived the bestest premium dishwasher couldn't withstand applications that household used their dishwashers for. I cannot tell you how many times I'd notice friends of my parents who had these dishwashers washing pots, pans, mixing bowls, casserole dishes. And as even a 11-12 y/o kid making a comment such as "well, if you had a ... (GE, Whirlpool, Kenmore rotorack, or Waste King after 1962), you wouldn't have to be washing all those ... by hand. You'd have a dishwasher that could wash all these." And the looks I'd get. but I didn't care. One of my mom's favorite party/dinner party entrees was lasagna. With the Waste King I loaded up the two-part pasta pot, mixing bowls, sauce pan, and ... and let them all be washed in the Waste King. All the prep items were washed, dried, and put away by the time company came--all automatically. My mom dreaded washing stuff by hand as much as I do to this day. And I'd do the same at friends' house who had one of those KA dishwashers. I dreaded loading after dinner at houses that had KAs because you had to be careful how things were loaded. I'm so glad that multi-level designs started being the norm by the time I was 9 or 10 and became fully aware of loading dishwashers. What I found "interesting" was more people who had Spin Tube machines, they were replaced with Maytag, GE, or WP before KA. I'd ask why and the reply was always something to the effect you can put glasses and bowls in both racks and fill it up rather than having the machine half-full when the top rack was full. And I witnessed many half-full KAs being run too.
Of course not. Why that would have revealed the horrible design weakness of one-arm wonder KithcnAids. Heaven forbid what was perceived the bestest premium dishwasher couldn't withstand applications that household used their dishwashers for. I cannot tell you how many times I'd notice friends of my parents who had these dishwashers washing pots, pans, mixing bowls, casserole dishes. And as even a 11-12 y/o kid making a comment such as "well, if you had a ... (GE, Whirlpool, Kenmore rotorack, or Waste King after 1962), you wouldn't have to be washing all those ... by hand. You'd have a dishwasher that could wash all these." And the looks I'd get. but I didn't care. One of my mom's favorite party/dinner party entrees was lasagna. With the Waste King I loaded up the two-part pasta pot, mixing bowls, sauce pan, and ... and let them all be washed in the Waste King. All the prep items were washed, dried, and put away by the time company came--all automatically. My mom dreaded washing stuff by hand as much as I do to this day. And I'd do the same at friends' house who had one of those KA dishwashers. I dreaded loading after dinner at houses that had KAs because you had to be careful how things were loaded. I'm so glad that multi-level designs started being the norm by the time I was 9 or 10 and became fully aware of loading dishwashers. What I found "interesting" was more people who had Spin Tube machines, they were replaced with Maytag, GE, or WP before KA. I'd ask why and the reply was always something to the effect you can put glasses and bowls in both racks and fill it up rather than having the machine half-full when the top rack was full. And I witnessed many half-full KAs being run too.
whitetub
Well-known member
They mention a casserole with lasagna residue. Residue?? It seems like they put the whole lasagna in there. You can't blame the Whirlpool dishwasher for that. This would happen in any dishwashers. Pasta does not dissolve in hot water. Otherwise, we wouldn't be boiling pasta when we cook.
Also, when I had a Maytag WC400, I did not have any problems with my flatware. I always loaded my spoons, forks, and even the regular knives pointing up. Knowing that the water action was coming from the big wash arm above. I only put the sharp steak knives pointing down.
Also, when I had a Maytag WC400, I did not have any problems with my flatware. I always loaded my spoons, forks, and even the regular knives pointing up. Knowing that the water action was coming from the big wash arm above. I only put the sharp steak knives pointing down.
Thanks for posting these scans! I've really enjoyed reading this thread!!
It brings back the memory of my late mother really tearing a strip off the salesperson at the Eaton's Pointe-Claire store back in 1978 when shopping for a new dishwasher... She really let them have it when it was suggested that the KDR67 was the best machine to buy - her big objection was the one wash arm (and we were replacing an impeller-wash machine) so she basically told the fella where he could put that Hydrosweep. We bought a GE Potscrubber...
It brings back the memory of my late mother really tearing a strip off the salesperson at the Eaton's Pointe-Claire store back in 1978 when shopping for a new dishwasher... She really let them have it when it was suggested that the KDR67 was the best machine to buy - her big objection was the one wash arm (and we were replacing an impeller-wash machine) so she basically told the fella where he could put that Hydrosweep. We bought a GE Potscrubber...
norgeway
Well-known member
New vs old
I STRONGLY disagree that ANY new dishwasher compares with a one arm KitchenAid, NOTHING will remove baked on food like a old KA, and it will do it in less than a hour, No one will ever convince me that 2 or 3 hours of electricity is more cost effective than 15 gallons of water!! You can have the new dishwashers, My Kitchenaid by Hobart does just fine.
I STRONGLY disagree that ANY new dishwasher compares with a one arm KitchenAid, NOTHING will remove baked on food like a old KA, and it will do it in less than a hour, No one will ever convince me that 2 or 3 hours of electricity is more cost effective than 15 gallons of water!! You can have the new dishwashers, My Kitchenaid by Hobart does just fine.
philr
Well-known member
It's strange to see what they complained about with the "unacceptable" Wards and Frigidaire dishwashers!
While it's true that the lock lever could be tricked to allow the dishwasher to run with the door open, I can say it's not that easy to do and I can't see what's so terrible or dangerous about that! I can say that many dishwashers like the later Whirlpool models with the plastic door release were much more likely to have door switch issues and unintentional operation while the door was open!
Not that there isn't anything to complain about the Frigidaire dishwashers from this period but I wish they had at least taken the time to rate their dish washing abilities...
While it's true that the lock lever could be tricked to allow the dishwasher to run with the door open, I can say it's not that easy to do and I can't see what's so terrible or dangerous about that! I can say that many dishwashers like the later Whirlpool models with the plastic door release were much more likely to have door switch issues and unintentional operation while the door was open!
Not that there isn't anything to complain about the Frigidaire dishwashers from this period but I wish they had at least taken the time to rate their dish washing abilities...
whitetub
Well-known member
I think the Consumer Reports staff gets a kick out of deeming some products unacceptable. They finish their tests and feel great about finding a defect, no matter how small it might be.
I remember in the late 70’s or early 80’s, the French-Canadian version of Consumer Reports, called Protegez-Vous, they tested clothes dryers.
During one of their test loads of delicate fabrics, they said that a very thin scarf stuck to the exhaust inlet of the Whirlpool/Inglis dryer. (The ones with the lint filter on top). They said the temperature inside the dryer rose too high, due to the scarf. They then said that these dryers were unacceptable, that Whirlpool had a huge design flaw on their hands, and that nobody should buy these dryers until they are re-designed. I don’t think they found any problems with the Kenmore dryers, which were the same design. And these same dryers have been around now for more than 40 years, and I think they are still in production.
I remember in the late 70’s or early 80’s, the French-Canadian version of Consumer Reports, called Protegez-Vous, they tested clothes dryers.
During one of their test loads of delicate fabrics, they said that a very thin scarf stuck to the exhaust inlet of the Whirlpool/Inglis dryer. (The ones with the lint filter on top). They said the temperature inside the dryer rose too high, due to the scarf. They then said that these dryers were unacceptable, that Whirlpool had a huge design flaw on their hands, and that nobody should buy these dryers until they are re-designed. I don’t think they found any problems with the Kenmore dryers, which were the same design. And these same dryers have been around now for more than 40 years, and I think they are still in production.
whitetub
Well-known member
This is the serious defect that they wanted Whirlpool to rectify. The perforated vent where the humid air goes out.
Similar threads
