First KitchenAid Top Load Washing Machine

[bendixboy]

Would like to See Pictures of the First KitchenAid Top Load Washing Machine produced by Whirlpool Corporation ?

 

[DADoES]

 
I believe the first offerings were 1986 model-year.  There was only two matched full-size sets.  One with electronic panels -- KAWE900S washer, KEYE900S/KGYE900S dryer.  One with mechanical pushbuttons (rapid-advance timers like a Superba dishwasher) -- KAWE800S washer, KEYE800S/KGYE800S dryer.

And a ThinTwin-sibling stacked set -- KELC500S (no gas version for the first production series?).

 

[repairguy]

Those are very nice machines. I have yet to add one of these nice sets to the collection.

 

[blockeight88]

What did the Kitchen Aid machines offer over the Kenmore? I'd like to see some from 1994-1997 if possible.

 

[repairguy]

The tops were porcelain and the washers used the larger base agitator that was driven on a lower speed which usually made the machine quieter.

 

[DADoES]

 
The first-generation S models had a regular-size agitator base and not dual-action.  They also were two-speed, didn't have the three-speed motor, but did a speed-shift from high to low.  Dual-action revision apparently occurred on the second-generation T series but still 2-speed and presumably regular-size base.  Larger base and 3-speed may have been third-generation (1989 V-series).

 

[repairguy]

Thanks for the photos Glenn. Good information.

 

[bradfordwhite]

In 2002

When I was collecting BIG time....

I found and acquired the self advancing timer model in Almond. I think I got for $175 from a used appliance dealer. So it worked fine.

It had a white tub and a kelly green agitator with a chrome piece of trim on the top.
All those tiny buttons though... They look like the very same button strip used in the 60s on various appliances. GE stoves are a good example. They are awkward.

The machine was def. heavier in weight due to the porcelain top and that control panel having metal trim rather than the simple thin sheet metal and plastic end pieces of a typical Whirlpool or Kenmore panel at that time.

 

[blockeight88]

This is the KitchenAid washer I would love to own. Not sure what kind of model this was or when it was made but it looks super nice.

 

[DADoES]

The parents' 1994 set which was replaced at 18 years when the washer timer broke.  It was always hard to turn with the increments and cams being tight to get in all the cycles and speed changes (stepped spin, Perm Press final went through 2 mins each of all three speeds).  Extra Wash is a real Super Wash with partial drain.

Also the original Roper double oven and cooktop (replaced with Whirlpools in 2005), the Kenmore hood that was moved along from the first house, and the original KDI-17a (we had the same model in the first house, although stainless panels) which was replaced with a GE in late 2002 or early 2003.

 

[blockeight88]

My local appliance dealer has a set. Any info on these? They look nice.

 

[repairguy]

They are early 2000’s models. You probably won’t find a better set.

 

[cam2s]

It’s a shame they got rid of KitchenAid laundry. I know Maytag is suppose to be the step up brand but I don’t feel whirlpool has really given Maytag any appreciable step up in build quality or features.

 

[launderess]

Knew had seen dryer in this query previously.

Isn't it one of those fancy electronic KitchenAid/Kenmore dryers?

https://www.automaticwasher.org/cgi-bin/TD/TD-VIEWTHREAD.cgi?92991_4

 

[launderess]

KitchenAid washers rock!

Just ask members who own one.

 

[launderess]

For a hot minute KitchenAid joined the uber washer craze with a pretty good entry.

IIRC matching dryer was made by ADC (American Dryer Corporation) long known for producing quality commercial and industrial clothes dryers.

https://www.designerappliances.com/kitchenaid-khwv01rss.html

https://www.houzz.com/discussions/2905838/kitchenaid-pro-line-washer-dryer

ADC is owned by Whirlpool (surprise, surprise)

https://www.adclaundry.com/american-dryer-enters-into-agreement-to-be-acquired-by-whirlpool/

 

[DADoES]

 
Link in #13 is Kenmore.

 

[Marky_Mark]

Reply #10

Hi Matthew

 

That set looks good and will provide most of the benefits of the more TOL versions with a couple of exceptions that may or may not be important to you.  The set you posted does not have timed bleach and fabric softener dispensers.  And I don't think it has a fabric selection of "slow/fast" for slow agitation and fast spin, which would be labeled "sweaters" on these machines.  That would actually be a bit of a deal breaker for me to be honest, but may be of no importance to others, especially as these machines don't agitate as fast as the non-KitchenAid versions.  I don't think this version has auto temp control.  

 

Mark

 

[blockeight88]

I won't be picking up this set, I was just sharing, as I didn't have any idea what year those were made in. I would probably hold out until a fully loaded set pops up.

 

[mayfan69]

This is my fully programmed KitchenAid I bought off Devin and brought back to Australia in 2016.

This is running through the frequency converter I bought.

Cheers
Leon