GE GSC3430 Portable Dishwasher

[mjg0619]

Hey all, I picked up this dishwasher for a steal of a deal at the local used appliance store. While I certainly wish it was a reverse rack Maytag JetClean, ANYTHING is better than washing dishes by hand!

The overall condition of the unit is very good and the performance so far is wonderful. I'm sure I won't be earning any BobLoad certifications, though!

Below are some photos of the unit and some after pics of its first load. I forgot to take before pics, but some of those dishes had been sitting in the sink for over a week.

One question, though. How old is this machine? I would venture a guess that it's from the late 90s since it seems to actually use a decent amount of water and makes lots of splashy washy noises.

 

[Chetlaham]

Oh- nice! A Potscrubber! This has the filter, long main wash, and generous upper rack so you get a real good clean. Simple machine that gives great results. Age wise I'd put this somewhere in the early to mid 2000s, possibly late 90s from that sump cover in back. Hard to say as that particular control panel had a very long run- and technically is still used for Hotpoint made machines in 2017. Model and serial tag will tell the truth however.

Overall keep this and take care of it. If it has a shaded pole motor changing to the induction version will increase cleaning and cut down on noise.

 

[mjg0619]

Here's a pic of the ratings plate. Hopefully someone can date this machine, because I'm fairly curious. Simple machine that gives great results, indeed. I'm very pleased with this purchase.

 

[DADoES]

 
<blockquote>MJG0619:  The overall condition of the unit is very good and the performance so far is wonderful. I'm sure I won't be earning any BobLoad certifications, though!</blockquote> BobLoading depends much more on the user and his loading talents than on the machine so you can surely take a stab at it!

Dating is probably March 2000.  Could also be March 1988.  Perhaps someone else can confirm, I don't know GE models well-enough by appearance.

 

[johnb300m]

Well it's definitely not 1988.
So it looks like it's from 2000.

These work very well considering their simplicity and passive filter system.

 

[Chetlaham]

March 2000

http://products.geappliances.com/appliance/gea-support-search-content?contentId=16195

Sorry for the late reply- but here I am. Yes- a 2000s machines. 1.8 amps for the motor would indicate the induction type- which is a very good thing. Quiet and durable. Keep this guy as long as you can. Parts are plentiful, longevity is good, and its easy to fix when something does happen.

 

[johnb300m]

Almost forgot!
My parents have the same drinking glasses. Ha!

 

[mjg0619]

Thanks for all your input! I'm glad to know I bought a good machine that will give me years of service that's easy to put back in order should it ever go out.

So far, I'm thrilled with the performance. My mother likes it so well that she's been bringing all of her dirty dishes over to my place and is making me keep an eye out for the built in version for her....LOL (She has a 2012 GE built in that takes about twice as long for a cycle as mine and doesn't do all that spectacular of a job)

RE the drinking glasses, I may only be in my 20s but I have the heart and soul of a 90 year old woman. I saw those on sale at Boscov's over the summer and POUNCED on the last box!

 

[Chetlaham]

The 2012 GE is not the same- the total water consumption is something like 1/3 to 1/4 of your machine and the filter is mediocre. Yes a night and day difference to not having one, but compared to the filter in this GE dishwasher the difference is huge. Its based on the GSD-1200 (and above) designs from the 80s which were some of the best cleaning dishwashers ever made. That filter in your machine is an engineering marvel. A filter that was intended to make GE compete with Whirlpool, not water regulations.

"but I have the heart and soul of a 90 year old woman" LOL, so do I!

 

[yogitunes]

heres a nice digital version of a GE....

http://https//allentown.craigslist.org/app/d/ge-dishwasher/6396083542.html

 

[mjg0619]

Martin, that may just end up becoming Mother's Christmas present......

 

[yogitunes]

that's a beautiful machine......I got the 2800 for my brother, found along side of the road, it has one of those geared wash arms that constantly change patterns....

never quite understand why people switch out some of these machines, this one looks in great shape, and a huge benefit, panels can be changed at any time to match the décor....

higher end models seemed to do a better job....

oh well, their loss....they have no idea what their giving up....

keep us posted to how you make out....

I had a built-in similar to yours once, it had the 'Smart Wash' sensor.....and the wash arm with those little whirly birds on top.....

you can catch a glimpse of them in this pic....

 

[Chetlaham]

Whirly gig arm, but still worth it. I'd give your mother any older GE with such a filter.

 

[mjg0619]

Update: my GE portable did six loads of heavily soiled cookware, bakeware, and dinnerware from Thanksgiving. Every single load went in filthy and came out spotless 63.5 minutes later.

I have my used appliance guy here on the lookout for a built in model for Mother.

 

[Chetlaham]

Thats why its called Potscrubber

 

[mjg0619]

Potscrubber indeed!

I didn't even have it set to Pots and Pans with Hi Temp Wash! Just the Normal cycle with heated dry. I have VERY hot water.

 

[Chetlaham]

Oh yes!!

Your model has a long mainwash regardless. In the 80s up to the late 90s these machines had a main wash normally about 15-20 minutes long, but with potscruber depressed it activated a cycle extender that lengthened the main wash by about another 15-20 minutes. Many also had a thermostat which further increased the time if the water was not hot enough. Latter models just started using a long main wash (35 minutes+) and ditched the extender and thermostat. Both old and new models run the heater in the main wash without restraint so if you start with hot water you end up with REALLY hot water. No 140*F cutoff like other brands.

The pre-washes and post main-wash rinses are also short so they do not add much time to the total cycle time- you don't ever notice that long main wash unlike other brands where the prewashes and rinses are about as long (or longer) than the main wash. Case in point the cycle sequence to a Whirlpool powerclean. 16 minute final rinse- after you waited for the thermal hold. Time that could be spent on scrubbing your dishes with detergent instead of rinse aid.

 

[Chetlaham]

Potscrubber button

All the Potscrubber button does on your machine is add an extra pre-wash, taking 8 gallons to 9.5 gallons. Light button wash removes a rinse, giving 6.7 gallons. All in all these are very generous water charges.

Here is the manual to your machine. Download and save it before GE takes it down as they have been doing to manuals that are more than 10 years old.

http://products.geappliances.com/MarketingObjectRetrieval/Dispatcher?RequestType=PDF&Name=973180135.PDF

 

[Chetlaham]

Hi-temp wash button

I forget what that exactly does for your particular model- but normally for GEs of that era it just adds heat to the pre-washes and final rinses. Not much considering how short they are. The bulk of the heating remains regardless. If anything its just a gimmick to sell the machine. Or rather a machine that defaults to good water heating regardless of options.