GE Mobile Maid SP307Y3

[paulthewall]

Hello All. I'm new to this forum but I have a couple of questions about a Vintage dishwasher I acquired from my grandmother.

It is a GE Mobile Maid that my grandmother has had for years. It was given to my wife and I as my grandmother got a new washer (finally), and she only ever used this after large family gatherings. It still works great with only a few issues.

A couple Questions:
1) I'm looking to clean it up/restore it back to its original luster. Should I or shouldn't I?
2) It's in working order now, but as you can see from one of the photos (album in link), The last bit of water doesn't drain so it stays in the bottom. After a day of sitting around, it starts to smell. What can be done to fix this?
3) Can anyone identify the year or any other identifiers (Name, Make, Model?)

Thanks in advance for any help.

 

[combo52]

GE Top Loading Portable DW

Your DW would be a mid 1960s machine, to get any closer we would need the model and serial # from the little metal tag on the back. It is normal for about about a cup of the last clean rinse water to remain in the bottom of this DW. If the machine has an odor try using a DW detergent with chlorine in it.

 

[bajaespuma]

Thanks for the pictures

Nice machine! If you copied the model number down correctly, the "Y" after the number would indicated that it was a 1964 model, but I would have guessed a little later than that. The "3" and the fact that it has a Power Shower and a Detergent Dispenser indicates that it's not quite a BOL, but it's on that side of the aisle. This would have been a very popular model; no bells and whistles, but equipped to do a proper job. Exactly the model me own penurious Mum would have chosen. If you go to the "Ephemera" part of this site, there is a spec sheet for this model from 1962 (essentially, the same machine) there. I believe it's an SP-302W.

 

These dishwashers usually left some water down in the sump to keep the seals moist; if you're using a decent dishwasher detergent and not letting it go too long between washes that water shouldn't stink that much. You may want to pre-rinse your dishes if it takes a long time to fill the dishwasher for a cycle.

 

If the machine is leaving too much water in the sump area (I'd say more than a couple of inches deep) then you have some drainage issue (clogged hose, something stuck in the impeller, some of the impeller vanes broken off, etc.) The exterior looks decent, I suppose if you had to you could have a piece of Formica custom-cut to replace the one on the lid, but me, myself and I wouldn't bother. You're talking about a near-50 year old appliance that has done more than its job and is looking forward to a gentle retirement in Florida with the other Top Load Portable Dishwashers.

 

[paulthewall]

Thanks for the feedback. I was thinking about running a bit of bleach through the machine. Should I do that, or use something "Softer" like vinegar or baking soda?

Here is a photo of the tag on the back of the washer.

 

[bajaespuma]

No. bleach would be best. Just a little, say 2 tablespoons added with the detergent. You don't want to replace organic stink with chlorine stink.

 

[dishwashercrazy]

I am not 100 percent positive, but I am going to suggest that the TY in the serial number translates: T = October, Y = 1965

If someone else has a more accurate translation, please correct me.

Mike