Getting my kdss-21a ready for daily use, need some loading tips

[lorainfurniture]

Finally got my kitchenaid dishwasher installed today, it looks fantastic. I plan on using it daily. I need 2 things from you guys:
1. I would like to have a spare control board, possibly even a bad one as I think I can get it rebuilt.

2. I need a bit of advice on loading. I’m a bit new to a short tub dw and these racks are just not speaking to me as to how to load. I attached pictures of my best configuration. I have a similar amount of dishes daily, a lot of top rack stuff that the kids use.

 

[joeypete]

Wow nice Eugene!! I love those electronic control ones.

Seriously though, these machines are so robust you can load them many different ways.

I've had my KDM-21 for almost 3 years now and it still amazes me at how much stuff you can load. Now hopefully I can get it running properly again, I've had some troubles lately if you've seen my threads.

I prefer the utensil basket in the front. It's proved be the most convenient for me anyway. I am by myself and use a lot of Tupperware stuff so a lot of plastic. You have to be careful with plastic items because the water force is a lot in these machines. I tend to put light stuff on the top and heavier things on the bottom.

I also was able to find the small items basket on ebay and I bought one. I use it constantly for silicone valves for my microwave bowls and small covers, etc.

As long as everything gets good water exposure you should be good. Nice thing with these too is that upper spray arm guard. So basically if you can get it closed, you don't have to worry about the arm hitting anything

 

[kskenmore]

Beautiful Dishwasher!

This really brings back memories. This is quite similar (especially internally) to the dishwasher my parents had from about 1988 until about 2006. We always had the silverware tray up front as well.

 

[akronman]

well

You can AT LEAST triple the amount loaded in so far, they are hard working great machines. Quadruple!

 

[appnut]

Silverware basket in the front.  Dinner plates on the far left, facing the front.  Cutting board at the very back of the dishwasher facing the front.  Cereal bowls on the far right side that's there for 9 x 13 casseroles facing the center.   Top rack looks ok.  Why didn't you go download a user manual form the KA web site for a KUDS23 or KDS23?  Loads just tlike this.  You'll see many more examples.   

 

[wayupnorth]

I learned as a 15 year old kid to make sure all the dirty plates, etc faced towards the middle of the dishwasher. I still do that in my own and everything comes out clean.

 

[gansky1]

There's always room for one more dish...

They hold a surprising amount for a smaller height.

 

[spacedogb]

Wow my current KUDS-23 would never clean that up. Id have food left everywhere LOL

 

[askolover]

As much as I love my KUDI23 I could still get more into my Maytag!  With its tapered top rack I could fit many taller items that will only fit on the bottom of the KA.  I keep my silverware basket across the front too.

 

[rp2813]

Agreed with above statements about cutlery basket going across the front.  Once it's there, the loading pattern will become obvious.  Small items basket goes in the top rack.

 

You can fit a lot into these machines.  I used to cram my ISE Classic Supreme full with every last item I could fit into it after a party.   

 

Here are some pictures of party loads.  Most were taken after the machine had run, but one or two are before shots.

 

P.S.

 

I can't do anything this crazy in my Miele.  It may outclean any other dishwasher I've ever owned, but it lacks the water power to clean through layers like the 4-way hydro-sweep system can.

 

[combo52]

Kitchenaid KDSS-21

Hi Eugene, we worked on a lot of these back when they came out, they were neat machines and I loved the Controls Corporation Singer control system. Unfortunately they proved very troublesome and it has been almost 20 years since I saw one that still worked. I did sell an electronic control to a guy from this site a few years ago so hopefully his might still be working. [ I may still have some control parts left if you get into trouble ]

 

I had one of the very rare KDSS-20 in my kitchen for around 10 years and there were many things I really liked about it but the overall cleaning ability [ especially in the top rack ] and poor drying performance were just no match for the other DW in the kitchen, our WP DU8000XR, so I finely pulled the KA while it was still working took it to the museum and installed the other WP DU8000XR.

 

The 21 series had a more sophisticated filtering system designed into the pump but I could never get used to having just one final rinse and while I am not a rinsing nut when it comes to my laundry things that I eat off of are another matter.

 

John L.

 

[peteski50]

kdss-21a!

Eugene many congrats on this Gem! As you can see from the pictures plates are best loaded on left side from front to back. I used to love loading these machines. They really held so much and always got great results!

 

[lorainfurniture]

Second go

I tried loading again, thank you all for the tips. It’s kind of funny sometimes I know more about how to fix appliances than actually using them.

The maiden wash was not so great, my wife complained the tea cups didn’t get completely clean. When I emptied it this am, the knives were not clean. I’m going to chalk that up to poor loading and I was using terrible detergent. I was out and only had this garbage tree hugging detergent around. I bought some finish and I think it will work out.

I really like the way this dw looks. It feels like quality on a level most people won’t understand. Installing this unit nearly broke my back. I just hope it can perform.

 

[joeypete]

Detergent

If you're using Finish powder, that should work. I have been using a combo of Cascade complete powder and Cascade Fryer Boil Out. I mix it in a big container to a 2-1 ratio and it clean fantastic. These old machines like the phosphorus. Alternatively you could also mix the detergent with TSP from the hardware store. The Fryer Boil Out can be expensive. I'm sure you figured this out but the washer tabs and pacs aren't well suited to this machine. They produce way too many suds.

The utensils you should make sure and alternate them up and down to prevent nesting. You'll get good tips from us AW.org gays! hahahahaha ;-)

I seriously can count on 1 hand the number of times my machine did not clean something. And those times it was because it wasn't loaded properly.

Look forward to hearing more stories about your awesome machine!

 

[askolover]

The only thing mine won't clean is dried on starchy food like potatoes or gravy.  Occasionally a knife won't get clean on one side.  Otherwise I can't complain.  I use chlorinated powder that this machine was designed to use.  Works very well. It might do better if you flip those red and yellow trays on the top rack around the other way so the insides are facing more downward where the spray is coming from.  Same for the cutting board...I always put mine in so the soiled side is leaning more down toward the spray arm.  You also can move the tines in the top rack to accommodate items.  I keep two of mine completely flattened so I can fit more bowls in.  We don't drink coffee so coffee cups are not an issue...but I have several cereal bowls to fit in.

 

[rp2813]

Water is fairly hard where we live.  I had to use phosphated detergents with my ISE, otherwise results were horrible.  I was on my last box of Cascade Complete powder with phosphates when I came across a late model Miele that does a great job without the need for phosphates, so I grabbed it.

 

I think it's STPP (or PTSD or PSSSSSST or whatever) that you need to add to today's detergents in order for them to do a good job in an older machine with shorter cycles.  TSP is what you use to wash down walls before you paint them.  Or you can get the boil-out stuff that has phosphates.

 

[mieletag]

Wow, that machine looks great! I am the one that purchased the control board from Combo52, and yes sir, it still runs great!

I did try diagnosing the old board, replaced some diodes and other componets, but never could get it to operate . I think I still have the old board and an old touchpad control for it somewhere. I could see about giving them to you if I can find them.

One question, I wonder if the control fascia was ever changed at some point in its life. On mine, which is a very early 1986 model, it is Hobart built, and has the acrylic Kitchenaid badge, but does not have the WhisperQuiet logo. I always thought that was Whirlpool's moniker.

 

[awooff]

Clean flatware

Knives point down for safety w rest of the flatware pointing up-or the part you put in your mouth up. -Will give cleanest flatware results in any dishwasher.

That 21 will clean and filter any filthy or dishes just scraped load. Most machines seem to clean better with cooler water from the water heater because the dishwasher will run longer while it Heats the main wash water to 140f

Betting cascade boil out would be best detergent for the 21 and harder water.

 

[lorainfurniture]

Ok so I ordered some tsp and some finish powder. So what’s the ideal ratio? My results are improving, but still not squeaky clean. It’s not like it can’t get things clean, it’s like some random things don’t come off. The butter knife used for cutting a banana for instance.

As for water temp, I believe this dw will pause when heating water.