Good, Vintage Dishwasher for Daily Use--That Isn't Unobtainium

[Jhealey1984]

I'm relatively new here, but since joining have come to enjoy this website immensely. I've always had a thing for vintage appliances, and in outfitting an old shed that I'm currently converting into a small cabin/living space, I've decided to furnish it with all retro/vintage appliances.

Certain items, like vintage refrigerators and antique ranges, have proven to be quite abundant, but old dishwashers seem to be much rarer. Searching Craigslist and eBay (using their local search function--are there other places I should be searching?), only about once or twice a month will I find an old dishwasher pop up for sale...and I'm searching quite broadly, within a 200 mile radius.

I'd love to find something that is of good quality and as effective as a modern machine, i.e., suitable for regular use, and have read about many amazing old dishwashers on this site, though I have to settle for what I can find, as I'm not quite ready to plop down the funds to have one shipped cross country. Here's what I've found so far:

-A beautiful stainless steel Superba on CL...only 10 miles from me, but just missed it to another buyer (apparently the seller was a member of this site!)

-A KD-12: Unfortunately, the seller wanted a small fortune for it, and had no idea if it worked. I passed.

-A 1960's-era Mobile Maid: Currently available and considering. Appears clean, and works. I know these are somewhat popular amongst collectors, though this version isn't as spiffy looking as the 1950's-era ones I've seen. Are these machines a good bet?

-A 1970's-era(?) Kenmore, model unknown (I've posted a photo below if that helps), also a portable model. Clean and in working condition. This one is also currently available. Are these a good bet? I've read varying opinions on this forum about the old Kenmore machines, but it seems to depend highly upon the specific model.

Does anyone else have any suggestions as to what to look for (maybe some older machines that I'm unaware of that are somewhat common), and what to avoid? Might either of the above two machines garner the recommendation of members here?

Thanks to all for any insights or suggestions.

 

[qsd-dan]

One word....

KitchenAid.

Stay with the 18-20 series machines. The older models are one arm bandits with no wash arm under the upper rack. KDS-18 is the most coveted model for its high use of water per fill, upper constant rinse spinner that washes and rinses the tops of dishes on the upper rack, and a true NSF 180F sanitizing final rinse cycle. Between Whirlpool, Hobart, and Ebay, you can still get most parts for these machines.

 

[toploader55]

One Armed Bandits...

They're Good Machines but you must sacrify space for upper rack results.

They are truly a "Hurricane in a Box" provided they are loaded properly. Loading, Loading and Loading. It's all about racking the dishes properly. Bottom Racks (One armed Wonders or Bandits) Strictly for flat products like plates all sizes and other things like cutting boards. Now, You can put bowled shaped items in the lower rack, but you cannot put something above that item in the upper rack as there will be no wash action because of blockage of spray.

They're fun and Noisey with a Snappin' Drain Valve.

Hope you find a Great Kitchen.

 

[appnut]

That Kenmore portable was the next to top of the line in its day--1980 to 1983 or so.  Mediocre to average at best cleaning.  I had a lower-end model in my first house.  I think if you hold out, you'll find something more to your liking.  A Maytag is another good option. 

 

[whirlykenmore78]

As Dan mentioned

Hobart/KA 18-20 series. Or else any Whirlpool Powerclean machine including Kenmore Ultra Wash models will foot the bill. If you are willing to go a bit newer The Whirlpool built KitchenAids of the late 80's and early 90's are also great machines.
WK78

 

[pierreandreply4]

if you went a good Kenmore dishwasher I would look for this particular model credit to turqoisedude for the pic I have save in my picture folder as this model has an option for a sani wash

 

[moparwash]

Here is a good Whirlpool-built Kitchen Aid

The 23 series...upper rack spray arm gives great results...still easy to find around but watch for rust on the upper rack!!

 

[combo52]

Good Classic DWs

KA DWs from the 15 series-the 23 models, any WP from about 1970 on the 1984-1989 Power-Clean models being the best performing. Early 1980s GE machines with the filter and multi-orbit lower wash arm. And many MTs from the 1970s on through about 1989.

 

The KA Suberba DWs 15-18 with the 180 degree sani-rinse do not qualify for NSF recognition as the dishes never get close to 180 degrees, these KA DWs only heat a gallon or so of water in the sump to approximately 180 degrees and then quickly douse the dishes with the hot water, the hot water drops in temperature instantly.

 

[tomturbomatic]

Loading

A friend lives in a condo in DC. A young girl who lives down the hall from him approached him and asked if his dishwasher washed well. He told her it did. She said that hers did not and asked if he would come look at it. Cups & bowls were loaded on top of each other, at least two plates or saucers were jammed into each space between the pins and, on the lower rack, pans were loaded up to the bottom of the upper rack. These are builder model GEs and far from new. He had to unload it & said there were two loads crammed in it. She had never had to load the DW at home; they had help for that. Too bad.

 

[frontaloadotmy]

JH1984

The Avocado Lady Kenmore that you  posted is certainly a good buy! And not that far from you in Santa Cruz.  There are two 

recycle places in Oakland, East of the Nimitz Freeway near the coliseum; one is a Habitat Restore. I forget the name of the other one but they are right next to each other on the same lot.If you check the Habitat Site the stores are listed. I haven't been to that location for some time, but the "not"  Habitat store had some good Kitchenaids a few years back.

 

[whirlykenmore78]

KA 180F rinse

As John said these were NOT NSF certified machines.  A commercial Dishmachine must provide a guaranteed dish surface temp minimum of 160F for 15 seconds to be certified.  This reqires the wash water to be 150F and a constant flow of 180F rinse water for 10 seconds for stationary rack machines.  It is 160F wash and 180F rinse for short conveyor machines.  For the large multi tank dishmachines temps are 150F wash, 160F power rinse, 180F final rinse.   As the KA Superba did not have a target temp for the first rinse there was no way to ensure dish surface temp in the sani rinse.  That said I do belive a final rinse heated to 180F would greatly improve final results and reduce bacteria counts drastically.  However this would not meet NSF protocal.

WK78

 

[rp2813]

Oakland Habitat ReStore

I haven't been to the Oakland ReStore in over a year, but it shares space with St. Vincent de Paul.  The "not" habitat store is apparently part of St. Vincent de Paul.  It's across the lot from the ReStore up front near the street.  The ReStore was waaay overpriced on appliances when I was last in there.  SVDP, on the other hand, was far more reasonable.

 

[Jhealey1984]

Thanks to all for the wonderful insights and suggestions! There is such a wealth of knowledge on this board. I will ultimately post back and let everyone know what I end up with. For the time being, I will continue my search...I now have several specific models that I can keep an eye out for, thanks to the suggestions. Though as Frontaloadotmy pointed out, the Kenmore, being free, and local, was indeed quite a steal, though if it's only a mediocre performer at best, I guess it's best to pass and hold out until I find something more worthy. And I will definitely have to check out this Habitat Restore shop...I looked into it a bit and it sounds quite interesting. Thanks again everyone.

 

[qsd-dan]

Lol, looks like I at least get an NSF wash out of the 18. With the combination of an incoming water temp of 155F and the 700w heater applied during the wash, I get a final temp of 164F by the time the drain valve kicks in to drain the main wash water. I insulated the entire dishwasher opening as well as the dishwasher itself before installing the 18, so that probably helps keep the temps up. Only complaint is the dishwasher is too quiet now. I miss the testosterone laden Hobart roar

When I was running several loads with the 18 in the garage after a seal and impeller replacement, I took temps all over the cabinet with my infrared temper gun during the 180F sani cycle. I was getting 187 on the bottom of the tub, 182.8 on the sides, and 181 on the top of the tub. The water in the sump was at 188F when the thermo was satisfied. I never did quickly open the door and shoot any dishes right when the drain valve kicked in. I'll have to do that next time I use the Sani cycle.