Help, please, with a KitchenAid dishwasher

[ctv]

Hi everyone.
I took pictures this time of (what I think is), the impeller.
Can anyone tell me if this can come off, and if so then how?
Also, the filter has that fuzz n' stuff coming out of it that I don't think is supposed to.
Am I right on that, or can it come apart to clean it out, too?
And if it's not supposed to be that way, how can I fix it?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Christine.

 

[toploader55]

Believe it or not...

That "fuzz" is partially food fiber.

At the end of the day in the restaurant, the screens that catch the food scraps has the same fibers.

I'll take some pics of the pump guard and post them later.

 

[ctv]

Fuzzy food???

is what you're suggesting?
Well, yummy to that (Not!)
There was actually a lot of this stuff and other gunk in the machine. I've used dishwashers for eons of different makes/models and have never come across this much!
So, is there no way that that filter comes apart so I can clean it out? Or is it just "split" there, and something I'll just have to live with......?
And do you have any input on the impeller dilema?
I ran it empty twice, and could hear something rattling around in the bowels so I'd really like to get in there. Also heard a bit of a buzzing sound along with the rattling. Not good.
There were a couple pieces of glass I found in the bottom of the tub, so I'm assuming that's what that rattling is from.
I used a wrench on the grey "bolt-head" on the impeller to keep it from moving as I tried to loosen the inner bolt, but it's on tight and I don't want to force (break) it. Also, the wrench I used was smooth and it kept slipping off.
Do I just need more grunting and a better wrench to get it off or does that type of reversing motor have anything to do with it?

Thank you so much for responding, and I look forward to your advice and input.

Christine.

 

[toploader55]

Food Fiber

Here are pics of my Hobart AM 14 Pump Guard (Pic 1) and Filter (Pic 2)

This what accumulates by the end of the day. And mind you they are cleaned after the Lunch dishes are done.

 

[combo52]

Kitchenaid 23 Series DW Pump Assembly

Hi Christine, I got your Email, To disassemble this pump you have to hold the plastic impeller and unscrew the 1/4" screw in the center. Sometimes the impeller will break, sometimes the SS screw is rusted and stuck in the carbon steel motor shaft, and it breaks off, at which time it is best to replace the motor.

It sounds like [ from your Email ] that something got into the grinder area and sometimes this will damage the grinder spring and the drain impeller. WP sells a kit to rebuilt these pumps if you can get it apart without breaking off the impeller mounting screw in the motor shaft.

The white stuff that was coming out of the edge of the wash arm support means that the seam between the two plastic parts is starting to come apart and fail. This pump assembly often had this problem, sometimes you can glue it back together with some good epoxy. The good news is these pump assemblies are still plentiful if you can not save this one, let me know if you want a good used.

John L.

 

[ctv]

The yuck factor

is something I'll have to ignore next time I eat out for sure, Eddie, so I'll just convince myself it's not on the food!

Thanks for getting back to me, John.

I've run another load and no noises! So I'm hoping whatever was in there has made it's way safely out.
The info you gave about getting the impeller off has kind of scared me to not want to muck around with it although the OCD part of my brain is nagging at me.....
Do you have pictures of what's underneath? I've been able to take off the impellers on other KitchenAid dishwashers I've had, and a lot of crap can accumulate under there. Considering the muck that's been cleaned out already in this one, it's a good assumption there's more...
Would a good spray of WD-40 or something like that loosen that screw?

As for the split seam, I'll just have to run a few loads and see how it holds up but was wondering how that split affects how the dishwasher performs. I've got epoxy glue, but don't like the idea of those chemicals ending up on my dishes so I may be getting back to you on that.

Thanks for helping me out!

Christine.

 

[whirlykenmore78]

@ ctv; RE the yuck factor

That type of buildup in a commercial or home dishwasher is not uncommon nor is it harmful. I've seen it in both applications and it NEVER comes out on the dishes.

The dishwasher Eddie has is a Hobart AM-14. IMO as a chef of 20 years the best door type machine EVER! Only the recirculated wash water is cycled throuh these filters when returning to the wash tank. That water is maintained @ a minimum of 150f (66c)and is changed after each meal service or every 2 hours of continued use. The 180f (82C) rinse comes in through separate arms and is fresh water which acts to rinse, sanitize and be makeup water for the machine.
When dining out: if the chef has a good dishmachine in his kitchen and makes sure it is used properly there should be no Yuck Factor.
WK78

 

[murando531]

I had that same issue with my second PowerClean that I bought for the updated parts for my 2001. This one was an '06, and took an act of God to unscrew. I'm shocked that compared to this one my '01 was in immaculate condition and was a breeze to disassemble.

Something that may help is to get an old screwdriver and hammer, and gently tap the screw in the center a few times. You're not trying to hammer through it of course, but just send a few light shock waves through the screw and shaft to hopefully loosen its hold. I can't guarantee it will work, but it ended up being the solution to getting the impeller off the Whirlpool. It's actually quite interesting how similar the older KitchenAids and the WP PowerClean are on the inside; that impeller looks downright identical.

 

[ctv]

re re the yuck factor

Hi Nick.

Alright, I'll remember that next time I eat out. Now to figure out how to snoop in the restaurant's kitchen! Maybe grab a tray and waltz on in....
I've acquired other models over the years (KDI-61C was the first one, then the obsession began), all used of course but never this amount of fuzz.
It is a bit of a job with all those screws to get to the filter, so I'm assuming the previous owner never bothered cleaning it out as there was this stuff throughout other parts including the upper wash-arm holes.
Too bad that model can't be used in a residential kitchen without a serious overhaul!

Christine

 

[toploader55]

Thank You Nick.

BTW... Every night, our machine's interior is broken down and cleaned. By that I mean All the screens, end pieces and drain pipe is taken out and cleaned. Then the person cleaning the machine will take 3-4 gallons of hot water and flush out the sediment of the bottom of the tank.

The doors including the inspection door is left open to dry out every night.

Upon my arrival in the morning, I have a flash light hanging by the clean dish table. I inspect the bottom of the tank for debris and check the Wash Arms for blockage. Sometimes I'll find a stray sip stick or a shrimp tail.

The Wash arms are removed once a week and are inspected and flushed for hidden debris.

Also, I rotate the arms to make sure there is nothing binding them. As a matter of fact, yesterday upon my inspection I found the lower wash arm's bearing assembly to be in disrepair, so it was replaced by the Chemical Tech.

Rarely you find a machine that is highly maintained like Nick or myself take care of in the restaurant business.

Sorry, didn't mean to hi jack this thread, but commercial machines need this kind of maintenance on a daily basis.

 

[ctv]

To Andrew

I had to find a post that had pictures very similar to mine as my batterries are dead again.
Funktionalart's thread # 56044, and his link to pictures shows one almost like mine starting at pic #10.
He says his is a KUDA22, but mine is YKUDA230YW0.
Are these the same, and/or is yours one of those models?
I didn't think mine was that "new".
I will definitely try your trick (gingerly!), with fingers crossed.
Did you end up finding out it was worth it?

Christine.

 

[whirlykenmore78]

Cleaning the dishmachine:

Eddie you do the same thing I do in the morning. I check the inside of the Hobart C-44LE for cleanliness and make sure nothing is caught in the conveyor or damaged.(Inmates are NOT easy on the machine) I then put in the overflow pipe, screens and wash arms. I then close the doors, check the Ecolab dispensers for Solid Power and Rinse Dry and turn the machine on to fill.

The dishwasher is fully broken down and cleaned 3x per day, after each meal. The dishwasher is drained, all screens and wash arms and the overflow pipe removed and cleaned and the inside of the machine washed with a hot water spray. It is then re-assembled and filled for the next service. The outside of the machine is cleaned with SS polish after each cleaning/water change.

I run Lime-A-Way through it monthly even though we run it on soft water. I find that this cleans out more than scale. I know my method works as both the MN health inspector and the Ecolab guy comment on how clean our DW is.
@ctv I also apologise for hijacking this thread.
WK78

 

[ctv]

Hijacking?

You mean going off topic?

No worries at all, my dear.

I find this interesting that you guys go through so much trouble with your units.

And I would say it's more to do with your standards wanting to ensure your dishwashers are taken care of which ultimately reflects in what the patrons must see at your establishments.
I've been to some restaurants in Vancouver where I turned around as soon as I walked in!