christfr
Well-known member
found a fun kitchenaid portable on craigs list and got it for 25 bucks..got it all cleaned and resealed and ready to go but id like to know what year it might be the mod # is KDS-57A
here we go again what year am i
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christfr
Well-known member
could use new racks
the machine is in really great shape but the racks really should be replaced.. does anyone have a good set of racks that would fit this machine that they would like to sell?? if so please let me know
the machine is in really great shape but the racks really should be replaced.. does anyone have a good set of racks that would fit this machine that they would like to sell?? if so please let me know
what year am i
My sister had almost the same machine. Only hers didn't have the black energy button on the left. This is about between a 73 74 75 model I think.
Peter
My sister had almost the same machine. Only hers didn't have the black energy button on the left. This is about between a 73 74 75 model I think.
Peter
mikepaquette
Well-known member
- Joined
- Oct 17, 2004
- Messages
- 338
Nice machine
You have had a run of good luck. Good for you. Michael
You have had a run of good luck. Good for you. Michael
Awesome find!!
The 17 series had a long production run, May 1971 through July 1976. Yours has the energy saver button on the left side and the "A" in the model number so it's probably toward the end of the production run. It was reputed to be the finest of KitchenAid dishwashers, the last of the 40 gallon per minute spray from a single level wash arm (hydro-sweep) turning at 45 RPM had pressure coming from each arm opening at approx. 10 PSI. Now that's a Hydro Sweep!
The upper rack probably won't be hard to replace, but the lower rack might prove a little more elusive. The original, plates down the center, was discontinued and replaced with the 18 and later series rack design (plates on the left side of rack) which will work just fine, but not be OEM - points off from the judges ;-)
The 17 series had a long production run, May 1971 through July 1976. Yours has the energy saver button on the left side and the "A" in the model number so it's probably toward the end of the production run. It was reputed to be the finest of KitchenAid dishwashers, the last of the 40 gallon per minute spray from a single level wash arm (hydro-sweep) turning at 45 RPM had pressure coming from each arm opening at approx. 10 PSI. Now that's a Hydro Sweep!
The upper rack probably won't be hard to replace, but the lower rack might prove a little more elusive. The original, plates down the center, was discontinued and replaced with the 18 and later series rack design (plates on the left side of rack) which will work just fine, but not be OEM - points off from the judges ;-)
frontaloadotmy
Well-known member
Fancy
Does it have a timer dial on the lower panel, or is it
button selection only?
Does it have a timer dial on the lower panel, or is it
button selection only?
fnelson487
Well-known member
I Bought My First 17 in 1976-77
It wasn't the A series with the energy saver button. The next one I bought was in the fall of 1979 when I moved to California and it was the 18. Greg is right, there is nothing like the wash action of these machines. I have a regular KDS-17 in my kitchen and an almost brand-new KDS-57 convertible portable sold to me by a club member from MA. It's in my laundry room off the kitchen and keeps the KDI-14 company. The 57 was used maybe 10 times. Absolutely like new. I didn't think that I would like the Harvest Gold, but it is somehow very retro and doesn't stand out like a sore thumb, actually beautiful.
Actually, I believe that the upper and lower racks are matched. The later racks, which you can get new have a flatter upper rack. The upper rack of the 17 is more pitched from the center to match the center loading of the dinner plates on the lower rack. Keep looking, you may still find a set out there.
It wasn't the A series with the energy saver button. The next one I bought was in the fall of 1979 when I moved to California and it was the 18. Greg is right, there is nothing like the wash action of these machines. I have a regular KDS-17 in my kitchen and an almost brand-new KDS-57 convertible portable sold to me by a club member from MA. It's in my laundry room off the kitchen and keeps the KDI-14 company. The 57 was used maybe 10 times. Absolutely like new. I didn't think that I would like the Harvest Gold, but it is somehow very retro and doesn't stand out like a sore thumb, actually beautiful.
Actually, I believe that the upper and lower racks are matched. The later racks, which you can get new have a flatter upper rack. The upper rack of the 17 is more pitched from the center to match the center loading of the dinner plates on the lower rack. Keep looking, you may still find a set out there.
fnelson487
Well-known member
Timer Dial
They did away with the timer dial on the lower panel on the 16 series. You got to love the stainless steel rails along the sides so the the machine looks totally built in. Very classy.
They did away with the timer dial on the lower panel on the 16 series. You got to love the stainless steel rails along the sides so the the machine looks totally built in. Very classy.
veg-o-matic
Well-known member
Oooh. Daddy like!
veg
veg
christfr
Well-known member
RACK WORK
well i touched up the racks..and they look better but they do have a cancer problem..wanted to find a better set before they are all gone..i got a wild hair and took off the top to refinish it, but i do want to test it out this eve and see how well it washes.. hope fixerman reads this.. id love it if youd have a chance to look at the racks you have..as greg says i want to keep the judges happy
well i touched up the racks..and they look better but they do have a cancer problem..wanted to find a better set before they are all gone..i got a wild hair and took off the top to refinish it, but i do want to test it out this eve and see how well it washes.. hope fixerman reads this.. id love it if youd have a chance to look at the racks you have..as greg says i want to keep the judges happy
maytagbear
Well-known member
My all time favourite KA!
Of my life with dishwashers, 1973-2002, and again 2005---, most of my machines have been portables, and I love the guide bar/towel bar on this machine.
To the best of my recollection, no other manufacturer put a guide/towel bar on their portables.
Now, all portables I have seen lately have plastic/laminate tops, and not real wood. The top on my new GE would be too thin to add a guide bar worthy of the name.
Lawrence/Maytagbear
Of my life with dishwashers, 1973-2002, and again 2005---, most of my machines have been portables, and I love the guide bar/towel bar on this machine.
To the best of my recollection, no other manufacturer put a guide/towel bar on their portables.
Now, all portables I have seen lately have plastic/laminate tops, and not real wood. The top on my new GE would be too thin to add a guide bar worthy of the name.
Lawrence/Maytagbear
You're right about the handles on the KA machines, I always thought that made moving much easier, but then they didn't have a suitable handle on the panel like Kenmore, Maytag, GE, etc.
veg-o-matic
Well-known member
I have a lead on what I think is a similar model, but have a question: is this machine--or Kitchenaids in general--convertible to built-in? Got no room for a portable, but I'd love to have a vintage DW.
veg
veg
VEG, These KAs were portable/convertible last I remember. Just like Greg's Kenmore. A conversion kit purchase was required. But I"m sure the astute dudes here can improvise.
fnelson487
Well-known member
KitchenAids of This Era
Came in either convertible/portable as shown above, a front loading portable and a top loading portable. The convertible portables came in the whole range - Superba/Imperial/Custom. The convertibles were really built-ins with panels and a top. If you get that machine, let me know, I have all the original instructions for converting a 17 to a built in. The conversion kit (Part #ML-18132) contained 1 compression ell (3/8" male pipe thread thd. to 1/2"O.D. tube), 2 front and 2 rear legs, 2 kickboards and 16 screws, all improvisable. The one I bought has all the original literature. I figure this way I can use it as a portable while the other 17 is still working, and have a back-up built in almost-new 17 if it fails. Here are some pics. Ain't she a beauty?
Came in either convertible/portable as shown above, a front loading portable and a top loading portable. The convertible portables came in the whole range - Superba/Imperial/Custom. The convertibles were really built-ins with panels and a top. If you get that machine, let me know, I have all the original instructions for converting a 17 to a built in. The conversion kit (Part #ML-18132) contained 1 compression ell (3/8" male pipe thread thd. to 1/2"O.D. tube), 2 front and 2 rear legs, 2 kickboards and 16 screws, all improvisable. The one I bought has all the original literature. I figure this way I can use it as a portable while the other 17 is still working, and have a back-up built in almost-new 17 if it fails. Here are some pics. Ain't she a beauty?
fnelson487
Well-known member
Inside!
I put the new racks from this one into my kitchen built in unit and the older ones in here.
I put the new racks from this one into my kitchen built in unit and the older ones in here.
mikepaquette
Well-known member
- Joined
- Oct 17, 2004
- Messages
- 338
Georgious
I have to admit she is gorgious. Michael
I have to admit she is gorgious. Michael
veg-o-matic
Well-known member
Yum!
veg
veg
christfr
Well-known member
NICE RACKS
NICE RACKS ..WANT TO TRADE?..HA HA..YOUR MACHINE IS IN FANTASTIC SHAPE TOO..WONDERFUL HOW SOME OF THEM MADE IT THIS FAR..GLAD SOMEONE CAN COME ALONG AND KEEP THEM ALIVE
NICE RACKS ..WANT TO TRADE?..HA HA..YOUR MACHINE IS IN FANTASTIC SHAPE TOO..WONDERFUL HOW SOME OF THEM MADE IT THIS FAR..GLAD SOMEONE CAN COME ALONG AND KEEP THEM ALIVE
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