Hobart dishwasher

[shininglight]

I am about to purchase a Hobart Kitchenid a 1960 model. Can anyone tell me if it washes well and if I can find parts? What should I pay for it?

 

[volvoguy87]

Oh yes!

It will wash very well, provided you have sufficiently hot water, you use the right detergent, and you load it properly.

Parts can be had, provided you're willing to go find them. There are other folks here who know how to do that better than I can. As for value, that is up to you.

Welcome,
Dave

 

[shininglight]

Hobart Dishwasher

Thanks Dave for your reply. This machine is in a very good condition. Was used by an older lady in an apartment in a small town. Current owner agreed to sell it. In the same kitchen is an olive green ranhe with an oven on the bottom as usual and also an oven hanging on the top. I am thinking to purchase it too. But first the dishwasher. Anyone out there can say anything about this Kitchenaid Supera? is welcome.

 

[stevet]

Superba??

Have you gotten the model number of the unit. It is possible that it could be a Superba from 1960 which would have been one of the earliest models of the "14" series machines. This would have 3 cycles: Rinse and Hold, Full Cycle and Utility/Utensil.
Rinse and hold is obvious, full cycle and Utility/utensil(pots/pans) are identical except that the dry time is cut short on the Utility cycle so that any food not removed during the washing would not be dried on with the hot air drying.
This was the first machine with the rapid advance timers where the timer would advance to off after the rinse and hold cycle as well as automatic advance to the home position on the timer so you did not have to press anything to start the machine except the cycle button.

Parts were basically obsoleted by Hobart before Whirlpool bought the KA division. Whatever was common to the KA's and the commercial UM series on which it was based were available until 1994 and even now most of them are gone!
You will probably be able to garner a seal or two but as far as I know, the drain valves are all gone and pumps would have to be found at some of the really older independent servicers or parts houses.
But true to Kitchenaid form, if the unit is in good shape, it will probably go for many more years if this unit was truly hardly used.

It will wash well, like Dave mentioned as long as you feed it hot (140-16o) degree water and adapt to the racking requirements of the machine. If you block the spray from the single washarm with large items in the bottom rack, then the area directly above will probably be starved for water.
These units did not heat the water in the tank at all thus the really hot water requirements, plus the detergents of that era were formulated to work at that temp as well.

Good Luck and let us see some pics of it when you get a chance.

 

[rollermatic]

i have 2 kd-12's

a kd-14 and a kdp-2. i have paid 200 max for them, several i got for 100 bucks.

last time i checked with hobart (about 2 months ago) there were 2 seals left (pump seals) in the entire hobart inventory across country. i bought 2 myself prior to that and they were around 40 bucks each if i remember correctly.

i will say that all 4 of my machines run fine and do not leak so i have not had to use these seals yet. isn't it funny that a 50 year old kitchenaid will not leak a drop yet the new one's develop seal leaks after 4 or 5 years!

my one kd-12 i use as a semi regular machine for small and "easy" loads. it does a great job! has one wash, 2 rinses. i would not use these machines myself for big and heavy loads, i use mine for cups, glasses and plates. the other 3 i am not using at all, just adding them to the collection. mainly due that parts are pretty much non existent these days. but my one kd-12 is so much fun to use i have it installed under the counter.

they are easy to work on and restore and definately a trip down memory lane, at least for me!

any questions you can contact me at [email protected] although my computer is completely down and i only have access to this site and my e mail about once a week at the present time. gonna get a new computer here soon.

have fun with it!

 

[shininglight]

Hobart Kitchenaid

Thanks guys for the info. Peter suggested a price I can start with. He will also give me info on seals. Any other websites offering parts like motor etc... will be really appreciated. I am new to all this.

 

[stevet]

more info??

Still waiting to hear what model it is or at the least, a picture.. any luck with either? Would make parts locating easier for all of us!

 

[shininglight]

Hobart Kitchenaid

I looked at all the instructions and papers enclosed. The machine seems to be a Superba Varicycle according to a placard with the manual. There are 2 modles written in blue; KDS24 and KDS 24P. However installation instructions are for 14s to 24Ps
I'll have to ask the owner to let me look at serial numbers etc... when I can get hold of him probably by saturday.
The door is opened by swivilling the vertical handle counterclockwise. Hope that helps so far.

 

[shininglight]

Hobart Kitchenaid

I meant to say the door can be opened by rotating the horizontal handle counterclockwise.

 

[stevet]

Sounds like a KDS14

Now lets see some pics of this classic machine. Too bad it is all obsolete and you are basically at the mercy of the collectors here which can be a good thing and maybe finding another donor unit of the same vintage or older from which you can get many similar parts that will work in your machine.

 

[shininglight]

Hobart Kitchenaid

I'll take some pictures this weekend and put them on this site. One thing is for sure that I am at the mercy of someone on this site for parts.

 

[shininglight]

Pictures

Here are manual and other pictures of the machine. Hope someone can ID it and be able to help me with parts.

Thanks

 

[shininglight]

some more

 

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more

 

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more

 

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more

 

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more

 

[shininglight]

one more

 

[1972lkdishwash]

1960 Superba dishwasher

We have this same machine 1961.....Brushed stainless and three cycle superba.....Contact Larry at Modern Parts House in parma, Ohio Number is 216-661-6966, he will help you I'm sure...