Hobart KitchenAid model timeline

[vap0rtranz]

How did the Hobart designed KitchenAid models change over time?

I've read a couple threads here, gathered tidbits by Googling, and am hoping there's a model history and/or timeline stashed away somewhere. Automatice.org site would be a great place for posting a series timeline of model changes and I get that they want to sell manuals but I can't afford to buy each manual to get a synopsis of options / changes over time.

Here's tidbits I've read that probably need corrections:

Hobart designed & made a couple models: undermount - Custom, Imperial, and Superba (in order of options), and portable - Regency, Deluxe.
1960-1970s models were 1st big residential sales but KitchAids were sold as early as 1950s.
Some early models had unique builds/options, like cast iron wash arms, top loaders, etc.
Sometime in the 1970's, Hobart added options/changes like: a 2nd (and 3rd??) wash arm.
Whirlpool acquired KitchenAid from Hobart (in 1986?) but no design changes.
No Whirlpool changes in the 1980s ... but changes in model years in 1990s??
One Whirlpool change was the water pump ... that went from vertical to horizontal, or PowerClean, or ?
Whirlpool dropped basically any remaining Hobart designed "goodness" by model 23?

 

[appnut]

The 23 odel was the last KA-inspired porcelain tub. Beginning with the 24 series, it had a SS interior.

 

[gelaundry4ever]

Kitchenaid by Hobart

I've only ever seen 1 in my lifetime in person.

 

[qsd-dan]

The upper constant rinse arm first debut in the 16 series dishwashers.

The upper rack didn't get its own wash arm until the 18 series. The 18 series dishwasher was the only Hobart made dishwasher that had a true three level wash design with constant rinse and upper rack wash arm.

The upper wash arm was went through another design change by the 19 series and was lengthened for better coverage in the corners of the rack. This upper rack, along with the 20 series, is backwards compatible for use in the 18 series machines and should be installed if possible.

The constant rinse arm was discontinued in the 19 series machines and didn't return until well into the Whirlpool years.

The 19 series machines also lost the heated dry option which returned in the 20.

The 19 series and later models got a bigger blower wheel installed, which helped dishes dry quicker.

The 19's got larger reflectors at the corners of the lower rack for better water shielding protection which should installed in the 18 series dishwashers if possible.

It's best not to use the heated dry option in the 18 series dishwashers since the design of the vent in the right rear corner tends to rust out the lower rack at that corner. Hobart redesigned this vent in the 19 series machines and it wasn't a problem thereafter.

The 18 series dishwashers was the last one to use a true 180F sani final rinse. It was reduced to 150F in the 19 series.

The 18 series was the the last 3 gallon fill dishwasher which was reduced in the 19 series.

The 18 series only stopped and heated for the final sani rinse, if selected. Water temps need to be 150F at the tap to get good results for the 18 and pre 18 series models.

The 19 and 20 series dishwashers filled, stopped, and heated for the pre wash, main wash, and final rinse cycles. These dishwashers are best used for those who have their water heater turned down below 150F.

The 21 series dishwasher received a new pump and motor design which stopped and reversed to drain. These machines received a fine mesh filter screen under the coarse screen filter which was much better at catching and filtering very small items. This filter was backwashed during the drain cycle.

 

[gelaundry4ever]

kitchenaid dishwashers

I've only seen Whirlpool-built Kitchenaid dishwashers with the 4-way hydrosweep spray arm. I could just imagine how it sounds.

 

[vap0rtranz]

great synopsis

Thx Dan. That's a great synopsis and list over time.

 

[das]

kitchenaid dki-17 during washing cycle only, makes very loud irregular banging sound AND a not so loud sound.????? any help would be great!

 

[turquoisedude]

KitchenAid dishwashers - the early years

The roots of the KitchenAid dishwasher go way back to around 1886 when American inventor, Josephine Cochrane devised a dishwashing machine that used jets of water to clean dishes without moving them.  Her machine was in use and on display at 2 World's Fairs - but the machine was drawing the most interest from commercial clients in the hotel and restaurant business.  Her company became the Crescent Washing Machine Company in 1897 and was acquired by the Hobart Corporation in 1913 shortly after Cochrane's death.   Hobart improved the design, introducing a rotating spray-arm to wash dishes.  

It was not until 1949 that Hobart's KitchenAid division introduced their first home dishwasher, the KD10.  A fairly simple model with a large cast-iron spray arm (the first were white) and stainless-steel racks to hold dishes and glasses.  The machine would wash, double-rinse, and then dry the dishes with heated air blown into the wash tub.  This was the KD10 machine.   It set the standard for dishwasher design - front-loading, wash-arm spray system, dual rolling racks (and the first adjustable upper rack), and most interestingly, a 24-inch wide cabinet that was easier to integrate into a kitchen plan. 

Towards the end of the KD10 run, racks coated with rubberized cushioning were introduced.  This carried over into the all the later models.   These first models were gravity-drain, meaning serious plumbing work was required for installation.  But that was the case with just about all the home dishwashers of the day... 

KD11 was the next version of the KitchenAid home dishwasher, pretty well the same as the KD10, but now a model with a cabinet, on casters, and with a pump to drain and direct the used wash water was introduced.  The first 'portable/convertible' dishwasher was born.   The next KitchenAids in the late 50s were the KD12 series.  Again, no serious change in design but there was some restyling (a fancier door handle) and the built-in models could be had with a brushed-chrome or copper front to add some zing to a modern kitchen.  KD12's were gravity-drain models, the KD12P models had an integrated drain pump, and a new, "budget" KitchenAid KDC-P2, a top-loading mobile dishwasher was introduced.   The 11 and 12 series machines had one spray arm - a heavy cast-iron one with a blue finish. 

In 1961, KitchenAid introduced their 14 series dishwashers, with three distinct models, plus a top-loading portable.  The top-of-the-line Superba models featured a double-wash, triple rinse washing cycle.  On the Superba, there was a choice of washing cycles - Full Cycle for a complete pre-rinse/pre-wash, main wash, triple rinse, and hot-air dry cycle.  Utility And Utensil offered a pre-wash/pre-rinse, main wash, triple rinse, and short dry cycle.  The idea was that pots, pans, and utensils would not be fully scrubbed by this cycle, rather the heavier soil loosened and not allowed to dry back on too badly.  There was also a Rinse And Hold cycle for just a pre-rinse of dishes.  Cycles were selected by pushbutton and a rapid-advance timer cycled through the parts of the cycle not selected.    There was also an Imperial model with a 2-button cycle selection for Full Cycle or Rinse and Hold.  Finally, there was Custom model - it was more or less a 12-series machine:  single wash, triple rinse, and dry.  The 14 series offered models with gravity drain or pump options (the Custom models only had gravity drain - I am guessing they were intended to replace a KD10 that was getting worn out!).  The portable/convertible model made it's reapperance, but KitchenAid still offered the top-load portable version.  The 14 series was the last to use the 'Big Blue' wash arm. 

In 1965, KitchenAid introduced the 15 series dishwashers - a new washing system, the 4-way HydroSweep was featured on all their models:  Superba, Imperial, and Custom.  As with the 14 series, the Superba featured push-button cycle selection with a rapid-advance timer, however a new washing option was added.  A 'Sani Cycle' offered a final boosted-heat rinse in which the machine would fill, heat, and pause until the water reached 155 degrees.  There were still undercounter models, portable/convertible models, and the top-loading portable models - all now featured a drain pump for easier installation.

 

I own a KD10, KD12, KDC-P2(12-series top-load portable), KDS54 (14-series portable/convertible), KDS55 (15-series portable/convertible) and a KDC-P5 (15 series top-load portable)  so my knowledge/experience with KitchenAid dishwashers ends there.... LOL  

 

[DADoES]

 
No-heat dry option was added at the 17 series ... revised as 17A.

 

[appnut]

Paul, the KDI14 was just one button--Full cycle. A 2-button KDI model didn't happen until the 15 series.

 

[turquoisedude]

Dang it, that's right...  Should've checked my own archives before posting... LOL  

 

[frigidaireguy]

KD-10

We had a KD-10 with the cast iron wash arm and stainless steel racks. There was no soap dispenser or rinse agent dispenser. You just poured the soap on the open door then closed the door and hit the start switch. It had a gravity drain. One wash and two rinses and forced air drying. When it finished the dishes would be so hot you could not touch them.

Bob