Hope Springs Eternal Kitchenaid Dishwashers

[zippyjet]

Had a little time to kill and visited Kitchenaid's website. I checked out their new line of dishwashers. It seems ALL their models feature the venerable Hobart introduced 4 way Hydra Wash Arm. Thank Goodness; from the reasonably priced model to the fancy almost $2000 machine they all have the 4 way wash. Previously (at least the past two years or so many of their higher end dishwashers had a Whirlpool style S shaped arm. Which in my opinion is a major downgrade. Am I reading their website correctly? Are all their new machines equipped with the 4 way hydra sweep wash arm? What made Whirlpool come to their senses and expand this classic wash system? I bet a lot of consumers felt slapping a Kitchenaid badge on a standard Whirlpool dishwasher was a blatant ripoff.
http://www.kitchenaid.com/images/brand/carousel-main/carousel-dishwasher-filter.jpg
http://www.kitchenaid.com/digitalassets/SalesFeatureImages/HeatDryOption_160X140_P100499_2z.jpg (Four Way wash arm on lowest price model)

http://www.kitchenaid.com/digitalassets/KDTE704DSS/Feature_1175X1290_P130644_7.jpg
And here it is on the top end model priced $1000 more than their lowest priced dishwasher. ツ

 

[logixx]

I think Whirlpool is trying to differentiate between the different brands. KA got a different spray arm and extra wash zones in the upper rack, 3rd rack and ProFilter self-cleaning filter, Kenmore has the rotating spray jets in the back and the 360° Wash and Whirlpool has the silverware basket that attaches to the door - just to name some differences.

 

Alex

 

[logixx]

Oh, and there'll be Bosch-sourced Jenn-Airs.

 

[zippyjet]

Thank You

I thought the reason for the S arm on the Kitchen Aid's were for water conservation/energy star ratings. I'm glad Whirlpool saw the light and retained the distinct Hobart inspired 4 way hydra sweep bottom tub wash arm. I also noticed the new Kitchen Aids brought back the heating element concealed in the tub with a fan option like the old school Hobart models. Who knows maybe Whirlpool will bring back the larger 1/2 HP motor. I believe the stronger motor was one of the reasons Hobart era Kitchen Aid Dishwashers are still going strong years after Whirlpool took over the brand. And, while I'm on a roll maybe Whirlpool will revive the Hobart style detergent dispensers. I thought they were really cool looking and worked well.

http://www.automaticwasher.org/TD/JPEG/MODERN/2014/logixx++5-5-2014-11-39-42.jpg

 

[logixx]

The heating element that is almost touching the tub is available accross Whirlpool's entire line. It's used in all of the low-water dishwashers. The fan is also available from Kenmore as Smart Dry.

 

[jerrod6]

<span style="font-size: small; font-family: helvetica;">What does the 1919 mean on the wash arm?  Is Whirlpool trying to claim that they have been making Ka since 1919 or is that some other specification?</span>

 

[iheartmaytag]

Cudos once again to Whirlpool

A year ago the EQ series machines were using the S ushaped lower spray arm.   This is why I bought from the classic series.  
That and the built in disposer.