Hydro Seep Kitchen Aid Dishwasher Questions

[zippyjet]

I've always have been fascinated by KitchenAid dishwashers. Especially the Hobart era machines that are still alive and well in many kitchens across the USA. I grew up on the fringes of the "affluent society." Those who've owned KitchenAid dishwashers as far back as when I was born (1956). I grew up in a house that could best be described as a cross between Sanford and Son and your early John Waters movie! Our kitchen had decaying wooden cabinets and an ancient mid 1950's Real Host slum oven that was 36" wide but the oven was only half that size as the other half was for storage. The monster had to be lit by a match! So, we had no dishwasher. Way back my sister and I wanted to buy a dishwasher for my parents but the way this tenement kitchen was laid out, we'd need a new counter top and stove. Sorry for rambling. Rich loved ones and friends had KitchenAids while we had our cockroach slum kitchen. I house sat for people who had KitchenAid dishwashers. My questions about them are:
1. What was the first year of the 4 way hydro sweep wash arm design?
2. What year did KitchenAid finally add an upper rack wash arm along with the hydro sweep?
3. What year did KitchenAid become part of Whirlpool?
4. I live in an apartment and have a standard bottom end GE dishwasher. I'd like to
get a classic KitchenAid dishwasher from the Hobart era. Are they available on the open market? I can get my maintenance engineer to install it for me for some under the counter cash. Is it worth it? I can't afford a new machine and since I'm renting, I don't want to make such a high investment. I feel the classic KitchenAid's from the Hobart era are built much better and would do a better job cleaning my dishes over the el-cheapo GE. Do you agree with me on this? I'd even buy a "Custom" if it looked good. How much should I expect to pay for a decent used Hobart KitchenAid Dishwasher?

 

[appnut]

1) The KD15 series just as you pictured above--1966 or 1967. 

2) The KD18 seire in about 1976 or 1977 at latest. 

3) 1985 or 1986. 

 

[tomturbomatic]

I'll try to answer some of your questions. The 4 way Hydrosweep was introduced on the 15 series about 1965, but maybe late 1964. The upper was arm was introduced on the 18 series sometime in 1977, I think. There is a chart here of the production times. I have it in print, but do not know how to find it in the Searchalator.

I would be wary of having a treasure installed in a rental property. Sometimes stuff that is "attached" is considered part of the rental property when you go to leave. You would have to check with the management to see how you could work this so that they don't take it away from you when you move. Maybe a portable or convertible portable would be safer if you have the room.

I don't know what you mean by "open market." These older models can be found in a variety of places like Craigs list, eBay, and other second hand sources. Members often post machines they find. Transportation is often the limiting factor in such offerings.

Good Luck!

 

[qsd-dan]

 

KDS-15 debuted in Oct. 1964.

 

KDS-18 debuted in Nov. 1976.

 

The redesigned wash arm in the upper rack changed with the introduction of the KD-19 models in Nov. 1979.

 

I agree with Tom, don't install an older model dishwasher that you care about in a rental property. It'll get trashed in short order. Find a nice 5-10 year old used dishwasher with a good cleaning and reliability record on craigslist and install that in the rental property.

 

[zippyjet]

reply to last post in my thread

"I agree with Tom, don't install an older model dishwasher that you care about in a rental property. It'll get trashed in short order. Find a nice 5-10 year old used dishwasher with a good cleaning and reliability record on craigslist and install that in the rental property."

I'm enamored by Kitchenaid Hydrosweep dishwashers. What are your feelings regarding a five to 10 year old KA of that era which is a KitchenAid in the Whirlpool family?

 

[tomturbomatic]

Dan, he is wanting to install it in HIS apartment, not in a rental property he does not occupy. I was cautioning him against installing a treasure in his apartment because it might be considered the landlord's property by its connections to the utilities, sorta like a non-Jewish friend who had a Jewish lover and claimed to be Jewish by insertion.

 

[kenmore71]

The Chart

Here 'tis.

 

[tomturbomatic]

Thank You, Mark!

 

[firedome]

zippyjet:

We have a KD57 portable Kitchen Aid circa 1971-4, has the 4 way Hydrosweep. You just wheel it over to the sink, hook up to the faucet and go. You can take it with you when you move. It works great, and is used several times a week my son. $85 delivered to Hampstead MD area (we're from Towson and get down to MD regularly, our best friend lives in Carroll Co.). If of interest let us know. I can eMail pics.

 

[firedome]

Ooops...

just looked at the model table above... ours is a KD67. We have the service and parts manual for it as well. We have 4 Kitchen Aids and we need to lighten up the load!