UPDATE:
Todd (varicyclevoice) was at my home on Saturday March 6th. We ran the first Wet Test on the American Kitchen’s Electric Sink Dishwasher. Here is an abbreviated Video giving an overview of some of the work I’ve done so far, viewing the wash action through a Plexiglas window, a brief look at the Sink cabinet, and completion of the cycle.
Also below are some long-overdue responses to your comments and questions, from the above replies.
THANKS EVERYONE. Mike
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Eddie (toploader55): Yes, I have been continually amazed that this and other Electric Sinks continue to surface. And, Yes, I am thankful to the women, and men, who felt that they could wash dishes better than their dishwashers. Several of the dishwashers in my collection had been used very little.
Paul (turquoisedude): Yes, with the help of Wes, we found another gem. However, I’m not certain that this is the LAST original Roto-Tray dishwasher to be found. When I spoke with the man in Connersville that had worked for D&M, he indicated that he believes there are more Electric Sinks in Connersville. This particular model has a pump, and you can hear it operate in the video. The sound of the pump is similar to that of the Sears Kenmore portable dishwasher I had in high school. How would mid-July be for the next “Dishwasher” Wash Party?
Brent (A440): Thanks for your comments. I think that this and the other Electric Sinks weight probably in the range of 250 pounds plus.
Keith (westingman123): Wow, you might be a dishwasher convert, huh? Regarding clean up – the inside was in very good condition and cleaned up very nice. The latex paint came off of the sink wash-board. But the porcelain is simply gone in the middle-bottom of the sink bowl. There is rust on both sides of the cabinet. So it’s going to take some work. I have also worked on removing the latex paint on the under-sink doors. The paint is stubborn. I have been using “Citristrip”, and I’m finding that even using a plastic scrapper, I’m scratching the original paint off. But I’m going to keep trying and will decide later hot to best preserve the cabinet and sink. How would mid-July work out for you for the next “Dishwasher” Wash Party?
Steve (Gyrafoam): Yes, I love the impeller dishwashers the best. As you can see, though, in the video, the Roto-Tray doesn’t turn very fast.
Tom (CircleW): Regarding the American Kitchens cabinets – yes, I believe that the sink faucet is the original, and the pull knobs on the doors are original as well. I too, in the latter 1970’s lived in a home that had all AK cabinets, but no Electric Sink – the sink faucet in a photo – looks very similar to the one on my Electric Sink. Thank you for the Noel’s Plumbing lead on faucet parts!
Darren (aldspinboy): Thanks. I too love the colors on the dial. The inside of the machine is indeed in great shape. Regarding the Kitchenaid Briva Dishwasher in Sink – Yes, I bought my model KIDS01EKSS0 (December 2003) on ebay. It needs to have a lid rope repaired. And I’ve been trying to find a used base cabinet to fit it in. Right now, it’s taken a lower priority, but I certainly want to get it hooked up.
Pete (rollermatic): Thanks. The bottom rack is a little different than your Modern Maid. My rack is much more open – making it more susceptible to items dropping through and hitting the impeller. I’m definitely going to be very careful with that. Yes, Larry has more D&M impellers at about $40 a piece. I’m passing for right now since I have a spare. There was a seep where the sump mounts to the bottom of the tub – but I’m hoping I’ll be able to gently loosen the clamp and sump – then be able to reseal it. Based on the two 1952 vintage magazine ads that I now have, my machine looks virtually identical to the pictures. So until I discover differently, I’m calling it a 1952 machine. Thanks again.
Ben (swestoyz) and Sandy (denemodsandy): I purchased both the powder and liquid Zud. It worked pretty well cleaning up the unpainted side of the cabinet. I took a wire wheel on my electric drill with the powder Zud, and it does clean up the rust, but I’m down to the metal – the old porcelain is gone in the center of the sink bowl. I will continue to work on the bowl, but I’m convinced that likely I’ll have to have it repainted after I get it fully cleaned up. Thanks for the advice.
Darrel (frontaloadotmy): Thank you for your encouragement. Sorry I don’t have the machine looking “just out of the crate” quite yet. Like some of my other dishwashers, this will be a labor of love to get it looking like new.
Terry (tlee618): Thanks. Yes, talking to the man that worked for D&M was such a treat, and the information that he has is just incredible.
Jon (Jetcone): To answer your question about what is an Electric Sink – mainly it was the fact that the Dishwasher was incorporated into the sink cabinet. But Garbage Disposers were also available as far back as the 1940’s. Many of the magazine ads I’ve seen for the various Electric Sinks, also were showing the Disposers. So there were two electrical components associated with the Sink cabinet. From what I’ve seen, most manufactures had dropped Electric by the mid to late 1950’s. Only KitchenAid (I believe I’m remembering what Todd – vericyclevoice just told me) continued to make Electric Sinks into the mid 1980’s. Also, look at aw.org thread #21050 in the 2009 archives - the Walker, Kohler and Conover companies were making Electric Sinks as early as the 1920’s. And Yes, American Kitchens was a division of AVCO from 1946 until Sam Regenstrief purchased that division and renamed the company D&M in 1959.
