KDC-21 Custom Series

[macboy91si]

Sooo.... I'm getting ready to get a free DW in the coming months from an ongoing renovation, it's a wood paneled KitchenAid Custom Series 21. Machine model is KDC-21. I know nothing about them, it seems very well built, upper spray arm in the bottom of the rack, racks are in good shape. Has a dial and 2 buttons on the front. I'm told that it doesn't work and they are afraid to try it, so they're replacing it with the cabinetry in July. Just looking for opinions and info.

Thanks

-Tim

 

[bugsyjones]

I've got a similar machine.

It's the KDC-21A. "Custom 21" With wood panels too. hehe.

VERY well built machine. ALL METAL porcelain-lined tub. Two wash arms. Just have to watch tall items in the bottom rack. They must clear the upper wash arm.

I bought it at the Habitat for Humanity ReStore for $30. I'm fairly certain they don't check these machines and if they do, they just hook them to electric, turn the dial to see if it hums, then put it out to sell.

They had two there. The wood paneled one, and an almond one. The wood paneled one was in better shape cosmetically, so I bought it. No bottom kickplate, so I made one. The wood panels match my existing cabinetry pretty good. I don't know if it's a manufactured home thing, but this behemoth barely fit under the counter! It's sticking out about an inch, but that's ok with me.

I also found out the reason they got rid of it. The water inlet valve went bad. It powered on fine, but it didn't pump in any water. So, I put in a different one and behold! It worked. It's not a quiet machine, but it gets dishes sparkling. I wouldn't trade it for a modern machine ever.

I think it would be worth fixing. I'm sure any parts that it needs can be found. I didn't even use a KitchenAid water inlet valve. It's a modern one I took off a worn out plastic Frigidiare. To me, it's good that things like that are pretty much universal. It fit perfectly.

Once it's working, you will love it.

Here's a picture of mine.

~Tim

 

[bugsyjones]

HEY!

I just noticed, both our names are TIM!

 

[macboy91si]

2 Buttons

My unit has 2 buttons and a light on the right half of the control panel, a heated dry switch and a start switch... I thought it would be a neat entry into the world of KA dishwashers, I've wanted one for a little while to see how well they work. The buttons on mine are also chrome instead of black. Any idea how old it might be?

 

[bugsyjones]

The three buttons to the left are wash selection buttons and the two to the right are rinse and dry options.

Left to Right: Pots&Pans, Normal, Light/China, Rinse/Hold, Energy Saver No Heat Dry.

I usually don't bother with the buttons. I leave it on Pots & Pans full time. And I use the no heat dry. It has an internal fan dryer and that works pretty good. But usually I just open the door and let them air dry.

I think these were made in the mid-eighties. Around '83-'85.

~Tim J

 

[autowasherfreak]

I have a KDC 21 and I actually like using it better than my new Whirlpool. The KDC 21 holds more than the Whirlpool, and cleans better in less time than the Whirlpool. A friend wants to buy my Whirlpool, but I've decided to hold on to it in case something happens to the KitchenAid.

 

[alabamboy]

Years made

KD-21 series dishwashers were made from 04/84-02/89

 

[alabamboy]

KA production chart

Hope this helps everyone!!

 

[stevet]

A true Golden Oldie!

Tim, your KDC21 with the two buttons and the Water Heat light is the original Hobart designed machine which will stop and heat the water to 140 degrees for proper washing temperature and performance.

That machine should have the 1400 watt heating element in the sump area of the machine and has the true heated drying with the metal blower housing and an 800 watt heating element under the tub of the dishwasher.
The later models came with the element raised above the bottom of the tank and had a plastic blower housing. This element was used to heat the water and also to provide the heat for drying. It would cycle on and off during the drying portion of the cycle while the fan would run continuously during the dry.
The Superba/Monterrey was the only model which had the element in the sump during the full production run.
Both did a great job of washing and drying but I prefer the older model which will also stop at the beginning of each wash cycle whether it is the normal or light/china cycle and would also stop 2x during the normal cycle to heat. Once in the main wash of the normal and again when the timer reached the heat portion of the light/china cycle. A bit quirky, but you were assured that the machine was reaching proper temps!
I put the stainless panels on my machine which wound up at my Mother-in-laws apt. It really made it look fashionable!

 

[stevet]

2nd view

Of the same machine

 

[macboy91si]

Wow, spiffy

I didn't realize it was as new as it was, yours is exactly like mine though. The woman that has it hasn't tried it, for some reason they are under the impression that it does not work. They just had new laminate flooring put down in their kitchen, and purchased new appliances via the Energy Star program, so in the next few months it and some cabinetry will be coming out. The unit currently has the woodgrain panels on it, but they're not the cabinet panels like some have. They're flat like yours, just with a nice wood pattern. Are these the kind with all of the panels on it or does one need to source the panels? It's odd that there are 2 of these models with the "21" in them. Is this the last Hobart made model?

-Tim

 

[autowasherfreak]

Here is my KA Custom 21, the front has been changed from almond to harvest gold