KDC 21?

Automatic Washer - The world's coolest Washing Machines, Dryers and Dishwashers

Help Support :

right on the money!

Yes, it is the first generation of the KDC21 built by Hobart, not whirlpool. I installed the same machine in my Mother-in-law's condo and she loved it. It does stop and heat the water with a 1400 watt element in the sump and will do that twice if the full cycle is used. You need to turn the dial to the correct cycle and then hit the start button. The other button on the console is the no heat dry button. It came with the standard, non adjustable upper rack which also means no fold down tines and lacked a China Guard too, Something easliy remedied.

The machine is well worth the asking price to use as a replacement unit for daily driving or to get and part out. This machine will most likely have the Hobart built reversing motor and sounds just like all of the Hobart motors did.

I will have to post the pics of the unit that I mentioned above. It is all stainless on the outside and looks sharp.
 
It does stop and heat the water with a 1400 watt element in the sump and will do that twice if the full cycle is used.

Interesting! I thought the pre-heating option was left to the Superba models only.

I believe the 21 series machines were the first batch to incorporate a single rinse only. Is that correct?
 
Dan, I hope you're wrong. I'm wondering if I should have this machine on stand-by, but a single rinse would make me re-think. I really like how the control panel is stainless, and with door panels to match, this particular model would look great in my kitchen.

It's no frills, but my Thermador has frills I generally don't use. However, the Custom would have to be quieter than the Thermador (not a deal-breaker for most machines out there, I'm guessing) or my partner would be very annoyed with me.

Steve, I used a KDI-21 (with Quiet Scrub) for 18 years. Would this KDC-21 be any louder? And is that an indicator light of some kind on the right side of the control panel?
 
In the Eye of the Beholder

Ralph, I am attaching the pictures of the machine I spoke about. It has the Stainless Steel panels and does look pretty classy!
That indicator light is the water heating light which comes on during the water heating delay. The machine heats the water to approx 140 and then starts washing. It does that in the first prewash/wash of the full cycle which is followed by a rinse and then again in the main wash of the full cycle which is also the main wash of the light china cycle. So on full cycle, you get at least a prerinse/wash followed by another rinse, then another wash and at least one rinse, though IIRC, there are 2 rinses with some purges in between before the final drain and dry. I had the more up to date version built by WP which was the Hobart design but with the element above the sump and the plastic blower housing. The machine in the ad had the older style metal housing with the enclosed element under the tank.
As far as quiet goes, yours may have been a bit quieter than this machine. I wrapped the one in the pics with another insulating cover but it is still loud compared to the new machines out there but probably quieter than the Thermador.
I also find that if you can slide some sound absorbing material under the unit it will make a difference. Dynamats come to mind and also, if you fill the inner door with unfaced fiberglass, it helps too.
The quiet scrub machines differ greatly from the whisper quiet models in that they lack the covering of almost 1/4" of that black sound deadening material which wrapped around the top, bottom and all 3 sides of the machine plus an additional sound blanket. The KDS21M I just took out of my kitchen was worlds ahead of any other KA we used in terms of noise, but still a loud machine compared to the KUDP02IRWH2 we are using today.
Since you know how your old 21 worked, I assure you that if the machine in the ad is in good working order, you will be just as satisfied with it. You would be well advised to try and find a top rack with the adjusters.It will make the machine much mor versatile, though having the Thermador with no real options for the racks,the Kitchenaid would not seem too bad as it is!

stevet++11-16-2010-07-02-58.jpg
 
Thanks for posting the pix, Steve!

I do like the simplicity of this machine. I am going to give it some serious thought, particularly since a Superba of the same vintage or newer (KDS-22) has yet to present itself on local CL.

I'll have to get the non-draining KDS-20 out of the shop for sure if I get this Custom. Dan????
 
WOW

I haven't seen a KUDS-22 at all on CL around here for about a year.

I would jump on a machine like that and probably change out the Thermador right away for one. I don't call it the "Thundering" Themador for nothing, and the noise, along with the noise from my partner about it, is starting to wear me down.
 
looking in to it1

I emailed the seller. I am always in the Daytona Area so I will try to snag it even though my wife will kill me for taking it in. I will sell the 21 Monterey and then use this one to turn it back into another KDS18 Just in case she loses patience with the new Kitchenpool machine. Damne the racks really suck in it! But you cannot hear it running and it cleans way better than I thought it would!
 
Dan, I hope you're wrong. I'm wondering if I should have this machine on stand-by, but a single rinse would make me re-think

Sorry, I should have been more clear with my statement. I was referring to the final rinses. I believe there's only one rinse after the main wash on post 20 series machines. Pre 21 series machines have 2 rinses (Superba models heated the final rinse. 150F for KDS-19/20 machines and 180F for the KDS-18).

I'm pretty sure that info is correct.
 
Thanks Dan

That portable is a great machine for free, but I've now heard it from two members, one of them a KA expert, that the Whisper Quiet KDS-22 is so quiet that one can hardly hear it running, so that's the model I know I want.

Today I heard a 90's cheap GE running in a fairly small living space and it was soooooo much quieter than my Thermador. It really made me realize that as much fun as my machine is, my partner has a valid complaint about the noise level. I can't defend that machine anymore, and I was looking for a KDS-22 when the Thermador came along. It's a fun machine and definitely a rare one, but I think it might be time for something more quiet and refined.
 
BUT . . .

What about that KDD-22 thread? I have never heard of that model, and it appears to be older than a "22" series from the early 90's.

I'm hoping Steve can assist in helping to save that interesting, and I suspect rare, machine for the family who loves it.
 
My partner has a valid complaint about the noise level. I can't defend that machine anymore

Can you start the machine right before going to bed? That's what I do, not because of the noise level (doesn't bother me one bit), but because electric rates plummet at midnight.
 
Dan, this is an old house with a quirky layout. The kitchen is only steps away from the master bedroom, and we keep the bedroom door open for circulation. The swinging door for the kitchen was removed decades ago (it's up in the garage rafters) but I'm not inclined to re-install it. Changing out the dishwasher would be a much easier job.

I'm not going to pursue the subject Custom. I'm going to keep waiting for a nice Whisper Quiet 22 series Superba.
 
The kitchen is only steps away from the master bedroom

Darn, yeah, that is certainly an issue.

I'll keep an eye out as well for a WQ 22, but you'll probably beat me to it, lol.
 

Similar threads

thatwasherguy
Thoughts on modifying my KDS-21?
Replies
3
Views
256
phillymatt53
phillymatt53
rp2813
Nice Clean TOL CD Maytag W/D Set (Sonoma County)
Replies
1
Views
58
qsd-dan
qsd-dan
thatwasherguy
Early KitchenAid KDS-21: The Holy Grail Has Finally Been Found
2
Replies
40
Views
2K
pstehle
P
thatwasherguy
KitchenAid KDS-21 in Tippecanoe, Ohio!
Replies
1
Views
265
jamiel
jamiel
S
KITCHEN AID DISHWASHER KDC-20A REPLACEMENT
Replies
5
Views
130
speedwagon
S

Latest posts

Back
Top