KDI-17

[davey7]

Hi, I've just (more or less) bought an older apartment which came with a Kitchenaid KDI-17. When I was looking at the unit, the selling agent (who lives downstairs) told me that she didn't want an inspector to test it - she was afraid of leaks. I didn't get an inspection since I had a good idea of the condition of the unit, dishwasher being low down on the last of problems, it has copper supply lines, not rubber. Anyways, I moved in and didn't worry about since the dishwasher was bottom of the list.

Anyhow, one day I was doing something in the cabinet above and knocked the handle closed and hadn't realized that it did indeed run and the duct tape was just for show. Needless to say nobody had turned off the dedicated circuit breaker - no one knew about that I suspect. Once I was settled in I tested it and ran well, much quicker than the brand-spanking new Whirlpool in my old apartment, if a heckuva a lot louder.

Is there anything I need to do to keep it running trouble-free? I don't use it very much, just maybe once or at most two times a month when I entertain. And what exactly is the "soak" cycle, a heavy or pot wash? I'd also like to know approximately how old it is, I'm guessing very late 60's or early 70's - the kitchen was redone around 1960 by the first owners who were big cooks (gourmets or foodies I've heard).

 

[rp2813]

The KA experts should be showing up here to provide you with information.

 

There have been a few threads recently re: the 17 series.  You might be able to find out more by plugging "KDI (or KDS) 17" into the "super searchilator" option.

 

KA didn't put an upper wash arm into their machines until the 18 series.  That means you have to be careful about loading the lower rack in order to ensure that the spray action to the upper rack isn't blocked by large items.

 

[toploader55]

Tricky Loading

I have 3 of the Machines of that time.

They are great, but it's all about the loading. You cannot Load the Lower Rack with out making sure the Upper Rack will get wash action from the One and Only Lower Wash Arm.

This is why we refer them to as the "One Arm Wonder".

 

[varicyclevoice]

age of unit

Hey,

You have an excellent machine there! It is a KDI-17 which was made between 1971-1974. The Soak Cycle is a cycle for more heavily soiled dishes. It does in fact have a soak period. Keep in mind that the dishwasher NEVER completely fills. It will just circulate the wash water and then dwell for a bit to let the detergent work on the food soil before continuing the cycle.

If you are interested in the use and care manual...I have one that I can scan for you and send digitally.

Thanks. [email protected]

Todd

 

[DADoES]

 

All cycles on this machine begin with a 1/2-fill (1 minute) and drain to clear the supply line of standing cold water.

 

Soak fills for the prewash, sprays a minute or two, then pauses for 13 minutes for the "soak" function.  Continues with drain, prerinse, main wash, two rinses, dry.

 

Full Cycle is the same basic sequence as Soak, but continues to spray for 3 or 4 mins as a prewash instead of pausing for soak.

 

The 13-min Soak pause is enabled by a intermittent sequencer that pulses the timer on/off to lengthen what would otherwise be the prewash.

 

Rinse/Hold runs the line purge, fills for prewash, sprays a minute, pauses for 2 or 3 mins (during what would otherwise be either the prewash or the soak period), then drains.  The timer advances to off in "real time" but no other functions occur.  If desired, raise the handle and manually advance the timer to Off.

 

Note that the timer will (should) lock at Off after it makes a complete revolution.  The handle must be raised to reset/unlock it to run another cycle.

 

Regarding the warning about items in the lower rack blocking spray to the top, that is true ... but with practice and care, one learns how to load shallow pans and baking dishes around the back and sides of the lower rack and still get good spray through to the top.

 

[cyclemonitor]

does this help

17 series

 

[davey7]

Thanks for the responses guys!

 

[davey7]

Soooo - sorry to bump my old thread....

So in looking at something else I discovered that my little workhorse has NO insulation whatsoever. Is this something I can add, either fiberglass or rockwool or something. And what, if anything, should I keep from being blocked?

Some pictures from the cabinet to the side below.

 

[steved]

Auto supply

I use Heat Shield sound deadening mat.  It has an adhesive side, foam and a foil side. I bought it on eBay.

Pardon Our Interruption...

 

[davey7]

Thanks! That sounds like it would be a perfect fit. I'm going to do some electrical work at the box behind the dishwasher so when I pull it I'll see what clearances I have etc.

 

[norgeway]

Dont worry about

Only one wash arm, these absolutely will blast off anything on both racks and the dishes come out DRY!

 

[davey7]

One Armed Imperial (OK, that sounds like your next car)

The Great New Chrysler - is here.

No, I've had the dishwasher like twelve years now (and it's going with me when I move) and it dries like a champ! Once I quiet it down with insulation it'll be even better!

 

[combo52]

Insulation on the KDI 17 dishwasher

It’s a good idea to add as much insulation as you can. If you use the thin automotive stuff, put several layers on to get up to about 3/4 of an inch.

You can also get faced fiberglass insulation, possibly a water heater insulation kit often works well.

Be careful with any insulation not to block the drying blower or insulate too close to it because it gets quite hot.

Insulation will not only make the machine quieter, but will improve the washing performance and you may be able to lower your water temperature a little bit because the heat loss won’t be so fast ,

Show us pictures when you’re done, John

 

[qsd-dan]

I'm pretty sure all of these came with fiberglass insulation, someone must have removed it.

 

I wrapped all of my KDS-18 - KDS-20 machines with foil insulation on on the top, sides, and back of the tank in addition to the fiberglass insulation the factory had.  I stapled it on the sides, back, and top of the dishwasher cavity as well. This cut sani heating times by more than half. Very much worth the time and effort.

 

[combo52]

Kd 17 dws

Did not have any fiber glass insulation.

 

[qsd-dan]

Did not have any fiber glass insulation.

Well, that certainly explains the naked exterior. Pretty bonehead move, especially on their higher end models with a 180F sani final rinse temp.

 

[davey7]

Good to know, interesting fact

Interesting that it wouldn't have come with insulation, good to know. Definitely will add it when I get to that step of the project.

BTW how do I disconnect it? I gather that one takes the front bottom cover panel off and there should be a connection somewhere there (obviously after turning the breaker off). The drain and water will be less fun since it's a copper water line but which does have it's own shut off...

Then I unscrew and slide it out, right? Making sure not to screw with the flex conduit under the support I think...

 

[circlew]

There may also be screws at the top front corners fastening it to the countertop. If the floor was installed after the dishwasher was in place, it may be necessary to remove that section of countertop first to be able to pull it out. That's what I had to do when I removed my old KDI-16.

 

[jakeseacrest]

I'm glad you decided to keep this rather than replacing it. I used this same dishwasher in my culinary arts class in high school almost every day. I can still hear how loud it was all these years later.