KDI-18 Dishwasher

[cursillista]

KDI-18

Ok guys I am the proud new owner of a KDI-21 and am loving it. I paid $50, plus added S/S panels for $75.
As you know when it rains it storms. I just came across a KDI-18 that is ultra-clean and low usage. Don't get me wrong the KDI-21 is awesome, but I'm now hooked. Is the 18 a better machine? I believe it does not have the water heater, but I have not verified this yet. I have just seen pictures of this KDI-18. Any opinions on the KDI-18?

 

[firedome]

KA-18 vs KA-21

I prefer 17 and 18 series above all, but 21s have their fans too...

 

[cursillista]

Do the 18s not have the water heater element?

 

[washer111]

Water Heaters

On the 18 series, the Superba model used the full power of the heater (1100w) for the Sani-Wash ONLY, during a reduced-fill final rinse to around 180ºF. The Main-Wash was heated as described below:

On other models, if they include the heater, only 700w of the heater is used during the short Main-Wash period to help hold the temperature of the water circulating in the machine. It does heat up by a couple of degrees though, but not enough to make a difference if your water is too cold. 

 

Rule of thumb: Ensure your water heater is set to at least 120-130º for good washability and the run your hot tap to its HOTTEST before starting the machine for best results. 

Take the temperature of the machine when you reach the Main-Wash (Not sure how many water changes this is on an Imperial-18 series, will have to check). If its not 120º, set your water heater HOTTER until you get 120º in the Main-Wash. Otherwise, your detergent won't be working well. 

 

Being that these machines have such short wash periods, you may wish to consider getting Institutional Cascade or Chlorinated Hytron detergent, which includes Phosphates and REAL Chlorine bleach. Enzymes don't have a hope in the world of working in 8 minutes, but bleach will and will clean everything nice and clean. 

 

[stevet]

Watts the difference!

Just a quick correction on the heating element on the Superba's (going all the way back to the 15's thru the 22's).
The element was a dual 700 watt element which used the full 1400 watts to heat the water in the final rinse and the 700 watt element during selected wash and rinse segments. The 700 watt element was designed to raise the water temp approx. 1.5 degrees per minute. Which as Washer111 pointed out, isn't that much of a real temp increase with such short wash periods.
On the later machines that would heat the wash water to the proper temp before starting the cycle and any other time it stopped and delayed until the water was heated, the 1400 watts were used again.

What I always found helpful, even now with our KA tall tub, I will load the machine and run a rinse and hold to preheat the tank and dishes, then hit the cancel button to drain it. Then add the detergent and run whatever cycle is appropriate. I have found that this seems to cut maybe 15-20 minutes off the full run time of the full cycles. And we are not talking about wasting all that much water.

I also used to do it on my 18 Superba which took only 90 seconds to do a complete rinse and hold. Helped get the dishes hot and not cool down that initial fill for the prewash which was also all of 90 seconds long.

 

[Gilles8000]

Another thing with the Custom and Imperial 18 series is this there's no water heating element.

It's best to make sure your hot water tank is set at 140 degrees not 120. The 19 series, which included the Custom and Imperial models did have a water heating element and continued from that series onward.

The Superba's heating maintained the same water temperature in the Normal Wash, Soak & Scrub Cycle, Short Wash, and Sani Cycle and it would not increase it.

During the last 3rd rinse in the Sani Cycle the dishwasher it would pause, and would increase the water temperature to 180 degrees. After the water was heated to approximately 180 degrees, it would pause again, then sanitize your dishes very quickly with the water, and then go through it's full dry.

The Superba in the 18 series was the last model that heated the water in the Sani Cycle to 180. The 19 series Superbas and above only heated it to 165 degrees during the Sani Cycle.

Major tidbit here.

 

[Gilles8000]

Another thing with the Custom and Imperial 18 series is that there's no water heating element.

It's best to make sure your hot water tank is set at 140 degrees not 120. The 19 series, which included the Custom and Imperial models did have a water heating element and continued from that series onward.

The Superba's heating maintained the same water temperature in the Normal Wash, Soak & Scrub Cycle, Short Wash, and Sani Cycle and it would not increase it.

During the last 3rd rinse in the Sani Cycle the dishwasher it would pause, and would increase the water temperature to 180 degrees. After the water was heated to approximately 180 degrees, it would pause again, then sanitize your dishes very quickly with the water, and then go through it's full dry.

The Superba in the 18 series was the last model that heated the water in the Sani Cycle to 180. The 19 series Superbas and above only heated it to 165 degrees during the Sani Cycle.

Major tidbit here.

 

[combo52]

Which is the Better KA DW

It is a toss up, overall  the KDI-18 will do a better job if you are willing to keep your water heater set hot enough to get 140 degree water at the DW. But the KD21 does boost the water temperature so you can use a lower setting on your water heater and save approximately $50- to over $100 dollars per year depending on whether you use gas or electricity to heat water.

 

You are correct the KDI-18 does not have a water heating element. The down fall of the KDI-21 is it really only has one final rinse.