KDS-20

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

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charbee

Well-known member
Joined
Jun 28, 2006
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399
Hey y'all, got a lead on a KDS-20 Kitchenaid DW for fifty bucks...this one has the "trim kit" front panel, wondering about what year these were made, and where they stand in the pantheon of Kitchenaid units. ie: good, bad, happy, sad, etc....

Also, there's one concern we have before going for it: we are on a septic tank, and have heard that dishwashers are sorta like garbage disposals in that they are "appliances non-grata" with septic systems. Anybody have any experience in this arena?

Thanks

 
GET THE DISHWASHER!!!!!!!!

Those KD-20's were excellent machines. Clean very well and quiet.

As far as a dishwasher on septic. When I bought the house that i'm currently in 4 yrs ago, It came with a dishwasher (whirlpool 940 series) and the House was on septic. I never had a problem with the septic. In March of this year the house was converted over to city sewer and before the converstion, the city sent a contracted septic company out to pump out my septic--It was full, but was told that it was in very good shape.
 
Dishwashers not so bad for the ol' septic tank

Hi there,
If your septic tank is the right size for the house, you won't have problems with a dishwasher. I found out the hard way about having a disposall and a septic tank - the rule here is don't . An automatic washer can be a problem if you are doing lots of laundry; if you are just using it for a few loads a week you'll be fine. If you are doing lots of washes, try diverting the rinse water from the washer into a rain barrel or other container and use it to water your gardens and lawns.
Hope this helps!
 
Charbee, grab it. They are such great machines, and only use 11 gallons for the normal wash. Most automatic dishwasher detergents are listed as being septic safe. I have two KDS 20's and can tell you nothing outcleans them. I agree with RE563, but mine aren't exactly silent! They don't call them "hurricanes in a box" for nothing.
Bobby in Boston
 
Thanks, y'all...

Got an email in to the folks, and waiting to hear back.

Neither of us has had a dishwasher in adulthood...my mom had Kenmores starting when I was in junior high in the 70s (one of 'em a round roto-rack on top), and Char's mom never had one when they were growing up. Since we're in the middle of this big remodel, we figured maybe it was time...and if that's a wood front panel, which is what it looks like, then I'll be able to paint it red to match our 1954 Chambers stove, and our 1949 Westinghouse fridge.
 
That is an elegant looking KA. A dishwasher won't hurt your septic.
It is better than a washer, water softener, and especially a garbage disposer. If you can keep these from draining into your septic that would be to your benefit.

Good luck!
 
A properly sized septic system will handle a dishwasher, washer and garbage disposal with no problem. Had one for years and years in PA. Never a problem with it. Just have it pumped out every so often.
 
As far as septics go, it isn't the size of the tank that is an issue.
It is the drain field and concerns of it being congested permanently with fine food or lint particles. Once the drain field is ruined the whole system has to be expensively replaced.

Garbage disposals work by chopping food into tiny bits, thus the materials for plugging the system.

Washers, traditional water hog top loading washers create lint and because when they drain they create a large volume of water all at once, that can fill the tank quickly allowing solids that would normally sink to the bottom of the tank to possibly float through and into the drain field.

Water softeners are a concern because of the excess salt which can affect the natural living microbes in the tank that breakdown waste.

Also, don't use alot of excess bleach or other chemicals that would destroy these.

Dishwashers are not bad because they create small quantities of waste at a time which would allow any particles of food to settle in the bottom of the tank.

Good luck.
 
GOT IT!!!!

We went and picked it up this afternoon. It ain't pristine...it's been rode hard and put up wet, but it's solid and looks like we'll be able to clean it up and get it looking good. There is some rust, and I'm thinking about a new lower rack already.

It was installed in a hangar out at a small airport by the lake, and served a family of six for lots of years, at least since 1990. The guy we got it from said that his wife says the new dishwasher they got to replace this one doesn't clean as well as this Kitchenaid...good to know. The wooden front panels will be a snap to sand, fill, and paint...it's gonna be RED like the Chambers stove and the 1949 Westinghouse fridge.

Here's some pics...not very good, but they're pics. IT's soooo humid right now the camera fogged over when I tried to take some pics outside in natural light. The flash is a bit much on some of these, but you get the general idea.

So...our long and on-going kitchen remodel has gained a new puzzle piece. Things are coming together...not as fast as we want, but I think that's OK at this point. Now we've got solid, dependable, vintage American Made appliances all around from the stove to the fridge, dishwasher, and of course, the beloved Maytags we got because of you folks. I sure hope I can proudly be posting pics of the finished product by the end of Fall this year...really I do...Anyway, it's pics 18 thru 30 in our club album.

PS: Anybody who happens to have an owner's or service manual, please let me know...I'd like to have scans of whatever info I can get. Thanks!

 
Thanks!

I've found a site that lists replacement parts (Parts Select) but they list it as a Whirlpool instead of Kitchenaid...I don't care what they list it as, as long as the parts are right!

It's gonna take a lot of work, but I think this "Tank" is gonna last as long as we need it to.
 
Yep...

Central Texas is known for its hard water. Hopefully, vinegar will help with that. There's tons of soap residue, too. Got elbow grease for that. ;-)
 
If you go to your local grocery store, there should be some dishwasher cleaner products in the detergent aisle - they work fantastic. The rust will scrub off with a little Barkeeper's Friend and the lime and calcium will dissolve with a couple of cycles run with the Dishwasher Magic or similar.

Before I had a water softener, I used to joke that when you turned the tap on - sand and pebbles would flow out!
 
Thanks...

Got some Barkeeper's Friend, and will look for the Dishwasher Magic cleaner. From the looks of it, the bottom door seal might need replacing as well...there's rust all on the frame under the center of the door. Oh boy! another project!!!!
 
There is a wonderful product called CLR...they sell it in Home Depot/Lowes and other such stores. It's a miracle worker, but be careful with it because it makes some suds, and it's strong. Run it through the machine, and it will simply dissolve all residue, including soap scum, hard water film, etc.
 

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