KDS 57 glasses come out cloudy

[sfaw60]

I recently purchased a like-new KDS 57,that is converted to a built-in model. I use the "Bubble-Bandit" detergent, however my glasses are coming out cloudy, and plates are soiled occasionally . Any ideas what to do ? Thanks to this blog / web-site, we are now "Hooked on Hobart "

 

[toploader55]

My Opinion...

Cascade Powder... Complete. Make sure your water is at least 140 degrees and take it from there.

I do not like tabs or pacs in these older machines.

 

[tomturbomatic]

Beautiful machine

Make sure it is filling to the proper level. The water should be just under the 4 way Hydrosweep. Open the door after the fill to check. Listen to make sure the detergent is being dispensed soon after the wash fill ends. Check the filter to make sure it is clean. If it is clogged, the pump will not draw the power to heat the bi-metal strips that trigger the detergent to release and you won't get the forceful wash spray. These do not boost wash water temperatures so you have to run the water at the sink until it is a minimum of 140F before starting the machine.

Again, these take more careful loading so that pots and bowls in the lower rack do not block water to items in the top rack.

 

[sfaw60]

Thank you

I want to thank you for your help and your time.
I have to say I have never seen so many wonderful people
just trying to help each other and the love for all
the tried and true vintage machines. Got to love this site

 

[chachp]

I only use powders

 

<span style="font-family: courier new,courier;">I've not had good luck with anything but powders in my 17.  My favorites are Cascade complete and Finish powder.  However, it almost sounds like your machine is not moving enough water if dishes on the bottom also come out dirty.  This could be an easy fix.</span>

 

<span style="font-family: courier new,courier;">I had this problem with my 15 but turned out to be the Wash Arm support.  If this is a low use machine it's hard to say whether that would be the issue here or not.  Mine had been "road hard and put away wet" so I wasn't surprised to see that issue with mine.</span>

 

<span style="font-family: courier new,courier;">I'm sure you'll get the help you need here!!  It looks like a beauty!!</span>

 

[stevet]

Move that water, man!

As Tom and Ralph have said, start with the basics like making sure the machine is filling to the correct height but also check that the wash arm support is fully intact and not broken in any way which includes the support shaft that the arm revolves on does not move up or down. When that happens, water cannot get into the wash arm or leaks badly out of the bottom of it and almost no water will go thru the arm. Wash arm supports are out there on Ebay and they are a good spare part to have on hand on any of the old Kitchenaid machines. They were a great design concept but longevity may not have been their strongest point and detergents and water quality could hasten their demise.

Needless to say, you will need to learn to load the machine carefully so that you do not block the upper rack with bowls and pans in the lower rack. Loaded properly, that pump will blast water right up to the top of the tank and give very good results. Also, make sure that the Constant Rinse spinner is not missing or broken on the top of the tank. That little device helps keeps the little bits of food and debris out of the concave surfaces of bowls and cups and such.

There is a reason why the 17 is considered one of the best there ever was. It does its job well and fast and the machines last for decades.

 

[chachp]

Wash Arm Support

 

<span style="font-family: 'courier new', courier;">Morning Friend,</span>

 

<span style="font-family: 'courier new', courier;">I was looking through some eBay posts today and ran across this one.  It made me think of your situation.  I'm not sure if you ever solved your issue with cloudy glasses but this is the wash arm support that fits your dishwasher.  It's NIB and a great price.  They don't come up often like this and when they do they are usually twice this price.</span>

 

<span style="font-family: 'courier new', courier;">Even if you don't need it right now this is a good part to have on hand because they usually do fail at some point.</span>

 

<span style="font-family: 'courier new', courier;">Ralph</span>

http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-OLD-STOCK-GENUINE-KITCHENAID-4161073-DISHWASHER-LOWER-WASH-ARM-SUPPORT-/262513156281?hash=item3d1f00e0b9:g:cdYAAOSwMNxXVI1o

 

[stevet]

Nice Find, Ralph!

Good price and definitely a must have part if you have a vintage KA 16/17 machine. There are also a few KD 15 supports available too.
Thanks for the link.

 

[sfaw60]

THANK YOU

I just got back to check the site. Again I want to say thank you for all your help and time it is priceless. The glasses are more clear and seem to be getting better. I am learning more about the machine, thanks to all the wonderful people who post.
I will order the part today and thank you for the link.

 

[panthera]

sfaw60

This is, without question, an outstanding dishwasher.

It is, also, many decades old. You've gotten some good advice here, so some of this is repetitive. It is, however, how I begin with a vintage 'working' dishwasher I want to restore.

1) Clean everything, especially the filter. KitchenAid relied on filters much more than did GE or Whirlpool.

2) Check that the rinse-aid and detergent dispensers are actually working. 

3) Water level is critical in these machines. Right below the 4-arms. Or just barely not touching.

4) Speaking of which, are the holes all clean? Is the support broken (easy fix)? Are they rotating during wash?

5) Water input has to be at least 140F, we use 145 for our KitchenAid 15 Portable. Run the water at the tap until it really is where it needs to be. Anything less is going to diminish cleaning.

6) Only the best detergents will do. A teaspoon of TSP (the real thing, not the substitute) in with the tab or powder will make a gigantic difference.

7) Ditto rinse-aid. Lemony Shine seems to make all the difference in the world.

8) Loading. This is the one and only aspect of KitchenAid which I dislike. You must load things PRECISELY according to the manufacturer's directions or some things in the top rack won't come clean. The constant spray is nice, but it (obviously) can't clean the underside of things in the top rack, should the lower arm not reach them.

9) Is everything draining properly? Any siphoning? Either can cause the problems you're having. A partially blocked drain, especially.

 

Lovely machines. Wish they'd never been sold to Whirlpool.

http://pre

 

[chachp]

I would like to add my opinion about #6 above....

 

<span style="font-family: 'courier new', courier; font-size: 12pt; color: #800080;">I have not had good luck with Tabs in these vintage machines.  I get way too much foam in them.  Other than that this is a great list I will keep for myself as well.  I have good luck with Finish Powder (less expensive) and Cascade Complete.</span>

 

<span style="font-family: 'courier new', courier; font-size: 12pt; color: #800080;">Thanks!!</span>