Kenmore Portable Dishwasher

[jakeseacrest]

So my sister told me that my parents may be buying me this dishwasher as a surprise for Christmas. I'm not completely sold about the new dishwasher technology with the filters and 3 hour wash cycles. Anyone have any experience with the Kenmore dishwashers?

http://www.sears.com/kenmore-24inch-portable-dishwasher-black/p-02217159000P?prdNo=2&blockNo=2&blockType=G2

 

[cuffs054]

Kinda interesting, Sears recommends using tabs/gels and dispenser makes no provision for second dose of detergent.

 

[joeypete]

These machines are pretty basic in terms of technology. I don't think you'll see wash times of 3 hours. The filter is really not a big deal. My Frigidaire doesn't have a food grinder and honestly I hardly ever have to clean the "filter" part. Maybe once a month and it takes just a few minutes. WP makes some great dishwashers...I think you'll be happy with this.

 

[foraloysius]

A bit awkward that your sister told you this. To me it feels she is spoiling the surprise, even when you're not too keen on that dishwasher. I would accept it and if I didn't like it, send it back and tell my parents it was faulty.

 

[iheartmaytag]

It appears to be a Whirlpool sourced machine, though their portables are usually Bottom to middle of the line as far as features.    I think you will be happy with the results, you shouldn't see 3 hr wash unless you choose a lot of options.

 

Otherwise if the gift horse has a cavity, send it to the dentist.

 

 

[jakeseacrest]

foraloysius she's been doing that since we were kids! I love her but she is not one to tell a secret to

 

[appnut]

Detergent dispenser

Yes there is space for prewash dosage.  There's a smaller divided section that's for the prewash.  When you close the dispenser with both cups loaded, the prewash detergent filters out into the bottom of the tub through a grill/grid opening in the dispenser door.   Just hard to seein the drawings.   This should be a good dishwasher.

 

[wayupnorth]

If someone bought that for me, I would thank them all over. Its the thought that counts.

 

[washerdude]

Belive it or not

I actually own the built in version of that dishwasher (15113). To start off, cycle times aren't too long at all. We let the hot water run for a few seconds before turning it on and the wash cycle lasts from 80-90 minutes without heated dry. IMO that is pretty resonable. The wash performance of it is good, drying as well. As for the filter, well forget it, check it out every now and then but it's not really needed.

 

[mtn1584]

I have the Maytag branded previous model,,,

Would I give it five stars? No, four, maybe, three and one half yes! It gets the job done, my machine has a food chopper, it's loud at first then quiets down during the cycle. I use Heavy with Wash Heat Boost and Heated Dry. I don't pre rinse anything and I use Cascade Platinum. With these results, my dishes and glassware are clean, pots pans, etc., OK, silverware, clean. I hate washing dishes and this machine made by WP gets the job done, looks good and better than the WP model IMO, as the Maytag Portable has since been discontinued! You'll enjoy it, just make sure your water is hot by running the faucet before hooking up to the faucet, and use GOOD detergent like Platinum Cascade or Finish Quantum. I have my unit over four years and use it twice maybe three times a week! I recommend it! Great gift as the choices in this field are limited.
Mike

 

[gelaundry4ever]

food grinders are better!

I can't believe just about everybody abandoned their hard food disposers! I want both racks to operate at the same time! These dishwashers take forever to clean and leave dishes dirty! If you want clean dishes, you are required to use high temp wash at all times!

 

[jakeseacrest]

My new dishwasher will be delivered on Saturday. My parents called me and said they wanted me to have a new one before Thanksgiving just in case karma strikes and my Turkey Day guests end up hand washing everything. I will give a full review once I get it

 

[johnb300m]

Don't listen to GELaundry.
Yeah, this isn't your parents' old PowerClean with the self cleaning filter and big grinder, but it's still a decent performer for today. And it's quiet and very economical on water.
Normal washes shouldn't be too long, but it will run a little longer than older models.
It washes by alternating the bottom and top sprayers, so it has to take a little more time to do it.
Enjoy the good gift!

 

[washerdude]

Actually, both spray arms move at the same time which made me very excited when we first got ours. And also, when you check the model 15113 (which is the closest model to your protable version) on reviewed, you will notice right away it does better then most dishwashers on the burnt on cheese test.

 

[johnb300m]

Both arms?

Oh wow. Well that's a pleasant surprise for sure.
I wonder if WP is putting the Maytag system in some of these Kenmores?
Because the new MT system washes both racks as well.

 

[toploader55]

The Spray Arms look very similar almost identical to my Dad's Bosch which is going on 8 years now.

 

I have a 2005 Kenmore (Kenwhirl) Ultra Wash 3 level Portable. Cleans Very Good, but hate the upper rack as it's not adjustable and the rows in the upper rack are narrow so that you can't place some glassware in between the tines. Most of my glassware and coffee mugs have to go over the tines. I wonder if a TOL WP rack from that era and series would fit ?  Ya know... some thing that could raise and lower or tilt.

 

[joeypete]

You'll love it I'm sure

Even today, WP makes probably some of the best "normally priced" dishwashers around. Even the higher Kenmore Elite and KitchenAid models are top rated, which are all WP designed and built. You can't go wrong really.

 

[murando531]

From what I understand so far, Whirlpool uses two types of motors for theirs and KM & KA dishwashers. The lower BOL grade models have the tiny induction motor, almost the same as the drain motor on most washers. The higher tier uses larger motors that are able to pump enough volume to power all arms at once, though I believe Normal and Overnight cycles alternate arms to save water, along with one rack only cycles. They still aren't as big as the ones in the Maytags, but they seem to push a nice flurry of water around the tub.

The filters have been improved as well in the past few years' models, where they've molded grooves into the bottom to allow the drain pump to back wash more effectively. From what I hear from current owners and users on AW alike, they may have longer cycles, but they clean very well even with standard cycles/settings.

Honestly I've never had an issue with long cycle times. The dishwasher is the one machine I would rather run for a good while, because I have enough dishes that we're not stranded if the machine is packed full. Sometimes I feel that the PowerClean is done a little too quickly; if I were an electrical genius I'd reprogram the main board to have a longer main wash for the detergent to be in use longer.

 

[jakeseacrest]

My new dishwasher arrived last night. I purchased it myself because with all my coupons and Sears points I got it for a grand total of $554. Not entirely bad. The interior is taller than my Maytag, but the racks are smaller and kinda unforgiving. My glasses fit but my coffee mugs are too wide to go between the prongs. I can live with that though. It's on a maiden voyage now using the One Hour Wash and heated dry. Nothing too challenging at all.