Kenmore Ultra Wash Dishwashers

[davidblazor]

I have a 1988 Kenmore ultra wash dishwasher. The machine must be close to the bottom of the line. The machine was in my home when I bought it. The cycle options are pots/pans and normal/light with heat dry and energy miser dry. The racks are starting to show their age and need replaced. I have seen racks for ultra wash III dishwashers on ebay, but are they interchangeable with the machine I have. I don't want to replace the machine it is fairly loud and you can really hear the water going thru the wash arms. The dishes come out very clean and I DO NOT pre wash the dishes before putting them in.

What is the difference between Kenmore ultra wash, Ultra Wash I, II, and III?

 

[appnut]

If you could take pictures of the control panel as well as the racks inside the dishwasher, this way I can see how the water is fed to the upper wash arm under the top rack.    A model number would be helpful too.

 

[rp2813]

Whatever racks you need, besides Kenmore, a Whirlpool or KitchenAid dishwasher from the same period could have used the same type.

 

You're wise to keep the Ultra Wash.  They are excellent performers.

 

[davidblazor]

to appnut

The model# of the Kenmore ultra wash is 665.15595972. Water is fed to the upper wash arm thru a pole in the center of the bottom rack. This machine has the lightning arms similar to Whirlpool's of the 80's and 90's. Can you tell me the differences between ultra wash and ultra wash I,II,III. I really like this dishwasher even though it is a close to bottom of line model. When I can get my wife home with the better phone I can take some pics and try to upload them here.

 

[appnut]

besides Kenmore, a Whirlpool or KitchenAid dishwasher from the same period could have used the same type.

The statement above is exactly why I wanted to know how the water was fed to the upper wash arm.  The statement above will not apply at all.  You will need to looks for racks with that pole or column in the middle of the bottom rack.  I venture to guess there may also be a short stubby version of this in the middle of the upper rack to supply water to the deflector on the top of the tub.  You could look for a used replacement rack that will fit either a Whirlpool or a Kenmore with that column or "nozzle" as I refer to it.  The Whirlpool version will be about an inch or so not as deep because of having to make "room" for the protruding in-the-door silverware rack.  The Kenmore version will have the space in the rack for the flatware basket as well as the "bull-nose" protrusion that makes the rack a little bit deeper at the front of it. And that little bit of depth can make a ot of difference in loading pattern and capacity.  And I don't blame you for wanting to keep that dishwasher until it falls apart.  We might want to help you start looking for a replacement, used similar model to have in reserve when that time comes.  As far as the differences between UltraWash I, II, & III, I don't think there's any real difference.  They all use the same basic Whirlpool PowerClean module design pump.  It might have something to do with whether water supply for the upper wash arm was fed through the "nozzle" like yours vs. being directly fed to the upper wash arm through a tube that went along the back of the dishwasher tub up to a tube that it connected to that went under the top rack.  Others here who know the intricate mechanical design difference might be able to contribute to this piece of the puzzle. 

 

[davidblazor]

hi temp question

Does my currnt Dishwasher employ a "HI-TEMP" when using the Pots/Pans cycle? There is no button in the cycle/option bank of buttons. This machine is a Kenmore badged Whirlpool. The cycles are:

Pots/Pans
Normal/light

The options are
Heat Dry on
Heat Dry off

As I was driving by a appliance scrap yard on my way home from church I saw a Mid-Upper end Kenmore ultra Wash dishwasher setting out by the front door. If it works I was thinking of grabbing it, if for nothing else at least the racks.

Dave

 

[appnut]

Dave, I downloaded the user manual  Pots & Pans heats the water to 135 degrees in the prewash, main wash, and final rinse.  Normal, only heats the water in final rinse.  To have water heating for Normal or Light Wash, just keep the Pots & Pans cycle button pushed in and turn the selector cycle dial to Normal or Light places on the dial.

 

[dustin92]

We had a similar machine to yours, a 1998 model, but likely one model above yours, as it has the addition of a China/Light cycle, and the option of water heat on/off. It cleaned fairly well, but we just recently replaced it with a mid to upper range Maytag Jetclean. I can't even compare the Kenmore to the Maytag, night and day difference. The Maytag cleans off even burned on food, and dishes even feel cleaner. I always use the Sani Heat option, so the dishes almost instantly dry, without ever using the heated dry. Much more flexible racking and far quieter. So far love it, although even the Kenmore was a vast improvement over our previous machine, a very bottom end GE, that I was glad to see go when we sold our house. That machine was the poorest excuse for a dishwasher that was ever created!

 

[electronicontrl]

Drifting to Maytag Jetclean

Hello Dustin,

Glad you like your Maytag Jetclean!
I have a few Maytags. Back in 1986 when I was working at Whirlpool and living in an apartment in St. Joseph MI - with no dishwasher, I went out and bought a convertible / portable Whirlpool Power Clean dishwasher. (Comparable to the Ultra Wash I) - For whatever reason I didn't feel comfortable buying a Maytag dishwasher when I was working at Whirlpool. -
It was a great machine and I liked it much. But I LOVE my Maytags.