Kenmore Ultra Wash

[rp2813]

I just picked this up yesterday for Dave's daughter and son-in-law.  The GE Profile at their new house is an ugly POS.  So, for $30 this Ultra Wash seemed like a really good deal.  It's in beautiful shape.  It's awaiting installation and I haven't done anything to it, though it will need only minimal cleaning inside and out.

 

[rp2813]

The interior

 

[rp2813]

Upper rack

 

[rp2813]

Dispensers.

 

[rp2813]

Control Panel

 

[rp2813]

Model information.  Any approximations as to its age?

 

[rp2813]

Here's what it will be replacing:

 

[magic_clean]

age

13 years. Manufactured the 4th week of 2000.

 

[dustin92]

This link should help you with the age...

Appliance411: Service: How old is my appliance? Age finder

The serial number is usually the key to determining the manufacturing date (aka 'age') of most major home appliances. You can use our age finder service to try to find out how old your appliances may be

www.appliance411.com

 

[rp2813]

Thanks for the help with date of manufacture.  I knew it belonged here in Deluxe, but wasn't sure by how much.

 

I've located the installation and owners manuals on the Sears parts site.

 

[rp2813]

I forgot to post this shot of the underside.  Super clean.

 

I'm unfamiliar with these machines.  What's up with that giant anodized knob?

 

[yogitunes]

Your gonna wish you kept this for yourself....

that big knob is there to reduce vibration from the motor.....

these are so simple to work on.....especially for an undercounter model, a few simple wires, hoses, and retainers, and this whole motor/pump/power module will lift out from the inside in under 60 seconds....

if I am correct, this model will make water changes as needed by soil level....a lightly soiled load will not change water as much as a really dirty load...no pre-rinsing necessary, scrape off the big chunks, the machine will handle the rest!...

looks like the clear plastic is still on the control panel.....still showroom new

 

[rp2813]

Martin, thanks for the knob information.  After printing up the owner's manual and reading through it, I can see why people like the Ultra Wash machines from this vintage.   It does have the sensing system that automatically determines the cycling routine based on soil level.   I'll have to impress upon the new owners that they mustn't pre-rinse anything.  I'm hoping it will be love at first wash.

 

I think the lock-out function for the panel will be perfect for a household with curious toddlers and pre-schoolers. 

 

I didn't even think to check if the plastic is still on the control panel or not.  The picture captured a reflection that makes it look like there's a scratch through the Quick Wash selection but the panel is in great shape.

 

What would be the 2000 vintage KA equivalent to this machine?  Was stainless steel a trim option on them? 

 

[appnut]

Steve 1/18 has the Kenmore Elite version of this--ss interior. It's a wonderful dishwasher. And the soil sensor does work. Even with quick wash selected and soil is heavy enough, it will add another water change. Kind of green with envy. The KA equivalent would be most likely the KUDS24, at best KUDS25, but the 25 had a uniquye cycle that this one doesn't have.

 

[retropia]

This is similar to our 1998 Ultra Wash, except a higher model level. In addition to the "tuning fork," this model should have mastic sheets glued to the outer side of the tub, which helps a lot in keeping the noise level down. It's still not going to be as quiet as modern dishwashers, but I always thought it was acceptable.

The only problems we had with ours is that the racks started to go at around the ten-year mark, plus the water supply rubber tube under the top rack eventually rotted away. Replacing the tube was an easy and cheap fix.

 

[rp2813]

Thanks Bob.  I was thinking she might be able to get away with Quick Wash or Water Miser cycles for the average load since the soil sensor will take the proper course of action to make sure the dishes come out clean.

 

Doug, I've heard that the racks are the weak link on these machines, so we'll keep an eye on them.

 

[bleacho]

that machine is the best!!

i purchased it in 2000. when i redid my kitchen, i passed it over to my sister... its still going strong.. i never had a dishwasher that cleaned as well as that machine.. you're a lucky guy!! enjoy;you'll love it.

 

[rp2813]

Just to reiterate -- the machine is not for me.  It's for Dave's daughter and son-in-law. 

 

If it had a stainless front and matched the rest my kitchen, from what I've read here I'd be tempted to keep it for myself.  I don't know how it works, but that sensing system is pretty nifty and a feature I'd take advantage of if I had a machine like this.

 

[appnut]

I think the sensing system is used for all cycles except for Quick Wash. Steve commented to me once that it added another fil to the single fill Rinse & Hold when it sensed extremely dirty load for that cycle. The "good" thing about sensing systems is it tends to yield on the side of heavier "settings" than lighterr settings when solid soil is sensed. That's my experience too.