Kitchenaid by Hobart KDS-15

[Bexor]

Hi all,

My fiance and I recently bought a new home that came with a Kitchenaid by Hobart Superba KDS-15 dishwasher that is original to the house (the home was built in 1968). According to the previous owners, worked until pretty recently. I'm not sure exactly what is wrong with the machine, but it does turn on and all of the buttons work. It's in pretty good cosmetic condition (just needs to be cleaned).

I'm not sure if we should sell it or repair it, since I don't know what is wrong with it or if we could even find someone who would repair it. It is such a neat looking machine I'd love to know more about it, and I haven't been able to find any information about the KDS-15 online.

Thanks for any advice anyone can offer!

 

[rp2813]

We have a resident Hobart/KitchenAid expert here, but I think he'll need more specifics on what's wrong.

 

That is a rare trim option with the stainless panels.  These are very capable machines, but since they have only a single wash arm, you need to be careful with how you load it.  Large pots and bowls on the bottom rack will block the spray from reaching items on the top rack.  While it might require a little discipline with loading, the machine should out-perform modern day models, with stronger spray action and much, much faster cycle times.

 

Give our expert Steve some time to reply here and he may be able to guide you through some trouble-shooting.

 

P.S.

 

Interior shots would be much appreciated!

 

[william637]

I may have spare parts

I live in Durham (just around the corner from you). I actually have one of these machines in my basement that someone took out of school (it is in rough shape - I am sure it doesn't work). In any case, I took it because it was free and thought I should hold on to it for the parts. With that said, if you are in need of a part, you are free to scavenge mine.

If you decide to scrap yours, please contact me and I may be able to "preserve" it.

 

[danemodsandy]

If.....

....You decide not to repair this machine, I would be very interested in the front panels.

However, this is not a machine to give up on lightly. It's an excellent dishwasher, though some later KitchenAids were even better. It is a better machine than most anything you can buy today, and you definitely should repair it and return it to service if possible.

That having been said, if repairs don't seem feasible, please feel free to contact me; just click on my username (in blue at the top of this post) and my email address can be found in my profile.

Best of luck - and hopefully stevet, our resident KA expert, can help restore it to health. [this post was last edited: 12/11/2012-20:28]

 

[stevet]

Chime in time!

That was our very first dishwasher; only ours was edged coppertone to match the Hardwick Eye Level Range we had gotten the year before.

It is a more than capable performer and as mentioned above, you just have to be careful loading it.

As was also mentioned, what seems to be the problem with it? Does it fill? Do you hear the motor running at all? Just let us know and we can all chime in and offer our help.
And it will do a complete load of dishes in 45 minutes including drying the dishes.

 

[quincyman]

Best Machine

Best damn dishwasher I ever had. and it was identical to yours. Wish I had it today.

 

[jonnykatz]

Where can I get parts

Im in the same situation. 2nd owner of a home that has an immaculate superba 15, but it's not getting any water. I downloaded a service repair manual, and I think I need to replace the solenoid valve.

Where can I get parts?

Jon

 

[combo52]

New Inlet Valve For a KDS-15

From any place that sells WP appliance parts, Part# is 4170000.