Kitchenaid DD washer

[yoblount]

This was a craigslist find. Paid $50 and cleaned it up. Also replaced the agitator dogs. I love the turquoise agitator!
I have it temporarily installed in place of my Kenmore FL until I can figure out what to do with it.

Takes me back to my childhood. On laundry day my grandmother would let me sort the clothes and start the washer. I'd stand there watching it and put my ear against the machine to hear the "chuga-chuga" sound of the motor and transmission.

 

[DADoES]

 
I have a KAWE760WAL2.  Same model year (W = 1990) but a year older by the serial (B = 1992, mine is A = 1991).

 

[yoblount]

spin speed

Something I am noticing is clothes are not as wet and heavy after spinning compared to my '08 kemore DD.
Is it possible that this machine spins faster than a newer whirlpool DD?

 

[yogitunes]

not that it would spin faster, but there is a chance that the clutch on this one is not as worn, and gripping better, allowing it reach its highest speed...

nice machine, there are a lot of unique Kitchen Aid models

I love the larger base agitators of these machines.....slower speed agitation, yet good rollover...

 

[murando531]

I'm so jealous of you right now!!!! That's the exact same KitchenAid we had when I was growing up, from 1990 to about 2002. EXCELLENT machine, and in my opinion one of the best top-load agitator washers in existence to this day. I'd give just about anything to find one in great condition.

It's completely possible that you're right about the difference in dryness of the clothes after spin. Most KitchenAid DD washers aside from one or two BOL models had stepped spins, and the full final spin time was a bit longer than that of standard WP/KM DDs. Ours did not have stepped spins for some reason, despite having the three-speed GoldSeal motor, but it still spun longer than the KM DD my Aunt Monica had at the same time.

I have a beautiful brochure from the time when this exact generation of KA's was on the market. I'll try to scan some photos when I get the chance. I'd bet your "new" machine is listed inside. Congratulations!!!!

 

[DADoES]

 
I don't think spin time on mine is longer except maybe on the perm press cycle.  Mine does have stepped-spin.  Normal runs two mins at med, then 4 mins high.  PPress is 2 mins each at low, med, and high.  Delicate is 4 mins at med.

 

[yoblount]

I did notice the stepped spin. Very neat! I didn't realize it was a feature reserved for the higher end machines.

 

[yoblount]

DADoES

Thanks! I remember seeing someone posting a serial number decoder but could not find it.
This machine is as old as me... As much as I love my font loaders, I don't think they will last over 25 years. Things really aren't built like they used to.

 

[DADoES]

 
I have a 2003 Whirlpool Gold that has stepped-spin on the Perm Press/Casuals cycle.  It's marked as such on the timer, but has only one speed change from low (med motor) to high.  There's a separate 6-position speed switch for various combinations of ex low, low, and high agitate with low or high spin.  The timer overrides the switch at the final two mins of PP spin for high speed.