KitchenAid KD-10 Dishwasher Pics?

[danemodsandy]

Hi:

Does anyone have some good clear photos of a KD-10 they'd be willing to share here- both inside and out?

I'd also be interested if someone could clarify the differences between the KD-10 and the later models that look similar.

Thanks in advance...

 

[stevet]

Same old! Same old!

The KD10 was Hobart's first domestic dishwasher and would have had the horizontal mounted motor and pump system with the drain solenoid that lifted the overflow assembly up so the water could gravity drain out of the unit.The 11 should have been the first with the vertical motor that most of us know but I could be mistaken so someone has to provide some back up info here for us. The 11 maybe and the 12 for sure had the pumped drain option since the KD2 was the front loading portable version of the 12 and definitely had a pumped drain. I had one of those tanks for many years and it made the rounds thru the family before being tossed to the curb in working condition! Oy! if I only knew!
I would also have to say that there were differences in the dishracks too with the 14 having the best configuration and ability to hold more dishes.
All the units before the 14(there was no 13) had the simple push down button which actually advanced the timer to the start position and a single cycle. The 14 was the first of the "vari-Cycle" machines in Custom, Imperial and Superba models having 1,2 and 3 cycles respectively.
None of those machines had a tank heater and all had the outside heater with fan forced drying.
The 14's had the push buttons and the Superba had the Rapid advance timer on it. What was cool was the internal linkage inside the door which performed the function of the old pushbutton on the side to advance the timer. It was totally hidden and worked when the door was opened.
The 14's were also the first to accomodate interchangable front panels or could be had with a single color wrap around(no trim kit)front panels.
They were really cool machines and lasted forever.
Production on these babies started in April of 1949 and continued until Sept of 1964 followed by the KD15 series in October of 64. There was some overlap of the portable machines with the 14(KD4P model)continuing until Dec of 64 while the 15 series (KD5 model)came out in Oct of 65.
Definitely a storied history and if things had gone differently with the sale to Whirlpool, Hobart might have kept the rights to the Superba name and would have still been making a domestic machine. But Whirlpool wanted the sole rights to the name.And now it is gone too!

 

[danemodsandy]

stevet:

It seems that KitchenAid recently had a contest to find the longest-running KD-10's in existence; two machines qualified. Below is a link to the contest page, with the winners shown. There is also a link on this page to the original KD-10 brochure, in PDF format, complete with specs. I've definitely downloaded a copy. However, not even this brochure shows the exterior of the machines. I'm most partial to the 10, with its simple handle. I know that by the time of the KD-12, an escutcheon was added to the handle to create a nameplate area for the KitchenAid logo, which was great from a merchandising standpoint, but which I find less attractively plain than the KD-10.

I would certainly like to learn more about these fabled beasts- I don't know if I'll ever be able to find one, much less restore it, but they're wonderful to look at.

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www.kitchenaid.com

 

[whitekingd]

I have a portable model of the KDS-14P, but it is called a KDS-54P, not KDS-4P. Were there two different models? I assume mine is one of the later production models, as my friend bought it new in 1968. It must have been in the warehouse for a while! Still a wonderful, working machine!!

 

[danemodsandy]

Does ANYONE Have...

...A good clear photo of the outside of a KD-10, with the door closed? Doesn't matter if it's a vintage shot or a new one, and the condition of the machine is not important.

Thanks in advance!

 

[swestoyz]

Sandy - if by the time I get home this evening someone wasn't able to post any, I'll throw a few up.

Thanks for the link on the offical KA site! The 2nd vintage posted in the upper row is a KD-10, for some reason in PANK.

Ben

 

[danemodsandy]

Ben:

"Sandy - if by the time I get home this evening someone wasn't able to post any, I'll throw a few up."

Ben:

Thanks! Question- do you actually own one of these beauties? If you do, how difficult a resto are they? I figure Reeco can redo a timer, and a motor can be rebuilt too, but the door gasket would worry me. And racking would seem to be a problem, as well. Any thoughts on these issues?

Anyway, I am kvelling in anticipation of photos- thanks again.

 

[jakins]

Pics

Here are a few pics of my KD 10

 

[jakins]

Pics

Pic 2

 

[jakins]

pic 3

Pic 3

 

[danemodsandy]

John:

Zowie! What a bee-you-tee-full machine! I hadn't realised that the racks were chrome on the KD-10; 1949 is late enough for vinyl, had KA wanted to use it.

Is this machine in service, or are you waiting for restoration/installation hurdles to be cleared? It looks like it's not under a counter at this point.

Either way, it's gorgeous! You are a lucky guy.