KitchenAid KD-11P - Found!

[swestoyz]

Hey Gang -

Recently the great Jetaction found a kitchen set in a Minneapolis 'burb from the mid to late 50's. It was told that the lady spent some serious green on her basement project at the time, and she went for the best. I'll leave the rest of story though up to Don.

During her remodel she had one issue to over come. If she was going to install a dishwasher in a basement she would almost certainly need a dishwasher with a pump. What better brand to go with in 1955, 56, or 1957 than a KitchenAid? And heck, why not go all out for the antique copper finish! The rest of the built-in appliances were also finished in copper as well. Quite progressive (and I imagine spendy) for the mid 50's.

 

[swestoyz]

I fell in love with the dishwasher and brought it back to Iowa. Sure enough - KD-11P!

 

[swestoyz]

The KitchenAid shows signs of having very little use. I imagine being installed in a basement and probably being used for parties and holidays has helped preserve this DW.

And the door gasket is as soft as a babies bottom!

 

[swestoyz]

Two very cool differences between the 11 and 12 -

The wash arm support is cast iron! Also, the vent for the overflow is plugged off due to a specialized pump...

 

[swestoyz]

Sump exposed. The filth just wipes away and the porcelain just shines underneath!! I haven't decided if I'll keep the cast iron wash arm support or use a spare from a 12.

 

[swestoyz]

Start button. Notice the escutcheon is different from the 12, plus the neon cover is clear with the 12's being red.

 

[swestoyz]

11 timer dial. Different from the 12 as is sits on the outside of the machine vs. being recessed in the bottom panel on the 12 series. It is also quite a bit larger in diameter than the 12.

 

[swestoyz]

So - what makes this machine so special?

The pump! The pump on the 11 is almost identical to the pump on the 10 series, being that a separate motor and impeller draw the water from the sump and flush it out the copper line that runs along the back of the machine.

The 12 and 14 pumps are driven from below the wash motor.

Crossing my fingers that the seals are still good.

 

[swestoyz]

MINT blower housing. No rust! Another odd difference is the rear housing is porcelain finish on the 11 vs. stamped SS on the 12/14.

 

[swestoyz]

Now, the antique copper panels are cool, but they aren't my game. I'll be switching them out for a set of spare 12 series SS panels I saved from a trashed 12.

I'll do a water test this weekend. stay tuned!

Ben

 

[austinado16]

Awesome!!!!!

I have 1959 KD-12 that we use as our only dishwasher. Your comparison photos are fantastic, thanks!

My 12 is a gravity drain model. No pump!

 

[danemodsandy]

Ben:

Very cool find!

One question: Will the 12 dial swap out properly to the 11, so as to fit that opening in the panel?

 

[alr2903]

Ben, you are probably coordinating with the SS, yes? I gotta admit i really like that brushed copper. I am sure you will hang onto them, you don't see something nice like those very often. Best of luck with your conversion. alr2903

 

[toploader55]

OMG Ben

That is so beautiful. I think KitchenAid Season has come early this year. Wha a Find !!! With a Pump. I think this is the frist built in I have ever seen with a pump. My KD2-P is a pump but a whole total configuration.

I can't wait to see that up and running. Congratulations. Eddie

 

[a440]

What an awesome find! I have only seen the copper panels in old magazine ads. I bet they would gleam when polished!
Your new KA looks like it has not seen all that much use!
Thanks for all of the pictures!
Brent

 

[turquoisedude]

Time-capsule find!

Ben, that dishwasher is awesome! So thoughtful of the former owner to have picked such a nice machine for their second kitchen!! I will bet you that the motor and pump will start right up, too. Can't wait to see the results of the water and wash tests... Congratulations!

 

[rollermatic]

very interesting

comparing the 11 and 12 models. have never seen a pump body made of cast iron, both mine are plastic. and that overflow tube plug is right in line with what the manual (posted in an earlier thread) stated about only having the overflow on the gravity models.

i just was at hobart last week in cinti picking up a pump seal for my kd-12's in case i ever need one. there are still about half dozen left in offices all over the country if you want one. they are about 40 bucks.

beautiful machine, love the copper finish!

 

[gyrafoam]

Great find,Ben. I found a KD-12SS last year that still had the owners manual in it! Good to see these treasures keep popping-up.

 

[aldspinboy]

Ben that is a top notch Dishwasher !
Jenn air has a color out there called oiled Bronze it looks copper like.
Some people have been receptive to it the say they like the warmth of it instead of stainless ....Is the color not going to match your styling in a kitchen or ?
Cast iron wash arms rule.
Congrats !

Darren k.