Kitchenaid Superba KDS-21A

[sudsmaster]

Picked up another Hobart made Kitchenaid dishwasher today. Couldn't resist the price: free. It's missing the lower panels, but I have a plan for that.

It's in quite good shape, considering. My main concern was that this is a model with the heated air blower (metal), and the heating coil in the sump. No sign of rust around the coil mounting points, either. Racks in excellent shape, no sign of rust.

This brings my collection of Hobart era Kitchenaid dishwashers to four, from oldest to newest: KD2P (circa 1958), KDC-17A (stainless front), KDS-18, and KDS-21A. I also have an Insinkerator Supreme dishwasher, which bears signs of being whirlpolluted (plastic non-heating blower, big heating element above sump). It might donate its door panel insert and lower panels to the 21A, tee hee.

I lined up three of these in the courtyard this afternoon, intending to take a photo, but cleaning out the carport took precedence so I'll have to get to it next weekend.

I still think the best looking of the bunch is the KDS-18. There's just something about that control panel that is very classy. The 21A isn't bad by comparison, but the 18 is quite artistic.

 

[rp2813]

I saw a similar vintage machine on my local Craig's List recently but I'm pretty sure it wasn't a Superba. Looking forward to the pix. I'm not familiar enough with the Hobart machines and their associated model numbers from over the years so pix will help me to identify things going forward. Seems a lot of people aren't willing to integrate their KA's into a kitchen remodel even though the design of Hobart's machines is more substantial and industrial looking (which seems to be the theme of choice with modern kitchens) than most of what one can purchase new today, not to mention their performance.

 

[gansky1]

Whirlpolluted -- hee hee!

Congrats on the new addition to your KA collection, I always thought those were very nice looking machines although I agree, the 18 Superbas were my all-time favorite and am loving the one I put in the kitchen last month.

It will be interesting to see what your thoughts are on cleaning with each of the machines. I see a CR test-lab set up in your kitchen!

 

[sudsmaster]

Ralph,

I picked up the 21A from your neck of the woods - Sunnyvale.

Greg,

There's a bit of a delay on actually testing these machines - Have only one built-in hookup (currently occupied by a Bosch), and then there's the KD-2P portable out in the enclosed patio. Due to a funky floor construction, changing out built-ins in the main kitchen is a bit of a horrid chore - think levers and shoehorns - so I'd like to decide which unit would be best there long term before prying the Bosch out of its cubby.

Eventually I guess I'm going to have to elongate the countertop in the kitchen so I could put a second built-in dishwasher in there. Would also like to stick a Miele front loader in there, as well (would have to extend the 220 service for that as well. Not sure if I could have two dishwashers and a washer share the same drain line air gap... ?

 

[rp2813]

Rich, that may very well be the one I saw on craig's list and opted not to post over on Super. Seems I was right about other Bay Area AW members checking CL themselves. Glad you saved it.

 

[toploader55]

Hey Suds

My Kd2-P Rocks. Ever since I rebuilt and installed that Cast Iron Drain Valve, she'll clean the rust off a trailer hitch. The KDS-18 is Red Hot too. What great machines.

 

[toploader55]

KDS-18

Running like a champ