Looking for advice....

[mixergal]

My husband and I need a dishwasher. It is just that simple. We hate doing dishes, and my husband has a higher tolerance for messes than I do - which means I end up doing all of the household dishes. That wouldn't be so bad, but I love to cook. My kitchen is small, and I only have onne cupboard that would be suitable for dishwasher housing. Because storage is such a hot commodity for me, it would have to be a pretty cool dishwasher for me to be willing to sacrifice cabinet space. I could go with a portable, but again my kitchen is small, so it would have to be stylish as it would be readily seen.

So, here's what I'm looking for:

Turquoise, chrome, or yellow are preferred. Pink is fine with me, but it would take convincing for my hubby. White is okay too, but not preferred.

Something I can trust as my "daily driver". I'm willing to give up style for function - but only to a point. We have the dishwasher from my mother-in-law's estate, but I can't convince myself to chop up my pretty cabinets for it because it is so ugly - black on black. It would just be too dark in my blonde wood kitchen. Hubby says its a good one and cleans well.

Any suggestions? I included a picture of my sink area and the cupboard I would have to sacrifice for a built-in. It would be worth it for the right machine. My cupboards aren't as dark and stained as they look in the pictures - that's just artifacting from Photoshop making a panarama from 3 pictures. They're actually a lovely blonde color with copper colored pulls and hinges. So, copper would be a good color too - but bright penny copper not dark coppertone.

Any suggestions are appreciated!

-Sherri (please save my dishpan hands!)

 

[volvoguy87]

Nice Coffeemaster C30...

Me again,

I would recommend a Kitchenaid of the 21 series or older. They come as built ins or portables. They do a great job fast (compared to new ones) and are known for reliability. Also, parts are available. Some older portables are top-loading, but most are front loading.

The Custom line is usually the BOL (Bottom of the Line) and the Supurba is the TOL (Top of the Line). They are all hurricanes in a box that will clean your dishes.

The 18 series and newer models feature upper wash arms which makes loading more flexible. 17 series and older models have a lower wash arm but no upper one, so you can't put bowls and large things on the bottom rack that will block the spray to the top rack. The 19 series heats the water for all cycles and results in a longer cycle than the others. Many folks here don't like the 19 series as much as the others for this reason.

Kitchenaid used to be made by Hobart but changed hands in the mid 1980s, eventually ending up in the hands of Whirlpool. The 21 series was in production during this time.

My favorites to look at are the 10 and 12 series, but they are harder to find parts for and may not have flexible enough racking for your needs. Also, those don't grow on trees (damn!).

I'm sure others here will chime in with good advice. Otherwise, check Craigslist!
Dave

 

[goatfarmer]

I have a GE Potscrubber portable, in white, if you feel the need. I can get a pic, if so inclined....

 

[goatfarmer]

BTW, nice Hardwick range....

 

[yogitunes]

what really concerns me is you have an indent in the counter that makes the counter even with the door way....

most dishwashers are 24 inches deep by 24 inches wide...and putting a machine there may protrude past the doorway and the counter won't cover the top

measure first before you take out the cabinet

if you do put a dishwasher there...just be careful of an open door while someone is walking thru into the kitchen and doesn't notice it's open

just some advice

 

[mixergal]

Wow Goatfarmer!

Do you know I just got up and walked into the kitchen and no s---, my range is a Hardwick. Your mojo is strong!

-Sherri

Oh, and thanks! The only thing that doesn't work on it is the clock - the electric starters on the burners work fine, and the oven heats up and keeps its temp well.

Here it is:

 

[mixergal]

Goatfarmer's GE Potscrubber

Yes, I would like to see a pic, if its not too much trouble - thanks! You can email it to me if you don't want to post it here.

And you're right, yogitunes - I will have to measure my cupboards to see if they're deep enough if I decide to go built-in. I'd really rather go portable and not lose the storage. The doorway you see between the stove and the sink area leads to what we use as a sitting room. I've been thinking about converting it to a pantry/sewing room and a portable could live in there until needed.

-Sherri

 

[mixergal]

Hi Dave

I missed your compliment on the c30 Coffeemaster - thanks. That's my regular coffee pot - its easy to get spoiled on vacuum coffee once you've had it.

-Sherri

 

[qsd-dan]

Kitchen needs a 70's Amana Radarange microwave (only the best!) and a Kitchenaid 18-21 series dishwasher (another "best"). Not only do these 2 appliances surpass today's garbage, it'll make the entire kitchen 100% period correct.

 

[mixergal]

it'll make the entire kitchen 100% period correct

Umm...(looks at shoes embarrassed)...maybe not 100% period correct - you haven't seen my fridge. It's new (less than 5 years old)- from mom's estate. I don't know what the old one was - I still have it in the garage. The gasket was wonky, so we swapped it for the newer one. I'm starting to think I may want to dig it out of the garage. I don't think I can talk hubby into that. I may have to live with a new fridge. If it helps the old one was a fairly plain white fridge of indiscriminate age....we were planning on keeping it in the garage for cookout stuff.

Hoo boy - do I have to sleep in the doghouse tonight?

-Sherri

 

[qsd-dan]

Hoo boy - do I have to sleep in the doghouse tonight?

Naw, Most of us here are guilty of using some modern appliances. I have a newer fridge as well, but after many repairs in between 3 replacements (under warranty) the next fridge I get when this POS dies WILL be vintage, for sure.

Hold on to that older fridge though. It will save you a big headache when the newer one dies so you'll be able to save the perishables.

 

[reversajet]

Would you consider this?

I feel your pain in having to give up valuable storage space for a major appliance, and I'm not sure you mentioned the family situation, but if it's just the two of you, I can tell you we are loving our GE 18" dishwasher! And I had room for a full size but found the two of us weren't filling it often enough to run daily, and a brilliant club member talked me out of a Dishdrawer system and the KitchenAid Briva for this gem... Using it every other day, it holds all the cups, bowls and plates you could use, and, except for pots and pans, which I see your double sink can handle, this space saver would fit nicely to its right with some countertop modification, and you'd only be losing a narrow cookie sheet cabinet. If there is a Euro model available on wheels, you're even luckier. Plenty of power, flexible racking and shortest cycle is quick enough to do 2 loads in succession. We've had it two years without complaint.

 

[mixergal]

Why yes, reversajet,

it is just hubby and me - and my pet children I'm willing to consider anything - I like the look of that machine - nice and compact, but holds quite a bit. We do entertain a lot - particularly during the holidays - how fast does it run through a whole cycle? I'm thinking of how many loads I would have to run on Thanksgiving Still beats handwashing dishes for a large, formal meal for 10 adults! What does it look like on the outside? Thanks for the suggestion.
-Sherri

 

[xraytech]

Sherri,

If for some reason you ended up with a new(er) dishwasher or a white one you can always remove the panel and paint it to whatever color you want.

 

[yogitunes]

2 things if I may....

1. how about a microwave hood combination over the stove...free up counter space on this side...and maybe add a cabinet above that...more storage...or maybe a nice carved shelf for display!...I know it's not vintage, but you have limitations and we have to compromise.

2. for the dishwasher...how about a danby counter top unit...hold a fair amount of dishes considering it's you and the hubby....now that may not help much during the holidays but that's only an ocassional thing(maybe a used portable to pull out for the big events...and the small one for the daily stuff)...now this would sit next to your sink and hook up to the faucet or you could have it permanently hooked up...and your coffee maker and canister set would sit on top...no loss of space, just raised up a little....

hope this helps!

 

[turquoisedude]

Everythingold

Sherri, we have a board member in Grands Rapids (everythingold is his 'handle') who has an appliance repair and resale shop who has found some very cool stuff! I would bet that you could find a nice vintage dishwasher there. The idea of taking a more 'modern' machine and painting the front panel would work, too. Personally, if I had my choice, I would love to get a KitchenAid - one in turquoise was posted here not that long ago! I don't own one myself but I hear they are great performers.
Actually, I am working on trying to purchase a GE in turquoise from an estate sale in Grand Haven...

 

[reversajet]

To be honest...

I don't think anybody would admit that service for 10 on Thanksgiving wouldn't require at least TWO full size machines, but... I'm sorry to say that's the one day we probably wouldn't use the machine at all! Talking about good china, crystal, silver... But if you have sturdy dishware and the greasy pots & pans are done in the sink, a couple of loads with flash drying would get you through the day. Actually, the cycle flexibility lets you bypass 4 longer cycles on the dial. I crank mine right down to the "China/Crystal" setting which gives a prewash, wash and two rinses with beautiful results. I have in 2 years never seen it leave anything on a load (including spots and errant coffee grounds) with a powerful 2 level wash and extra top rack height. Admittedly, there were a few times you'd wish it would fit one last glass or bowl if it was an inch wider... but I watch people run their full size machines poorly loaded with a lot of wasted space, so I guess you adapt to what you have.
The unit may actually be a re-badged/re-decorated Danby unit and the website shows a newer improved "no-knob" model, but if I had to replace it tomorrow I'd do the same thing.

http://products.geappliances.com/ApplProducts/Dispatcher?REQUEST=SPECPAGE&SKU=GSM1860NSS&SITEID=GEA

 

[maytagbear]

There is an 18 inch portable

and it's sold under the Frigidaire label(also Kenmore-Sears), and unlike their 24 inch models, it cleans rather well.

Your kitchen is very charming.

Lawrence/Maytagbear

 

[everythingold]

18-21 series Kitchen Aid

I agree 100%, you can have the aluminum panels powder coated any color you want. Turquoise would look nice. I have a stack of Amana RadaRanges too if you need one. matt

 

[goatfarmer]

No mojo involved....

I could tell by the Hardwick knobs.8^)

I'll get a pic of the Potscrubber. I also have a vintage Magic Chef built in, and a newer Kenmore built in. They were using both the built in's, when they came to me.

 

[laundromat]

GE Tall Tub

I had a GSD4400 in Florida and it was the best dishwasher for the money I ever owned. It has the temperature boost up to 160F and is very quiet. 6 levels of hot water. Powerfull enough to thoroughly clean a lasagnia caserole to a sparkling clean Pyrex glass rectangular piece.All the silverware(handels up),glassware,pots and pans(stainless steel w/ glass lids and Silverstone interiors)and dishes came out w/out any throw backs.It retailed for $399 at Homo Depot and I got it w a ding in the front panel for $99!!!I used it 4 years and never had any issues at all.I use Finish and Jet Dry.Cool dry option takes up to 50% off the running cost.Easy to randomly load and unload.Plastics may go in either rack AS LONG AS YOU DO NOT USE THE HEATED DRY OPTION

 

[mixergal]

Wow - thanks for all the great comments!

I'll try to address them all:

xraytech: That is an excellent suggestion, I actually am considering it. The one we inherited from my MIL's estate is black, but the main panel of the unit is reversable - black on one side, white on the other. I had a member of another collector group I belong to suggest that I could either paint the white side of the plastic panel, or replace it with a sheet of thin birch plywood stained to match my cabinets (or some other veneer that would fit in the channel). While this idea would work in theory, I would like to exhaust my options before I make a final decision to alter cabinetry. Also, in using this machine I am stuck with the very 1990's all black control panel. It may sound fussy, but I am really hoping to marry aesthetics and functionality. I need to find out what brand/model of dishwasher that is so I can make an even more informed decision (its in storage right now).

yogitunes: That's genius! I thought about a microwave/hood combo in the past, but I never thought about mounting a cabinet or shelves above it! Sometimes it's the simple answers that allude me. That's actually a very nice microwave, but I hate where its located! So hard to get in that corner and use it. Unfortunately, there is no other logical place for it to be.

I've thought about a counter-top unit, but I don't know if that would be enough when I really get to entertaining. I'd like something that can handle at least some of the pots and pans too, if possible.

turquoisedude: oooh! A Turquoise Kitchenaid sounds like just the ticket! I saw a beautiful chrome Kitchenaid at an estate sale once - it was a built in and not for sale. I wish I'd been a member of this group then - I would have taken a picture! It was in this great older house that hadn't been updated since the owners bought it sometime after WWII. I've been dreaming about that dishwasher ever since I saw it. Sorry I can't give you more info than that about it. I think it had a window in the front, but I could be wrong about that - its been a while since I saw it, but I would know it if I saw it again! I remember it was a Kitchenaid because the name was written across the front panel of the unit in beautiful script - it really struck me what a beautiful machine it was!

I guess that's what I'm wishing for, and will probably never find.

Reversajet: well - okay - you got me. Can you tell I've never owned a dishwasher before? My "formal" dishes I use when I entertain are stoneware dishes from the 50's. They say "dishwasher safe" on the back. When they were new, they were not a fancy set at all. The '40's crystal does come out - and you're right, it would be handwashed.

When I was a kid my brother and I were the dishwashers I would like my first dishwasher owning experience to be a good one - which is why I have come to you all - the experts. Hubby has always had a dishwasher growing up, and it is driving him buggy that we don't have one.

Is it possible to get funky, fun, vintage, and good performance? Or am I being unreasonable?

Maytagbear: Thanks for the compliment! It's small, but that makes it very effiecient - I can move quickly from one surface to another when I'm cooking and economize my movement. You can see why I want a dishwasher that will look "right" in its new environment. I take it this is a new unit you are referring to?

everythingold: Thanks for the offer of the radarange - I don't know if I could give up my modern microwave, though. I love the "sensor reheat" button - works like a charm and never overcooks - doesn't matter if you're warming up soup, baking potatoes, or steaming frozen veggies. We bought it 8 years ago, and I've gotten a lot of milage out of it. The LCD screen has dimmed over time, but it still runs strong! Oh, it thaws meat perfectly too!

Of course I've just jinxed myself - in that case I may come whimpering to you begging for a Radarange

Do you have any vintage dishwashers that might meet my wants/needs? It would give me an excuse to go west and visit some friends I have in Grand Rapids.

Goatfarmer: Thanks! I appreciate it! What does the Magic Chef look like?

laundromat: GE tall tub, eh? That performance is definately what I'm talking about!

Thanks again for all of your helpful comments - I am definately soaking it all in, please keep the ideas coming! I have had a lot of questions answered, and have generated a few new ones. I'm a novice at large appliance - specifically with dishwashers (I've never loaded one in my life!), so I'm not always sure when you mention a unit if it is vintage or not. Again, I would prefer vintage if possible for style - but am willing to sacrifice vintage if I'm just not going to get good performance.

Thanks!

-Sherri

 

[reversajet]

Be reasonable... See it my way!

Just in good fun but truthfully now, would you sacrifice a double-wide cutlery drawer and 4 cubic feet of storage for a machine that'll be holding 4 days of dishware before washing when, with a little shop class carpentry you can have something with a warranty and energy savings that you'll actually look forward to using and that has more cycle flexibility and quietness? Forget the countertop units, they all end up in the trash or goodwill for a reason. You need it to be plumbed to the sink. If there's clearance enough for that floor vent, the writing's on the wall. And if you have a few bucks left over, hang a top cabinet next to the window in place of the painting and it's case closed. Now you go girl!

 

[mixergal]

Okay, my memory is very faulty....

I remember I saw cool chrome Kitchenaid dishwasher once at an estate sale, but I think my memory has over-romanticized it, because I can't find an image of what I am looking for. I am learning a lot searching old threads on the subject though - I think I am learning that KA is definately the way to go!

-Sherri (still keeping my options open)

 

[volvoguy87]

Kitchenaid.

The link is our Webmaster's customized Kitchenaid KD-12. The pink color is custom, as is the window and the light. I WANT one of these, but they aren't at all common.

Sigh,
Dave

 

[mixergal]

What a beautiful machine!

Kitchenaid KD 12 - got it. Filed away for future reference. That washing action makes my poor dishpan hands tremble with desire. And no, I can't take Madge's advice - I'm allergic to Palmolive

I finally got off my tukus and measured my cabinet. Yep, it's too small for a standard sized unit - my cabinet is only 22 inches wide x 22 inches deep. For the right machine I could cut the opening of the cabinet to fit, but as my sink faces an outside wall, there's not much I can do about the depth.

Oh well, I'm told some of the greats are available as portables too. Really seems like Kitchenaid may be the way to go....

I've been checking out older threads, and I really like the looks of the KDS 18. I even saw a thread (#5415) where FilterFlo painted his turquoise, and it looks great! I wonder how that spray enamel paint job is holding up....

Is the KDS 18 a fairly common machine? Or am I dreaming again? Available as a portable?

-Sherri

 

[spankomatic]

Many would agree on this site that the KDS-18 is one of the best dishwashers ever made. It would look really good in your kitchen too! They did make portables in that model also. They are not the easiest thing to find though... I was not too big on the 18" style dishwasher to the right of the sink... Blocking doorways is never a good idea. You might even have some fire code issues with that. Over the stove hood style microwave was a great recommendation. Do it!
Photo is from Threat 22466 KDS-18

 

[spankomatic]

This GE Princess would look good in your kitchen too!

 

[mixergal]

Oooooooooooo! (I didn't know how to spell the inflection

<drool> Love, love, LOVE the turquoise exterior with the pink interior! I would definately do some major cabinet renovation for something that cool! Now we're talking!

GE Princess - got it - filed away for future reference!

The room on the other side of the doorway is used as a sitting room right now, but frankly, no one sits in it too often For some reason my new kitty (I affectionately call her Pure Evil for reasons I will not get into now) likes to use the orange shag rug as a toilet. So, we usually keep it shut up, as you see in the pics. Sort of a waste of space. Hubby and I have been considering pulling up the carpet in there and converting the room into a combination pantry/sewing room. My Ironrite already lives in there If we do this, it is possible we could put the dishwasher on the other side of that wall. Again - I've never had a dishwasher before - is that too far from the sink (it would be about 3 feet away)?

Also, there is another doorway into that room. Even if a dishwasher did block the doorway, you wouldn't be trapped in there. But I agree - it's not an optimal solution. Probably why the previous owners never installed one.

I'm going to an estate sale next weekend - maybe I'll get lucky.

-Sherri

 

[spankomatic]

Sherri,
Check out thread 22045. That is where I got the photo for GE Princess. The Kitchenaid KDS-18 is the better machine made in the late 70's. The GE is not bad but much older made in the late 50's early 60's..... I think you would be much happier having the dishwasher right next to the sink on the left side. This would prevent a trail of water going from your sink to the dishwasher 3 feet away in the next room. Slip/fall prevention. Blocking the entry way to the other room would be ok. I just would not block the door to the basement/back area in any way. Keeping fire exits CLEAR is a must in any home.

Good luck on the estate sale next weekend. Keep us posted...
Jim