Just wondering if we could score a copy of a manual for our dishwasher. I'm confused as to what the knob at the bottom of the washer does. I'm not impressed with how "clean" the machine gets our dishes but considering its age it could be worse! BTW, i'm pretty sure this machine is original to our 1966 house we just purchased. Thanks!
Looking for Kitchenaid KDI-15 Manual
- Thread starter rld7007
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rollermatic
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i don't have a manual
but it's pretty simple. that knob at the bottom is the timer dial. generally you just leave it be.
that machine came out in 1964 so it sounds like it was the original dishwasher.
i am a huge kitchenaid fan and have many, i personally love the 15 models and have 2 myself. i think they do a great job for one spray arm at the bottom. if it doesn't seem to be cleaning as well as it should perhaps the hydrosweep is not turning as it should, sometimes as they age they kinda freeze up and are harder to turn. i had this problem on a kds-17 recently.
you can e mail me directly if you like at [email protected] if you have other questions that don't get answered here.
but it's pretty simple. that knob at the bottom is the timer dial. generally you just leave it be.
that machine came out in 1964 so it sounds like it was the original dishwasher.
i am a huge kitchenaid fan and have many, i personally love the 15 models and have 2 myself. i think they do a great job for one spray arm at the bottom. if it doesn't seem to be cleaning as well as it should perhaps the hydrosweep is not turning as it should, sometimes as they age they kinda freeze up and are harder to turn. i had this problem on a kds-17 recently.
you can e mail me directly if you like at [email protected] if you have other questions that don't get answered here.
With these older one arm machines, you gotta load the dishes in a manner that the top rack still gets plenty of water to the upper rack. Also, have you checked or cleaned the filter? For the newer KA units with the 4 arm hydrosweeps, I've have heard that a worn arm support bushing will cause poor performance. Not sure if that applies to the older units though.
Vintage KA Performance.
I don't believe this dishwasher heats its water, so make certain your water heater is turned to 140 at least. Most dishwashers are plumbed into the hot water line under the kitchen sink, so run the hot water at the sink until it is fully hot before turning on the dishwasher (all dishwashers, not just yours).
Also, dishwasher detergents were just reformulated to remove the phosphates (specifically STPP, or Sodium Tri-Poly Phosphate). The new reformulated dishwasher detergents simply aren't cutting the mustard (literally or figuratively) so it may be a problem with your detergent, not your dishwasher. Go to The Chemistry Store .com and order a small pail of STPP / Sodium Tri-Poly Phosphate (link below). Put a teaspoon of STPP with your detergent in the detergent dispenser and see if that improves things. Depending on your water hardness, your detergent, and your water temperature, you may need to use more or less STPP, but a little experimentation will tell. A tablespoon of STPP in a top-loading washing machine can also work wonders.
See the threads in the Super Forum on dishwasher detergents.
Good luck,
Dave
PS: If you load a big pot in the lower rack, it will block spray to the upper rack. Load the bottom rack such that water can spray through it (like plates) so it can wash the top rack. The Kitchenaid 15 series is actually a fantastic performer, provided the water is hot enough, the detergent is effective, and the lower rack's contents won't block spray. One of the reasons why the KAs of this era had no upper spray arm is because they simply didn't need one. With proper loading, they are effective without one.
http://www.chemistrystore.com/product.cgi?group=88793&product=88794
I don't believe this dishwasher heats its water, so make certain your water heater is turned to 140 at least. Most dishwashers are plumbed into the hot water line under the kitchen sink, so run the hot water at the sink until it is fully hot before turning on the dishwasher (all dishwashers, not just yours).
Also, dishwasher detergents were just reformulated to remove the phosphates (specifically STPP, or Sodium Tri-Poly Phosphate). The new reformulated dishwasher detergents simply aren't cutting the mustard (literally or figuratively) so it may be a problem with your detergent, not your dishwasher. Go to The Chemistry Store .com and order a small pail of STPP / Sodium Tri-Poly Phosphate (link below). Put a teaspoon of STPP with your detergent in the detergent dispenser and see if that improves things. Depending on your water hardness, your detergent, and your water temperature, you may need to use more or less STPP, but a little experimentation will tell. A tablespoon of STPP in a top-loading washing machine can also work wonders.
See the threads in the Super Forum on dishwasher detergents.
Good luck,
Dave
PS: If you load a big pot in the lower rack, it will block spray to the upper rack. Load the bottom rack such that water can spray through it (like plates) so it can wash the top rack. The Kitchenaid 15 series is actually a fantastic performer, provided the water is hot enough, the detergent is effective, and the lower rack's contents won't block spray. One of the reasons why the KAs of this era had no upper spray arm is because they simply didn't need one. With proper loading, they are effective without one.
http://www.chemistrystore.com/product.cgi?group=88793&product=88794
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