The filter strainers were somewhat coarse up through the 20 series KA's until the 21 series with the microfilter underneath the wash arm. I get around that in my 18 by modifying an anti splatter screen in the sump which eliminates the problem. I don't mind removing and cleaning the filters after each load, they are always cleaned right after unloading the dishes and never once became stinky. My water heater is turned up to 160F so 155F is guaranteed, along with a 180F sani rinse in the 18.
Believe it or not, I had a high end Kenmore Powerclean dishwasher for 4 years that I got from a coworker (2016-2020). He moved into a new home and the wife wanted a complete remodel. He was complaining about replacing appliances that looked practically new. I asked him send me picture of the dishwasher and it looked like a high end model so I took a chance since it was free. The dishwasher must have only been used during the holidays because it looked brand new inside and out.
It washed pretty well but nowhere near what's claimed around this forum. I think the biggest issue was that the cycle times jumped 17 minutes if the sensor didn't detect enough soil, which significantly reduced its wash times. If there was too much soil detected, it would almost immeadilty dump the soapy water and refill, washing with nothing but water. Pretty useless, IMO. I tried various attempts to get it to wash longer such as a lukewarm purge at the faucet and even a cold fill. This somewhat helped but did not eliminate the problem. Washing without using the "Water Heat" and "Sani Rinse" features gave mediocre results. I think if I had a non sensor model or a mechanical timer model, it would have washed better.
I did try various repairs that are known for hampering performance in these. A new water valve, new plastic washers under the wash arm, dug into the sump cleaned it out (it was pretty clean), cleaned the macerator, replaced the rubber check valve, and couple of other things that escape me at the moment and it did not improve its performance. Like I said, it washed okay but no way in hell could I put a cake in the upper rack (or even lower rack) and have it disappear by the end of the cycle. Half of the time, it struggled to get a slight smear of avocado off of a butter knife pointed downward.
As far as drying performance, my Maytag RR and Kitchenaid 18-20 machines ran circles around the Kenmore using the air dry cycle only (that what I use 90% of the time). The heated dry cycle was way too hot in the Kenmore and melted/distorted plastic items even on the upper rack. NEVER had that problem with the Maytag RR or the Bitchnaids.
I find the Kitchenaids have better flexibility in loading vs the Kenmore, especially with the upper rack design that KA used in their TOL machines. I could also fit taller items in the 18-20 vs the Powerclean. I find the coarse strainer at the bottom of the tub in the Powerclean and RR Maytag to preform identically. I don't treat my dishwashers as garbage disposals, so that area is never a problem.
