Miele G2150 Diamante Dishwasher

[rp2813]

I had been loyal to my In-Sink-Erator Classic Supreme dishwasher, a KA 22 series clone, from the first day I installed it and gave the Thundering Thermador a swift kick all the way up to Oakland back in January of 2011.

 

Little did I know that on a run to the local ReStore just for kicks last week I'd find a beautiful TOL Miele Diamante in great shape complete with owner's manual.  It was a new arrival.  It was tempting.  But it seemed a little pricey so I walked away.

 

Over the next couple of hours, recurring thoughts of the machine were making me anxious.  It would match the other appliances in our kitchen so much better than the ISE.  After consultation with one of our well-respected resident experts here who, as it happened, was equally excited, the decision was made.  A quick run back to the ReStore and it was mine for a fraction of what it cost new.

 

Not a moment was wasted after the machine arrived at its new home.  The ISE was summarily extracted and replaced by the Diamante.  I wanted to be sure the machine had no problems within the time frame the ReStore's return policy allows.

 

It performed silently as it completed a test cycle.  No issues or leaks.  It was a keeper.  Dave was thrilled with it, even though he doesn't do the dishes.  He complained every time the ISE would be running while he was trying to watch TV in the breakfast room.  He loves the Diamante.

 

I've processed a few loads through it since, and I'm smitten if not 100% hooked.  Say what you will about vintage KitchenAids, but this 5-year old (at most) machine has proven it can out-clean them all.  I'm a convert, although some may consider me a traitor.  The last two loads contained crusty un-rinsed items that I know from experience the ISE would not have gotten clean.  Even a pie dish containing crusty areas with cement-like adhesion that wouldn't budge with a metal utensil came out clean.  The ISE would have been no match for such a challenge.

 

Take a look at this sleek European beauty:

[this post was last edited: 8/14/2013-02:48]

 

[rp2813]

The panel

 

[rp2813]

$#1

 

[rp2813]

$#2

 

[rp2813]

$#3

 

The top cutlery rack lifts out so is as convenient as a removable basket.

 

[rp2813]

The rear wall could double as a shaving mirror.  It even reflects the stove across the room.

 

[rp2813]

Vintage DW Fans, Relax

The ISE is safely stored away in the shop.

 

I do not expect the Miele to provide 20 years of trouble-free performance like a classic Hobart designed machine can, so the ISE will be waiting in the wings.

 

Does a Miele have its quirks?  Indeed.  Does it require some behavior modification with loading?  For sure.  I can't BobLoad this thing like I could a vintage machine, there are no china guards, and the user must push the on/off button after the cycle has ended, which is a new practice to me.

 

I liken this change to that of switching from a top-load washer to a front-load.  A front-loader requires more care and will last longer with regular maintenance, just like a fine car.  It's no different with classic vs. contemporary dishwashers.

 

The bottom line is this:  The Miele makes my glasses sparkle and handles tough challenges with ease, it uses the same hard water (but much less of it) that the ISE did, and doesn't require running the sink faucet to get the water hot first.  Those are all reasons enough for me to hope this machine will last me a while.

[this post was last edited: 8/14/2013-02:56]

 

[mieleforever]

That is a keeper!

Although I don't own a Miele DW, I do own a Miele washer and Dryer, and truth be told they work flawlessly each and every load.

The glass rack can even be adjusted with the one end higher than the other, as I was shown in a Miele Boutique. They really are superbly designed machines that just goes quietly about doing their business, no fanfare, no drama, no bling, just very high quality, and rather conservative in their designs, however it will still look good after 10 years. Its like comparing Maria Callas with Lady Gaga (the latter being a Korean counterpart)!!

I truly hope and believe you will have years of good service out of this machine. When our Siemens kicks the bucket a Miele it will be.

Regards

 

[countryguy]

Wow, what a great find! Why would anyone get rid of it? How long does a normal cycle take?

Gary

 

[mrb627]

WORD!

I find that Miele makes a much better dishwasher than a washing machine. I easily disconnected the washer and dryer but could never give up my dishwasher. Their dishwashers are spot on! And while they do take up to 3 hours to complete the task, they are hush quiet about it and complete to perfection.

Malcolm

 

[yogitunes]

That thing is too beautiful inside and out.....have to keep my eye out for one in the future...

and as always, its when your not looking is when something pops up!

 

[rp2813]

Cycle Time

If I'm not mistaken, it can vary depending on soil level and/or water heating, but don't quote me on that.  I haven't officially timed it yet, but last night's load seemed to come in at right around two hours.

 

As for why anyone would get rid of it, I can only speculate.  We're talking Silicon Valley here, the wealthiest county in the U.S., and people have money to burn on everything from Teslas to trophy homes.  Probably a house was purchased and the five year old kitchen was considered to be out of style, or the whole place was gutted down to the studs.

 

[aladude]

You got this at a RESTORE?!? I'm beyond jealous.

 

[washer111]

Neat Find!

Its cool because its a Miele dishwasher, but whats even "more cool" is the fact your found it at a thrift-store that usually specialises in vintage stuff and assorted junk! You are one very lucky man

 

As for the ISE Machine, I'm shocked that you would have trouble with its cleaning ability!?!? I'm assuming the inclusion of the "forever and ever" heated Pre-Wash then the rather cool Main-Wash is responsible for your disappointments (As I've never seen any complaint about Pre KD-19 machines here)? Or perhaps the lack of "Soak 'n' Scrub" cycle?

 

But it looks like a great find, and you are to be congratulated. At least though, I can say that I am at least beating *someone* with my Dish-drawer and the 60 minute Delicates cycle (cancelling at the drying phase).

 

Perhaps a shot or two of the ISE machine beforehand removal so we can get a feel for the difference in style?

 

[rp2813]

The ISE

It's a 22 series clone, and would be most like a Patrician model if KA was still making them at that point.

 

This one has automatic water heating so there is no delay.  No Soak & Scrub either.  For a while it had been giving me trouble with spotting and rinse aid dispenser leakage (go figure).  As I stated above, the Miele is using the same hard water supply and delivering sparkling glassware.  I even reprogrammed the rinse aid dosage to dispense 2ml instead of the default 3ml and still got spotless results.

 

Here's a shot of the ISE:

 

[nmassman44]

Welcome time wonderful world of Miele dishwashers. My LaPerla has the same wash system and a water softener added as well. My lower rack is a tad different than yours is I do find that they do hold a ton of dishes. Your machine should also alternate between wash arms...middle arm first then the bottom and top arms. These machines perform well and Miele stands behind what they sell. Your most intensive cycle should be Pots and Pans. I know with mine the wash pump is at the max and one can hear the scouring taking place and it raises the wash temp to 170 F. Nothing survives that kind of scouring and heat. Just make sure that once a month to check on the filter array and clean it out if you have to. Mine has a reminder that will nag me until I do it. My dishwasher is coming up on 6 years old now and only one repair in that timeframe that Miele good willed the parts. Had they not a wash pump assembly was a whopping $670 and the feed tubes were $100 a piece...I would be looking at a new machine for that price. And not a Miele.
But anywho once you get used to the racking and I know some have issues with the silverware tray...it took me a good week to get used to it...I group the silverware according to type like spoons, forks, knives and granted it does take some time to sort it out I do save time when I unload it and put the in the drawer. Very rarely I find something not clean. Enjoy!

 

[gansky1]

Very nice find!

You mentioned not being able to BobLoad this machine like the ISE, is that primarily due to the sizing of the whole machine or the racking?

May have to start hitting the Restore again regularly, and hope for lightening strikes here. Always been curious about the Miele dishwashers.

 

[rp2813]

BobLoading

I think the issue with BobLoading modern dishwashers is that their wash arms don't spew the same volume of water as vintage ones.  I stacked a medium sized dish on top of a smaller one in the lower rack, and it didn't come clean even though it was positioned in a way that, if it were in the ISE, it would have been hit with enough spray to emerge clean.

 

It seems careful placement is the key to success with BobLoading a modern machine that uses less water.  It will be a fun challenge trying to find the right configuration to effectively get all contents of a BobLoad clean in this machine.  I need to study the owner's guide more with regard to placement and loading techniques.  The rack configurations are literally foreign compared to what I had become accustomed to with the ISE.

 

On the flip side, since the Miele uses less water than the ISE, so I don't have to feel guilty about running it when it's not fully loaded.

 

[zipdang]

Congratulations!

In time you'll figure out how to Bob Load that thing. They really can hold a ton. Just make sure the water protection device at the distal end of the inlet hose (where it attaches to the water source) is in a vertical position and not laying horizontal on the floor. They don't like that.

 

[rp2813]

Water Protection Device

David, do you mean that big blocky thing? 

 

When you say vertical, would that be positioned so the thin edge is on the floor as opposed to the larger flatter side?

 

I've also been advised that there's no need for an air gap on the drain hose.

 

[zipdang]

Yes, the blocky device. It shouldn't lay flat at all. Its long axis should be vertical with one hose connection on the top and the other on the bottom. Mine was originally installed with the water protection device on the floor and it conked out after 2 years. The valves inside fault out, and while the hose can replaced without the need for a service tech it's still a $200+ part.

Think of it this way: the protection device should be oriented like a book standing upright on a bookshelf versus laying flat on a table. I wish I had a photo of mine. I'll see if I can find one to help clarify.

 

[zipdang]

This is what my friend Patrick (Pdub) found when we were trying to diagnose the problem when my machine's device stopped working. Hope it helps.

View attachment zipdang++8-16-2013-14-28-42.jpg

 

[zipdang]

Let's try that again....

 

[rp2813]

OK Got It

I'm pretty sure mine is just on the floor.  So should the dishwasher end of the hose be on top and the inlet end on the bottom?

 

[zipdang]

I'm pretty certain mine is oriented with the water supply end on the top and the hose to the dishwasher connected to the bottom. We hung a small hook in the cabinet to hang it from which seems to be working quite well.

 

[rp2813]

I took a look and my hose presents a problem.  The protection assembly is right at the end of the hose by the connector for the supply.  I'll have to install an elbow to position it vertically.  As it sits now, there's a double violation.  It's horizontal and the larger flat side is in the same plane as the floor.

 

This isn't a huge deal to correct.  One of the fittings I had to use in order to adapt to the garden hose connector type appears to have a defect that no amount of teflon tape will fix, creating a very slow drip.  I was planning to tend to that issue anyway.

 

I guess now it's just verifying whether it matters which direction to aim the elbow.

 

[rp2813]

It Has Been Reconfigured

I took a look in the owner's manual and in the back there's a warning about cutting the inlet line since it has electrical components running through it.  The drawing showed the box assembly with the connector at the top, so that's how I worked it. 

 

As you can see, adapters were necessary for the initial connection because the original supply line from some 40 years ago used a flare fitting.  It seemed prudent not to mess with the elbow coming out of the supply valve.  The leak was happening between the two brass fittings that are now separated by the galvanized street elbow.  I used galvanized because I had a couple of non-Chinese ones around and decided to save myself a trip to Orchard Supply.

 

In the picture below, you can see that there's still a small leak where the male end of the street ell is fitted into the brass flare- to-MIP adapter, but it's barely a drop every 30 minutes compared to at least a couple of drops per minute before.  Using the galvanized fitting helped quite a bit.  That brass adapter is clearly suspect, but I think the leak is so slow that it will "take up" fairly quickly.  I'll keep an eye on it.

 

[logixx]

Been looking at some installation instructions and it doesn't state anything as to how the WPS housing is to be installed. Just warns against cutting into the hose (as it contains electrical components) or crushing the hoses when pushing the unit into place.

As far as Mike's comment on water pressure goes: am not sure but at least in Germany, only the top four out of 15 models have variable spray pressure. Interestingly though, every model has the sensor wash, which only comes on the LaPerla in the US. Wonder why that is?

Do a Google search on "Miele dishwasher BobLoad" to get some ideas - most pictures are from here, actually!

Alex

 

[zipdang]

Ralph the way you have your water protection device installed looks correct. Nice job. Patrick figured out why the valves might fail if they were laid down horizontal but I can't remember what the logic was.

Do you know your local water hardness? The salt indicator might come on if it detects the hardness is at or above 4ppm...I think. Our hardness here is only 0.5-1.0ppm so the built-in water softener doesn't require salt. If you do have soft water watch the dosing on rinse aid. I've noticed anything over a setting of 2 will give a frothy final rinse. Right now it's set at 1 and things seem to be okay using Finish Jet Dry. Have also had the best luck using Ecover tablets. Maybe it's because they're formulated in Europe for European machines, I dunno, but they work fantastic in my Miele. Stainless steel pots and pans come out shinier than anything else can get them, no glass etching, plastics aren't chalky.

My machine has the information display including the timer, so if you are curious as to how long any of the cycles *should* take let me know and I can check them.

 

[frigilux]

A beautiful Miele, inside and out! I've grown to love the flatware/utensil upper rack on my LG. And super-quiet dishwashers so nice, especially given the longer cycle times. Congratulations!