My first time...

[veg-o-matic]

First, my apologies to Robert; this thread is really pushing the "Imperial" envelope, but since it'll probably be my closest brush with a vintage appliance, I'm going for it!

So it's out with the new...

 

[veg-o-matic]

And in with the old!

I finally got a KitchenAid! It's a model KDC21A, which puts it at 1985, but it's still a genuine Hobart. Is that sufficiently "vintage"?

Before the details, I want to give a special round of applause to the lovely and talented Tom Deeptub who was my "go-to guy" during the purchase and installation of this heavy beast. He walked me through some of the quirks and things to watch out for and is a true font of KA information!

The details are thus: I was browsing through craigslist as I usually do and happened upon the ad for Hazel (the diswhasher's name) within minutes of its posting. A few emails and calls later, and Hazel was mine. Luckily for me, it was located only about two minutes from where I work, so I stopped by on the way home and picked her up.

Here's the picture before I go any further.

 

[veg-o-matic]

So I got her from a nice young couple that was redoing their kitchen. The machine was advertised as 100% working, and that seemed to be the case, thankfully! The only real problem with it was that they didn't know how to attach the bottom panel, so the mounting brackets got all mangled. It's holding itself in there, but I'd eventually like to replace it.

Only took a little cleaning up and polishing, though I want to get some chrome polish to really smooth things up. I'm not totally pleased with the installation, but after wrestling with the beast for the better part of an afternoon, I decided "good enough" was good enough (Hi, BA!)!! This summer, I'll pull 'er out and redo the installation properly. The problem was putting a 34" machine in a 35" opening. The adjustable feet really didn't care to go that high, and the blocks it's propped up on are really too small.

The color. I had my choice of Almond, Black, White, or Harvest Wheat. Didn't care for any of them, so I painted her turquoise ("Cory Blue".) I think she came out pretty well!

 

[veg-o-matic]

The maiden load

And here she is having finished her maiden load. I cannot believe how well this washer cleans! She definitely outclasses the Roper, which in turn made the previous GE look sick. All those spray arms really make a difference. After years of using cheap plastic machines, it's a joy to see that nice blue speckled porcelain and hear the rumble of a heavy-duty motor.
I don't use the heated dry cycle because I'm cheap, but I've found that the blower still gets everything about 90% dry by itself.
One of these days I'd like to find a replacement panel, as the current one shows some wear. Still, it's no biggie.

Oh, the price for this little gem: 20 bucks. A bargoon, as it were. Add a couple of bucks for some brass fittings and spray paint, and it'd be cheap at twice the price.

I'm just pleased as punch!

 

[gregm]

nice !!!

congrads veg, I got the same DW, it works AWESOME !!!!!, good for you ............

 

[veg-o-matic]

Follow up

Forgot one little detail. I sold the Roper through craigslist for 50 bucks.

Imagine my pleasant surprise when I opened to door to the buyer and he turned out to be a very attractive gay man.

And he brought with him another very attractive gay man!

The porn movie music started playing in my head...

They were thrilled to get the Roper and I was thrilled to get 50 bucks and some eye-candy. Good deal all around!

veg

 

[rickr]

Congratulations Veg! And I love the colour too!

 

[hoover1060]

Congrats Veg!!

Hazel is quite a looker in Turquoise too!

 

[Unimatic1140]

Very nice Veg, congrats and enjoy! Since it's a 1985 model its on the "cusp" of Imperial and Deluxe forums, I'll overlook it, especially since its been painted turquoise! Fabulous.

Thank goodness you've gotten rid of that plastic thinggy. Do you need to use my the Acme big rubber-band controled Modern Appliance Launcher to get rid of that old dishwasher? For those who don't know you use place any modern plastic appliance in the big rubber band and pull it back like a sling shot, then press this button...

 

[bobbyderegis]

Hi Veg!
It's about time you got a KD. Nice machine. It will wash well. The Roper/Whirlpool/Estate plastic job is what my hubby has. Noisy, but for a plastic piece of junk, it cleans fairly well.
Bobby in Boston
(by the way, your silverware basket is backwards!) LOL

 

[gyrafoam]

Welcome to the "old KAid" believers club! Looks like you did just fine!

 

[swestoyz]

Way to go Veg! I bet it sounds just as good as it cleans! Nice job on the color, looks "good enough!" LOL

Ben

 

[frontaloadotmy]

Oh Veg

Arerent you the clever one!!! How did the sponges come out?
Fresh and sweet?
xo smoofy

 

[maytagbear]

Wow!

very nicely done, Veg.

The paint looks great.

I don't ever remember seeing a turquoise KA dishwasher before.

Lawrence/Maytagbear

 

[veg-o-matic]

Thanks for the comments, guys! I'm really enjoying my new toy.

Bobby, I knew I had the basket in backwards, I just wanted to see how it looked in reverse!

Lawrence, you bring up a good point: were there any turquoise KAs?

And beware: I have a can of Bethann Pink, too!

veg

 

[frontaloadotmy]

Turquwaze Kitchen Aids

Veg, I've seen at least one in a home being "estate
saled" in Sacramento Ca. It was of the vintage wherein
the timer was still located in the lower right panel.

 

[appnut]

Veg, congratulations. I'm pea-green with KA envy. That was extremely creative loading of the bottom rack, I probably would have had to have been placed in restraints observing loading that way and needed Valium.

I've seen a turqoise KA (KDS16) in Driving Miss Daisy.

 

[Maytagmom]

Isn't your first time always special?

Nice KA veg, and I honestly thought it was original turquoise, until I read the posts further.

Good job!

Congrats!

 

[mickeyd]

34 into a 35--who'd notice

Veg--it fits like a glove; don't worry about it; it looks perfect!