Need Advice on KDC-18 KitchenAid Hobart Dishwasher

[gert]

I found this site while searching the web to find out the model number and probable production year of my KitchenAid dishwasher. It was here when we bought the house in 1987 and was not new then. I think I have now correctly identified it as a KDC-18 (which would make it 38-41 years old?), but some of you experts here may correct that. My question is this: Since this dishwasher is working fine and has never given us any trouble, would I be foolish to replace it? It has been an incredible workhorse but I always feel like we are living on borrowed time with it. And tho it's looking better for its age than I am looking for mine, it still is not exactly spiffy-new. Right now there is a very attractive sale price on the replacement I would buy --IF I buy anything to replace it. But the more I read as I looked for my model ID, the more I saw that I might have something worth keeping until it gives up the ghost on its own. Advice?

 

[toploader55]

Noooooooo !!!!!!!!

Don't get rid of that beauty. You would never find a machine that will clean that well in that amount of cycle time.

"Let the sleeping dog lie".

And welcome to the site.

If you have any problems with it, there is a BIG support group here for keeping these machines running.

 

[gert]

Thanks!

Thank you so much, toploader. I feel better already! My tendency is to hold on to things as long as possible and I just wanted to be sure that my reluctance not to part with this dishwasher was not silly.

Have I correctly identified the model? It does say "custom" on the control panel, so I am pretty sure about the C in "KDC," but would love some verification.

A kind of fun thing to add to my background on this dishwasher: About 5-6 years ago, quite a few tines on the bottom rack had rusted out and broken off. It was really bothering me, but I just couldn't imagine getting rid of it. Just about that time, I went for a long walk in my neighborhood and there at the curb for junk pickup was my same model in another color. I opened it, saw an almost-perfect bottom rack, and happily brought it home. Since coming to this site, I realize that I should have harvested a lot more from it...

 

[rp2813]

Absolutely hang onto it.  With the stainless exterior, it has a timeless design that fits right in with any kitchen scheme.

 

You may not realize how spoiled you are with this machine.  You would truly be disappointed with a modern machine not only in its build quality (even a KitchenAid) but also the relatively long time it takes to complete a cycle.

 

As long as your machine it rendering satisfactory results, there's no reason to replace it.  Hobart built their products to last.

 

[speedqueen]

Keep it...

but, if you are going to get a killer deal on a new one and have the space to store it, buy the new one as a spare. Eventually and sadly this machine of yours will die, but hold on to it as long as possible because dishwashers only get worse from now. These machines are described by many as hurricanes in a box because instead of relying on really long cycle times to to the job like modern machines with their anemic pumps, these use very high water pressure.

If you buy the new one as a spare it will allow you to have a back up machine if this one ever needs service. Parts can be a little harder to come by so it will give you some time to get the old beauty back into action.

 

[speedqueen]

I almost forgot...

The "C" does indeed stand for "Custom". The top of the line "Supurba" model is the KDS-18.

 

[DADoES]

 
Should be a model tag on the edge of the tank, probably left side, visible when the door is open.

18 series was in production from 11/1976 through 10/1979.

Dishwashers are not so much a life-and-death appliance like a refrigerator (not for most people, LOL) so having an immediate replacement on-hand isn't necessary unless you fall into that category.

 

[peteski50]

Kitchen Aid!

This actually looks like a KDC20 and not the 18 series but anyway keep it going anyway people would do anything to get a dishwasher like that
Peter

 

[gert]

Thank you!

Thank you all for so much helpful feedback. I am so glad I found this site. I am now quite ready to let the sale price on the new Whirlpool go past and take my chances on what may be out there whenever my trusty old dishwasher finally does die. But now I know not to give up on it even then without first checking in here.

DADoES, thank you for pointing me to the model info inside the door. Don't know how I missed it. And peteski50, you are right; it IS a KDC 20 -- which makes it 4-5 years younger than I'd thought!

 

[rp2813]

I think the 20 series is the last from KA that provides two rinses.  All the more reason to hang onto it.

 

[toploader55]

Extra Credit peteski !!!

The second photo though blurry, below the control dial looks like the "Energy Saver V logo.

 

[askolover]

Oh yeah, keep it til it dies!  I almost fell into the "buy something new" trap myself a few years ago when my Maytag dishwasher was beginning to show signs of age....then I did my homework.  I was fortunate to find a brand new unused Kitchenaid KUDI23 (twenty years old but still had the packaging inside!)

 

[firedome]

You can keep it going for a very long time...

One strategy is to look for a parts machine, another KDC-20 would be ideal, and they are out there, but even other Series 20 models share some of the most important parts such as motor, drain valve, some racks, &c, I believe. Timers are unique to each model You can usually find them very cheaply or even free, as with the rack you found on the street.

 

[lynnalison]

KDC-20 KitchenAid Dishwasher Repair Advice

Hi, I came to this site several years ago when I wondered whether to keep or replace my vintage KitchenAid dishwasher when there was a great sale going on for new ones. The advice I got was so helpful, and I am glad to say that I have continued using and really treasuring this Old Faithful. Lately, however, it has been acting up. Intermittently, one or the other (and most recently both) of the detergent dispenser cups don't open when I run it. It also makes a very loud, shuddering kind of noise for maybe 30 seconds at several places in the cycle. I suspect the dispensing is supposed to be happening when this noise starts, because the new noise and the hit-or-miss dispensing started at the same time. I am concerned that calling out an appliance repairman could be a waste of money if the person is not experienced with these older machines. Or, worse yet, that it is now at an age where parts are just not available and I would be better off putting the cost of a repair visit toward a new dishwasher. I really want to keep my vintage dishwasher if that is at all reasonable to do. Any advice would be very much appreciated!

 

[rollermatic]

beautiful machine!!!

especially in that stainless front!

it's not an 18 however, but hang on to this great classic dishwasher! it was one of the best dishwashers made in it's day.

parts are out there in plenty including pump parts, motors, seals etc. you'll never find a better machine today!

i just picked up a very late model whirlpool that probably sells for 700 bucks and it takes 3 hours plus to do a load and the dishes still aren't clean! now i know why my neighbors put it out for the trash! it's coming out very soon and probably gonna be put on the curb with a "free" sign on it!

keep that classic!

 

[jonathannc]

Advice to LynnAlison

LynnAlison, I have the same KitchenAid dishwasher and I fixed that problem! It's very easy and the hardest part is just getting the front off the dishwasher, with three screws on each side. What's happening is the front panel is bowed in slightly and the detergent cups are scraping on the inside of the cover. I fixed it by putting a small stick-on rubber foot on the area near the cups that makes the little foot hit the front panel and keep it a tiny bit farther away from the detergent cups.

If you take the front panel off, you will see the "swivelage" where those cups have hit the panel many times and now they're impeded. Any kind of spacer will do. I used a rubber foot because it stuck on. The front panel should keep it there, or mine has stayed for about two years.

Everyone is right about those dishwashers. The best ever made. Mine has had both pumps replaced and I replaced the top rack plastic guides and rollers about three years after it was installed. I got it in 1985 when my house was built and never regretted the purchase. It also came with a Kitchen-Aid food processor, which I also still have and it works great too.

Good luck and let us know if you fix the problem. And while I'm at it, does anyone know what to use to lubricate the motor on the cycle switch? Mine is getting balky. I just ran mine this morning and had to slam the door twice to get mine unstuck in the cold weather. It still works OK once it frees up, but I see the day coming when it won't move. And I don't want to dislodge my little rubber foot!