One man's trash is another man's treasure! Or is it?

[stevet]

Sears messed up!

I haven't been able to replace the filter strainer as the parts
order from Sears.com was not complete even though they sent an email confirming shipment of the full order. Well maybe the other parts are coming from another warehouse so I am now waiting to see if the change in the strainer will make a significant difference. It is a chance I am taking since I can't pin down a serial number and inquire about it with E-lux. But it wasn't too expensive so I took the leap of faith. I hope it is different since Rayjay had success with it.

I even have my wife almost convinced to let me try it out as a daily driver!

That KDS21-M is still available for sale to anyone who may want it! I will part with it and if we have to go back to the KA, I still have the KDC21-D sitting in the garage!

 

[rayjay]

Hi SteveT. Ran 4 loads this weekend. Pwedered detergent disolved completly each time. The model number should be enough shoudn't it?

I think that this filter assembly basket was re-designed in that, now it allows for greater pressure. The machine really cleans fantastic and is really quite too.

Ray

 

[rayjay]

Parts

Stevet. I opened the box when the part came, but I think it was only a basket. Now...I did not take it out of the box, so I am wondering if there were more in there. Now when the technician ordered the part when I was there, he lifted the surface filters out and show me that inner filter assembly. As I said, I am not sure if there were more parts there.

Let me know how you make out. Feel free to call me anytime. I emailed you my number to your email address.

Ray

 

[stevet]

Hmmm. I might have the wrong part!

Got the strainer today from Sears.com..still waiting for the door stop for my GE Side by Side but this thing I ordered is a half moon shaped strainer with very fine holes on the top inside surface and a smller perforated area with a flapper on it. Sound wrong or right, Ray?

Can you describe the part they changed in yours. I cannot see this thing making any difference in the pumping capacity of this machine at all.
Did you ever find the receipt with the part number or the box it came in? Then I can cross check it by part number.
Thanks
Steve

 

[rayjay]

Hmmm. I might have the wrong part!

Hi Stevet. I was not there when the installed the new part. However, I found the receipt from the repair company and it had that number that I gave you. I will see if I can check the filter tonight. I think this filter assembly may be a new design, causing more water pressure, especially to the middle spray arm. I have not had a problem since. Loaded corningware pots pans in front. There was not detergent left in the cup. I would say install it. You have nothing to lose. Let me know how you make out.

 

[rayjay]

stevet, I did open the box, but just looked at briefly. It was a grey basket, and I think it was soft of half moon shaped also. It sounds like the correct part.

 

[stevet]

Thanks, Ray

I will try to delve into the removal of the strainer in my machine but am too darn tired to do it tonite. Going to hit the sheets early, if not sooner!

 

[stevet]

Latest Update!

Well I tore down the inside the tank portion of the pump assy and confirmed that the strainer RayJay spoke about in his machine is exactly the same in the unit I have and is the same as the new one I purchased from Sears.com so I doubt that it would have anything to do with the washing action. So I am at the same machine as Ray has and decided to run it again last night with the same detergent that seemed to always remain in the dispenser.

I hooked it up in the garage and made sure it was perfectly level to eliminate any possiblilty of pump cavitation and set it on the normal cycle, no additional heat selected and let it rip with a load of casseroles and plastic containers and utensils.

At the end of the cycle, all the soap was gone, the dishes and casseroles were spotless and even the barbecue spatula was cleaned and shiny. Just a few drops of water left on the plastics but it seemed to be fine.

One thing I did change from the original test loads was the top rack was placed in the uppermost position which may have helped get some additional water to the dispenser as it allows the door to flip open more. All the other times, the rack was set at the lowest position which made the dispenser door open only to the perpendicular position. I think this may be the cure to the problem. I will run another load today and reset the rack down and see what happens.
So the suspense continues for a little while longer.

I am still amazed at how quiet this machine is!

Updates to follow soon!

 

[tlee618]

Steve, how long did the entire cycle you used on the above load take?

 

[a440]

tlee618....

Don't go throwing your KDS-18 attitude around just yet!
Love Ya! And I know you are just washing everything you think is dirty just to run that KDS-18. You wonder how you ever did without!
I think Steve said 98 minutes or so....
But it was quiet! Don't you forget that part.
"just picking on you Steve!"
Brent

 

[stevet]

I have broad shoulders!

So I can definitely take the abuse Brent! I forgot to time the cycle but it isnt much longer than my KDS21-M when it is set for sanitize! I have a load of dishes waiting to go for tonight and I will time it. Unique thing is that the air driven dry cycle is pretty long at the end even though the clean light is on, it still continues to do the drying thing.

And again my wife yelled and asked that I return her KDS-18 to the kitchen! Seems as long as she hears it running, the amount of time it takes doesnt matter! The 21 stops at the start of the cycle and at the end to heat the water and it seems excessive!
Oy Vey..is there no pleasing them?

 

[rayjay]

Hi SteveT. It was great talking with you last week. So what is there to think about?? Machine does a great job and is quiet. lol The wife ran it last night on the Auto Wash. This cycle adjusts the water and washing action according to the soil in the load. If the load is light, It will wash, drain, then go into the next wash. But if the load is really dirty, the machine will wash, drain, rinse, wash, rinse, rinse, or maybe even another rinse if necessary. My wife forgot to select the AIR DRY OFF so the plastics had a little water on them. I know this does not make sense, but by selection AIR DRY OFF (as told to me by E_Lux), this means that the fan/heat will come on to dry the load. I guess AIR DRY OFF means the dishes do not air dry. When I did select the AIR DRY ON, the load was significantly wetter when the door was opened.

DOes this make sense?

 

[stevet]

Nope!

Still don't quite understand the seeming reverse logic and even went to the instruction manual and learned nothing from it. I did select it though on that last load I posted about and it did dry better than the other loads and I even think both fans were running, the one on top and the one on the bottom which sucks air thru the opening that the water comes out of to fill the machine. Has one of those fancy plastic housings on that side and seems that the water enters thru the center section and the air pulls thru the outer opening of the tank connector.
I will do another load tonite with more heavily soild dishes than before and post the outcome.

And I have tried the auto wash and there were definitely more cycle stages during that run just as you mentioned. And it also defaults to the hi temp wash as well.

Thanks for all your help too.

 

[stevet]

Forever and a day!

Update time!

Started the Auto Cycle which adds Hit Temp scrub automatically at 6:30 P.M. I had the top rack in the lowest position to see what happens to the soap in the dispenser.The cycle finally ended completely at 9:15!
Wow!!! 2 hours and 45 minutes to complete the whole show! A bit long I would say! But that is without pre running the hot water so it filled initially into a cold tank and was below 100 degrees.

Results:
All the soap is gone! and all the dishes are totally clean AND dry! I would say that maybe a half dozen drops of water were left and no condensation at all in the machine.

It looks like things are looking up.
Even the fans are quiet. I had to keep going over to the machine to make sure they were still running.

 

[tlee618]

Hey Steve, I am glad that the machine is doing a good job for you. It just seems like 2 hours and 45min. is a long time. Are you going to put it in your kitchen?

 

[stevet]

I think I have a plane for it!

Terry, since Irene is constantly complaining about the KDS21-M, and asking me to make it into a KDS18 which she adores(for obvious reasons), I figure that I will tell her that I have to take it to the garage to rewire it and change the door out with the 18 controls in it. Then I will move the Elux into the kitchen and I will bet she will say to leave it and sell the 21!

If I get it sold, that will clinch the deal!
I still have the KDC21D in the garage I can always use if the Elux proves to be a dud!(Which I doubt)

Think the plan will work?

 

[tlee618]

Steve, it sounds like a good one to me!! Keep us posted and let us know if it works or not. Terry

 

[a440]

You do have Broad Shoulders you Kitchenaid Tiger!

Steve you know that I am just picking on you! I have learned so much from you on here to keep my KA's running for a lifetime! You are an asset to this club big time!
I have had a few of these machines. When I say "these machines" I am talking about the new Energy Star. I have not had an Electrolux. I do think they are great looking machines. Actually all of them in their line up.
I have / had Kitchenaid, Maytag, Asko, Whirlpool and Bosch "energy star" appliances. Not new, but slightly used. I get excited and install them and get so aggravated! Not because they don't clean. They do! I will give that much. It is the time they take! I think the reason I get aggravated is because I know different, and it is from using vintage dishwashers. I like putting dishes in, esp. when cooking and know that they will be done and clean and dried within 40 minutes. I could not do that with the "energy star" machines, and in fact the time frame would vary so much, and it did not make sense to me at all! Sometimes heaver soiled items would take less time than less soiled items. And this was with every brand I have used. I would always run the these machines in the morning when I did not need the dishes quick, or at night when dishes were not needed. I will also tell you, and it is a positive... that I did see a difference in utilities. Quite a difference in fact. The example I can give is when I went from a top loading washer to a front loader. So I guess both the vintage dishwashers & "energy star" dishwashers have their own unique advantages.
I do like your wife Steve! "Get my 1- 18 back in here!"
Thanks for sharing this Consumer Report with us.
I see these from time to time at Garage Sales. I might try to get one to play with.
Brent

 

[stevet]

I can take it! And I really do have broad shoulders!

Well, I just ran another complete cycle in the Elux, just to see how much it would hold and it took all the stuff out of the 21 plus the extra oveflow plastic containers.

The clean light came on at 2 hours and 45 minutes and the drying fans were still running! I wish I could have someone really explain the cycle logic to me.And Eureka! all the soap got taken care of and the rack is set in the middle.

I set it for normal with sanitizing heat and it automatically goes into the high temp mode. So it seems to take just as long in normal as it did in the Auto cycle the other nite. Oops! it takes longer!
It is hard to see how it saves energy but it is a 1.5 amp motor running, not a 7 amp job and there is no heated dry to use up the extra 3 cents it takes to run the K/A dryer! and it uses much less water.
But I know for sure that the wife will freak out with these 2+ hour cycles. I have to find a way to decrease that time.
I will probably do a rinse cycle to condition the tank and then the regular one so it should not take so long to heat the water.
RayJay, is this a normal amount of time?

 

[a440]

LOL! You Consumer Reporter!

Your wife is gonna win!
I just love it.
At least the dishes are coming out clean and sanitized!
Your wife; "Put the dishwasher that you took out back in!"
You will make a good profit when you sell it Steve. And I bet you sell it quick! You will be amazed.
Stainless. It is the new haven for appliance buyers from any walk of life. "We don't care how long they take to wash". "Stainless...it makes me and my friends that judge my kitchen happy."
I am glad you are having fun!
Thanks for posting your consumer test!
Brent