Picked up a new, never used KDS-20!!

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sngencarelli

Member
Joined
Dec 29, 2017
Messages
11
Location
Pennsylvania
Hi All,

I've been reading these forums for a few years now and I've seen this happen from time to time.. I always wondered how it can be possible for people to be finding machines from 20-30 years that have never been used..

Well, now I can say that I have one, too! On Saturday I picked up a KDS-20 which had been installed in 1983 but never used.. It still had the packing material/cardboard holding the racks together.. The rubber stops were still attached to the back of the racks. The instruction manual, energy guide, early 80's KA product lineup, coupons (including a $20 off rebate for a hot water dispenser!) were all inside of the machine. The feature sticker was still attached to the inside of the door.

It blows my mind that this can happen but again, I've read it here before.. A machine gets installed by default and the owner professes to not "believing" in using a dishwasher.

The machine is perfect.. No flaws (as would be expected since it hasn't been used).. The only thing that I did from a mechanical perspective was to remove the copper elbow connected to the water valve to clean it out. The elbow was full of mineral buildup from 36 years of stagnant water sitting in the copper line. I dropped the copper elbow in a dish of CLR for a few minutes and rinsed it out and it's now as good as new. I also took a q-tip and loosened up/cleared out the buildup at the front end of the water valve..

I installed it today, ran an empty load and checked for leaks / anything abnormal. Everything is fine! So I then proceeded to run a load of dirty dishes. As expected, everything came out perfect. I used the pre-wash and main wash cups and did a 50/50 mix of Cascade powder and Cascade boil-out. Honestly my glassware has not looked this clear in quite some time. All of this and a fast wash cycle!

Attaching some pictures of the new machine!

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This is a great Dishwasher!

Wow super cool, when I found my 20 Series Supurba KitchenAid portable (about 10 years ago) while it wasn't completely unused I would guess it was only used three or so times. I've have since kept it pretty much in its unused condition to use later on in life, like in my retirement home.
 
Thanks everyone! I was looking at it for a while thinking - Ah, it's been 36 years and hasn't seen any use - maybe I should keep it and not use it - but I couldn't resist.

Growing up my grandparents had a KDS-17 and I knew it was special even when I was younger. My parents had a builder grade GE installed when our house was built in 1979. That was eventually replaced with a Maytag and then finally my father replaced it during a full remodel with a GE Profile.

The first DW that I ever purchased was a Bosch which worked great but a few years later I had decided that I needed a Miele LaPerla. I gave that Bosch to my sister who used it for several years, then she remodeled and it went to my cousin where it is still working. The LaPerla was sold with the house when I moved.

Vacerator - You are correct, that is a GE Artistry fridge. I had the matching DW but it's door switch has been acting up and it's been cleaning like garbage for quite a while now.

Out of all of the DW's I've used, I knew that I eventually wanted to get my hands on a vintage KA. Just didn't realize that I'd be able to pick up a new one! I have an old farmhouse so the floor plan isn't open and the kitchen is in the back.. No problem with the noise. Also nothing so satisfying as the sound of all of that water sloshing around in the porcelain tub. I think I'm in love, lol.
 
Just curious .....

anyone know about what year they introduced the yellow "energy guide" sticker that every appliance is required to have? I see in the pic this '83 DW has one. For some reason I was thinking they came along later.
 
EnergyGuide

I remember buying a brand-new air-conditioner in 1975 (yes I was 12...) and it had the Energy Guide label.  Possibly something introduced during the oil enbargo years (perhaps 73 or 74).
 
20 series KA

Congrats on finding and installing not only a new to you, but NEW KitchenAid!  While the 20 series may not get as much love here on AW as the 18, IMO it is just as good of a dishwasher. 

 

I found an almost unused KDS-20 about 5 - 6 years ago and finally installed it as a daily driver in the kitchen a little over two years ago.  My wife and I both love it!

 

Ben
 
Hey Paul .....

12 years old? I was 10. lol

Did you pay cash or write a check? Just kidding!
 
That is a sexy dishwasher, I found a dishwasher and the trash compacter just like those a few years ago that was mint but, they did use the dishwasher twice,they were  rich and were redoing there pool house /mini mansion . I sold the dishwasher to a member but I still use the Trash Compacter which is a monster. I could kick myself for letting it go now that I look back but you live you learn. I will never get rid of the trash compacter. They weigh 225 pounds ..

That is such a rare gift of a find don't do what I did.
smiley-wink.gif
 
Very nice dw! Our new house (3yrs ago) came with GE dw. Quiet,uses little water, and does NOT clean dishes. Previous 13 yr old rented townhouse had GE dw that used and sloshed water and gave clean dishes.

Please enjoy your awesome machine and know you have the envy of many here!
 
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