Picture of a European KitchenAid dishwasher

[foraloysius]

While browsing on a real estate site, I came across a house that was built in 1973. The kitchen is still the original with the original dishwasher, a KitchenAid.

Link goes to the pictures of the house.

Je bent bijna op de pagina die je zoekt [funda]

www.funda.nl

 

[Ultramatic]

 

 

Really nice! That house is huge by euro standards.

 

[DADoES]

 
Beautiful property!

 

[vacbear58]

Thats a real time capsule, it looks like it has been very carefully looked after

 

[philr]

It looks just like a KDS-17. Did these have different model numbers? Did they have different features from those sold here? 

 

[bellalaundry]

What a

beautiful house, in a beautiful setting! Is the price over a million?

Guy

 

[danemodsandy]

That Appears....

....To be different from American KDS-17s.

The difference is that it is not as tall as an American-spec model. American KitchenAids rested on the floor; this one sits on what is called a plinth - a base that the cabinets also sit on.

While American kitchen cabinets also have a base, it is not as tall as those sometimes found in European kitchens. For a time, St. Charles offered base cabinets and plinths for American homeowners who fancied a European look.

So, unless I very much miss my guess, this may look like a KDS-17, but it's not exactly like one. Look at the photo again, very carefully, and you'll see what I mean.

 

[bajaespuma]

One of my most cherished fold-out brochures...

I guess this was posted too many years ago:

 

[bajaespuma]

Ville Electromenager

Found in an underground appliance store in Paris next to a metro station. They were selling these alongside fabulous Mieles, Philllipses, SMEGs and other brands that were already decades ahead of their US competition (Stainless Steel tanks, water softeners, water heaters, quiet). The KitchenAids, because of import taxes I presume, were selling for double what European machines were going for and at that time, 1977, those were going for, in US dollars, about 2500.

 

[bajaespuma]

I guess the KitchenAid was a little bit bigger than the Euros, but not much

 

[bajaespuma]

It was a great way to learn words and phrases I'd never encounter in class

 

[bajaespuma]

Also the first time I knew about dishwashers with built-in water softening devices. Apparently water is hard all over Europe.

 

[philr]

Wow! Thanks Ken for posting that! And in my language too!

 

[vacbear58]

Plinth

Actually Sandy, it may not be that different from a US model. Although it might appear to be resting on a plinth it probably is not. There can be no doubt that this kitchen would have been top (or very nearly) top of its line back in 1973. It is now the practice in Europe for kitchen units to rest on adjustable legs with a lightweight board (usually plastic veneer) clipped to the legs, which is easily removable for cleaning or access to services etc. and gives a nicer finish to the cabinets. back then a kitchen of this quality would almost certainly have such an arrangement. It is also invaluable in protecting the cabinet sides in the case of water leaks as the cabinet will be raised 15cm or so above the floor - this was not always the case in UK manufactured units.

It is probable that the base of the kitchen aid is sufficiently recessed to allow one of these panels to pass in front of it - this is the way floor standing integrated appliances all work over here.

Looking at the French brochure I wonder how the electrical ratings would compare with US models, normally our dishwashers are cold fill, not hot fill

I wonder if any of our UK members have a Which? dishwasher report from around 1971 or so, as I know they tested a Surperba model then.

Al

 

[danemodsandy]

Al:

"Although it might appear to be resting on a plinth it probably is not."

Take a look at this shot of an American-specification KDS-16, and tell me if what you're saying is possible. The bottom panel is taller, and I know from experience that the area behind that bottom panel is not sufficiently recessed to be treated as you posit. That bottom panel (which is perhaps an inch and a quarter thick) has steel frame members directly behind it, and also motor, pump and timer components. One of the French brochure shots above shows this structure - it's a line drawing on a yellow background.

I really think the model seen in the first photo must have been fundamentally different to American ones.

 

[vacbear58]

Plinth

Well I have no particular knowledge about Kitchen aids, my comments are based on what I know to be practice in Europe and also the diagram posted in Reply 9 above which shows the base of the machine is recessed behind the level of the lower front panel

 

[passatdoc]

My friend's parents in Stockholm had a GE dishwasher (rest of appliances were Electrolux). This was in 1975, they had been in the 1930s-built house since c. 1966, but I don't know when the kitchen remodel was done. Suffice it to say that at some point in the period 1967-75, one could buy a GE dishwasher in Sweden. If I recall correctly, the buttons were labelled with international symbols rather than with English or Swedish text. I remember a pots/pans icon, so most likely it had a Potscrubber or pots/pans cycle. 

 

[passatdoc]

combination sink-dishwasher unit

Interesting to see that KitchenAid marketed the combination unit to people who wanted a dishwater without a complete kitchen remodel. My grandmother had one from the 1950s in her 1930s-vintage kitchen. I believe people used to have double wall sinks and KA made its combo units to fit exactly, so that no remodel was needed. Remove the sink, install the combo unit and one would be in business. I remember my grandmother's unit had a porcelain top with drainage channels slanted toward the sink. Tableware went into the dishwasher, pots and pans were washed by hand in the sink and set out to dry on a rack on the porcelain top. 

 

[philr]

From Ken's brochure, the European model's width should be 600 mm (23.6"), depth 613 mm (24.1") height 820 mm (32.3") for an undercounter model. That seems a bit short for our standards. Strangely, they state the same height +30 mm for the top (33.4") for the portable.  Did they cut the legs and trim the cabinets on the European models?

 

What does the US literature says?

 

As for the one pictured, it seems much wider than normal but that's probably a camera effect...