Powerclean/Ultrawash

[anyandevery]

I have read many posts talking about these 'powerclean' and 'ultrawash' dishwashers... which seem to be very highly regarded. It seems the technology/design was embedded in several different brands over several years, but I can't seem to see a remarkable feature that would distinguish them from any other dishwasher of the time period. How do y'all know "Thats a powerclean" when someone posts a picture of one. I am scouring the craigslists & FB's etc. but there has got to be a better way of identifying the exceptional models from the ho hum ones - right? Nobody posting a free or 100 dollar dishwasher knows what they have other than 'old dishwasher', and I am too new to this to sort them out.

 

[appnut]

UltraWash was the Kenmore name for the same Whirlpool designed dishwasher. Sears sourced those particular dishwasher form Whirlpool. From 1985 through 2000s. It is just that we know and recognize them.

 

[awooff]

Beloved powercleans

Haha. Yes many here do know the tell tell designs/pics of the sump modules in the bottom of dw - just from glancing past the bottom rack!

kenmade ultra washes/whilypools quiet washes had the unmistakable "bump out" on the side of the power module. -At about the 3 to 4 pm area (right hand side) of the module.

 

[anyandevery]

Well I think I found one that will get me by until I pick up a good vintage KA (or one that matches my kitchen better).

 

[maytaga806]

The Powercleans and Ultrawashes were introduced in the mid 80s as said, they to me are very distinctive if you pay attention to the spray arms ams and most of the time you can tell by the outside of the machine, basic older style Whirlpool which featured the Powerclean unit, and Kenmore who offered the Ultrawash unit. Same machine, different name, branded and named by the Whirlpool corporation.

The oldest models of these dishwashers feature a flat sump area with a circle ring heating element with a stainless steel lower wash arm with a black rubber cap in the middle that shoots water into the sea blue colored or white tower on the lower rack which directs water flow into the upper wash arm directly as it’s a very powerful spray force.

In the late 90s or somewhere close to the 2000’s they updated the sump area and lifted things not too much changed, and then they got rid of the tower feed supply wash system and began manufacturing new Powerclean and Ultrawash models with a feed tube going from the lower spray arm area to the upper wash arm, and above to the ceiling for a shower spray. Both systems are very effective in cleansing power, and as far as I’m concerned definitely one of the most powerful dishwashers ever created. Both the old tower system VS the newer condensed version with a new spray arm feed supply work amazing.

Here are some photos of the Ultrawash and Powerclean design, I’ll add below.

 

[maytaga806]

Newest generation Powerclean & Ultrawash design

This is my 2001 Whirlpool

 

[maytaga806]

Older models with the tower design

Some may recognize this photo from a member here.

First time scanning!

I hope it works I will start with 1998 whirlpool dishwashers My favorate of all dishwashers!

www.automaticwasher.org

 

[maytaga806]

The oldest and first generation of the Powerclean

Legends of Dishwashing: Whirlpool PowerClean

The year is 1980, and Whirlpool just filed a patent to change their entire dishwasher lineup. When the patent was filed for this new dishwasher pump, Whirlpool was selling their pump design (which I scoured the Super Searchalator and forums for the name, for which I cannot remember.) which...

www.automaticwasher.org

 

[maytaga806]

I like the tower design a bit better myself but this is the machine I ended up finding recently and as mentioned this was the last and newest generation of the ultra wash and power clean system. They condensed the upper arm supply in a different fashion with what everybody else was doing.

 

[maytaga806]

Last generation of the tower models...

This one particularly is a Kenmore Ultrawash. All Powerclean and ultra wash machines are distinct also by the fact they are not tall tub dishwashers, and they have a noticeable and obvious kick plate at the bottom of the exterior unlike new modern tall tubs, which the kick plate is the very tiny small one that meets the floor under the door.

 

[cam2s]

You will for sure want to look in the sump of that machine before you buy. Whirlpool sold Short tub Durawash machines that externally can look very similar to a power clean. The durawash machines have an offset sump, a plastic lower wash arm and generally don’t have the in the door silverware basket.

 

[anyandevery]

Last generation of the tower models...

So I see what Awoof and others are referring to the obvious bump out on the right side of the sump - useful info & thx for pics... So do the newest models that are entirely round from the top view have a bump out below the round part that distinguish them? The owner of the one I am planning on getting is a repair guy and he confirmed over im that it is a PC. He also has one that is the same as the 2001 whirlpool that maytaga806 w/the keypad switches only.

 

[maytaga806]

YES!!! I totally forgot about those Durawash models that look exactly like them just a different wash system and tower but the Durawash models don’t even feature a second wash arm, it has what GE I believe started which works well for what it was which essentially was a rising tower with jets that sprayed the upper rack and it extended up from the center of the lower main wash arm. In my opinion, get a powerclean/ultrawash. It’s way more interesting than the Durawash models as they were base line machines from my understanding.

 

[rp2813]

I picked up a Kenmore Ultra Wash for my step-daughter and son-in-law after they bought a house several years ago, and it was a very capable machine that included a "sensor" wash option.  This is the system that was advertised as being able to make an entire chocolate cake disappear.   I don't know how old it was when I got it from a private party for $30, but it was in like-new condition.  They remodeled their kitchen about a year ago and the Kenmore was replaced.  It was a beautiful machine and I was sad to see it go. 

 

Here are pictures I took of it before and after installation.  They might offer some additional points of reference for you to identify the various iterations of the Ultra Wash system. 

 

 

[anyandevery]

Well I changed my mind at the last minute and got the other one he had. The shelves were starting to show rust on the first one from cracking plasticoating & I was concerned it wasn't actually a PC. This one has the unmistakable bump out on the sump... so I knew what I was getting! It's hooked up and seems to go through the cycles properly WOOT WOOT!@ Can't wait to throw my pans and dishes in this thing after our next big meal and see how they come out. Ironically I was also able to make use out of something from my GE Profile unit (bending the kickplate so it would work under the bottom of this one) Guess that thing wasn't completely useless after all - HA!

This one is a model DU920QWDQ0 and it does have the silverware tray in the door. It was $50

Shared album from Debbie 📸

Tap to view!

photos.google.com

 

[gelaundry4ever]

And you can tell

by the sound these machines make when they run. I love the vibrating/rumbling sound of the motor when the wash system picks up pressure.

 

[gelaundry4ever]

Now,

we have point/voyager, global wash and microclean wash systems. I wonder what whirlpool will do with their latest wash system on their own brand now.

 

[appnut]

User manual

https://www.whirlpool.com/content/dam/global/documents/199904/owners-manual-3373752-RevA.pdf

 

[awooff]

1st gen pc

My favorite feature of the 1st gen pc over newer models is that selecting "hi temp wash" would provide 145 f water heating for main wash and final rinse, which is only 5 degrees hotter as the rest (140) but in my experience did provide more perfectly cleaned burned/cooked on foods from pans.

Additionally in my experience, burned/cooked on foods in both older and newer pc's usually wash perfect with loose powdered detergent. -Kroger brand detergent being my favorite. Gels are for general dish soils while detergent packs produce too much foaming in pc's and older maytags.

I could live without a microwave but not without a powerclean.