Question for you Kitchenaiders out there

[veg-o-matic]

I have a lead on a Kitchenaid DW, via craigslist. Seller doesn't have a picture, but I asked for the model number and here's what she said:
"The model number is KDI-58 & it is a KitchenAid Imperial by Hobart. It's
brown (it's older) but I bought it for my last apt. as I didn't have a built in
DW. I used it maybe 3 times & once I moved where I live now, I've only used it
for storage. It has a butcher block top & of course, is on wheels."

Anyone know what this looks like? Think it's worth 50 bucks? It's a portable, but is it one of the ones that can be converted? Are parts available? I have a small condo, and there's only room for the one built-in DW, so I'd have to be reasonably sure that this has potential to be my daily driver.

Thanks for any information! I'm just so excited that I might actually have something to post in the Imperial forum!

veg

 

[fnelson487]

If It is in Good Shape

If you can confirm that it is indeed in good shape, I'd grab it. It is the model after the 17 and the first with the upper spray arm. It very much looks like my 57 and still very high quality. I actually had a KDS18 which is the built in version of the machine you are talking about. The Imperial did not have the adjustable upper rack (I believe) and instead of cycle indicator lights, it had a cycle dial but still had cycle selector buttons. It was the MOL model. The parts that I posted previously should work for the conversion and I have the instructions if you need them. Good luck!

Fred

 

[fnelson487]

KDI-58

BTW it is a convertible to built in.

 

[deeptub]

I would by all means get it. I'm finding that older KA machines are becoming fewer and farther between, and that one can't be too picky anymore. The 18 series machines had a rather small wash arm under the top rack that didn't reach items in the corners very well. You'll want to find a newer rack (if it doesn't already have one) with the full-size wash arm. I have a disassembled KDC-58 (the BOL version of the machine you're considering) so I've got plenty of parts if yours needs any.

Tom

 

[tomturbomatic]

OH,Veg, That's the Imperial like my Superbas. We have plenty of upper racks with the longer wash arm and bigger China Guard. I think it has many features that make it the best of all of the models before it, something that cannot be said about later models. I'm not saying I like it more than the older ones, it's just that you can get so much stuff in it because of the two wash arms and it gets things very clean; you still have the Constant Rinse twirly deal and no wasting time heating water. Sometimes I race the two of mine; starting them both at the same instant to see the slight variations in the timers.

Run, don't walk to this chance of a lifetime.