Questions: Which dishwasher should I install, the KDS-18 or the NEW 1965 Lady K?

[revvinkevin]

I have one space in the kitchen for a dishwasher and I'm dying to install one of these. On the one hand, the wood panels on KA will more or less match (the color and grain of) my cabinets. On the other, I *think* the brand new, never installed or used, 1965 Lady Kenmore would be great fun because it's NEW!

So which one would you install? The power house KDS-18, or the stunning new Lady Kenmore?

 

[revvinkevin]

The inside....

Hmm.... decisions, decisions.............. what do you think?

Kevin

 

[lordkenmore]

I think my vote would be for the KitchenAid--at least if I were in this position:

1. There is space for only one. A primary need is simply to get dishes clean. I have used neither, but based on what I've heard here, I'd be inclined to gamble on a KitchenAid over a Kenmore.
2. The one thing that makes this Kenmore truly special is that it's never been used. It's sort of a time capsule. While it could be fun being the first person to use a 40-some year old appliance, I couldn't bring myself to be that person. At least, not on something as likely to this rare. (A vintage waffle maker, the type that everyone getting married received 40 identical copies of for a wedding gift, and never used 39, which later turn up in every local thrift store or eBay, is another story!)

 

[spankomatic]

If you install the Kenmore what will you do with the Kitchenaid?

 

[lordkenmore]

If you install the Kenmore what will you do with the Kitchen

If only he lived closer to me, I suggest he could store the KitchenAid dishwasher in my kitchen. I'd even make sure it got regular use, just to make sure no seals dry out anything!

 

[maytagbear]

Wouldn't you need to

re-wire for the Kenmore? Isn't it 220?

Either one would be faboo, though.

Lawrence/Maytagbear

 

[alr2903]

Kevin run the 220 and rip out a cabinet... you secretly want, TWO

 

[combo52]

WHICH DISHWASHER?

I vote for both you won't miss the cabinet space nearly as much as you will enjoy having two neat dishwasehrs to chose from, just think how much more fun all those dinner parties will be, If your current DW is on a decated line with 12 ga wire its easy to just change to a two pole 20 amp breaker in your main box to power the 240 volh LKM DW with out running a new line.

 

[westingman123]

you know you want to!

I'd have to vote BOTH, as well. Think of all the dishes from the next wash-in! The Kitchenaid could be your daily driver, with the LadyK for those days you need a "little something extra".

 

[dnastrau]

If just one: KDS-18

I'd use the KitchenAid if I could have only one installed. It is probably a better performer and should be easier to get parts for.

 

[kenmoreguy64]

Kevin -

I would install the KitchenAid too. I think it's a better machine for everyday use. Considering that the Lady has never been used and you're not sure you want to change that, go with your gut. Plus, you have to make a wiring change to accomodate it, no?

The KA would be great in your kitchen, and would have a much richer support network of parts and expertise should you need that down the road.

That's my 2-cents!

Gordon

 

[alabamboy]

Hold on to the Kenmore!!!

Use the Kitchenaid for what it was meant to do. Clean dishes!!!! The Kenmore has never been used, store it some where you can show it off in its pristine condition. Leave the orginal boxes of soap right where they were when the machine was purchased. Sort of like a museum piece!!!!!

 

[rp2813]

I realize that practicality doesn't much factor into all of our decisions around vintage machines, but it appears to me that the KA is the more practical of the two and will hold more dishes. In that regard, I think it's over all the more capable of the two machines. Considering the LK would require electrical work and is something of a unique piece having never been deployed, I'd go with the KA. It also sounds like the KA would win from an aesthetic standpoint as well. It would be a different story if you had a 1960's kitchen scene going on, but the KA will look better in there.

 

[redcarpetdrew]

I agree...

I'd go with the Kitchenaid using capacity, parts availability, and possibly performance. I've been in your kitchen and I also think that the K/A fits in better. Ahhh, but that new d/w smell tho... LOL!

RCD

 

[roto204]

Both!

I'm all for pragmatism, but I'm sensing that you've been presented with a photo of a station wagon along with a photo of a Maserati, and then you wax rhapsodic about fuel economy and seating for eight.

Come, now! There is nothing wrong with indulging a midlife crisis and planting the Lady K in the kitchen for a while, especially once she is shined-up and if the wiring to take advantage of those awesome features is in place. Live a little, have some fun!

We all know that we love to play with appliances, so it's not like you won't get tired of it and stick the KitchenAid back in, and that's fine. Half the fun is in being fickle, and finding new and interesting things to play with. I don't have three dishwashers in the kitchen because I have a phobia of paper plates...I have three dishwashers because they're hugely entertaining! :-D

 

[qsd-dan]

Install the Kitchen-aid and build a shrine to the Kenmore.

 

[tomturbomatic]

I would say use both. For really, really heavily soiled dishes that 180F wash will remove just about anything except the blue flowers on Corning Ware. I would put insulation on the tank before using it, though. If you keep your water heater set below 140F, the Kenmore is going to wash better because it will delay the timer to heat during the second wash and you can't make the KA do that without some modification to make the dual wattage heater heat on 1400 instead of just 700 watts during the main wash. It will not delay the timer, but that probably would not be necessary. You would then have to put the machine on a 20 amp 120 volt circuit. And, if you are going to use the 18, find the upper rack with the longer wash arm from a 19 or 20. Have lots of fun.

 

[mrcleanjeans]

Go with both! Double your pleasure,double your fun!