rare dishlex machine in uk

ricky5050 · Mar 28, 2010

I spotted this vintage dishwasher on ebay thats destined for the dump if not saved, does anyone have any info on this machine, i would like it but its too far away as i live in Durham , hopefully someone will save it, Richard

Pardon our interruption...

vacbear58 · Mar 28, 2010

Looks like it is down Swindon direction

This machine (or one like it) was tested by Which in December 1960. at that time it cost £135/9/- a lot of money for those days - for example and English Electric Liberator Auto would was £110/5/- And a Hotpoint Supermatic £89 - does not seem much but to but it in context the price difference would have bought a Hoover Senior 652 (Convertable), then the most expensive upright cleaner in the UK.

Top loading and an impellor machine, it had a tank in the bottom to heat the water before washing started. It was rated behind the Colston and Swanmaid but ahead of the Kenwood Dishmaster. It would be a shame to see this lost so hopefully some of our members from down that direction will rescue it
Al

ricky5050 · Mar 29, 2010

thanks

Hi i have the kenwood dishwasher and its a bit hopeless but does have a damaged impellor, i would like this but its too far away, lets see if someone here gets it

Richard

richukbristol · Mar 29, 2010

Hi guys, I've won it. Logged on this afternoon and saw the thread, had a look and the dishwasher was not to far from me. It's not really me thing but couldn't see it go to the tip so I thought I'd have a bid and got it. No one else bid and I got it for 99p. I have emailed the seller to arange pick up so watch this space. I wonder if it will wash as well as my Miele lol

Rich

matchboxpaul · Mar 29, 2010

Certainly a novelty machine Richard.

Congrats on the purchase and saving a part of early dishwashing history.

Be careful of that kitchen floor though!
Can see this machine really digging into it.

Paul

brisnat81 · Mar 29, 2010

There was one of these in Far north Queensland about 5 years ago (1600km from me) I really wanted it, but getting it back from there was all too hard.

I'd love to see inside shots

74simon · Mar 30, 2010

Congrads and thanks!

To both Rich(ard)s for spotting and saving it! Always great to see a machine like this appear and get rescued!

ricky5050 · Mar 30, 2010

well done

congrats i would try it outside first. My kenwood is mechanical in the way it fills and empties, turning the handle pulls a bike cable type thing to pull closed the drain plug ( a bit like a posh sink) and opens the water valve ( a bit like a toilet cistern) and switches on the motor, a mechanical timer shuts off the water ( no pressure sensor here) and it washes till you turn back the dial which opens the drain, no detergent no rinse just one scalding hot wash , unless you manually re set it again and again. It has an internal immersion heater and a calrod heater in the wash tub to boost the water. i need to get a new impellor ( some still exist in USA) but have not got around to it yet, Id love to see some more photos and hopefully it up and running , i would like to see how different this one is .

well done

Richard

ricky5050 · Apr 3, 2010

heres one built in

thanks to Simon for this link its a Kenwood built in to a sink which as you can see washes with more vigour! Mind you i think she fair old chucks the dishes in !

Richard

http://www.britishpathe.com/record.php?id=47445

74simon · Apr 4, 2010

And here's the Dishlex!

Some outtakes from the 1957 Ideal home show, also featuring the Sunbeam Mixmaster Junior, exciting things with root vegetables (!) and a rather racy demonstration of the Chilton spin dryer...

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richukbristol · Apr 4, 2010

Hi Guys, I picked the old girl up yesterday and gave her abit of a wipe over this morning. I have taken loads of pictures so hope you don't get to bored. As of yet I haven't tried to switch it on but from what I can see it should work. It will need a new mains lead and at least on pipe and the drain plug/vales doesn't seem to be water tight. I expect something has perished. The motor turns freely and the timer seems to work. It hasent been used for at least twenty years. It was put in the house sometime in the late fiftys early sixtys and hasn't moved untill yesterday.