Hi and Welcome:
Most people here can appreciate your dilemma - "modern" electronic controls on today's dishwashers are a frequent source of frustration, to say nothing of expense. Your feeling that a vintage KitchenAid would be a good way to go is correct - they're very sturdy, and when they're in good repair, very reliable.
As you note, the problem is finding a good one. I do not know of anyone who has a business doing complete refurbishment of vintage KitchenAid machines.
The best suggestion I can come up with here is for you to start looking at your local Craigslist for vintage machines, and then be willing to roll up your sleeves and learn about refurbishing one yourself.
Here are some pointers about selecting one from a Craigslist seller:
1- KitchenAid model numbers in the vintage years always began with the letters "KD," followed by another letter. The third letter specified the model: "C" was Custom (the bottom-of-the-line, or BOL), "I" was the middle-of-the-line (MOL) Imperial and "S" was the top-of-the-line (TOL) Superba. So, a KDS-19 would be a 19-Series TOL Superba.
2- Most KitchenAid customers went whole-hog and bought the Superba, so they're the most plentiful machine out there. If you have a choice, a Superba always has a few more features than other models, and is a little more satisfying to own.
3- You should check certain areas for damage. The condition of the inner porcelain tub is very important. You should try to find a unit with a tub that is still shiny and with no rust. A dull tub could have mineral buildup, which is removable, or it could be dull from age or poor treatment, which is not fixable. The major area to check for rust is called the "sump"; this is the indented area in the middle of the tub's bottom, where the filter and wash arm hub are located. Rust here can be major, unless it's surface rust or rust stains from something else. Rusted racks are also a problem, but you can usually find a replacement rack here or on eBay.
4- You should rotate the wash arm, and see if it spins without grinding or chattering noises; those could indicate a worn wash arm support. Supports can be a little tricky to replace, due to parts scarcity.
5- Do not listen to anything a seller tells you about how "It was working fine when we took it out," or "I don't know nothin' about it - we got it with the house." Do your own inspection, and make up your own mind.
6- Try to resist buying the first machine you find. You would be amazed how often machines with very low use turn up - maybe it was in a house where the wife didn't like dishwashers, or she got it as a gift when she didn't really want one. Keep your eyes open.
7- KitchenAid is now owned by Whirlpool, and parts for older machines are not as easy to get as they used to be when KitchenAid was part of Hobart. This group can help you find resources for parts, so don't let that bother you.
8- You need a service manual for whatever machine you get. This site's sister site, Automatic Ephemera, sells downloadable PDF copies of some of them. A service manual is the same book that Hobart service technicians were trained with back in the day. Go to:
www.automatice.org to see what's available. It's a lot!
9- If all else fails, stevet here is the King of KitchenAid; he knows everything. Asking him gets a solid, knowledgeable answer.
10- Shipping a machine from another part of the country can cost some real money, but it's a good way to get a better machine than you can find locally. Look at it this way: Let's say you find a really nice machine in New York State for $150, and shipping is going to be $300. You will
not find a new TOL dishwasher for $450, so don't get too hung up on shipping cost.
Good luck, and keep us posted on your adventures! You will feel very lost and confused at first, and you will quickly progress to "I can do this!"
And again, welcome. [this post was last edited: 9/4/2013-11:44]
