Re-conditioned Kitchenaid Hobart Dishwashers

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cursillista

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Sep 4, 2013
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We have grown tired of fighting a loosing battle with modern electronic dishwashers. We then began a search for a current manufacturer that produces a DW with a mechanical timer. After numerous Internet searches we concluded this does not exist. We then began looking at vintage machines, which pinpointed us on the Kitchenaid Hobart era.

Most of what we find locally is junk. We found an eBay seller who lists refurbished units, but they only change what is broken. We are looking for someone who sells fully reconditioned Kitchenaid Hobart models. Can any of y'all guide me to a source. Thanks in advance for the help.
 
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]
 
P.S.:

The "Shoppers Square" forum on this site is a good resource for finding machines all over the country. Sometimes members here offer machines they own for sale. I would suggest checking that forum from time to time.
 
Hotpoint makes dishwasher's with mechanical timers don't they?We put those in our rentals they clean really well and real easy to fix.

We had to stop buying any electronic dishwasher because they would be broken all the time when we lease them.

I don't know how long standard tub dishwasher's will be around G.E. seems to be changing everything to that new wash  system

the standard tub cost 400 bucks but they last...
 
Welcome to the forum!

I just sorta went through this, so here's a link to my thread:

http://www.automaticwasher.org/cgi-bin/TD/TD-VIEWTHREAD.cgi?47722

To be honest, I bought the first machine I found, and it was found in Shopper Square post from someone that saw it on craigslist. It was the first machine I saw and bought... Honestly its in better condition than other machines I have seen since my purchase, but I purchased another one just for the parts.

If you find a portable, don't skip over it. They can easily be converted to built-ins.

This site is an amazing wealth of knowledge. It's taught me a lot! The people here are great!

Happy Hunting!
 
Imperial 21

Found a Craigslist ad for one. Lady says its an Imperial 21. She does not know more. What do y'all know about that model? See picture.

cursillista++9-12-2013-19-46-21.jpg
 
Thanks for all the pointers! I'm also starting the hunt for my first classic appliance - a "real" KitchenAid! Happy hunting to us all!
 
Imperial 21

I've got one of these. A nice thing about this dishwasher is that it comes with 4 different colors of front panels. In addition to the almond color in your picture, it includes black, white, and "honey gold" or some such (a very 70's looking orangey color). Just take off the side trim, slide out the panel of the color you wish and put it on top.
 
I have the KDS-21 which has a couple more options..

..and I think it is a great machine. It does a GREAT job at cleaning and looks like a nice find. I don't know what she wants for it, nor do I know what the racks look like. The rails on the upper rack tend to rust on these. It it's cheap enough it's something I would grab. I want mine to run forever so as I find parts on eBay I pick them up. I just picked up a Wash Arm support for $30 and a timer for $40 so the parts are around. Racks do come up from time to time. I would grab it if it were me.

Here is a video of it washing and a pic of the control panel. Yours is very close to this one.



chachp++9-13-2013-12-42-55.jpg
 
It had white panels and was a mess.

I got mine from Habitat and it was pretty beat up but ironically underneath was spotless. It's taken a lot of cleaning and I have had to replace the Wash Arm Support (thanks stevet) and the heater in the flow through dryer (thanks stevet). I just replaced the Rinse Aid Dispenser because that quit working. Other than that it is working beautifully and does a great job.

Do an eBay search for B-241677. That is the part number for the Stainless Panels for this machine. They have been coming up often lately. I think someone, somewhere has a stash of them. That's where I got mine.

This is what mine looked like at Habitat when I bought it.

chachp++9-14-2013-11-52-1.jpg
 
Kenny:

Yes, those panels will fit. The determining factor is the presence or absence of the "frame kit" around the edges of the door and access panel, and your Imperial has that.

The "frame kit" is the bright-metal strips around the edges of the doors. You remove one of the side strips, and loosen the one on the other side. You then slide out one of the panels in place (there should be two reversible panels, one on top of the other, to give color options for white, black, Almond and Harvest; you need to leave one panel in for proper spacing), and slide in the stainless panel.

It's really very easy, and as you can see from the machine above, it gives a very current, updated look.
 
KDI-18

Ok guys I am the proud owner of a KDI-21 and am loving it. I paid $50, plus added S/S panels for $75.
As you know when it rains it storms. I just came across a KDI-18 that is ultra-clean and low usage. Don't get me wrong the KDI-21 is awesome, but I'm now hooked. Is the 18 a better machine? I believe it does not have the water heater, but I have not verified this yet. I have just seen pictures of this KDI-18. Any opinions.

Here is a picture of my KDI-21

cursillista++10-17-2013-16-21-28.jpg
 
need a timer for a KDI-18C

I have just about worn out my computer trying to locate a timer. My model number is KDI-18C. Serial number 419987. Does anyone have a dishwasher they are scrapping with a good timer ?? Please contact me. Thanks
 
Model 18 timer/control panel

I have a BARELY used timer and control panel from a KDC18 (Custom model, not Imperial). I also kept the interior porcelain door liner. If these are of use to anyone, message me here. Came off a machine I bought so I could have a nice motor/pump for my KDS20. There's maybe a week or two of use on this timer--the machine was basically unused for its lifetime.
 
Timers

I just hand my hand on that timer, Roger. It is a KDP-18 timer part number 240712/4162333.You also sent the complete program button assembly with the chrome,square buttons and mounting bracket as well as the cycle indicator light package.

If anyone needs these parts, let me or Roger know and I will send them out.

As far as the KDC and KDI timers go, they are not interchangeable with each other so if you decide to go with the C-18 timer and control panel, you will also need the complete wiring harnesses and buttons that go with it and will have to rewire your KDI-18 with the "C" parts which should all just plug right in as the only real differences were the cycle selections. If the "I" had a dual door dispenser, and you can either change the dispenser to a single door one which I have brand new or just connect the wires to one side of your present dispenser and leave the other side open all the time.
 
It all depends,Roger!

It isn't all that hard to make the conversion if you have the patience to do it. What I usually do when I scrap a machine is remove the complete door and wiring harnessses after disconnecting all the wiring from all the components on the bottom of the machine.That way it can go right on to a machine that needs converting or updating. Simply disconnect the clips that hold the hinge pins in place and tilt the door off the hinges and you have all the electrical controls in one package. Of course, I also take out any and all the working components for the pump and drain and dryer unit. Many times the element comes out as well as the control thermostats. Float switches and all the frame and rack mounting hardware as well. All that is left is usually a lone tank and sometimes the tank and frame which goes to the curb.

I usually only go after the Superba models for the fact of the heating options but will strip out a lower end model for the mechanicals or racks as well. Too bad they are becoming more and more scarce in my neck of the woods. Apparently retailers are not allowed to keep them out in the open any more when taken from a customer's home. They are usually locked up in a large container or behind locked gates. Since most also offer free removal or take away of appliances, you will VERY rarely see one at a curb.
 
Thanks

For the tip, Roger. I am going to check that out. We used to have a County forum that people would post such notices on but if has kind of fizzled out.
 
Model Number

 

<span style="font-family: helvetica;">Hyacinth,</span>

 

<span style="font-family: helvetica;">I think they used the same one for years and you can usually find them on eBay and other places.  Why not post your model number or a picture and I'm sure one of the experts here will give you a model number to search for.</span>
 
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