School me on a KDC-18

[VintageDW]

Hello. Here's my story. I was looking for a new stainless steel dishwasher. A majority of the reviews point to failure rates and expensive repairs within a few years, regardless of brand. Alas, someone on a distant internet forum mentioned vintage KitchenAid's! After some time Googling discussions boards for these, here I am!

I've found a few KitchenAid's already. One being a KDC-18. I'm hoping for someone to tell me what features it offers and what I can expect from it. My main concerns regarding this older dishwasher is finding parts and doing repairs (mechanics has never been one of my stronger traits). Is this a decent model to own compared to other KDC models? Thanks so much and looking forward to owning a "new" vintage KitchenAid.

 

[rp2813]

I can't say exactly what features a KDC-18 offers, but it will have fewer than its other 18-series counterparts higher up in the model line.

You'll receive plenty of help here with any troubleshooting or locating of parts.

Our resident KitchenAid expert is particularly fond of the 18-series machines.

 

[VintageDW]

Thanks rp2813! I did a search, found a few pictures, but didn't find much regarding what features this particular model has. I'll patiently, and eagerly, await their reply.

 

[swestoyz]

Ask and you shall receive. 18 series KitchenAids are some of the best out there.

Ben

Scans of KitchenAid brochure KD-18 models

This is the original brochure...without the Patrician model included.

www.automaticwasher.org

 

[VintageDW]

Excellent, thanks swestoyz! I like the features of the Superba, namely the sanitize (for future baby bottles) and the soak'n'scrub (though I don't know if I'd ever feel comfortable enough to actually put a pot in the dishwasher as soiled as the one shown in the brochure is). I still think I'll enjoy the no frills KDC-18 though. If I end up buying it I'll post pictures. The current owners claim it been rarely used and that it's received more use in the last 2 years than over its entire life. Should be a good solid purchase. For 20 bucks I don't think I can go wrong!

 

[rollermatic]

18's are a great model

they were the first model to have 2 spray arms instead of just the one hydrosweep in the bottom. it was a new stytle pump as well, and they have a heated dry that the later 19 models lacked. they have the 1/2 hp. motor that kitchenaid was famous for. other brands used 1/3 or lower hp. motors.

the motor should last another 20 plus years i would say unless a pump leak develops. pump seals are readily available, several of us here have the part number should you need it.

i have a bunch of kitchenaids, about 23 right now and i swear by them myself. with that 1/2 hp. motor, great pump design and 4 way hydrosweep, not to mention the second upper spray arm i would rather have an older kitchanaid than any new machine made.

i have several kitchenaids from the mid to late fifties and they still run great and don't leak a drop!

plus it will do a load in about 1/2 hr while these new machines take hours!

the 18 models came out in 1976 thru 1979.

you can't go wrong with a kitchenaid in my book!

 

[VintageDW]

The comments here are only fueling my desire for one of these KitchenAid's. I found an old post where a member bought stainless steel panels to give his vintage appliance a more modern look. The panels are on ebay for fairly cheap. This would allow me to update the rest of the appliances to stainless but sway the wife into accepting an "old" dishwasher. Thanks again for all the input. I'm really enjoying reading others' experience with these machines and looking at the pictures. Too cool!

 

[rp2813]

Stainless Panels

Just before we sold our other house, I put stainless panels on our KDI21. It looked sharp and like new, blended in with the existing stainless fridge and range, and gave our 17 year-old kitchen an updated look.

What I didn't realize is the amount of weight the stainless panel added to the door. I squeezed it in on top of the existing two panels. I would suggest that if you get the KDC18 and it has two color panels, remove them completely when you install the stainless panel in the door. Otherwise you may have to adjust the springs to counteract the additional weight, if that's possible on those machines.

 

[alabamboy]

KDC-18

I have a 18 series Custom, I'm pretty sure it does not have a heating element in the sump like the superba or patrician models, i.e. you need to increase the temperature of your water heater. Here's a photo before I put her in storage.

 

[alabamboy]

KDS-19

And replaced her with a 19 series Superba, and installed the ss panels I got on ebay for $27 delivered to my door!!

 

[VintageDW]

alabamaboy, those panels really make it look sharp! I know others will disagree and prefer the classic look the KA's offer but I prefer the look of all matching decor. Did you remove the original panels before installing the stainless as rp2813 suggested? If not, do you notice a weight problem? I'll remove the original panels just to be safe.
Question: why do so many people post ad's on CL but don't respond to emails? I could have TWO of these older machines already. It's very frustrating to find an interest in something so quickly, then find something to fulfill it, only to have the door slammed in your face.

 

[VintageDW]

Increase water heater temp...

More good info. That's the first I've read which mentions doing that.

 

[bajaespuma]

An argument for the Pots and Pans cycles

The thing about putting some pots and pans in the dishwasher and avoiding heat heat cycles and heated dry cycles is that the machine won't get them all clean (in fact very few of them will come out of the machines usable)but they will loosen a lot of the soil so that they'll need much less elbow grease to finish them. Also, I like to run them through the machines once in a while because they exteriors get very clean compared to some peoples' hand washing.

This is one of many reasons I had so much respect for the Cycles Selection on the GE Pull-outs: somebody actually thought about it and designed the UTENSILS cycle to be shorter than the Daily wash and eliminated the heated dry where all that leftover gunk would get baked on. With 20/20 hindsight, that UTENSILS/POTS&PANS cycle was the first energy saver/no heat dry cycle. And with that clever automatically opening tank cover, it all worked.

 

[alabamboy]

SS panels

I don't remember if I had to tighten the door springs or not, but if you remove the lower panel you will see it is really easy to do. I think its one screw per hinge to adjust.

 

[ndo]

Basic disassembly

As this forum's newest member (a few minutes ago) I'm not sure if these threads are still active, but here goes...

I'm looking into fixing a KDC-18C dishwasher for my sister-in-law, and I can't even pop off the lower spray arm! I'm pretty adept mechanically and electrically, but I don't see an obvious fastener to get the arm loose, and don't want to force it, in case I break something. The washer still works, just lately hasn't been draining fully after cycling. I just want to clean out the bottom end (sump?) and clear the drain line.

I would appreciate any advice. Thanks!
NDO

 

[DADoES]

 
There is no fastener, the arm (should) lift right off.  It's stuck if not.  Must be careful pulling on it for possibly pulling the center pin loose from the arm support.