Seeking advice about KitchenAid dishwashers.

[ctv]

Ah-Ha!

Another good idea about how to test something! Off to try that right now....

Ok, I'm back. The Energy Saver now has 2 strikes against it.
I switched wash-arms, and the Superba chattered a little bit in the Energy Saver, and the Energy Saver still chattered in the Superba. So I looked at where the arm sits on the shaft on both of them, plus the one from the Imperial, and it looks like some of the lip of the plastic which overlaps the inner metal tube has worn to the metal.
This is what it looks like, whereas the other two did not have that metal exposed. Is this normal for that type of wash-arm? And if not, would continuing to use it in that condtion contribute or be the cause of damage to anything else?

 

[electronicontrl]

@ CTV

Hi again. Yes I was referring to the white "top of line" model. IIRC it has the porcelain tub and racking just like the Hobart design. I have heard the Whirlpool pump & motor was a fine combination with this design. I think it is a pretty machine.
My Classic 21 Superba KDSC21A 223328700
was purchased by it's original owners in 5/1986. I bought it in 2007 for $40. The only reason it was removed from it's home was the owners were selling the house and they thought a brand new dishwasher would help sell the house (LOL)
The normal cycle sequence is wash - purge - rinse - wash - purge - rinse - dry
These machines used 2gal per fill (not sure how much the purge uses; the water runs for maybe 15-20 sec). It does a wonderful job.
Whirlpool bought KA in 1986. Hobart was using a motor from Emerson at the time.

 

[rp2813]

It could be that a plastic/neoprene washer belongs there.  If all three of those machines have interchangeable wash arm and support components, you should be able use the best ones to get at least one machine working properly.

 

This is where things get sketchy for me and I'll have to turn it over to the experts for further coaching.

 

If Steve T doesn't check in here soon, try to e-mail him directly.

 

[ctv]

To Electronicontrl

Thank you for getting back to me.
Just wanted to make sure you didn't think I was the dumb-bunny that I sounded like from that first response I gave you.
It's my bedtime now, but will continue tomorrow.
Christine.

 

[ctv]

To Electronicontrl

To continue on.....
First off I'd like to say-Now that's the way to pack a dishwasher!
The poopy one I'm using now would get nothing clean if I packed it like that, but the Imperial sure would!
Sigh.....
The Superba does have the 4 option adjustable upper rack, and a removable thing on the bottom rack to make more room and the porcelain tub.
I wonder if those people who sold you theirs had any regrets later on. I myself never thought much about dishwasher til I got the Imperial. It was left by the previous tenants of a house I rented years ago. Now I'm spoiled because nothing compares!
So, did I understand correctly that you're saying the white Superba has 2 rinses?
I did find out something about the motor, though. It has a gold sticker that says "Gold Seal Reversing Motor". I found a 1991 newspaper advertisment about KitchenAid wanting to buy back those motors, among other things. I'm taking that as meaning that they're good motors, but was hoping someone here had heard of them.

 

[rp2813]

The white Superba has only one rinse after the main wash.

 

Reversing motors appeared beginning with the 21 series, as did the single final rinse.  The Imperial 19 has a non-reversing motor.  You can hear the distinct snapping sound of a solenoid when machines with non-reversing motors go into drain mode.

 

There's definitely something amiss with your current machine if it can't clean a load like the one pictured in reply #20.  That should be a cinch for a properly functioning KitchenAid.

 

I think you'd be satisfied with the results from the white Superba if that turns out to be the easiest option for replacing your current machine.  If you decide to go that route, there is a check valve you should examine for proper operation.  It's located at the end of the drain hose under the machine where it comes off the pump, and is fairly easy to remove.  It's just a rubber flap inside a plastic housing, but it's important that it's not stuck in the open position, otherwise spray from the upper wash arm could be compromised. 

 

 

 

 

 

[ctv]

Yes, that machine of mine..........

(picture #3),has brought forth many an expletive.
Amongst the Huge list of things I had to do to even get it to it's current crappy state was fix that valve you mentioned.
I too paid $40 for this one, plus 2 hours of my time to get it plus over a solid week of cleaning and repairs.
I'm just hoping now it will provide some good donor parts.
I also was told by the previous owner that the white Superba had what she called a "built-in garburator". Any idea what that's all about? And would you say it's similar to the Superba Classic 21 that you posted a picture of? And does yours also have the 8 buttons on the right?
Before I am able to remove the installed one, I need to get my Imperial out of the way as it's been sitting in my kitchen since I last worked on it but will need to be put back together before moving it.
So, this might inspire me to have one last look at that leak.
Have you ever fixed something like that?

 

[rp2813]

I didn't post the picture of the Superba Classic 21, but am thinking it would be missing one or two of the buttons that the white Superba has.  I don't think I've seen the "Quick/Glass" option on machines older than the 23 series.

 

The "garburetor" wouldn't be a new feature.  It's just a way of capturing and pulverizing solid food waste before sending it down the drain when the machine empties.  KA's made before the white Superba had this capability, but on the white machine the pump is a new and improved "power module" type that (some experts will say) performs better than its predecessors.  A visual check of the white Superba's sump area shows the obvious difference from your other, older KA machines.

 

I did have a leak issue with my In-Sink-Erator Classic Supreme dishwasher (identical to the KA 22 series you're currently using) after I installed it.  I couldn't find the source down below and I don't remember how I finally isolated it, but it turned out to be a loose screw on the exterior that helped secure the glide for the top rack assembly.  An easy fix.

 

I hope yours is something as simple to repair.  If not, install the white Superba which should give you good results, and then you can take your time trying to fix the Imperial 21.

 

[ctv]

Alrighty then

it'll be the Superba that's going in.
I do so hope it'll perform well.
I think, though, I'll see if I can "test drive" it first, while it's still on the deck.
I'll update how everything goes.
Many Thanks to all who have helped me thus far.
I love this site!
Even just to come on and read the banter that goes on here is sometimes very entertaining.
Now, if someone could just tell me how to alert or post about something I've seen for sale that I thought might be interesting....
Christine.

 

[rp2813]

For Sale Alerts

If you have access to the "Shoppers Square" forum, that's where to post.  If you don't, you can post it in the forum appropriate for the age and/or type of the item.

 

Copy the URL off the page you want to provide a link to, and paste it in the "URL Link to share" field directly below the "Message" field where you type the verbiage for your post.

 

Then hit "Preview," then "POST this to Discuss-o-Mat"

 

Good idea to give the white Superba a whirl before installing it.  If you do decide to use it, run the machine empty of dishes with a cup or two of white vinegar added after it fills for the main wash, or you can buy Lemishine powder at the grocery store or Target, which can also be used for cleaning the machine (more convenient than vinegar since you can use the dispenser) as well as for glassware loads.  It's usually found on the same shelves with the dishwasher detergents.

 

[ctv]

To rp2813

Yes, I've read here and other places about that vinegar idea. But once it's all rigged up for it's test-drive, what is it I should look/listen for?

 

[rp2813]

Before you start the machine, check the filter assembly under the bottom wash arm and make sure it's clean.  Examine the wash arms and check for any clogged holes.

 

After you start the machine, just listen for the sound of wash action -- there should be a bit of a rhythmic sound of water jets spraying the sides of the tub.  If you want to be sure both wash arms are rotating, after washing starts open the door and check the position of both upper and lower arms.  Close the door, re-start and run for about 10 seconds, then open the door and check the arms again.  They should be in different positions. 

 

Do this with racks in place.  The upper arm is incorporated into the upper rack, and the lower rack has tabs up front on each corner to deflect strong spray jets that could otherwise force water past the door gasket.

 

Let the machine run until it drains, so you can be sure that function is working as well.

 

Check all around the machine for leaks while it's running and during the drain process.

 

If it passes this inspection, one part of the cleaning process is to wipe out the lip at the bottom of the door.  With door open flat, feel down in the area between the door and tub.  It'll probably have some gooey crud built up in there.