vintagelove
Active member
And I have medium water, if that's a thing. Our water comes from underground springs and isn't soft and isn't hard. Not sure what to call it.
Should I buy this G.E. GSD500D-03AW?
- Thread starter vintagelove
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reactor
Well-known member
water softness
Is it a public "city" water supply or is your that your individual home which draws from the springs?
With your water being sourced from an "underground spring" you are likely to have moderate amounts of dissolved calcium. As water flows through the aquifer (rock formation underground that yields water) it literally dissolved the rock. It depends how long your water has been in the aquifer. We call it "residence time." Depth, thickness of aquifer, location of area of recharge, etc. can all affect hardness. So just saying you have underground springs does allow us to specifically state your water hardness.
Public water supplies using surface waters, such as rivers and lakes, are generally are substantially softer.
It's quite possible you could benefit from a softener. If you can't get the information on your harness value from your utility, many of the home improvement stores, who sell softener, have home test kits.
Dishwashers tend to be affected more by water hardness than other appliances. Rinse agents can help prevent spots if the water is only moderately hard. They mainly help prevent spotting from mineral deposits, but they don't help actually in cleaning dishes in the washing process. Unfortunately, detergents and hard water don't get along. Hard water can greatly reduce what your detergent is able to do.
Below you can see a chart of hardness. In Oak Ridge, we had hardness of 10, and the dishwasher worked fine. The rinse agent prevent any spots. But when I finally put a softener in there was a noticeable difference in sparkle, especially of the glasses. But the dishwashers I had did just fine even before putting the softener it. But I am one of those that really like glisten and sparkle so I went ahead with the softener. It helped with the laundry and keeping the bathroom fixtures clean, anyway.
In my area of Ohio, where I used to live, we had hardness in the range of 24+ grains per gallon. You really needed a softener there. White calcite deposits were not only left on the dishes, but eventually even built up inside the machine over time.
Is it a public "city" water supply or is your that your individual home which draws from the springs?
With your water being sourced from an "underground spring" you are likely to have moderate amounts of dissolved calcium. As water flows through the aquifer (rock formation underground that yields water) it literally dissolved the rock. It depends how long your water has been in the aquifer. We call it "residence time." Depth, thickness of aquifer, location of area of recharge, etc. can all affect hardness. So just saying you have underground springs does allow us to specifically state your water hardness.
Public water supplies using surface waters, such as rivers and lakes, are generally are substantially softer.
It's quite possible you could benefit from a softener. If you can't get the information on your harness value from your utility, many of the home improvement stores, who sell softener, have home test kits.
Dishwashers tend to be affected more by water hardness than other appliances. Rinse agents can help prevent spots if the water is only moderately hard. They mainly help prevent spotting from mineral deposits, but they don't help actually in cleaning dishes in the washing process. Unfortunately, detergents and hard water don't get along. Hard water can greatly reduce what your detergent is able to do.
Below you can see a chart of hardness. In Oak Ridge, we had hardness of 10, and the dishwasher worked fine. The rinse agent prevent any spots. But when I finally put a softener in there was a noticeable difference in sparkle, especially of the glasses. But the dishwashers I had did just fine even before putting the softener it. But I am one of those that really like glisten and sparkle so I went ahead with the softener. It helped with the laundry and keeping the bathroom fixtures clean, anyway.
In my area of Ohio, where I used to live, we had hardness in the range of 24+ grains per gallon. You really needed a softener there. White calcite deposits were not only left on the dishes, but eventually even built up inside the machine over time.
vintagelove
Active member
My city water comes from underground springs. That's all I know. The city pumps it into the water tower & out it goes. Oh, there's something about magnesium in the water left inside the pipes which discolores the water once in a great while.
reactor
Well-known member
Had water
That's all you need to know, that you water is publicly supplied. Just call your utility (their number should be on your water bill, or look online or in the phone book.) Ask then for your water hardness in "grains per gallon." If they say they don't know because they only measure Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), then have them give you the TDS. I'll convert it to grains per gallons for you and then we'll see
what we can do to help you in that regard.
So far from what you have posted, I think the Whirlpool is the bottom choice. It got a poor performance rating from Consumer Reports. Whirlpool made some wonderful dishwashers, but the particular model is their BOL (BOL is not necessarily bad) but in this case, the wash system is not the same as their higher line models. It has the standard upper rack similar to the BOL GE. A higher line Whirlpool would be a good choice for you..
The BOL GE uses the same wash system (minus one component, the power shower) as their top of the line units. It has a soft food waste disposer needs no pre-rinsing. It's a good basic solid machine, great for everyday loads. However, its loud and doesn't have an extended cycle for pots and pans and if you cook like I do (a mess) then you might want the Pot Scrubber model, if yo choose to go with GE. This one is overpriced. If you can talk them down to $20 you might want to get it.
The higher line GE (the all white model you posted) is an upgrade from the other GE. So it is probably a better choice for you. It doest have the extended wash which will do better on pots and pans. Still, it doesn't have the filter, but has the food waste disposer, and this model has a stouter cutter on the food waste disposer. The deluxe upper rack has one side that is deeper so it will hold very tall stemware or other tall items on that side. The short side allows for taller items on the lower rack beneath it. With the tower wash you never have to have to worry about blocking the upper wash arm with tall utensils or plates. Just remember not to lay something over the tower opening on the lower rack.
If you are not in a hurry, keep looking. Dishwashers are a frequently posted item on FB Marketplace and Craigslist. You might find a higher line Whirlpool, GE, Kitchen-Aid or Maytag come along soon.
Any of the three you posted will wash dishes and could be a starter machine for you. But all have their limitations and idiosyncrasies (just like people.) But if you have the time to wait a bit we might find a real classic high performer for you. In the meantime, you can be checking on your water chemistry and making sure your hot water is coming out of the kitchen tap at least 120 deg F.
Sometimes one of our members will sell some of their machines, as well, and may have one for you. I would happily give one one of mine, but we are quite a ways apart.
That's all you need to know, that you water is publicly supplied. Just call your utility (their number should be on your water bill, or look online or in the phone book.) Ask then for your water hardness in "grains per gallon." If they say they don't know because they only measure Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), then have them give you the TDS. I'll convert it to grains per gallons for you and then we'll see
what we can do to help you in that regard.
So far from what you have posted, I think the Whirlpool is the bottom choice. It got a poor performance rating from Consumer Reports. Whirlpool made some wonderful dishwashers, but the particular model is their BOL (BOL is not necessarily bad) but in this case, the wash system is not the same as their higher line models. It has the standard upper rack similar to the BOL GE. A higher line Whirlpool would be a good choice for you..
The BOL GE uses the same wash system (minus one component, the power shower) as their top of the line units. It has a soft food waste disposer needs no pre-rinsing. It's a good basic solid machine, great for everyday loads. However, its loud and doesn't have an extended cycle for pots and pans and if you cook like I do (a mess) then you might want the Pot Scrubber model, if yo choose to go with GE. This one is overpriced. If you can talk them down to $20 you might want to get it.
The higher line GE (the all white model you posted) is an upgrade from the other GE. So it is probably a better choice for you. It doest have the extended wash which will do better on pots and pans. Still, it doesn't have the filter, but has the food waste disposer, and this model has a stouter cutter on the food waste disposer. The deluxe upper rack has one side that is deeper so it will hold very tall stemware or other tall items on that side. The short side allows for taller items on the lower rack beneath it. With the tower wash you never have to have to worry about blocking the upper wash arm with tall utensils or plates. Just remember not to lay something over the tower opening on the lower rack.
If you are not in a hurry, keep looking. Dishwashers are a frequently posted item on FB Marketplace and Craigslist. You might find a higher line Whirlpool, GE, Kitchen-Aid or Maytag come along soon.
Any of the three you posted will wash dishes and could be a starter machine for you. But all have their limitations and idiosyncrasies (just like people.) But if you have the time to wait a bit we might find a real classic high performer for you. In the meantime, you can be checking on your water chemistry and making sure your hot water is coming out of the kitchen tap at least 120 deg F.
Sometimes one of our members will sell some of their machines, as well, and may have one for you. I would happily give one one of mine, but we are quite a ways apart.
firedome
Well-known member
hard water...
is something we have here, we use Kirkwood ie Costco pods and just throw in a cup of vinegar into the final rinse once a week and haven't had any problem in 15 years of using a BOL GE and now a 4 yr old Frigidaire.
is something we have here, we use Kirkwood ie Costco pods and just throw in a cup of vinegar into the final rinse once a week and haven't had any problem in 15 years of using a BOL GE and now a 4 yr old Frigidaire.
reactor
Well-known member
Had water
That's all you need to know, that you water is publicly supplied. Just call your utility (their number should be on your water bill, or look online or in the phone book.) Ask then for your water hardness in "grains per gallon." If they say they don't know because they only measure Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), then have them give you the TDS. I'll convert it to grains per gallons for you and then we'll see
what we can do to help you in that regard.
So far from what you have posted, I think the Whirlpool is the bottom choice. It got a poor performance rating from Consumer Reports. Whirlpool made some wonderful dishwashers, but the particular model is their BOL (BOL is not necessarily bad) but in this case, the wash system is not the same as their higher line models. It has the standard upper rack similar to the BOL GE. A higher line Whirlpool would be a good choice for you..
The BOL GE uses the same wash system (minus one component, the power shower) as their top of the line units. It has a soft food waste disposer needs no pre-rinsing. It's a good basic solid machine, great for everyday loads. However, its loud and doesn't have an extended cycle for pots and pans and if you cook like I do (a mess) then you might want the Pot Scrubber model, if yo choose to go with GE. This one is overpriced. If you can talk them down to $20 you might want to get it.
The higher line GE (the all white model you posted) is an upgrade from the other GE. So it is probably a better choice for you. It doest have the extended wash which will do better on pots and pans. Still, it doesn't have the filter, but has the food waste disposer, and this model has a stouter cutter on the food waste disposer. The deluxe upper rack has one side that is deeper so it will hold very tall stemware or other tall items on that side. The short side allows for taller items on the lower rack beneath it. With the tower wash you never have to have to worry about blocking the upper wash arm with tall utensils or plates. Just remember not to lay something over the tower opening on the lower rack.
The Kenmore, for 50 dollars, if that is a Whirlpool made machine, would be a good choice. It has an extended cycle for Pots/Pans and if in cood condition will do a nice job for you. For the money, it is probably the best choice of what we have seen. However, I would ask the seller to post some pictures of the interior before making a purchase, though.
Is $50 your price setpoint?
If you are not in a hurry, keep looking. Dishwashers are a frequently posted item on FB Marketplace and Craigslist. You might find a higher line Whirlpool, GE, Kitchen-Aid or Maytag come along soon.
Any of the four you posted will wash dishes and could be a starter machine for you. But all have their limitations and idiosyncrasies (just like people.) But if you have the time to wait a bit we might find a real classic high performer for you. In the meantime, you can be checking on your water chemistry and making sure your hot water is coming out of the kitchen tap at least 120 deg F.
Sometimes one of our members will sell some of their machines, as well, and may have one for you. I would happily give one one of mine, but we are quite a ways apart.
That's all you need to know, that you water is publicly supplied. Just call your utility (their number should be on your water bill, or look online or in the phone book.) Ask then for your water hardness in "grains per gallon." If they say they don't know because they only measure Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), then have them give you the TDS. I'll convert it to grains per gallons for you and then we'll see
what we can do to help you in that regard.
So far from what you have posted, I think the Whirlpool is the bottom choice. It got a poor performance rating from Consumer Reports. Whirlpool made some wonderful dishwashers, but the particular model is their BOL (BOL is not necessarily bad) but in this case, the wash system is not the same as their higher line models. It has the standard upper rack similar to the BOL GE. A higher line Whirlpool would be a good choice for you..
The BOL GE uses the same wash system (minus one component, the power shower) as their top of the line units. It has a soft food waste disposer needs no pre-rinsing. It's a good basic solid machine, great for everyday loads. However, its loud and doesn't have an extended cycle for pots and pans and if you cook like I do (a mess) then you might want the Pot Scrubber model, if yo choose to go with GE. This one is overpriced. If you can talk them down to $20 you might want to get it.
The higher line GE (the all white model you posted) is an upgrade from the other GE. So it is probably a better choice for you. It doest have the extended wash which will do better on pots and pans. Still, it doesn't have the filter, but has the food waste disposer, and this model has a stouter cutter on the food waste disposer. The deluxe upper rack has one side that is deeper so it will hold very tall stemware or other tall items on that side. The short side allows for taller items on the lower rack beneath it. With the tower wash you never have to have to worry about blocking the upper wash arm with tall utensils or plates. Just remember not to lay something over the tower opening on the lower rack.
The Kenmore, for 50 dollars, if that is a Whirlpool made machine, would be a good choice. It has an extended cycle for Pots/Pans and if in cood condition will do a nice job for you. For the money, it is probably the best choice of what we have seen. However, I would ask the seller to post some pictures of the interior before making a purchase, though.
Is $50 your price setpoint?
If you are not in a hurry, keep looking. Dishwashers are a frequently posted item on FB Marketplace and Craigslist. You might find a higher line Whirlpool, GE, Kitchen-Aid or Maytag come along soon.
Any of the four you posted will wash dishes and could be a starter machine for you. But all have their limitations and idiosyncrasies (just like people.) But if you have the time to wait a bit we might find a real classic high performer for you. In the meantime, you can be checking on your water chemistry and making sure your hot water is coming out of the kitchen tap at least 120 deg F.
Sometimes one of our members will sell some of their machines, as well, and may have one for you. I would happily give one one of mine, but we are quite a ways apart.
vintagelove
Active member
I'm not stuck on $50. It seems to be a popular figure around here. Except for the ones wanting $100 - $300 for a broken machine.
I'm not in any particular hurry.
I wonder how much shipping a dishwasher would cost?
I'm not in any particular hurry.
I wonder how much shipping a dishwasher would cost?
GSD500D-03AW
Hands down the longest lasting, most durable dishwasher ever built, bar none. These were replaced not because they broke, but because they were considered dated in the eyes of the ignorant.
None, not one of the post 1990 GE models lasted anywhere near as long as this machine let alone any other dishwasher ever produced. It was this and several other 80s model that catapulted GE's appliance division into success and has proven to humanity that everything can come from nothing.
Obviously its been sold by now, but considering the minty interior it has been lightly used I would have gobbled it up without hesitation. Only thing that would need to be done would be bypassing or adding in a new heat selection switch. Changing to the new sump and motor design would improve washing and rinsing if desired. But honestly the original pump assembly would probably outlast a new OEM pump and motor.
The whole wash/rinse cycle is 50 minutes total and a nice long continuous 35 minute dry is a win-win you won't find in any modern machine.
This exact same model and timer sequence could have stayed into production until at least 2022.
Lastly this machine has the most beautiful, elegant, simple, common sense, and mathematically perfect timer sequence and wiring diagram every created for an automatic dishwasher if not any major appliance ever made hands down nothing coming remotely close. And believe me as I've seen to many...
Hands down the longest lasting, most durable dishwasher ever built, bar none. These were replaced not because they broke, but because they were considered dated in the eyes of the ignorant.
None, not one of the post 1990 GE models lasted anywhere near as long as this machine let alone any other dishwasher ever produced. It was this and several other 80s model that catapulted GE's appliance division into success and has proven to humanity that everything can come from nothing.
Obviously its been sold by now, but considering the minty interior it has been lightly used I would have gobbled it up without hesitation. Only thing that would need to be done would be bypassing or adding in a new heat selection switch. Changing to the new sump and motor design would improve washing and rinsing if desired. But honestly the original pump assembly would probably outlast a new OEM pump and motor.
The whole wash/rinse cycle is 50 minutes total and a nice long continuous 35 minute dry is a win-win you won't find in any modern machine.
This exact same model and timer sequence could have stayed into production until at least 2022.
Lastly this machine has the most beautiful, elegant, simple, common sense, and mathematically perfect timer sequence and wiring diagram every created for an automatic dishwasher if not any major appliance ever made hands down nothing coming remotely close. And believe me as I've seen to many...
Not Ancient Not Old Not Ugly
Common theme everywhere around 80s permatuff GEs. "its just old" but "still works"
You don't even see this with Hobart Kitchen-Aids.
Owners have no idea they're substituting the ultimate dependability jackpot for the polar opposite of obsolesce, complexity, defects, flimsiness, price gouging, and just substantially worse wash performance.
I'm at the point where I don't think I will take anything for granted. The rest of humanity may one day understand this when its to late. You don't know what you have until you don't have it anymore.
Common theme everywhere around 80s permatuff GEs. "its just old" but "still works"
You don't even see this with Hobart Kitchen-Aids.
Owners have no idea they're substituting the ultimate dependability jackpot for the polar opposite of obsolesce, complexity, defects, flimsiness, price gouging, and just substantially worse wash performance.
I'm at the point where I don't think I will take anything for granted. The rest of humanity may one day understand this when its to late. You don't know what you have until you don't have it anymore.
