The Ultra Wash Prevails!

[rp2813]

Some of you may recall a recent thread about the new home Dave's daughter and son-in-law's just closed on less than a month ago.  It needed some work, and it definitely needed a different dishwasher.

 

Here's what was in there -- a beat up GE Profile that stuck out too far:

 

[rp2813]

I started cruising Craigslist for a suitable replacement and found this beauty for $31.  Curious as I was, I didn't ask the seller about the extra $1.  I gave the money and ran!

 

A virtually pristine Kenmore Ultra Wash that rolled off the line in January of 2000.

 

[rp2813]

I installed it last weekend but today was the first chance I had to take pictures.

 

Here it is, tucked in neatly and flush with the cabinetry.  This machine is on the same level as a KA 24 series Superba.

 

There isn't a scratch on it.  What you see on the right is a reflection of some sort.

 

[rp2813]

Not exactly a money shot, but I'm glad to see they're using it (but I'll have to educate them about plastic items on the lower rack).  Dave's daughter never used the dishwasher in the rental where they lived previously.  His son-in-law is in love with this machine and ran a load the day after it was installed.

 

One member I discussed this machine with said I'd regret not keeping it for myself.  I can understand what he meant, after printing up the owner's manual and reading about all this dishwasher can do.

 

I'm hoping it serves this family for many years to come.  I don't think I could have done better, even for $131.00

 

[retropia]

It looks nice! When we had ours, I found that utensil basket clipped on the front of the top rack to be quite handy. It was the perfect size for longer knives, like you'd use to slice bread.

 

[cleanteamofny]

Very good spray action and great water usage!

 

[yogitunes]

great installation, it fits perfect and flush, the way they were designed to....a lot better looking than that GE.....

their gonna have great results with that UltraWash and Sensor cleaning...

super clean machine, pro and cons, but I like the silverware basket in the rack, and they seperate as well.....the front rack is great for large knives....

best $31.00 you could have ever spent....you could not have gotten a better machine for more....

I got the 1988 UltraWash Convertible....and found a spare for if and when this one ever dies!....knock on wood, has never needed a single repair

 

[mrb627]

Used dishwashers

Scare me. So many recalls due to fires. You gotta know what you're buying. Be careful.

Malcolm

 

[combo52]

Used DWs and Fire Risk

Great installation and a great deal on recycling a great DW Ralph, YAY.

 

I would have to believe that it is safer to buy a ten year old DW where there is a proven track record of whether there is a serious risk of fire, with a brand new model you have no idea whether it will turn out to be a dangerous design for at least 5-10 years or more.

 

I see no problems washing plastic items on the bottom rack of this DW as long as they are using air-dry, and using air-dry not olny saves energy but prolongs the life of the racks and the plastic tub floor-tank.

 

[rp2813]

Thanks for the info.  I'll talk to them about using air dry.  They have solar power which supplies the bulk of their electricity and sometimes the meter will run backwards, so the cost of energy isn't an issue, which means they might tend to use heated dry simply because it's "free" power.

 

The recycling process will continue when I haul the old GE to the Re-Store along with a few other stray items.

 

I really like the concept of sensor cleaning.  It sounds like KA produced an equally capable version of the Ultra Wash with stainless inside and out.  I might have to keep an eye out for one of those -- for my own kitchen!

 

[yogitunes]

Rut-Roh!.....looks like Ralph has caught the UltraWash bug!......it's contagious!....

you found one, more will follow.....you home!

I can see it now....Ralph will be towing his dishes over for a DishWASH-In!....lol

ducking and running>>>>>>>

 

[48bencix]

About air drying

Those racks are vinyl coated and air drying can lead to rusting. Also too much detergent can do the same thing. I have a similar model with the knob and it really does a great job washing dishes, no food particles are left on anything. But my racks are rusted in spots. This system has a very low water use, but there is no way to further lower the use, so they went to non self cleaning filters, because they use less water.