Thinking about buying a vintage dishwasher. Thoughts??

[thatwasherguy]

Hi everyone! Hope you’re all well. As you may know, I recently acquired a 1984 GE mark 27 range, which has put me one step closer to having a complete house of vintage major appliances. The last thing I need to complete this is a dishwasher. I’ve finally got the space to store one, so I’m looking for one. I’m only able to travel about 2 hours to get one, so I’m stuck looking locally. I have had my heart set on a Hobart KitchenAid for several years now. I was originally wanting an 18, 20, or 21 series machine. However, I’m not seeing any of those for sale locally at the moment. I do, however, see a couple of 17 series machines that are within driving distance. However, my concern is that the lack of an upper wash arm would sacrifice performance. So the question is: should I go ahead and get one of the 17 series machines, or wait until an 18 or 20-21 series shows up?
Thanks,
Thatwasherguy.

 

[rollermatic]

Hey

I've got a bunch of 17 models, I will give you one if you like.

Don't pay more than 100 bucks or so if you do end up buying one. I have about 20 or so and I have never paid more than 200 for any dishwasher I have ever bought. Sone were given to me. I see folks trying to get 500 or more for these machines, ridiculous!

The 17 series is my favorite, I love that pump design and the idea of one wash arm in the bottom getting everything clean.

I do have a kds-18 in my kitchen I use occasionally but I still like the earlier models better. Never really liked working on the 18-20 series pumps. Seemed more temperamental.

I'm in Ohio, all my appliances are at my place in milford. I have bought many of my appliances long distance and shipping was available and pretty cheap. But it's been about 12 years since I've had anything shipped.

I would gladly give you a 17 kds and you could either put it together yourself or I could get it running for you. Only thing I probably would have to buy would be a seal kit and I find them on ebay all the time cheap, 10 bucks or so. I've got a ton of Hobart parts, especially racks and pumps.

Not sure where you are, typing this on my phone as I'm not home. Hopefully you will be close by. Will go on site on my laptop tonite and check this post.

My opinion, if you want a vintage dishwasher Hobart kutchenaid is the way to go! I just picked up another portable 15 series in Cleveland recently. Good luck!

 

[rollermatic]

See you are

In Kentucky, great!
Hopefully I can help you out

 

[peteski50]

Dishwasher!

If you are looking for a vintage machine I would consider a whirlpool power clean
I once had one and I loved it!

 

[rollermatic]

Forgot to ask

Are you looking for portable or built in?

 

[thatwasherguy]

Thank you so much for the offer!

Ideally, I’d like to get a built in unit with the changeable colors, but certainly wouldn’t say no to a portable, either. As long as it was built by Hobart, can be made to run, and says KitchenAid Superba on the console, I’m game.
Thanks again,
Thatwasherguy.

 

[qsd-dan]

I say go for it.

You can always use this dishwasher as a back up or remove the top rack and clean large items like trash cans.

 

[gelaundry4ever]

GE!

Go with older GE! Or, how about a Maytag if GE doesn't work?

 

[rollermatic]

i also love

the old g.e. dishwashers, the mobile maids with the vertical pump. i have a few plus one built in with that pump style that i've yet to even tinker with.

problem i found with those g.e.'s is that pump seals are gone, at least i can't find any. i got a couple from larry at modern parts in parma, ohio before be passed away and have never found anymore.

hobart seals are still out there, as well as D & M and i would bet whirlpool. i only have 2 whirlpool dishwashers and have not had to do anything to them yet.

another option for you would be if you could find a nice sears kenmore roto rack. they scream nostalgia and vintage. and you'll be able to keep that one running for a long time with all the parts still available. i see them on facebook marketplace, craigslist and ebay occasionally, there a few out there!

just a thought.

i will look thru my kds-17 machines when i get back to milford to see if there is one i think you might like. all can be restored to run but some are in rougher shape cosmetically than others. of course door panels can be easily sanded down and painted to look like new again. just depends on how much one wants to put into it.

i personally love taking a really beat up machine and getting it in top shape again! started working on dishwashers when i was 13!