Thoughts on new Whirlpool Dual Power Filtration dishwashers

[maytaga806]

The new lineup of Whirlpool made dishwashers looks a bit interesting, I’ve seen a lot of these dual filtration models on the floors and I have to wonder, do all wash zones clean at once like the good old dishwashers? Or is it like those Powerwave spray arm systems like Fridgidare has been notorious for and only one spray arm runs at once like the recent kitchenaids and Jenn Airs?

Also I’ve read a ton of reviews that range from the Whirlpools to Kitchenaids and Maytags with this new design, many have complained that a piece of the food chopper lodges off and gets stuck in the drain pump. So I’m wondering if any of you have this model or know how it operates, and if they are worth it. I’m looking to get a new dishwasher within the next while so any recommendations are welcomed. I’m looking for something top control all stainless inside and out and one that washes all zones at once like my older Maytag jetclean from 2009. It’s unfortunate they took the tiered racks out of the new Maytags like mine has. Wish they still made the stainless jetclean models that were top control, I’d take one of those anyday but used ones come up rarely and they are not fun to clean as in most cases the entire sump needs deep cleaning. Anyways, any input is welcomed.

 

[littlegreeny]

These models alternate wash arms. I'm not aware of any residential machines that run all the wash arms at once.

And I believe the WP/MT versions of these do not have rotating sprayers on the top rack. You need to upgrade to a KA to get those.

 

[appnut]

Dan, first off, the problem with the piece of food chopper breaking off has been one that has plagued them off & on. From what I underestood, initially they had beefed up a component or tweo, but obviously hasn't solved the problem. I don't think the chopper is neary as duable as a PowerClean. Second, no none of them wash all zones at the same time, they switch between levels. My new Bosch surprised me when I discovered and figured out it actually apparently does spray all levels simultaneously at some point during most cycles. The two Whirlpool models that have the improved 3rd rack design and are similar to the KitchenAids is the WDT970SAKV and the WDTA80SAKV. The rest, no thank you. These models have filters just like the rest of the WP line. Maytag's similar is the MDB8959SKZ. The 3 WP & Maytag models may have the redesign 3rd rack and a designated spray for the 3rd rack, however the spray tube under the 3rd rack does not rotate at all like the KitchenAids do, a similar concept to the old Frigidaire Spin Tube design, but without that intense spray force. The Maytag does not have a filter that has to be cleaned. Then there are the KitchenAid models that feature the FreeFlex 3rd rack. These models have the same spray tube as the two WP & one Maytag models. BUT also add a 2nd spray tube for the 3rd rack that actually does slowly rotate.

 

[vacerator]

Our kids

point voyager Kenmore died, so they're getting a new GE stainless interior 46 db. model which looks very high end. Top door edge controls, and hidden doorhandle.

 

[stevet]

Point Voyager..stick with it

What died on their PV machine? There are still loads of them out there especially on Facebook Marketplace and probably Craigslist. I just picked one up for $20.00 and yes, it needed deep cleaning, but that's a pretty easy task. The machine works like brand new and looks great. I even got a set of perfect racks in it. There are plenty of YouTube videos out there to walk you through the process.

They all washed with both wash arms at the same time and actually have a larger pump than any machine that followed that design. My current PV machine is from 2004 and still works perfectly. It did eat a pump, but Kitchenaid replaced it for free under the 5-year motor warranty. I actually never used the new one and replaced the bad one with a used one and it is still going strong. So, you might want to reconsider the GE purchase and maybe fix the old machine.

 

[egress]

speaking of point voyagers

What can i do to beef ours up and make it work a little better? it almost always leaves fine food particles in glasses loaded on the top rack. infuriating!

 

[maytaga806]

I believe the Voyager Kenmore your speaking about is of that mid 2000s range to whenever they stopped making them around 2014 as my Maytag from 09 has the same motor and that’s why I’d love to get a top control jetclean from around 2010-14 they came up all the time months ago but haven’t found one in a long time on marketplace. Those pumps were awesome and yeah washed all levels at once like my powerclean or any good old dishwasher. Plus the Jetclean or other Whirlpool made voyager models weren’t too loud but definitely not too quite my Maytag has the perfect decibel to me which is about 55-60 they rated it I believe. It’s a great sounding dishwasher and cleans almost as well as a powerclean does, not sure how much smaller the motor is than a powerclean but that thing can clean anything within my time having it since 2017.

Thank you for the info, I just don’t get why they do this nowadays and don’t let all levels wash at once.

 

[cam2s]

Alternate wash arms

The point of the alternating wash arms is to maintain adequate pressure while reducing water usage. If you look at the cycle charts for the dual power dishwasher the normal cycle shows an average time of 2.15 hours with an average water usage of 2.4 gallons. Heavy/tough is an average time of 2.75 hours with an average water usage of 4.6 gallons. Compared the point voyagers this platform has slightly longer cycle times with much less water usage. The point voyager KitchenAid I used to have took around 2 hours on heavy wash, and I believe those where 1.8 gallons per fill so that would be a usage of 7.2 gallons plus however many APF purges it used. A power clean on the normal cycle (Wash wash rinse rinse) would use 8.8 gallons.

 

[lakewebsterkid]

beefed up point voyager

Remove the Phil restrictor from where the water hose attaches just before the fill valve. This allowed my machine to fill to a higher water level and used the overflow float switch to turn the water off. I found washing was better after this. No more cavitation issues.

 

[appnut]

I did not remove the flow restrictor on either of my 2006 Point Voyager-based Kenmore Elite nor the 2015 successor, but I was known to add additional water when I wanted extra oomph for cleaning.

 

[maytaga806]

That’s a great tip I’ll keep that in mind when I ever do get another Jetclean. Mine still suffers from cavitation issues here and there and it drove me insane when I couldn’t figure it out when it was happening after I got it.

 

[egress]

hmm, I might try removing my flow restrictor then. I've noticed it does tend to cavitate during the rinse cycle so maybe thats the reason for the lackluster cleansing.

 

[gelaundry4ever]

I wish I knew

what whirlpool named their new wash system on their own models.

 

[ultramatic52]

LG Quadwash

I own an LG Quadwash dishwasher and as an option you can select dual zone, which makes the machine increase the water level a little and all wash arms work at the same time, sounds changes without this option and does an excellent job.