Vintage dishwasher conversion

[paulg]

I saw at the Salvation Army a (suspected) late 1970s or early 1980s Kitchenaid diswasher. Sorta modern, chromy and black. Three chrome pushbuttons and a knob. Masculine styling. $50.00 Just want an extra dishwasher to do the excess after parties.
HOWEVER, I REALLY want a portable - this is a built-in.
How can I convert to a portable? Don't need the sink adaptor apparatus. Just need it in a metal box with rollers for it. Will reside in the basement and everything is on wheels down there. Beside building my own portable kit (yeech), are current Kitchenaid conversion kits available and will they fit old units? Any ideas appreciated. Thanks!

 

[paulg]

Don't bother responding / CHAMBERS notes.

In a very odd coincindence, I was at an estate sale and found a nearly identical dishwasher in a built-in arrangement. Bought it. $75.00.
Model KDC-61C. Not too vintage - but I really can use the extra machine.
I was SHOCKED to see the Kitchenaid brochure with rebranded CHAMBERS built-ins (labeled Kitchenaid). This is the Hobart era. I wondered what happened to the wonderful Chambers. At least it wasn't purchased by some Chinese firm.

 

[tomturbomatic]

You can replace the leveling feet with wheels, but you are going to have to secure a very heavy weight to the frame at the rear to keep it stable when the door is opened and a rack is pulled out. The KS convertible portables had the front wheels mounted forward of the actual tank for this purpose whereas the leveling feet of a built in will be too far underneath the front to help. It would probably help the stability to put a very heavy stone counter top on it. It's easy to get a counter top and side panels from IKEA and the older KA dishwashers with the full frame make this an easy retrofitting. You will need to buy an adapter so that you can connect a fill hose to the water valve. Maybe someone will have a spare unicouple.

KA did buy Chambers for their first line of built in ranges in the early 80s, I think. The gas cooktops even had the daisy wheel burners. The ovens by then were only available in electric, no more gas ovens without broilers, but all of that faded once KA had the WP cooking products.

 

[paulg]

Thanks for the info

The portable Kitchenaid I bought came with the complete portable outfit. You are correct, the leveling feet are further forward than the chassis per-se and therefore it isn't tippy. Looking at the design, I wouldn't try developing my own portable kit. The unit I bought initially seemed to work fine, but then I realized it wouldn't heat the water or dry.
Ordered a new timer (two sections were open, could see the "poof" marks on the plastic drum). Heat returns! Unit operates perfectly.
You are also correct that the 80's vintage Kitchenaid gas ranges had the Chambers daisy burners. I was surprised to see an electric version of the same cooktop. Chambers was a good name - too bad they cannot find an appropriate place for that high-quality product name - maybe in a limited series.

 

[laundromat]

The Chambers brand was purchased by Whirlpool.If you look at the older KitchenAid gas cooktops after The Whirlpool takeover,the "Daisy burners",a Chambers exclusive,are the ones they used at that time.They as well as the hydrosweep wash system with the "Gold Seal Motor"are now only history.I have seen Whilpool use the Chambers brand on some products i.e. window A/Cs but nothing reasently.

 

[launderess]

Kitchenaid/Whirlpool Has Since Sold Off Chambers Brand

IIRC, the same outfit that owns the "Thor" washing machine brand name, now owns "Chambers" or some such company. If you Google "Chambers" it should come up, at least that is how one found out.