Wanted: KitchenAid KDS-60 Superba.

[Ultramatic]

 

 

Being the fickle Virgo that I am, and needing a preheater, I've decided a KDS-60 would fit the bill. Now I could go the KDS-20 route, BUT, I would have to purchase a base cabinet. It must be white to match the other appliances. Hopefully I will find one within a few hours driving distance.

 



 

 

[chachp]

Panels

<span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">If I remember correctly these came with both almond and white panels behind each other.  There may have even been a black panel in there.  But I suspect if you find an almond one you can at least change the front to white.</span>

 

[Ultramatic]

 

 

You're right Chach, I remember reading about that somewhere. 

 

[Ultramatic]

 

 

OK, I'm a bit confused, are those pic's I posted 59's or 60's?

 

[appnut]

I believe the first is a 59 and the second is a 60. 

 

[beekeyknee]

They are both 60's. The control panel in the first picture is wrong for a 58. The machine in the second picture is currently in use in my home.

KDS-60 Acquisition

I got a lovely KDS-60 (KDS-20 convertible) from an older couple up in Kirksville, MO, thanks to one of Phil's posts in Shoppers Square a bit over a week ago. Thanks, Phil. I called last Monday evening around 5:00 and asked if the machine was still available. The lady said yes and she had...

www.automaticwasher.org

 

[ovrphil]

Louie, I've looked but no luck so far.

Brian - it's a handsome DW…KA makes it impossible to just have one(like a bag of chips, for some)

 

[Ultramatic]

 

 

Thanks Phil, I really appreciate it!

 

[Ultramatic]

 

 

Thanks Brian for the link! What a wealth of great pictures and information!

 

[Ultramatic]

 

 

Still lookin'

 

<a name="endCOMX_12793.11"></a>

 

From archives

 

[chachp]

IKEA Dishwasher Cabinet

<span style="font-family: verdana, geneva;">Do they still make those?  Is that an option for you?  I think those have a butcher block top on them and that might work well next to your stove.  I tried to order one of these from IKEA one time but found they don't ship them.  They were only available in store.  But I thought I read here that they had discontinued them.  I have had a search running on eBay for a couple of years hoping one would pop up and to date - Nothing.</span>

 

<span style="font-family: verdana, geneva;">I don't have an IKEA close by but I'd sure pick up a couple of these if I did.  Seems built-ins come up fairly often but the portables a little more scarce.</span>

 

[toploader55]

Chach,
I believe Nate (roto204) in one of his latest posts has a Ikea Cabinet around the Thundering Thermador. I think he said they don't make them anymore.

I have thought about having a cabinet maker do up a shell that would be adaptable to house a built in.

I have an KDS 18 that I would love to get into Portable Mode as my DD or overflow machine.

Ah Ha. Here's the link...

Machines of Ill Repute, Volume VI: Return of a Classic

Ralph... :-)

www.automaticwasher.org

 

[classiccaprice]

My parents have a 20. The panels do change. There are 2 reversible panels inside.... Black, White, Almond and Harvest. Not for sale, but just fyi.

 

[yogitunes]

Louie....what color are we looking to make it.....my guess is your going for White, just want to be sure.....

I may have spares.....from a Kenmore DW.....can't imagine them being far off on sizes.....

nothing says we can't customize panels.....I bought a sheet of stainless and had a the machine shop behind me cut the panels to the size I needed square...

galvanized panels are inexpensive, can be cut and painted as well....

wonder about diamond cut, if anything, the mirror shine....or even chrome, now you got me thinking....

wonder how plexi-glas would work/look if painted from behind....

 

[Ultramatic]

 

 

I don't think they still make those IKEA dishwasher cabinets. I thought about it nevertheless, they seemed to be far too expensive and they wouldn't match the kitchen cabinets. I do have a cabinet that can be modified to accept a KDS-20. I suppose I could do it IF I found a really nice KDS-20 at a reasonable price. For ease of installation, I'd prefer a KDS-60, in white of course, to match the Caloric and the GE. Thanks guys for all the thoughts and suggestions!

 

[beekeyknee]

Louie,

I'm pretty sure that the portable cabinets are painted to match the color of the panel that's installed on the front of the machine from the factory. Almond was installed on the front of my machine, so the cabinet was painted almond too. I've also seen all white machines. Don't know about other colors. I'm sure someone else would know.

The panel sizes are 23 1/2 x 18 3/4 and 23 1/2 x 6 1/2. Those aren't KitchenAid sizes, just approximations that fit. If I recall correctly, KitchenAid listed the width as 23&5/8th's or something around there. You could take one out and measure it sometime.

B.

 

[Ultramatic]

 

 

Thanks for the info Brian!

 

[Ultramatic]

 

 

Guys, I have a lead, thanks to the kindness of a fellow AW member. I'm a complete novice to this. Is there any trouble spots I should be looking for when I go see the dishwasher?

 

[chachp]

My list...

<span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">What I stay away from:</span>

 

<ol>
<li>Excessive rust in the sump area.</li>
<li><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">Can you get a peek underneath to see if they are any signs of leaking.  Water stains, etc.  How dusty is it under there.  </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">Does the wiring look to be in pretty good shape?</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">Chips in the porcelain and lead to rust down the road depending where they are and how bad they are.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">Really worn our rusty racks.  While the racks themselves are around it usually indicates to me that it's had a hard life.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">The general condition of the outside of the machine is also a clue to how well/poorly the machine has been cared for.  Does it have a lot of dents and scratches on the cabinet?  A machine of this age will always have some but you don't want one that looks like it's been through a roller derby.</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">As far as everything else is concerned I think many of the rest of the parts and pieces are available here or on eBay.</span></span></span></li>
</ol>
<span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">What did I forget?</span></span></span></span></span>

 

<span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">Ralph</span></span></span></span></span></span></span>