What can you tell me about a 1999 Whirlpool Gold?

[tristarcxl]

This house was built in 1999 and still has the original Whirlpool Gold dishwasher that it came with. I've not been able to find out some of the info I'm curious about on it, so I figured it was finally worth taking the time to post pictures and questions.

It's got the electronic timer, the Quiet Partner I package, and something called "Accu-Wash" which I have NO clue what it does.

What I can say about it is that it is hands-down one of the quietest dishwashers I've ever heard. It does an absolutely superb job cleaning too! In fact, I hate to say it, but I'd take it over a Kitchen Aid any day of the week. I have NEVER put a single dish in it that came out with so much as a speck of food in the 3 years I've lived here! I never pre-wash, and sometimes dirty dishes sit in there for several days before I actually run it! I don't generate enough dishes to warrant a daily run, and I'm entirely too lazy to wash by hand......that's what the dishwasher is for after all!

 

[tristarcxl]

Better picture of the Timer Controls

Don't know why the pictures are blurry today.....

What is "Accu-Wash Sensor"?

 

[tristarcxl]

Door Open...

Anyone know what that funky squiggly bar is for on the front part of the upper rack? I don't know what useful purpose it could possibly serve!

The one thing I HATE about this dishwasher is having the silverware baskets in the door. Whoever designed that should be SHOT!!!!

 

[tristarcxl]

Lower Wash Arm

The lower wash arm. Notice the intentions in the roller tracks for the wash arm to pass through...

 

[tristarcxl]

Filter...

I'm assuming it's self-cleaning? I've never had to do anything to it since I've owned the house.

 

[tristarcxl]

Upper Rack

Even it has a wash-arm. Racks can fold down for more flexibility in loading too

 

[tristarcxl]

Power Shower...

It even has a 3rd water jet in the roof. I didn't know they still used these?!

 

[tristarcxl]

Eco-Friendly this isn't...

This sucker uses some water too......in fact while it's running, it even SOUNDS like it's getting the job done! Lots of water roaring and sloshing around inside.

The picture is actually deceptive. The water fills to touch the heating element. It covers the top of the filter screen on the pump, and is about 2" deep at the sump! Water-saver this isn't...

 

[tristarcxl]

So.....

I'm assuming this is a true Whirlpool design? Whatever they did, it's an excellent washer! Between this beast and the GE washer, I'm sure I'm the enemy of the local aquifer...

What kind of failures are these machines known for? I like it enough that if it fails, I want to be able to fix it and not be stuck with one of these modern machines that spits on the dishes to get them clean.

My mother has a more modern tall-tub version of this same dishwasher (2005 vintage) and it is a total loss at cleaning ability. Dishes come out dirty, tub is discolored, even the pump is about to throw in the towel. I noticed when I was at their house this weekend that it has a very loud growl when washing. Sounds horrible!

On that note.....when theirs dies, what's something worth replacing it with? They will NOT be repairing that awful thing. I wish they still made machines like mine! But......it's Whirlpool......they did something right, so now they had to go and discontinue it!

 

[appnut]

This is the last of the true PowerClean disheashers. There is a comparable moderns version, the Whirlpool DU930. There is a Kenmore version of it, the Model #is 13599. The Kenmore version has upscale additions of nyloon instead of vynil racks and a true Sani-rinse option. Also the flatware basket is in the bottom rack, not in the door. I've attached the link to the Kenmore use & care guide. Incidentally, I have the Kenmore Elite version of your mom's dishwasher and I have no complaints about it what so ever. I've had it for 2 years and it does bobLoads just fine. It can t ake dried on oatmeal off bowls that have sat for up to a week or more without a iccup.

http://c.sears.com/assets/own/13592e.pdf

 

[appnut]

I am not 100% sure, but I also think the Kenmore version has a slightly adjustable upper rack. The both neither have the slanted upper rack like yours.

 

[appnut]

Also, AccuWash senses the amoount of soil in the water and adjust the number of washes & rinses as well as main wash temperature.

 

[tristarcxl]

Sani Rinse...

Can you define Sani-Rinse for me? This one turns the heating element on during the last part of the cycle and heats the water to near boiling. When it's doing the "Sani-Rinse" portion, there are massive quantities of steam coming out of the vent on the front....hence the discoloration of the plastic above it.

Just curious...

 

[nmassman44]

I had this dishwasher model in my house in Omaha. Loved it and got everything clean. She is not quiet by any means. To answer your question about the Accuwash feature...When you combine the Power Scour option with Normal,Heavy, and Pots and Pans cycles it will raise the wash temp to 145 degrees. The sensor ensures that the water meets that temp before moving on in the cycle.
Onto the silverware baskets...the silverware basket can be mounted to the front of the lower rack. Thats what those clips are for in the front of the rack in the left corner and there should be one on the right. One trick that works is to make sure that you load your plates vertically and in the front of the rack area. The back I always used to load my bowls and pots and pans. Another thing is to load the forks and spoons head down in the basket. And mix in each compartment knives forks and spoons. You have to think when you load this basket and what will wash and remember the closer to the jet you get it will clean well. The wash system is very similar to what they put into the KitchenAid 24 series. In fact I think that the 4 way HydroSweep might fit in this...i never tried doing that but have wondered what if...

 

[appnut]

I can't read your control panel so I don't know what the buttons say on it. Sani-Rinse heats the water to 153 degrees and holds it there for 10 minutes per NSF guidelines for domestic dishwashers. If you select hiigh-temp wash (or such similar option on your machine) it only heats the final rinse water to 140 or 145 degrees. BTW, what's the model number of yours?

 

[tristarcxl]

Sani-Rinse...

It has an actual Sani-Rinse button on it. Inside the upper lip of the door, it actually has an NSF certification sticker regarding the Sani-Rinse, so I think this one's got a true Sani.

The model number is GU980SCGQ2

Interestingly my washer lacks any sort of clips to locate the silverware caddy anywhere else.....

 

[appnut]

Actually if you'd go to the Whirlpool website and download the user manual (GU980S), you'll get an accurate description of your cycles and what happens with light, medium, ro heavy soil. Actually Mike, as the manual indicates, Accuwash has more to do with soil sensing like I explained than simply water temperature set points. And rick, this as a pretty top of the line Whirlpool Gold for its day. This is definitely a keeper. Steve 1/18 has the Kenmore version of this dishwasher and I love his.

 

[peteski50]

Whirlpool!

The whirlpool gold pictured above was the last good dishwasher they made. At least it used enough water and cleaned faster than todays models. I had a whirlpool portable power clean I bought used made in 1992. I am so sorry I got rid of that machine when I remodeled my kitchen. It cleaned so well and I didn't mind the silver ware basket in the door. If you load plates in front it washes beautifully. If it is that much of a problem you can always put the backet inside the rack. This model above is a Gem - don't loose it.
Peter

 

[tristarcxl]

I have no intention of letting this dishwasher go. If I ever move from here, it's coming with me! Thanks to AppNut I now have the manuals and parts lists for it. Why I never thought to scour the Whirlpool site boggles even my own feeble mind...

Heres to hoping it can keep it going for many more years! I think i should probably start collecting parts though......