Which portable dishwasher?

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frontloaderfan

frontloaderfan

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Joined
Dec 20, 2012
Messages
362
Location
Merrimac valley, MA
I am in the market for a new portable dishwasher and was wondering which one would be the best for the money or which to avoid at all costs.
I chose a portable because I live in a rental property and the landlord is too lazy/cheap to have a new electrical outlet put in and take out a section of the (used) kitchen cabinetry.
I would appreciate any feedback.
Thanks!
 
I have the Kenmore UltraWash models, as mentioned their convertibles.....the first I got brand new, the second I found at Habitat for 40.00...

these are also branded under Whirlpool and have the PowerWash module.....

great cleaning from both units...
 
I'd stay away from new ones.

Unless you really want that.  Best bet is to find a low milage Whirlpool Powerclean/Kenmore Ultrawash portable.  The old Kitchenaids are alright too but parts are becoming more rare and expensive all the time.   One other option that works well are the Maytag Jetclean portable.  Just stay away from the tall tub ones which were great cleaners but not reliable. 

WK78
 
Thanks for all the great feedback!
Any comments to the Frigidaire portables? They have the stainless tub, which seems better, but not sure about their dishwasher quality/reliability...
Thanks in advance!
 
I haven't heard anything good about Frigidaires manufactured over the past 10 years or so, or in general for that matter.

 

I found a 13-year old Kenmore Ultra Wash for $30 recently and it's proving to be an excellent machine. 

 

As has been advised above, a vintage machine will cost you less and do a better job in less than half the time a new one would.

 

IKEA used to sell surrounds so you could convert a built-in to portable, but I don't know if they still do.  Nate's is like a revolving door for the various built-in machines he has picked up over the past couple of years.

 

Here's a picture of it housing a built-in KDI-20.

rp2813++6-9-2013-17-36-31.jpg
 
If I had to pick out a brand new one I would have to go with Maytag. Their portable model has a food grinder and sani-rinse option. The Kenmore and Whirlpool models have the filter you need to clean out. Frigidaire only has an 18 inch portable model.
 
I had the Frigidaire 18 Inch Portable For 9 years

Never really had a serious issue until the last year, when the spray arm got melted by the heating element.

Rather than fix it, I replaced it with a GE portable. So far, so good for the past two years. It washes adequately (does a great job with Cascade Complete packets) and has been largely trouble free.
 
so I chose....

The new Whirlpool portable like the one pierreandreply mentioned in his first post. The others sounded great but I had no way to pick up a used one and the new Maytag was out of my price range. I had read some bad stuff about the Frigidaire and had seen how cheap the hoses were, so I decided to go with the Whirly instead.
I ordered it from Central Appliance here in Sanford. It should be here Friday afternoon. I have stopped washing dishes in the meantime so I can put it right to work...:-)
Thanks everyone!
 
I have the Maytag version.............

the only difference is that the Maytag has a three level wash vs. Whirlpool's two level wash, but you will be satisfied! I hate washing dishes, pots, pans, you name it! If I can put it in the dishwasher, it's going in! Good luck.
Mike
 
New Whirly portable DW

The new portable DW got here on Friday. I had a load of dirty dishes waiting for it. The guy that delivered it said (in his thick Mass accent) "I hope you get more use outta yours than I do outta mine. It just sits inda kitchen and rots. I wash 'em by hand". More power to him, I say.
I've been busy cooking and baking, just so I'll have an excuse to use it. So far, I couldn't be happier with it. Reasonably quiet and the dishes come out spotless. The noise it does make is very soothing. I wish I could have it next to my bed. That would be the end of any sleep problems forever!

@ Yogi: Do you have any suggestions on how or what to take pics of? A DW isn't as fun to watch as a frontloader, but I'm definitely willing to try.

Does anyone have any recommendations as to what detergent/rinse aid to use? I just did like it says on the door and bought the Cascade tabs and rinse aid. When I had my AEG portable in Germany, I used Finish rinse aid and the Powerball Tabs from...(Henkel?). I saw Lowe's has them now too, although they're made here in the USA.
Anyone care to comment?
Cheers,
Ryan
 
just take a few pics of the unit, its controls up close, and an inside money shot....

I get the Sun powder detergent from DollarTree......works just as good......

DollarGeneral has some great buys as well, especially for the rinse aid.....and they take coupons, a lot cheaper than even Walmart....

lots of luck with your new toy!
 
Industrial Cascade?

Where might one purchase said Cascade?

I tend to steer away from loose powders/liquids as I usually get obsessive about the cleaning power and end up overdosing the detergent.

I noticed some Mexican markets have Persil now...
 

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