Whirlpool tall-tub DW

[toggleswitch]

ONCE- you hear something (or think of something) you say -- eh
TWICE- You hear something -HMMM, maybe
THRICE- (three times)amd it's pretty much fact.

SO what did I hear three times?

That Whirlpool made tall-tubs stink! My sister and I have the KA badged version and a frend had the Sears badged version. He returned it.

Sister, mother and I all had MOL WP plastique tub DW from early 90's--LOVED IT. Washed well, loaded well, dried well MECHANICAL timer. W-R-R-D light wash AWESOME!

NEW WP tall-tubs are a real POS-
Takes forever
Inflexible cycles due to computerized timer
Leaves residue in glasses.

Also, her machines's racking (and therefore loading) pattern is horrible- the dishes are stacked so close together the machine can't even remove larger bits of food; say a short piece of spaghetti.

I can usually fit me, you and your mamma in a DW and FAST. I CAN NOT load her DW ALL. It's embarassing.

Anyone else have a similar experience?

 

[toggleswitch]

I think the "old" model is still available, although with a computerized timer.

I may be moving shorly and will definitely reconsider it as my next machine.

IIRC the price is WAY down too. I believe I saw it a couple of years ago for low $400s, and now it is in the upper $200s

 

[Cybrvanr]

Do these issues translate over to the Kenmore machines? Since Sears uses Whirlpool washers for their Kenmore line. I DO like the fact that most of the Kenmores and Whirlpools have garbage disposers that chop up the food before washing it down the drain line. I have noticed thought that the latest models of WP's are a bit noisey compared to other comparable machines. The Kitchen-Aids aren't though, so I guess that's something they use to distinguish between a K-A and a regular old WP...along with stainless steel washtubs and the 4 spoke spray arms

 

[toggleswitch]

IIRC- At first KA and Sears badged WPs offered SS interiors, whereas WP did not (and may STILL not)

IMHO KA adds more insulation, for heat and sound than the other sister badges. I'm not sure, though, if a TOL Sears beats a mid level KA in terms of insulation, or if KA has the max.

Sadly I think My MOL GE does a better job.

 

[appnut]

Steve, there is the WP DU930 and possibly DU940 that's the old PowerClean system. all electtronic though. Sears has a version of mechanical timer Model #15999 and 16999, black. Downside is this has the little nozzle funnel that shoots the water up to the two spray arm and also has a shooting stream up through the top rack spray arm for a "3rd" wash level. There's closeout on the Kenmore equivalent of the DU930/DUU940, model# 16009 for $279.88. Best buy has an Inglish Model that's towerless space and mechanical timer and actually says PowerClean when you look at detailed description. This model's "Normal Wash" is the equivalent of your old LIght Wash lol.

 

[appnut]

The Kenmore Elite tall tubs have the jets on the spray arms designed a bit different than the other sisters (plus the top rack angles glassawre differently). Leslie says he believes this aids in the Kenmore version Tall Tubs having better cleaning ability. Steve, they don't quite make the equivalent of your beloeved MOL GE anymore. Check out the GE site if/when you may have to consider something.

 

[toggleswitch]

Thanks guys

Similarly, I can't stand the ONE rinse default on my KA unless "High Temp Scrub" is pressed.

It's gotten to the point that I do a "Rinse only" with detergent at times before the cycle to get a third load of detergent. Once, before doign that, my stuff came out absolutely greasy.

So Sad.

Just to learn the facts: What if someone accidentally supplied the machine with COLD water? With a comuterized panel/timer, will the water heating phase time-out at some point or will it trudge through until hot even if a REALLY long time?

 

[hoover1060]

I have one

Toggle I have a Kenmore tall tub, I bought it in May of 2002, floor model discontinued at Sears. I don't know the model number offhand because I am at work, but will get it tonight. I can say its a Kenmore "Limited Edition" and is all touchpad.
I've not one negative thing to say about it, it washes beautifully, is quiet, and holds alot. Normal use in my house has it running about every 4-5 days, and everything comes out clean.
I guess the only thing thats not super about this DW is the cycle time is 96 minutes, A long time if you're cleaning up after a party and waiting to unload/reload. I really like the Kitchenaid machines Fred Nelson has, they go through a complete cycle in less than 45 minutes!

 

[appnut]

Steve, the computer would "time out" after a certain amount of minutes. It will not indefintely "hold" until target temp is reached during heating--unlike Euro machines.

 

[fnelson487]

New TT KitchenAid Machine

I had a TOL KitchenAid tall tub machine installed. It's not a bad machine, but takes forever and doesn't dry well. I removed it and replaced it with a KitchenAid KDS-17 from the mid 70s. The installer told me he had never removed a new $1,200 machine and replaced it with a 30 year old machine. I told him that he had never come to my house before! In my humble opinion, and given the loading restrictions of a single wash arm machine, nothing can beat those old KitchenAids. Definitely water hogs (love that whoosh sound it makes), but I have yet to take out a dirty or wet dish out of that machine.

 

[toggleswitch]

I forgot to mention that the automatic air-vent damper does not work. Never did from day one.

*SIGH*

Even on hot-dry the freikin thing couldn't dry a dish.
I want blower fans back!

 

[hoover1060]

my DW

Here's my Kenmore, I really like it.

 

[hoover1060]

yes its running

Here's how I normally load the top rack

 

[hoover1060]

and the bottom rack

Not much here, month end at work and I didn't have time to cook anything

 

[fnelson487]

Fast, Good and Pretty Too!

They just don't make them like this anymore!!

 

[fnelson487]

Inside Shot

Very flexible!

 

[petek]

Fast, good and pretty, geeze I thought you were posting my picture.

 

[maytagbear]

and so

refresingly modest!

(just kidding, Pete.)

Lawrence/Maytagbear

 

[hoover1060]

oh I love that KA of Fred's!

Thats such a pretty machine, and having had the privledge to see it run, I can definately say its one heck of a nice dishwasher!

 

[fnelson487]

Fast, Good and Pretty Too!

Pete, having not had the pleasure of meeting you in person, I am just going to have to take your word for it!

 

[hoover1060]

This is what I had before

This died about 4 months after I bought my house, it dumped water all over the kitchen floor!
It worked ok, but was noisy!

 

[SactoTeddyBear]

Re: Maytag 2-Rack Taller-Tub:

I've got the first Model #MDB7600AWW of the Maytag 2-Rack Taller-Tub and except for a Manufacture Repair of replacing the Wiring Harness, it has been a great Dishwasher and it is fairly quite as well. The Maytag Dealer had a promotional special on the new Taller-Tub Dishwashers, so when I bought mine, I got a "Free" 7-Year Extended Warrantee with it. It has the separate Silverware Holders, that Latch together or can be placed in different areas of the Lower Rack. It also has 4-Lower and 2-Upper extra Stack-Side Racks for additional items with the Racks down, or fold/lock them for larger items. The Upper Rack also has 2-Height Adjustments and the Upper Spray Arm has a Tube that enters a 2-Level opening, for the different Heights. Both of the Racks have ample holding for everything that I've wanted to place in them for Washing and even though it is totally Electronically operated, I feel that it has quite a selection of Cycles and Options to select from. It is also one of the most quitest Dishwasher I've ever owned. I can hear the Water Spraying around through the Spray Arms, hitting the Sides of the Tub and I can hear the Water going into my Air-Gap, but all of that is real quiet, besides I perfer being able to hear Appliances operating, so I can get to know how they sound, so if there is something that doesn't sound right, I can distinct the difference in the noises. You can certainly listen to the TV or talk in the Kitchen, with the Dishwasher operating, without the need to almost shouting or having to turn the Volumm up on the TV. This is "BTW" my 2nd Maytag Dishwasher, the first one was one of the WU-502 Belt-Drive Dishwashers, with the Plates and Silverware going in the Upper Rack and the Glasses going in the Lower Rack. I sold it to a Friend several years ago, when she bought her house around 8-years ago and it is still going real good, after all these years. I've basically had such real good luck with the Maytag Dishwashers, that I don't think that I would ever purchase any other Brand.

Peace, Good Luck and Happy Maytag Dishwashing Days, Steve
SactoTeddyBear...

 

[appnut]

Jeff, you're very lucky you have one of the early Kenmore TT with the time display. Made me mad they discontinued that feature on all the models. Only now on WP or KA.

 

[toggleswitch]

Hi Jeff P!

My first DW was the 18 inch portable version of your pictured Kenmore. Mine was purchased in 82/83.

 

[gansky1]

I had a WP tall-tub that I found and put a new pump/motor unit in. It did an OK job washing, poor drying but I can't stand a machine that will run for an hour and still leave traces of starch on stainless cookware and utensils. There's no excuse for that. I want high temps back!

Fred's KDS-17 is a real jewel in his kitchen! The machine runs beautifully and is probably the most MINT KA I've ever seen. The procelain just gleams! That 1100W fan-forced drying system was the very best in a home dishwasher, I replaced the 800W on my KDS-18 with one - never a wet dish.

I found a very nice KDS-18 the other day, the porcelain is in very good shape and very clean overall. The racks were the worst I've ever seen, looks like the woman picked at them nervously whenever the machine was open.

 

[hoover1060]

Toggle,

That Kenmore washed ok, stuff came out clean, and it sounded ok too, solid not rattly cheap. I figured it was an early 80's model.
I was kinda bummed when it died, as there was not much in the stores to get excited about. I bought the Kenmore I have now purely on accident. The old DW was dead, I wanted a Kitchenaid or Maytag, and wound up st Sears to check out a "tall tub" that Jason Dumont recommended. The one I bought was a floor model, and marked down to $349 from $500, SOLD!
Never regretted it once.
When I get my house though I am going retro and vintage. Fred's Kitchenaids have me sold!