I caught the bug again. The bug that comes around every 6 months or so that makes me want to switch dishwashers. Since the water inlet, drain, and power are set up and positioned for both the PowerClean and the Voyager-Maytag, all I have to do is disconnect, unbolt from the countertop, and slide out-slide in. The reason for this latest bug I suppose comes from having the "itch" for newer things, since my washer and dryer are now up to modern HE status. I ADORE the PowerClean, but with detergents now requiring more time to effectively work, I just have this feeling that the short main wash time just isn't enough unless I add options or use a heavier cycle, which adds energy use as well as wear and tear. Not to mention that I like the sleek styling of the Maytag MDB4709, with its slate colored interior and dark racks. It's also much quieter than the PC, though I'd never dare to say that the PC is intrusively noisy.
However, after being so accustomed to the PowerClean and its beautifully versatile loading/racking style, I can't bring myself to get used to the tiered upper rack in this Maytag. I've expressed how I feel about it before, but it seems like now it's just unbearable. I can only place short glasses, which are rarely used by the way, on the higher-left side, but because of the way the rack "steps" down from left to right, it also makes it difficult to place any glassware because if it isn't sitting on a flat part, it will tip or awkwardly wobble. This results in wasted gaps that would have otherwise proven useful in the PC's one level racking. It's also annoying that the "gained" space above the lower rack is nothing but useless head room because I never load tall pans or baking sheets in. Even with a full load of tall plates and stemware, there seems to be a mile of open air between the tops of the dishes in the bottom, and the underside of the upper washarm.
That said, I've gone on a vicious search for any info and parts I can find to try and convert to a more sensible setup. I tried taking the racks out of the PowerClean, since the upper rack in it is identical to the racks still being used in Whirlpool's current dishwashers as well as the Voyager machines that don't feature the adjustable levels (the lower rack is also identical to the Maytag's except in color). However, because the roller wheels are mounted almost in the middle of the rack, it places it too low in the Maytag, with the supply tube harness only meeting with the lower supply port at the back, which is molded sealed since my machine didn't have adjustable racks of course.
My options, it seems now, are to either buy the rack that was available to the model up from mine, the MDB8959SBS which user jkbff owns, that is the "deluxe" adjustable rack, but that also entails buying the parts that will make it compatible; rollers, the entire supply tube that runs up the back of the tub, and the supply manifold for the upper arm, along with the mounting brackets. I also have the option of scouring Craigslist and other sources for a used Whirlpool/Kenmore/Maytag dishwasher with that rack and matching color, and swap parts, and perhaps sell the harvested machine after restoring it a bit. Or just put the PowerClean back in and just make sure to buy quick dissolving loosely packed pods such as Cascade, because the Finish PowerBalls are just too densely compacted for me to be comfortable using them in a 14 minute main wash cycle. (That being the Normal cycle of course; if I add the Power Scour option, it usually turns out to be 25 minutes or so because of the thermal hold. This also adds a full extra rinse. Again, more energy, more water, and more wear on the machine.)
It's running right now with what I feel is a half load compared to what the PC would hold, despite there being no empty spots, but after it is finished I'll grab some up close photos of the rack and the inside of the machine, in case anyone has suggestions they want to share. I'll certainly be most grateful.
However, after being so accustomed to the PowerClean and its beautifully versatile loading/racking style, I can't bring myself to get used to the tiered upper rack in this Maytag. I've expressed how I feel about it before, but it seems like now it's just unbearable. I can only place short glasses, which are rarely used by the way, on the higher-left side, but because of the way the rack "steps" down from left to right, it also makes it difficult to place any glassware because if it isn't sitting on a flat part, it will tip or awkwardly wobble. This results in wasted gaps that would have otherwise proven useful in the PC's one level racking. It's also annoying that the "gained" space above the lower rack is nothing but useless head room because I never load tall pans or baking sheets in. Even with a full load of tall plates and stemware, there seems to be a mile of open air between the tops of the dishes in the bottom, and the underside of the upper washarm.
That said, I've gone on a vicious search for any info and parts I can find to try and convert to a more sensible setup. I tried taking the racks out of the PowerClean, since the upper rack in it is identical to the racks still being used in Whirlpool's current dishwashers as well as the Voyager machines that don't feature the adjustable levels (the lower rack is also identical to the Maytag's except in color). However, because the roller wheels are mounted almost in the middle of the rack, it places it too low in the Maytag, with the supply tube harness only meeting with the lower supply port at the back, which is molded sealed since my machine didn't have adjustable racks of course.
My options, it seems now, are to either buy the rack that was available to the model up from mine, the MDB8959SBS which user jkbff owns, that is the "deluxe" adjustable rack, but that also entails buying the parts that will make it compatible; rollers, the entire supply tube that runs up the back of the tub, and the supply manifold for the upper arm, along with the mounting brackets. I also have the option of scouring Craigslist and other sources for a used Whirlpool/Kenmore/Maytag dishwasher with that rack and matching color, and swap parts, and perhaps sell the harvested machine after restoring it a bit. Or just put the PowerClean back in and just make sure to buy quick dissolving loosely packed pods such as Cascade, because the Finish PowerBalls are just too densely compacted for me to be comfortable using them in a 14 minute main wash cycle. (That being the Normal cycle of course; if I add the Power Scour option, it usually turns out to be 25 minutes or so because of the thermal hold. This also adds a full extra rinse. Again, more energy, more water, and more wear on the machine.)
It's running right now with what I feel is a half load compared to what the PC would hold, despite there being no empty spots, but after it is finished I'll grab some up close photos of the rack and the inside of the machine, in case anyone has suggestions they want to share. I'll certainly be most grateful.
