From Dishmaster factory, Mitchell, Indiana |
As part of my trip to Louisville last week, I visited the home of the Dishmaster – a fun road trip to Mitchell, Indiana.
Roger Swayer, owner of the company that makes this wonderful authentic retro kitchen faucet, gave my mom Fran and me a tour, told us how he ended up the caretaker of this amazing brand, and then took us for wonderful lunch at the nearby Spring Mill Inn, where we also met his wife Millie.
From Dishmaster factory, Mitchell, Indiana |
From Dishmaster factory, Mitchell, Indiana |
The factory is a small operation – with lots of personal attention to the production of each Dishmaster faucet. There are six employees in this subsidiary of the business – including Sharon, above.
From Dishmaster factory, Mitchell, Indiana |
Nearby, Sam was fabricating Dishmaster brushes – on a machine that has been in continuous use since 1948! Roger and Sam explain that it can be finicky, especially after the lunch break – but it gets the job done just as good as ever once it gets going.
From Dishmaster factory, Mitchell, Indiana |
The steps to make the Dishmaster are mapped out on the wall. Every single unit is quality-tested by an employee.
From Dishmaster factory, Mitchell, Indiana |
How did Roger and SilverStream LLC end up with the Dishmaster? Roger explained that the Dishmaster got its start in Pontiac, Michigan. The inventor/owner also had a place in Southern California. So the faucet was successfully marketed in those locations, in particular. Then, as Dishmaster owners – who are exceedingly loyal – retired to Florida, Arizona and Nevada, they took the faucets with them, literally and figuratively. The early models, Roger points out, look like Studebakers, and you can still see the Michigan/automotive influence in the M76 models today.
From Dishmaster factory, Mitchell, Indiana |
Roger’s company SilverStream LLC acquired the original Dishmaster company in 2004, after seeing it advertised for sale in a trade publication. SilverStream had previously manufactured and sold bathroom fixtures – under the brand name Indiana Brass Co. – but they eventually had to exit the business as the mainstream fixture market moved to Asia. They had been looking for something unique to fill the gap – and are seeking to give the Dishmaster brand a whole new lease on life.
From Dishmaster factory, Mitchell, Indiana |
At the end of the tour, Roger even showed me all these mint-in-box, new-old-stock Dishmaster faceplates from history, bought up with the factory and tooling four years ago. Guess what I came home with.
Get one straight from the company via Amazon:
Thanks so much to Roger, Millie – and Ronda, my key contact at SilverStream LLC – for their exceedingly kind southern hospitality!!!
David S. says
Where do I find parts for a model 51 or 52?
pam kueber says
David, Dishmasters are still in production. Contact the nice folks at dishmaster-faucets.com
ilcoryell says
how much and how doi order them and where?
i had one for 30 yrs finly wore out i threw it out
il coryell
JB says
I was wondering if anyone has a preference between the 76 or 2000? They both look very cool. I want to stay close to the 50’s/60’s…Thank you!
Noah T.W. Givens says
Well, actually the 76 regular model looks Jus’ like the 1959 model BUT I ordered (for about $45) an original frontplate. When I asked why so expensive they said, ” ‘Cause there are just a few left. When these are gone there are no more…. ” And to duplicate the original frontplates today would be prohibitively expensive…. maybe as much as $100 each.
The 76XL will certainly do for the 50’s retro kitchen ’cause there WERE sinks in those days with the pull out sprayer. You can STILL hang up the spray/brush wand as usual behind the spout pivot even with the 76XL model.
Wouldn’t it be something if they could duplicate the 1949 model?
I’D BUY ONE ! ! !
Carleton Heights Girl says
I want one too! I think I’ve just found my “new” faucet for the kitchen renovation.
Mid Mod Pam says
Cool, Carleton Heights Girl – and Silver Stream (dishmaster-faucet.com) WILL ship to Canada. Call their 1-800 number….
Mid Mod Pam says
Bronwyn – I actually learned about Dishmasters from you! So you get a prize in all of this!
Culver City Bronwyn says
Very interesting! We bought a Dishmaster 2000 for our kitchen (sorry, Pam–it was only weeks before you were selling them) and although it had a slight leak, the Dishmaster Customer Service was EXCEPTIONAL. We received thoughtful follow-up phone and they replaced the faulty part within a week.
Mid Mod Pam says
Christopher, you have hit a nail on the head. Sometimes I can’t believe myself, the things I get into! 🙂
Christopher says
Pam, you truly do live a MOST interesting life!
Lawrence Bill says
This is very cool stuff Pam. I love factory tours. It’s really remarkable to me that this dishwasher, this piece of Americana, is still being made. Thanks for doing this.
Tera is the Isles says
This is fantastic! I’m going to get one soon for our kitchen! Plan on remodeling in the near future.