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My vintage KDS-21 Kitchenaid dishwasher: 3 steps forward, 2 steps back

Pam Kueber - Updated: October 28, 2021

Retro Renovation stopped publishing in 2021; these stories remain for historical information, as potential continued resources, and for archival purposes.

The other possible subtitle of this story is: I have some good news and some bad news. Which do you want to hear first?

My video about my Kitchenaid KDS-21 dishwasher, if you want to cut to the chase:

I am a glass-half-full kind of person, so I will start with the good news:

I have a new-to-me vintage Kitchenaid dishwasher installed in the kitchen! Woooooot! Needing a new dishwasher and disgusted by the short lifespans of current dishwashers, I turned to my tried-and-true method: Buy vintage.

To research this topic, the automaticwasher “Imperial” forum was my go-to place.  There are several of models that seem popular among the experts, including old Kitchenaid dishwashers still made by Hobart or using Hobart technology. These are apparently a DREAM in terms of longevity. And automaticwasher.org is a DREAM in terms of expertise! So fun!

So I started regularly searching craigslist. Finally, I went for the pounce and recently, drove four hours roundtrip to buy this beautiful KDS-21 Kitchenaid Superba dishwasher. The dishwasher was in wonderful condition — the seller was remodeling. I also got two original booklets, a features-and-usage booklet and an installation guide. My plumber Paul — who also had installed my Dishmaster — came the same week I called and was a dream to work with in terms of getting the dishwasher into the space and all hooked up.

Okay, the bad news:

She won’t turn on. We are sure there is electricity coming out of the plug. 

Mind the Gap: The plumber had to add wood supports to the bottom of the dishwasher to close the gap underneath my countertop. My floors are not level, so I recall that when we installed the cabinetry, the entire line of cabinetry along this wall had to be shimmed so that the countertop was level. The dishwasher has little adjustable legs on it that also can adjust the height. Even with those extended to their fullest point, we had a 5/8″ or so gap. Yes, I need to detail clean the dishwasher’s exterior.

Before I try and find someone locally who can help get my darling Kitchenaid going, I will be reaching out to automaticwasher for help.

Midmorning update #1:  The folks at automaticwasher responded immediately to my “Damsel in Dish-tress” post on their site. Within the hour, “toploader” asked me if a “white rubber pointy thing” was where it should be, providing more info.

Well golly, wouldn’t you know it, but indeed, a little white rubber pointy thing HAD popped off the dishwasher at some point early on, and we couldn’t figure out where it had come from. Fortunately, I had saved it. And even more fortunately, I put it somewhere where I found it.

So now I need to glue it back on. It’s some kind of sensor trigger or something — when you close the door, the white rubber pointy thingy presses a metal thingy. Maybe this means “the door is really closed”? I don’t know. 

I also heard from another helpful automaticwasher-er where I could get a replacement if the glue does not hold. 

Another reason I went for this particular Kitchenaid model: The front panels can be changed out. I plan to swap out the white plastic (yes, that’s a sheet of some sort of plastic) for the aquamarine-colored steel panel on my old dishwasher. The steel for that panel was taken right from the side of an extra kitchen cabinet from my salvaged set. I will have to have the current one-piece panel cut into two-pieces to size — one for the door, one of the bottom plate (see top photo to see the KDS-21 with both cover plates). 

Interestingly, I am not particularly annoyed by how this played out — update: is playing out. After all, around here we do things The Hard Way. And even sans suds, I give this project “three steps forward” because golly, my vintage Kitchenaid dishwasher is so pretty. So collectible. So substantial. And assuming I can get her working: A proven workhorse! 

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  1. Rick S says

    Pam,
    my wife was just saying last night she misses her 1997 Kitchenaid dishwasher. When our almond color stove was needing repairs and we didn’t like the lack of usable space in the 34″ side by side fridge we replaced all with new in Bisque color. With original birch and maple cabinets and wallpaper we didn’t want to be stuck with the Black, white, Stainless only option.
    The dishwasher went for a 50 mile ride to best friend’s house.
    first DW in this 100 year old house and it is still going strong 3 years now.

  2. Steve H says

    Granted, we are only a two person household, but I have never felt that a dishwasher was all that much of a convenience or time saver. It’s wonderful for those big holiday dinners and when company comes over, but for everyday it just seems so much quicker to wash up by hand (usually there’s a few things that can’t go in the dishwasher anyway). I suppose that may be why our 1995 Bosch has lasted so long.

    • Pam Kueber says

      I didn’t mind not having a dishwasher. We are empty nesters and yes, pots and various other things need to be washed by hand anyway. That said, I think my DH likes having a d/w… and … well … I’m a blogger who writes about such things so Vintage Dishwasher Quest 2018 it was!

      • KStacey says

        My DH is fanatical that dishes should be in the dishwasher, not in the sink. If you use it, it simply goes in the DW immediately, always. He’s not particularly persnickety about many household things, this is a definite oddity. It’s probably because he grew up in a big family (7 kids!) that always had a dishwasher. His mother would have been washing by hand 24/7 otherwise, LOL! I grew up an only child and WAS the dishwasher. So to me leaving them stacked in the sink until the end of the day is perfectly normal. It seems silly to me, but it makes him happy and doesn’t matter much to me, so we are a “straight into the dishwasher” house! LOL!

        • Joe says

          Growing up, we had a neighborhood family with 9 kids and several visitors at any given moment. They purchased a brand-new KitchenAid Superba Dishwasher every October. The poor dishwasher ran non-stop, doing 6-8 loads a day!

      • Steve H says

        I do love the big chrome buttons on your “new” dishwasher. So much cooler than touch pads, in my opinion!

      • KennyT123 says

        I still haven’t hooked up my 2014 GE Artistry dishwasher yet after the last renovation project. I’ve been hand washing my dishes and I find I use less dish ware since they go from table to sink and back on the table. I used to run the dishwasher every 3-5 days when it finally was full or until it really started to stink. I have everything ready to hookup when I get bored LOL. In my other house I bought a brand new Maytag Jetclean in 1994 and I found it was one of the best dishwashers I ever used. I didn’t mind hearing the noise (like a cyclone)–it told me it was working.

    • Jay says

      Growing up, we did not have one; my father didn’t believe in them so when I was old enough I did the dishes. My first house’s kitchen could not accommodate one and swore I would have one in the next house. It turned out to be a vintage house that the previous owner cut out part of the cabinets to fit one in. True there are items to be hand washed but when I bake or cook I tend to use lots of bowls and it’s a joy to stuff the machine otherwise I can go a few days without running it.

  3. Robin, WA says

    I miss the Hotpoint dishwasher I used to have. It just felt so substantial with a lever to lock the door and metal knobs and buttons. New dishwashers with their soft touch buttons just don’t feel as confidence inspiring.

    Your Kitchenaid is gorgeous!!

  4. Lynn says

    Your blog is so synchronistic for me. Just yesterday I was trying to decide whether it was time to replace my old KitchenAid (circa 1981-1983) with a shiny new Whirlpool that matches my oven. The guys over at the dishwasher forum quickly convinced me to hang on to what I have and now your blog offers further validation that I have made the right decision. Please post an update when you get yours running.

    • Joe says

      Keep that dishwasher until it can’t be repaired anymore! Everyone I know who owned a 70’s-80’s KitchenAid, Maytag or GE Potscrubber regrets the day they replaced it with something new (me included)!

      • Lynn says

        No chance of us replacing it, now that I read everyone’s comments on these vintage-fan sites! I even polished mine up a bit and did a deep clean of its gaskets, crevices, etc., just to apologize to it for even THINKING of kicking it out to the curb. Whenever it becomes truly unfixable, then and only then will I part with it!

    • Jay says

      As they say, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. Nothing made today is the same as what was made yesterday.

  5. Lynne says

    It’s always something. If it isn’t one thing, it’s another. Pam, I think YOU should receive your own “doing it the hard way” award this year!

    So, what’s next? An electrician? She looks great, but I’d wait before I chopped up my existing turquoise panel!

  6. Joe says

    Pam, this should be the fix for your problem. This is a unique situation that happens to Kitchenaid dishwashers. Back in the 80’s, it happened to mine when it was uninstalled and reinstalled when I remodeled. Here’s what you do:

    You should have a High-Temp Scrub and Energy Saver selector buttons. Make sure the dishwasher is getting power, but no cycles have been selected yet. Then, alternating depress the High-Temp Scrub and Energy Saver buttons – alternate back and forth five times for a total of 10 button pushes. Once you have done this, DON’T TOUCH ANYTHING!!!!! You’ll hear the dishwasher making all kinds of noises but don’t be concerned – it’s running a series of diagnostic checks. Once it stops making noises, it should start running. If it doesn’t work after doing this, then your issue is that the motor is bad.

    Hope this helps!

      • Pam Kueber says

        darnit. Don’t have those buttons. will post a photo of the buttons I have as soon as I can resize it.

        Ummm. And I’ll coast thru the booklets to see if that’s addressed!

        • Joe says

          I’m sure it’s addressed in the booklets – especially the installation instructions. It’s a strong built dishwasher, but it’s sensitive about being jostled and flipped around during the uninstall and reinstall. You’re basically just hitting a reset button when you do the procedure.

  7. Ethan says

    I’m not sure what’s going on with your new dishwasher but I have a KitchenAid dishwasher from the mid ’70’s and yes, they are workhorses. Everything on them is replaceable/ repairable so don’t give up. I’ve replaced a few things on mine over time and it works great. Btw, Automaticwasher is a favorite forum of mine.

  8. Bobbie says

    Hi Pam, this reminds me of the KitchenAid that was in may parents’ house. Recently sold, so I’m not sure I have a good pic, but if you’d like a glimpse there is a bit of it showing at the following link, along with some blue and avocado period finishes: https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/376-Stable-Rd-Indiana-PA-15701/78643782_zpid/ Best of luck on getting your dishwasher running – I’m sure once you get it going it’ll be the work horse you know it can be!

      • Bobbie says

        Thanks, Pam. It was difficult leaving it for the last time. My mom and I sold it because it was going to be too much upkeep for her after my dad passed away – he was a stickler when it came to maintaining things, so the house is pretty much original. Many memories. The avocado green bathroom was actually mine – my parents gave me the master bedroom so I’d have a cool place of my own to have friends over, etc. There was sometimes talk of remodeling, but I always loved those green fixtures. Sadly, when I looked to buy my own place in the area years ago I found that most original bathrooms had been destroyed and replaced with 1990s builder’s grade finishes. I was actually in one where there was still some remnants of pink and I said “you were once beautiful.” I think the realtor thought I lost my mind. In the house I bought I sought to recreate a black and white bathroom with some pink thrown in – heavily inspired by posts from your blog. Thank you for creating this community!

  9. KStacey says

    I hope you eat it working! I love my vintage Maytag Jetclean dishwasher! Besides looking more era-appropriate, it’s SOLID. The interior is cast iron/enamel, that thing is a tank! The jets and rack layout is far more practical than anything modern I’ve ever used, and yes, the changeable color panels are the best part! Mine had two double sided panels in black/white and harvest gold/almond. I painted the black panel (since I figured that was the one I’d never in a million years use) turquoise with several coats of poly. Has held up well for over a year now. Naturally, the answer to all the “you… painted your dishwasher?!?” questions is, “of course, doesn’t everybody?” ????

    Downside is that it isn’t whisper-quiet. Then again, it actually blasts dishes CLEAN. It’s hard-wired as well, and has a strip of quarter round under the edge of the counter to help it fit. Wasn’t original to the house, but is still probably as old as I am!

    • Joe says

      I owned a Maytag JetClean, and what a terrific dishwasher it was! It was noisy and used a lot of water, but the cycle was only an hour and everything came out perfect!
      When I remodeled a few years ago, I was happy about everything, except selecting a new dishwasher, because I was hearing all kinds of horror stories about how terrible the new ones are, regardless of how expensive they are. I studied and studied, compared and compared, until finally deciding on one that looked old-school and had a stainless interior. The salesman quietly confided to me that the one I selected is the best in the industry, but no salespeople want to recommend it because it’s durable, extremely quiet and gets dishes clean fast – it’s very moderately priced and there’s no big profit margin! It has a cycle called “Quick Wash” that’s only an hour long and, if you scrape off your dishes first like I do, it gets them spotlessly clean.

      • KStacey says

        A lot of people have replaced their dishwashers in the past 5-10 years because they thought their old models were not working anymore. Sadly, it had nothing to do with the dishwashers themselves, and everything to do with the reformulation of dishwashing detergent. When we were in the appliance repair business 6-7 years ago, it was almost a daily “repair” call. “But I’m using the same detergent I have always used!” Except that without phosphates, it simply does not work as well. And the “I scrub EVERYTHING down, and still have residue on my dishes!” was another complaint. Also nothing to do with the dishwasher, giving the detergent nothing to wash away will not make your dishes cleaner. At that point you may as well just run it without any to sanitize them with hot water and be done with it. Not that I ever understood why anybody would wash their dishes twice in the first place, lol!

        • Eliza says

          I’m one of those that always washes first. And I do use dishwasher detergent, but yes i’m basically just sanitizing my dishes in the dishwasher. Otherwise I can guarantee stuff will come out that isn’t clean. Doesn’t matter which dishwasher – our old from the 80s GE or our new LG.

          • KStacey says

            The thing is, dishwashing detergent is pointless if you are going to scrub the dishes clean first. Even the detergent manufacturers caution against this. “Enzymes in Cascade detergent are designed to attach themselves to food particles. Without food, the enzymes have nothing to latch onto.” (P&G) So if it’s just being used as a hot-water sanitizer, it’s probably better to skip the soap entirely.

        • Joe says

          Sure! It’s a 2015 Maytag, Model# MDB6949SDH0. Purchased at Lowe’s in New Jersey. It has every fancy cycle you can imagine, but 98% of the time Quick is perfect! One hour to perfect dishes! It infuriates my one neighbor, who spent twice as much on a consumer magazine recommendation, that takes 3 hours for the cycle, and dishes are still dirty!