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.
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.
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!
JaneH says
My parents had one a lot like this for DECADES. It behaved beautifully, although at some point the door spring or whatever failed so the door weighed a ton when lowered or lifted. My thrifty parents left it that way! ????
Phyllis says
Just a comment, in a totally respectful way and this is not a criticism of anyone’s personal choices : vintage dishwashers are not efficient in terms of how much power/water they use and this seems at odds with the growing societal focus on sustainability and conservation of natural resources. There is a view of “Well at least it’s not in a landfill” and that’s true but I have to ask, what causes more harm to the environment, a dishwasher in a landfill or using a lot more power and water than a modern dishwasher requires? Just putting that out there and I’m interested in hearing other views on this but I’m won’t engage in a debate or judgement, everyone is entitled to their own opinions and I don’t feel I need to defend my views anymore than you need to defend yours if you see things differently. And of course anyone can spend their money however they choose.
Pam Kueber says
Hi Phyllis,
This topic comes up from time to time. I worked in sustainability for a while. The only way I know of to get a true assessment of such issues is to do a complete “Life Cycle Assessment.” This would take into account all the costs / energy / water to manufacturer and then sell (distribute) including the environmental factors related to the particular materials acquired and used and to how the energy and water required were generated… then, how much energy and water to run the appliance including how they were generated… then what environment factors were involved to discard or recycle the product… all, measured over an item’s lifetime. A more durable product might have a better Life Cycle Assessment than one that needed to be replaced often. Or not.
I tend to think: Money is a good proxy for an assessment too. Are you saving money over the lifetime of the product or not?
Lynn says
Phyllis, since you invite comments in response to your thoughts, here is my perspective: I care deeply about planetary responsibility to be as non-wasteful as possible. I have always run my vintage dishwasher only when it is full — and I mean full! For us this means once every 6-7 days. It runs for just about an hour and everything comes out clean. Modern dishwashers run for how long? Several hours? I am guessing that overall I use less water and power than someone who runs their modern dishwasher every day no matter how little is in it.
Reminds me of low-volume flush toilets. Flush 2 or 3 times to get everything to empty (you know what I mean!) or just one time with an old toilet mechanism? And when it is just family around the house, we never flush for #1! An old habit from septic tank days. We never start the faucet running until we are ready to rinse our hands or rinse after toothbrushing.
I was “green” before the term was ever coined (I even let paper towels that have done something “clean” like dry a piece of fruit dry out and then store them under the bathroom sink for quick clean-ups.) And I am pretty sure that my old dishwasher (which first became “old” in about 1995, since it dates to about ’81 and was there when we moved in in ’87) would have been replaced at least two times by now, had I gone modern. I am convinced that it is more environmentally friendly to stay with what I have until it can no longer be fixed.
KStacey says
New dishwashers are like low-flow shower heads using less water, but you stay in twice as long to get clean. Or having to flush twice now. Taking your own bags to the grocery store is nice, but then you have to buy bags to replace all the uses that leftover grocery bags have. In the end, it’s six of one, half dozen of the other. I’ll take my water-blasting un-eco-friendly vintage dishwasher, which requires no pre-washing or other displacement of the same water that would be used anyway. Seems like in the end they all work out the same anyway, and it’s down to your preferred aesthetics.
Carolyn says
KStacey, I agree with your horse apiece argument. Milwaukee is currently in a situation of lead in the water pipes and dwellers are advised to run their water for three min to flush out the lead.
Next morning you’re brushing your teeth, think how long the water’s been sitting stagnant in your pipes for at least the last 10 hrs – ew!
So, for me, it’s not just a matter of personal style or energy efficiency – I don’t want to harm myself.
Sam R says
My KitchenAid dishwasher is only about 12-15 years old, but it’s from one of their higher-level lines. It was a Restore find when I was getting the kitchen into working order after I bought this house. Works like a dream. Gotta love KitchenAid, they build good stuff.
Jeff K says
I also have a KitchenAid Imperial 21 in my kitchen. Love the look and it cleans great – just keep the screen at the bottom of the tub clean. They are a little on the loud side, but works like a champ.
Love it so much I got one on craigslist for free to have back up parts should I ever need them!
Eliza says
I had this dishwasher in a previous house and I was so impressed that I had a real kitchenaid dishwasher! But it started leaking and I didn’t know that it was worth saving so I got rid of it and replaced with a basic maytag.
Jennifer says
I think the white button thingy could very well be the problem. I had a Toyota truck with a button the floor that had to be pressed down by the clutch or the truck wouldn’t start. If the floor mat got in the way, then no pressing the button = no starting. Simple but kinda stupid technology. Makes the electrical connection work, somehow.
Suzy says
I previously had a great mid 1990s Kitchen Aid DW that ran very quiet … When it finally died (20ish years) I went OLDER, I have this same model Kitchen Aid Superba made by Hobart … $100 and still running great just not used as consistently. But I love her!
Paul - CT says
Hi Pam,
I had the Insinkerator version of your dishwasher (also made by Hobart) which I sadly had to replace a few years ago (I put in a Lowe’s Bosch dishwasher which is very quiet but never fully dries your dishes).
Here’s the problem, all those fancy push button panels go bad and I don’t think they make replacements for them any more. My appliance repair guy explained to me how the control units go bad and then the dishwasher will stop running and won’t turn on. That’s how my Insinkerator died.
I hope you can fix it but if not get a Bosch!
Jay says
All new energy star dishwashers will leave items wet particularly plastic or leave puddles in deep rimmed items since the energy efficiency comes from lower wattage heat in the drying cycle
Carolyn says
WHEN I use the DW, when the dry cycle starts, I open the door and dump the water out of everything that has puddles and turn all cups, etc. right-side up. Unless you have asbestos hands, wear dish gloves cuz all those things are steaming hot.
Doing this has 2 benefits: the steam humidifies the kitchen, and since everything is so blasted hot, they all air-dry faster. If stuff is still a little damp after 10-20 min, I close the door to complete the cycle and then open the door for that steam to escape.
Don’t tell DH but when I hand wash, and I’m done loading the racks with clean dishes, I fire up the dry cycle and open it up when it’s complete. I don’t feel like finding mildew or some type of slime mold (we have weird water) in there that I have to contort to clean.
Jay, it’s funny we’re supposed to buy Energy Star to help save the planet but suffer the consequences of bacteria in warm, moist
DW …
Carolyn says
Well, now, Roseanne Roseannadanna…if it isn’t one thing, it’s another. The real point isn’t if the glass is half full or half empty, the thing is, the glass can always be refilled.
This is a lesson we should all take away from your experiences – “Hope for the best but expect the worst” – some surprises (your bamboo ceiling paper) outweigh the Jeepers Cripers Molly ones.
A decade ago, our state banned phosphates in detergents and then no one’s washers (clothes and dish) worked right. Since I was used to washing by hand, our dishwasher was the rack to air dry (because DH was supposed to wipe if I washed – sigh). Its purpose is still technically the same – get the dirty dishes off the counter.
I don’t get the “quiet” sales pitch – I think it’s kind of soothing to hear the rhythmic swooshing, same as listening to the dryer tumbling. You know, the sounds of silence.
While I understand your current pain, you still get to play with your Dishmaster! That’s got to count for something.
Pam Kueber says
Interesting re: The phosphates. I will tell DH. Perhaps that was “the problem” with the old DW!
Joe says
When your dishwasher is officially in operation, here’s something you should do before washing dishes in it. It’s also good to do every few months. You want to run an empty load on the Normal Cycle. Find out the exact time when the Main Wash begins. This is where you pause the cycle and add 2 cups of white vinegar. Resume cycle. The vinegar gets deep into the internal plumbing/ciculation and clears out mineral deposits, greasy residue and detergent buildup. You’ll notice cleaner dishes and it prolongs the life of the machine.
Jay says
You can probably find articles about this on-line. Because individual states were beginning to ban phosphates in dish washer detergent ( washing mach. det. already banned) the soap companies decided to drop phosphates altogether ahead of any federal rule because it was easier then making different formulas to ship to specific states. I experienced a difference because my rinse aide disp. did not work properly and it was advised that you use rinse aid to avoid cloudy and etched glassware due to the new formulations.
KStacey says
The phosphate ban in a few states turned into nation-wide manufacturing decision. They just didn’t want to bother making two kinds for distribution I guess. You can use rinse aides and additives, but sadly, the good stuff is gone forever now. There are other helpful things like NOT scrubbing your dishes before you put them in, running the water in the sink to hot before you run the load, etc. Oh, or a trip to Mexico to go detergent shopping. That works too. 🙂
Eartha Kitsch says
Yes, she’s so pretty though! If you can’t get her to work, you might have to do like we did – just store things in her and wash your dishes by hand – old school. 🙂
Pam Kueber says
That is definitely an option!