Thread Number: 1272
The moment you've all been waiting for...1975 Whirlpool Imperial 540 Automatic Dishwasher!!!
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Post# 56960   2/11/2005 at 20:30 (6,985 days old) by westytoploader ()        

Hey everyone,

As many of you have found out, my mom stopped by the antique shop in Sealy today and picked up a "minty" 1975 Whirlpool portable dishwasher for only $25. We looked at it 2 weeks ago, and I was surprised that it showed little use and came with the original papers. Overall, this is the best vintage find in the "Land of Rust" (term coined by Jason) I've seen. I am also amazed at how well it cleaned up!!! This dishwasher has some interesting design features, such as the pull on/push off timer, 2 speeds (anyone know how this is accomplished), and a removeable upper rack, something you don't see on today's portable DW's. How the upper spray arm is driven is also interesting; a high-pressure jet water shoots out the center of the lower spray arm and through a tube on the lower rack. Sort of a takeoff on a spray tower, but definitely less "bulky", IMHO.

Tonight I'm going to soak the pump for a few minutes, run the "short" cycle with some Cascade & Crystal Clear, and if that is relatively painless, I'll try some non-prewashed dishes too and see how it works! And I'll be sure to post "Before & After" pictures!

See for yourselves! And be sure to tell Mom to QUIT PRE-RINSING!!!! ;-)

--Austin


CLICK HERE TO GO TO westytoploader's LINK





Post# 56961 , Reply# 1   2/11/2005 at 20:33 (6,985 days old) by bpetersxx (laf in on the banks of the Wabash River)        

bpetersxx's profile picture
Minty freshness


With cascade to boot



Post# 56962 , Reply# 2   2/11/2005 at 20:36 (6,985 days old) by WASHENDRY (pinconning,mich)        

WHAT A GREAT FIND, WILL YOU BE INSTALLING THIS UNIT IN THE BOSCH SPACE?
LOOKING FORWARD TO MANY GREAT STORIES AT THE CONVENTION
BE HAPPY
KIM


Post# 56968 , Reply# 3   2/11/2005 at 21:01 (6,985 days old) by rickr (.)        
1975 Classic Dishwasher

rickr's profile picture
Wow Austin! It is as nice as you told me it was!! It looks like it has NEVER been used. Some people didn't use their dishwashers that much. This one looks like it must have been owned by a "light user".

Congrats on your new find.

Rick
ps can't wait to see the new range also (:


Post# 56969 , Reply# 4   2/11/2005 at 21:01 (6,985 days old) by scott55405 ()        

Aus, this is so cool! Enjoy! And an alphabet cycle machine too! When you have company at your house (such as when Company Chicken might be served) ;-) you will have 2 machines to speed cleanup!

A friend of mine in Arizona has a neat KA portable from the 70s that is in almost-new condition, that he is going to give me when I move to California. It is a portable, not a convertible. It is front-loading, but has the traditional KA latch on the door and the controls at the rear, like a washer.


Post# 56970 , Reply# 5   2/11/2005 at 21:05 (6,985 days old) by drmitch ()        
Wow!

Thats a great find Austin! Absolutly mint! Its great you and your mom have similar intrests,I on the other hand have to sneek stuff in when they aren`t home and listen to them fuss when they see it! Ha Ha!

Post# 56971 , Reply# 6   2/11/2005 at 21:10 (6,985 days old) by agiflow ()        

Austin,that is a really nice machine.The racks in my portable are similar to this WP model.

Austin,does the instruction manual say if this dishwasher has the power clean module?Was curious to know if WP was using that system in the mid-seventies.

Should be a really good cleaner,can't wait to hear the full report.


Post# 56974 , Reply# 7   2/11/2005 at 21:19 (6,985 days old) by coldspot66 (Plymouth, Mass)        

the Power Clean Module came out in the 80's, as my W/P had it. Always loved the simplicity of a W/P dishwasher. They have used that style motorin austin's d/w since 1959 or so. And there is the famous "silverware in the door". That dishwasher does look "showroom new". Congrats to you both. I think the "china crystal" cycle just was a shortened version of the regular cycle. Early GE models had a china cycle that let air into the pump via an air tube to aerate the water so it had lower velocity.

Post# 56978 , Reply# 8   2/11/2005 at 21:43 (6,985 days old) by agiflow ()        

Thanks coldspot66.I love my portable WP.It still does a great job after 15 yrs of use.I have model DP8700XT,which was one of the last of the porcelain tub models that was purchased in october of 1990.

Just the sound of the spray when it starts filling tells you this machine don't play around,WHOOOOSH.Yeah i really dig my WP;)


Post# 56979 , Reply# 9   2/11/2005 at 21:43 (6,985 days old) by pulsator-power (connecticut)        

She's gettin' good!
Jerry


Post# 56980 , Reply# 10   2/11/2005 at 21:46 (6,985 days old) by agiflow ()        

Does anyone know if the very first WP dishwashers used impellers or spray arms?

Post# 56981 , Reply# 11   2/11/2005 at 21:50 (6,985 days old) by westytoploader ()        

I'm testing it now (in fact it's washing away as we speak, no dishes yet). How does this machine drain? I don't see a solenoid-operated drain valve like we had on the Hotpoint, so I'm assuming the motor simply reverses. There's no trace of water leakage, although it is dripping a little bit from the bottom on the test run. I did wet the impeller shaft seal for a few minutes with hot water before firing it up.

One thing for sure, it sounds like the BEAST it is! Bigger and louder than the Bosch and previous Hotpoint, and it takes up the whole center of the kitchen! You can really hear the water blasting around the tub, and when I opened the door I got a faceful! It's also a HUGE water hog, which is good in my book ;-)

Here's shot #1; will post more pictures!

--Austin


Post# 56982 , Reply# 12   2/11/2005 at 22:00 (6,985 days old) by agiflow ()        

I notice too that WP was using a ten hole pattern in the lower spray arm just like they still do today.Cool.
I know what you mean Austin about loud water action.
The motor on mine is relatively quiet,but that spray is very prominent.It is quieter when the machine is fully loaded though.Enjoy your "new" classic.


Post# 56983 , Reply# 13   2/11/2005 at 22:19 (6,985 days old) by Mrcleanjeans (milwaukee wi)        
the wonderful world of whirlpool

this machine does not have the power module as john stated,but rather, a full-time filtering system,sans disposer,which was a semi-course plastic screen at tub bottom to trap recirculating foo-foos.It consumed 13.9 gallons of water on the normal wash,which isn't all that high compared to today's machines, having sensors ,which tend to err on the higher end of water usage,tilting towards more than necessary on scuzzy loads .Thus, today's fuzzy logic machines , on scanky loads ,use between 11-13 gallons.The average water use of a machine then was 15 GALS. on normal cycle. The highest EVER?for norm.cycle?The GE Potscrubber II @18 gals.normal cycle and the early 70s Westinghouses also @ 18 gals norm. cycle.The KA KD-17A was the very top slurper for any cycle @19.2 gal.SOAK cycle,which sprayed. paused to let the moist dishes sit,sprayed again.Thus,the "soak".By the way , what are all those suds in the WP from?Congrats on one of the best machines of the 70s.

Post# 57000 , Reply# 14   2/12/2005 at 03:18 (6,984 days old) by kenmore1978 ()        

So does it use the same type faucet adapter as the GE portable washer?

And I noticed the silverware basket has an extra section on top that my '88 WP machine doesn't have.

Your right, the motor on my '88 is relatively quiet, but you really hear the whooshing sound of the spray arms going around.

Yes, the motor simply reverses to drain.


Post# 57002 , Reply# 15   2/12/2005 at 03:27 (6,984 days old) by kenmore1978 ()        
differences

I see it has the adjustable upper rack using levers, then they went to a knob system.

They still use a screen like that even on the newer Power Module models, but the holes are MUCH bigger. I wonder what the purpose of the little square section of filter with the raised walls is?


Post# 57005 , Reply# 16   2/12/2005 at 03:38 (6,984 days old) by foraloysius (Leeuwarden, Friesland, the Netherlands)        

foraloysius's profile picture
Congratulations, that's a nice dishwasher and the condition is amazing for an appliance from that age. I have a question, how is the upper spray arm fed?

Post# 57013 , Reply# 17   2/12/2005 at 04:15 (6,984 days old) by kenmore1978 ()        
'75 WP upper spray arm feed

There's a hole inthe center of the lower spray arm. A stream of water is shot through this hole, through a little tower mounted in the bottom rack, which directs the water stream into a hole in the bottom of the upper spray arm, which is mounted to the bottom of the upper rack.

Post# 57018 , Reply# 18   2/12/2005 at 05:33 (6,984 days old) by agiflow ()        

Even though i thought the water feed to the top spray was a little crude at first,it certainly proved itself to be an effective design over the years.Cost cutting and clean dishes all at the same time YAY!!!



Post# 57019 , Reply# 19   2/12/2005 at 05:47 (6,984 days old) by agiflow ()        

Austin or retromom,is the inner door in this WP plastic or porcelain steel? I think i read on one of the threads that WP had switched to plastic lined doors right around the mid-seventies.
The door in my machine looks almost exactly like this one;that's why i asked.

I hope you guys get many years with that beauty.Nice catch :)

Pat


Post# 57022 , Reply# 20   2/12/2005 at 10:22 (6,984 days old) by peteski50 (New York)        
1975 Whirlpool Imperial !!

peteski50's profile picture
Congrats on this Whirlpool machine. I always felt that the design should have been somewhat different with the upper spray arm design. I never understood why they didn't make a direct feed for the upper rack. I did have a 92 portable whirlpool with the power module and I loved it. Cleaned very well and was easy to load. I liked having the silverware basket on the door. Now I have a GE tall tub and that works very well also. Best of luck.
Peter


Post# 57024 , Reply# 21   2/12/2005 at 10:29 (6,984 days old) by retromom ()        
She is

Thank you all for the kind words. She truly is an "Imperial" find.

Pat: Everything on the interior (including the door) is white porcelain. The only plastic that I see are the racks, dispensers, and float. Say "Yay" for quality. I hate plastic interiors on anything >:((

Louis: Looks like your question about the upper spray arm was answered. We are thinking about getting a piece of plexiglass for the front so that we can watch (and film) her in action. BTW how would you fasten/seal it (temporarily, of course) so that the entire house wouldn't get sprayed? LOL

Jaune: According to the "Operating Instruction Card", the raised filter is a "pump guard". It states that "the pump guard section of the filter collects items that might clog or damage the pump, and is removable for cleaning."

The back row of prongs on the lower rack also drop down for larger items like pots and pans.

DavidM:

According to the "Consumer Buy Guide" that was attached to the dw, this model uses from 4.6 gallons (rinse-hold mode) to 13.9 gallons (super scour mode), and wash times range from 10 to 60 minutes. This is actually quicker than the Bosch, and holds a heck of a lot more dishes. H-m-m-m-m-m-m do I feel a replacement taking place? ;-)

Now that I am "beyond obsession" for these vintage dishwashers, I am going to "scour" the area for more portables; hopefully a toploader. Then maybe I'll change my name to "Retrotoploader". LOL


Post# 57030 , Reply# 22   2/12/2005 at 11:09 (6,984 days old) by frontaloadotmy (the cool gay realm)        
P # 56980


Pat,
In about 1966 or 7 neighbors bought a newer larger house
near the old hood. My recollection is that it was a classic
1950's "Ranch Style" It featured Turquoise Whirlpool "Built
Ins". I can't recall if the timer was positioned lower or upper, like Venus' new portable; the knob was pretty much the same though. It had a "Bow Tie" impeller.


Post# 57033 , Reply# 23   2/12/2005 at 11:26 (6,984 days old) by agiflow ()        
thanks frontaloadotmy

I would love to find a WP dw from the late 50's or early sixties that used this bow-tie impeller.Older WP dishwashers from the sixties seem to be very rare.

Post# 57038 , Reply# 24   2/12/2005 at 11:52 (6,984 days old) by gansky1 (Omaha, The Home of the TV Dinner!)        

gansky1's profile picture
This is very nice - another grandma dishwasher for sure. It's amazing that the "Sidewinder" WP dishwash (spraytower BOL) I played with here for a while had nearly the very same racks as this one from the 70's and looking at brochures, the racking was much the same from as far back as the late 60's. I guess WP found a design that was a good balance between performance and production-cost effective and stuck with it for many years.

Post# 57041 , Reply# 25   2/12/2005 at 12:24 (6,984 days old) by agiflow ()        

I always liked the contrast between the light blue racks and the white tub. (i think i need to get out more)

Post# 57042 , Reply# 26   2/12/2005 at 12:50 (6,984 days old) by appnut (TX)        

appnut's profile picture
Venus, the times given for the cycles, particularly for the superwash and superscour, are probably just estimates. I know SuperScour would have at least two, if not 3 water heat delays. The SuperWash at least the main wash and possibly the final rinse.


Post# 57045 , Reply# 27   2/12/2005 at 13:18 (6,984 days old) by agiflow ()        

Appnut...question,there is no designation for normal or regular wash,would super wash on this machine correspond to what would other wise be the normal cycle?

Post# 57057 , Reply# 28   2/12/2005 at 16:10 (6,984 days old) by appnut (TX)        

appnut's profile picture
agiflow, you're correct in that assumption.

sequence is pre-wash, rinse, rinse, wash, rinse, rinse, dry.

In these olden days, note cycles D & E started on the 2nd rinse. That's how we used to get short/light washes.

Rinse & hold did the prewash and first rinse and stopped. YOu could either turn the timer around to the beginning to start the full load or simply push A or B cycle to resume.

That * on the last rinse could be for rinse & dry.

Venus, except for the water useage, I'm pea green with envy.



Post# 57058 , Reply# 29   2/12/2005 at 16:12 (6,984 days old) by appnut (TX)        
The

appnut's profile picture
Hey, does anyone remember some WP models of the 60s or 70s was such that the rows for the top rack were horizonal rather than front to back?

Also, looking at that desppized water funnel in the bottom, as I call it, it just hit me that that type of thing is used in today's DuraWash WP dishwashers.


Post# 57060 , Reply# 30   2/12/2005 at 16:32 (6,984 days old) by agiflow ()        

Good eye bob,i was about to post that too.The wp bottom line of today was the mid seventies tol machine.

The normal cycle on my machine consists of a rinse,then the main wash and two rinses after.

I have to say WP is definitely good at clean up and refridgeration.


Post# 57061 , Reply# 31   2/12/2005 at 16:39 (6,984 days old) by david (CA)        
Somebody help me

Exactly when did Whirlpool start making dishwashers? I know they have at least been around since 1960, but before that?

Post# 57063 , Reply# 32   2/12/2005 at 16:52 (6,984 days old) by 60skelvinator ()        
WoW!!!

Don't you just love it when people take GOOD care of there appliances? (It sure pays off later on!) I was suprised by how much this one looks like my 1971/1972 whirlpool under-counter model; yours has the exact spray arm, exact front, and exact timer. The one I have, has been in my kitchen since '71/'72 and is still in "like-new" cond.
Speaking of long-lasting whirlpool appliances, my '66 rca whirlpool dryer, and '60 rca-whirlpool refrigerator, are still going strong!


Post# 57069 , Reply# 33   2/12/2005 at 17:45 (6,984 days old) by agiflow ()        
david

59 i believe was the first year for WP dishwashers.

Post# 57078 , Reply# 34   2/12/2005 at 20:31 (6,984 days old) by Mrcleanjeans (milwaukee wi)        

1959 was the first RCA Whirlpool with the revolving spray arm principle that KitchenAid started for home use in 1949.Believe it or not, Whirlpool started making electric dishwashers around 1914,consisting of a round metal tub,a motor driven impeller, the racks,you'd load the machine, pour 1 gal. boiling water in the tub with a pinch of soap ,and washing soda,if needed,let run a few minutes manually drain into a bucket, repeat with clear water, lift lid, air dry.1935, dishwashers became automatic, starting with Hotpoint.In the 50s, only KitchenAid had a revolving wash arm,with 3 exceptions. In 1950, a private inventer with The American DW co.made a spray arm machine, and was fast gone.Around 1955, came the Waste King, which was the 1st with multiple cycles, having a floating power arm with 58 jets. In 1958, Hotpoint changed to the spray arm design, calling theirs Double Deck washing, consisting of a lower arm, a fixed tower with an oversized circular frisbee shaped head with spray jets. The 1959 RCA Whirlpool with filter stream washing, a single spray arm design, outcleaned ALL dishwashers ever made up until then, due to a great sprayer, a filter that gratly resembles today's euros , and an excellent cycle design. No puny 5 min. wash,two 1 min. rinses here. It had a pre-rinse, THEN the 1ST wash ,another rinse, a second 15.5 minute wash, two more rinses, dry. It was great, I had a portable version of it.

Post# 57082 , Reply# 35   2/12/2005 at 20:40 (6,984 days old) by coldspot66 (Plymouth, Mass)        

YAY for Whirlpool. Has ALWAYS been my favorite brand of appliance. I do remember reading about CU testing the 1959 W/P dishwasher, saying it was the best performer. They go on to say it cleaned better than the other machines WITHOUT detergent than the others did WITH detergent!!!!!!!!

Post# 57084 , Reply# 36   2/12/2005 at 21:01 (6,984 days old) by peteski50 (New York)        
Whirlpool Dishwashers!

peteski50's profile picture
I would like to see the first ones Whirlpool made. Seems like a interesting design from the above comments.
Peter



Post# 57087 , Reply# 37   2/12/2005 at 22:18 (6,984 days old) by frontaloadotmy (the cool gay realm)        
Congrats Retra

Well Done!!! Well Done!!!!
Bravo!!!; Venus. Wonderful that it has the porce/enamel door
too. In this new place I just got there is a Tall Tub Frigidaire. It seems to clean fine but I just hate loading the
silver ware and for that matter the racks bug me too. I always get "loading lock" on anything but my Wp. That Imperial looks pristine. I can't wait to see your next Vintage Find!!!
Dare


Post# 57088 , Reply# 38   2/12/2005 at 22:36 (6,984 days old) by appnut (TX)        

appnut's profile picture
Agiflo, I hate to tell you, your "Normal" cycle used to be what WP and others called the short or light wash. All WP did was "rename" the cycle as "normal" so they could attain the energy star emblem. Today, on models with the "heavy" awsh cycle, it's as close to what Venus' SuperWash (Normal) cycle is. And Pots & Pans is what SuperScour is. Friends of mine have a mechanical Kenmore WP produced PowerClean dishwasher. PnP is Heated Wash, rinse, Heated wash, rinse, and heated final rinse. Heavy is Prewash, wash, rinse, rinse. Normal is Wash, rinse, and rinse.

Post# 57106 , Reply# 39   2/13/2005 at 02:07 (6,984 days old) by agiflow ()        

Right exactly appnut,....if i choose heavy wash on my machine,it has the 1st wash a rinse,main wash and two rinses after.P&P on my machine is the same setup as heavy wash,but the
two main washes and the final rinse is heated to 145 degrees automatically.

Does your ge dw consist of two washes in the normal cycle?


Post# 57109 , Reply# 40   2/13/2005 at 03:14 (6,983 days old) by agiflow ()        

At least wp is still using ss spray arms in the bottom rack.No other u.s. manufacturer puts out a metal spray arm in their deisgn.

Post# 57112 , Reply# 41   2/13/2005 at 09:58 (6,983 days old) by neptuneguy27 (Baltimore,MD)        
This is it...

Austin/Venus...

This is the exact dishwasher we had when I was growing up. The exact same. Congratulations on your find. It brings back alot of childhood memories.

Christopher


Post# 57117 , Reply# 42   2/13/2005 at 11:16 (6,983 days old) by appnut (TX)        

appnut's profile picture
Agiflow, I use my Light Soil cycle a lot---it's the same as other's "Normal" cycle. Pre-wash, rinse, heated main wash, and two rinses. Normal is pre-wash, two rinses, main wash, and 3 rinses. PotsCrubber is like Normal, but has a more extended heated main wash that's hotter.

Post# 57132 , Reply# 43   2/13/2005 at 15:10 (6,983 days old) by agiflow ()        

All this dishwasher talk is making me look forward to tonights dinner party im having.I just made a big pot of red sauce(or as some of us with Italian blood would call it ..gravy ;))
Ahh meatblls, sausage,pork and a nice antipasta. YUM! Yes the old girl is certainly gonna get a work out tonight.


Post# 57136 , Reply# 44   2/13/2005 at 17:09 (6,983 days old) by partycycle ()        
Miss the timer knob control...

Congratulations! What a find.

Early 60’s a neighbor had Whirl built-in, bow tie impellor, circular load bottom and top rack, center silver basket, smaller detergent strainer, top rack (semi adjustable; not on rollers but “slides” extremely difficult to push in/out), aqua interior, enormousness control knob, red beacon light and a chimney like vent method. I guess water vapor/moisture exited into the surrounding cabinetry.

71’ Florida vacation house had Whirl DW very similar to yours. Same big latch, not 2 speed, same cycles and enormous control knob. Detergent dispenser was very narrow and with magnetic latch on main cup.

CR for most of 60’s/early 70’s rated Whirls as best buy; close runner up Kenmore and the followed by basic GE.

I recently purchased the top of the MOL Whirlpool DW just beneath “tall tub“ with soil senor. It has adjustable top rack, direct feed upper wash arm and “anywhere” silver basket. The basic work horse, vertical mounted motor and with 8” motor panel. Gone is timer knob. Now “touch pads”. Sad and annoyingly it has needed 4 repair calls. Also, too much time spent with Whirl and repairman. They haven’t been trained. Rinse aid dispenser missing a part.

The manual states cycle progression. This is the “Energy Star“ rated cycle. “Normal” = main wash, followed by a “purge”/rinse and final rinse heated to 140F. Finally got micro processor and circuit board replaced. The only cycle that follows what the manual states is Pots-n-Pans. “Heavy” = brief none heated pre-wash, optional heated to 140F main wash, “purge”/rinse (doesn’t do that but a full fill first rinse like that of P/P and auto heated 140F final rinse. “Normal” still doesn’t follow manual explanation. It consists of a brief pre rinse, main wash, full fill first rinse (not “purge”/rinse) and final auto heated 140F rinse.

I have given up. Very pleased with performance. 9 out 10 times use P/P cycle. Rarely the others. Whirlpool “customer care” cannot explain nor repairman what is the cause of it not following the stated format. Go figure? Wish Whirl hadn’t done away with the old timer knob.


Post# 57147 , Reply# 45   2/13/2005 at 19:26 (6,983 days old) by appnut (TX)        

appnut's profile picture
Partycycle, I woulnd't complain at all about not following cycles in book. You're getting better rinse results with a full fill 1st rinse rather than that purge rinse.

Post# 57166 , Reply# 46   2/14/2005 at 01:42 (6,983 days old) by partycycle ()        
Appnut: Extra Rinse ...

Hello. Party Cycle is not complaining. Regarding the “extra rinse fill“. I totally agree with you.

What-the-Hell! Always been a proponent of extra rinses!

“Tad bit” concerned as to whether, or not, as soon as warranty expires. The “touch pad” cycle selection circuit board will completely fail. “Murphy’s Law”. $$$


Post# 57193 , Reply# 47   2/14/2005 at 14:07 (6,982 days old) by Neptuneguy27 (Baltimore,MD)        
Oh My GOD!!!!!

This is the exact same dishwasher I grew up with. The only difference was mom's had a woodgrain panel to match the kitchen cabinets and the dispenser was long and narrow with a magnetic lid. Her's was new in 1974. This is totally unbeleivable. Brings back happy childhood memories. Congrats Austin and Venus. And Venus for heavens sake listen to your son and stop Pre-Rinsing.

Christopher


Post# 57198 , Reply# 48   2/14/2005 at 14:52 (6,982 days old) by DADoES (TX, U.S. of A.)        

dadoes's profile picture
Yes, I believe my aunt's undercounter model 440 was a mate to this one. Hers had four cycles -- Super Scour (A), Super Wash (Normal) (B), Rinse Hold (C), and Short (D). It didn't have the extra cutlery basket or the adjustable upper rack.

Interesting that no one has explained the 2 speeds. I don't know for sure, but I don't think it has a 2-speed motor. I think the lower speed (for China Crystal) is from either a half-fill, or by an aeration valve tied into the pump.

Magic Clean, perhaps you can provide the details??


Post# 57220 , Reply# 49   2/14/2005 at 19:51 (6,982 days old) by david (CA)        
Austin/Venus

Sorry to be responding so late about the noise of the WP-I think in general, portables are noisier than built-ins having all 4 exposed sides instead of one. Now there are certain makes and models which I'm sure are the exceptions to the rule, but I can still remember a 1970 Frigidaire custom deluxe portable that we owned which was quite noisy. A lot of vibration on the panels. This dw even had a brief drain with pump during the dry cycle which removed moisture from the tub-I have yet to see any I've owned since do that.

Post# 57226 , Reply# 50   2/14/2005 at 20:29 (6,982 days old) by retromom ()        
Huh?

David:

What did you say? I couldn't hear you. The Whirlpool Imperial was running. ;-)


Post# 57352 , Reply# 51   2/15/2005 at 22:01 (6,981 days old) by david (CA)        

That loud, huh?

Post# 57363 , Reply# 52   2/16/2005 at 00:11 (6,981 days old) by kenmore1978 ()        
noisy WP dishwasher

my 88 built-in WP has a fiberglass mat the completely encloses all sides of the DW (much more than my old '78 KM DW did). One could probably get that mat as a part, and adapt it to the portable with skillful use of scissors.

Post# 57609 , Reply# 53   2/18/2005 at 10:34 (6,978 days old) by agiflow ()        
Austin

So how about the before and after pics of your wp portable?Does it clean any better than the Bosch.

Post# 57650 , Reply# 54   2/18/2005 at 20:55 (6,978 days old) by kenmore1978 ()        
WP cleaning better than Bosch

I wouldn't be surprised if the WP cleans at least as well as the Bosch, though probably not "better", and as we know, somewhat noisier.

Post# 57651 , Reply# 55   2/18/2005 at 21:18 (6,978 days old) by westytoploader ()        

Hi Pat & Jaune,

I ran a "half pre-rinsed" test load a week ago on the Super Scour cycle, and everything came out spotless. Yes, it is MUCH noisier than the Bosch (the Bosch's sound resembles a clothes dryer if you can believe that...), but cleans just as well.

I'm going to have to try a full non-rinsed load to see the TRUE cleaning power! And yes I will take pictures!

--Austin


Post# 57670 , Reply# 56   2/19/2005 at 08:55 (6,977 days old) by kenmore1978 ()        
TRUE cleaning power

The acid test will be if the WP can get a full non-pre-rinsed load clean on it's "Normal" cycle. I really like the "swooshing" sound my WP makes, makes me feel that there's some real "action" going on in there.

Post# 58991 , Reply# 57   3/4/2005 at 01:30 (6,965 days old) by kenmore1978 ()        
The Bosch Challenge

So Austin, did you ever try the WP on its "Normal" cycle to see if it equals the Bosch on its "Normal" cycle?

Post# 59016 , Reply# 58   3/4/2005 at 10:15 (6,964 days old) by bwoods ()        
Whirlpool in the movies?

Since we're talking about vintage Whirlpools....I was watching Alfred Hitchcock's, "The Birds" (1963.) There is a scene where Rod Taylor's mother is loading a built in dishwasher. All you can see is the upper rack, but it's somewhat of an unusual design in the rack hangs down from the supports rather than the support slides being mounted at the bottom of the upper rack. Was this a early 60's Whirlpool? For you movie trivia buffs who might remember this scene.

Barry



Post# 59025 , Reply# 59   3/4/2005 at 12:11 (6,964 days old) by partscounterman (Cortez, Colorado)        
The Birds

I recently saw this movie and wondered too, what kind of DW was that lady loading?

Post# 59070 , Reply# 60   3/4/2005 at 22:37 (6,964 days old) by seacrest69 ()        

Towards the end of The Birds, Rod is walking into the kitchen before Tippi is attacked upstairs. When he walks into the kitchen, you can see the front of the dishwasher.....might be a Whirlpool.

Post# 59078 , Reply# 61   3/4/2005 at 23:32 (6,964 days old) by alr2903 (TN)        
birds

I dont know what brand diswasher it was, but his mother if i remember correctly was played by Jessica Tandy?

Post# 59080 , Reply# 62   3/4/2005 at 23:48 (6,964 days old) by kenmore1978 ()        
Jessica Tandy

did play the Mother

Post# 59285 , Reply# 63   3/6/2005 at 21:29 (6,962 days old) by appnut (TX)        

appnut's profile picture
I've wondered the same thing about the DW since I first saw the movie when I was a teen. I THINK it is a WP, but not 100% positive, was always too bizzy looking at Rod!!!

Post# 59307 , Reply# 64   3/7/2005 at 00:04 (6,962 days old) by kenmore1978 ()        

Anybody have it on DVD? The pause mode on a DVD may be clear enough to make out what it is.

Post# 59343 , Reply# 65   3/7/2005 at 12:34 (6,961 days old) by bwoods ()        
Dishwashers in the Movies

The "Birds" was the first movie in which I ever saw someone accually USE a dishwasher. In other movies you might occasionally see one, but no one was shown ever using it.

Some early movies I can remember are:

1960 "Parent Trap"--Looks like a Tappan, there is also a Tappan
"Fabulous 400" range in the kitchen also.
Similar to Frigidaire "Flair".

1963 "Bye Bye Byrdie" --can't tell the brand, anyone know?


On TV;

Donna Reed Show, 1964, Kenmore with Roto Rack. In one episode Donna was actually loading it and gave the rack a whirl and she was talking to Carl Betz (who played her husband).

Ozzie and Harriet (late 50's)--unknown brand


Post# 59349 , Reply# 66   3/7/2005 at 13:30 (6,961 days old) by coldspot66 (Plymouth, Mass)        

Ozzie & Harriet's d/w had to be a Hotpoint!!!! They sponsored the show, I think, for quite a while!

Post# 59354 , Reply# 67   3/7/2005 at 14:52 (6,961 days old) by Launderess (Quiet Please, There´s a Lady on Stage)        

launderess's profile picture
Wasn't there an early episode of Bewitched, where Samantha was loading/unloading some sort of roto-rack dishwasher? This was when Sam and Darrin just go married and were living in their first apartment, which I *think* was Darrin's apartment.


Post# 59400 , Reply# 68   3/8/2005 at 03:25 (6,960 days old) by kenmore1978 ()        
Bewitched

The dishwasher is shown, but never in use. Top load Kenmore Roto-rack with a window in the front

Post# 1082764 , Reply# 69   7/27/2020 at 23:41 (1,340 days old) by GELaundry4ever (Nacogdoches, TX, USA)        
video on youtube

I wish I could see a video of it running on youtube. I can't seem to find it. After all, we appliance fanatics are truly a breed apart as a fellow poster on another thread said. True words were never spoken. I am no exception when it comes down to appliances.


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