|
Thread Number: 27067
Ralph's resto |
[Down to Last] |  |
| Post# 415905 2/15/2010 at 22:10 (5,176 days old) by roto204 (Tucson, AZ) | ||
 | ||
|
Post# 415912 , Reply# 1 2/15/2010 at 22:19 (5,176 days old) by appnut  (TX) |
||
 | ||
|
Post# 415931 , Reply# 2 2/15/2010 at 23:10 (5,176 days old) by rp2813 (Sannazay) |
||
 | ||
|
Post# 415933 , Reply# 3 2/15/2010 at 23:13 (5,176 days old) by rp2813 (Sannazay) |
||
|
| ||
| Post# 415934 , Reply# 4 2/15/2010 at 23:20 (5,176 days old) by peterh770 (Marietta, GA) | ||
 | ||
| Post# 415944 , Reply# 5 2/16/2010 at 00:11 (5,176 days old) by frontaloadotmy (the cool gay realm) | ||
|
Starts with a T, ends with an r ? or W and g (or l)? Hot, hot, steam-o-matic!!! | ||
|
Post# 415945 , Reply# 6 2/16/2010 at 00:29 (5,176 days old) by peteski50 (New York) |
||
Dishwasher! | ||
|
Post# 415947 , Reply# 7 2/16/2010 at 00:41 (5,176 days old) by rp2813 (Sannazay) |
||
|
| ||
| Post# 416034 , Reply# 8 2/16/2010 at 13:19 (5,176 days old) by roto204 (Tucson, AZ) | ||
|
Hee-hee! | ||
| Post# 416035 , Reply# 9 2/16/2010 at 13:20 (5,176 days old) by roto204 (Tucson, AZ) | ||
|
Hee-hee! | ||
|
Post# 416040 , Reply# 10 2/16/2010 at 13:34 (5,176 days old) by rp2813 (Sannazay) |
||
|
BTW, I love the re-branding job you did, but with this sharp crowd, it didn't remain mysterious for long. Not that any hints or clues are required, I'll also add that in spite of its quirks (they've managed to take on a distinctive charm), I've fallen head over heels in love with this machine after a rather shaky start to things through the process of awakening it from what I suspect was a lengthy slumber. | ||
| Post# 416057 , Reply# 11 2/16/2010 at 15:11 (5,176 days old) by roto204 (Tucson, AZ) | ||
|
LOL
I know, I probably should have removed the door-latch, but that would have been cheating :-) So, let's begin... We nabbed this gem from San Francisco, where it was hiding in a garage, ultimately intended to be installed, but never assigned to its new home. Note the swank custom cabinet inserts! They're the best, because they're guaranteed never to match anyone else's home decor. Plus, they make the door weigh a ton. They have to go! 
| ||
| Post# 416058 , Reply# 12 2/16/2010 at 15:12 (5,176 days old) by roto204 (Tucson, AZ) | ||
|
THD 3600 Panel sweep | ||
| Post# 416059 , Reply# 13 2/16/2010 at 15:12 (5,176 days old) by roto204 (Tucson, AZ) | ||
|
Panel sweep, continued | ||
| Post# 416060 , Reply# 14 2/16/2010 at 15:13 (5,176 days old) by roto204 (Tucson, AZ) | ||
|
Panel sweep, continued | ||
| Post# 416064 , Reply# 15 2/16/2010 at 15:31 (5,176 days old) by roto204 (Tucson, AZ) | ||
|
Time to make-over! | ||
| Post# 416065 , Reply# 16 2/16/2010 at 15:31 (5,176 days old) by roto204 (Tucson, AZ) | ||
|
The next person who stands on the dishwasher door... | ||
| Post# 416066 , Reply# 17 2/16/2010 at 15:37 (5,176 days old) by roto204 (Tucson, AZ) | ||
|
There's hope!
Ralph scoured every inch with Barkeeper's Friend and "Grease Grizzly" (GRR) and made the stainless1 and exterior gleam. Meanwhile, some extensive eBay cruising revealed that a THD4500 had been devoured for parts, and everything that was an issue was available for us to replace. Hooray! 1Okay, so a Thermador/Waste King is not really stainless steel. It's plated steel, and this is why the spot-welds for the door hinges cause problems on some machines, where rusting indeed can occur. 
| ||
| Post# 416067 , Reply# 18 2/16/2010 at 15:40 (5,176 days old) by roto204 (Tucson, AZ) | ||
|
Those panels | ||
|
Post# 416068 , Reply# 19 2/16/2010 at 15:45 (5,176 days old) by rp2813 (Sannazay) |
||
|
China/Light
I think the WK/U/T logic for this cycle was to rotate the timer knob to "Short" while selecting the "Regular Wash" button. This is what's instructed by the owner's manual, which by the way, was included! It would be hard to fit "Light/China" in the same space on the timer dial as "Short" takes up. I've found that if I want to run "Rinse Only" and have the water temp be something more than tepid, it's also best to rotate over to "Short" otherwise the timer will plod through the first half of the "Regular Wash" section before the rinsing even begins. I think maybe it was an oversight in the instructions that failed to advise to rotate over to "Short" for just rinsing. But it's a thorough rinsing. It runs through the entire "Short" wash cycle, which lasts several minutes. | ||
| Post# 416072 , Reply# 20 2/16/2010 at 15:53 (5,176 days old) by norgeway (mocksville n c ) | ||
|
Standing on doors!!! I have seen little kids stand on there moms oven or dishwasher doors, one day with my late Mother about 30 years ago and I guarantee they would never even consider such a thing again!!!! can you say very sore behind!!!! | ||
|
Post# 416089 , Reply# 21 2/16/2010 at 17:09 (5,176 days old) by rp2813 (Sannazay) |
||
|
| ||
|
Post# 416110 , Reply# 22 2/16/2010 at 18:39 (5,176 days old) by unimatic1140 (Minneapolis) |
||
 | ||
| Post# 416115 , Reply# 23 2/16/2010 at 18:55 (5,176 days old) by douglasdc6 () | ||
|
I like that fluorescent Light fixture - Looks like a 1940`s preheater | ||
| Post# 416122 , Reply# 24 2/16/2010 at 19:52 (5,176 days old) by roto204 (Tucson, AZ) | ||
|
Ooh! | ||
| Post# 416125 , Reply# 25 2/16/2010 at 19:53 (5,176 days old) by roto204 (Tucson, AZ) | ||
|
Post-cleaning | ||
| Post# 416126 , Reply# 26 2/16/2010 at 19:54 (5,176 days old) by roto204 (Tucson, AZ) | ||
|
Dispensers | ||
| Post# 416127 , Reply# 27 2/16/2010 at 19:56 (5,176 days old) by roto204 (Tucson, AZ) | ||
|
The sump | ||
| Post# 416128 , Reply# 28 2/16/2010 at 19:59 (5,176 days old) by roto204 (Tucson, AZ) | ||
|
What your dishes see | ||
| Post# 416130 , Reply# 29 2/16/2010 at 20:01 (5,176 days old) by roto204 (Tucson, AZ) | ||
|
...and... | ||
| Post# 416134 , Reply# 30 2/16/2010 at 20:16 (5,176 days old) by roto204 (Tucson, AZ) | ||
|
Door hinges
The door hinges were a problem. I had no basis for comparison, but I suspected they were bent, since, well, you know, most dishwashers don't have 110º door swings. Happily, eBay offered us a set of springs, tabs, and hinges, and once the replacements arrived, comparing old and new showed just how distorted the old ones were. The new ones were fairly simple to install, and completely resolved the issue. Honestly, I don't know how I would have worked around that cleverly, so thankfully we were blessed enough to get what we needed. In selecting future machines, I might be more careful if it has a bent door! The old hinges are so beefy that they would have been hard to fix readily. | ||
| Post# 416140 , Reply# 31 2/16/2010 at 20:29 (5,176 days old) by douglasdc6 () | ||
|
Roto204 Do they look something like this ? These are 90T17`s 
| ||
| Post# 416142 , Reply# 32 2/16/2010 at 20:31 (5,176 days old) by douglasdc6 () | ||
|
If you would like E-mail me some pictures I collect vintage fluorescent lights & can answer questions . Thanks | ||
|
Post# 416167 , Reply# 33 2/16/2010 at 21:38 (5,176 days old) by yogitunes (New Jersey) |
||
 | ||
| Post# 416169 , Reply# 34 2/16/2010 at 21:40 (5,176 days old) by bugsyjones () | ||
|
cabinet fronts My KitchenAid Custom 21 had walnut-colored cabinet panels when I got it at the Habitat ReStore. It turned out ok for me because the color matches my existing kitchen cabinets, so I didn't bother with taking them off. :) | ||
|
Post# 416177 , Reply# 36 2/16/2010 at 21:55 (5,176 days old) by rp2813 (Sannazay) |
||
|
| ||
|
Post# 416179 , Reply# 37 2/16/2010 at 22:06 (5,175 days old) by appnut (TX) |
||
|
Matching cabinet panels must have been all the rage in the 8
Tim, I don't think it's that much different today. Modern dishwashers have teh "integrated look" whereby they're trying to disappear while still being there. Couple that idea with the fact one can have custom made panels that match cabinets and it completely goes out of view. that was the same intent back then and has been "the thing to do" since at least the 70s.
| ||
| Post# 416202 , Reply# 38 2/16/2010 at 22:57 (5,175 days old) by roto204 (Tucson, AZ) | ||
|
Large tubes | ||
| Post# 416204 , Reply# 39 2/16/2010 at 22:58 (5,175 days old) by roto204 (Tucson, AZ) | ||
|
Nice rack
The top rack is in good shape and has interesting movable dividers, and the center section can be removed entirely. The movable rows have stemware holders on the top, so it's easy to adapt the top rack to take wine glasses. But what you may not expect is that the goblet needs to face the wall of the tank.
| ||
| Post# 416205 , Reply# 40 2/16/2010 at 23:02 (5,175 days old) by roto204 (Tucson, AZ) | ||
|
And then there's the bottom rack
This is the rack that came with the machine, that has since been replaced with a minty one. I like how the cutout for the spray tube to the top wash arm is, at least, quite unobtrusive. I never understood how the curlicues worked on the tines, until we loaded plates--the curlicues force-separate your plates, so they cannot clatter around or bang against each other. 
| ||
| Post# 416207 , Reply# 41 2/16/2010 at 23:06 (5,175 days old) by roto204 (Tucson, AZ) | ||
|
Bosch und Siemens Hausgeräte?
Bosch nabbed Thermador ("An American Icon"?), and distributed parts. (Briefly.) I'm sure Bosch looked at Thermador-Waste King's DW designs and at least paused before sending them to Die Toilette, and I can kind of understand. But it was interesting to learn just how difficult parts are to find. Very, very little is available for the steam dishwashers. Hooray for eBay. 
| ||
| Post# 416208 , Reply# 42 2/16/2010 at 23:08 (5,175 days old) by roto204 (Tucson, AZ) | ||
|
Moving on... | ||
| Post# 416209 , Reply# 43 2/16/2010 at 23:09 (5,175 days old) by roto204 (Tucson, AZ) | ||
|
And then... | ||
| Post# 416210 , Reply# 44 2/16/2010 at 23:10 (5,175 days old) by roto204 (Tucson, AZ) | ||
|
And THEN... | ||
| Post# 416211 , Reply# 45 2/16/2010 at 23:14 (5,175 days old) by roto204 (Tucson, AZ) | ||
|
Amazing
Searches across countless parts catalogues covering tens of decades, we're unable to trace the history of the genuine Waste King-Universal/Thermador sponge. Desperate and disheartened, we must do the unthinkable: Find a way to stop the dispenser from leaking WITHOUT relying on a Genuine Thermador sponge. Difficult? Assuredly. Impossible? Perhaps. Fellow collectors, never be disheartened by a non-functioning or unavailable part. Do what our homeowner did--stick in a sponge to catch and redirect the water back to the tank. Then hang a grocery bag over it with strapping tape. And, reassemble the door! Voila! Well, we have to fix this properly. There are no parts for the dispenser mechanism available, so we'll have to do this the hard way. In our next exciting episode: - Will our heroes be left on the sponge? - How can they properly repair the dispenser with no parts? - Will a simple plastic box totally destroy the Thermador experience? Could our heroes be a blue, crusty half-inch away from steam dishwashing bliss? Stay tuned! (And be sure to drink your Ovaltine!) 
| ||
| Post# 416212 , Reply# 46 2/16/2010 at 23:21 (5,175 days old) by roto204 (Tucson, AZ) | ||
|
Ralph | ||
| Post# 416248 , Reply# 47 2/17/2010 at 06:08 (5,175 days old) by toploader55 (Massachusetts Sand Bar, Cape Cod) | ||
Sponge.
I think that sponge was an option that year. That "Daily Clean Behind the Front Panel" Chore can always be frustrating especially if you can't find the right sponge for cleaning behind the front panel. So that's why it's there. LOL I remember looking at that model in a Department Store. I think that was the first 2 Arm Dishwasher I ever saw. It made so much sense for the Upper Wash arm. Really like the look of that machine. Good Luck finishing up. Eddie | ||
| Post# 416276 , Reply# 48 2/17/2010 at 09:43 (5,175 days old) by rayjay (Carteret, New Jersey) | ||
|
Had the same POS in my kitchen many years ago. 1983or 1984. DId not clean well. Got rid of it and replaced with a GEW 2800. | ||
| Post# 416286 , Reply# 49 2/17/2010 at 10:12 (5,175 days old) by mickeyd (Hamburg NY) | ||
Hi Nate
Been so long I forgot that Roto is YOU. Nice ta meetcha, Ralph. Um, I was just wondering: I know steam is good for carpets and wrinkles, but DISHES. What will they think of next, steam for warshers. *giggles* The thing looks amazing, the control panel suggesting, a DW behemoth. Will it clean off hardened, day-old Lobster Thermadore? (Joke meter still asleep--Sorry!) So DW and retro-challenged, I actually thought it was an undiscovered, " Mystery "brand machine. You really fooled me. Blew up your pic. Great. That body of water looks like it could spout steam at any moment, the way some of them do. | ||
|
Post# 416299 , Reply# 51 2/17/2010 at 11:20 (5,175 days old) by rp2813 (Sannazay) |
||
|
Well Togs, I haven't heard of any class action suits against WK/U for sealant issues. I'll keep my fingers crossed, at least until for some reason I can't move them anymore. Ray, I had my doubts about this machine when I first started using it, but now I'm really happy with it. It's doing at least as good a job as the Motley Maytag it replaced, and the KDI 21 we had at the other house. And neither of those other two machines can touch this one when it comes to drying. This is the first machine I've ever owned or used that doesn't require me to wipe out remaining water from the items on the top rack, and it's not even a forced-air drying system. That, to me, is both very impressive and luxurious. Bob, you were right on the money about that! I have a crusty casserole dish in the machine right now waiting for a full load to run through, and I'm going to use the steam option on it. Just the rinse/hold cycle alone seems to have loosened things up on it nicely. Ever since I've had this machine installed I've been using real plates for every little thing. No more paper. I'm using the hell out of this dishwasher because it's so much fun, and so far I can't complain about its cleaning ability. Yeah, it could be quieter, but I'll gladly accept extra decibels over the limp-wristed silence of a brand new machine. | ||
| Post# 416304 , Reply# 52 2/17/2010 at 11:43 (5,175 days old) by roto204 (Tucson, AZ) | ||
|
Sealant clarification
Hi Togs, we should probably clarify that Thermador did the sealing, not us. :-) Eddie, LOL--I wonder if Bosch made a revised sponge? :-) Yes, Ralph, I totally agree--after I bought a new Frigidaire that could not clean the far side of cereal bowls in the top rack (and could not clean pans in the bottom), there's no way I'm going modern again. I'll just do them by hand. And I do not do them by hand. :-) | ||
| Post# 416306 , Reply# 53 2/17/2010 at 11:54 (5,175 days old) by toggleswitch2 () | ||
|
~there's no way I'm going modern again. I'll just do them by hand. "It was a small load, so I did it by hand" | ||
|
Post# 416615 , Reply# 54 2/18/2010 at 19:37 (5,174 days old) by yogitunes (New Jersey) |
||
|
| ||
|
Post# 416733 , Reply# 55 2/19/2010 at 08:02 (5,173 days old) by combo52 (50 Year Repair Tech Beltsville,Md) |
||
THERMADOR DW
The real TD DWs did have the two arms welded into one piece and a real SS tank. TD stopped making them in the early 1970s and went with the cheaper to build Waste King design. A friend recently gave me a 1971 TD DW, its an interesting machine. I will have to post some pictures some time when I dig it out.The door hinges usually bend on DWs with heavy wood panels when one door spring breaks or if the proper stronger springs are not used and the user keeps letting the door just drop open. Do it a few times, thats all it takes. I have been trying to fix a 1986 TD steam DW for a friend but have been unable to find a timer. Its in really good condition but it may be recycled very soon let me know if there are any other pts you need.
| ||
|
Post# 416834 , Reply# 56 2/19/2010 at 13:17 (5,173 days old) by rp2813 (Sannazay) |
||
|
John, if you can find a timer, that machine is well worth fixing. I just ran a near BobLoad through mine last night, with starring roles played by two crusty casserole dishes. I opted for "Heavy Steam" and as a result, I am officially and thoroughly head over heels in love with this machine. Both dishes came out sparkling. That simply would not have happened with any of the machines I have used prior to this one. Add to that the fact that I didn't have to wipe water off of a single item on the packed top rack, and I hope this dishwasher lasts me for many, many years. None other can even compare. I can't thank Nate enough for hooking me up (literally) with this machine. It's nothing short of awesome. I couldn't ask for a more kick-ass butch machine than this one. The Thundering Thermador rides again! | ||
| Post# 416883 , Reply# 57 2/19/2010 at 15:52 (5,173 days old) by roto204 (Tucson, AZ) | ||
|
And then!
And so, we continue! :-) Upon running the machine, we find that the dispenser leaks from two places: The rinse-agent dispenser, and the shaft of the detergent dispenser that passes through the door. The rinse-agent dispenser will be simpler. We just cut a new seal from gasket material--the rubberized cork of the old unit is waterlogged and icky, and needs replacing anyhow. Here you can see the unique metal tang that drives the rinse agent dispenser, and the detent in the dispenser cam that fires it. Here's how it works: 1 - Bimetallic strips fire and flex upward, tilting a pivot arm that is spring-loaded. The disc is also spring-loaded (the big spring coiling around the disc itself), so the disc spins counterclockwise for a segment. The first cup opens. 2 - Bimetallic strips fire again, and the above process repeats to open the second cup. 3 - Bimetallic strips fire the third time, and the rinse-aid dispenser is triggered. The dispenser is completely non-electric and 100% plastic. (You'll see.) Closing the cups the next time arms the mechanism. Holding the door at 90º allows fresh rinse aid to flow into the "charge" compartment in the dispenser box, and the cycle is ready to repeat itself. 
| ||
| Post# 416884 , Reply# 58 2/19/2010 at 15:56 (5,173 days old) by roto204 (Tucson, AZ) | ||
|
The dispenser | ||
|
Post# 416890 , Reply# 59 2/19/2010 at 16:07 (5,173 days old) by rp2813 (Sannazay) |
||
|
Oh Noooooo!!!! | ||
| Post# 416891 , Reply# 60 2/19/2010 at 16:10 (5,173 days old) by roto204 (Tucson, AZ) | ||
|
Rinse-aid dispenser, illustrated | ||
| Post# 416897 , Reply# 61 2/19/2010 at 16:35 (5,173 days old) by mrcleanjeans (milwaukee wi) | ||
|
I like these machines more than KitchenAid. They move water at the rate of 60 GPM,with straight thru action. Even without a filter, they DO clean very,very well. They are not super common which adds to their flair and fun! | ||
| Post# 416934 , Reply# 62 2/19/2010 at 19:21 (5,173 days old) by rpm () | ||
|
How does a steam dishwasher work? Is there a small compartment that fills with water and that just steams or is it the whole tub? | ||
|
Post# 416940 , Reply# 63 2/19/2010 at 19:40 (5,173 days old) by rp2813 (Sannazay) |
||
|
How does a steam dishwasher work?
There is no small compartment. From what I've observed, the heating element kicks in and the water in the tub is raised to a steaming hot level. For the "Sanitize" cycle, that means 174 degrees. For the "Heavy" and "Full" steam cycles, it's somewhat lower. Wash action stops while the water is heated. You can hear the fizz of the bubbles hitting the surface when the water is up to steaming temperature. This machine uses its share of water and electricity, but it's all business and gets the job done. For everyday loads I use the "Regular" non-steam wash cycle, which requires less use of the heating element and completes the work quickly. The steam cycles come in handy for baked-on bits of food. Even Thermador, however, admits that the machine is not a miracle worker and states clearly in the owner's manual that it won't remove anything that's burnt-on. I'm willing to cut it some slack on that point. It's a real pleasure to unload a top rack that's thoroughly dry (and it accomplishes this without any forced air), so I don't mind washing by hand any baking dishes or roasting pans that have burnt-on residue in exchange for that rare luxury. | ||
|
Post# 416956 , Reply# 64 2/19/2010 at 20:20 (5,173 days old) by appnut (TX) |
||
|
| ||
|
Post# 416958 , Reply# 65 2/19/2010 at 20:31 (5,173 days old) by rp2813 (Sannazay) |
||
|
| ||
| Post# 416959 , Reply# 66 2/19/2010 at 20:36 (5,173 days old) by magic clean () | ||
|
Guys this is quite interesting and so 1980's! Nate, the bi-metal activated detergent and rinse aid dispensers are identical to what White Westinghouse used in the late 70's & early 80's. | ||
| Post# 417437 , Reply# 67 2/21/2010 at 21:55 (5,171 days old) by roto204 (Tucson, AZ) | ||
|
Wow!
I had no idea, Leslie--that's interesting. I think the idea's fascinating, though if your bimetallics aren't just perfect, the whole thing goes to hell in a handbasket :-) Plus, the bimetallics on this machine corroded from some of the leakage, which affected their flexibility (and caused further hair-pulling).
| ||
| Post# 417438 , Reply# 68 2/21/2010 at 21:58 (5,170 days old) by roto204 (Tucson, AZ) | ||
|
Movin' on! | ||
| Post# 417439 , Reply# 69 2/21/2010 at 22:01 (5,170 days old) by roto204 (Tucson, AZ) | ||
|
Take-apart
We pull screws, unhook springs, and the cover comes apart. Notice the pile of food bits that have accumulated under the shroud. Ew! The plastic flange is the pass-through for the dispenser cups and their cam. Every screw post on the shroud has a rubber gasket, and each has deteriorated. So, we take each and every rubber part to the hardware store, and set about matching a suitable replacement, including a replacement for the rubber o-ring that slides up the dispenser cam and is probably our main culprit. 
| ||
| Post# 417444 , Reply# 70 2/21/2010 at 22:06 (5,170 days old) by roto204 (Tucson, AZ) | ||
|
More take-apart
Here's what the other side looks like, minus the main spring and detergent cam. Notice the corrosion on the bimetallics and the weeping of water through the bushing that surrounds the detergent cup shaft. Removing the parts is roughly like removing the driveshaft, rear axle, and transmission of a 1967 Oldsmobile through the hood. The crossbraces for the door are totally in the way, but I didn't want to remove them, as I was concerned about door warpage. I like the metal tray to the lower-left of the dispenser. It just slides in and friction-fits between the door and crossbrace. I think its sole purpose is to redirect those inevitable leaks back into the tank. Either that, or it helps keep the crossbraces spaced appropriately from the door panel. You decide :-) You can see a thermostat in the upper-right. 
| ||
| Post# 417447 , Reply# 71 2/21/2010 at 22:09 (5,170 days old) by roto204 (Tucson, AZ) | ||
|
Success
We're able to find suitable o-ring replacements at the hardware store. We have to use roundies instead of flat ones, but everything seals and seems to work okay. Further water testing shows that we've finally conquered the door leak. Next, we test the steam cycle to make sure it still works. The sound is curiously reminiscent of the old Sunbeam Hot Shots. The dishwasher will stop and heat water on a regular cycle to make sure it's to temperature, but will really do its thing on one of the steam cycles. You can twiddle the dial, but you don't really have to. It's push-to-start, and the machine--rather like an older KitchenAid--can just complete most any cycle (except, as Ralph pointed out, Rinse and Hold) with just a press and no further intervention. 
| ||
| Post# 417448 , Reply# 72 2/21/2010 at 22:11 (5,170 days old) by roto204 (Tucson, AZ) | ||
|
Now, what about those panels?
Ralph's kitchen is stainless steel, but we had no panels to speak of for the Thermador. So, we got polished aluminum panels from Orchard Supply, and I cut them to size and backed them with cardboard. We reapplied the trim, and voila! Faux stainless panels for a faux stainless dishwasher! It even shows fingerprints just like stainless ;-) 
| ||
| Post# 417452 , Reply# 73 2/21/2010 at 22:15 (5,170 days old) by roto204 (Tucson, AZ) | ||
|
Installed
Isn't she pretty? We had the usual amount of built-in "oh my God, why did they cut the fill/drain/power this short" kind of stuff, but we got it in. It certainly is a BIG dishwasher, like the KitchenAids--it utilizes every inch of space in the enclosure. The enclosure in Ralph's kitchen was meant to allow for a portable to glide underneath the countertop, so we have to install the Thermador on "skids" of wood to get it up to the right height. Next, we adjust the door latch (which is interesting--it has the ability to click-latch without sliding the actual latch mechanism--a very solid and nice-feeling process). Finally, we construct a new toekick for the bottom panel out of sheet metal, since the one that belonged with the dishwasher was missing. 
| ||
| Post# 417453 , Reply# 74 2/21/2010 at 22:16 (5,170 days old) by roto204 (Tucson, AZ) | ||
|
And there we go | ||
|
Post# 417575 , Reply# 76 2/22/2010 at 12:06 (5,170 days old) by rp2813 (Sannazay) |
||
|
Thanks Brent. I love this machine too! And thanks Nate, for doing a fabulous job of telling the whole story, as well as immediately zeroing in on all of the problem points. I guess I was so thrilled about finding the aluminum panel at OSH that I forgot we went there to find replacement washers! We did have a subsequent partial tear-down to replace the bad rinse aid dispenser and the bent hinges, and at that time we tweaked out the skids and leveling adjustments to get the machine to fit snugly and perfectly into its new home. I guess what we should have done is snap a picture of the Motley Maytag that was in there before to underscore the drama quotient of this under-counter transformation. I do agree with Nate that the latching mechanism on the Thermador provides a very solid and satisfying click when it engages, like a fine automobile. This machine is 100% pure beef, and I'm thinking even a KitchenAid Superba from the same period can't touch it for cleaning and drying capability. I wanted a KA 22 series but Nate found this Thermador for me. I hope I can enjoy it for a long time to come. Just from the sound of it in operation, you know the soiling on the dishes inside doesn't stand a chance. Nate, we'll see you at my place soon to generate some crusty casserole dishes, BobLoad the TT and kick back and enjoy the sounds of superior steam-charged cleaning. | ||
|
Post# 418975 , Reply# 77 2/27/2010 at 12:25 (5,165 days old) by rp2813 (Sannazay) |
||
|
John, | ||
| Post# 418986 , Reply# 79 2/27/2010 at 13:54 (5,165 days old) by mrcleanjeans (milwaukee wi) | ||
|
Aladude, your Thermador just needs fixing obviously. Besides the wash arm, perhaps the fill valve screen is clogged. | ||
|
Post# 418990 , Reply# 80 2/27/2010 at 14:16 (5,165 days old) by yogitunes (New Jersey) |
||
|
| ||
|
Post# 418992 , Reply# 81 2/27/2010 at 14:22 (5,165 days old) by appnut (TX) |
||
|
| ||
|
Post# 418995 , Reply# 82 2/27/2010 at 14:34 (5,165 days old) by yogitunes (New Jersey) |
||
|
also Bob, why isn't there something like a MAN's wsher and Dryer?.....Like from Craftsman from Sears, sold in the hardware dept with tools......you go to Sears and what can you find LADY Kenmore...
after all....Frigidaire was built by General Motors....Kelvinator was made by American Motors...(My Dad used to work for them)....I like to see a Heavy Duty Mans machine to handle serious work clothes and dungarees.....what a construction worker, blue collar, mechanic would wear, and a machine to handle it with ease.... just me ranting..... | ||
|
Post# 419045 , Reply# 83 2/27/2010 at 19:07 (5,165 days old) by rp2813 (Sannazay) |
||
|
| ||
| Post# 419047 , Reply# 84 2/27/2010 at 19:14 (5,165 days old) by qsd-dan (West) | ||
 | ||
|
Post# 419055 , Reply# 85 2/27/2010 at 20:22 (5,165 days old) by appnut (TX) |
||
|
| ||
|
Post# 419058 , Reply# 86 2/27/2010 at 20:41 (5,165 days old) by yogitunes (New Jersey) |
||
|
Sorry Bob.....but when you have 2 blue collar guys in work boots on their knees....hot, hot, hot after a hard days work....nothing more manly than that!...GROWL!
BARK at them...it's good for their self esteem...lol!!! forget the "cool down" rinse...I'm thinking about the "HOT TUB" in that dishwasher getting all steamed up! | ||
|
Post# 421601 , Reply# 87 3/9/2010 at 13:05 (5,155 days old) by rp2813 (Sannazay) |
||
|
Reading Material | ||
|
Post# 421605 , Reply# 88 3/9/2010 at 13:12 (5,155 days old) by rp2813 (Sannazay) |
||
|
Loading Tips
You can actually cram in quite a bit in spite of the accommodation for the wash arm tower. What these shots don't capture is the additional double-decking option on the sides of the top rack for more cups. The adjustable dividers are laid almost horizontally to provide the second level on each side of the top rack. Good for cups and small bowls only. Mugs would be too tall. See next post in this series.
| ||
|
Post# 421606 , Reply# 89 3/9/2010 at 13:16 (5,155 days old) by rp2813 (Sannazay) |
||
|
| ||
|
Post# 421607 , Reply# 90 3/9/2010 at 13:29 (5,155 days old) by rp2813 (Sannazay) |
||
|
Lastly, here is the chart detailing cycle action, length, and amount of water used. As you can see, the rinse-only cycle doesn't begin until the timer advances through the pre-wash and rinse cycles, and uses the main wash cycle. This is why I advance the timer dial manually to the main wash when I am using it for rinse/hold, otherwise incoming water wouldn't be very hot. I think it's interesting that only the "Heavy" and "Sani-" steam cycles provide a rinse between pre-wash and main wash. I don't know what the logic was behind bypassing that rinse for "Full" steam and "Regular Wash" cycles. Surprisingly, this machine doesn't use all that much more water than the Motley Maytag it replaced.
I'm hoping to post a decent shot of the BobLoad I processed recently, but may need to tweak it a bit since it was taken by phone. 
| ||
|
Post# 421650 , Reply# 91 3/9/2010 at 20:11 (5,155 days old) by appnut (TX) |
||
|
Hmm, I'm a little miffed. I nevfer got any royalties for any of my dishwasher load photos being used in their manuals. But I sure did well didn't I!! (Except for the "shelf", those photos look like so many typical loads when we had ours). Although mine could get quite more crammed with certain stuff. Plus, get rid of that flatware basket on the right side (since that side didn't hold as many plates as the left side.) That allowed for so much other stuff. I'll have to get my mom's old 10" Cornflower skillet out of the cabinet and show it that pic A to see if it still remembers so many times being placed in that exact same spot. It's ironic, every time I use any of that corning ware, I think of our Waste King. Ralph, I'll have to email you about cycle questions.
| ||
|
Post# 421813 , Reply# 92 3/10/2010 at 14:52 (5,154 days old) by rp2813 (Sannazay) |
||
|
Cycle Questions
Hey Bob, just fire when ready and I'll refer to the manual to answer any questions you have.
I prefer the pix of the lower rack too. They did a good job of filling up every last inch of space. I've removed one of the flatware baskets in order to accommodate a large item in the past. I find that I rarely need to use both baskets anyway, and save the one that's a further reach for larger utensils, so often I find myself running loads where that basket has nothing in it. | ||
| Forum Index: |
| Other Forums: |
|
|
|
|
|
Comes to the Rescue!
