Thread Number: 47439
KitchenAid KDS-19
[Down to Last]

automaticwasher.org's exclusive eBay Watch:
scroll >>> for more items --- [As an eBay Partner, eBay may compensate automaticwasher.org if you make a purchase using any link to eBay on this page]
Post# 688947   7/12/2013 at 13:05 (3,912 days old) by Bella ()        

Hi! I am so thrilled to have found this forum. Three months ago I finally had my husband remove a new upper end KitchenAid dishwasher (my second one in 3 years) and replaced it with a cabinet. I have been handwashing dishes since then and it's starting to get mighty old....I do a lot of cooking. At least my dishes are clean now though. I will NEVER install a new dishwasher again. This dishwasher had nothing but control panel issues, broken upper rack, and of coarse, developed smells all the time. Oh, and it didn't clean dishes either.The new ones simply do not use enough water. Imagine that. A dishwasher that would use water to clean.

You don't know how much I wished I had my mom's old portable Hobart KitchenAid now. She got rid of it during a kitchen remodel long ago.

We went and looked at a KDS-19 a few nights ago that was within a reasonable drive, and though I was very undecided about buying it, my husband finally said it looked good mechanically and paid the couple $90 for it. We were told it runs, but it had been in storeage for about a year, so we had no way to actually verify that.

The reason I was undecided is that it will take a lot of work to make the inside look nice again, as it is very coated with an orange brown deposit, but it does seem to wipe off. I am assuming it is iron. You would have thought someone trying to sell something would have at least cleaned it up a little. It's a turn off to me, but I did try to look past that in order to evaluate it.

The front panels will need sanded and professionally repainted, so I feel it's better to replace them with new stainless ones. The tub looks sound, and the wiring looks decent underneath. We will find a way to run it before investing time and money into it, but provided it doesn't need an unavailable part and the part can't be fixed, mny husband will be able to get it running. I'm thinking I will be able to make it look nice with some elbow grease.

I guess I need to know opinions about this model, and if it cleans well....both pros and cons. I don't care about how much water is used or how loud it is, I just want a dishwasher to actually clean dishes. I have gotten very burned out moving dishwashers in and out trying to find one that works, so I am hoping to finally put one in and be done with it.

I am also considering one of the refurbished Hobart KitchenAids that are currently on e-bay just to get something in and running right away. I will still keep the KDS-19 but am very anxious to get something nice up and running right away. Out of the e-bay ones there is a KDP-20 that looks in very good shape, and I believe an 18 series in Harvest Gold that looked nice inside. There is more than one 18 model, and there are several 17's.

Please tell me what you all think about the KDS-19, and also what model off of e-bay might prove to be a gem. I sure need help with this and will be very grateful for any and all feedback!





Post# 688964 , Reply# 1   7/12/2013 at 14:51 (3,911 days old) by Kenmore71 (Minneapolis, MN)        

kenmore71's profile picture

The KDS-19s were VERY good dishwashers.  Kitchenaids in general were good machines, but starting with the KD-18 line in about 1977 they introduced the upper wash arm which made loading INFINITELY less complicated.  The 18s, 19s, 20s and 21s were all GREAT machines and shared SOME parts in common.  Enjoy your 19!


Post# 689571 , Reply# 2   7/15/2013 at 16:23 (3,908 days old) by Bella ()        

Thank you Kenmore71. I am looking forward to getting this machine cleaned up and try her out but I want to take my time and do a nice job with it. I'm tempted to pick up at least a couple of others such as an 18 or 20 as well.

Has anyone here had any experience with the seller on e-bay that has several models for sale? You can always send me an e-mail....It's not easy finding these gems.

Once I'm a little more educated about things it would be fun to pick up a nice vintage washer and dryer for my future sewing room to wash fabrics in. Pink would be really cool, but all the pastel vintage colors are nice. I'll need lots of help with that one for sure!


Post# 690016 , Reply# 3   7/17/2013 at 10:05 (3,907 days old) by firedome (Binghamton NY & Lake Champlain VT)        
eBay machines...

firedome's profile picture
those folks have been selling them on eBay for some time and they look like decent sellers, the machines have supposedly been checked out and repaired when needed. So I'd think they could be a good source for something that works right now if shipping isn't an issue, or better yet if you can pick up. Maybe consider another 19 in the same model so then you'd have a spare parts machine in your present one. Don't be afraid of a 17 as they wash great if minimal care is taken with lower rack loading, we have 2 of them, as well as an 18 and both are some of Hobart's best, but if push came to shove I'd keep the 17 if forced to choose, it's a real classic workhorse and simple to repair. The lower models clean just as well as the Superbas imo so don't shy away from those either, and the wiring diagram is considerably simpler, and as engineers like to say: KISS (keep it simple stupid)!

Post# 690301 , Reply# 4   7/18/2013 at 17:02 (3,905 days old) by Bella ()        

Hi firedome, thanks for the feedback....wasn't sure about an e-bay purchase like this, but the seller has answered any of my questions within a day. I just wish I knew enough about the different models and their features as well as quirks. They do have a great deal of 17's available. Not knowing what questions to ask is tough. At this rate I'd be bugging this seller forever.

I had been thinking about the KDP-20. It has fold down tines but the racks do not adjust. Most times I don't feel it's an issue. The seller said there is 11 inches clearance on the bottom, and 10 on top. Good enough for basic dishes and glassware, but other things would need hand washing. The interior looks decent, but there is a gouge in the enamel near the edge of the door interior. Not sure if that can be nicely fixed so it doesn't rust..... I also don't know if only one rinse is enough. My 19 offers 2 rinses on the heavy duty cycle.

Perhaps I should consider one of the 17's. I think they have a 19, so possibly getting one and then having parts is a good suggestion, particularly if they will accept a little less for it. I will check into what the shipping costs are. I live in the south so going to Illinois would cost more than shipping.

The seller did indicate that they do not get many of the Hobart KitchenAids in, and that my assumption that they are getting rare was correct.

My husband is all about KISS! He likes simple.I'm getting to be that way myself.



Forum Index:       Other Forums:                      



Comes to the Rescue!

The Discuss-o-Mat has stopped, buzzer is sounding!!!
If you would like to reply to this thread please log-in...

Discuss-O-MAT Log-In



New Members
Click Here To Sign Up.



                     


automaticwasher.org home
Discuss-o-Mat Forums
Vintage Brochures, Service and Owners Manuals
Fun Vintage Washer Ephemera
See It Wash!
Video Downloads
Audio Downloads
Picture of the Day
Patent of the Day
Photos of our Collections
The Old Aberdeen Farm
Vintage Service Manuals
Vintage washer/dryer/dishwasher to sell?
Technical/service questions?
Looking for Parts?
Website related questions?
Digital Millennium Copyright Act Policy
Our Privacy Policy