Thread Number: 60353  /  Tag: Vintage Automatic Washers
1950's GE Automatic Pull Out Dishwasher
[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# 830153   6/30/2015 at 11:20 (3,222 days old) by reaky85 ()        

I bought this house from the original family. It was built in 1956 and they moved in early 1957. The son said the dishwasher was only used a couple of times. Does anyone know its’ worth? Also, one of the photos has the id plate with serial and model numbers. Is there a website where I could look up the particulars of this unit?

  Photos...       <              >      Photo 1 of 5         View Full Size



Post# 830169 , Reply# 1   6/30/2015 at 14:40 (3,222 days old) by chachp (North Little Rock, AR)        
That's a bute!!!!!!!!

chachp's profile picture

Looks to be in nice shape.  Not sure what it's worth outside this group but so often these machines end up with a mangled frame trying to get them out.  Looks like it came out intact.  Did you run it before it was taken out?


Post# 830192 , Reply# 2   6/30/2015 at 17:23 (3,221 days old) by reaky85 ()        
1950's GE Automatic Pull Out Dishwasher

I ran it through one cycle empty and it worked fine.

Post# 830236 , Reply# 3   7/1/2015 at 04:55 (3,221 days old) by toploader55 (Massachusetts Sand Bar, Cape Cod)        

toploader55's profile picture
WOW...

"Ran it through one cycle empty and it worked fine."

Paul, sounds like a machine for you.


Post# 830266 , Reply# 4   7/1/2015 at 10:44 (3,221 days old) by reaky85 ()        
1950's GE Automatic Dishwasher

Right side tub guide it’s missing a nylon/plastic roller with retaining clip, the machine screw is still there. I have the roller. The bottom right roller needs a retaining clip.

  View Full Size
Post# 830271 , Reply# 5   7/1/2015 at 11:34 (3,221 days old) by reaky85 ()        
1950's GE Automatic Dishwasher

Left side tub guide it’s missing a nylon/plastic roller, retaining clip and machine screw on the top front. I don’t have these parts.

  View Full Size
Post# 830279 , Reply# 6   7/1/2015 at 12:09 (3,221 days old) by reaky85 ()        
1950's GE Automatic Dishwasher

Air gap, chrome clip for bottom basket and roller for left side tub guide.

  View Full Size
Post# 830659 , Reply# 7   7/4/2015 at 08:57 (3,218 days old) by reaky85 ()        
1950's GE Automatic Dishwasher

copper drain tube with hose, air gap and copper water supply tube

  View Full Size
Post# 830661 , Reply# 8   7/4/2015 at 09:42 (3,218 days old) by PassatDoc (Orange County, California)        

Looking at it through the eyes of a 1950s consumer, why would anyone have wanted a top-loading built-in dishwasher when many models with the now-ubiquitous door that is hinged horizontally, with two (now three in some cases) racks that glide out horizontally? Seems like a waste of capacity in that the top rack could not hold as much as a fully square or rectangular horizontal top rack? I understand the issue in a portable DW, in that the machine could not be top-heavy or it might tip over, as a result nearly all portables loaded from the top. But assuming this model was a built-in, I don't get who would have wanted one in 1956.

(as a collector's item that may be restored to working condition, it's a cool thing, I just mean what consumer in 1956 would have made this choice, other than perhaps a customer with physical limitations (older buyers with bad backs/knees) who would have trouble bending down to reach the lower rack.


Post# 830739 , Reply# 9   7/4/2015 at 23:36 (3,217 days old) by appnut (TX)        
why would anyone have wanted a top-loading built-in dishwas

appnut's profile picture

Jim, just my reflections.  At this point in time, with the development and sprawl of new suburbia, many builders went with a manufacturer's appliance package, particularly with the new-fangled built-ins.  That was dominated by Westinghouse & GE, which both still had this style of dishwasher.  Youngstown still had top loading dishwashers.  Hotpoint had a frontload.  Not sure how prevalent American Kitchens was.  KitchenAid was the leader in front opening dishwashers, but how many could afford a KitchenAid.  Frigidaire had begun selling their own in 1955 or 1956.  Dishwashers were still quite a significant luxury.  And I think, that was still the case in 1956.  GE didn't offer this first front load dishwasher until 1961 or 1962.  Westinghouse 1962 or 1963.   It was still quie accepted in 1955 or 1956 dishwashers were toploading. 


Post# 830795 , Reply# 10   7/5/2015 at 09:25 (3,217 days old) by PassatDoc (Orange County, California)        

OK, I see, many of these were builder=supplied rather than something the consumer bought after moving in. Having seen Hotpoint and Frigidaire video ad with front loading doors, I sort of assumed that mid-market options existed earlier. And you're right, KA at that time was TOL and not within reach of the average middle class family.

Post# 830885 , Reply# 11   7/5/2015 at 17:58 (3,216 days old) by reaky85 ()        
1950's Automatic Pull Out Dishwasher



  View Full Size
Post# 1156598 , Reply# 12   8/11/2022 at 09:58 (623 days old) by Craiginthecorn (Illinois)        

Ha! This is the exact model of dishwasher that I grew up with. My parents moved down the block from a 2 bedroom home to a 3 bedroom model shortly before my birth in 1960. I expect that the dishwasher came with the house. It wasn’t very easy to load, but it worked well enough. And of course, built like a tank.

The impeller in the bottom of the tub just spun and splashed the water on the dishes. There was a sort of black funnel just outside the tub at the top left, which can be seen in the photo looking down into the machine. I’m assuming that was some sort of ventilation to improve draining, or perhaps more likely it routed steam and heat through the two vents on the front of the machine, near the top. When I was about 4 or 5, I got the bright idea that these vents were a lot like a toaster, so I stuffed them with Wonderbread. The little red holder at the top was where you loaded the granulated dish powder. It inverted during the cycle. IIRC, it had a little hinged lid, which I don’t see in this photo. You started the cycle by rotating a heavy chrome wheel. It was mounted so that about 60 degrees of the outer edge was exposed. It was replaced in roughly 1975 when my parents remodeled the kitchen, but the monster double oven Crown range survived that remodeling. It’s funny. I have such vivid memories of that GE dishwasher, but absolutely no recollection of its successor.



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