Thread Number: 69674  /  Tag: Vintage Dishwashers
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Post# 925911   3/9/2017 at 21:33 (2,576 days old) by ken (NYS)        

ken's profile picture
Been watching for an older, electro-mechanical controlled, 18" portable DW for awhile. I check CL every so often. Had the thought to check today but didn't see anything in appliances. Looked in the free section and there was an ad for some stuff (junk mostly) but it included an 18" portable DW. It was located in the next town only 11 miles away. Ad had been posted 3 hours earlier. I grabbed my keys and told one of my co-workers I'd be back, had something I needed to do.

Funny thing was I didn't take a close look at the map in the ad but I was very familiar with the road that was named. The exact address wasn't listed. So I get to the road and ride down it (its not long) and see nothing. It's actually a piece of the "old road" since the "new" more direct road was built to replace it many years ago. I turn around and ride down it again. Still nothing. I figured everything must have been taken already. I started to head back to work but then thought everything couldn't be gone in 3 hours. Not here anyway. It's very rural and not a lot of traffic.

I don't have a phone with internet so I have the idea to go into town to the library and use a computer there to go online and check the ad again. So that's what I did. After looking again I see the map is showing another section of the old road further out of town. So back I go, ride down that section of the road and it was still there waiting for me. The guy who posted the ad helped me load it into the back of my Blazer. Tried to get me to take some cinder blocks. Told him I didn't need any.

His description in the ad stated he didn't know if it worked. I wanted to get back to work so didn't think to ask him if he had tested it at all. Didn't look inside until I got it home tonight. Found a bag of Cascade action pacs inside. It needs a good cleaning but it's in nice shape. No rust inside or on the racks and the hoses look fine. You can see one spot on the lower right of the tub where a chip in the porcelain was covered with silicone. Two pieces of trim on the front that hold the reversible panels are missing. I plugged it in and it seems to work fine. Timer advances, motor runs, fill valve opens, heater works. The faucet wouldn't hook to the unicouple so I couldn't do a water test. According to the Serial number it was manufactured Nov, 1990. I guess something made me look at CL at the right time on the right day and I was supposed to get it. There was no charge for Poppin Fresh.


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This post was last edited 03/09/2017 at 22:02



Post# 925934 , Reply# 1   3/10/2017 at 03:09 (2,575 days old) by toploader55 (Massachusetts Sand Bar, Cape Cod)        

toploader55's profile picture
I had one of these back in '89.

Cleaned well. Capacity is limited.

Beats washing by hand.


Post# 926020 , Reply# 2   3/10/2017 at 13:14 (2,575 days old) by TheSpiritOf76 (Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, and OZ All Together. )        
I had a Kenmore Spacesaver from 1978

thespiritof76's profile picture
For a short time before my full size Whirlpool. I was cute, an for a single guy like me, and a single guy that actually does cook, I would have been temped by one new in 1978 (ironically, it would have latterly Been a Kenmore, we had a Sears with in walking distance to where I live In that time period.), but the one I had, had sever problems.

Post# 926038 , Reply# 3   3/10/2017 at 15:03 (2,575 days old) by RevvinKevin (Tinseltown - Shakey Town - La-La Land)        
CONGRATS!

revvinkevin's profile picture

 

 

Years ago I talked my mom into buying the more "deluxe" version in the late 70's/early 80's???   It had more cycles and a few more buttons, but more importantly, a 2nd wash arm under the upper rack.  We used it for 7-8 years(?) until something failed or started leaking, don't remember now which it was.  I kicked it to the curb and talked my mom into buying a portable Maytag reverse rack.  She still has it but almost never uses it.

 

Kevin


Post# 926041 , Reply# 4   3/10/2017 at 15:33 (2,575 days old) by chachp (North Little Rock, AR)        
I had an 18" model years ago

chachp's profile picture

 

I think it was a Frigidaire or maybe Westinghouse.  I don't remember but it washed well just didn't hold a lot.  As stated already, it sure beats washing dishes and you sure can't beat free!!

 

Didn't the same company make most of these anyway and just rebadge them?


Post# 926047 , Reply# 5   3/10/2017 at 16:08 (2,575 days old) by appnut (TX)        

appnut's profile picture

These were all D&M made. 


Post# 926048 , Reply# 6   3/10/2017 at 16:20 (2,575 days old) by ken (NYS)        

ken's profile picture

1990 was still manufactured by D&M? I figured Whirlpool. Having the upper wash arm would probably make a difference in performance.


Post# 926055 , Reply# 7   3/10/2017 at 17:27 (2,575 days old) by appnut (TX)        

appnut's profile picture

Yep, pure D&M. 


Post# 926088 , Reply# 8   3/10/2017 at 19:03 (2,575 days old) by combo52 (50 Year Repair Tech Beltsville,Md)        

combo52's profile picture

Hi Bob, Yes Pure D&M and no filter of any kind.

 

These 18" machines usually didn't last as long as the 24" machines because you had to run them twice as much to do the same number of dishes and to make matters worse these small DWs used the same detergent dispenser as the 24" machines so people used way too much detergent and the pump seals went out even faster than in the crappy 24" D&M DWs and the motor was history fast.

 

John L.


Post# 926101 , Reply# 9   3/10/2017 at 20:08 (2,575 days old) by ken (NYS)        

ken's profile picture

I wouldn't be surprised the place where it was located was a summer place so it didn't get a lot of use. That could be the answer as to why its still here.  


Post# 926139 , Reply# 10   3/10/2017 at 23:54 (2,575 days old) by TheSpiritOf76 (Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, and OZ All Together. )        
Actually.....

thespiritof76's profile picture
Mine was produced by Frigidaire, It had the emblem stamped on the motor.

Post# 926278 , Reply# 11   3/11/2017 at 19:28 (2,574 days old) by ken (NYS)        

ken's profile picture
Gave it a good cleaning today. Was a little greasy but ammonia took care of that. Got the water hooked up and did a water test. Added some dish detergent and bleach. Got some good suds. It fills, washes and drains like it should. It leaks across the front. At first I thought it was running out from underneath. But I realized its got to be the door gasket. I even saw a couple drops of water flying out close to the top of the door on both sides while it washed. The gasket is soft its whole length and isn't ripped. Guess it must have shrunk. I checked easyapplianceparts but a door gasket isn't listed. Anyone know another source or another gasket that may work? Model # is 5871730590. I guess these machines weren't known for being refined. It is loud.

Post# 927015 , Reply# 12   3/15/2017 at 13:23 (2,570 days old) by rpms (ontario canada)        

rpms's profile picture
I have always thought that the 18 inch dishwashers were so cute.
A friend of mine had one 20 years ago. I could not believe my eyes that dishwashers came in a smaller size.
She could load that thing like no tomorrow.
I got mine last summer that was free on the side of the road also.
I took it to my trailer and have yet to use it. I stored dirty dishes in for a couple of months and then brought them home to do.
Still haven't hooked up the generator at the trailer.
I am assuming the cup shelf would be completely useless if it was used for a second row of cups?
Never a fan of the pop-up tower. My Eaton's/GE dishwasher was the worst piece of crap I have ever owned.There was no way anything came clean using the cup rack.
You have a cute dishwasher. Worth getting just for Poppin Fresh. I am curious to know about the washing and loading ability of these rascals.


Post# 927016 , Reply# 13   3/15/2017 at 13:29 (2,570 days old) by Launderess (Quiet Please, There´s a Lady on Stage)        
Had a later Kenmore (made by Frigidaire) version

launderess's profile picture
Did alright but the portable GE Mobile Maid leaves that D&M Kenmore in the dust.

For one thing now get dishes free of yibbles; something the Kenmore 18" struggled to do even with well scrapped before.

Second row of cups on shelf worked well if you used teacups underneath, then put small mugs or a second row of teacups on the shelf. However you had to take care in loading to make sure water could reach things on both rows. Even then you still got yibbles more often than not both at bottom inside and tops of glasses/cups.

Still suppose better than hand washing, but wouldn't get another. Well not yet anyway.



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