My Dream Machines: G.E. Electric Sink/Dishwasher & other Dishwashers

Eugene (Frigilux): Thanks. The early ‘timers’ on these machines is quite an interesting engineering design whereby there is a reducer gear box attached to the underneath side of the motor, which turns the cam. So as long as the motor turns, which it does throughout the approximate 12 minute cycle, so does the cam. Each wash and rinse uses only about 1 gallon of water. I found it very interesting to watch the water action. Sometimes the water is being thrown by the impeller in a swirling motion, and other times all at once. Having dishes loaded keeps the water more evenly distributed, and plates do tend to direct the water more straight up. Without plates almost no water goes straight up the center.

Terry ( tlee618): Thanks. Are you familiar with the Craigslist post in the Daytona area “Antique "Tracy" vintage 50's Sink base and metal cabenets (NSB)” PostingID: 1009217679 (see photo below). The seller was going to send me more pictures of the dishwasher. This G.E. Drawer Dishwasher is probably 1950-1951. It’s almost identical to my 1951 G.E. (see photo in Thread# 20880).

Chris (christfr): Reference the Thread# 20759 Vintage Homart Electric Sink in MA, are you or Travis going after this one?

Jerry (Easyspindry): You are quite welcome. I wasn’t 100% happy with the video, but I’ll keep trying to improve my videos in the future. YES, YES, I’m very interested in your round G.E. Portable. Please keep me in mind when you are ready to pass it on. I’d certainly enjoy having it as a part of my growing collection. Someday, I’m hoping to acquire/rent a public space where I can display and demonstrate all of my vintage machines. Feel free to email me directly if you wish.

Paul (turquoisedude): Yes, there’s just something fascinating about the Impeller dishwashers. YES, my 1948 G.E. Electric Sink belonged to Michael (gedish1947) until I purchased and picked it up on November 1. And YES, as Michael describes it, this Electric Sink came from Helena, Montana, and likely one of, if not the first, dishwasher purchased and installed in that town. I’ll keep my eyes open for a 1959 Princess – I have a photo of the one from a 2007 Thread# 10607. I love your All-in-one unit!

John (spiceman1957): Thanks. Regarding the James, you are correct in your observation – there is not much water splashing against the plates. After I made that video, I tried tilting the plates forward to see if more water would hit them, but it didn’t seem to make any difference. I’ve not washed real dirty dishes in this machine yet, so I’m not sure how just how effective the washing action is in that area. Certainly, water can be seen splashing clear up inside of the glasses, but glasses are more in the center and towards the back of the machine. I was just as confused as you are about this situation.

And YES, my camera has a very good microphone on it, and the sounds that you hear coming across all of these videos are exactly what the machine produces. The James is especially loud. Noise back in the 1950’s and 1960’s certainly was not an issue. But for me, that’s what makes them so interesting. As I said in my profile about the G.E. Electric Sink, I remembered those sounds exactly as you hear them today in the video.


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Post# 331726 2/22/2009 at 14:30 (5,540 days old) by dishwashercrazy (West Peoria, IL)
Checkrate/Likes Hi, my name is Mike. In the mid 1960’s when I was about 12 years old, my family began visited relatives once a year in Carrollton, Missouri. This family's home had a 1950’s all G.E. Kitchen including an Electric Sink (Dishwasher and Disposal). From a very early age, I was already interested in Washing Machines. So, I was fascinated by this dishwasher – the first one I had ever seen. Each year, I would spend as much time as I could, helping in the kitchen, including loading the dishwasher and then standing there listening to it run. [When I joined aw.org last July 2008, I recounted in the ‘earliest memories’ section of my profile, the sounds that dishwasher made.] Over the years, we no longer stayed with this family, but we still visited for Sunday morning brunch. In August 1976, the family gathered, and I was surprised to find a new kitchen. I was sad to discover that the old dishwasher was gone, and it had not been given to me! I’m sure they never even gave a thought to giving it to me – I’m guessing the whole kitchen went to the local garbage dump. Over the years since, I’ve secretly reminisced and mourned the loss of that beautiful machine. Fast Forward to July 11, 2008. My next-door neighbors had recently moved away. I was mowing their lawn, and while in the garage, discovered a 1946 Maytag Square-tub Wringer Washer. I asked the owners about it, and they gave me the washer in exchange for the yard work I had been doing. I immediately phoned my friend, Gary “abcomatic” who I had recently discovered collects vintage washing machines. He introduced me to aw.org – a few days later, I joined. A few days later, I also discovered Craigslist. I started searching for vintage dishwashers, and within a few days, I had found a 1958 G.E. Mobile Maid (just like one I had when I was in high school), a 1950 G.E. Electric Sink in Duluth, MN, and a 1951 G.E. Drawer Dishwasher in Milwaukee, WI. [Just yesterday I described my current dishwasher collection in Thread# 20880 Antique GE pull-out in Hudson Valley, NY] Unfortunately, the Electric Sink from Duluth was not worth restoring, but the motor still works. My second G.E. Electric Sink (picture below), a 1948 model (DE748A16) came to my attention on October 19th, when Michael Peterson “gedish1947” created his thread stating “Moving Sale – Everything must go!” (Thread# 19246). I emailed Michael, then we talked, and his ‘favorite’ machine, the Electric Sink, plus 3 other dishwashers, became a part of my growing collection. I’ve been repairing and restoring all of my dishwasher and washing machines. I’ve made videos of the 1958 Mobile Maid, the 1948 G.E. Electric Sink/Dishwasher, and the James. Here is a link to my YouTube page (http://youtube.com/dishwashercrazy). I am dishwashercrazy, and will continue to see out more! It's a sickness! CLICK HERE TO GO TO dishwashercrazy's LINK

Post# 331739 , Reply# 1 2/22/2009 at 15:43 (5,540 days old) by frigilux (The Minnesota Prairie)
Checkrate/Likes What an awesome video, Mike! I particularly enjoyed the explanation about how everything works at the beginning. Definitely a lot of water being thrown by that vintage GE. Thanks for sharing it.

Post# 331784 , Reply# 2 2/22/2009 at 21:20 (5,539 days old) by tlee618 ()
Checkrate/Likes Mike, that is a great story, thanks so much for sharing it with us. That is one beautiful GE electric sink!!!

Post# 331833 , Reply# 3 2/23/2009 at 06:20 (5,539 days old) by christfr (st louis mo)
Checkrate/Likes not thats cool............

Post# 331842 , Reply# 4 2/23/2009 at 07:54 (5,539 days old) by easyspindry (Winston-Salem, NC)
Checkrate/Likes *Hey Mike* Wonderful video and a great explanation of how and why the machine works. I've used a dishwasher just like that one, but, of course, had no idea what went on inside. I currently have a round GE portable with the impeller system. It hooks up to the sink for water and draining, but you have to tell it what to do. It does a great job. I'd be interested in finding a new home for it if you're interested. Thanks for your time and talent in sharing the video. Jerry Gay

Post# 331847 , Reply# 5 2/23/2009 at 08:13 (5,539 days old) by turquoisedude (.)
Checkrate/Likes *Awesome!* I share your enthusiam for the GE impeller-type dishwashers!! That 1948 electric sink is just too cool! Is this not the one that was reputed to be one of the only dishwashers in a small town in Montana?? Great collection and if you should ever come across just the frame for a 59 Princess pull-out, let me know!!

Post# 331848 , Reply# 6 2/23/2009 at 08:24 (5,539 days old) by spiceman1957 ()
Checkrate/Likes *Your dishwasher collection* Hi Mike, Thanks for posting these. I love to see the old vintage machines in actual operation. Regarding the James machine. It looks like the water was hardly hitting the plates, what was with that? I wasn't sure if it was the camera's angle. Second, was it your microphone or are these machine actually that loud? Thanks again, John

Post# 331946 , Reply# 7 2/23/2009 at 15:14 (5,539 days old) by dishwashercrazy (West Peoria, IL)
Checkrate/Likes *Thanks everyone for your kind comments.* Eugene (Frigilux): Thanks. The early ‘timers’ on these machines is quite an interesting engineering design whereby there is a reducer gear box attached to the underneath side of the motor, which turns the cam. So as long as the motor turns, which it does throughout the approximate 12 minute cycle, so does the cam. Each wash and rinse uses only about 1 gallon of water. I found it very interesting to watch the water action. Sometimes the water is being thrown by the impeller in a swirling motion, and other times all at once. Having dishes loaded keeps the water more evenly distributed, and plates do tend to direct the water more straight up. Without plates almost no water goes straight up the center. Terry ( tlee618): Thanks. Are you familiar with the Craigslist post in the Daytona area “Antique "Tracy" vintage 50's Sink base and metal cabenets (NSB)” PostingID: 1009217679 (see photo below). The seller was going to send me more pictures of the dishwasher. This G.E. Drawer Dishwasher is probably 1950-1951. It’s almost identical to my 1951 G.E. (see photo in Thread# 20880). Chris (christfr): Reference the Thread# 20759 Vintage Homart Electric Sink in MA, are you or Travis going after this one? Jerry (Easyspindry): You are quite welcome. I wasn’t 100% happy with the video, but I’ll keep trying to improve my videos in the future. YES, YES, I’m very interested in your round G.E. Portable. Please keep me in mind when you are ready to pass it on. I’d certainly enjoy having it as a part of my growing collection. Someday, I’m hoping to acquire/rent a public space where I can display and demonstrate all of my vintage machines. Feel free to email me directly if you wish. Paul (turquoisedude): Yes, there’s just something fascinating about the Impeller dishwashers. YES, my 1948 G.E. Electric Sink belonged to Michael (gedish1947) until I purchased and picked it up on November 1. And YES, as Michael describes it, this Electric Sink came from Helena, Montana, and likely one of, if not the first, dishwasher purchased and installed in that town. I’ll keep my eyes open for a 1959 Princess – I have a photo of the one from a 2007 Thread# 10607. I love your All-in-one unit! John (spiceman1957): Thanks. Regarding the James, you are correct in your observation – there is not much water splashing against the plates. After I made that video, I tried tilting the plates forward to see if more water would hit them, but it didn’t seem to make any difference. I’ve not washed real dirty dishes in this machine yet, so I’m not sure how just how effective the washing action is in that area. Certainly, water can be seen splashing clear up inside of the glasses, but glasses are more in the center and towards the back of the machine. I was just as confused as you are about this situation. And YES, my camera has a very good microphone on it, and the sounds that you hear coming across all of these videos are exactly what the machine produces. The James is especially loud. Noise back in the 1950’s and 1960’s certainly was not an issue. But for me, that’s what makes them so interesting. As I said in my profile about the G.E. Electric Sink, I remembered those sounds exactly as you hear them today in the video.

Post# 332020 , Reply# 8 2/23/2009 at 22:13 (5,538 days old) by tlee618 ()
Checkrate/Likes Thanks for the information Mike, I will check it out. Terry

Post# 332055 , Reply# 11 2/24/2009 at 06:05 (5,538 days old) by christfr (st louis mo)
Checkrate/Likes *had to pass* hey i love that homart dw but no room in the inn... ha ha.. i tried to talk travis into it but i think he is passing too. so i think you need to go and get it..

Post# 332117 , Reply# 13 2/24/2009 at 17:14 (5,537 days old) by dishwashercrazy (West Peoria, IL)
Checkrate/Likes *1958 G.E. Mobile Maid* Ken: My 1958 Mobile Maid is a single cycle machine. No options. The cycle consists of 2 pre-rinses, wash, 3 post-rinses, and dry cycle. The photos show the bottom rack, top rack and silverware basket, front panel (quick disconnect 'unicouple' for the faucet, control dial), and close-up of the dial.

Post# 332119 , Reply# 14 2/24/2009 at 17:27 (5,537 days old) by dishwashercrazy (West Peoria, IL)
Checkrate/Likes *James Dishwasher Rinse Temperature* Darren: You are correct about the final, 2nd rinse. On my James, there is a white switch on the control panel that is either 'Off' or 'On'. In this photo, it is shown in the 'Off' position. When the switch is 'Off', the dishwasher fills for the 2nd rinse, and then proceeds right on through the cycle. When the switch is in the 'On' position, the dishwasher fills for the 2nd rinse, then pauses (theoretically - because I've never let it go all the way) for about 30 minutes to heat the water to 180 degrees (I think), then proceeds through the rest of the cycle. If anyone else is more informed about the James than I am, please correct me.

Post# 332257 , Reply# 17 2/25/2009 at 12:06 (5,537 days old) by aldspinboy (Philadelphia, Pa)
Checkrate/Likes WOW ! Mike you have a lot of machines nice profile. Thanks for the information I did not no about the switch. I got the information from our webmaster Robert he has a james dishwasher if you look in vintage fun stuff there are pictures and information, yay! for james dishwashers. There is a pic with with the heated cycle at 180F LOOK at the beautiful streaks it makes on the glass window, better yet look at yours lol. P. S. That sound on your G.E. sink dishwasher is so.... cool. Amazing! Thanks Darren k

Post# 332028 , Reply# 9 2/23/2009 at 22:30 (5,538 days old) by dishwashercrazy (West Peoria, IL)
Checkrate/Likes *Terry:* I forgot to post the picture of the cabinets and sink. Sorry.

Post# 332035 , Reply# 10 2/23/2009 at 22:47 (5,538 days old) by bajaespuma (Connecticut)
Checkrate/Likes *Thanks for the videos Mike!* Your portable works pretty much exactly the way our GE pull-out operated. I was always curious how that impeller did what it did. It was a mystery to me then, I actually believed it filled all the way up with water. But then we didn't have a cool plexiglass cover so we could watch it while it worked. Seem's very thorough and powerful. Does your 1958 machine have a "Fine China" cycle? I'd love to see how that operated. I love these machines; I have one of them thanks to Greg M. and I'm always looking for the 30" Empress and, of course the TOL that we owned with the 4 cycles. As with most of these vintage machines it was colorful. Not only was the interior that cool GE two-toned vinyl pink, but I remember the control dial had pink, white and blue areas that indicated where it was in the cycle.

Post# 332112 , Reply# 12 2/24/2009 at 16:32 (5,537 days old) by aldspinboy (Philadelphia, Pa)
Checkrate/Likes First welcome! Thank you for all of your videos the are exquisite. I love impeller dishwashers I had a chance to get a brand new 50's G.E. but I could not get it, it was to late and i was younger and had no truck. Oh well. Good luck on your new machine, and on your James dishwasher do's that heat to 180F at the last rinse ? Darren K

Post# 332163 , Reply# 15 2/24/2009 at 21:57 (5,537 days old) by gansky1 (Omaha, The Home of the TV Dinner!)
Checkrate/Likes Great video and a beautiful job on that dishwasher/sink!! Beautiful!

Post# 332172 , Reply# 16 2/24/2009 at 22:57 (5,537 days old) by gedish1947 ()
Checkrate/Likes *Looking Good!* Hi Mike, I miss my electric sink, but what a good home, the machine never looked better.........Thanks, Michael