Thread Number: 31552
Favorite dispenser: an illustration essay |
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Post# 476062   11/18/2010 at 11:07 (4,879 days old) by bajaespuma (Connecticut)   |   | |
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After visiting the Beltsville warehouse, I have become even more obsessed with top-loading dishwashers, which are now on the top of my list. Coincidentally, John was saying how he likes to use them to clean parts, which is exactly what I do. Having a top loader in the basement to clean large things like garbage cans, vintage agitators and mini-baskets and tools is a handy thing. Whilst in Beltsville, I got a long-awaited close up look at the magnetic dishwasher detergent dispenser that GE put on their Mobile-Maids and Pull-Outs from 1957 to 1960 (the first Maytag Top Loader had an equally wonderful dual-dispenser that I saw in the warehouse and hope to find some literature on). Maybe John or someone else will tell me why they changed it to their mechanically swiveling version in '61. Amazing Rube Goldberg design:
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Post# 476063 , Reply# 1   11/18/2010 at 11:08 (4,879 days old) by bajaespuma (Connecticut)   |   | |
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Post# 476064 , Reply# 2   11/18/2010 at 11:09 (4,879 days old) by bajaespuma (Connecticut)   |   | |
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Post# 476066 , Reply# 3   11/18/2010 at 11:12 (4,879 days old) by bajaespuma (Connecticut)   |   | |
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Ours was always caking up in the cup enough so that at the end of the cycle, most of the detergent powder remained as a solid lump in the bottom of the cup. This design I think prevented that from happening (in theory, at least; maybe one of you who actually has one of these will tell me how well it worked):
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Post# 476069 , Reply# 4   11/18/2010 at 11:14 (4,879 days old) by bajaespuma (Connecticut)   |   | |
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Post# 476070 , Reply# 5   11/18/2010 at 11:17 (4,879 days old) by bajaespuma (Connecticut)   |   | |
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Post# 476072 , Reply# 6   11/18/2010 at 11:19 (4,879 days old) by bajaespuma (Connecticut)   |   | |
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Post# 476073 , Reply# 7   11/18/2010 at 11:20 (4,879 days old) by bajaespuma (Connecticut)   |   | |
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Post# 476076 , Reply# 8   11/18/2010 at 11:33 (4,879 days old) by bajaespuma (Connecticut)   |   | |
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I think the next design lasted until the end of the Top Loading models in the seventies. It worked; I believe it was connected mechanically to the timer cam. What I can't remember is whether it stayed in the "open" position after the cycle was complete. Ours kept getting wet inside which is what caused the soap to cake up. I think one had to remember to close the lid when loading the machine to prevent that. I do remember that if you wanted a pre-wash dose of detergent, you were instructed by the instruction book to fill the dispenser once and swivel it over manually to dump it into the tub before filling it for the main wash. I, of course, was the only operator in our household who knew how to do this as no one else, of course, gave a crap.
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Post# 476387 , Reply# 10   11/19/2010 at 23:03 (4,878 days old) by pdub (Portland, Oregon)   |   | |
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