Thread Number: 59566
/ Tag: Vintage Dishwashers
Can this roll around KitchenAid dishwasher be turned into a built-in unit? |
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Post# 821715 , Reply# 1   5/1/2015 at 21:38 (3,254 days old) by Kenmore71 (Minneapolis, MN)   |   | |
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Post# 821718 , Reply# 2   5/1/2015 at 23:21 (3,254 days old) by rp2813 (Sannazay)   |   | |
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You might need to fashion your own "L" brackets to hold the machine in place under the counter. There are holes on the left and right area of the "fin" that runs across the top front section of the exterior. One end of each bracket is fastened to those holes with a sheet metal screw, and the other end screws into the bottom of the counter top. These brackets are often missing even on used built-in dishwashers, but who knows -- maybe they're used to secure the butcher block top on portables.
I don't know if portables came with leveling feet, which are included on built-in units. Others here will know for sure. |
Post# 821735 , Reply# 3   5/2/2015 at 05:13 (3,253 days old) by chachp (North Little Rock, AR)   |   | |
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The machine in the picture is a 56 Series Portable. I have a 57 Series portable that does require a conversion kit. When I purchased mine the wheels and bottom portion was damaged in shipping. I wanted to use it a built in anyway so I wasn't too concerned but when I got under the covers I discovered it couldn't be converted without the kit. I just don't know if the 56 and 57 models were the same in this regard.
Unfortunately its not just a matter of the leveling feet. The machine does not have the legs to screw the feet into. They are included in the kit. I attached a copy of the instructions and it states what is included in the kit.
I ended up making a cart for mine as seen in the picture. Now if yours is like mine you could remove the top and make a smaller cart than mine and possibly still get it under the counter and anchored. Mine as is would go under the counter without the butcher block top if I had made that cart smaller. I think the wheels I bought were 1 1/2" but you could get smaller ones and you'd have to get creative to level the machine once it's installed.
This wouldn't be an impossible task but it might be more than you want to get into if you have other options. |
Post# 821767 , Reply# 4   5/2/2015 at 12:58 (3,253 days old) by rp2813 (Sannazay)   |   | |
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Ralph, thanks for the clarification.
I think frogkid would be better off with a later model if they're easier to build in. KitchenAids are timeless in their design and vintage machines still command respect. It would be easy to get away with a later model that would complement a retro look, and starting with the 18 series the machines have an upper wash arm, which makes for carefree loading. |
Post# 821874 , Reply# 7   5/3/2015 at 13:44 (3,252 days old) by chachp (North Little Rock, AR)   |   | |
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Post# 821884 , Reply# 8   5/3/2015 at 15:51 (3,252 days old) by Tomturbomatic (Beltsville, MD)   |   | |
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If you could not find the legs, you could have purchased them by consulting a parts list. |
Post# 821887 , Reply# 9   5/3/2015 at 16:38 (3,252 days old) by chachp (North Little Rock, AR)   |   | |
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Post# 821949 , Reply# 10   5/4/2015 at 05:52 (3,251 days old) by Tomturbomatic (Beltsville, MD)   |   | |
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The legs are not part of the conversion kit as they were screwed into the corners of the machine during assembly at the factory. A parts sheet for the dishwasher would show the part # for the legs. |
Post# 821953 , Reply# 11   5/4/2015 at 07:30 (3,251 days old) by chachp (North Little Rock, AR)   |   | |
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The only thing I can figure out is we are talking about two different machines. I have a KDI-57. I have been under the machine and I can assure you there are no legs. The documentation on the conversion kit clearly states it includes the legs and shows pictures of how and where to attach them.
The model he was looking at is a 16 series so I don't know if his is the same as mine or not but the bottom of his looks the same as mine. It seems like a moot point since he is looking at a Superba Built In.
If the legs were available separately I sure wish I could find a set. I didn't notice them on the parts lists I have.
What model machine are you talking about? This post was last edited 05/04/2015 at 08:05 |
Post# 821988 , Reply# 12   5/4/2015 at 13:34 (3,251 days old) by Tomturbomatic (Beltsville, MD)   |   | |
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Sorry, mine is a KDS58. I thought the legs were there, but maybe not. Sorry again. For the part # of the legs, you would have to look at the parts list for the builtin model, not the convertible. |
Post# 822336 , Reply# 14   5/7/2015 at 00:34 (3,249 days old) by rp2813 (Sannazay)   |   | |
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That's a KDI-21 or 22. It's at least 15 years newer than the brown one in your original post, but is the same "Imperial" model.
We had one for 18 years at our other house.
The 21 series and later were produced after Whirlpool bought KitchenAid. They're still the same design as Hobart used, but if you want a true Hobart you'll have to find an early series 20 or older machine. |
Post# 822596 , Reply# 18   5/8/2015 at 15:59 (3,247 days old) by chachp (North Little Rock, AR)   |   | |
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I would agree 100% with Tomturbomatic. I keep my water at 140 and run it before I start the machine. I have always wondered if it was hot enough and usually by the main wash I can open the door and steam comes barreling out. When the fan kicks on after the last rinse I get a fair amount of steam out of the machine so I'm confident my water is hot enough.
I have been happy with the performance. I only use powdered detergent and find the Finish works better for me than some of the others but on that you will likely get as many recommendations as you get replies :).
If it were me I wouldn't hesitate getting a vintage machine like this as long as you keep your water hot. The first one you posted up above really looks like a nice machine. |
Post# 822618 , Reply# 20   5/8/2015 at 21:56 (3,247 days old) by Tomturbomatic (Beltsville, MD)   |   | |
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If you are not getting a vintage Superba KA dw, you will only get two after rinses, not three. |
Post# 822643 , Reply# 21   5/9/2015 at 05:44 (3,246 days old) by chachp (North Little Rock, AR)   |   | |
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I would stay away from them in general. From what I've read they are not that good for your machine but again there will be many opinions on this topic.
I can tell you that these dispensers were not designed for liquids and others here have reported that the liquid detergents run out of these dispensers when you close the door.
I looked at my service manual on the 16 series machines. The one above is an Imperial and has two after rinses. If you find a Superba model (the one that you decided to stay away from) you'll get three after rinses in the Heavy Soil Cycle if that is important to you. The other cycles all have two after rinses. I personally never felt like my dishes weren't properly rinsed after two rinses. The third is nice I guess and adds the Sani option in that last rinse but that's a "whole nuther topic" that I'll stay away from. LOL |