Thread Number: 59657  /  Tag: Vintage Dishwashers
Tweeking the Jet Tower by Youngstown
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Post# 822647   5/9/2015 at 06:26 (3,246 days old) by Jetcone (Schenectady-Home of Calrods,Monitor Tops,Toroid Transformers)        

jetcone's profile picture

I rescued this machine from a "Regina Housewife" ! Parts had been neglected-you know "LCS-lazy cleaning syndrome"

 

It was spritzing hot 185 degree dish water up around the clear glass porthole window so after lubing the motor and pump it was time to pay attention the upper parts of the machine !

 

As you can see by the photographic evidence - the channel gasket had died long ago and there was compaction of 60+ years of coffee grounds embedded in the window surround.

Seems the Regina Housewife needs a cleaning lesson ----

 

 


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Post# 822648 , Reply# 1   5/9/2015 at 06:30 (3,246 days old) by Jetcone (Schenectady-Home of Calrods,Monitor Tops,Toroid Transformers)        
Now what to use

jetcone's profile picture

I ordered some 3/16 channel rubber from major online sources.

When it arrived it was too thick for the placement, I manually trimmed to fit. That didn't work either, so I was stuck.

 

Then I remembered my many spools of Buna N Rubber 0-ring channel stashed deep in my secret parts area!

 

I hit on forming a new gasket. After many trial and errors due to size I finally found the combination of one thin gasket for the top glass and one thick gasket for the bottom setting of the glass made the perfect replacement.


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Post# 822649 , Reply# 2   5/9/2015 at 06:33 (3,246 days old) by Jetcone (Schenectady-Home of Calrods,Monitor Tops,Toroid Transformers)        
Today she is totally

jetcone's profile picture

rescued from a drippy fate and is purring smoothly right now! Oh yes I also replaced the fiber washers under the head bolts with factory fresh new ones !!

 

Take THAT you Regina Housewife !!

 

 


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Post# 822650 , Reply# 3   5/9/2015 at 07:44 (3,246 days old) by Jetcone (Schenectady-Home of Calrods,Monitor Tops,Toroid Transformers)        
This mornings load all done

jetcone's profile picture

fresh clean. Look at that balancing act !!!

 

 


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Post# 822654 , Reply# 4   5/9/2015 at 08:57 (3,246 days old) by gansky1 (Omaha, The Home of the TV Dinner!)        

gansky1's profile picture
You are the Gasket Master! Beautiful job - and beautiful machine!

Post# 822656 , Reply# 5   5/9/2015 at 09:04 (3,246 days old) by peteski50 (New York)        
Jet Tower

peteski50's profile picture
That is one Awsome dishwasher


Post# 822662 , Reply# 6   5/9/2015 at 12:06 (3,245 days old) by A440 ()        

Great Job Jon!

I love your Jet Tower!  It is in beautiful shape! And so clean!!!

 

 


Post# 822664 , Reply# 7   5/9/2015 at 12:31 (3,245 days old) by pulltostart (Mobile, AL)        
Nice

pulltostart's profile picture

But your composition needs a blue something to work off the other two primaries.  Speaking of, what happened to the red lid?  Is it just hidden in the last pic?

 

lawrence


Post# 822694 , Reply# 8   5/9/2015 at 19:42 (3,245 days old) by bvf ()        
wow

What a beautiful dishwasher…I love the simplicity of this machine…what year is this ….. I now want one of these fun machines,,, this looks like it would fit in my 1953 kitchen …with my westinghouse products……lucky man to have this prestine machine...

Post# 822706 , Reply# 9   5/9/2015 at 20:47 (3,245 days old) by toploader55 (Massachusetts Sand Bar, Cape Cod)        

toploader55's profile picture

Are you going to bring her down the Cape ? Gotta find me a Jet Tower.

 

There has to be one hidden in a Old Captain's House in Harwich down here somewhere. 


Post# 822713 , Reply# 10   5/9/2015 at 22:20 (3,245 days old) by PhilR (Quebec Canada)        

philr's profile picture

So was that gasket that was causing problems? I thought it was something in the pump! Was that the reason for the 4 screws at the top of the jet tower? I guess removing them started to clean the dried gasket (or whatever accumulated) around that porthole!


Post# 822716 , Reply# 11   5/10/2015 at 00:02 (3,245 days old) by Supersuds (Knoxville, Tenn.)        
Nice machine!

supersuds's profile picture
But inquiring minds want to know: What's in your drink?

Post# 822797 , Reply# 12   5/10/2015 at 14:32 (3,244 days old) by Jetcone (Schenectady-Home of Calrods,Monitor Tops,Toroid Transformers)        
Well

jetcone's profile picture

The drink was scotch and soda.

 

Phil the window gasket was grey rubber and has nothing to do with the cork gasket flying up from the pump, in fact on this wash another huge piece blew into the Jet Tower. I may have to do deeper surgery but am hoping this will just blow itself out.

 

At 185 degrees the dishes smell so clean and fresh when the lid pops!!

 

Neat new avatar Greg !!

 


Post# 822807 , Reply# 13   5/10/2015 at 15:05 (3,244 days old) by PhilR (Quebec Canada)        

philr's profile picture

As long as there's no leak from the pump! 


Post# 822830 , Reply# 14   5/10/2015 at 16:33 (3,244 days old) by turquoisedude (.)        

turquoisedude's profile picture

You're hired! I may need one of those gaskets should I ever get around to restoring mine... LOL 

 

Great work Jon - I think you're really proving that these machines were good performers!


Post# 822841 , Reply# 15   5/10/2015 at 18:44 (3,244 days old) by Jetcone (Schenectady-Home of Calrods,Monitor Tops,Toroid Transformers)        
It really does

jetcone's profile picture

clean well Paul, which surprises me!

 

I do rinse but this machine cleans a lot better than Mom's GE rollout did. And its much quieter too !

 


Post# 822862 , Reply# 16   5/10/2015 at 21:49 (3,244 days old) by cadman (Cedar Falls, IA)        
"...cleans a lot better than Mom's GE rollout did

cadman's profile picture
Now wait just a second!! Them's Fightin' Words! LOL....

Post# 822887 , Reply# 17   5/11/2015 at 05:15 (3,244 days old) by toploader55 (Massachusetts Sand Bar, Cape Cod)        

toploader55's profile picture

Regina Housewife...

 

OMG, too funny


Post# 822894 , Reply# 18   5/11/2015 at 06:30 (3,244 days old) by Jetcone (Schenectady-Home of Calrods,Monitor Tops,Toroid Transformers)        
I KNEW

jetcone's profile picture

I'd get a rise out of Cadman with that !!! Holla!!

 


Post# 822931 , Reply# 19   5/11/2015 at 10:55 (3,243 days old) by combo52 (50 Year Repair Tech Beltsville,Md)        
At A 185 Degrees

combo52's profile picture

It better clean better than a GE Mobile Maid, A GE MMs Plastisol interior would not last long @ 185F.


Post# 822964 , Reply# 20   5/11/2015 at 15:27 (3,243 days old) by Jetcone (Schenectady-Home of Calrods,Monitor Tops,Toroid Transformers)        
LOL !!!

jetcone's profile picture

Take that Cadman !! 

 

 


Post# 822989 , Reply# 21   5/11/2015 at 20:12 (3,243 days old) by cadman (Cedar Falls, IA)        

cadman's profile picture
Oh sure Jon, I'd take the Jet Tower anyday...who doesn't love the taste of baked-on cork!! LOL!

Post# 823044 , Reply# 22   5/12/2015 at 07:10 (3,243 days old) by Jetcone (Schenectady-Home of Calrods,Monitor Tops,Toroid Transformers)        
hahahahahha !

jetcone's profile picture

Kerrrslappppp to you Mister !


Post# 823103 , Reply# 23   5/12/2015 at 16:07 (3,242 days old) by firedome (Binghamton NY & Lake Champlain VT)        
Brings back memories...

firedome's profile picture
of standing and watching the Jet Tower spray the little round window in the kitchen of my best friend Scott's house, circa mid and late '50s. I was so jealous that they had a dishwasher, we didn't and I always had to help dry! I think that Youngstown was the very beginning of my d/w love! Nice work Jon!

Post# 823118 , Reply# 24   5/12/2015 at 18:20 (3,242 days old) by appnut (TX)        
I do rinse but this machine cleans a lot better than Mom'

appnut's profile picture

Cheating Cheater!!  Shame on you.  But then again, if ya didn't you'd see how poor this dishwasher is.  How can you say it cleans better ..., they're already clean when you put them in.  For SHAYME!!!!!


Post# 823126 , Reply# 25   5/12/2015 at 18:43 (3,242 days old) by combo52 (50 Year Repair Tech Beltsville,Md)        
Amen Bob

combo52's profile picture

I have been in several AW members homes and seen them loading their DWs and their use of this appliances does not come close to the way you and I use our DWs [  don't worry guys I will not name names ]

 

But I really don't think one can comment on cleaning ability if the DWs are virtually clean when going in, AND the DW should be PACKED FULL.

 

John L.


Post# 823136 , Reply# 26   5/12/2015 at 20:43 (3,242 days old) by washer111 ()        
AMEN to That!

Both John and Bob!

A Dishwasher is for WASHING the dishes, not just "sanitizing" them!

You try and tell people different (even with photographic evidence)...
- But don't they stink?
- That won't get clean
- But we prerinse when we use the dishmachines at work!

And just for the record... Some examples of "what goes in"
I'm pretty sure both John and Bob are cooking food that produces far more 'ick' than what we do, but I did at least include the dish used for my Pineapple Upside/Down Cake :)


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Post# 823137 , Reply# 27   5/12/2015 at 20:48 (3,242 days old) by Travis ()        
Beautiful machine

Jon,

 

I love that model.  It's awesome.

 

 

John L,

 

I don't think it's fair to judge the earliest models of various appliances by our modern day ideas of use.  You have to live a lifestyle more like the time period of your appliances for best results.  It would be unfair to complain about defrosting or even a lack of cabinet light in my monitor top.


Post# 823195 , Reply# 28   5/13/2015 at 07:17 (3,242 days old) by gansky1 (Omaha, The Home of the TV Dinner!)        

gansky1's profile picture
Good way to put it, Travis.

We accept our vintage appliance's faults and their shortcomings, just because they're fun to use. And a dishwasher with a window-lid should be run half empty, to better see the water action :-)


Post# 823197 , Reply# 29   5/13/2015 at 07:38 (3,242 days old) by combo52 (50 Year Repair Tech Beltsville,Md)        
Older Appliance Performance

combo52's profile picture

Hi Travis, Your Monitor-Top ref can and should be held to modern standards, it was advertised as keeping food at safe temperatures and it largely does this as well as a modern refrigerator does today [ some would argue that it does this better than new refs ]. Of course the MT ref is not frost-free, does not make and crush ice and put them in your glass, LOL, The Apex DW was not advertised that it would clean cooked on food on pots and pans either.

 

Nearly all early DWs advertised that you did not have to pre-rinse the dishes, so I feel that this is a completely fair way to test and use the machine this way.

 

We have all seen DWs destroyed by pre-rinsing dishes, so as a classic appliance collector I am particularly offended when I see these classic machines being abused. Where Jon lives he has very good soft water, on one of his everyday driver DWs [ the KDS-14P ] the porcelain finish was literately etched off the tank over a long period of use.


Post# 823204 , Reply# 30   5/13/2015 at 08:04 (3,242 days old) by turquoisedude (.)        

turquoisedude's profile picture

That's it... Youse guys are shaming me into getting my ol' Jet-Tower back to life to see how 'the king of pre-rinsing' here does with one...  LOL  


Post# 823210 , Reply# 31   5/13/2015 at 08:36 (3,242 days old) by PhilR (Quebec Canada)        

philr's profile picture
John,
I've seen Jon load some of his dishwashers with dishes just as dirty as you do!
I've seen him using the rinse&hold cycle on his newer dishwashers too when heavily soiled items are to stay in the dishwasher until it's loaded full.

But...
I am one of those who pre-rinses (some would say pre-wash!) his dishes regularly. I learned t do that with a Whirlpool dishwasher when I was a kid! To be fair, this dishwasher was always run on short cyce and with a locally-made detergent (bought in very large packages) that was not too good!

With all the stuff I eat like microwave-melted cheese and cooked-on things that will resist the best dishwashers I have used, I don't have much choice!

If I use my dishwasher just after a meal, I don't rinse anything but I have to hand-wash those with melted Parmesan cheese (I eat too much of that stuff!) after it's been in my current Spray Tube dishwasher!

Occasionnally, I do have to manually remove coffee and tea stains from mugs, that also happened with other Whirlpool-based dishwashers. Am-I doing something wrong?

BTW, after more than a year of daily use of the 1963 Spray-Tube dishwasher, not a single failure and the porcelain is still as shiny as when Robert sent it to me even if I do pre-rinse!

:-)


Post# 823214 , Reply# 32   5/13/2015 at 09:38 (3,242 days old) by firedome (Binghamton NY & Lake Champlain VT)        
We do a quick pre-rinse and always have...

firedome's profile picture
mostly because it sits for 3 days on average before running a full machine.
After 15 years our KDC-17 porcelain looked liked new and the machine functioned perfectly, and that was on hard well water with no softener ever online and using Electro-Sol of the 70s/80s.

Sorry, but I'd like to question the idea that pre-rinsing damages a machine. It's a matter of Chemistry and BioChemistry, which I have an academic background in and have taught. There is nothing that food oils and greases (fats,lipids etc) would do to effect any resistance of damage to porcelain, which is silicon-glass, nickle-alloy stainless steel, or properly designed and formulated synthetic, typically styrene-butadiene, rubber seals. It's possible that very early true rubber seals, if indeed used, could have been minimally helped by lipid coating, an effect which would be highly ephemeral. Porcelain is not affected to any degree by any acid other than Hydrofluoric acid, not likely found in any domestic situation! AFAIK there is no experimental evidence of a protective chemical reaction or effect between lipids &c and any modern materials, nor evidence that detergents and/or surfactants at the strength used under any kind of typical water and heat conditions would effect any damage. Machine designers would certainly have considered these factors in design and selection of materials, and if not, were incompetent. I'd like to see any valid data supporting the assertion. Evidence of deterioration which may have been observed in the field would need to be subjected to properly designed experimental regimes in order to provide data that would confirm an actual cause and effect. No doubt manufactures have done this type of testing ad infinitum. IMO it's dubious that presence of lipids &c would be found to have an effect one way or the other on a properly operated and maintained machine.
Just my $.02.


Post# 823264 , Reply# 33   5/13/2015 at 15:58 (3,241 days old) by Travis ()        
False claims

Companies have made false claims since the beginning of time.  I have seen a GE ad state that the heat of the condenser coil would lift the dirt off my monitor top.  That's total BS. 

 

They only got clean by soda blasting and new paint!


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Post# 823271 , Reply# 34   5/13/2015 at 16:34 (3,241 days old) by washer111 ()        

Pre-rinsing results in "too much detergent" being present for the wash cycle. And manufacturers warn that this can result in etching. If it can happen to my plates, glasses and other 'ware,' then it can surely happen to the DW tank.

Our first machine, at our old home, a Dishlex was often used on the short cycle. As a result, we tended to pre-rinse those plates.
The result? They all have a strange finish now, similar to hard-water staining (despite being washed in SOFTENED water for over 4 years now), with a rainbow shine under direct Fluorescent light. I attribute to this damage, which is uniform across all the 8 or so plates, to pre-rinsing, too much detergent and too little rinsing.

We don't pre-rinse anymore, and the plates we bought 3 years ago now still look like new (bar markings from knifes), this is despite softened water, phosphate detergents and frequent washing in the dishwasher. I would suggest this is good evidence.

Interestingly enough, plates that are etched are harder to clean, whether in the DW or by hand. The "squeaky" finish seems to let things stick more...


Post# 823275 , Reply# 35   5/13/2015 at 17:37 (3,241 days old) by foraloysius (Leeuwarden, Friesland, the Netherlands)        

foraloysius's profile picture
Wonderful dishwasher, but...




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Post# 823299 , Reply# 36   5/13/2015 at 20:27 (3,241 days old) by combo52 (50 Year Repair Tech Beltsville,Md)        
PreRinsed Dishes

combo52's profile picture

Hi Roger, You said it yourself, hard water and no softener, with these conditions you will not have the etching damage that is common, and a KDC or I 17 DW does not even have a water heater [ which is why they can't clean cooked on food soil off dishes worth a damn or even badly dried on soil for that matter].

 

I am quite certain that my experience and that of many others that have worked with dishwashers for many years is proof of this theory of damage to DWs. We have thousands of customers and can prove that customers that pre-rinse, go heavy on detergent usage, use long hi-temp cycles etc get about 1/2 the life out of their DWs compared the other users here in the same area with the same water conditions. These results are well known to the DW manufactures and are listed in service literature.

 

Etching of porclean parts, fast wear on carbon-ceramic seals pump seals, ruined neoprene rubber parts , short life of vinyl coated racks that lead to rusting steel underneath, worn out bronze bushings in KA DW wash-arms etc, everyone that has worked on DWs has seen all of this and more, But you are correct on one point pre-rinsing does not do much harm to good SS.

 


Post# 823528 , Reply# 37   5/15/2015 at 09:37 (3,240 days old) by chachp (North Little Rock, AR)        
Pre-Rinsing..

chachp's profile picture

Every time I see this ad I think of the debates we have on pre-rinsing.  Looks like they have been going on for ages.  I love this ad because I have been accused, many times, of being the one on the left!!  LOL.


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Post# 823593 , Reply# 38   5/15/2015 at 17:15 (3,239 days old) by Maytagbear (N.E. Ohio)        
I scrape........

but never, ever rinse.


When was the front loading Youngstown introduced?


Lawrence/Maytagbear


Post# 823619 , Reply# 39   5/15/2015 at 20:13 (3,239 days old) by appnut (TX)        

appnut's profile picture

I don't rinse and barely scrape.  If you cannot deal with it, get out of my kitchen.  I sternly tell anyone new to my house, don't put them in the sink and rinse them off, just lay them on the counter.  I'm on the mission in life to prove dishwashers WASH the dishes for you and front loaders with supplemental heaters clean better than any washer for heavy stains. 



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