early 60's Frigidaire dishwasher

I have been using one from 1963 Custom Imperial daily for almost two years now and I never had any serious issues with it... I just had to replace the rinse agent dispenser as the original one made a loud buzzing when the valve opened. I used one from a newer Maytag or Whirlpool dishwasher, it was an exact match.

But don't expect great loading flexibility or dishwashing performance! The spray tube dishwashers don't have any water sprays under the lower rack and that makes the loading of some items on the lower rack a bit tricky or impossible!

The 1963-64 models had an added top rinse arm, their top rack was redesigned to be slightly easier to load and it was now on rollers so it did slide out more easily. The previous ones had Bakelite tracks which were not operating as smoothly.

I also have a 1962 Deluxe model which was almost unused when I got it. It's hooked up but not used on a regular basis. Never had a leak either.

I have a 1964 Deluxe which I got from a friend and before I had it, he had to replace a few gaskets as it was leaking. I don't think the pump itself had any problems. A friend of mine (he's also a member here and I guess he'll chime in!) has a 1957 Frigidaire dishwasher and he had to fix the pump. The only Frigidaire dishwashers I had to work more on were the newer models with the Plastic-coated tubs. Rust issues, pump repairs, timer repairs... Not quite as durable as the porcelain-coated machines but they did hold more stuff in.

I also have a KDS 14 but it needs a new tub as the porcelain coating is shot so I can't compare it for cleaning ability.


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Post# 871099 3/7/2016 at 19:16 (2,970 days old) by ladyk (Tacoma)
Checkrate/Likes I have an opportunity to obtain an early 60's Frigidaire dishwasher that has been in storage for many years. I have no experience with Frigidaire (my KitchenAid KDS-14 held up in storage without being used for over 15 years) so can anyone tell me how these Frigidaire's hold up in storage? Do they have lots of rubber seals, etc? Are any parts available that you know of? Many thanks to you all!

Post# 871151 , Reply# 1 3/7/2016 at 23:27 (2,970 days old) by PhilR (Quebec Canada)
Checkrate/Likes I have been using one from 1963 Custom Imperial daily for almost two years now and I never had any serious issues with it... I just had to replace the rinse agent dispenser as the original one made a loud buzzing when the valve opened. I used one from a newer Maytag or Whirlpool dishwasher, it was an exact match. But don't expect great loading flexibility or dishwashing performance! The spray tube dishwashers don't have any water sprays under the lower rack and that makes the loading of some items on the lower rack a bit tricky or impossible! The 1963-64 models had an added top rinse arm, their top rack was redesigned to be slightly easier to load and it was now on rollers so it did slide out more easily. The previous ones had Bakelite tracks which were not operating as smoothly. I also have a 1962 Deluxe model which was almost unused when I got it. It's hooked up but not used on a regular basis. Never had a leak either. I have a 1964 Deluxe which I got from a friend and before I had it, he had to replace a few gaskets as it was leaking. I don't think the pump itself had any problems. A friend of mine (he's also a member here and I guess he'll chime in!) has a 1957 Frigidaire dishwasher and he had to fix the pump. The only Frigidaire dishwashers I had to work more on were the newer models with the Plastic-coated tubs. Rust issues, pump repairs, timer repairs... Not quite as durable as the porcelain-coated machines but they did hold more stuff in. I also have a KDS 14 but it needs a new tub as the porcelain coating is shot so I can't compare it for cleaning ability.

Post# 871237 , Reply# 2 3/8/2016 at 08:23 (2,970 days old) by vacerator (Macomb, Michigan)
Checkrate/Likes *Nice* Range also!

Post# 871238 , Reply# 3 3/8/2016 at 08:24 (2,970 days old) by vacerator (Macomb, Michigan)
Checkrate/Likes *Frige also* is GM Frigidaire!

Post# 871304 , Reply# 4 3/8/2016 at 13:08 (2,969 days old) by PhilR (Quebec Canada)
Checkrate/Likes Yes and not on the previous picture but the microwave oven currently is a GM Frigidaire too! I got that 1967 Electri-Clean range in Flint MI last year and the dishwasher is from Robert, our webmaster. The fridge is a local find, a Canadian-made 1964 Imperial model. View Full Size

Post# 871359 , Reply# 5 3/8/2016 at 19:46 (2,969 days old) by norgeway (mocksville n c )
Checkrate/Likes *Frigidaires* Of this vintage do ok, but you need to give the dishes a quick rinse before loading, they wont blast off food like the old KAs will, about the only Frigidaire product I thought wasn't quite over the top great as were all the rest of their stuff, good, just not up to a Kitchenaid or Whirlpool in performance.

Post# 871482 , Reply# 6 3/9/2016 at 08:58 (2,969 days old) by Tomturbomatic (Beltsville, MD)
Checkrate/Likes While the microwave might say Frigidaire, it was sourced from Amana so it is very, very good.

Post# 871772 , Reply# 7 3/10/2016 at 18:10 (2,967 days old) by PhilR (Quebec Canada)
Checkrate/Likes Tom, that's right, it's a 2 program Amana Touchmatic clone. I have a 1977 4 program Amana Touchmatic II that I just fixed and will probably get back there (I like the style better) but I do like the large door handle on the Frigidaire and the simpler functions. I have two late-seventies Touchmatic IIs as well as two of these Frigidaire "Touch-N-Cook" microwave ovens (both from 1978) as well as two older mechanical timer Amanas (a 1974 RR-4D and a 1969 RR-2).