Thread Number: 78923  /  Tag: Vintage Dishwashers
Best available detergent for Hobart Kitchenaid Dishwasher?
[Down to Last]

automaticwasher.org's exclusive eBay Watch:
scroll >>> for more items --- [As an eBay Partner, eBay may compensate automaticwasher.org if you make a purchase using any link to eBay on this page]
Post# 1028847   4/3/2019 at 14:08 (1,840 days old) by 777funk (Mo)        

We have powerball tabs. I read powder is best. Is there a "best" that's easy to find?




Post# 1028852 , Reply# 1   4/3/2019 at 16:35 (1,840 days old) by cycla-fabric (New Jersey (Northern))        

cycla-fabric's profile picture
I use Cascade powder in ours and it works ok with very little issues.

Doug


Post# 1028902 , Reply# 2   4/4/2019 at 05:09 (1,839 days old) by tazz (western massachusetts)        

Cascade is the only powder available at my local store so that's what I use. Does a wonderful job if you ask me.

Post# 1028909 , Reply# 3   4/4/2019 at 06:52 (1,839 days old) by combo52 (50 Year Repair Tech Beltsville,Md)        
Best Detergent For A Classic KA DW

combo52's profile picture

Hi Nick, I order to make a recommendation it is helpful to know several factors at your home.

 

What model DW do you have, and what cycle do you use ?

 

How hot is your water and how hard is it ?

 

How dirty are your dishes going into the DW ?

 

In general the tablets are better for the DW, they are not as aggressive so they don't damage the racks, pump seals, the porclean interior as the old phosaped powders can. However some tablets can foam too much and cause loss of washing pressure and possible leaking out under the door.

 

John


Post# 1028915 , Reply# 4   4/4/2019 at 08:32 (1,839 days old) by 777funk (Mo)        

This unit is a KDS-19 superb from 1980. Very well built and still works great. I don't have a hardness number but it is Missouri city water. It seems middle of the road in terms of buildup. I like to have dishes soaked or sprayed, but not clean before they go to the dishwasher. I actually bought some STPP to add but maybe that's not a good idea.

Post# 1028918 , Reply# 5   4/4/2019 at 08:58 (1,839 days old) by pierreandreply4 (St-Bruno de montarville (province of quebec) canada)        

pierreandreply4's profile picture
i use cascade platinum even if i have a moden ge dishwasher its also recommanded for kitchenaid dishwashers as well as whirlpool maytag and other brands

cascadeclean.com/en-us/products/...


Post# 1029099 , Reply# 6   4/6/2019 at 07:38 (1,837 days old) by askolover (South of Nash Vegas, TN)        

askolover's profile picture

I use the old fashioned chlorine based powder in my Kitchenaid.  Everything always comes out sparkling.


Post# 1029111 , Reply# 7   4/6/2019 at 09:46 (1,837 days old) by TheSpiritOf76 (Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, and OZ All Together. )        
I 3rd that for Cascade powder!

thespiritof76's profile picture
I use it, and have also found it to be the best. However...I also use to use the Finish powder, and liked that very much, but it seems to have disappeared.....????? Has the Finish Powder been discontinued? If so, that just puts Cascade back to #1 choice.

Post# 1029175 , Reply# 8   4/7/2019 at 05:47 (1,836 days old) by retro-man (- boston,ma)        

Finish powder just came back on our local grocers shelves recently. Had not seen it for a while. Still have the Cascade powder which is what I use. Plus there is a house brand in powder also. There is more powder detergent for dishwashers than there is powder for clothes washers. How time has changed.

Jon


Post# 1029187 , Reply# 9   4/7/2019 at 08:29 (1,836 days old) by 777funk (Mo)        

I read the ingredients list for a commercial dishwashing powder (Block form) and it reads approx this order:
Lye
Phosphates (STPP)
Polyacrylate (super strong desiccant that turns water into a gel)
Salt
Washing Soda

I am considering adding a small amount of all of these to my standard Cascade Complete and seeing what the results are like and going from there.

Some commercial dishwashing detergents claim 30% Phosphates.


  View Full Size
Post# 1029188 , Reply# 10   4/7/2019 at 08:31 (1,836 days old) by 777funk (Mo)        

Sorry all except the desiccant.

Post# 1029189 , Reply# 11   4/7/2019 at 08:39 (1,836 days old) by bajaespuma (Connecticut)        

bajaespuma's profile picture
Have any of you used straight TSP in the dishwasher?

Post# 1029190 , Reply# 12   4/7/2019 at 09:00 (1,836 days old) by Tomturbomatic (Beltsville, MD)        

The earliest dishwasher detergents were variations on TSP, water softeners because non-sudsing surfactants had not yet been invented. Having surfactants greatly improves the performance of dishwasher dishwashing. Having chlorine in the formula greatly improves the performance because of the way that chlorine attacks organic matter.

Post# 1029228 , Reply# 13   4/7/2019 at 18:41 (1,835 days old) by 777funk (Mo)        

I did an experiment and tried a mix of 30% lye (as 100% lye drain cleaner), 20% Arm and Hammer washing soda, 5% salt, and 45% Cascade Complete detergent and the results were no better than usual. I also put vinegar in the rinse.

There was a coffee mug with stains I could remove by hand after the cycle and a pan with crud on the bottom as well. I didn't have the STPP to add to the mix. Maybe that would have helped.


Post# 1029232 , Reply# 14   4/7/2019 at 20:34 (1,835 days old) by Tomturbomatic (Beltsville, MD)        

Please don't be doing this. The strong alkali is pulling the oils out of the vinyl and synthetic rubber seals and rack coatings in your already old machine. You might need a new wash arm support and wash arm to get better water pressure through the wash arm, but please respect the old machine. Find someone who knows their ass from a shotgun to look at it but don't kill it with chemicals.

Post# 1029268 , Reply# 15   4/8/2019 at 10:40 (1,835 days old) by 777funk (Mo)        

I did one load as an experiment based on the commercial detergent pictured above. I don't think it hurt anything.

As far as pressure, I can hear that it has good pressure. I also taped some 3 mil plastic over the front and ran it for a visual when I first picked it up. It's fine. Both spray arms spray hard.




Forum Index:       Other Forums:                      



Comes to the Rescue!

The Discuss-o-Mat has stopped, buzzer is sounding!!!
If you would like to reply to this thread please log-in...

Discuss-O-MAT Log-In



New Members
Click Here To Sign Up.



                     


automaticwasher.org home
Discuss-o-Mat Forums
Vintage Brochures, Service and Owners Manuals
Fun Vintage Washer Ephemera
See It Wash!
Video Downloads
Audio Downloads
Picture of the Day
Patent of the Day
Photos of our Collections
The Old Aberdeen Farm
Vintage Service Manuals
Vintage washer/dryer/dishwasher to sell?
Technical/service questions?
Looking for Parts?
Website related questions?
Digital Millennium Copyright Act Policy
Our Privacy Policy