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Thread Number: 87061
/ Tag: Vintage Dishwashers
Kelvinator Dishwashers |
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Post# 1116235 5/3/2021 at 11:05 (1,094 days old) by HobartHero  (New York) |
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I have 5 of these machines in an apartment complex I run. I was wondering if anyone had information about them. They are in good shape but I don’t think they have run in quite some time so I’m sure they’d need some work. Are they worth keeping around or should I not bother. I assume these are built better than most anything made these days. I appreciate any help you can provide.
-Shannon | ||
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| Post# 1116238 , Reply# 1 5/3/2021 at 11:36 (1,094 days old) by vacerator (Macomb, Michigan) | ||
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It's an old Westinghouse design from the 70's or 80's. If they don't run, I woudn't bother. Replace with low end GE, or Whirlpool. | ||
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Post# 1116252 , Reply# 2 5/3/2021 at 13:01 (1,094 days old) by Tomturbomatic (Beltsville, MD) |
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Don't be sure that they would need some work if you do not know their history. They might have been saved for a reason other than a scrap metal drive. | ||
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Post# 1116254 , Reply# 3 5/3/2021 at 13:10 (1,094 days old) by HobartHero (New York) |
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Apartment life
I have worked in this property for 10 years and as far as I know they have not been used in that time. I don’t want to try running them without making sure things are freed up and working properly. Do these wash well? I know very little about this brand. All the original appliances in this property were Kelvinator.
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Post# 1116255 , Reply# 4 5/3/2021 at 13:48 (1,094 days old) by pulltostart (Mobile, AL) |
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Post# 1116256 , Reply# 5 5/3/2021 at 14:00 (1,094 days old) by RP2813 (Sannazay) |
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 There has to be an expert or few here who can identify this machine based on the interior shot (I think that center spray tower will be a dead give-away) and advise on whether it's a true Kelvinator product or a rebadge of some other make. It doesn't look like a D&M machine inside, but it could be an earlier model than the D&Ms I'm familiar with. The locking latch definitely looks like those found on D&M machines.
Just out of curiosity, do you know why these machines went unused for so long? As long as the seals are still good and the inlet/outlet valves still work, they may very well be in usable condition as they are. | ||
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Post# 1116259 , Reply# 6 5/3/2021 at 14:34 (1,094 days old) by HobartHero (New York) |
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Previous Owner Didn’t Want To Use Them | ||
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Post# 1116272 , Reply# 8 5/3/2021 at 17:16 (1,093 days old) by HobartHero (New York) |
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Yes For Tenants
I figure if they are working properly there’s no reason to replace them. From the thread you linked it sounds like these were very above average with how they cleaned so tenants would be happier if they have machines that work well and much faster than modern machines. Is there anything that should be cleaned up etc before attempting to run them?
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Post# 1116274 , Reply# 9 5/3/2021 at 17:19 (1,093 days old) by HobartHero (New York) |
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Definitely Westinghouse | ||
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Post# 1116279 , Reply# 10 5/3/2021 at 18:39 (1,093 days old) by RP2813 (Sannazay) |
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As long as you screen your tenants for their inherent level of responsibility, you won't be issuing these machines a swift and sure death sentence. There will be few options for repairs down the road when you consider the age of these machines and their relative obscurity.
I understand how you would like to keep costs down, but mistreatment by careless tenants will have you buying replacement machines sooner rather than later, so it would be just a matter of time as far as when -- not if -- you'll be buying them.
If they were relatively indestructible KitchenAids, I might feel differently. | ||
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Post# 1116289 , Reply# 11 5/3/2021 at 20:10 (1,093 days old) by HobartHero (New York) |
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Is anyone interested in one of these machines?
I will just as happily remove these machines for those who are interested in them. But if not I’ll just let them run until they wear out if I don’t see much interest generated by them. I do generally keep responsible tenants in my property though which is why these are still in decent (seemingly) shape after almost 50 years.
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Post# 1116292 , Reply# 12 5/3/2021 at 20:17 (1,093 days old) by electronicontrl (Grand Rapids, MI) |
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Not worth keeping
This is indeed a rebadged Westinghouse. When I was a college student living in an apartment in Columbus OH in the early 1980's, the kitchen was furnished with Westinghouse appliances all in harvest gold. These were early 1970's models. The dishwasher was the worst I've used. Having a dishwasher was great, since I was an appliance nut. But to get satisfactory results with this unit, the dishes would have to be clean going in. Everything needs to be thoroughly rinsed. Don't spend any time on these. Scrap them, But save one for the museum.
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Post# 1116312 , Reply# 13 5/4/2021 at 06:59 (1,093 days old) by combo52 (50 Year Repair Tech Beltsville,Md) |
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WCI Built Kelvinator DWs These DWs were built after 1975 after WCI bought Westinghouse major appliances Div Of Westinghouse Electric.
WCI revamped the horrible 1971-1974 WH DW design into this not much better DW, But this DW has a completely different pump and motor and an actual detergent dispenser and lots of other changes [ almost no parts are interchangeable with the original WH design ]
That said these are still not great DWs, anything you buy today would be better, but it does seem like your tenants don't use DWs so leave them there and replace as you like or certainly as they fail.
Basic WP or their Amana brand DWs would be your best bet for replacements today, they will cut you electrical and water usage in less than 1/2 of what these old DWs use.
John L. | ||
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