Reviews Written by Ben

Overpriced-no better than the old Sears it replaced

Pros: Looks good, quiet, grinder

Cons: poor rack design, doesn't clean dishes well

We were replacing a 30 year old Sears machine that had been giving out for the past 2 years. Someone fouled the seals on the pump by using hand dish detergent so it did not wash as well as previously. We chose the Kitchenaid due to reputation and my previous positive experience with one as a child (a bulletproof unit). The Kitchenaids at the $1000+ price range all have the same guts + or - some options. Note that the company is no longer associated with HOBART so don't think you are getting a machine from the restaurant equipment manufacturer.

The racks on this machine are poorly designed. Thick or deep plates lean or fall over. Wine glass racks don't come with the $1050 model, that's another $100. The prongs of the racks have minimal adjustment which I find disappointing at this price. I complain about the racks because I fight to fit any kind of bowl in this thing. The general ergonomics seem to be an afterthought. All in all, the build quality appears to be good and nothing has broken in a year of operation.

The machine IS very quiet. The cycle takes about 2 hours. This machine DOES NOT WASH DISHES ANY BETTER THAN OUR HALF BROKEN KENMORE and not as well as the Kenmore prior to its mishap. Really!!! I am terribly disappointed by this machine. It will do a SLIGHTLY better job if you select the Heavy Duty cycle option, but if that's the way you have to operate it all the time, then the Energy Star rating goes out the window. Whenever we use a cheap dishwasher in a vacation condo, we consistently note that those units are substantially better than this unit in every way. No joke. We would have done better saving our money and getting a $500 Whirlpool or GE. I am convinced that a dishwasher is a $500 item and anything more is spent on vanity. Shame on me. I feel duped by the image. NEVER AGAIN with Kitchenaid.

I also have an inexpensive mini-food processor from Kitchenaid and after very limited use, I can smell the ozone of the worn commutators on the motor. I have no faith in the Kitchenaid name any more. I guess all things must pass. ...