KitchenAid KDC-21AD User manual

IMPORTANT
SAFETY
INSTRUCTIONS
WARNING: When using your
dishwasher, follow basic precau-
tions, including the following:
. Read all instructions before
using the dishwasher.
2. This dishwasher must be prop-
erly grounded; see Installation
Instructions for details.
3. Use the dishwasher only for its
intended function.
Use only detergents or wetting
agents recommended for use
in a dishwasher, and keep
them out of the reach of
children.
5. When loading items to be
washed:
a. Locate sharp items so that
they are not likely to damage
the door seal.
b. Load sharp knives with the
handles up to reduce risk of
cut-type injuries.
6. Do not wash plastic items un-
less marked “dishwasher safe”
or the equivalent. For plastic
items not so marked, check the
manufacturers’
recommendations.
=?
-
7. Do not touch the heating ele-
ment during or immediately
after use.
8.
10.
1
—
12.
13.
Do not operate your dish-
washer unless all enclosure
panels are properly in place.
Do not tamper with controls.
Do not abuse, sit on or stand
on the door or dish rack of the
dishwasher.
. To reduce the risk of injury, do
not allow children to play in or
on a dishwasher.
Under certain conditions, hy-
drogen gas may be produced
in a hot water system that has
not been used for two weeks or
more. Hydrogen gas is explo-
sive. If the hot water system
has not been used for such a
period, turn on all hot water fau-
cets and let the water flow from
each for several minutes. This
will release any accumulated
hydrogen gas. Since the gas is
flammable, do not smoke or
use an open flame during this
process.
Remove the door to the wash-
ing compartment when remov-
ing an old dishwasher from
service or discarding it.
SAVE THESE
INSTRUCTIONS

TABLE OF
CONTENTS
Page
Important Safety Instructions .................0..cccce cence eens 3
Ownership Registration Card ............. 0000s cece eee ee cece 5
Important Facts .............. ccc cece cece ence eee e ees 6
Get To Know Your Dishwasher................00......000eee eee 7
Operating Your Dishwasher..................000ceeeeueeeeee ees 8
Sounds You May Hear ..................0.0ceeeeveeeeeeees 8
Automatic Water Heating ............. 0.0.00 ccc ce eee ee eee eee eee 9
Energy Saving Tips ................c cece ccc eee ce cease eee ees 9
Dishwasher Cycles.............6....0 ccc cece cece cece ees 10-11
To Cancel A Cycle............. 0. cece cece ccc eeen ee eeneees 11
Adding Dishware During A Cycle ......................05. 11
Special Tips On Dishwasher Use....................0000eee ee 12
Loading Your Dishwasher................0.0cccecee eee e es 13-17
Upper Rack...........cc ccc cece cece cece eee eeeeeaes 14-15
LOWEN HAC Kaci dk ina ohn au uote sha rt Odadae su amunderatse 16
Silverware Basket ................ccccceeseeeceeseeeueeeees 17
Filling The Detergent Dispenser .......................0000c eee 18
How Much Detergent To Use .....................ccc ccc ce eee ee 19
Low Phosphate Detergents ...................0cccccseeeeeee ees 19
RINSC:AGeNIS wits ecae tes doedte yeond Siskmriad vaakstnteeenns 19
Caring For Your Dishwasher.................000ccccceeeeeeeees 20
Seasonal Storage ........ ccc cece cece cece eee eee cent eens 20
Sure-Clean Wash System ..............00.cc cece cence ees 22-23
Problem, Cause, Solution Chart....................0000005 24-26
To Remove Spots And Film ..........0......0 0c ccc cee e cece eee 26
Changing Front PanelSisidcceevans dasanceeicadans travian ese 27-29
Optional Front Panels............... 00.0... c cece ccc eee eeeeeeees 29
When You Need Service ......... 0.0.0.0 cece eee cece eeenees 30
Warranty. seco secensn dunks bh peoeddsetiinaetnes orpeniens Back
Cover

OWNERSHIP
REGISTRATION
CARD
Take a minute...
Before you use your dishwasher,
please fill out and mail your owner-
ship registration card packed with
the Use and Care Guide. This card
will enable us to contact you in the
unlikely event of a product safety
notification and assist us in comply-
ing with the provisions of the Con-
sumer Product Safety Act. THIS
CARD DOES NOT VERIFY YOUR
WARRANTY.
Keep a copy of the sales receipt
showing the date of purchase and
or date of installation of your dish-
washer. PROOF OF PURCHASE
WILL INSURE YOU OF IN-WAR-
RANTY SERVICE.
Write down the following informa-
tion. You will need it if your dish-
washer ever requires service.
Model Number*
Serial Number*
Date Purchased
Date Installed
Dealer's Name
Address
Phone
*Model and Serial Numbers are
located on a label at the left side of
the door opening.

IMPORTANT
FACTS
You Should Know That...
© KitchenAid dishwashers operate
on 115 volts, 60 hertz A.C. house
current. They cannot be con-
verted to operate on 220 volts, 50
hertz house current.
e To protect against possible rup-
ture of fill valve, BE SURE water
lines leading to the dishwasher as
well as water lines in the dish-
washer are protected against
freezing. Such ruptures are not
covered by the warranty.
e The door hinges or latch mecha-
nism of your dishwasher should
be removed if you discard or oth-
erwise remove your dishwasher
from service. In California, itis a
misdemeanor for anyone discard-
ing the appliance not to follow this
safety procedure. This extra step
can save the lives of curious chil-
dren at play.

GET TO KNOW
YOUR DISHWASHER
The Inside Story
1. 16-Position Adjustable Upper 7. 4-Way Hydro Sweep Wash
Rack 8. Self-Cleaning Filter With Jet
2. Upper Level Power Wash With Spray
ChinaGuard 9. Removable Coarse Strainer
3. Lower Rack 10. Overflow Protection Float
4. Cutlery/Silverware Basket 11. Flo-thru Drying Fan
5. Detergent Dispenser 12. Water Heating and Drying
6. Automatic Rinse Agent Element
Dispenser

OPERATING YOUR
DISHWASHER
Step 1...
Step 2...
Step 3...
Step 4...
Step 5...
Load dishes into racks according to instructions on pages 14
through 16. DO NOT OPERATE DISHWASHER WITHOUT
RACKS IN PLACE.
Add detergent to detergent dispenser. See page 18.
Firmly close the door and latch it by pushing the door handle
down.
Push button for desired cycle.
Advance Cycle Selection Dial slowly to corresponding cycle. See
page 10 for description of cycles.
Note: If Step 5 is omitted, the timer will automatically advance to the cycle
selected in Step 4. However, this requires more time than
advancing the dial manually.
Sounds You May Hear While Your Dishwasher is Running:
e the fill valve opening or closing and the sound of water entering the
dishwasher
¢ water being pumped out during drain portion of cycle
e detergent cup opening
© timer clicking as it advances or resets
® pump motor starting

AUTOMATIC
WATER
HEATING
Your KitchenAid dishwasher offers
automatic water heating. An incom-
ing water temperature of 120°F is
recommended at the dishwasher
for best washing results.
To Check Your Water
Temperature
For best dishwashing results, water
should be at least 120°F (49°C) as
it enters the dishwasher. To check
the temperature, use the faucet
closest to your dishwasher.
1. Set the faucet control for the hot-
test water possible. Run water
into a glass set in the sink for at
least one minute, allowing it to
overflow.
2. Place a candy or meat thermom-
eter in the glass and read it at
the maximum setting.
3. If the temperature is too low,
raise the setting on your water
heater.
ENERGY
SAVING TIPS
Power to Spare...
e Use the ENERGY SAVER—NO
HEAT DRY option whenever pos-
sible. If you don’t need your
dishes right away, it pays to air
dry them.
e Flash dry dishes. After final rinse,
unlatch door and advance Cycle
Selection Dial to Pots/Pans
Cycle; open door and pull out
racks. Because of the heat
buildup in dishware during the
wash cycle, water evaporates
quickly from the dishware.
NOTE: In hard water areas, flash
drying can increase the likelihood
of spotting and filming.
¢ Turn the temperature setting on
your home water heater down to
provide a minimum of 120°F
(49°C) incoming water to the
dishwasher.
e Run the dishwasher only with a
full load.
e Do not rinse dishware before
loading.
e Use only the cycle and options
that you need.
e Run the dishwasher at night dur-
ing the summer to avoid daytime
heat load.

CYCLE SELECTION
SELECT A
WASH CYCLE
LIGHT/CHINA WASH CYCLE is
used to wash and dry daily loads
with light amounts of food soil. This
cycle uses less water and time
than the other wash cycles and is
the most energy efficient cycle to
use.
What happens during this cycle?
There are two wash periods with
one final after rinse followed by a
heated dry period.
NORMAL WASH CYCLE is used
to wash and dry daily loads with
light amounts of food soil.
What happens during this cycle?
There are two wash periods each
with an after rinse followed by a
heated dry period.
10
POTS/PANS CYCLE is used to
wash and dry hard-to-clean, heav-
ily soiled pots, pans and casseroles
along with regular tableware.
Choose this cycle for the toughest
jobs.
What happens during this cycle?
There are three wash periods with
two after rinses followed by a
heated dry period.
NOTE: All cycles may be used to
wash and dry dishwasher-safe
china and crystal. Check manufac-
turers’ recommendation before
washing.

WASH SELECTION RINSE / ORY SELECTION
POTS/ UIGHT/ RINSE ENERGY SAVER
PANS NORMAL CHINA 0 NO MEAT ORY
RINSE/DRY SELECTIONS
RINSE & HOLD CYCLE is used
to rinse partial loads of dishes until
a full load is accumulated. No de-
tergent is used. Dishware is kept
moist until a complete wash and
dry cycle can be run.
What happens during this cycle?
This cycle provides one rinse.
ENERGY SAVER—NO HEAT
DRY can be used with any Wash
Selection to eliminate the heat dur-
ing the dry portion of a cycle. The
fan of the drying system will con-
tinue to operate, helping the dishes
to air dry naturally. Under certain
conditions, you may find a few
drops of water on the dishware and
silverware at the end of this cycle.
TO CANCEL A CYCLE
The Cycle Selection Dial may be
used to cancel any cycle in pro-
gress. If water is present in the
dishwasher, turn the dial slowly to
the drain portion of the wash or
rinse. You will hear water draining
when you have advanced to the
proper location. Let the dishwasher
drain completely. Lift the door han-
dle and advance the dial to the
Pots/Pans cycle. This cancels the
cycle.
If water is absent from the dish-
washer, lift door handle to stop
dishwasher action. Relatch door
and advance dial to Pots/Pans
cycle. This cancels the cycle.
TO START A NEW CYCLE—
Open dishwasher; check detergent
dispenser to be sure it is properly
filled. Close and latch door; select
the desired new cycle.
ADDING DISHWARE DURING
ACYCLE
You can add a forgotten item to the
dishwasher anytime before the
main detergent wash portion of the
cycle. To stop the cycle, just un-
latch the door handle. However,
opening the door during a cycle re-
duces the cleaning power, so try to
load all items before starting the
cycle.
TO RESTART DISHWASHER
Close the door and latch the han-
dle, push cycle button originally se-
lected and if desired, the Energy
Saver button. The cycle will start
exactly where it was stopped.

SPECIAL TIPS ON DISHWASHER USE
What Can and Cannot Be Washed in Your Dishwasher
Most tableware, cookware and silverware can be safely washed in
your KitchenAid dishwasher. If you have any doubts about a particu-
lar piece of dishware, check with the manufacturer to see if it is dish-
washer safe. If you cannot reach the manufacturer, simply test-wash
a small item for several weeks before attempting to wash an entire
set.
REMEMBER: It is the user's responsibility to determine if
dishware should be washed in a dishwasher.
Dishwasher | Exceptions/
Sate? Special Information
Aluminum
Cast Iron
China/
Stoneware
Crystal
Dirilyte
Glass
Hollow-
Handle
Knives
12
Yes
Yes
No
Yes
No
High water temperature
and detergents may affect
finish of anodized
aluminum.
Seasoning will be re-
moved, and iron will rust.
Always check manufac-
turers’ recommendation
before washing. Antique,
hand-painted or over-the-
glaze patterns may fade.
Gold leaf may discolor. If
in doubt, test-wash a small
item for several weeks be-
fore washing an entire set.
Always check manufac-
turers’ recommendation
before washing. Some
types of leaded crystal
may etch with repeated
washings. If in doubt, test-
wash a small item for sev-
eral weeks before washing
an entire set.
Gold-colored flatware will
discolor.
Milk glass will yellow with
repeated dishwasher
washing.
Handles of some knives
are attached to the blade
with adhesives which may
loosen if dishwasher
washed.
Pewter
Plastics
Stainless
Steel
Sterling
Silver or
Silverplate
No
No
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
No
Dishwasher
Safe?
Exceptions/
Special Information
High water temperatures
and detergent may discolor
or pit finish.
Cannot withstand high
water temperatures and
detergents.
Always check manufac-
turers’ recommendation be-
fore washing. Plastics vary
in their capacity to with-
stand high water tempera-
tures and detergents.
Runa RINSE & HOLD
CYCLE if not washing im-
mediately. Prolonged con-
tact with foods containing
salt, vinegar, milk products
of fruit juice could damage
finish.
Runa RINSE & HOLD
CYCLE if not washing im-
mediately. Prolonged con-
tact with food containing
salt, acid or sulfide (eggs,
mayonnaise and seafood)
could damage finish.
May rust.
Always check manufac-
turers’ recommendation be-
fore washing. Untreated
wood may warp, crack or
lose its finish.

LOADING YOUR DISHWASHER
Your KitchenAid dishwasher is designed with lots of loading space.
Glasses, mugs, Saucers and saucepans can be loaded in either the upper
or lower rack. For best results, dishware should be loaded so soiled sur-
faces face the rotating wash arm.
No hand rinsing is necessary before loading your KitchenAid dishwasher.
Just scrape leftover food, bones, toothpicks and other hard items from the
dishware.
Some foods like eggs, rice, pasta and cooked cereals may be hard to re-
move if left to dry over a period of time. If you do not plan to wash your
dishes fairly soon after use, run a RINSE & HOLD CYCLE to keep them
moist until you are ready to run the next wash cycle. Never prewash
dishes with a hand dishwashing detergent. It will cause sudsing in the
dishwasher and result in poor cleaning and/or spotting and filming on the
dishware.
13

LOADING YOUR
DISHWASHER
Adjustable Upper Rack
Your KitchenAid dishwasher fea-
tures a 16-position upper rack
which can easily be adjusted
whether empty or full.
e Pull the upper rack out so the
knobs on either side of the rack
are easily reached.
e Pull knob on side of rack out from
the retainer plate, raise or lower to
desired level, and place knob pin
into one of the four holes in the
retainer.
Use the High Position when load-
ing platters, trays, large roasting
pans and other baking utensils in
the lower rack.
14
Use the Low Position when loading
pitchers, deep bowls and tall stem-
ware in the upper rack.
For a Combination/Tilted Position,
either side of the rack may be
raised or lowered independently of
the other to accommodate extra
large items in both racks.
items such as coffee cups and
mugs with hollowed out bottom
surfaces often collect water. For
maximum drainage, load all such
items on one side of the rack and
tilt it down to aid in drying.

UPPER RACK
LOADING
EXAMPLES
Glasses,
stemware,
bowls,
pans
To
achieve
stability,
load
glasses
and
saucers
may
be
loaded
to-
and
cups
between
pins
and
over
gether.
Stability
is
important
when
pins.
Bowls
and
cups
may
be
loading
such
items.
loaded
in
the
center
row
as
shown.
15

LOADING YOUR
DISHWASHER
LOWER RACK
LOADING EXAMPLES
For
maximum
capacity
and
stability
|
Cereal/soup
bowls
may
be
loaded
of
an
all-plate
load,
overlap
or
“but-
_
in
a
variety
of
ways,
depending
terfly”
small
plates
on
right
side,
as
upon
the
shape
of
the
bowls.
shown.
Plates
may
be
loaded
front
to
back
—
Glasses
may
be
loaded
in
the
or
side
to
side
with
pots,
pans
and
upper
or
lower
rack
along
with
large
cookware.
plates,
bowls
and
saucepans.
16

SILVERWARE BASKET
The
silverware/cutlery
basketcan
—_e
Load
forks
and
spoons
with
han-
be removed for loading and dles up and down so they do not
unloading.
nest
together.
Nested
items
can-
For best washing results: not be properly washed.
¢ Load slim handled silverware
with handles up to prevent them
from protruding through the bas-
ket, possibly causing damage to
the silverware or dishwasher.
@ Sharp utensils should be loaded
with handles up to prevent possi-
ble injury.
NOTE: Silver and stainless steel
flatware may be damaged if ex-
posed to foods containing salt, vin-
egar, milk products or fruit juices for
long periods of time. Use the
RINSE & HOLD CYCLE if flatware
is not washed immediately after
use.
e The cutlery section in the front of
the basket is for long-handied
utensils and long knives.
igbees
means
Bement L &
17

FILLING THE
DETERGENT
DISPENSER
Low Suds Mean High Performance
1. Use an automatic dishwasher detergent
such as ALL, CASCADE, ELECTRASOL or
FINISH. Never use soap, hand dishwashing
detergent, laundry detergent or laundry en-
zyme products. They will produce excessive
suds and slow down the wash arm action
which could cause flooding.
2. Add detergent to the dispenser immediately
before starting. Detergent exposed to moisture
over a period of time may become caked and
ineffective. An open box of detergent should
Stay fresh for about one month.
3. Fill the dispenser with the proper amount of
detergent, and close the compartment.
Fill the Main Wash compartment Fill both the Prewash and Main
for the Light/China Wash Cycle Wash compartments for the Light/
when the dinnerware is lightly China Wash Cycle, the Normal
soiled. Wash Cycle and the Pots/Pans
Cycle.
18

HOW MUCH
DETERGENT
TO USE
Some Hard Facts:
ALWAYS use at least one table-
spoon of automatic dishwashing
detergent in Main Wash compart-
ment because there are ingredi-
ents in detergent to help protect
your dinnerware. The amount of
detergent needed depends on the
amount of food soil on the dishes
and the hardness of water. If you
have hard water, you will have to
use more detergent than if you
have soft water. Excessive
amounts of detergent combined
with soft water may cause etching
of glass.
Contact your local water utility, area
water softening company or state
university extension agent to deter-
mine whether your water is hard or
soft.
WATER AMOUNT OF
HARDNESS DETERGENT
Soft Water Fill each dispenser
0-4 grains half full (approximately
per gallon 2 tablespoons
per dispenser)
Medium Hard Fill each dispenser
Water ¥a full (approximately
4-8 grains 2% tablespoons
per gallon per dispenser)
Hard Water Fill each dispenser
8-12 grains completely (approxi-
per gallon mately 3 tablespoons
per dispenser)
LOW PHOSPHATE
DETERGENTS
If you live in a state that mandates
low-phosphate dishwasher deter-
gents (phosphate content of 8.7
percent or less), you may have to
use more detergent, particularly if
you have hard water. Low-phos-
phate detergents usually work well
in soft water, but in hard water they
can cause spotting and filming,
even if the amount of detergent
used is increased.
RINSE AGENTS
Win the War Against Spotting
Your dishwasher uses a liquid rinse
agent. A rinse agent helps water to
sheet off dishware faster than nor-
mal, reducing water spots and
speeding up the drying process.
To fill the rinse agent dispenser,
unscrew the cap located to the left
of the detergent dispenser. This
reservoir will hold 7 fluid ounces of
rinse agent, enough to last a few
months. Be sure to replace the cap
after filling the reservoir. A small
amount of rinse agent is automati-
cally released during the final rinse.
Liquid rinse agents such as JET
DRY are available in your local
supermarket.
WARNING: DISHWASHER
DETERGENTS AND RINSE
AGENTS CAN BE HARMFUL
IF TAKEN INTERNALLY. FOR
SAFETY’S SAKE, PLEASE
STORE THESE PRODUCTS
OUT OF CHILDREN’S REACH.
19

CARING FOR YOUR
DISHWASHER
A Clean Machine...
General Cleaning
The porcelain enamel interior of
your dishwasher will seldom need
cleaning. However, if mineral de-
posits from hard water accumulate,
clean the interior with a mild scour-
ing powder such as BON AMI; or
follow the suggestions indicated in
the “To Remove Spots and Film”
section on page 26.
The control panel can be wiped
clean with a damp cloth, then dried.
NEVER use detergents or abrasive
or powdered cleansers which can
mar the finish.
The enamel or wood fronts and
sides can be cleaned with a soft
cloth and a mild, non-abrasive
soap and water solution. NEVER
use paper towels for cleaning. Al-
ways dry with a soft cloth.
SEASONAL
STORAGE
Closed for the Season...
The Summer Season:
Two simple steps will safeguard
your KitchenAid dishwasher during
an idle summer:
1. Turn off the water supply.
2. Turn off electricity to the
dishwasher.
20
The Winter Season:
CAUTION: To protect against pos-
sible rupture of fill valve, BE SURE
water lines leading to, as well as in
the dishwasher, are well protected
against freezing. RUPTURES OF
THIS KIND ARE NOT COVERED
BY THE WARRANTY.
To safeguard your KitchenAid dish-
washer when it is exposed to freez-
ing temperatures in a seasonal
dwelling, have your local
KitchenAid service person do the
following:
1. Close and latch the door.
2. Turn off electricity to the
dishwasher.
3. Shut off water supply. Place pan
under fill valve, and disconnect fill
valve at both inlet and outlet sides.
Drain water into pan.
4. Place a pan under the check
valve outlet, and disconnect the
flexible tubing at the check valve.
Drain machine water into pan.
Leave fill and check valve
disconnected.
To restore service, reconnect the fill
valve and the connection at the
check valve. Turn on the electricity
and the water supply. Close and
latch the door. Select the LIGHT/
CHINA WASH CYCLE and let the
machine complete its cycle. Check
connections to make sure they are
water tight and do not leak.