Yesterday (yes I worked on the 4th) I was installing a high end KitchenAid dw in this condo I’m remodeling. I seem to recall the owner telling me they paid about 800 bucks for it.
Well, I made the cardinal sin of being cocky, I figured I’ve installed enough dws to just dive in. All went well enough with the electric, then I get to the drain hose and see that it has those cheesy wire clamps which I hate, so I toss em, grumble about the 10 cents it saves the manufacturer and move on to the water inlet. When I get to the inlet connection, I realize that the solenoid, being mounted vertically, must have an elbow installed to connect to the water line. Not just for my installation, but any installation. That being the case… surelyyyyyyyyyy they must include one right? Now, personally I think it should be preinstalled at the factory since every single installation will require one but I imagine that would cost another nickle so I guess they put one in the parts bag. Let’s see… free pouch of detergent…check… a DVD (yes DVD) on the joys of your new KitchenAid dw…check. Elbow? Hello… elbow… where areeeee you??? I look on page 1 of the manual and there it is “Also required: 3/8″ 90 degree elbow”
Now, sure I should have read this at the onset but really. If you make a product that sells for top dollar, and you know that every single person installing one will need an elbow, install it at the factory or for God’s sake at least include one in the parts bag. Save the free detergent pouch, save the DVD (who watches a DVD about their dishwasher?) Pathetic… really pathetic.
Replies
yep!!!!!
Wait 'til they start using it and every single plastic part in it breaks, and the cheesy plastic hose clogs repeatedly.
It's why we pitched an $800 KA DW in favor of a cheaper (and MUCH better) Bosch.
Great...
Something to look forward to ;)
It's why we pitched an $800 KA DW in favor of a cheaper (and MUCH better) Bosch.
Neighbor's expensive Bosch dw caught on fire about a month ago. Quick response from HO and fire dept meant more smoke damage than fire. Might have taken an hour to install, but they had it "uninstalled" in about 2 mins.
jt8
Never put off until tomorrow what you can do the day after tomorrow. -- Mark Twain
I bought a $160 dw a year ago for a rental- Your description of the $800 model matches my cheapie-
PaulB:
Your posting is a classic!
RoRo
Have you run into pictograms yet?
LOL... I read the thread about Toyota having to use pictograms to teach people to assemble cars. Really truly frightening (and very sad). But, on a related note, I think there should be a law that any engineer that signs off on an instruction manual first gives it to someone utterly without knowledge and watch to see if they can work through it. Some are just horrendous, even if you know the field.
Wow, does Toyota still use people to assemble cars? figured all the rice burners were assembled by Chinese robots.
jt8
In an underdeveloped country don't drink the water. In a developed country don't breathe the air --Jonathan Raban
Edited 7/7/2005 11:51 am ET by JohnT8
signs off on an instruction manual first gives it to someone utterly without knowledge
Well, too many already do. They take an engineer, who has spent a life learning to communicate with other engineers, and take the engineer's written note and give them to a tech writer. A tech writer is somebody with a Lit or English degree who is very happy to not be serving fries.
Tech writers often do not know Els from Elbows. They would hire the installation out. The hired hands would have Els in the van; it'd be part of the price.
So, the true test of the installation destructions would be to give them to, say, a framer, and see if that person can follow them.Occupational hazard of my occupation not being around (sorry Bubba)
I think they [The engineers?] that come up with pictograms should be required to use someone else's pictograms and see if they can work with them. That should be punishment enought. Luck.
Do you really think that REAL engineers would ever even look at the pictograms?
Just a fantasy of mine, I don't know what I'm thinking of.
Paul: My expensive Bosch also required an El. I agree - they shoulda thrown one in at the price you pay.
Don
Our Whirlpool also required a 3/8" El...not included.
Probably a stupid liability thing.
I would believe that it is a cost reason that the ell is not included with the washer. When you figure they sell thousands of washers deleting that ell can add up to mucho bucks. It used to be that you got a sheet that said what was included, now you get a sheet that says what you have to provide! Have a good one.
I've installed two DW in the recent past and had the same experience.
For the one for my Dad, he bought it from HD. The new one was dropped off and the old one taken away. Sure enough, I needed that elbow. When I went to the HD to get the rest of the parts for the install, they did not have that part in their poorly organized fittings section. Anyhow, I went around back and we actuall saw his old DW sitting on a pile. I climbed up and claimed the part needed and all went smoothly thereafter.
For the one for Mom - well, I knew what parts to keep before putting the old DW to the curb :-).
Dontcha just love all the room they give you to swing your wrench on that compression fitting under there . . .
I'm not sure, but as I recall, the last Kenmore I installed came with the elbow (I think).
Not to sound like a know it all, but I've installed at least 2 dozen dishwashers, different price ranges and makes, and have yet to run into one that includes the el. What I make sure to get a hold of before the install is a kit that can be bought at the big box that comes with a flex hose and the 3/8 el.
Well, you can bet I have a few in my fittings box now. I haven't installed as many as you but the first time I ran into this. Besides, even if everyone does it, it still ain't right ;)
PaulB
Kinda like the makers of computer printers. A computer printer is not a machine that can do anything else by itself - it must be hooked up to a computer to fulfill its function in life. Yet the cable which connects said printer to computer is not included. It doesn't matter that the cable is always the same, it must be purchased separately.
It doesn't matter that the cable is always the same, it must be purchased separately.
Well, yes and no. Back when a cable was supplied, it was either the wrong kind, or the wrong length, or both. So, it's kind of an improvement (unless you need a 6m parallel cable for the legacy plotter, or the like).
Besides, printer cables are one of the best things to convert to wireless.Occupational hazard of my occupation not being around (sorry Bubba)
I haven't bought a printer in over 5 years, so the wireless conversion has sort of passed me by....
Just worked near two KA slide in ranges; the type with the flanges that rest on the counter and requires a piece of counter top filler in the back.
Well, these also had "warming drawers". I don't think either ho knew it 'cause by the time I got there they were allready stuffed with ............stuff!!
However, the drawer is boxed in, you CANNOT acess the rear leveling legs by removing the drawer and reaching to the back!! Genious I tell ya! And removing and replacing the drawer, ha!! I'm not even going there!
Oh, almost forgot why I came here.............the range is designed for a MINIMUM countertop height of 36". You might be able to work with 35 5/8" on a good day and a perfectly flat and level floor............soooooooo, if by some chance you find your self in the situation of having added a second floor, or went a bit to heavy on the underlayment, or as in the case of the two I worked on, the cabinet installer did not open up the adjustable legs on the base cabs, AND you have an 1 1/4" stone top, you may very well be sunk. It won't work in a situation where the countertop is 35 3/8" on the left and the floor rises on the right.
Remove the legs; still too high. Hacksaw, I modified the range right in front of the ho who stood there like a deer in headlights. I gave it to them straight and they said go ahead.
I did not do the cab install and it was not my project. I have become the fire putter outer. The range sat there for over two weeks while others persisted in a state of denial or wishfullness thinking the countertop would magically elevate itself or the range might shrink in height! I had it in in less than a hour! Done!
Biggest piece of poorly engineered crap I've seen in a while. Oh, but you could intall it on a countertop up to 37 3/4" high.............gee, that's usefull!
Eric
I Love A Hand That Meets My Own,
With A Hold That Causes Some Sensation.
[email protected]
I haven't bought a printer in over 5 years
See, so you're the one keeping the periphreal makers from record profits <g>.
And, if you did, you would not need a new cable, the one you have would be fine.
Wireless printers are so very cool, though. You get to put the printer someplace convenient (and near its supplies), rather than the first empty spot the 1m cable will reach from the back of your machine.Occupational hazard of my occupation not being around (sorry Bubba)
my feelings exactly, 1/2 inch npt on the inlet valve or what ever and we all use 3/8 compression supply lines?
okay so a 3/8 compression inlet line would require a brass inlet valve instead of that cheesy little plastic thingy with a pipe thread
so out of curiosity, how do you all hook up a dw hotwater line?
i use a 3/8 SS flexhose with the pipe threaded elbow and 3/8 compression by 1/2 copper(sweat) ball valve at the other end
caulking is not a piece of trim
Kitchenaid........
wasn't one of their slogans.....
" Kitchenaid --- for the way its made "