Buying Guide: Dishwashers
There are many factors to consider as you invest in a new dishwasher. Considering just a few details will lead you to make a more informed decision, which can offer you a better value as well as a great amount of convenience in the long run.
Should I Buy A Dishwasher?
The average dishwasher can quickly clean a large amount of dishes, eliminating the time and effort you spend hand washing your cups, plates, and cutlery. The high heat levels within a dishwasher allow the machine to easily dissolve grease, dirt, and stains. Most dishwashers offer several cycles to ensure that your dishes and glasses are clean and shining.
Did you know that a modern dishwasher uses less water than hand washing the same amount of plates and glasses? You can save time and money and conserve energy by choosing a dishwasher that will fit your household.
Types of Dishwashers
There are many different kinds of dishwashers to choose from, each with their own benefits.
The Built-In Dishwasher
Built-in dishwashers fit below the surface of your kitchen counter. These machines are permanently installed in your kitchen, hooking up to both a power source and your plumbing system. Modern homes often come with a built-in design space for a dishwasher.
These dishwashers can last for up to 12 years, and can save you up to 4 hours of labor per week. You can typically choose from several cycles when you use a built-in dishwasher, including special settings for fragile wares like glass and china.
The Portable Dishwasher
If a dishwasher that’s built into your kitchen won’t work for your house, choose a portable dishwasher to get convenience without additional construction.
Portable dishwashers are mounted on wheels. This feature allows you to easily transport a dishwasher to a new residence or roll the machine out of your way as you clean, rearrange, or entertain guests. You don’t have to sacrifice quality and functionality for portability. Portable dishwashers may come standard with stainless steel interior details, several wash cycles, adjustable rack locations, and even a food scrap grinder.
Keep in mind that portable dishwashers tend to be smaller. If you have a large family or typically use many plates and glasses in a single night, you may fill up a portable dishwasher faster than you’d fill up a more spacious stationary machine.
The Compact Dishwasher
“Compact dishwasher” is a term that refers to any machine smaller than a built-in dishwasher. There are three different compact dishwashers to choose from, all designed with specific needs in mind.
Countertop dishwashers are the smallest compact dishwasher option. These dishwashers can process about 4 place settings per load. These dishwashers rest right on your kitchen counter and connect to your faucet in order to run. Portable dishwashers are comparable to a built-in dishwasher in terms of size. While portable dishwashers connect to the sink just like countertop dishwashers, these machines can handle far larger loads.
Slimline dishwashers are permanently connected to a kitchen water source. These dishwashers provide all the functionality of a built-in dishwasher, but offer a slimmer silhouette that doesn’t require kitchen remodeling to accommodate it.
The Integrated Dishwasher
Like a built-in dishwasher, an integrated dishwasher is permanently installed in your home. However, an integrated dishwasher is incorporated into your kitchen design in an existing nook. Simply attach a cabinet door, and your dishwasher is out of sight.
An integrated dishwasher may be fully incorporated into a particular section of cabinet space, or it may be partially attached, in which case the cabinet door provides the separation between the machine and your cabinets.
The Stainless Steel Dishwasher
A stainless steel dishwasher is a particular built-in dishwasher model. Stainless steel dishwashers are heavy and thick, so they tend to run their cycles more quietly. They tend to be able to withstand hotter temperatures to allow for more efficient and thorough cleaning.
The steel components will allow you to use less energy to run your dishwasher. Stainless steel built-in dishwashers are typically the most expensive options, but are also the most efficient machines to run and maintain over an extended period of time.
When it comes to choosing a new dishwasher, there are many different options and models to choose from. Finding the perfect fit for your household is as simple as figuring out the space you have available and whether there are any features you can’t live without.
