Buying a New Dishwasher

[MotionMan]

We are going to buy a new dishwasher. It has to fit a ~24" wide space.

I have never, ever even begun to research buying a new dishwasher. I have no idea what features new dishwashers offer since the newest dishwasher I ever used was probably 15 years old.

So, ATOT, what are the features I can't live without, the features I should pass on and, of course, the features I have not seen before that have a high "cool" rating (but are not necessary).

Any specific recommendations of brands and/or models would also be appreciated.

As far as cost goes, I do not want to pay for a Rolls Royce when a Toyota will do and I can afford something better than a Yugo.

Thanks.

MotionMan

 

[biggestmuff]

http://www.google.com

http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn...ishwashers&N=0+1000038

http://www.homedepot.com/webap...alogId=10053&langId=-1

 

[Pepsi90919]

1. washes dishes

 

[Toastedlightly]

2. Make sure your wife doesn't mind the extra woman

EDIT: Why bother with a new one? Old one stop doing its job?

 

[Pepsi90919]

 

[Baked]

Ask the expert dishwasher sales associate at Home Depot?

 

[MotionMan]

Originally posted by: Toastedlightly
2. Make sure your wife doesn't mind the extra woman

EDIT: Why bother with a new one? Old one stop doing its job?

Old one has major structural issues (i.e. cracks). We knew we would have to replace it when we bought the house last year.

MotionMan

 

[MotionMan]

Originally posted by: biggestmuff
http://www.google.com

http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn...ishwashers&N=0+1000038

http://www.homedepot.com/webap...alogId=10053&langId=-1

Brilliant, but I am looking for some first-hand knowledge from fellow ATOT members.

MotionMan

 

[amdskip]

I purchased a whirlpool for around $375 on sale at sears (watch for 20% off sales if possible). It was rated high by consumer reports and this is the main reason I purchased it.

Dishwashers are easy to install if you have a few basic tools. I had a heck of time getting the water line to seal correctly but I finally figured it out. PM if you have any other questions.

 

[Leros]

Having had a crappy loud dishwasher, make sure you get a quiet one.

 

[MotionMan]

Originally posted by: Leros
Having had a crappy loud dishwasher, make sure you get a quiet one.

Our last two have been loud. Quiet is a definite must have.

MotionMan

 

[james1701]

Make sure it has a chopper built into it. Some just have screens to catch the food rinsed off plates. If you have a septic system and not sewer, this can clog your septic tank. Next, you need to measure the hole the old dishwasher sets in. Most are the same size, but not all. You need to see where the water goes into the old dishwasher. You might need to do a little plumbing if they are not the same. You should be able to reuse the drain hose going to your sink. Thats all the important stuff.

 

[hellman69]

Get a stainless steel tub. For quiet, look for the dishwashers that have a full shell around them. I just purchased an LG last year, never knew they could be so quiet!

 

[blackdogdeek]

one feature we are going to look for in our next dishwasher, other than the silent or near silent requirement, is a top rack that can be washed independently from the bottom rack via 2 separate drawers.

we have 2 young children and they always use plastic plates, bowls and cups which go in the top rack and they go through them much faster than we go through the regular ceramic plates and bowls we use. so we always either end up doing a whole wash for an unfilled bottom rack or a wash that leaves leftover plasticware that doesn't fit in the top rack and has to wait for the next wash.

 

[Analog]

bosch ftw

 

[Gibson486]

quiet dishwashers are still not that quiet....however, they are quiet in comparison to a noisy one. My mom has a top of the line bosch (bought 2 years ago). I thought it was loud as hell, but it was our first dishwasher. I moved to my apt and man, my dishwasher is much louder.

 

[Jugernot]

1. you want one that has independent agitators. The old school types that the agitator on the bottom and you can't put anything on the bottom rack that will cover up the popup agitator.

2. Look for a dish drawer unit or a traditional type that has a top rack wash only setting. It uses much less power/water.

3. look for one with a sanitize setting. This heats the dishes up to 170F to kill the majority of germs. Also a hi temp wash setting will get that baked on food off better.

4. Look for an energy star unit, as it uses less water and electricity.

5. Some high end units have stainless interiors, others have what they call a granite interior. Basically it's a speckled interior that resists stains (rust, etc.) and stays clean.

6. Look for a unit that has microban builtin for the bottom seal.

7. Look for a unit with a adjustable top rack, it can go up and down, depending on the dishes you're washing.

8. depending on your budget , get a unit with hidden controls. Some even have a digital display that tells you how man minutes are left on the cycle.

9. Last but not least, get a quiet unit. The quietest are around 52db going all the upto 62db (which is twice as loud).

I just bought a new unit, that incorporates all of this, that is how I know about it. Here is the unit I bought Link

EDIT: Ohhh, I forgot. The unit I bought was branded Frigidare, but is actually made by Electrolux (sp?) which is a highend appliance producer equal to Bosch. This is the same unit, but branded differently. Ohh, it's also half the price!

 

[MotionMan]

Originally posted by: Jugernot
1. you want one that has independent agitators. The old school types that the agitator on the bottom and you can't put anything on the bottom rack that will cover up the popup agitator.

2. Look for a dish drawer unit or a traditional type that has a top rack wash only setting. It uses much less power/water.

3. look for one with a sanitize setting. This heats the dishes up to 170F to kill the majority of germs. Also a hi temp wash setting will get that baked on food off better.

4. Look for an energy star unit, as it uses less water and electricity.

5. Some high end units have stainless interiors, others have what they call a granite interior. Basically it's a speckled interior that resists stains (rust, etc.) and stays clean.

6. Look for a unit that has microban builtin for the bottom seal.

7. Look for a unit with a adjustable top rack, it can go up and down, depending on the dishes you're washing.

8. depending on your budget , get a unit with hidden controls. Some even have a digital display that tells you how man minutes are left on the cycle.

9. Last but not least, get a quiet unit. The quietest are around 52db going all the upto 62db (which is twice as loud).

I just bought a new unit, that incorporates all of this, that is how I know about it. Here is the unit I bought Link

EDIT: Ohhh, I forgot. The unit I bought was branded Frigidare, but is actually made by Electrolux (sp?) which is a highend appliance producer equal to Bosch. This is the same unit, but branded differently. Ohh, it's also half the price!

AWESOME post. Exactly what I needed. :thumbsup:

Thanks.

MotionMan

 

[MotionMan]

Originally posted by: hellman69
Get a stainless steel tub. For quiet, look for the dishwashers that have a full shell around them. I just purchased an LG last year, never knew they could be so quiet!

What does that mean? How do you check for this?

MotionMan

 

[MotionMan]

Originally posted by: blackdogdeek
one feature we are going to look for in our next dishwasher, other than the silent or near silent requirement, is a top rack that can be washed independently from the bottom rack via 2 separate drawers.

we have 2 young children and they always use plastic plates, bowls and cups which go in the top rack and they go through them much faster than we go through the regular ceramic plates and bowls we use. so we always either end up doing a whole wash for an unfilled bottom rack or a wash that leaves leftover plasticware that doesn't fit in the top rack and has to wait for the next wash.

That is a GREAT feature to have. We also have two young children (and their three young cousins who visit often).

MotionMan

 

[MotionMan]

Originally posted by: Gibson486
quiet dishwashers are still not that quiet....however, they are quiet in comparison to a noisy one. My mom has a top of the line bosch (bought 2 years ago). I thought it was loud as hell, but it was our first dishwasher. I moved to my apt and man, my dishwasher is much louder.

You do not know loud dishwashers until you hear the beast we have now. I am so glad we have to replace it. (I have to remember to record it running before we get rid of it to compare to the new one.)

MotionMan

 

[Jugernot]

Originally posted by: MotionMan

Originally posted by: hellman69
Get a stainless steel tub. For quiet, look for the dishwashers that have a full shell around them. I just purchased an LG last year, never knew they could be so quiet!

What does that mean? How do you check for this?

MotionMan

It is covered in sound insulation

 

[Ramma2]

I would definitly recommend getting one with a stainless interior. Our new one is not, and let me tell you, one load of spaghetti dishes and she's orange for life.

 

[Jugernot]

Originally posted by: MotionMan

Originally posted by: Jugernot
1. you want one that has independent agitators. The old school types that the agitator on the bottom and you can't put anything on the bottom rack that will cover up the popup agitator.

2. Look for a dish drawer unit or a traditional type that has a top rack wash only setting. It uses much less power/water.

3. look for one with a sanitize setting. This heats the dishes up to 170F to kill the majority of germs. Also a hi temp wash setting will get that baked on food off better.

4. Look for an energy star unit, as it uses less water and electricity.

5. Some high end units have stainless interiors, others have what they call a granite interior. Basically it's a speckled interior that resists stains (rust, etc.) and stays clean.

6. Look for a unit that has microban builtin for the bottom seal.

7. Look for a unit with a adjustable top rack, it can go up and down, depending on the dishes you're washing.

8. depending on your budget , get a unit with hidden controls. Some even have a digital display that tells you how man minutes are left on the cycle.

9. Last but not least, get a quiet unit. The quietest are around 52db going all the upto 62db (which is twice as loud).

I just bought a new unit, that incorporates all of this, that is how I know about it. Here is the unit I bought Link

EDIT: Ohhh, I forgot. The unit I bought was branded Frigidare, but is actually made by Electrolux (sp?) which is a highend appliance producer equal to Bosch. This is the same unit, but branded differently. Ohh, it's also half the price!

AWESOME post. Exactly what I needed. :thumbsup:

Thanks.

MotionMan

No problem. I absolutely love the unit I bought. It is so much quieter than my previous Kenmore unit that was supposedly one of their quietest models. The digital display is very nice as it tells you what's it's doing at the time (washing, rinsing, drying, etc.) and even tells you when the dishes are clean, so you don't load dirty dishes in with the clean dishes.

Anyway, look around everywhere you have local and get a good deal. I got our unit for 10% off and 12 months 0%.... I figured I'll pay 10% a month and get it paid off before the 12months ends.

 

[MotionMan]

Originally posted by: Ramma2
I would definitly recommend getting one with a stainless interior. Our new one is not, and let me tell you, one load of spaghetti dishes and she's orange for life.

Good point.

MotionMan