Part 1 of this blog series began some discussion of factors to consider when buying a dishwasher, zeroing in on noise or sound level as measured in a logarithmic decibel (dB) acoustic scale for sound or dB level.
Now we’d like to focus on other considerations including cycle and option choices.
Inside of stainless steel interior dishwasher image used with permission ©KB/Quirky KimUS10
Some Dishwasher Cycles and Options
In today’s dishwashers, having a sani-rinse option is invaluable, as is a higher power heat dry option, both of which consumers can highly benefit from. Cycle options on home dishwasher models can vary a lot. Depending upon the model, cycles going through a full air drying can easily take a full 3-4-5 hours, which is why consumers often prefer to run those dishwasher models at night. A number of models have a 4-hour or other time frame delay feature so that you can determine ahead to run the dishwasher in x amount of hours later on.
Other features such as even more options in rack layouts and adjustability, and now in some cases optional upper third racks for utensil convenience, or fold-down tine areas in some racks, etc., are becoming more popular, but only at the higher price points.
Rack layouts should be considered based on the type of items you will be placing into any dishwasher rack, so make sure the model you buy can accommodate what you plan to put into it for cleaning and sanitizing.
You’ll probably appreciate removable everyday silverware holders that can be placed in multiple areas within any lower rack setup (not usually offered on lower priced models) and not attached to the dishwasher door (more common on lower priced models).
You will find some rack setups will hold stemware if you have any that you are willing to risk putting into a dishwasher (feature usually found on upper price dishwasher models).
Some models may have some type of small netting pouch that goes on the side of a model (or other flow-through plastic container that goes into an upper rack) to hold objects that otherwise might fall into the area of a dishwasher arm and cause performance issues.
Importance of Hand Washing Fragile or Detailed Items
Good crystal, as you no doubt already know, should be hand-washed and not machine washed, so keep that in mind. Many people will also hand wash very fine and delicate china as well–a smart decision. In such cases, special cycles for those items would be unnecessary, but sometimes you can’t find other features in models without also getting those features.
Energy Guide and Energy Star
Also check out any Energy Guide information and be aware that in 2012 standards for Energy Star rating changed and newer models of dishwashers have to do their cleaning and sanitizing with less water and less energy–quite a challenge!
Stainless Steel Interiors
There is nothing like a stainless steel interior if you can go that route. Although stainless steel exteriors continue to be preferred by realtors and much of the public, the exterior has nothing to do with how well the interior functions. If you don’t use a separate rinse aid product or a dishwasher detergent that includes a rinse aid in its formulation to improve drying within the dishwasher, be sure to have both a stainless steel interior and a heat boosted drying cycle as you’ll find that helps the dishes to come out drier. It is harder to get dishwasher contents drier in a plastic lined dishwasher or in plastic tub dishwasher drawers unless you use BOTH some form of a rinse aid and a heat boosted drying cycle.
Clean Off Excess Surface Food Before You Wash
Although many sites will tell you not to worry about removing excess food from dishes, etc., before loading them, the reality is that dishwashers break down more easily if you don’t FIRST visibly clean off larger food particles on your dishes and pots and pans and get that into the trash can. (Anything that is truly water soluble won’t be so much of an issue). The dishwasher’s internal trap area will have to be cleaned out all the time if you don’t take the time to properly visibly clean off your dishes and pots and pans into the trash can before loading the dishwasher and chances of needing repair service or replacement increase when more residue is left on dishes going into the dishwasher. Think about it–would manufacturers and sites that rate dishwashers possibly want you to buy a new model dishwasher more often? That would benefit them, but not you. Their advice might be biased a bit by what they stand to gain from additional dishwasher sales.
Features As Well As Life Expectancy
Now a rinse-only feature may not matter to you if you tend to always have a full dishwasher load by each evening and run a full load of dishes each night. On the other hand, if a dishwasher would be left only partially full over night, a quick rinse-only cycle will keep unpleasant odors down in it until you can finish fill it up and run it the next day.
Dishwasher life will vary based on a host of circumstances including care in usage, but in the past, higher end model’s motors and parts typically lasted closer to an average of 11 years. Like any appliance, the weakest part in critical function is often the one that limits the appliance life significantly. Having hard water vs having soft water can also play a part in the dishwasher life equation.
Most home model dishwashers are 24″ models, although specialty 18″ models are available from some manufacturers. If the appliance is going into a specific cabinetry space, consider the dimensions carefully since in the future any replacement would need to fit basically into the same space or else incur costly cabinet modification as well so it could be best to go with a more standard size that easily installs and hooks up and is not a specialty size. Proper installation by a qualified installer actually can matter as otherwise if the appliance isn’t leveled, etc., then, for example, there could possibly be back flow of dirty water back onto dish surfaces because of improper installation.
Tall tub model dishwashers are actually the same height as previous models, but the former kick-plate area has been removed by many dishwasher manufacturers in more modern models to allow for more space in the tub area.
Dishwashers should be placed AWAY from food storage locations since a bit of steam is produced by them which is undesirable for food storage locations.
Model Availability and Promotions
Model availability during big holiday sale times can vary as some models have to be ordered and then installation scheduled so some very large chains might have a significant delay before a model would be delivered into inventory and be available for delivery and installation. Other stores might have some inventory and be able to offer more time-sensitive delivery and installation. Floor models can sometimes offer both immediacy of delivery and installation along with a price reduction off of manufacturer suggested retail pricing aka MSRP.
In the appliance industry, there is a trend for more and more manufacturers to have retailers sign agreements to only offer for sale at at MSRP certain current model year branded products. This typically does NOT apply to alternative branding, previous model year products aka closeouts, or to floor aka demo models.
Sometimes manufacturers offer rebate promotions only through certain retail sales outlets. Such rebates are typically being offered via some well-known pre-paid pre-loaded debit card used like a credit card only up to the amount of the value of the rebate. These promotions might not be available through certain retailers or for purchases bought online at a discount or on clearance so always check the fine print on any rebate form so you know in advance the manufacturer requirements for such a promotion. Those rebate cards may not be able to be used in warehouse clubs and other discounters so they might be quite annoying to try to utilize and you must track each time you use them if it is not for the full amount. Also realize if such a rebate submission or actual rebate card is “lost in the mail” or elsewhere, there may be no recourse for the consumer.
A well-functioning dishwasher can be a true work-saving kitchen appliance in that it can get preparation items and actual serving and dining dishes spotless and optimally sanitized and dried in place inside the unit, which is highly desirable for anyone who enjoys cooking and/or baking.
The Future of Dishwashers
We live in a high tech aware world. People everywhere depend upon their mobile phones and other hand held devices such as electronic work pads to do so much in their lives today and keep them “connected” including connected to their homes. You don’t have to go to the annual Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas each year to know that future home appliance introductions may include “smart technology” compatible models for the kitchen & laundry room. Mention of planned introductions such as Whirlpool’s planned “6th sense technology” indicate manufacturer intentions to introduce such models, including dishwashers, to the marketplace in the near future.