In the last few decades the dishwasher has become a standard part of a kitchen appliance suite. Not too long ago, however, this was not the case. In fact, the 24" wide dishwasher that we've all grown accustomed to assisting us with kitchen cleanup chores has only been around for the past few decades.
I was originally going to focus in this blog on the history and evolution of the dishwasher, but the article I linked below does an excellent job tracing the dishwasher from its humble beginnings in the mid 19th century as a curiosity all the way up to today's ultra-modern, ultra-efficient models.
https://www.candy-home.com/en_GB/blog/when-was-the-dishwasher-invented/
So instead, I've decided to focus on what you can expect if you venture out and purchase a new dishwasher today.
Compared to older dishwashers, today's units are roomier, perform better, are quieter, and are more efficient. (The cycle times are also longer, and there are reasons for that - I'll cover that in a bit.)
Let me expand on the improvements:
1) Capacity - If you check out the majority of dishwashers today, you'll notice a third, usually flat, inside the unit at the top of the tub. (see the picture of the interior of a Kitchenaid dishwasher above) This rack is great for lids, serving utensils, tongs, and even silverware! In addition, over the years manufactrurers keep finding ways to "hollow out" the interior of a dishwasher, giving you more room for those large American style platters and baking dishes.
NOTE!! the dishwasher exterior isn't larger - just the inside!
2) Performance - today's units use better filtering systems to prevent re-depositing of debris on your dishes. They also heat the water during the wash and rinse cycles to reach the 140F degree temperature desired to help dissolve grease and grime better.
(Just as a note: Most human hands can't withstand water temperatures above 110F. In other words - Let your dishwasher do the dirty work for you - it will do a much better job!!)
3) Quiet - Sometime in the late 90's into the 2000's, manufacturers discovered that 1) consumers prefer a quieter dishwasher, and 2) consumers will pay a little more for that quiet. The result: Dishwashers in general are much quieter than say a generation ago. Most mid-level and up models have noise ratings below 50db (generally 50db is the threshold for "quiet", and some units have ratings as low as 42db, or even 39db - making them essentially silent!
4) Efficiency - The DOE has mandated dramatic reductions in energy use and water consumption on both clothes washers and dishwashers. The result: the normal cycle on today's dishwasher ususally uses less than five gallons!!
(Just think about that for a moment! - That's five gallons from start to finish! To compare, today's kitchen sink uses about 2.2 gallons per minute - and older less efficient units use even more. In other words, if you run your sink for just three minutes to clean your dishes, you've already used more water than today's dishwasher uses from start to finish!! Bottom line: Don't be afraid to use your dishwasher, even on less-than-full loads!)
Are there downsides, or complaints, about today's dishwashers? Well, yes there are!
The most biggest complaint revolves around cycle times.
A dishwasher's "normal" cycle is usually a bit over two hours, while the "short cycle" is generally 48=60 minutes. What can you do about this? Well, basically, nothing. This is the tradeoff for the dramatic increase in energy efficiency which has been (by necessity) mandated for today's appliances. Your dishes will come out sparkling clean, but you just have to wait longer for the unit to do its job!
Just how long should you expect your dishwasher to run? Below is a link from Kitchenaid which should give you a good sense:
https://www.kitchenaid.com/pinch-of-help/major-appliances/how-long-do-dishwashers-run.html
Now, should you decide to purchase a dishwasher from us, you have three options as far as delivery/pickup go:
1) If you have a SUV or truck, we can help load a unit onto your vehicle (some brands even fit in the hatch of my Prius!!) Our stores carry a limited number of models for the "grab and go" customer, and other models are generally available a few days after purchase. Check with your nearest Manny's showroom for specific availability details.
2) If you can install the dishwasher yourself, we offer in-home delivery, removal of the older (disconnected) dishwasher included, for a nominal fee.
3) We also offer professional replacement installation for an additional fee. Yes, the install fee is more than a drop-off delivery, but significantly less than hiring most plumbers!
Details and specifics on delivery/installation can be answered by any of our sales pros in any of our eleven showrooms.
In closing, today's dishwashers clean better, use less water and energy, hold more dishes, and run more quietly.
Whether you are considering replacing an older dishwasher on its last legs, or upgrading your kitchen, there are definite advantages in today's quiet, ultra efficient models!
If you have any questions, please reach out to any of the sales professionals in any of our eleven showrooms (phone and addresses can be found on our website)
Meantime, Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to everyone!!
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