Looking for a Dishwasher? Here's What You Should Know

I've noticed that dishwasher sales tend to spike toward the end of the calendar year.  

When I first realized this I was frankly a bit surprised, as dishwashers tend to break year-round, and - like laundry products - people usually replace the dishwasher when it breaks and seldom before.  Thinking about this for a bit however, the business spike makes sense.  November and December are family holiday months, so range sales (I'll cover that next week) and kitchen cleanup, aka dishwashers, should naturally increase.

Bosch SHP65DM5N

So, let's say you're in the market to replace your dishwasher.  Or, maybe you have an older house and you've decided it's time to add a dishwasher, taking advantage of the water and energy savings a modern unit offers (not to mention the convenience!)  What should you be looking for?

First of all, dishwashers vary more than other categories in terms of price.  A basic model, available at times at the $349-$399 level, will actually do a decent job cleaning your dishes, and will do so with minimal water and energy usage (D.O.E. mandates for energy effciency and water usage are very strict - I covered that in the blogs immediately below this one).  Simply put, any dishwasher today uses less water than you'll consume after two minutes or less handwashing!

GE GDF535PRWW

Your basic model will have a plastic tub, two basic racks minus some of the convenience loading features that are available on pricier models, and will be relatively loud (you pay for quiet as you work your way up the "food chain".)  

Moving up, dishwashers become steadily quieter.  Racks become thicker and more durable. You begin to pick up extra features such as an internal water heater to help dissolve the grease and oils on your plates.  The upper rack becomes adjustable up and down.  The interior door will upgrade to a stainless finish to help resist water mineral stains.

Mid-level dishwashers usually provide a third rack, useful for serving ladles, lids, and odd shaped items such as grill tongs.  Again, the machines keep getting quieter. Db (decibel) ratings on the mid- level, $550-$700  price range dip into the mid 40's (we consider anything under 50db to be "quiet").  The tubs become all stainless as opposed to the "hybrid", stainless-door-plastic-interior models of the preceding paragraph.  Sanitizing rinses, and pro or heavy soil cycles become available as options (useful for pots and pans, but beware - these cycles often exceed three hours, albeit very efficiently!).

Bosch SHX78C5UC

At the upper level (think of a Kitchenaid or Bosch) the machines become virtually silent.  Racks are thicker and roll out more easily. Extra convenience features such as a shorter full-cleaning cycle, or a top-rack-only cycle for small loads, become available. You can even find cycles that increase the drying heat, or utilize a better filter for cleaner reuse of the dishwater.  Expect to pay $800 to $1300 for a model in this category, depending on the extra features you desire.

A few points to be aware of:

• With the exception of specialty application units, all dishwashers are nominally the same size.  A few models will have a bit more "wiggle room" height-wise than others, which can be useful if the floor in front of the unit was raised up during a renovation.
• Interior tubs have become roomier over the years, thanks to improvements in technology.
• Cycle times are longer than they were a generation ago!  Normal cycle times can exceed two hours, while a short cycle is approximately one hour.  This is simply the trade-off for drastically reduced water and energy usage.
• Life expectancy is about 8-11 years.  I do want to caution however:  The "bell curve" for longevity is very wide!  You might get 15 or 20 years, or even more.  Sadly, you might experience a problem after just a couple of years.  Spending more for a "better" machine will increase the possibility of a longer healthy life, but manufacturers don't "guarantee" anything beyond the standard one year. (NOTE!  We do offer extended warranty protection on 99% of our appliances; ask a sales associate for details.)
• Units are available with controls on top and a "towel bar" handle, a traditional looking design with controls in the front, or with top controls and a "pocket handle".  The pocket handle is useful if you want to purchase a particular brand, but don't want the handle to clash with your other appliances.

I do want to touch on a few of  the "specialty" sizes that are out there.

GE portable dw GPT225SGLWW

Yes, portable dishwashers are still available!! Useful if your kitchen wasn't designed for a built-in, but you still want the convenience and energy savings a modern unit provides.

• 18" dishwashers are also available.  These are normally a little shorter (32.5" vs. 34"), and are a great solution for ADA compatible kitchens, smaller, in-law type setups, or older kitchens with "raised up" floors (often as a result of a former remodel.)
• A New Zealand company (Fisher & Paykel) makes a "dish drawer".  A double-drawer model will fill a standard US dishwasher space, and provides the ability to do two discrete loads at one time.  The single drawer model can also be a lifesaver in some unique kitchen setups.
• A handful of "panel ready" models are still avilable, if you want to blend the dishwasher into your cabinetry.  This look isn't as popular as it once was, but most brands offer one or two models that are designed specificall to accommodate a cabinet panel.

One last note:   We can deliver these units to you for a nominal fee, which always include removal of your old - disconnected!- unit.  Our delivery crews do not perform the installation of these units.  We do provide professional installation, using properly qualified third party installers, for a reasonable fee.  Check with your local Manny's for details and logistics.

I hope this helps if you are in the market for a new dishwasher.  If you've any questions, I encourage you to reach out to the sales pros at any of our thirteen showrooms (addresses and phone numbers on the front page of our site.)