It is interesting to see the variability in comments about one's using a dishwasher. There is no right or wrong, per se, just what you feel is right for you. Personally, we live around our dishwasher. As the day progresses, we just pop in the dishes from meals, snacks, etc. At the end of the day, or sometimes the next day, just pop in a Cascade Complete pod, and then go about normal business. No muss, no fuss just clean dishes.
As mentioned in a previous post, when we purchased this house, the inspector found the builder installed dishwasher, a Whirlpool, leaked. The builder offered an allowance and pulled out the new Whirlpool. I stuck in my GE Tower Wash dishwasher. I plan to occasionally alter it with my Maytag Reverse rack. My two favorite machines. My tower wash gives impeccable results in about 90 minutes. Even if the Whirlpool hadn't been factory defective, I would have pulled it and sold it. I won't trade quiet for performance or speed or quality, so I will likely will never own a new dishwasher as I would likely have to compromise on at least one of those three parameters. I was astounded at the build of the new Whirlpool, unbelievably flimsy plastic door and cheap racks.
There are many reasons why people don't use their dishwashers. When questioned, I often find at least one of the three unpardonable sins have been committed, 1.) water ENTERING the dishwasher is less than 120 degrees. F (too many people unwittingly set their hot water heater to 120 degrees, not realizing there can be substantial heat loss in household plumbing.) 2.) People have hard water (over about 10 grains per gallon hardness) Calcium binds with detergent at the molecular level and reduces the detergents' ability to remove food wastes and hold them in suspension, not to mention calcite deposits in the form of spots. 3.) Non-quality detergent. Dishwashers ability to clean is directly proportional to detergent quality.
Hot water, soft water, and quality detergent makes for sanitary and sparkling (literally) dishes and pots and pans....
A dishwasher, of any brand, can't do it's job well unless you give it the above three things. Give your dishwasher what it needs and it will be your best friend.
BTW--It's almost ten p.m.,...only two hours until Santa Comes!!
Wishing all my friends at Automatic Washer.org, a Blessed and Merry Christmas!!