I need help to choose a dishwasher

[thomasortega]

Folks, I need some help to choose a dishwasher, now that I discovered a way to install a full size dishwasher in my kitchen.

1) I don't want absurdly expensive
2) I don't care if it will last "only" 5 years and vintage dishwashers are way beter because they last 327 years.
3) I don't care if it takes 10 hours to run a cycle.
4) Noise is not a deal breaker.
5) It is really important that it makes possible to remove AND use the dishwasher without the upper rack. (to wash extremely tall items, cookie sheets, etc.)
6) If it has a thrid rack, it's even better.
7) I'll build a cabinet to make it freestanding.
8) For god's sake, i don't want any kind of telescopic or "protuberant" sprayer! I want to be able to use 100% of the bottom rack with cookie sheets if needed.
9) I don't care about water savings. It can use more water or more detergent, as soon as everything comes out REALLY CLEAN and spotless (my water is hard as hell)
10) It doesn't need to be a TOL model, but I don't want those BOL models with plastic tubs.
11) I love bells and whistles, even if i never use them.

I forgot to add: I have a roaster oven and I want a way to wash it in the dishwasher if needed. even if for that I need to run a cycle with only it inside, no problem at all for me as I obviously don't need to wash it every week.

 

[dustin92]

We have a Bosch Ascenta SHE3AR72UC and have been extremely happy with it so far. We have had it for about 6 months and it's been great. Excellent cleaning, multiple cycle choices (Heavy, Auto, Normal, Delicate, Express Wash, Half load) along with the Sanitize option, EXTREMELY quiet, can barely hear it running at times (Heavy wash increases pressure, Auto may increase pressure depending on soil level) Normal is barely audible standing in front of the machine. Adjustable (and removable) upper rack, one row of adjustable tines in each rack. Seems to be very efficient, doesn't take much detergent to do the job and leave everything spotless. We also have incredibly hard water, and we use a product called Lemishine, but not by the instructions. Instructions call for the detergent dispenser to be filled with the stuff, I use maybe a teaspoon per load, with the detergent. That helps with hard water residue. We alternate between Sam's club own brand detergent pods and Walmart's Great value powder and get results just as good as with Cascade. It does have a partially plastic tub, the sides and door liner are stainless, bottom is gray plastic. I don't forsee any issues with it. Cycle times aren't too horrible for a modern machine, with all options selected (hidden options) all cycles are less than 3 hours, Normal with Sanitize comes in at 2:55. Heavy with Sanitize comes in at 2:30, Auto with Sanitize takes 2:35 I believe? Not sure on the other cycles as they are rarely used, but I think Express wash takes 1:00, and Half load 1:55. This is Bosch's low end, bottom-of-the-line (!) Dishwasher, but I have been thoroughly impressed. It has an msrp of $499.99, but we got ours for just a shade over $300 because of a recall on another machine (repair or 40% off a new Bosch). If I had to replace it I would probably get the same machine.

 

[dustin92]

It can fit one large cookie sheet with the upper rack in, and it doesn't have a tower in the lower rack. Upper rack is easily removed. Silverware basket can be placed in 2 locations in the lower rack, or in the upper rack if you so desire. Full size spray arms for each rack, and both run at the same time, along with a sprayer above the top rack. Can be a bit tricky to load at first, but it can be packed and everything still comes clean, I do not pre rinse at all. If I was going to wash the dishes before putting them in the dishwasher, I'd just put them away. Upper rack can fit dinner plates if in the lower position, plenty of headroom even in the upper position. I have to say it definitely took some getting used to, coming from a 20 year old Maytag Jetclean, but after that, I love it.

 

[mihotbear]

One simple answer

KitchenAid is the only way to go. Yes KitchenAid, Whirlpool, Maytag and Amana (I'm sure there is more that I have missed.

The KitchenAid line is set to a higher standard than the regular Whirlpool appliances. I have a KitchenAid lower end model bought in 2009 that works better than any dishwasher I have ever had. The Consumer Reports ratings confirm this.

I don't want to disagree with the earlier poster, but in my opinion, Bosch appliances need to be avoided like the plague. Service and parts are ridiculously overpriced.

You can get a lower end KitchenAid for about $1,000. It will be the best money you have ever spent.

 

[mihotbear]

One simple answer

KitchenAid is the only way to go. Yes KitchenAid, Whirlpool, Maytag and Amana (I'm sure there is more that I have missed) are part of Whirlpool but there are differences.

The KitchenAid line is set to a higher standard than the regular Whirlpool appliances. I have a KitchenAid lower end model bought in 2009 that works better than any dishwasher I have ever had. The Consumer Reports ratings confirm this.

I don't want to disagree with the earlier poster, but in my opinion, Bosch appliances need to be avoided like the plague. Service and parts are ridiculously overpriced. The only Bosch parts I like are Plugs, points, condenser, rotor and distributor cap for my 1968 VW Bug. But I don't have that car anymore. My brother has a Bosch refrigerator and it is the most annoying piece of shit you could imagine. If you open the door and are looking in the refrigerator for something to eat, it starts beeping at you after about 20 seconds to close the door. Fuck you Bosch. I can think for myself. Thank you.

You can get a lower end KitchenAid for about $1,000. It will be the best money you have ever spent.

 

[henene4]

Door open alarms are standard, lol. Really. There should be a button to turn it off once it comes on.

And as if DWs have much to do with their DW. That's really about the equal logic of because one person did something slightly annoying you keep away from their whole town.

BSH DW are the standard in Europe. They are fair priced, wash better then most everything and live for a good time.

They wash hotter then most DW on the US market and are still more efficent then most.

Only downside might be drying. Still waiting for the wider rollout of Zeolite in the US.

 

[rolls_rapide]

I will say this:

I have had experience of expensive, top-of-the-line machines, and found that the basic models clean better with less fuss. True, they might be noisier, with less bells and whistles, but they do get the job done.

 

[washman]

Herer's my unit from Lowes

tem # <span class="met-product-item-number">175058</span> Model # <span class="met-product-model">FFBD2406NS</span>

 

<span class="met-product-model">Had it since I moved in 4/2015.  Not the fanciest but it carries the freight as needed.</span>

 

<span class="met-product-model">MSRP at lowes is $279.00</span>

 

<span class="met-product-model">https://www.lowes.com/pd/Frigidaire...nless-steel-Common-24-in-Actual-24-in/3744129</span>

 

[jkbff]

A 499 Bosch is about the best the can go for low price dishwasher that does a great job.

 

[jkbff]

That being said, miele is running a promo in the 4228s, you can get it for 799, it'll be the best dw under 1000, has a 3rd rack and is quiet.

I sell them all day long. Only in fingerprint resistant stainless steel.

https://www.mieleusa.com/domestic/dishwashers-2510.htm?mat=10426250&name=G_4228_SCU_AM

I can have one drop shipped if needed.

 

[thomasortega]

My kitchen has no space to "built in" a dishwasher.

The alternatives I have are: 

1) A portable unit

2) a built in one, I find a "dishwasher cabinet" that I googled and found at Ikea and then use this cabinet to make a "freestanding" unit based on a built in model.
I could also build a cabinet myself (I'm a designer duh, of course I can design a cabinet, but then I realize I'm too lazy to consider that.)

My concern, if I do that, is if the pump on american dishwashers is strong enough to pump the drain water through a house on the baseboard around the kitchen (aprox 5 meters) until reaching the first cabinet, then raise to the highest point under the cupboard (as I won't have an air gap) and drop to the disposer.
So, in theory, there would be no drag (low hose and after "climbing" to the highest point of the cabinet it would drop diagonally around 20 cm in 3 meters.

By the way, I never fill the sink up to the top.

i'm almost deciding on a Kenmore portable that I saw at Sears Outlet for under $500. It won't be the best thing ever to roll the dw to the sink every time i need to use it, but also it's not the worst nightmare.   

 

[johnb300m]

Heh, depending on how long that run is, you might be holding half a tub or more of water from the previous drain in that hose!
Long distance and normal height elevation should be ok.
I wonder if it would makes sense to add a 2nd check valve to that long run though.....IDK.
Many DWs handle the long run through a corner cabinet install pretty well.
Hard to say without observing the behavior in person.

 

[jkbff]

Re-reading, how deep is the roaster pan?

This is how i use my Bosch in the garage.

 

[thomasortega]

We have guests now, 7 young adults that came from Brazil for the World Jiu Jitsu Championship.

Those athletes EAT like monster, my kitchen is looking like a restaurant kitchen.

Having to run 11 (i said ELEVEN) loads in one single day using the 18 inch leaky Kenmore and the mini countertop Haier almost made me crazy. When I finally finished washing the breakfast and lunch dishes (and every single plate, glass, flatware, pan, whatever i have in my kitchen, they arrived back from training and went straight to the kitchen ready to eat a whole cow and the mountain of dirty dishes covered the sink again. I was desperate and Darryl and I decided to go to Sears and get a kenmore portable that will be delivered on Saturday.

It's not the very best dishwasher, but it fit in our budget at that moment, it doesn't have the telescopic spray and it's possible to use it without the upper rack if needed.

Even if it's not the very best dishwasher ever, as soon as monster loads fit in it, I'm more than happy. At least I know I have tried something before I have a nervous breakdown.

For my average daily basis use, it will be just perfect.

maybe, later, i can consider replacing the hoses to make it a "freestanding" dishwasher just to avoid rolling it to the sink every time i need to use it.

An just in case, I'll NEVER accept guests in my house again... Or at least not young adults. (18 to 23 years old.)

Today the kitchen sink decided to clog... What could be "better" than that?

Isn't it super lovely? (I'm ready to kill somebody)

 

[thomasortega]

http://www.sears.com/kenmore-24inch-portable-dishwasher-black/p-02217489000P

http://www.sears.com/kenmore-24inch-portable-dishwasher-black/p-02217489000P

 

[johnb300m]

I'm not a fan of the top rack, but these are very capable machines.
I think you will feel much better.
AND, with the 1 Hour Wash cycle, you'll be able to turn over those loads of dishes quite quickly.

 

[jkbff]

That dishwasher will do just fine, just scrape the plates and don't do a short cycle with dried on messes. (We install the non portable version in most of the apartment buildings around town and they hold up pretty well.)

I think I would love the chaos of having the guests you have. I'm so tired of being in a big house by my self. :/

 

[thomasortega]

It's being a love and hate situation

I grew up in a hotel my family owned, I love to have guests.

The only problem with these guests is that they'1re young adults (19 to 25 y/o), so they don't have that sense of, let's say, "guest etiquette" we, fully grown adults, have.

During certain moments I fell like I'm going to freak out and kick everybody out of my house, but on many other moments I feel greatful because they are here. They are all very nice and have a very positive vibe. It's great to break the routine.

Overall, If i had to give them a score, I'd give 8.9 out of 10.

Also, i can't "repeat the dose", because I didn't charge them anything, as they are athletes that struggleded to buy their tickets, they don't have an easy life, specially not having sponsors. One of the girls even made cookies and T-shirts to sell to her friends to make a little bit more money to pay for the ticket and the championship application fees.

It ended up that Darryl and I spent much more money than we thought. Unexpected expenses like run and buy a new dishwasher, buy more cookware and dinnerware in a hurry, etc... because we could see how they are worked hard to be here and participate on that championship that is their biggest dream, so we're doing our best to help them achieving that.

Most of the moments I almost freak out is not exactly because of them, but because of my structure not ready to perfectly accomodate so many people at once.

Now with the new dishwasher, and also Darryl and I have been buying more hosehold items every day, according to the needs, we will be better prepared if we have other guests in the future.

Yesterday i was discussing that with Darryl. If I could afford the initial investment, one thing I would LOVE to do is having a "luxury BnB".

Not something silly cheap almost like a hostel for backpackers that don't want to or that can not afford to stay in a regular hotel, but for high end tourists that want an experience more personalized and exclusive than a 5-star hotel. Being ready to accomodate whatever demands they might have, like fancy dinners where they can discuss and personalize every item in the menu, "personal chauffeur" service, Egyptian cotton linen, fancy design furniture, etc.

The best place for that of course would be one of those huge mansions in Beverly Hills or Bel Air. (the neighbors would hate me forever and obviously it is unthinkable in that area.)

But, it's just a dream. Of course I can not afford something that would have an initial cost over $20 mi.

 

[maytagbear]

MODERN FRIGIDAIRE

my new apartment came with an Elux-idaire dishwasher, and I love it, nearly as much as I loved my first ever dishwasher, a Maytag WC400, bought new in 1973.

The model label is at an angle that is impossible for me to read from my wheelchair, but there is not a protruding wash tower.

I don't know about my baking pans, because I either use foil or parchment to line them, but I can easily get my largest polypropylene cutting board into it, and it is larger than 13x9 inches.

Stainless steel tank, door, AND sump, quiet-ish, adjustable rinse aid dispenser...…..the fact that it has a 2 hour+ "Pots and Pans" cycle, and a 90 minute "energy" cycle..... I do miss a dial. This just has an LED panel. Cleans splendidly!

Lawrence/Maytagbear