New D/W suggestions

[jamiel]

It looks like the Whirlpool PowerClean in the kitchen just breathed it's last (left a tubful of water, the delay start button LED flashing or steady, no response to any other button, have pulled and restored the circuit breaker). The touch panel has been slightly wonky for the last year or so (about once out of every 12 uses it goes all "hollywood" on me and flashes/glows/...). So I think it's time for a new one (was here when we moved in in 2007, I'm guessing about 10 years older than that...has a soil sensor; non-tall tub.

Anyway, sounds like there was a good report on GE's newest wash system from Frigilux, other than that, any suggestions? I haven't looked at CR yet; and need to take my dishware to test out whatever we buy (I suspect that Bosch/Miele won't fit our dishware very well). Went to our local high-end white goods retailer to be told "KitchenAid"...unfortunately The Great Indoors is closed (I had quite good luck there over the years). Only other consideration is color (need white; don't think that stainless steel will look good, particularly with a white/white slide-in Thermador stove I bought off a friend.

 

[petek]

Well you probably already read my KA woes. I wouldn't buy another one. One of the new Kenmore Elites earned CR's topmost spot in the last dw issue but it's pricey. Not sure if it's a WP built Kenmore or a Bosch built one.

 

[appnut]

You might see if the board can be repaired or replaced. How about a Maytag, no filter. Frigilux's GE model would be the only new GE I'd get or recommend, but unfortunately, it only comes in SS.

 

[frigilux]

According to Consumer Reports:  Everything from the Kenmore Elite Series is at the top of the pack, followed by a raft of Bosch models, a couple of KitchenAids, some very pricey Thermadors, one LG model (a leftover from the previous series), some very pricey Miele units, the top-of-the-line GE that I have, and then it's a mixed bag of numerous brands.

 

I have to say I adored my LG (very similar to the one listed here), but be aware that LG is the least reliable brand of dishwasher, and after 5.5 years a crack in the drain hose caused several thousand dollars damage to my kitchen floor.

 

Having lived with the GE for a month, I give it two thumbs up.  It's super-quiet and does a great job of cleaning.  The tine spacing in both racks favors large, deep, American-style tableware.  

 

Definitely take a few of your more challenging dishes (size-wise) when you shop.  

 

I don't pay much attention to Kenmore because the brand isn't available where I live, so I don't know which of their machines are sourced from LG, Whirlpool, or Bosch.

 

Good luck with your decision and be sure to let us know what model you wind up getting.  We're nosy that way!

 

A few of the high scoring dishwashers (all received an Excellent for cleaning ability):

Kenmore Elite 12793  Overall Score: 85  Price: $1350

Kenmore Elite 12763: 82/ $1020

Bosch Ascenta SHX3AR75UC: 81/ $730

KitchenAid KDFE44CSS: 81/ $1500

Bosch 800 Series SHE68R52UC: 80/ $900

LG Steam LDF7932: 80/ $1000

GE Profile PDT750: 79/ $1100

Kenmore 13283: 77/ $650

Kenmore 1304: 77/ $550

Maytag MDB8959: 75/ $800

 

 

 

[robinsondm]

I'm afraid some (many?) of the CR-recommended models will be disqualified if a white dishwasher is required. The GE PDT750, for example, only comes in stainless, as Bob mentioned. It's getting hard to find TOL appliances in white nowadays.

[this post was last edited: 1/12/2014-19:14]

 

[appnut]

It's getting hard to find TOL appliances in white nowada

Yep, Eugene (Frigilux) and I already had that discussion.

 

[electronicontrl]

Not sure if it's a WP built Kenmore or a Bosch built on

According to the sales staff at Sears, the Kenmore Elite dishwashers are WP built.

 

[frigilux]

Whoops! My bad. I completely missed the last sentence of the original post saying that white was a color requirement.

My suggestion, then, is to go as high in the line as possible in Maytag, GE, or Whirlpool. I don't know that a single one of the dishwashers listed above is available in white--which is ridiculous--but Bob and I have already had this discussion.

 

[jamiel]

Actually it looks like several of the Bosch models are available in white...interesting but it seems that the plastic/stainless units are well thought of by CR--I don't have a philosophical objection to plastic or to stainless for the interior. They rate slightly better than the GE 720 which is their highest white unit. Stay tuned...

 

[frigilux]

Just checked CR's reliability ratings, and Bosch is listed as the most reliable brand, with about 7% needing a repair. GE, Maytag, and KitchenAid are all at 13%. LG is at 17%...and look at this: Samsung is now the least reliable with 22% needing repair.

 

[jamiel]

Ended up at Sears for a lower-end Bosch for $599. They were running a "free installation" rebate. It seems like it will hold our crockery. They are all so cheaply made and rattly...even the Bosch. To be installed on the 4th of February.

 

[mieleforever]

I don't think

that you made a bad choice. Bosch DW are well regarded in the industry and come highly recomended.

They are realy frugal on electricty and water and all have built in water softners, the only problem you might have is that there is no "bake" at the end of the cycle and as I have read on here most American machines have a bake drying cycle. They tend to take long to wash a load, but the results speak for themselves.

We have a Siemens which is a rebadged Bosch and it has been going really strong for more than seven years now and we could not fault it at all.

Hope you enjoy your new machine and congrats!!

Have a great week.

Cheers

 

[jamiel]

Actually only the high-end ($1500 US) Bosch have the water softener...others just have the combo detergent/rinse agent dispenser.