New dishwasher needed...opinions?

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Cybrvanr

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My mother is getting a a dishwasher for her kitchen, and I need some input from you guys on what is the best unit. She is looking for one that is very quiet, yet will get the worst grime off of food, especially without pre-rinsing.

Lowe's recommended a G.E. Triton dishwasher, but I noticed that they don't have a rinse & hold function, which I think my Mom would like, but the people at Lowe's said they are the quietest on the market...Do you all agree? I sort of prefer Bosch myself...how do these compare to G.E?
 
We have a Bosch SHU43C06 (4-cycle). Very powerful, but whisper-quiet; it has a stainless tub, a center-mounted spray arm (meaning no wash tower to get in the way), and a top-mounted "shower spray". The upper rack is adjustable/removeable as well. It was rated #2 for performance in the March 2005 issue of CR. CR states that the reliability of Bosch machines isn't that great, but so far we haven't had any problems.

I'd say go with Bosch!

--Austin
 
Personaly the GE use a lot of water, but do a good job.

I dont like the Bosch's silverware basket in the center of the lower rack. Kills ability to load multiple pots. It also does not have a heated dry, which i never use anyway!

IMHO go stainless interior. For the money the frigidaire is a good deal if you inisist on plastic tub. Kenmore now slaps their badge on them for their lower end (no more GE) machines and whirlpool still makes the higher end stuff.
 
Siemens or LG.. Not a GE..

Siemens.. THe one with the hidden controls on the top.. It has the silverware basket you can take apart and move the segments all over the interior.. If not the Siemens, the LG is 2 dB quieter, and both models allow for versatility
 
Sorry but it's gotta be Miele for me

They're superb dishwashers and virtually silent. Mines 5 or 6 now and haven't had a problem with it. Never ever ever have to prerinse no matter how stuck on dry hard stuff is on the plates etc. Have built in water containment in case of leaks. Built in water softner if needed. Buy the least expensive model you can find, all are basically the same other than extra cycles or hidden controls.
 
ditto what Agiflow said

We purchased a Kenmore badged Whirlpool tall tub. Sears model number is 1602. Definitely would go with a tall tub design if we had to do it again. The Quick Rinse feature is great for using minimal water rather than rinsing a greasy pot or what-have-you in the sink instead (I usually just add a tablespoon of enzyme based detergent and let her rip!) Also has what Sears calls the 'Smart Wash' feature, which provides a true heated dry. I can take dishes out of the machine literally five minutes after the cycle is over and almost everything is warm and dry. The cups with indents have a little puddle on them but that's it. I personally didn't like the capacity of the Bosch on display and Miele sure sounds great but is considerably more $$$$. My Mom has a GE Triton and says she likes it and that it is very quiet. This 1602 is also quiet.
 
It's not your Mother's KitchenAid...

I bought the KUDP01L at Lowe's last year...
Clearly, the poorest dishwasher I have ever owned...
And I have had many different brands over the years...
In fact, the first dishwasher we had, a GE in 1962, was a superior cleaner to the KitchenAid, albeit noisier...
Bosch is great, just be sure your Mother realizes the difference in rack size before she gets it home...
Geodon
 
George, I'm glad to see you replaced that Frigidaire Precision Wash that came with your house.

Now George---!!, I'm surprised you opted for the KA given you'd had a Kenmore Ultrawash in your previous house, before you decided on the Maytag. It is amazing, essentially the same dishwasher and the KA doesn't perform as well as the Kenmore did.
 
kenMORE will score

The Kenmore Ultra Wash series are PHENOMENAL performers, have had one for 15 years, still going strong.The new ones are still great.What bugs me about the Bosch is the so called condensation drying, rather than a true heated dry .
 
heated dry

I insist on a heated dry and a Rinse only cycle. I usually choose No Heat, but I like having the option of heat if I want it.

I would think most any modern MOL or TOL dishwasher performs well. The differences in cleaning ability between brands is much narrower than in the "Olden Days". The decision these days centers more around if you like the way it loads, it's reliability, price, quietness, plastic or stainless steel tub, water/power efficeincy. As Austin has stated, his 1975 WP cleans just as well as his new Bosch, but, the Bosch does it much more quietly.
 
Bob...what a memory you have...

Each machine had strengths and weaknesses...
The Kenmore Tall Tub and the Bosch washed well, but dried poorly, regardless of the amount of rinse-aid used...and I refuse to towel dry dishes from a dishwasher...
The Frigidaire strengths were the silence and the quick cycles, but low wash/dry performance...
The Maytag was the best overall...
I bought the KitchenAid primarily for the styling...it dries well, even without any rinse-aid...but it also dries on the residue it refused to remove during the wash...
Geodon
 
I consider the Kenmore 1602 as MOL

and true it dries better with rinse agent...I wouldn't rule out such a machine because for the price it has a lot of good features. We only have to add rinse aid once a month and we use our machine almost every other day so we are not talking about a ton of the stuff. The 1602 has a neat rinse aid feature with a fill window (almost like a gas gauge) plus it has a dial that let's you increase or decrease the factory setting. I think ours is set on '6' (on a scale of '0' to '9') and it is doing really well. In terms of the moisture on cups it is negligible, coffee mugs it is about a teaspoon, just a dab of a dishtowel which may frustrate some but not enough to get me riled up...
 
Might I suggest....

....a TOL Frigidaire dishwasher. Stainless steel on the outside only, but only about $500-550. Has some interesting features, my favorite being the option to wash only the top or bottom rack for 3.5 gallons of water. Handy for half-loads. I also like the Speed Clean cycle, which washes a full load in 50 minutes. It's not as silent as a Bosch, but it certainly isn't loud, either. The Turbo Boost option negates the dirt-sensing feature (which often needlessly adds additional water changes and makes the cycle longer) and boosts the water-action force by 30%.

I also like the Wash Silencer option. This decreases the water force slightly (and lengthens the wash portion of the cycle to compensate) and makes the dishwasher very, very quiet, just in case you're visiting in the kitchen.

I really like my machine. HOWEVER, stay away from all Frigidaire models but the TOL. They use an older wash system which is not as good. At only around $500, you can afford to go straight to the top of the line.
 
ABSOLUTELY true.The lower end Frigs have some of the worst washing ability,or lack thereof, of ANY dishwashers I have used,even if you use some of the newer enzyme detergents in them. There is just not enough oomph in their spray action,I've used one many times.The upper machines have skinnier spray arms that spray much better,and are nice machines. Personally, the Whirlpool made Ultra Wash machines , I believe are the best for the money.
 
the previous owners of my house installed the lowest end BOL Fridigaire dishwasher that could be found just to sell the house. I didn't think it would be all that effective, but in the 6 years I've been here, the dishwasher has done quite well actually. Yes, it's an older design with the older style filter, instead of a garbage disposer, and other subtleties, but the dishes come out pretty well cleaned actually. My old "mobile maid" GE though does do a little bit better job with heavily soiled stuff though!
 

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