New Dishwasher On Order: GE PDT750

[frigilux]

I can resist everything except temptation! My LG dishwasher began to leak around the door again, and rather than fix it, I decided to throw a few shekels to an American corporation. Had planned to get a Bosch, but the new GE PDT750 caught my attention. It is the highest-rated machine (Consumer Reports) that is available in my little town. I've never owned a GE dishwasher, and its overall score at CR (79) matched that of the twice-the-price Bosch I was looking at. The Bosch is quieter and has the third rack for silverware that my LG has...but the silverware basket on the GE can be divided into three sections, and can be placed in the top rack.

The dealer (LG, GE, Whirlpool, Speed Queen) had a nicely-appointed GE from last year's line on the floor, but I decided against it. The PDT750 out-scored it substantially, and the older model had silverware baskets mounted to the front of the top and bottom racks, meaning both racks were indented. With the larger racks on the new model, I can pull out the silverware basket to maximize room for pots/pans, or put it in the top rack. More flexibility.

Both my LG and the new GE scored Excellent for cleaning, and if there's anything I'm concerned about, it's that the new GE won't clean pots/pans as well as the LG does. Guess I'll find out in two weeks, when the new machine arrives and is installed.

Finally, I got a great price for the GE ($950) because I'd just purchased a Speed Queen washer from him, and he felt bad that the LG was leaking again, after only 5-1/2 years. I didn't bother to tell him the LG had been ridden hard and put away wet, and that I tend to switch out dishwashers frequently.

[this post was last edited: 11/21/2013-17:17]

 

[stchuck]

i have been eyeing these as well

I cant wait for an update based on real world use. I have a newer model Bosch and I am not thrilled with it. I once owned a GE GSD2800 and that is still my favorite dishwasher that I have owned and keep hoping GE will offer something really great again. I have never had a vintage kitchenaid but would love one. If I ever put a kitchenette into a basement I would try to find an old kitchenaid and install it.
I miss the cleaning power of yesteryear.

 

[gansky1]

Having seen your dishwasher tests and trials over the years and how satisfied you were with the LG's performance, I can't wait to see what you think of the new GE model.   GE has really made an effort to beef up their performance in the last few years, hopefully you'll have a good experience that lasts longer than the LG.  

 

Chuck, what do you not like about your Bosch?  I have no dog in the game as I won't give up my 18 series KitchenAid for love nor money!

 

[frigilux]

Ganksy-- The gasket along the inside bottom of the door on the LG had become deformed, so water was able to leak out. It should have been replaced at the same time as the main gasket/seal around the front lip of the machine. The machine still works perfectly. This was simply the tissue-thin excuse I needed to try a new dishwasher. If the GE doesn't satisfy, then it's on to a Bosch. The LG is a champ in the pots/pans department, so that's my main concern with switching to a GE.

The PDT750 scores substantially higher than the last generation GEs. In fact, it scores higher than the upscale Monogram line. It lists for $1299, and I just couldn't pass up the great price offered me. It's always fun to get a new appliance, especially when trying a brand for the first time. It's also my first dishwasher with a manual-clean filter.

In all areas but frequency-of-repair, the LG will be a tough act to follow.

Chuck-- I'm also curious as to what you don't care for in the Bosch. The main complaint I've found is that the narrow rows of tines don't always accept bulky American dishes well. [this post was last edited: 11/21/2013-17:50]

 

[stchuck]

its the cleaning power

I don't care for. I have tried every soap under the sun. It cant clean a pot or pan to save its soul. The results on the heaviest cycle are dismal. I am now finding if I run the express cycle twice, which increases the water pressure and temp I get better results. Running it twice equates to two hours and the heavy cycle is about 2.5 hours and the results are not as good. In terms of modern dishwashers I have owned Miele but could not afford it this time around. I moved into my current home and it had a newer Jennair dishwasher about 5 years old that would clean anything I put in it but the racks were falling apart and rusting through esp on the bottom near the heating element.

 

[stchuck]

as far as loading

I have no problems with the bosch. it is one of the newer redesigned models out this year, 800 series but not made in Germany.

 

[washer111]

Great!

Sounds like the LG is finally succumbing to the 16.5 years of usage you put on it (Thats 3 cycles a day, for five years)! 

 

In all seriousness though, I'm sure you'll find the LG a home where it can satisfy just as much as it has managed for you. With a bit of luck, this GE will perhaps perform equally to or better than your LG. Perhaps it will be time to resurrect that dishwasher performance testing thread again ;-) 

 

I have to ask about the specifications of this machine though: It looks like one of those new-fangled machines who need to have their filters routinely cleaned to ensure optimum performance. Is this true, or are you of the type that cannot live without a food grinder and self-cleaning filtration system on your dishwashers? 

 

Again, I look forward to seeing the results your new machine can produce... Such a shame we have such a mundane selection of appliances in this country. They're all the same, in terms of appearance, really. No GE, Maytag or even U.S. Style Whirlpool's as far as I can tell. And even the ones that we *could* get were just nasty rip-offs of something produced locally... Excepting the GE Potscrubber from the 80's though - I've seen one of those machines (A portable) in the Australian TV Series "Kingswood Country."

 

On an off-topic side, how are you enjoying your new Speed-Queen washer? Is it living up to, below or roughly equal to the expectations you had (aside from the new sewerage-water feature you mentioned)?

 

[frigilux]

washer111: The GE PDT750 has a filtration system that must be cleaned manually; a first for me. Not sure how I feel about that, but nearly every top-of-the-line machine has manual filters these days, including the brands I had been considering. I don't scrape dishes often, so I'll have to get used to cleaning the filter frequently or start being a diligent scraper.

I chose not to go with Maytag, Whirlpool, KitchenAid or Frigidaire, as they are noisier than my LG. My goal has been that each succeeding dishwasher be quieter than the one it replaces---hence my interest in the Bosch line. Don't know if the GE will be quieter than the LG, but it shouldn't be any noisier, at any rate. I was also looking for a Consumer Reports score of Excellent for cleaning, as the LG has really spoiled me in that department, especially with pots/pans.

I will definitely put the GE through the tough pots/pans test when it arrives. Hoping not to be too disappointed. I don't even have one of those little pan scrubbers, anymore. Haven't had to scrub a pan since acquiring the LG. On the rare occasion the LG missed a spot, it was always easily removed with a moistened paper towel.

Chuck: I was looking at the TOL Bosch, which is in the 800 series. I'm concerned that you've found it doesn't handle pots/pans well. Do you have hard water? I have a water softener and use a high-rated detergent (Cascade Platinum Pacs), which generally produce excellent cleaning results in almost any machine.

[this post was last edited: 11/22/2013-13:42]

 

[nmassman44]

Great choice! The GE dishwasher we bought for the tenant here is working out well. He did have an issue with the detergent dispenser when he put tall items in front of it and it wouldnt open right. I told him to either put the taller stuff to the sides of the silverware basket or move the basket into the lower rack on the side. The dishwasher is nearly silent when loaded up. Washing is superb, drying on the other hand is another story. The tenant usually unloads the dishwasher days after is run so by then the load is dry. I told him if he needed a load after the cycle is done, just open the door to flash dry the load. You will have to use rinse aid for it to dry. The heating element runs at 800 watts to heat the water and 400 to dry the dishes.
Now the funny thing is that even though it has manual cleaning filters, like my Miele, I find I dont have to clean them that often since it does clean itself to a point. The GE is the same way. The wash pump may be small and the motor looks at tad tiny but it certainly is no slouch. Its the combo of jet hole size and velocity that does the job. The bottom arm when it runs does reach to the top of the tank with jets and its powerful. It usually switches arms every so often bottom first then the middle and top together. If you use AutoSense and let the machine figure out what to do you should get great results.

 

[frigilux]

Glad to hear a good review on the GE! The detergent lid on the PDT750 slides, rather than flips, open, so I'm hoping there won't be a huge issue with big pots, etc., blocking the door from opening.

 

[logixx]

Cool!

Yes, it's time for a wash-off, I think! I still have one Cascade Pac left...

Good thing you didn't get the Bosch (no issues with cleaning performance here: mine will wash charred pasta off enamel pots) but there's no quieter dishwasher out there. What would you get that's even quieter when you need to replace a Bosch?

Definately looking forward to your infamous and rigorous testing.

Alex

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[nmassman44]

Its the same detergent dispenser that slides up and down. In your new machine you shouldnt have issues with silverware blocking it from sliding up and out. I did notice that this dishwasher has a hidden Calrod element and its a robust 1000 watts. For drying it has a small 2 watt fan to pull the steam and air out of the tank and down into a condensation area in the door. My Miele does that but with a fan that blows room temp air over the condensation system and has an air intake at the top of the tank. Air is returned to the bottom and it continues. In my dishwasher it works very well. Plastics do need some tending to with a hand towel but its not an issue.
The racks on your new machine look like they can hold alot. Now there was no mention I could see about the third cutlery rack on top of the tank. I found it in the manual though and that will come in handy if you want to use 100% of the lower rack for pots and pans or just about anything else. I am curious to see if the heater is inside the pump like mine is or off to the side like a Bosch but still hidden in the water sump. In the Miele the heater can boost the water temp rather fast since its in the pump housing and its quite effiecent at that.
If I had to replace my beloved Miele ,and I dont thank gawd, this is one model I would certainly give the nod to.

 

[stchuck]

i have soft water

my bosch is the 800 series made in usa, I think there is an 800plus made in Germany. it looks the same but people have said the cleaning is superb on the german manufactured model. sorry no caps, my right hand is in a cast and I am trying to type this left handed and it takes me forever.

 

[frigilux]

Mike-- My GE doesn't have the third cutlery rack at the top of the tub. I believe that feature can be found in the Monogram (or perhaps even the Cafe) line. I can, however, remove part or all of the cutlery basket from the bottom rack when the space is needed for cookware. The hidden heating element (as in the LG) was also a selling point. The GE has no steam feature, something which helped clean pots/pans in the LG.

Chuck-- The Bosch I was considering was the 800 Plus Series, model SHX9PT75UC, rated at 38 decibels. The GE is rated at 42 decibels. My LG is rated at 45. Take care of your yourself! Must be a pain to have your dominant hand in a cast.

Alex-- I don't think there's a dishwasher as quiet as the Bosch mentioned above. I'll have reached the zenith of quiet at that point, LOL.

[this post was last edited: 11/22/2013-19:48]

 

[nmassman44]

Ah I hate when they lump all models into one manual like that! Never mind! Lol

 

[logixx]

The manual says that models PDT760 and CDT765 have the 3rd rack but I find that them on GE's home page.

 

[frigilux]

Shedding nuts and bolts like a 1980 Fiat: The LG has stopped heating water. Noticed it last night when two loads were run, both of which were supposed to heat the water to 160 degrees; neither of which came even close. Made cinnamon rolls for a benefit bake sale this morning and that load of bakeware isn't getting heated, either. I'm starting to believe it realizes it's being replaced by a younger, prettier model and is in rebellion mode, LOL.[this post was last edited: 11/24/2013-11:20]

 

[nmassman44]

That's funny how your LG is slowly rebelling and eventually will bite the dust shortly. The new dishwasher has a variable speed motor instead of one speed. I was looking at the parts breakdown for it on Sears PartsDirect and it's built very similar to the GE dishwasher we put in the tenants apt. For a cheap close out machine that we bought, it's doing quite well so far. I think you will be happy with yours.

 

[logixx]

Yep, LG's Smart Appliances... It knows it's going to be replaced and it's p!$$ed off. Watch out - it might explode and throw your dishes around like a WaveForce washer a water proof item...