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countryguy

countryguy

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May 29, 2007
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Astorville, ON, Canada
Hi Everyone,

Over the past 3 years I have replaced all my appliances (washer, dryer, stove, fridge, freezer, microwave) and now it is time to replace the dishwasher. I was wondering which make/model everyone would choose and why? Do stainless steel interiors make a big difference? I currently have a '91 Maytag and have never had a problem with it, although lately it is making louder noises and holes on the spray arms always seems to be getting clogged. I been thinking of either another Maytage or KitchenAid or Miele. I like Miele because they are so quiet and have the separate cutlery rack but they are expensive.

Thanks,
Gary
 
stainless steel interior

I'm no physics professor, but my understanding is that a stainless steel interior is not there for looks, or because it is more durable than a porcelain or plastic interior (I had two plastic interior dishwashers in a row and the tub never cracked). Rather, it is there so that the water will condense off the dishes and on to the steel at the end of the very hot final rinse.

For this reason, many of the steel interior dishwashers do not even have a heated dry cycle (they have a heater for heating water where needed, but there is no choice between Economy Dry and Heated Dry).

I have a Bosch, six years old now, and never a single problem with it. I bought the fully integrated style, but the most basic model, with only Power Scrub Wash, Normal Wash, and Quick Wash (oddly, no rinse/hold on this model). My machine has a plain white front panel. Also available in black or steel. There are models that accept custom panels, but they are more costly.

The machine is quiet and one can use the kitchen or adjacent nook for other activities (TV, card games, reading a book, etc.). Except when the machine is filling or draining, there is virtually no noise, and many Bosch owners have to put a hand on the front of the tub to know if the machine is actually on (my model has all controls and lights in the door edge, so you cannot see any lights or controls when the machine is in use).

In my area (Southern California), the 2007 equivalent of my model goes for about $630, though our local electric utility is offering a $50 rebate on this model because it uses less electricity (uses little water and therefore less water to heat, plus no Heated Dry option). There are non-integrated models with buttons on the front for the mid $500s.

As far as I know, the low end Kitchen Aid models are about the same price and also have steel interiors, though I don't think you'll find a KA in the $500s range to match the most basic steel tub model that Bosch offers. Miele are great but insanely expensive. If I had to do it over again, I'd get a Bosch, and as a second choice Kitchen Aid.

Note: Bosch do not have a soft food disposer. This means you have to scrape (not rinse) dishes before loading them. But I would never throw plates with food on them into a dishwasher anyway. I don't rinse (no need, Bosch gets them clean), but I do scape uneaten food into the sink and down the disposal.
 
Passatdoc,

Thanks for the info. After reading your praise on the Bosch, I did some investigation and here in Canada the lowest end model starts at close to $1,000 at Sears. Unfortunately the features I like (fold down tines in the upper and lower baskets, fold down cup shelf, etc.) are only found on the higher end models which are in the $1500 and up range.

Gary
 
wow

of course I was referring to US dollars. Yes, the Bosch machines here in the $500-650 range have only the basic racks.



My model, which cost me $600 in 2001, is equivalent to this one


except that it came with a Quick Wash cycle but no rinse-hold . Bizarre but true....they still offer this combination of features in a slightly more expensive model, but upgraded the racks and added an upper rack only wash cycle, probably to compete with Fisher Paykel. When I purchased mine, the floor model hadn't even arrived yet, it was that new, and I had to select it from a brochure....the brochure said it came with rinse hold, but the brochure was mistaken. But I liked it so much otherwise that I kept the dishwasher without causing a fuss such as " you told me it would have rinse/hold and it doesn't!). Quick Wash is nice if you are entertaining and need to wash several loads quickly. You have to rinse the dishes a bit in this case, but if we go on the assumption that you're entertaining a large crowd and that nothing has dried on or stuck to the dishes (i.e. freshly used), this is no big deal to do. I would never use Quick Wash for a mixed load of dishes some of which have been sitting in the racks for several days. Then it's better to use Normal Wash or Power Scrub Wash.

How much are Kitchen Aid dishwashers in Canada? Any more reasonably priced.

By the way, I should explain that Bosch dishwashers are made in USA, which may explain some of the price gap in US between Miele and Bosch. Miele is always more expensive, but my European friends don't report that the cost is 2:1 comparing Miele to Bosch.....some of the US price gap must be due to import tariffs for Miele.
 
cutlery racks

I paid extra for the cutlery basket and gave the damn rack away to friends after using it in my Miele exactly once. Oh, it got stuff clean, alright. But a bigger pain in the ass to load and unload I have never seen.
Don't make that a pre-condition for buying anything.
Miele over here in Europe is expensive, but nowhere near the snobbery and obscene pricing you find in the US. They are aiming for a market in the 'States which is very much different to here.
Here, people of equivalant wealth and "taste" go for designer kitchens which have even more expensive appliances - of much lesser value than Miele. Sort of like the poor folks who buy Jenn-Air in the US thinking they are getting the very best.
I don't recall ever having a plastic tub crack or break, stainless steel is just somehow nicer.
Peter, can you give any specific reasons as to why a Non-tall-tub Whirlpool is just as good as a Bosch or Miele or "real" Kitchen-Aid (I mean the machines built by Hobart).
 
I agree with Peter H. To think I got rid of my reliable non-tall tub WP, and replaced it with a G.E. Profile. In 6 months, I have replaced a filler valve, a drain check valve, and now the whole electronic control panel is totally dead. All we can get out of it is a chirp when first applying power, and it's wash performance falls short of the old WP. I bought it at a scratch and dent sale from R C Willey, and they have refused to stand behind it. (or in front of it, for that matter)
 
Gary, since you're in Canada, I'll tell ya this. I have the U.S. version of the Canadian Kenmore Elite 223.613.782 tall tub, I found on the Sars.CA site. It has survived every BobLoad I've thrown at it. I've been extremely pleased, surprised, and impressed. It even holds more than my old PotScrubber. I use the Sanirinse option and heated dry and even my disposeable plastics come out completely dry the next morning. I think of all the tall tub Whirlpool cousins, the Kenmore Elite is the best option. It's very quiet too. Bob (of BobLoad fame).
 
I'm very

happy with my current dishwasher, a lower line GE...Nautilus.

For me, the combination of hot water (145-155F), enzyme detergent (LOVE the new Cascade with {oxygen} Bleach), and cycle options..HotStart and Water Heat Boost, and I have results comparable to my first dishwasher, a porcelain lined Maytag.

It's quiet, easy to load...and has been astonishing against dried on oatmeal (4 days a week-part of the anti-cholesterol plan.)

Lawrence/Maytagbear
 
I can't say enough good things about my TOL Maytag. Cleans anything you throw at it----even the 20-minute InstaWash cycle does a very well. Solidly built and loading is amazingly flexible, including the option of (easily) pulling out the upper rack to wash huge items. It's quiet, but not as silent as a Bosch.

I have the 2-rack tall tub model. No problem with cleaning in upper rack as with some tall tub brands. I wouldn't bother with the gimmicky 3-rack model. I've had mine almost two years. It has taken punishing use (I cook a lot and have company in for dinner frequently) and hasn't given me a bit of trouble.
 
We have a BOL Hotpoint in our rental apartment.. Works fine, makes tons of noise and uses lots of hot water.. Cost? $199 at home depot..

Now that said.. I like GE Tall Tubs, i think they are nice for what they are... I do think its odd for a GE to have problems like rinso's but who knows..

Maytags are nice as well..

Not a bosch fan due to the lack of a disposer.. I relsih in the fact of sticking the lemon bar dish in the hotpoint with the remains of lemon bars on there and iy coming out spotless, along with the spaghetti pan, dishes and anything dried on from the stuff i left in there for a week (we don't develop many dirty dishes).... Using Great Value Detergent in the main cup and a tablet in the bottom...

Had a TT Kenmore in my old house and did not like it.. Couldn't wash stuff with out being scrubbed.. Also did not heat right at times...

Avoid anything frigidaire like the blck plague... Have herd and seen they don't work worth two stopped up people.. Friend has a TOL one and it barley does anything.. Being returned for a BAsic Maytag TT next week..
 
Gary, I"m sure I've seen a Bosch dw at Sears for around $800 Cdn and at other stores as well. You can get Mieles for deals possibly after the Ex, we got ours after Stampede a few years ago for little more than $1000 "after show specials" The little appliance dealer up the street from me had a beautiful SS Miele on clearance last fall, near TOL for about $1200.. Otherwise you might do better buying a Bosch in Buffalo, if it's made in the US then there is no duty bringing it back into Canada, just the dollar difference and taxes.
 
Kitchenaid and Kenmores

I like Kitchenaid and Kenmore,higher end models. I like them because the are easy to load. Big bowels,frying pans,casserole dishes. I like the long silverware baskets in the front. I have had both and they both clean very well. I always choose a model with sani cycle. I do stay away from dishwashers with the "tower" to wash the top rack. It is a pain to have work around the center of the bottom rack for loading.
 

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