Dishwasher Search
Sep. 14th, 2012 04:06 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
livingdebWe recently had a plumber over to clear a clog and thought to also ask him to give an estimate on doing the plumbing to make it possible for us to have a dishwasher. He said it would be $200 - $300 and that the plumbing is easy; it's the carpentry that's hard. Since Robin's thinking the opposite, we're seriously thinking about dishwashers now. Here are my priorities:
1) Works - The dishwasher should actually work. Not just sanitize dishes that are already clean. Not just spray water around. Not only with super-expensive special/evil dishwasher soap.
2) Holds Our Dishes - We have plates with high edges; it would be a shame if these didn't actually fit in between the tines of a dishwasher.
3) Lasts - I want the dishwasher to be durable and last a long time. This should not be a thing that needs replacing every few years.
4) Is Quiet - We should be able to hear our music over the dishwasher without turning it up. Also watch a movie in the next room. Also sleep. Not to mention talk to each other.
5) Is Affordable - I don't have to settle for a loud sanitizer; I should be able to afford all the things I want. But that doesn't mean I want to spend $3000.
6) Is efficient - All else being equal, less waste of water and energy are good.
Here are some features I've been reading about.
1) Heating Element Covers - Who knew these were possible? If they're possible, why doesn't every dishwasher have them? Robin wants one. Part of me thinks that I can load a dishwasher properly, so I don't need to pay extra for this. Especially now that there are so many ways to hold your light-weight things in place (my sister told me about baby bottle nipple containers, for example). Still, things happen.
2) Stainless Steel Interiors - More durable than plastic, so I want it. Also supposedly is quieter than plastic (huh?) and helps your dishes dry more quickly. Also costs way more.
3) Nylon-Coated Dish Racks - Supposedly more durable than vinyl coated. Supposedly quite common nowadays.
4) Cycle Length - Dishwashers now take longer than 30-45 minutes. Much longer. Like ninety minutes to three hours. Some people blame increased efficiency (less hot water requires more time); others blame environmentally nicer dishwasher soap. Long running times make a quiet dishwasher more important.
5) Filters - A dishwasher might have a self-cleaning filter, a manual-cleaning filter, or both (the former a fine inner filter; the latter a course outer filter). Robin prefers the manual ones; he thinks we're better at it than the dishwasher.
6) Food Grinder - Breaks big chunks of food into smaller ones, allowing self-cleaning filters to work better. We don't want this; it's another mechanical part that can break down and it makes the dishwasher louder. We don't mind scraping any remaining big food pieces off the dishes ourselves before putting them in the dishwasher.
7) Dirt Sensor - Some dishwashers automatically use different cycles depending on how dirty the dishes are. But Consumer Reports found that these tend to err toward the overuse of water. I think I'd rather choose the cycles myself. We'd just always use the lightest cycle until we figured out what would need a heavier cycle (and then whether a heavier cycle would even work).
8) Controls - We prefer knobs over buttons and mechanical over electronic, but it looks like you only get those on the cheapest dishwashers, so we will probably settle for electronic buttons.
9) Flexible Loading - What's this? You can fold down some of the tines on the upper rack if they are in the way? You can move the upper rack up or down depending on where you want the extra space? Awesome! But does this lead to more break downs> (Can you tip the tines over until the day they all just disconnect? Can you raise and lower the top rack until it gets stuck in one position or, worse, won't slide out anymore?) Stemware holders and knife holders are not so exciting since we'd wash those things by hand. And what's with the silverware basket covers? Do people really load and unload silverware one piece at a time to keep the spoons from spooning each other forming a protective sandwich over the banana pudding on one of the spoons?
It's hard to tell just what you want in a dishwasher until you actually try using it with your actual dishes. It looks like they no longer expect you to put your bowls on the bottom rack in many dishwashers; there's no special space for them, so they just go in the top rack. I think at my parents house we were already more likely to fill up the top than the bottom; at my house, I don't know. We use more big pans, but it's easier to fit them on the bottom now.
10) Sound Damping - How quiet are modern dishwashers? I haven't had one in over 16 years. The ones we've seen mostly have 50 - 53 decibels; the latter sounds twice as loud as the former. But twice as loud as what? All summer we tend to have A/C background noise; how many decibels is that?
11) Hidden Controls - Bleh. Controls are not an eyesore; they are a part of what dishwashers are. We don't mind if our dishwasher looks like a dishwasher. Plus, you might want to change something after the dishwasher already started, or turn it off so the dishes can air dry (for free).
So, back to my goals:
1) Works - As expected, dishwasher with more sprayer arms with more holes in them clean better than those with fewer. Supposedly the detergent used makes a big difference, too. I assume the better-working dish soaps are harsher on dishes and wallets, though. That's more research for another time.
2) Holds Our Dishes - Flexible racks sound good. We should still bring in a couple of plates somewhere and make sure. We like our plates.
3) Lasts - My best guess is that Miele and Bosch get the best reviews for durability. And we'll look for a stainless steel interior, nylon-coated racks, mechanical controls, manually cleaned filters, and lack of food chopper.
4) Is Quiet - We'll try for a lower-decibel rating if it's not too expensive. Online research indicates that my AC is at least 74 decibels. Interesting. That's probably the outside unit, though; can't tell what the inside sound level would be. Stuart Xchange says refrigerators have 40 dB; vacuum cleaners and dishwashers, 75; and washing machines, 78. Another source agrees that refrigerators are 40 dB. Another confirms that older dishwashers (more than five years old) tend to be around 70 dB. That all makes 53 dB seem just fine.
5) Is Affordable - Bosch is cheaper than Miele.
6) Is Efficient - Many efficient models are available.
I looked at the latest Consumer Reports and it looks easy to get something that cleans well and is energy efficient at the same time. It's also easy to find a high-quality dishwasher without the loud food chopping feature. And some of these things are reasonably priced. Still need to actually try out our dishes in some dishwashers.
One good looking possibility: the Bosch Evolution 500 SHE55M12U, estimated price $740, energy-star rated, stainless steel interior, adjustable top rack, visible digital controls, excellent scores for cleaning and efficiency, and very good scores for noise level (no self-cleaning filter).
Cake of the Day
Today you get Rapunzel and The Princess and the Pea(s).
Love that roof and those windows. The guy looks to be in trouble, though.
I want that floor in my bedroom!
1) Works - The dishwasher should actually work. Not just sanitize dishes that are already clean. Not just spray water around. Not only with super-expensive special/evil dishwasher soap.
2) Holds Our Dishes - We have plates with high edges; it would be a shame if these didn't actually fit in between the tines of a dishwasher.
3) Lasts - I want the dishwasher to be durable and last a long time. This should not be a thing that needs replacing every few years.
4) Is Quiet - We should be able to hear our music over the dishwasher without turning it up. Also watch a movie in the next room. Also sleep. Not to mention talk to each other.
5) Is Affordable - I don't have to settle for a loud sanitizer; I should be able to afford all the things I want. But that doesn't mean I want to spend $3000.
6) Is efficient - All else being equal, less waste of water and energy are good.
Here are some features I've been reading about.
1) Heating Element Covers - Who knew these were possible? If they're possible, why doesn't every dishwasher have them? Robin wants one. Part of me thinks that I can load a dishwasher properly, so I don't need to pay extra for this. Especially now that there are so many ways to hold your light-weight things in place (my sister told me about baby bottle nipple containers, for example). Still, things happen.
2) Stainless Steel Interiors - More durable than plastic, so I want it. Also supposedly is quieter than plastic (huh?) and helps your dishes dry more quickly. Also costs way more.
3) Nylon-Coated Dish Racks - Supposedly more durable than vinyl coated. Supposedly quite common nowadays.
4) Cycle Length - Dishwashers now take longer than 30-45 minutes. Much longer. Like ninety minutes to three hours. Some people blame increased efficiency (less hot water requires more time); others blame environmentally nicer dishwasher soap. Long running times make a quiet dishwasher more important.
5) Filters - A dishwasher might have a self-cleaning filter, a manual-cleaning filter, or both (the former a fine inner filter; the latter a course outer filter). Robin prefers the manual ones; he thinks we're better at it than the dishwasher.
6) Food Grinder - Breaks big chunks of food into smaller ones, allowing self-cleaning filters to work better. We don't want this; it's another mechanical part that can break down and it makes the dishwasher louder. We don't mind scraping any remaining big food pieces off the dishes ourselves before putting them in the dishwasher.
7) Dirt Sensor - Some dishwashers automatically use different cycles depending on how dirty the dishes are. But Consumer Reports found that these tend to err toward the overuse of water. I think I'd rather choose the cycles myself. We'd just always use the lightest cycle until we figured out what would need a heavier cycle (and then whether a heavier cycle would even work).
8) Controls - We prefer knobs over buttons and mechanical over electronic, but it looks like you only get those on the cheapest dishwashers, so we will probably settle for electronic buttons.
9) Flexible Loading - What's this? You can fold down some of the tines on the upper rack if they are in the way? You can move the upper rack up or down depending on where you want the extra space? Awesome! But does this lead to more break downs> (Can you tip the tines over until the day they all just disconnect? Can you raise and lower the top rack until it gets stuck in one position or, worse, won't slide out anymore?) Stemware holders and knife holders are not so exciting since we'd wash those things by hand. And what's with the silverware basket covers? Do people really load and unload silverware one piece at a time to keep the spoons from spooning each other forming a protective sandwich over the banana pudding on one of the spoons?
It's hard to tell just what you want in a dishwasher until you actually try using it with your actual dishes. It looks like they no longer expect you to put your bowls on the bottom rack in many dishwashers; there's no special space for them, so they just go in the top rack. I think at my parents house we were already more likely to fill up the top than the bottom; at my house, I don't know. We use more big pans, but it's easier to fit them on the bottom now.
10) Sound Damping - How quiet are modern dishwashers? I haven't had one in over 16 years. The ones we've seen mostly have 50 - 53 decibels; the latter sounds twice as loud as the former. But twice as loud as what? All summer we tend to have A/C background noise; how many decibels is that?
11) Hidden Controls - Bleh. Controls are not an eyesore; they are a part of what dishwashers are. We don't mind if our dishwasher looks like a dishwasher. Plus, you might want to change something after the dishwasher already started, or turn it off so the dishes can air dry (for free).
So, back to my goals:
1) Works - As expected, dishwasher with more sprayer arms with more holes in them clean better than those with fewer. Supposedly the detergent used makes a big difference, too. I assume the better-working dish soaps are harsher on dishes and wallets, though. That's more research for another time.
2) Holds Our Dishes - Flexible racks sound good. We should still bring in a couple of plates somewhere and make sure. We like our plates.
3) Lasts - My best guess is that Miele and Bosch get the best reviews for durability. And we'll look for a stainless steel interior, nylon-coated racks, mechanical controls, manually cleaned filters, and lack of food chopper.
4) Is Quiet - We'll try for a lower-decibel rating if it's not too expensive. Online research indicates that my AC is at least 74 decibels. Interesting. That's probably the outside unit, though; can't tell what the inside sound level would be. Stuart Xchange says refrigerators have 40 dB; vacuum cleaners and dishwashers, 75; and washing machines, 78. Another source agrees that refrigerators are 40 dB. Another confirms that older dishwashers (more than five years old) tend to be around 70 dB. That all makes 53 dB seem just fine.
5) Is Affordable - Bosch is cheaper than Miele.
6) Is Efficient - Many efficient models are available.
I looked at the latest Consumer Reports and it looks easy to get something that cleans well and is energy efficient at the same time. It's also easy to find a high-quality dishwasher without the loud food chopping feature. And some of these things are reasonably priced. Still need to actually try out our dishes in some dishwashers.
One good looking possibility: the Bosch Evolution 500 SHE55M12U, estimated price $740, energy-star rated, stainless steel interior, adjustable top rack, visible digital controls, excellent scores for cleaning and efficiency, and very good scores for noise level (no self-cleaning filter).
Cake of the Day
Today you get Rapunzel and The Princess and the Pea(s).
Love that roof and those windows. The guy looks to be in trouble, though.
I want that floor in my bedroom!
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
no subject
on 2012-09-14 10:17 pm (UTC)no subject
on 2012-09-15 06:20 pm (UTC)Anyway, I have lived both ways—with and without—and with is so much better!