How to Choose & Buy a Dishwasher

Here are some useful hints and tips about things to consider when choosing a dishwasher.

How to Choose & Buy a Dishwasher - Introduction

Dishwashers were once regarded as a bit of a luxury, but for anyone who uses one, they are incredibly useful kitchen appliances. The first dishwashers were manufactured in the late 19th century, and by the 1970s dishwashers were fairly commonplace in households around the world.

In addition to taking the tedium out of cleaning dishes, and saving energy, time and water, dishwashers can help you to keep your kitchen tidy, as dirty kitchenware is stored out of sight.

Dishwashers are more hygienic than washing by hand, as they spray hot water with added detergent onto the items, with clean water used for rinsing. A heating element dries the dishes. A typical dishwasher cycle would run for about 70 minutes, although most dishwashers have variable programmes including quick washes and more thorough washes.

How to Choose & Buy a Dishwasher - Size & Capacity

The dimensions of a standard full-sized dishwasher are usually around H850mm x W600mm x D600mm.

Washing capacity is often worked out in terms of place settings. A place setting is regarded as a dinner plate, soup plate, dessert plate, cup and saucer, tumbler, knife, fork, soup spoon, teaspoon and desert spoon. A standard dishwasher should accommodate around 12 place settings.

Slim-line dishwashers have the same depth and height as a full-sized dishwasher, but are not as wide, and can take around 9 place settings per cycle.

Compact dishwashers are smaller in size - usually around half the height of a standard dishwasher - and have a smaller volume, with space for around 4 place settings. While compact dishwashers are suited to smaller households, larger households may also find them convenient if space is limited.

Dishwashers can also be integrated, with a door fitted over the machine to match the design of your kitchen.

Remember to measure the size of your crockery and cutlery. The shelf and rack sizes of dishwashers vary, so it's important to make sure they will fit.

How to Choose & Buy a Dishwasher - Suitability

Not all items are suitable for dishwashers. Unsuitable items can include decorated china, gold or silver trimmed china, lead crystal, cast iron, and cutlery with handles made from wood, bone, plastic and pearl.

Luckily it's easy to work out if items are dishwasher-safe, as a compatibility symbol is shown either on the products themselves or on their packaging.

How to Choose & Buy a Dishwasher - Features & Programmes

There are usually at least three programmes on a dishwasher, though some models can have more, and many models of dishwasher also include a rinse-only cycle. Programmes available on dishwashers include:

Main wash: At about 65°C, this is a thorough wash cycle that's ideal for hard to remove dirt and saucepans.
Economy wash: Usually around 50°C, the economy cycle will still provide a powerful wash but with a save more energy than a main wash.
Light or quick wash: This wash cycle can take as little as 25 minutes, or over an hour less than a standard wash. Suitable for lightly soiled items and delicate items such as crystal glass and fine china (as long as they are dishwasher-safe).
Rinse hold function: Suitable for heavy soiling.
Rinse only: A straightforward rinse only programme.
Glass wash: Designed for glass-only washes and ideal for parties.
Half load: Changes the settings to use less water and energy by washing only one of the two levels of the dishwasher.

Storage in dishwashers can vary, but dishwashers will usually include areas for all items in a place setting.

How to Choose & Buy a Dishwasher - Delivery & Installation

It's important to find a suitable space for your new dishwasher, which should be as near to your kitchen sink as possible so it can be easily plumbed in. You should also make sure that you can find someone to install the dishwasher; you're recommended to use an approved engineer or plumber, and online stores can usually assist with this.

Once you've found a dishwasher that fits the available space, remember to make sure that it can fit through any necessary doorways.

If you are replacing a dishwasher, it's worth finding out if the retailer offers a disposal service. Even for a small charge, it can be worth it for the convenience.

How to Choose & Buy a Dishwasher - Warranty & Budget

When choosing a dishwasher, find out what type of warranty is offered by the retailer or manufacturer. A dishwasher should last for many years, and a warranty can offer repairs or replacements under certain conditions, and usually for at least two years after purchase. Warranties can be free or for charge, and sometimes include the option to extend them.

It's a good idea to set a limit on the amount of money that you are prepared to spend on your new dishwasher. By shopping around online, comparing prices of dishwashers between different retailers and taking advantage of special offers or discounts, you may be able to buy a better model of dishwasher than your budget would normally allow.