Dishwashers – which one is right for you and your kitchen?

We all hate doing the washing up don’t we? Well stop those after dinner arguments about whose turn it is and have a look at our guide to dishwashers to pick the right one for you.

Size

Dishwashers no longer come in just one size like they used to! You now have a choice of:

Tabletop dishwashers are 50cm wide and they are ideal for small kitchens where there is no undercounter space available. Most suitable for singles or couples.

Slimline dishwashers are 45cm wide and they ideal for kitchens where there is limited undercounter space.

Fullsize dishwashers are 60cm wide and are ideal if you have the room in your kitchen as they will obviously have the largest capacity.

Click here to view compact/tabletop dishwashers

Click here to view slimline dishwashers

Click here to view fullsize dishwashers

Capacity

The capacity of a dishwasher is measured in place settings and a full size dishwashers will take 12 place settings, which is 12 dinner plates, soup bowls, small plates, cups and saucers, plus cutlery.

Performance

All dishwashers are graded A to G on cleaning performance, energy efficiency and drying performance, with A-grade’ being most economical:

Cleaning performance – Measures the effectiveness of removing dried grease and food from your dishes

Energy-efficiency – Measures how efficiently the machine uses electricity and hot water

Drying performance – Measures how dry your dishes are at the end of the wash programme

Choosing which Programme to Use

Dishwashers have a variety of wash programmes designed for the best wash results and extra crockery care. Here are some of the key programmes that can make a difference to your wash results and your lifestyle:

Quick wash – ideal for lightly soiled dishes

Economy – a longer wash programme at a lower temperature which saves money

Half load – a programme that uses less water

Intensive wash – a high temperature wash ideal for heavily soiled dishes

Pre-soak – a prolonged soaking stage at the beginning of the wash cycle

Glass care – designed to give clean results and protects your glassware

Detergent feature – modifies the time and temperature of each programme phase to optimise results when using 4-in-1 and 3-in 1 detergents

Automatic wash programme – sensor technology that detects the size and soiling levels of the load, then automatically selects the optimum wash, rinse and drying phase to give perfect results – very clever!

Water Usage

Water usage is measured on the volume of water used in a standard 65°C wash programme. The great news is that using a dishwasher saves water compared to washing up at the kitchen sink!

Noise

Dishwashers below 55dB (decibels) are considered to be quiet. A dishwasher with noise levels of 42dB sounds up to four times quieter than a 56dB model. This is an important factor to consider as the last thing you want when you are relaxing after dinner is the dishwasher disturbing the latest episode of your favourite soap!

Extra Features to Consider

Storage features
Dishwashers now include flexible storage features so that large or bulky items can be fitted in to ensure the best wash results. Here are some of the key storage solutions to look out for:

Adjustable baskets – the basket can be adjusted either in height, or by tilting to accommodate awkward items such as saucepans and long stemmed glasses

Foldable racks – adjustable racks can be folded down and in some models relocated allowing extra freedom to accommodate items of all shapes and sizes

Item clips – hold small items such as plastic lids in place

Display

The following display options are available on selected dishwashers:

LED Display
Depending on the sophistication of your machine this may feature:

Wash programme status indicator – the LED display indicates the current stage of a particular wash programme at any given time.

Time left – displays a countdown of time remaining in a particular wash programme, so this option is ideal for time planning.

Time delay countdown – displays the remaining time left of a pre-programmed time before the wash programme begins.

Clean filter, rinse aid & salt replacement indicator – displays when the water filter needs to be cleaned and when rinse aid and salt needs to be replaced – this is excellent as this is the type of thing that is likely to be forgotten!

LCD Display
Provides feedback on the current wash programme, what stage it is at, time remaining until completion, selected programme modifiers and time delay countdown.

Premier Features

If you wish to purchase a premium dishwasher, you will find that there are even more innovative features such as:

Build quality – Siemens dishwashers are continuously factory tested daily for 24 hours on a 50°C programme for up to 2,200 washes, the equivalent of 10 years usage!

Advanced sensor technology – Bosch products with “Hydrosensor” technology check the level of soiling in the pre-rinse wash and decide whether or not it can be used for the main wash cycle, reducing water usage – very clever!

Advanced crockery care – The Meile “GlassCare” system includes a unique sensor-controlled water softener, which electronically controls the hardness level of the water at wash temperatures of up to 55°C for extra protection

Advanced cutlery storage – Selected Miele products feature a cutlery tray, where each item sits securely in its own slot to ensure excellent wash results and increased safety when adding and removing sharp utensils. You can even wash stainless steel and silver cutlery in the same load without damaging your silverware. Unloading is more hygenic as cutlery handles can easily be accessed.

Advanced leak protection – Siemens dishwashers with “HydroSafe” are guaranteed to be 100% leak proof: if a leak occurs the machine will shut down immediately.

Integrated Appliances

Dishwashers are also available as integrated or semi-integrated. An integrated dishwasher fits neatly in to your kitchen, with the door covered by a panel that matches your kitchen cupboards. When closed, the dishwasher is completely hidden and looks like just another kitchen unit. The controls for an integrated dishwasher are hidden on the inside of the appliance.

A semi integrated dishwasher is exactly the same but the control panel is visible over the top of the kitchen unit panel. All the other features found in normal dishwashers also apply to integrated and semi integrated dishwashers.

Click here to see the full range of dishwashers