I don't "do" dishes! (part two)
Apr 07 '00
I don’t “do” dishes. In fact, I wrote an entire review about why I don’t “do” dishes (see the review on GE Dishwashing machines for more information). If you’re “doing” dishes, then maybe you need to consider purchasing a new dishwashing machine.
The question you might be asking yourself is, How do I choose a dishwashing machine from all the models out there? or Is there a difference between brands and models of dishwashing machines?
I’m writing to hopefully provide you with some answers.
What is a dishwasher?
When I was a small boy, I thought I knew the answer to that question – a dishwasher was a child. In fact, I was that child. When the family was done eating, it was my job to wash the dishes and put them in the electric dish-sterilizing machine. Mom always said you couldn’t just put a dirty dish in the dishwashing machine otherwise any food left on would become a permanent part of the dish.
However, a dishwasher is much more than a young child.
A dishwashing machine is a kitchen appliance that uses high water pressure to spray food particles and dirt off of your dishes and then uses heat to sterilize the dish from bacteria and other nasties. A dishwashing machine will use heat to also dry the dishes before the cycle is completed.
Almost every dishwashing machine is two feet wide and has two racks. One is called a bottom rack and the other is called a top rack (conveniently enough). They all have a door that opens up to the entire appliance, and they all have an area in the door to place detergents.
Should you get a built-in or portable?
A built-in dishwashing machine is exactly that – it fits under the countertop and is permanently attached to the water system in your kitchen. If you have a garbage disposal in your sink it is most likely hooked directly to that waterline. Built-in units are typically quieter and more efficient.
A portable dishwashing machine (or convertible dishwashing machine – no, the top doesn’t go down!) is meant to be rolled to the water supply and plugged into the wall. Usually the water supply of choice is the kitchen sink. These units are typically noisy and are less efficient because heat is allowed to escape through the top, sides, bottom and back. There is usually little or nothing to insulate the heat within the machine.
The one positive about a portable dishwashing machine is that most can be converted to a built-in, which would negate the insulation problem mentioned.
What kind of liner should you get?
There are typically three kinds of liners used in dishwashing machines. Most of the lower-end units have a plastic liner. Plastic is nice because it is easy to keep clean and it takes a lot of abuse. The major downside to plastic is it provides no insulation capabilities and thus is less energy-efficient.
The next step up is a porcelain liner. Porcelain is nice because it retains heat well and reflects it back. Porcelain is also able to take a lot more heat than plastic, because it won’t melt or warp under higher temperatures. The major downside to porcelain is it can chip easily and is probably the least durable of the liners.
The highest-end is the stainless steel liner. Stainless steel is great because it retains heat, reflects it back inside, and is very durable. While it may scratch and ding, it is nearly impossible to break and doesn’t provide any problems with higher temperatures. The major downside to having a stainless steel liner is the price.
What kinds of spray arms should you be looking for?
Unfortunately, no design is perfect. Some dishwashing machines use dual sprays, some use a single tower, and some use a sprayer on the top of the machine.
A dual-spray machine is the most efficient. It is also the most expensive. These have a sprayer under the bottom rack and under the top rack. This means you get higher water pressure toward the top rack and should provide cleaner glasses and pots. However, the washer under the top rack does limit the size of larger items you can place in the lower racks. If you don’t wash platters and large trays, then this downside shouldn’t present a problem.
The top-mounted washer drops and sprays hot water from the top of the machine so everything is washed downward instead of upward. While this may be more sanitary, it severely limits what you can put on the top rack. This may mean you are unable to place anything larger than a coffee cup in the top rack.
The tower-based system is probably the most common. This has a tower that is recessed when the machine is off. When the machine is on, the tower pops up through the middle of the bottom rack and thus can spray the top rack. Using this system, the manufacturer is copying the idea of having a dual-spray system. The downside to the tower system is it takes up valuable space available on the bottom rack, because you have to leave a “hole” for the tower to raise through.
What options should you look for?
An adjustable rack is a great convenience. If you have to shove something very large in the bottom rack, you can raise the top rack about two inches. Conversely, you can lower the rack and place larger items in the top rack.
You are usually given a choice between a plethora of cycles. Almost all the models will have a heavy/medium/light cycle and some will have a rinse-hold cycle and a heat-off cycle (to save water and energy). Some may have a sanitizing cycle, which puts super-heated water in the washer. Most likely you will not find this option in a washer with a plastic liner, because they are not designed to take the punishment of excessive temperature.
Some washers are designed to be more water-efficient. If you live in an area of the country that is subject to drought, you may wish to consider one of these models so you can conserve the water usage. They also use less electricity because there is less water to heat in the cycle.
There are two types of controls for dishwashing machines – manual or electronic. Manual have knobs while electronic have touch pads. Obviously a touch pad system will drive up the cost of the washer.
One of the more important features to some consumers is the noise-level of the machine. Unfortunately, there is no way to tell how much noise any machine makes by looking at a display model. You will have to get a hold of a list, perhaps by Consumer Reports or some other rating service, that tells you which model is noisier or quieter than another.
My final thoughts
I am not a fan of extended warranties. For the most part, they are a way to have the store make a huge profit off of something you will rarely – if ever – use. The cost factors of the extended warranty usually do not save you money in the back-end.
Unless you are handy, you will probably want to have a professional install the dishwashing machine. Most of the time the store will deliver and install the dishwashing machine for a nominal fee. I would go ahead and pay for this service, because you are guaranteed against three factors.
1. If something goes wrong and an improper installation floods your house, you have the installer to go back on.
2. If something goes wrong with the dishwashing machine and the company blames improper installation as the cause (thus voiding the manufacturer’s warranty), you can again go back against the installer.
3. If something in your kitchen, such as your floor, cabinetry, etc. is damaged, marred, scratched, or cut in the installation, you can go back against the installer.
The thirty or forty dollars this service costs is well worth the insurance and piece of mind you are purchasing.
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Member: Jeffrey Schwartz
Location: Sunrise, FL, USA
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