avantiowner's Full Review: Maytag MDC4650AWB 24 in. Built-in Dishwasher
This dishwasher is sold both as a BUILT-IN and as a CONVERTIBLE/PORTABLE (not listed separately here on Epinions). They are essentially the same model. I have had the PORTABLE version of this model for a few months now, and I am very satisfied with its performance. I wasn't able to get a built-in due to the cabinet set-up in my smaller, older kitchen.
HOOKUP:
The dishwasher connects to the kitchen sink easily once you have screwed the adapter that comes with the machine onto your faucet. You regulate the initial fill water temperature yourself (use hot water). The dishwasher then takes care of the rest with its internal heater.
Unfortunately, you can't "set it and forget it": in my case, the faucet hookup leaks water, so I usually turn the faucet off once the water has been supplied and then on again when the next part of a cycle starts. This means I can't really leave it unattended. I can't say if this will happen with all faucets or if it has something to do with my faucet.
I also wish that the hookup hoses were longer. Then I would not have to put the dishwasher so very close to the sink, thus blocking space in the kitchen.
PERFORMANCE:
While the cycles tend to run long (over an hour), the dishwasher does a beautiful job as long as you select the high temperature setting. (I haven't been that impressed with the lower temperature settings.) It is also smart enough to determine how many rinse cycles it will need to get everything clean. So if the dishes are only lightly soiled, then you will end up with a much shorter cycle.
On the high temp. setting, it really gets all kinds of nasty baked on, caked on, dried on stuff off my Pyrex dishes. At the same time, I have been able to wash plastic containers in it without melting them and wine glasses without breaking them. Impressive.
You want to make sure there is enough Jet Dry (or alternative product) in the machine, otherwise you may end up with residue on your dishes, especially if you have hard water.
Also, you will need to leave the dishwasher plugged in after it is done so that the temp. can gradually be reduced. Once it says "CLEAN," go ahead and unplug it, then stuff the cable back into the storage compartment.
To save energy, I haven't used the high-temp. dryer setting yet, but the dishes come out looking beautiful regardless.
CAPACITY:
To the best of my knowledge, this is the dishwasher with the largest interior capacity. It has an upper and a lower rack. The upper rack easily accommodates taller glasses and stemware. The lower rack will easily fit large/tall/bulky dishes such as pots, Pyrex items, or oversized dinner plates. The interior has been designed very thoughtfully and cleverly: there is no middle-column that sprays water (as is the case with many other dishwashers), and the rack sits pretty low in the tub. This makes for extra room and added possibilities of arranging larger items. The removable cutlery basket works well; all my knives etc. come out really clean.
In fact, the capacity is so large that I don't even run the dishwasher every day (2-person household). Usually I will use it about 3 times per week.
CLEANUP:
The laminate counter top is easy to wipe clean and offers additional counter top space in my kitchen. The dishwasher can be moved around easily thanks to its coasters.
POTENTIAL PROBLEM:
The electronic control panel's plastic cover seems less than durable. It looks as though it has started peeling off in one corner, so I hope this does not mean a visit from the Maytag Man in my future.
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