Versatile, Nice looking, Works Well, Options Galore
Written: Mar 06 '04 (Updated Mar 24 '04)
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Pros: Many options, Easy to use, Food Grinder,Top Rack has Direct Feed Spray Arm, Engery Efficient
Cons: Getting to know best dish placement.
KNOW YOUR ELECTRICAL SITUATION - THIS IS HARDWIRED
The Bottom Line: EXCELLENT for flexibility, ease of use, overall looks/design, and washing options.
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| scharnet's Full Review: Whirlpool GU1500XT - Multiple Color 24 in. Built-i... |
I've only owned Whirlpool brand dishwashers, so my frame of reference is based on more entry level Whirlpools. We kept an open mind on brands when shopping around - with Kitchen Aid, Maytag and GE being strong contenders. Being that Kitchen Aid and Whirlpool are the same company, the Whirlpool offered more features for the money that were desirable for our family. Kitchen Aids are virtually the same as Whirlpool but with stainless interior. Wanted Maytag because of our double-oven range (see my review) is that brand, and we are extremely happy with it - but they had so many reports of leakage I didn't want to go there. GE I'm sure is good, but some people we know were disappointed with their new one leaking too.
WINNING FEATURES:
TALL TUB DESIGN - While not overtly obvious, there is more space available on the inside, but it is the same size on the exterior as our old d/w! Ours daily loads aren't as crunched together, and we seem to run it less often.
QUIET PACK - While it's quieter than any one we've owned you can hear it in the next room. It's not magically quiet, just softer in sound.
ADJUSTABLE RINSE AID - The new set up is SO much nice. Easier to fill, and adjustable depending on water hardness. Since we have very hard water, we can turn it up full bore. There is also a light that comes on when it's time to refill!!
FLEXIBILITY - This unit is simply awesome that it serves a family of 4 well, but is completely customizable for special occasions (ie more baking dishes or bowls, company over, quantity or size of cups). For example:
BOTTOM RACK has FLIP AWAY PLATE HOLDERS, so if you don't need them, flip 'em back and use the space for other things. In addition you can FOLD DOWN TINES to allow for larger items. The UTENSIL CADDY goes in the door but can be placed in bottom rack if desired, and it has 2 sections that are lidded and great for: corn-on-cob holders, and child cup lids! REMOVABLE UTENSIL RACK, for those items too big for the caddy, like bbq spatulas.
TOP RACK is 2 POSITIONAL. Nice when you have tall cups, or larger plastic bowls! 2 CUP SHELVES - Where you can double layer if you have lots of small cups (make sure the upper layer of cups isn't especially dirty). Surprisingly, we can fit everything we need in the top position! So much more space than old d/w.
MANY CYCLES & OPTIONS -
We use NORMAL most of the time, with ANTI-BACTERIAL. It seems to run a normal amount of time - between an hour to an hour and a half. Using POTS & PANS will take 4 hours! I'd rather spend 30 seconds scrubbing than to have it run that long. Other options: China/Crystal, Quick Wash, Rinse Only, Soak & Scour, Hi-Temp Scour, Sani-Rinse, & Air Dry. The DELAYED START (from 1 to 12 hours) is nice, and it will remember your last choice. STATUS INDICATORS - tell you what's going on and how long until done.
Opinions on performance:
It does a pretty good job cleaning, not that you can put dishes with dried on food in there on "normal" and expect it to come out clean. (The food items we've had more challenges with are: malto-meal, pasta, and cereal). Beware of silverware nesting together - that has been the only time we've had problems there. The double stack cups is ok, but the top portion dishes should be cleaner than bottom row. As an experiment I put in a baking dish used for bacon, I only dumped out the grease and gave it a little rinse. Using the Pots & Pans cycle w/soak & scour- it came out squeaky clean (but took 4 hours).
Problems we experienced:
First off, this came as a hardwire unit and we are set up for plug in. A trip to the store for a $35 converter kit took care of that problem. The kit also came with better quality water lines than what our home had!
Secondly, the plates in the bottom rack seemed to fall over easily. If you place them as in the diagram - facing left, they aren't as secure as you'd want. But if you have the side of the plate you eat off of facing to the right all is well. On the top rack bowls aren't as upright as I'm used to - so I go every other tine, or off-centered and all is well.
Price:
Freds Appliance $650, Costco online $499, Lowes $497, Sears $519. We went to BestBuy - they matched Lowes and offered free delivery w/rebate($35 savings), $30 Rebate, and an additional $20 in BestBuy credit using the "Reward Zone". ($447 = $497-30-20).
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 447
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Epinions.com ID:
scharnet
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Location: Spokane, WA
Reviews written: 11
Trusted by: 0 members
About Me:
Mom of 2 boys
Small Kitchen Solution Seeker
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