I just finished remodeling my kitchen from top to bottom four months ago: new cabinets, new floor, new everything, and ... new appliances. I approached the remodeling as I did all of my past projects, when I was working as a researcher in nuclear physics: systematically and carefully, and in this case, adding to it special focus toward aesthetics.

Obviously, a dishwasher was part of this remodeling. Since my household includes only two people, my wife and me (and two cats), and I am very energy-conservation conscious, I needed a machine that would allow me to do small loads of dishes and not waste energy or water. After a thorough review of what was available on the market, I settled on one of Bosch better models which allowed for half-loads of dishes, until I realized that this dishwasher would not allow me to include full-size (11-5/8") dinner plates, which I use daily, when doing half-loads in the upper rack (I went to the appliance store with a dinner plate in hand, and demonstrated to an apparently incredulous salesman this impossibility). I then looked at other makes of dishwashers, but found out that the same was true for them, also: large dinner plates --> no half-loads possible --> no energy savings. That is, until I came across the Fisher & Paykel DD-603SS.

To be honest, I was first taken by the exquisite design of this dishwasher, and became very biased in its favor. So I went back to square one, fully investigating this machine, reading literature on the innovative technology included in it, plus making several phone calls to the manufacturer, in New Zealand. My investigation also included reading several dozens reviews, negative for the most part, but also some very positive ones, the latter having been mostly written by people with a long experience with this particular make and model. I must admit that I was prejudiced in favor of this dishwasher due to its advanced technology, including its smart electronics (Smart Drive) to control brushless DC motors, and its magnetic couplings that do away with the use of belts. The advantages of DC motors are that their speeds can be adjusted continuously in a forward and a reversed direction, and because they can be made in small, compact sizes to fit in a minimum of space, the usable volume for the dishes is increased. Prejudiced or not, I believe I still arrived at the decision to purchase this dishwasher in a rational manner.

The DD - 603SS

Controls

The DD (Double DishDrawer®) - 603SS consists of two independent drawers. Each drawer has its own set of controls, which allows for its independent operation. When the drawer is closed, several controls are apparent on the upper edge, including an LCD output and several push buttons: Power, Start/Pause, and Lock. The Start/Pause button is also used in activating the Delay Start. The LCD is used to display images as the wash cycle progresses (Dirty, Pre-Wash, Main Wash, etc.), the remaining time of the cycle in one-minute increments, and the delay start symbol.

With the drawer open, the touch control panel of the wash program selector can be seen on the top edge of the door. The touch control panel can be cycled through five different programs: Heavy, Normal, Fast, Delicate, and Rinse. Another button on the panel, Eco, modifies each of the wash programs, reducing the amount of water, detergent, and energy used, and shortening the duration of the wash cycle. In the Normal mode, a wash cycle uses as little as 2.4 gallons of water, which means that using a single unit or half a load, you save half the energy, water, and detergent of a conventional dishwasher. Each of selections is indicated by a red light on the cycle selector panel.

Operation

It takes no time to master the operation of the dishwasher, which is mostly intuitive. For the fine operation points, refer to the manual, where everything is clearly explained in plain English (not the usual manual translations from Korean into English by a Javanese interpreter). The sequence of operation is as follows:

1) Load the dishes
2) Add the detergent
3) Check the rinse agent
4) Check for obstruction of the spray arm
5) Select the wash program
6) Close the drawer and press the Start button.
7) Listen for the six beeps that signal the end of the wash cycle.
Note that pressing the Power Button is not necessary, as by opening a drawer, one turns its power on.

Performance

The two tubs are identical in size and performance. Each tub is made of a polymer material with rounded edges, a thoughtful design, which avoids trapping dirt in the corners, and also acts as a sound absorber. The "secret" for an efficient operation of the dishwasher is how to properly load the dishes in a drawer. There are different removable racks and inserts for different types of dishes (plates, glasses, cutlery, etc.), and they are interchangeable between the two drawers. There are retractable racks on either side of the tub to accommodate wine glasses, cups, and kitchen utensils. With a little practice, one gets good at it fast.

Each drawer's volume is 60% of a standard dishwasher's usable space. It follows that the DishDrawer® has 120% the capacity of a "conventional" dishwasher.

The rotating spray arm is located at the bottom of the tub. Care should be taken not to have utensils protruding through the basket, which could impede the rotation of the arm.

The only required cleaning (we do it before each new wash, but it is not necessary) is the filter, located at the bottom of the drawer, and accessible through an opening in the basket. Simply rinse it under running water in the sink. It is suggested that the spray arm and filter plate be cleaned about once a month, an easy maintenance task. Please note that there is always some remaining water in the filter cavity: this is normal.

It is recommended to use only powder detergent. DishDrawer® was the first dishwasher to use flow-through detergent and rinse agent dispensers, which protect the dishes and glasses against detergent burns. In the DishDrawer®, the detergent is not just injected into the drawer at a designated time during the cycle as it is with all other dishwashers. Instead, DishDrawer® pre-mixes the detergent with water to activate the enzymes of the detergent, prior to its being introduced in the tub.

The detergent is placed in the dispenser, the amount of which depends on the type of water used: soft, medium, or hard, from one to six teaspoons. You should take care to always use the minimum quantity of powder in order to avoid excessive foaming, which could lead to problems. In my community, the water is soft, and two to three teaspoons is all that is needed to get the dishes squeaky clean each and every time.

There are nine possible wash programs, each to be used for loads of dishes under different soiled conditions. The brushless DC motor adjusts to any of the speed required for each type of wash. The required water temperatures vary according to the type of wash, from 120 F to 150 F, for Delicate to Heavy. If Eco is selected, the temperatures vary from 115 F to 150 F. Each of these wash cycles has a different duration, which is indicated on the LCD output. The wash durations vary from 86 minutes to 132 minutes for the Delicate to the Heavy cycles, with the Fast wash cycle taking only 56 minutes. If the Eco option is selected, the required times are systematically reduced, and vary from 72 minutes to 112 minutes, with the Fast wash now only 38 minutes. There will be small variations in these wash times, depending on the water temperature and type of load. Changing the wash cycle on the DishDrawer® not only changes the time and the temperature of the water, it also changes the amount of water pressure used. So, delicate items are treated delicately and a stronger water pressure is used for heavy soiled items. This is to be compared to many conventional dishwashers, where a change in wash cycles only affects the wash cycle durations, and, in some dishwashers, the water temperatures.

So far, I have used almost exclusively the Fast-Eco option with remarkable results. Following dinner parties, I have simultaneously placed the glassware in one of the drawers, and the plates, pans, and other utensils in the other, and run both washes simultaneously, using different wash programs, with very good results. The ONLY requirement for perfect results has been a simple pre-rinse under the sink faucet of the cooking utensils and heavily-soiled dishes before placing them in the tubs. How much pre-rinse? I kind of overdid it, in the beginning, but soon found out what was reasonable. Basically, get rid of any large particulates which could eventually clog up one of the exhaust pipes: common sense is the guide.

Even though I used a liquid rinse agent, I have not been able to wash my copper pans, which is most of what I have, in the dishwasher, not because of the machine's particularity, but because the detergent oxidizes them in spite of the liquid rinse agent, and they have to be polished anew each time. There is, of course, no such problem with stainless pots and pans.

Liquid rinse agent should used for best drying results. I have followed this recommendation from the very beginning and been quite impressed with the results, especially on the glasses, which show no streaking at all. A dark liquid rinse type is necessary because of the LED system continuously monitoring its amount in the dispenser. Light color rinse agents will not dim the indicator light as effectively. A red light indicates when the dispenser should be refilled.

For areas with hard water, there is a water softener which is filled with granular salt made especially for dishwashers. Since the water in my community is soft, I did not have to experiment with the water softener.

The DishDrawer® draws air in from the outside to dry the dishes. A fan assisting in the drying (except in the Fast and Rinse programs) runs for a set time or until the drawer is opened. I usually do the dishes before going to bed, and in the morning, as I reach in for a coffee cup or other utensils, they are always dry. Some of the plastic containers have, at times, been still somewhat wet, but glass, ceramic, and metal surfaces are always dry.

The user's easier access, improved visibility and fewer movements to open, load and close the drawers makes loading and unloading the DishDrawer® is simple task: you open and close the dishwasher just like every other kitchen drawer.

The operation of the DishDrawer® is very quite: while in the kitchen, even with both drawers running at the same time, one just hears a low humming, which does not distract or interfere with your concentration in preparing your meal, or intrude in a conversation.
Option adjustments to the rinse agent setting, water softener setting, auto power options, etc., can be made using a combination of the Eco, Lock, and Start/Pause buttons. I easily changed the rinse agent from its factory setting, following the clear graphic instructions in the service manual.

There is also the possibility to delay washing the dishes by setting a timer to a chosen time, a feature I have not yet used. Nor have I used the Childlock feature, which locks the drawers and disables all the controls.

With the two drawers usually available, I alternate their use, so that the one which was used the night before to wash the dishes becomes a storage drawer for clean dishes the following day, while its companion will be filled with the dirty dishes of the day.
Finally, if in the course of a wash a fault occurs, the corresponding fault code would be displayed on the LCD and on the inside control panel, as shown in the user's manual. The same manual tells you what action is to be taken. Fortunately, up to now, I have not experienced this feature.

The DishDrawer® comes with a 2-year, full manufacturer's warranty, to which I have added, for $144, a Lowe's 4-year extended warranty, which becomes effective when F & P's 2-year warranty expires (This warranty actually also covers the other new appliances I purchased). So, this should take care of any eventualities.

I have operated this dishwasher daily for the last four months, and have been extremely satisfied with its performance. It is a beautifully designed piece of equipment, both outside and inside. It enhances my kitchen environment, while at the same time performing a very satisfying job.

Note added Oct. 16, 2008. We have used the dishwasher for 14 months. Not only have we not needed any service call, but we also never encountered any operational problem. I had a small accident, due to my clumsiness, resulting in the breakage of a hinge of one of the side retractable shelves located on the side of the tube. I just called the F&P main number, and was provided with a free replacement within less than one week.

We almost exclusively use the Eco-Fast Mode (38 minutes) everyday. I have used the Eco-Delicate Mode and Eco-Heavy Mode on numerous occasions, with excellent results.