Kenmore Dishwashers: How to Get More for your Money
Written: Jul 15 '00 (Updated Jul 29 '00)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Great Price, Excellent Features, built in hard food disposer
Cons: Need to be careful how you load it
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| netKat's Full Review: Kenmore 15659 24 in. Built-in Dishwasher |
Did you know that one out of every four dishwashers sold is a Kenmore? The reasons are reliability, availability, and reasonable pricing. Sure, you can go out and get a KitchenAid for $850 if you want to. Will your dishes be remarkably cleaner? No. I know because I had one.
Although only two models of Kenmore dishwashers appear on Epinions, there are actually over 50 different models available at the current time. Because Kenmore models are constantly changing with each passing season, Epinions has no hope of keeping up with the different model numbers. When shopping for a Kenmore, it's more important to keep the features in mind rather than the model numbers. Therefore, I have put this review in this section to give consumers the advantage of reading about Kenmores in general. I will not speak to the top of the line "Elite" models in this review, but rather the regular everyday moderately priced models.
Since the average dishwasher lasts for 10 years, I'm interested in a reasonably priced workhorse that will dependably do the job. If it lasts more than 10 years, great. If not, I want to know I got my money's worth.
The model I have is an Ultra-Wash with 7 cycles and 3 options and it is equipped with Quiet Guard. It's one of the #158 prefix models.
There are a plethora of model numbers and the best way to choose your Kenmore is to decide which features you want and see what is available at that time. The prefixes will generally remain constant through the model years and seasons.
-- Features --
Hard Food Disposer
This is a fantastic work saving feature. I don't recommend putting in your dishes as is with globs of macaroni and cheese on them, and you should certainly avoid pistachio nutshells (I once broke a motor on them), but otherwise this works out very nicely.
Top Notch Top Rack Features
Fold down shelves
Great for small glasses and tea cups. You can easily transform one regular row into a double decker row for twice the cleaning power. There is no noticeable loss of cleaning efficiency when doubling up.
Fold down tines
This is great for placing larger items in the top rack. You just fold down the tines and you have a nice flat area.
Adjustable Rack
The entire top rack assembly adjusts up and down on each side. So you can fit taller things in the bottom, and also taller things up top, when need be.
Utensil Basket
This is a cool extra basket that hangs off the front of the top rack. It's ideal for longer handled items that you would not want to put in the bottom silverware basket, like spatulas and pancake turners.
Bottom Rack Features
Silverware Basket
The basket is long and narrow and lifts out very easily. One section has a flip over lid which allows you to secure small items which otherwise might take flight during a cycle.
Double Wheel Trolleys
The one part of dishwashers that seem to be the most vulnerable to breakage are those darn plastic wheels. This Kenmore has solved the problem. The wheels are like inline skates. Each wheel assembly actually consists of two wheels attached by a strong plastic casing. Great idea and very sturdy.
Cool Electronic Control Panel
Normally, I would stick with the mechanical buttons and dials, but this model was on a special sale, so I sacrificed. *smile* The keypad is very intuitive and little lights keep you abreast of the machine's progress. It also shows the cycle time, which is sort of nice if you're anxiously awaiting some clean dishes (which happens a lot when you have a large family).
Although there is a water miser cycle available, I find that we tend to have rather messy dishes combined with hard water, so I normally use the pots and pans cycle to be sure everything gets clean.
2 Minute Warning
Within the first 2 minutes, you can opt out of a cycle by pressing the cancel/drain pad.
Water Heat
I love this feature, and after having had it on my KitchenAid I would not buy a dishwasher without it. I keep the hot water heater in my house turned down to below what is commonly acceptable heat intensity for dishwasher use. It works fine for showers and everything else. I'd prefer not to turn up my water heater and risk scalding a child, just to run money down the drain for the benefit of the dishwasher. This dishwasher will heat it's own water to the desired temperature for optimum washing: 135 degrees f. Note: when you use the pots and pans cycle, the water automatically heats itself.
Delay Wash
You know how you try to remember to run the dishwasher when everyone is done with their showers... or you're done doing the wash... or you're done washing the pots? Well, I tend to totally forget. And when I depend on a kid to do it after I go to sleep, it's hit or miss. So, this has been a very nice feature for us. You can set the machine to do the dishes up to 9 hours later.
Diagnostic Display
Kind of cute, but causes a problem in my house. The house rule is that you must load your dishes. Another rule is that if you open the dishwasher and it's clean, you must unload it. Well, the diagnostic display shows "CC" when the dishes are done so everyone has advance warning and uses paper cups. Argh. Guess who gets to unload?
Door Color Panel
It's easy to change the door color panels, both top and bottom. My dishwasher can be black or almond.
No Heat Dry
I normally use this cycle. Why waste the electricity on added heat? A trick is if you find your dishes and/or glasses too spotty from this method of drying is to add some Jet Dry to the special dispenser in the cover.
Pots and Pans Cycle
This is my main cycle. It gives an extra wash and really gets my stuff clean. It also automatically heats the water to the optimum temperature.
Excellent installation manual
My husband was able to install this dishwasher with no trouble. Naturally, he did not use the instruction booklet. But I read it and was able to give him some helpful hints along the way. *smile*
-- Challenges --
Spray Tower
You have to be really careful on this dishwasher not to block the spray towers and nozzles. If there is a large plate or something obstructing the free flow of water there is a noticeable deterioration in the cleaning effectiveness.
Top Rack Height
I wish there was more space between the top and bottom rack. Even thought the top rack is adjustable, it still leaves me less room than I'd like for my glasses on top and my plates on the bottom. It's workable, but a few more inches would be wonderful.
Sani Cycle
Waste of resources. This adds an extra rinse cycle with super heated water. The minute you open the dishwasher and touch the dishes they become unsanitized, right? So what's the point of using a whole other load of ultra hot water? *shrug*
Detergent Cup
I use dry detergent, the cheapest I can get at BJ Wholesale. It's usually Electrosol, a name brand. Every so often, when I open the dishwasher to unload, I find the detergent cup half filled with dry caked detergent. I'm not sure why this happens. I have tried other detergents and it appears to be something to do with either the dishwasher itself or someone being overly generous with the detergent. This does not happen often, but when it does I usually have to rewash the load.
-- Hints for picking out your Kenmore dishwasher --
Electronic Display or Not?
I know several people with the Ultra Wash models that do not have electronic displays and they are happy with their purchases. The mechanical models come with 7 buttons and a dial and do not have the delay wash feature.
Sears changes their model numbers and features quite often.
It's hard to say that you will be able to find this exact model, but rather you can look for similar features and know what to avoid.
Compare the price differences of all the models available.
You'd be surprised to find that the model that has what you want might be cheaper than the more utilitarian version just because the latter model is a new version.
Look in the scratch and dent area.
You might find just what you're looking for at a great discount.
Look for discontinued models in the store.
This is a great chance to get a good deal.
Wait till it goes on sale.
Everything goes on sale at Sears eventually! Your salesperson may know of an upcoming sale... ask!
Know that the salesclerks work on commission.
How bad do they want the sale? Can you make a deal? You never know unless you try. :)
Sears almost always has any parts you need .
And not just for dishwashers or even just Kenmore appliances. Check out the 800 parts number. You can either pick them up at a parts location, or have them mailed directly to your home.
Save all your appliance documentation.
I find the documentation that comes with Kenmore appliances to be exemplary. I have even fixed a few myself! Also, down the road, maybe 10 years from now, you'll be happy you have all the part numbers.
Sears maintains an excellent website!
You can compare appliances and look for the features you want, including other brands. You can even order online if you want.
-- In Conclusion --
I have Kenmore appliances all over my house... refrigerator, washer, dryer, etc. They are high quality and long lasting. We are a large family who is rough on appliances. I've been very satisfied with the service I've received from this dishwasher. It was a good deal and continues to perform very well. I will continue to consider Kenmore appliances in the future based on my great experiences with them.
You may be interested in these other appliance reviews:
EXCELLENT Workhorse Kenmore Washer that won't take you to the Cleaners
http://creditexpert.epinions.com/hmgd-review-4421-15B0F9D-3888CEF4-bd1
Kenmore Extra High Capacity Water Softener
http://creditexpert.epinions.com/hmgd-review-71-E6502D-38CAE8A3-prod4
Air Conditioner ABCs: A Big Chill at a Hot Price (Whirlpool)
http://creditexpert.epinions.com/hmgd-review-4BD1-74135AE-393D8366-prod5
Great 27" Surround Sound TV at a Bargain Price! (Toshiba)
http://creditexpert.epinions.com/elec-review-475E-445E2FF-38614E80-prod1
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
netKat
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 - Top 200 |
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Member: Kat
Location: Maryland
Reviews written: 166
Trusted by: 885 members
About Me:
Analytically inclined mom, bank officer, freelance writer, and internet addict.
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