What should I look for when buying a dishwasher?

[alent1234]

i spent a month checking noise specs and the only thing that compared was a kitchen aid for $1500. at that noise level bosch was the cheapest

 

[Jeff7]

I'd say to get one with a separate sprayer for the top rack.

The ancient Tappan dishwasher my parents have only has the sprayer on the bottom. The dishes need to be pretty secure, and they can't be touching, otherwise you'd get constant clanking as it washes, because the pressure needs to be high enough to get the water all the way up to the top rack.

I'll try to remember to check the brand and model of mine when I get home. It wasn't terribly expensive at all, and most of the construction is plastic. It's well over a year old, possibly 2, and it's still going. It's also a hell of a lot quieter than the Tappan washer, though that's not saying much. That old thing was audible anywhere in the house. The one I've got does an adequate job of cleaning, at least with the stronger Cascade detergent. (I was surprised to learn that there's "no-prewash" dishwashing detergent. What the hell's the point of a dishwasher if the dishes would need to be prewashed?) Sometimes I'll do a second quick-wash cycle though with no detergent, as its regular cycle doesn't seem to do enough rinsing to get the soap smell off of plastic things.


Edit: Amana. Model#: ADB1500AWB3

 

[ManBearPig]

Hmm I'm not quite sure I wanna spend $1000 on a dishwasher. Maybe about half that. I dunno. How's Haier? It's on amazon.

 

[Linflas]

Why is it suddenly?

Because our 9 year old Maytag has developed a problem that will end up costing me potentially $80 to $260.00 to repair myself. For the low side I replace the piece of plastic on the front and that will cost me $80 something for that ridiculous piece of plastic.

 

[BoomerD]

Hmm I'm not quite sure I wanna spend $1000 on a dishwasher. Maybe about half that. I dunno. How's Haier? It's on amazon.

I doubt Haier is very good. I've seen some of their "cheap stuff" like dorm refrigerators and window air conditioners...pure crap.
For $500, you're NOT going to get a good, quiet dishwasher new.
Check the local appliance stores for "scratch & dent models."

 

[Via]

I ended up getting this:

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_02213963000P?prdNo=3&blockNo=3&blockType=G3

I think it's made by Bosch; it has the same filter system that Bosch dishwashers do.

It's amazing: cleans even the dirtiest dishes spotless, and its so quiet you can't tell it's on unless you're standing next to it.

The electronic board is a fun toy with all kinds of settings, but the guys who installed the dishwasher said it's a $400 part. That worries me a bit.

But so far so good - not a single problem. And I like toys.

edit - I got it for about $750. Wait for a good sale.

 

[jaha2000]

I have an LG with Steam. Thing is super quiet which is what you pay for as others have said.

 

[Exterous]

$500 dish washers i've seen make so much noise you can hear them all over the house

STAY AWAY FROM SEARS

It might depend on where you are coming from though. The Whirlpool I got typically sells for $600 but is crazy quiet compared to the el cheapo one that the builder put in the house. I am sure if you compared it to a $1000 it would sound a lot louder.

My noise experience: The old one was too lound to comfortably watch TV in the family room that is open to the kitchen and seating is about 20' from the dishwasher. Now we can kinda hear the dishwasher running if we listen for it but certianly nothing that we would need to turn the TV volume up for.

According to Consumer Reports Whirlpool and Bosch are the 2 most reliable brands. We are suddenly looking for a dishwasher as well and there are a couple of Bosch models and Whirlpool models I have looked at.

When I bought a dishwasher 8 months ago thats what I came across as well. Whirlpool (esp their 'gold' line) and Bosch were consistently recommended and highly rated

I'd say to get one with a separate sprayer for the top rack.

Big time this. Its one of the reasons I replaced the builder grade on in our house. If the bottom rack was full nothing on the top rack would get clean because there was no additional sprayer

 

[gorcorps]

I had this same question a while ago. The common theme which most agreed with was to make sure you get a stainless steel interior, not the cheap plastic drums.

 

[Exterous]

Check the local appliance stores for "scratch & dent models."

Big time this. I have gotten some crazy deals on appliances at Lowes by doing this. I got a $1900 counter top depth stainless steel Whilrpool fridge for $750 (Dent on the side that was going against my pantry so you cant even see it). My dishwasher was a $600 whirlpool one (ss interior) that I got for $350 because it was a return missing a part (Which I bought at the store for $15). Now I just need to find a range....

 

[james1701]

White is costly to replace when it goes bad.

 

[chusteczka]

I ended up getting this:

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_02213963000P?prdNo=3&blockNo=3&blockType=G3

I think it's made by Bosch; it has the same filter system that Bosch dishwashers do.

It's amazing: cleans even the dirtiest dishes spotless, and its so quiet you can't tell it's on unless you're standing next to it.

The electronic board is a fun toy with all kinds of settings, but the guys who installed the dishwasher said it's a $400 part. That worries me a bit.

But so far so good - not a single problem. And I like toys.

edit - I got it for about $750. Wait for a good sale.

Here is Via's thread.
Do you like your dishwasher?

 

[cKGunslinger]

Am I too late for the "nice tits" suggestion?

 

[Red Squirrel]

If you don't want to spend lot of money you can get away with a low end one. Just avoid putting extremely dirty dishes. Like, you have to rinse everything better. And DO NOT put anything that is coated with spaghetti sauce. I learned that the hard way, and my dishwasher is permanently stained inside now. Even CLR or bleach wont change that.

And don't go by the "quiet" feature. They are all loud, does not matter how much you pay. The quiet dishwasher thing is a gimmick, and is false advertising. They're all swishing water around, have motors, and other moving parts. That makes noise. Sound insulation can only do so much.

I think I paid like 100 bucks for mine. It was not the cheapest they had but the 2nd cheapest.

Just take note of the amp requirement and ensure you have the proper wiring. I think most only need 15, but some may require 20.

 

[dan4patriots]

And how expensive are they, generally? Think I could install one with no prior dishwasher installation experience?

Thanks bros.

Women are very expensive, yeah she should know how to wash dishes without telling her

 

[alkemyst]

My Samsung is very quiet...to others that think there is no such thing as a quiet dishwasher, you are showing your lack of buying power.

 

[PhoKingGuy]

My Samsung is very quiet...to others that think there is no such thing as a quiet dishwasher, you are showing your lack of buying power.

Pretty much this, I can't even tell the bosch one my parents have is on.

 

[bruceb]

If you are replacing an existing unit, you can easily (except for getting it in and out of the house) do it yourself, as all you will need are already in place. If it is a new install, then it is more work.

You would need to cut out the opening in the cabinet.
You would need a 20Amp GFCI branch circuit installed for the machine.
You will need a connection to the hot water pipe (with a shut off valve)
You will need to make a connection to the drain (critical that this be properly done
or the unit and the sink won't drain properly) .. If your sink drain works fine and you
already have a garbage disposal unit, then the dishwasher drain can hook into a
fitting on the disposal unit. Make sure the drain hose is routed so it will flow properly.
The dishwasher must also be leveled and secured to the counter with a couple of screws.