Dishwasher buyers guide
Dishwashers are a great appliance to save you time and effort within the kitchen. If you’ve just cooked a three-course meal the last thing you want to do is spend ages washing up, especially when a dishwasher only takes a couple of minutes to load and could do all the hard work for you! Worried about their impact on the environment? You shouldn’t be, on average dishwashers only use 15 litres of water per load, compared to a 150 litres, which is typically used when washing up by hand.
Not only do they reduce the amount of water that is used, but they also save you a huge amount of time. What’s more, they generally tend to be more hygienic, ensuring that your dishes are thoroughly clean and rid of bacteria.
An important choice and one usually dependent on your household size and lifestyle is the type of dishwasher to get. It comes in 3 main types:
Full size
The most common type and offering the largest storage capacity, it is ideal for the larger household. Generally 60cm wide, a full size dishwasher can store on average 12 place settings (dinner plate, small plate, bowl, cup and saucer, knife, fork, tablespoon and teaspoon) at one time.
Slimline
Slimline dishwashers are generally the same height as a full size dishwasher but a lot narrower, approximately 25% at 45cm wide. They are ideal if space is relatively limited but can still store on average up to 9 place settings at a time.
Tabletop
Also known as a compact dishwasher, the tabletop is ideal for smaller or single person households. Very different in appearance, the tabletop dishwasher is similar in size to a microwave. It is easy to move and is designed to sit on top of a work surface or draining board. On average they are 50cm wide and can hold up to 4 place settings at one time.
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Integrated or freestanding
Integrated dishwashers are a great option if you have a fitted kitchen and want to conceal your appliance from view. The appliance is hidden behind a cabinet door panel, creating a clean and seamless look within your kitchen.
There are two types of integrated dishwashers; fully integrated and semi integrated. Fully integrated dishwashers are completely concealed, with the control panel hidden somewhere within the dishwasher. Semi integrated dishwashers are also hidden but have the controls showing.
Freestanding dishwashers are a lot more flexible and unlike integrated dishwashers, freestanding appliances are easy to move around your kitchen and can be taken with you if you ever move house.
Programme choice
Dishwashers have a variety of wash programmes designed to suit your cleaning needs. The most common include:
Standard wash
This is an all-purpose programme, which cleans your dishes at 65°.
Quick wash
Ideal for light cleaning.
Economy wash
Although a slightly longer wash programme than others available, it uses a lower temperature to save energy.
Additional programmes
Models might contain additional programmes to better suit your needs, these can include:
Baby cycle
This intensive wash is designed to clean and safely remove any harmful bacteria from products used to feed babies and young children.
Half load
This programme is ideal if you do not have enough for a full load but require items to be cleaned, as it uses less water than a full load.
Intensive wash
Ideal for heavily soiled items, it uses a higher temperature than normal to remove stubborn stains.
Pre-soak
Good for heavily soiled dishes it prolongs the dishwashers soaking stage before the wash cycle begins and is useful to help break down stains.
Glass care
Designed especially for your glasses, it uses a lower heat to protect them from any potential damage.
Extra dry
This programme increases the drying temperature to ensure crockery and cutlery is completely dry. On some models it also shortens the length of the overall cycle.
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Special features
More advance dishwasher models often feature unique programmes to improve the cleaning and efficiency, these can include:
Timer delay
This feature provides users with the capability to programme the dishwasher so that it begins at a set time. This is particularly useful when trying to cut costs as you can set it to start when off peak electricity charges apply. Alternatively you can set it to start once all members of the household have finished using the hot water to shower or bath.
Counter balanced door
To help ensure safe loading, this type of door won’t move (shut or drop down) without being manoeuvred by the user.
Rinse aid
Rinse aid is used to remove detergent during the rinse cycle and prevent any streaks from appearing on your dishes. Some dishwashers use an LED light to signify when the dispenser needs to be refilled.
Innovative technology
Fuzzy Logic
Some of the more advanced dishwashers use Fuzzy Logic, which is designed to measure the load of your dishwasher, adjusting the programme automatically (including temperature and water consumption) to help save energy.
Anti-leak protection
Models with anti-leak protection will automatically switch off the water supply to the dishwasher if any leaks are detected or if it is close to over filling.
Things to remember
- When planning where to store your dishwasher, remember that it must be plumbed in, so must be within reach of your water supply.
- Before putting anything in your dishwasher ensure that it is dishwasher safe. If you’re unsure please refer to our section below on items not suitable for dishwashing.
- To avoid any blockages within the dishwasher’s filter and improve the cleaning efficiency, rinse off any excess food or waste.
- Ensure the salt and rinse aid is regularly topped up to improve efficiency.
Items not suitable for dishwashing
To avoid breakages and rusting it is important to ensure that you place only dishwasher safe crockery into your dishwasher. Below is a list of items that aren’t recommended for use within a dishwasher:
- Crystal
- Patterned china
- Silver or gold plated china
- Cast iron pans