Around 68% of American households have a dishwasher in them. Yet one in five Americans say they don’t use their dishwasher at all.
The fact is, using a dishwasher can save you 3.5 times the amount of water than you’d use while handwashing them. The right dishwasher will save you time, money, and effort.
Many factors can make or break a good dishwasher. So what should you check off the list when you’re buying a dishwasher?
Keep reading for some tips on how to choose a dishwasher that suits your needs.
How to Choose a Dishwasher That’s Energy Efficient
We all love the convenience of dishwashers and the time and effort they save. When buying a dishwasher, you also want to factor in its
energy efficiency.
Dishwashers, like many household appliances, are rated by EnergyStar. The best rating means the less impact it’ll have on the environment.
Energy-efficient dishwashers often have settings that allow for a half-load wash or an eco-friendly wash. You’ll feel better about running the dishwasher half-full.
The money you save on electricity won’t be that noticeable. Still, the few dollars you’ll save over 12 months doesn’t hurt.
Keep the Noise Down
It’s hard to know what to look for in a dishwasher until you notice the problems with your current one. Those with noisy dishwashers know what I’m talking about.
It may not be a big priority to have a quiet dishwasher if you have a large house and a closed-off kitchen. But no one wants to lose sleep because the dishwasher is rattling away in the room next to them.
Luckily, there are many options when it comes to quiet dishwashers. All you have to do is check out the dishwasher’s decibel rating.
Normally, dishwashers with a decibel rating of 49dB or less won’t be too loud. However, some noise-sensitive folks may want to look for something closer to 44dB, which can hardly be picked up in a home environment.
Cleaning Performance is Key
When you think about what makes a good dishwasher, the first thing that should come to mind is cleaning performance. Will it actually get your dishes clean?
Nothing is more frustrating than waiting for a whole cycle to find your plates still covered in spaghetti sauce. This is why you should look closely at all the dishwasher’s features.
Some dishwashers have special cleaning functions and options. These include concentrated streaming for bottles and glasses or power-spraying to combat grease and food that’s been baked onto your dish.
The best feature all depends on what you personally need in a dishwasher. Do the research and know all of your options before deciding on the features you’re willing to pay money for.
Does it Dry?
Another important factor in a dishwasher is its ability to dry your dishes. It’s annoying to wait for the entire dry cycle just to have to dry them off with a towel yourself.
Technically, drying your dishes is half of the job. If your dishwasher doesn’t dry all your dishes, is it really a dishwasher at all?
Existential questions aside, it can be hard to choose the right feature to get your dishes properly dried.
Many dishwashers come with a heat-dry feature. This heats all of the dishes to 170 degrees.
It does a great job at drying dishes. However, it can cook the leftover food onto your dishes and make it hard to get them clean.
With the heat-dry option, you run the risk of melting plastic dishes or parts. This can be awful for those who have kids that use plastic dishes and bottles.
A lot of energy-efficient dishwashers now use a stainless steel tub for condensation-based drying. This is super efficient at drying dishes, and you don’t have to worry about baked-on food or melting plastic.
Cheaper options use plastic tubs for the same condensation-based drying. However, it can’t heat up quite enough to be efficient.
Be sure to check out all of your drying options before choosing your dishwasher.
Cycle Through the Cycles
Nowadays, dishwashers come with tons of different cycle options. It’s up to your personal preference and needs when it comes to what you’ll choose.
Most dishwashers have options for the duration and power of the wash. They range from normal and quick, to heavy, auto and rinse.
Other cycles are more complex to meet more specific needs. For example, some options are made to wash chinas and crystals, while other options allow for half-loads or sanitation modes.
These options are all subjective because everyone’s dishwashing needs are different. Be aware that there are many options to choose from, and you should prioritize those options to fit your individual requirements.
Smart Dishwashers
They used to tell you, back in the day, that everyone would have a television on their refrigerator door and their ovens would talk. We aren’t too far off from that day.
Some dishwashers come with WiFi capabilities. Why would you need the internet to do your dishes?
Well, it isn’t a total necessity, but smart dishwashers will add a lot of convenience to your kitchen routines. You can control your dishwasher with your phone, Alexa, or Google Home.
The WiFi options will also allow you to check the remaining time on your dishwasher without having to walk into the kitchen. You can also change the cycle from any other room in your house.
Long-Lasting Dishwashers
A dishwasher is supposed to add convenience to your life, not headaches. You need a dishwasher that will last a long time with minimal maintenance.
The biggest key to reliable dishwashers is proper installations. An improperly installed drain pump can result in clogging and a damaged dishwasher.
Another great way to be sure your dishwasher lasts is regular maintenance. This includes cleaning the filters and using dish detergent that is high-quality.
Of course, buying higher-end dishwashers will reduce the impact of regular wear and tear. Stainless steel options are known to be more durable and reliable than plastic tubbed dishwashers.
That’s the Dish
By now you should be armed with all the tips and tricks on how to choose a dishwasher. Now it’s time put in some research and find the best dishwasher for your needs.
Browse the rest of our site for more tips. We’ll keep you updated on the latest and greatest.