looking to buy a dishwasher, need advise

[poohbearluvr]

We are redoing our kitchen and I would like to get a dishwasher for it.
I have never had a dishwasher and don't know what to look for in them.
Is there any advise you can give me on what to look for?
We looked at Home Depot, Lowes and Sears but I have no idea what to
look for. Please help!

 

[amid chaos]

Find out how long the normal wash and dry cycle is. you would be shocked to find out how long ours is for our miele.

 

[swanmom]

DON'T .... DON'T .... DON'T GET A KITCHEN AID !!!! That brand used to be really reliable but we've head nothing but trouble with our newer model. It was a fairly expensive model - not one of their lower-end products and it's been awful. Door hinge snapped off, 'start' button stopped working, motor failed, dispenser door broke, rubber door gasket leaked, plastic basket for silverware has huge holes in it where plastic pieces broke off, the finish has come off the 'prongs' on which you lean dishes so the prongs are starting to rust - and this machine is 2 1/2 years old. Only one of these items was covered under warrenty - they replaced the silverware basket, the new one promptly broke again after the warrenty expired. The start button electronic circuit has been replaced three times - at our expense. The repairman told us that he didn't have one on his truck because 'these break so often, I go through about 10 - 15 of these a week. I can't even get them fast enough." We've called the company, written letters, and contracted Sears. They don't care. They know that there is nothing we can do because (as they will quickly remind us) - "you are out of warrenty." And it's not just us or that we got a lemon. Google this online - there are groups devoted to complaining about the poor quality of what used to be a good product. Save yourself the aggravation. I will get just a tiny bit of satisfaction out of these 2 1/2 years of frustration if I can keep one customer from giving them a dime!

 

[Deb in IA]

Ask how loud they are.

We had one from 18 years ago, a GE, that was LOUD.

We replaced it last year when we remodeled with a Bosch, and it is so amazingly quiet, compared to the old one.

 

[swanmom]

We replaced it last year when we remodeled with a Bosch, and it is so amazingly quiet, compared to the old one.

Deb,
I just saw your response. Look at my post above. We were considering a Bosch and decided on the Kitchen Aid instead. I am still kicking myself!

 

[Wish_I_Was_At_WDW]

We need a dishwasher too. I'm wondering about those new ones that clean with steam. I wonder if they are any good.

 

[Deb in IA]

Deb,
I just saw your response. Look at my post above. We were considering a Bosch and decided on the Kitchen Aid instead. I am still kicking myself!

Oh, so sorry.

We have been very happy with the Bosch. I've heard Fisher-Paykel is also a good brand.

 

[daughtersrus]

Make sure you get one with a food grinder.

We replaced ours a few months ago and I love it!

It's basically the same one that we had just an updated version. It actually cleans the dishes without pre-rinsing. I've left oatmeal bowls in there for 2 days before washing and they come out spotless. It's a Kenmore from Sears and was just under $300.

 

[KellyMae]

Bosch. Have had it for 7 years and it works great and is very quiet.

I went with one best brands out there, but without a lot of the features and bells and whistles which kept the cost down.

Definitely make sure you go with a stainless steel interior, as plastic ones stain and discolour.

 

[Disney Doll]

I have a miele. I love it. It does have a long "normal" wash.dry cycle, but mine also has a quicker cycle that is about 20 minutes.

 

[OH Daisy Fan]

I have a miele. I love it. It does have a long "normal" wash.dry cycle, but mine also has a quicker cycle that is about 20 minutes.

I have one, too, and LOVE it! The dinging at the end drives me crazy, but since that's the only time I hear it...I'm okay with that.

OP- You may want to look at your budget for your dishwasher. There are a lot of options and price points. We've had good GEs (serviceable ones, in the low-mid range price), and replaced a Bosch with the Miele.

I would think that capacity, sound level, and arrangement of shelves would be the most important things. If it's just two of you, you might look at the ones with two separate drawers (I've heard good things about those).

 

[Disneyglobegirl]

We replaced our dishwasher last year with a Bosch and I love it!! Very quiet!!

 

[Boo'sMom]

buy a european dishwasher....the american made ones are junk.

 

[Disnydad]

We'll need one soon and am waiting for the federal rebate program to come along. We are going to get a Bosch.

 

[SpecialK]

We have a Bosch, too. My only complaint is that it can be hard to load because of the placement of the dividers but I can work around that. It cleans well and is extremely quiet.

I'd definitely look for the sound rating, a stainless interior and a large silverware compartment.

 

[clarabelle]

Oh, so sorry.

We have been very happy with the Bosch. I've heard Fisher-Paykel is also a good brand.

Fisher Paykel Dishdrawers have a REALLY bad repair record.
I have one and never use it (I have a regular dishwasher too)

You need to do some reading and see if you want one with a food grinder or not. Also noise (food grinders are noisier)

Consumer reports likes Bosch, Kitchen Aid, and Kenmore and does not like
Fridgidare for the most part.

 

[goofy4tink]

My Maytag died about 2 months ago...so we had to replace it. We only had it for about 6 years, but it started just falling apart. The racks broke, pieces fell off, the tines in the racks started peeling and splitting...then, the electronics went. There was no way to know what cycle it was going to run through. The control pad was on the top of the door, so it was subjected to some heat and steam venting. Not sure it was a good design.
So, when I went to replace it, I asked our appliance repair guy what he suggesed. He said....Whirlpool, KitchenAid or Kenmore pretty much, unless we wanted to spend a ton of money.
We ended up with a very simple Whirlpool. I didn't want to spend the money for the stainless tub, so got a tub that is a greyish color that simulates stainless. It's supposed to resist staining to some extent. Also, you can't really move around the racks...they are what they are. You can move the top one up or down though. But, it has mulitple cycles. I love the Glass Express cycle. I use if for almost every load....we wash one load a day....so dishes aren't all that grimy and crusted. We also rinse our dishes before sticking them in the dw. That Glass Express cycle runs about 45 mins..total. The regular cycle runs close to 3 hrs!!! So, I run the full, regular cycle once a week, but otherwise, I use the shorter cycle. It isn't completely silent but it's a heck of a lot quieter than the old one.
I wanted a Bosch, but the repair guy said parts are hard to get for them and they do need work after a few years...at least in his experience.
Guess we'll see what happens.

 

[TwingleMum]

I have a kitchen aid and I hate it. I don't think it cleans well. It is around 5 yrs old but still not a fan.

 

[minniebeth]

Many I know who have the stainless steel interiors (various brands) are disappointed with them due to lack of a heating element. Dishes, etc. just don't dry all the way and can leave an unpleasant smell. Just something to think about.
Also, some of the models have a vent for the steam that comes out on the bottom and if you have hardwood floors, the moisture might be a problem over time.