A dishwasher can be quite a serious investment for your home, so you’ll want to make sure you grab the perfect one. In this guide, we’ll take you through some of the key factors to consider on your hunt for the perfect appliance. So you can sort the best from all of the rest!
Type of Dishwasher
The first thing you’ll want to consider is the type of dishwasher you’re looking to install. There are three key types of dishwashers that you’ll need to choose between:
- Integrated
- Semi-Integrated
- Freestanding
Fully integrated dishwashers are designed to fit seamlessly with your kitchen’s existing cabinets. Usually, they’re hidden behind cabinet doors that match the rest of your kitchen. These are a great option if you’re short on floor space, or you want to create a stylish and minimalist kitchen! Semi-integrated dishwashers operate similarly, in that they are raised above the floor and kept at the same depth as your cabinetry. However, they are not hidden behind cabinet doors.
Freestanding dishwashers, on the other hand, are not designed to match the aesthetics of your kitchen. While this might make them slightly less flashy, it does mean you have more flexibility when it comes to finding the right spot.
Dishwasher Price
Once you’ve decided on the type of dishwasher you’re looking for, you’ll need to consider your budget, and how much you’re willing to spend. Price can fluctuate massively from model to model, depending on overall size, the number of features, and even how efficient the dishwasher is.
You’ll want to strike a balance between budget and function so you can ensure you get the perfect dishwasher for your needs at a price that suits you. Be sure to consider what you want from your dishwasher, as this will have an impact on the price. You don’t want to spend too little and end up with a dishwasher that can barely carry out any task. Similarly, you also don’t want to spend too much and end up with a dishwasher packed full of features you’ll never use!
You might have to be a little bit flexible, but considering your budget helps you stay realistic when browsing through the options available!
Dishwasher Capacity
Next, you’ll want to consider the overall capacity of your dishwasher. You want to make sure the capacity is just right for your space, so make sure to think carefully about how many dishes you tend to wash on average. Make sure there’s enough space in your chosen dishwasher for your average number of place settings. So, if you need to wash dishes for the entire family, we’d recommend going for a larger dishwasher with more place settings available. This keeps you from overcrowding the appliance, so you can count on everything to come out spotless.
Similarly, you should make sure your dishwasher isn’t too large. Leaving too much empty space in the appliance when running a cycle simply wastes water and electricity that could otherwise be used to wash a full load of dishes.
What Does Place Setting Mean On A Dishwasher?
The term “Place Setting” refers to the collection of dishes you find at each spot of a dining table. For example, if you were attending a restaurant, you’d expect to see essential items like a plate, cutlery, and a drinking vessel at your spot on the table. Collectively, these items make up a single place setting. So, the more people at the dining table each night, the more place settings your chosen dishwasher should be able to accommodate!
Finally, you should make sure there’s enough space in your kitchen for your chosen dishwasher. The higher the capacity, the larger the appliance will need to be. You want to make sure your dishwasher fits effortlessly into place so that it doesn’t create an obstacle in your kitchen and that it’s not placed too close to any other appliances.
Special Features
Modern dishwashers are now equipped with all kinds of advanced features to help you achieve immense results. We mentioned earlier that a dishwasher’s price can fluctuate based on the number of features included. So, you’ll want to take the time to consider what kinds of functions you need.
It’s worth investing in a dishwasher with a range of available cycles. For instance, some dishwashers are equipped with intensive cycles, which can cut away at even the most stubborn stains and burnt-on grease. This ensures you can handle any kind of cleaning task, so you can keep your kitchen tidy. Make sure to look for a dishwasher with an intuitive and clear control panel, so that you can easily make the most of every feature.
You can also make cleaning even easier with a smart connected dishwasher. Many top models from Bosch, Samsung, and LG can be connected to dedicated smart home apps. So you can control everything from the convenience of your smartphone. Many of these apps also allow you to create custom cycles, so you can achieve perfect results even when washing a mixed array of dishes!
Dishwasher Efficiency
Energy efficiency is perhaps more crucial than ever, with bills seemingly always on an upward climb. So, you’ll want to make sure your dishwasher is up to scratch. When you’re browsing through the market, make sure to look out for each model’s energy rating. This will be denoted by a colour-coded label, which ranks each appliance on a scale from “A” to “G”, with “A” referring to a highly efficient model, and “G” referring to an inefficient model.
You should also look out for energy-efficient features that can help to cut down on bills. Soil sensors are particularly useful, as they ensure you only use the appropriate amount of water and electricity. During a cycle, the soil sensors detect exactly how much dirt and grime is coming off of your dishes at all times. When they notice that there’s less soil being loosened from your dishes, they shorten the length of the cycle! So you can have everything washed quicker and at a lower price.
It’s also worth looking for a dishwasher with an Auto Open Door. These are designed to open slightly at the end of a cycle, allowing plenty of fresh air into the tub so your dishes can air dry. Thus, there’s no need for any extra electricity use just to leave your dishes cupboard-ready!
Built-in Eco cycles can also help to save you money. These are designed to use cooler water and gentler spin speeds while still achieving perfect results. While an Eco cycle may take slightly longer to get the job done, it helps to save you heaps of cash on your electricity and water bills!
Noise Level
To help narrow down your search, you might also want to consider your chosen dishwasher’s noise level. If you’re looking to preserve some peace and quiet in your kitchen, then you’ll want to look for a dishwasher with a low noise level. Make sure to look at each model’s decibel level to determine how much noise the appliance will make when running an intensive cycle.
Once you’ve chosen your perfect dishwasher, you should make sure that there’s plenty of space around it, so there’s no risk of it vibrating against the wall or other appliances during a cycle!
What Should You Do With Your Old Dishwasher?
Of course, if you’re buying a brand-new dishwasher as a replacement for an existing model, then you’ll need to find out what to do with the old model. Luckily, there are plenty of options when it comes to disposing of an old dishwasher.
- Bulky Waste Collection: Many local councils offer bulky waste collection services. Prices can vary for these services, but they help to save you a lot of hassle.
- Use A Take-Back Service: When buying your new dishwasher, check to see if your chosen retailer has a Take-Back service. When they deliver your new dishwasher, they’ll also remove your old one at the same time!
- Sell It: If your existing dishwasher is still in working condition, then you may want to sell it. You can sell to other people on platforms like Facebook Marketplace, or sell it to any shops that specialise in used appliances. You also may be able to sell it for parts!
- Take It To The Tip: If you can handle the weight of the appliance, then you may want to take the appliance to the tip yourself. We’d recommend asking a friend or family member to help with the task.
Frequently Asked Questions
Things To Consider When Buying A Dishwasher?
The first thing you’re going to want to consider is your budget. Dishwashers each feature a range of different abilities, so you’ll want to make sure that your budget is suitable. You’ll also want to think carefully about the size of the dishwasher, and where you plan to place it. Otherwise, it will just prove to be a nuisance!
Is It Worth Buying A More Expensive Dishwasher?
This will depend on what you want out of your dishwasher. Pricier dishwashers tend to have greater overall capacities and offer a range of extra features to make them more effective. If you need a large washing machine that has a number of optional washing cycles, by all means, opt for a more expensive model!
Is It Worth Paying More For An Energy Efficient Dishwasher?
While energy-efficient dishwashers may cost more upfront, they can help save you a lot of money in the long run. Energy-efficient dishwashers will naturally use much less electricity, which means that they will have less of an impact on your monthly energy bills. Thus, you can easily save enough money on your bills to cover the cost of the dishwasher itself!
Is It Cheaper To Run A Dishwasher At Night?
It might come as some surprise to hear that dishwashers actually cost less to run at night. The reason for this is that other major electronics will be switched off at this time, which puts less of a strain on the grid. This in turn results in the process being much more affordable.
