When choosing your kitchen appliances, it’s likely one of your first questions will be “which dishwasher should I buy”, and with so many models available, picking the best one can be tricky. The key to choosing the best dishwasher is to be sure you’ve gone for a model that you’ll use efficiently.
First off — location. Most dishwashers, whether they’re integrated or freestanding are cold fill, so they’ll need to be as close to your kitchen sink as possible — aim for a max distance of 1.2 metres.
Perfect for couples and singles these counter-top dishwashers hold around 60 pieces and take up about the same amount of space as a large microwave. Compact size doesn’t mean compact price though, and you’ll often pay as much as for a full-size machine.
Once you’ve figured out the location, you can start to think about size, and you’ll find three basic options.
A full-sized machine will take 12 place settings, around 130 items including cutlery, plates and glassware. Standard dimensions are usually H85 x W60 x D60
Perfect for a smaller kitchen, these dishwashers will take around 100 items, which should be suitable for most couples or small families and with measurements of H85 x W45 x D60 they’ll fit all but the tiniest kitchens.
Perfect for couples and singles these counter-top dishwashers hold around 60 pieces and take up about the same amount of space as a large microwave. Compact size doesn’t mean compact price though, and you’ll often pay as much as for a full-size machine.
These dishwashers are designed to blend in with your kitchen and fit behind a cabinet door. They’re a little smaller than a standard dishwasher, but you can get both full-sized and slimline models.
Functionality is another key factor when you’re wondering which dishwasher to buy and there are several things to look out for. Dishwashers generally offer a choice of programmes, including an economy wash, delicate programme for glassware and some plastics as well as the standard programme.
Essentially it comes down to how you will use your machine — if you love making roasts and casseroles then you’ll need something with an extended deep clean option, likewise, if you use a lot of glassware, then the delicates programme will be invaluable. Think about how you’ll use your dishwasher, and only pay for the functions that you really want.
As technology grows, so do your options, and many dishwashers offer features that can make your life even easier.
Essential if you’ve got little ones — this prevents the door being opened during a wash cycle.
Ideal if you want to take advantage of a low cost energy tariff, or just want to avoid hearing the machine while you’re watching your favourite TV programme.
To be sure of squeaky clean plates, this feature means you can rinse your crocks before putting on a full load.
Built-in sensors identify the amount of dirt in water coming from your machine, and end the cycle when the plates are clean, saving time, money and energy.
As dishwashers continue to develop, the list of features grows but the main things to consider when you’re wondering which dishwasher to buy are where the machine will fit in your kitchen and how all its functions will fit with your lifestyle. Then you can look forward to hanging up those rubber gloves for good.
