Best Dishwashers

• What you need to know
• A dishwasher can save you a lot of time, as you no longer have to do your dishes.
• They are available as free-standing, built-in, or undercounter appliances that can blend in perfectly with your kitchen.
• Whether for singles, couples, or large families – dishwashers come in different sizes for every need.
• In addition to an extensive range of programs, useful features include load sensors, dosing assistants, and start time preselection.

Clean dishes at the touch of a button

Let’s face it, after a big meal, most people want to lay back and digest, not do the dishes. However, seeing pots and pans pile up in the sink is equally unpleasant as having to scrub them clean. To spare time and reduce stress, it is worth buying a dishwasher. They make washing up by hand redundant – except for items that aren’t dishwasher-safe.

A quick history

The first electric dishwasher was developed by Miele in 1929. At that time, it was just a round tub with legs and a motor. Another 30 years passed before they started looking anything like they do today. In the meantime, the machines have not only become more affordable, but also more economical and functional.

Dishwasher pros and cons

A dishwasher has several advantages. For instance, dishwashers use less energy and water to do your dishes, making them friendly to both the environment and your bank account. For 140 plates, cups, glasses, and cutlery, a dishwasher uses only 4 gallons (15L) of water, whereas washing dishes by hand requires between 11 and 45 gallons (40-70L), which is about two sinkfuls, depending on the technique used. This means that a dishwasher, provided it is fully and properly loaded, gets by with at least 7 gallons (25L) less water compared to the most economical person washing their dishes by hand.

In addition to electricity costs and water, you also save time. What could otherwise be an hour’s worth of dishwashing, becomes about ten minutes of filling and emptying the machine. Thanks to a timer, you can even set it to work when you are not at home.

Since used dishes usually end up in the dishwasher straight away and don’t pile up in the sink first, your kitchen also looks tidier. In addition, dishwashing is more hygienic because the high temperatures kill off germs and bacteria more effectively. While people can rarely tolerate more than 113 °F (45 °C) when washing dishes by hand, the temperatures in the dishwasher are between 140 and 176 °F (60-80 °C). As a bonus, your hands are spared getting soaked in water too long and becoming wrinkly.

Compared to a sponge and some detergent, buying a dishwasher is initially a costly purchase, but the investment pays off in the long run. A drawback of dishwashers is that they cannot wash everything – sometimes you will still need to get your hands wet. After all, not every material is suitable for the machine, as it is subjected to greater stress than during manual dishwashing. These materials include wood and copper, for example.

Different types of construction

Which dishwasher is best suited to your needs depends, among other things, on your budget, as well as your available space. For some people, aesthetics also play a role. Although all dishwashers function the same way, we can make basic distinction between three different types: while freestanding dishwashers can be placed anywhere in the room, undercounter and built-in appliances have to be installed under your kitchen surfaces.

Freestanding dishwashers

Freestanding dishwashers can be placed anywhere as long as electricity and water connections are available. As a result, they offer the most flexibility when it comes installation, which is particularly useful if you’re planning on moving house. At the same time, they also take up the most space. They have a flat top surface, which you can use as an additional storage option. Their front comes in different colors. Unlike built-in appliances, freestanding dishwashers rarely blend into the overall look of your kitchen, which is why a lot of people find them visually unappealing. Freestanding dishwashers are suitable if you’re not bothered by them standing out in your kitchen.

Undercounter dishwashers

Undercounter dishwashers come without a cover plate, as they are integrated under a kitchen countertop. However, their door does not match the look of the kitchen drawers, which means they still stand out in your kitchen. Some models, however, offer the option for attaching a decorative panel that you can adapt to the style of your kitchen. However, these need to be purchased separately. In terms of dimensions, they are designed to fit snuggly under your countertop. Unlike fully integrated dishwashers, the control panel is still visible and easily accessible. Basically, an untercounter dishwasher is the middle ground between freestanding and built-in.

Integrated dishwashers

Whereas a few years ago freestanding dishwashers were the most common type found in households, the trend is now shifting towards appliances that can be fully integrated into your kitchen. This becomes clear when looking at the catalogue of market-leading manufacturers such as Siemens and Bosch, whose product range now consists mainly of built-in machines. One reason for this is that most modern rental flats already have fully equipped kitchens. Bulit-in dishwashers can be adapted to the rest of the kitchen design and blend harmoniously into the overall look. A distinction is made between fully and partially integrated versions:

Size

The size of dishwasher you need depends on both how much space you have, and how big your household is. One-bed flats in particular, often do not have space for a large dishwasher. That is why there are more compact appliances for small spaces on the market, alongside larger models.

The most common dimensions

In terms of height, dishwashers vary between 31.9 and 36.2 inches (81-92cm). However, they usually have height-adjustable feet that can be adjusted to the height of the respective countertop. Adjusting your appliance’s height to your needs can even make loading and unloading easier. In addition, height-adjustable feet can compensate for an uneven floor.

The standard width for dishwashers is 24 inches (61cm) in the US and 60cm (24.1′) in Europe. Dishwashers with this width can hold 12 to 14 place settings and are suitable for larger households, for example families with two children or more. Narrow dishwashers with a width of 17.7 inches (45cm), on the other hand, are ideal for singles or couples. They usually fit between six and ten place settings. The following table summarizes the standard dimensions of dishwashers and their suitability for different household sizes:

Width	Capacity	Household size
18 inches/45cm	6-10 place settings	1-2 people
24 inches/60cm	11-14 place settings	3-5 people

When choosing a dishwasher, load capacity is the most important factor: if you cook every day, you are better off with a larger machine, even if you are the only user, because a small appliance that is quickly filled and needs to run twice a day will ultimately use more energy.

What’s a place setting?

A place setting is a standardized number of cutlery and crockery items used to indicate the capacity of a dishwasher. It consists of a dinner plate, a soup plate, a dessert plate, a saucer, a cup, and a drinking glass, as well as a knife, fork, soup spoon, teaspoon, and dessert spoon. The following classification indicates the usual space requirements for different household sizes:

• 1 person: 4 to 6 place settings
• 2 people: 8 to 10 place settings
• 3 people: 12+ place settings

Large and small: the special shapes

In addition to the standard sizes, there are also some outliers on the market. For particularly large households or catering establishments, for example, there are large-capacity dishwashers, while compact tabletop dishwashers are available for single households with limited space.

Design, functions, and programs

Depending on the manufacturer, dishwashers are equipped with several features that make everyday life easier. However, more functions usually come with a higher price. Therefore, before buying, you should carefully consider which features are appropriate for your needs.

It’s the inner values that count

All dishwashers have a smiliar basic internal layout. Inside, there are two racks that can be pulled out like a drawer. The larger lower rack is responsible for heavy dishes – dinner plates, soup bowls, pots, and other larger containers. Cutlery baskets are also usually found in the lower rack. The upper rack, on the other hand, is suitable for lighter items such as cups, glasses, and small plates. In some models, the upper basket is adjustable in height or can be angled to accommodate larger items. Some models have a cutlery drawer above the upper rack instead of a cutlery basket in the lower rack. A cutlery drawer creates additional space in the lower basket for large pots or bowls.

Both racks are fitted with rows of plastic spikes to hold plates and saucers. Since they can often be folded down, however, they also allow space for bulky pots and pans. Fixed plate holders, on the other hand, have the advantage that they do not slip. Height-adjustable glass holders are also available for stable placement of wine, champagne, and cocktail glasses. To simplify washing special household items, the following baskets and devices for dishwashers are also an option:

• Special baskets for baby bottles and other drinking bottles
• Fold-away cup rests
• Supports for barbecue cutlery and other large cutlery items
• Clamping devices, for example for long stemmed glasses

Useful features

Some dishwashers have a large number of useful features. However, which extras are necessary always depends on your own needs. The most common features include the following:

Safety first

All it takes is a burst hose or a defective valve to cause extensive water damage in your home. Since even the highest-quality dishwashers can become deefective, various safety precautions are built into modern appliances. In Siemens and Bosch appliances, for example, these are commonly known as AquaStop systems, in Beko machines as WaterSafe, but their effect is always the same: they automatically shut off the water supply at the tap by means of a valve as soon as the hose starts to leak.

There are two different systems on the market for this:

The right dishwasher cycle

There is usually a control panel and display on the front of the dishwasher where you can select programs – known as cycles – or additional functions. The display shows the remaining time and the control panel indicates which cycle is currently selected. If you have particularly temperature-sensitive dishes, you should make sure that the dishwasher offers as many different washing cycles as possible for different materials and degrees of soiling. While a short and an eco cycle are the norm nowadays, some models have a wide variety of different cycles. These include, for example, intensive cycles for heavily soiled dishes or applications for different types of dishes, such as premium glasses.

Modern appliances can now have up to twelve cycles, allowing them to achieve an optimal level of cleaning with the lowest possible energy expenditure. If you familiarize yourself a little with the various applications, you will ultimately not only be doing the environment a favor, but also your wallet. A dishwasher’s standard range of cycles should include the following:

Standard cycle: this is intended for universal use and above all for less stubborn soiling. To save operating costs, it works with relatively low temperatures of 113 to 131 °F (45-55 °C) and little water.

Automatic cycle: this intelligent program decides for itself which amount of water and detergent is suitable depending on the load capacity and the degree of soiling. So-called turbidity sensors and a load detection system are used for this.

Eco cycle: energy-saving cycles are characterized by particularly low electricity and water consumption, but they require more time. The dishwasher will run at slightly lower temperatures between 113 and 131 °F (45-55 °C), which is why it is suitable for an average degree of soiling.

Gentle cycle: this is ideal for delicate or very precious dishes, such as expensive glasses. Since it works with temperatures of less than 113 °F (45 °C) and a lower water pressure, it can only deal with with light soiling.

Short cycle: the short cycle can be very useful if you need to use your dishes again later on in the day, for example if you are hosting many guests. It usually only takes between 15 and 30 minutes for a wash cycle. However, plates and the like must not be heavily soiled, as the short cycle may not remove all the impurities in the short time.

Intensive cycle: intended for heavily soiled dishes that have dried out or baby dishes where all germs and pathogens need to be eradicated completely. It not only uses particularly high temperatures of up to 185 °F (85 °C), but also uses new water in every rinse phase and even allows five minutes for rinsing.

Overnight cycle: if you want to take advantage of cheaper night-time electricity without being deprived of sleep by the rumbling operating noises of your dishwasher, use this special rinse application, which can be pre-programmed for quiet use overnight. The operating volume is below 40 dB, which is comparable to a whisper.

Here are the most important wash cycles at a glance:

Program	Duration	Temperature	Pollution
Quick cycle	15-30 minutes	113 to 131 °F (45-55 °C)	easy
Eco cycle	up to 3 hours	113 to 131 °F (45-55 °C)	normal
Normal cycle	1-2 hours	140 to 149 °F (60-65 °C)	normal
Intensive cycle	1-2 hours	149 to 185 °F (65-85 °C)	strong

Tabs, salt, and rinse aid

Tabs (also referred to as tablets) tend to be the standard cleaners used in dishwashers. However, in addition to those, dishwashing detergent is also an option, as are powder and gel pods. For optimal cleaning results, it’s a good idea to use a rinse aid and salt. But what is the best combination?

Tabs, powder, or liquid cleaner?

In order to deliver a satisfying result, apart from water, a dishwasher also needs a detergent. You can choose from in various forms. Detergent is for loosening the dirt on soiled dishes so that the water can rinse them off. Depending on the composition, some cleaners can have a descaling effect.

Optimal softening with dishwasher salt

To prevent limescale from building up on your dishes, in the pipes, or on the heating elements you will need to soften the water your dishwasher uses. To soften your tap water, you will need a special regenerating salt. The salt needs to be filled into a storage container, the correct amount will be indicated by the refill indicator on the control panel. However, you must calibrate it beforehand using information about your local water hardness. Most dishwashers warn their owners that they need to refill the tank every few weeks by means of an audible signal or a visual signal on the display. In addition, many modern dishwashers are now able to determine the hardness of the water and dose the salt accordingly.

Avoiding water spots with rinse aid

Together with the detergent and softener salt, a rinse aid ensures an optimal cleaning result by covering the dishes like a film so that the water drains off completely and leaves no stains. In this way, the liquid also helps to improve the drying process. As with salt, there is also a refill indicator for the rinse aid, which gives a signal as soon as there is a need for replenishment. However, if you use a detergent that includes rinse aid, you don’t need to worry about this and you can switch off the indicator. As a rule, the dishwasher doses the rinse aid automatically. If too much rinse aid is used, streaks may remain on the dishes, while underdosing will leave them with limescale stains.

Connecting and loading

Connecting the dishwasher is a challenge for a lot of us: every manufacturer and model differs in this regard. However, if you follow the tips listed below, you will complete the tedious task in just a few steps:

1. Position the dishwasher so that it can be connected directly to the water connection and drain as well as the mains socket, e.g. at the siphon of the sink. Never use an extension cable, as the risk of a short circuit is too high in the event of water damage.
2. Turn off both the power and the water supply and make sure there is a valve at the sink that can be connected to the dishwasher’s water supply hose. Upgrade if necessary.
3. Connect the dishwasher’s waste water connection, often by simply plugging it in, and fix the hose firmly to the tap’s pipe with a clamp. It is advisable to have a bucket ready in case residual water runs out.
4. Restore the power supply, test all connections and turn the water inlet back on.
5. Start a test run. If water leaks out, switch the unit off again and tighten the connections.

Correct and incorrect loading

Is the cutlery placed with the ends looking up or down? Where do the plates go and where the glasses? It seems as though everyone has worked out their own routine for putting away their dishes. But with the right technique you can save a lot of space. The lower basket, for example, is for larger cooking utensils such as pots and pans but also plates and chopping boards. The upper basket is intended for glasses, larger ladles, and delicate dishes. To prevent the dishes from running full of water during the wash cycle, they should be placed with the opening facing downwards. The cutlery should always be placed with the handle facing downwards, which increases the cleaning effect. To ensure that the water reaches everywhere and the spray arms remain movable, do not overload the baskets.

Try the following tips to become a loading pro:

Stow the larger items first and then put away the smaller utensils to fill all the gaps with plates, glasses, and cups.

If you already sort the dishes in the machine, you can put away matching plates, glasses, and other dishes all the more quickly after cleaning, without having to search for set pieces in the washing basket.

Scrape off stubborn food residues in advance with a blunt object so that the dishes get clean more easily without having to use water to rinse them first.

Always empty the machine from the bottom to the top, as residual water that has not dried away, for instance from the undersides of cups, could drip from the top onto the dry dishes in the lower basket.

What belongs in the dishwasher?

Not every kitchen utensil is suitable for the dishwasher. However, as long as the cutlery, pots, and pans are made of stainless steel, they are rustproof and dishwasher safe. Silver cutlery and ceramic plates can also be cleaned in the machine. Porcelain with decoration should, however, be marked as dishwasher-safe so that the color intensity does not fade. Apart from particularly delicate ones, glasses are also generally suitable for the dishwasher.

Is it really dishwasher-safe?

To know whether a kitchen utensil is suitable for cleaning in the dishwasher, it is usually labelled with a pictogram or the term “dishwasher-safe”. However, neither of these is uniformly defined, so there are several different versions. It should also not be confused with the glass and fork symbol, which identifies products that are suitable for contact with food.

Proceed with caution with the following materials:

• Wood: cutting boards, cooking spoons, and the like change their material structure under high temperatures and might fade and splinter.
• Metal: aluminium, tin, copper, and brass do not belong in the dishwasher as they could become dull and black.
• Crystal: the high temperatures not only increase the risk of breakage, but the glass also loses its shine in the long run.
• Plastic: some plastics may discolor or deform over time if they are too close to the heating rods.

It also makes more sense to do the following dishes by hand:

• Old crockery: plates with gold rims and other decorations should be handled with particular care, as the decorations can peel off.
• Cheese grater: the numerous small perforations and sharp blades can hardly be cleaned completely in the dishwasher, so residues always remain.
• High-quality chef’s knives: expensive damask knives will quickly become dull in the dishwasher.
• Pet bowls: to prevent bacteria from pets’ mouths from landing on all the other dishes, pet bowls should not be washed in the dishwasher.

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