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| The average family can spend up to 250 hours a year doing the washing up. It is a job that no-one likes, but fortunately there is an easy alternative. It takes just five minutes to load a dishwasher, and there's no drying-up to do - so it's hardly surprising that dishwashers have become a must for most kitchens. What's more, as well as saving you from the dullest of daily chores, dishwashers can save water and energy too. Compare prices of dishwashers At Currys you can choose a dishwasher from under £100 to almost £900. This guide will help you decide on the one that’s right for you. Freestanding Dishwashers from around £170 Built-in Dishwashers from around £200  | |||||||||||||||||
Questions you need to ask |
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| How much washing up do you do? A big family creates much more washing up than even the most enthusiastic cook who lives alone! It is important to get a dishwasher that’s big enough for your own personal washing up mountain – but not too big. Running your dishwasher half empty wastes water and energy. Dishwasher capacityDishwasher capacity is measured in place settings. One place setting equals a small plate, large plate, dish, cup and saucer, and cutlery to go with it. Standard, slimline or compact dishwashers?Compact dishwashersCompact dishwashers are about the size of a microwave, and are designed to sit on a draining board or worktop. They usually hold up to four or five place settings. Standard dishwashersStandard dishwashers hold anything up to hold 12 or 14 place settings, and are around 60cm wide. Compare prices of standard dishwashers Slimline dishwashersIf space in your kitchen is tight slimline dishwashers are available. These are generally 45cm wide. They still take between eight and ten place settings – plenty for a small household. Most economical dishwasherA fully loaded, full-size dishwasher is the most economical to run, but many families do not use enough dishes to fill them. Machines with a water- and energy-saving half-load setting can be a good compromise, taking care of everything when you have people over for a meal, and still keeping costs down the rest of the time. Freestanding or built in dishwashers?Freestanding dishwashersFreestanding dishwashers slot under a kitchen worktop, and are designed to be seen. Prices of freestanding dishwashers Built in dishwashersBuilt in dishwashers have a door fitted over the machine front to match those of the kitchen units. These can be fully integrated so they look like a cupboard, or semi integrated, with controls visible at drawer height, and an infill panel to match the rest of the of the kitchen below. If you are adding a built in dishwasher to an existing kitchen, make sure you have - or can get - a matching door. Prices of built in dishwashers | |||||||||||||||||
Why dishwashers are a really good idea |
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Dishwashers use less water and energy than washing up by hand, so you actually help the environment (and your electricity and water bills) when you use one.Dishwashers are hygienicDishwashers are hygienic as they clean more thoroughly than washing up in the sink because the water temperature is higher than your hands can stand, detergents are more powerful and drying is by hot air - better than a germ-filled tea towel! |
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Dishwasher features |
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Dishwasher programmesThe more you pay for a dishwasher, the more programmes it is likely to have. The most popular programmes include: Normal wash – washes at 65 C, ideal for most normal washing up loads. Quick wash - for lightly soiled dishes, glasses - or when you haven't got time to wait for a full cycle. Economy Wash - uses the minimum amount of water and a lower temperature. Intensive Wash - a hotter wash ideal for pots and pans, or washing up that has been left. The tough way to deal with really baked on food. Glassware - a special delicate wash, with a lower temperature to ensure glasses are not damaged. Timer Delay - lets you set your dishwasher to run when you want – such as when you go out or want to take advantage of low cost night-time electricity. Sensor DishwashersSensor dishwashers have sensors and electronic brains that automatically adjust the wash programme to best suit each load. They are expensive, but they should ensure perfect results every time. Dishwasher BasketsThe internal racks and baskets that hold your washing up make a big difference to how easy it is to load and use. Adjustable or removable dishwasher baskets make it easier for larger items like pots and pans to be accommodated and cleaned. Dishwasher noise levelsEarly dishwashers tended to be noisy, but those sold today are much quieter. Getting a quiet machine is important if you spend a lot of time in your kitchen or want to take advantage of cheaper electricity by running your dishwasher at night. If you want a quieter than normal dishwasher, look for one with a noise level of less than 54dB. The quietest dishwashers emit just 42dB output, but they do cost more. Dishwasher Rinse aid and SaltAll dishwashers need rinse aid, to help drying without ugly water marks (especially on glassware) and dishwasher salt, to soften hard water. You don't need to use them each time you use the machine. How much you use depends on several factors – such as how dirty your dishes are and whether you are in a hard water area. Without them, you could risk damaging the machine. So it's useful if your dishwasher has lights to warn you when it needs more rinse aid or salt. Dishwasher Performance ratingsAll dishwashers – in common with most home appliances – are given Eurolabel grades for Washing performance , Energy efficiency and drying efficiency. Grades run from A – the best – down to E (there are lower grades, but you won’t find them at Curry’s!) Cleaning performanceMachines awarded an A Grade for cleaning performance have been tested to ensure they are the most efficient at removing dried grease and food and getting your dishes sparkling clean. Energy EfficiencyDishwashers with an A Grade energy performance use less electricity and hot water - saving you money. Drying PerformanceAs you would expect, dishwashers with A Grade drying performance leave the least water on your dishes at the end of the wash. So – you should look out for AAA grade dishwashers if you want the best of everything, but you should expect to spend a little more.
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Eurolabel rating for dishwashers | |||||||||||||||||
Eurolabel is an alphabetical
classification going from "A" to "G" which helps you see how well a
washing machine will perform.
When you buy a new dishwasher you should remember-Most crockery sold these days is dishwasher safe, but some older or delicate items might not be up to the temperature and cleaning power of a modern dishwasher. If you have special items, you might want to wash them by hand to be on the safe side. A dishwasher needs a cold water supply!A dishwasher needs a cold water supply, the waste pipe and a power point. Compact units can be fitted to kitchen taps, but most dishwashers need to be plumbed in. There are kits available from DIY stores, but if you need a professional in to help remember to include their costs in your budget. | |||||||||||||||||
