A few decades ago, cleaning up after a meal took almost as long as making it. Fast forward to today and the humble dishwasher does the hard work of keeping our cups, pans and plates clean, giving us more time to enjoy the things that matter.
Think that dishwashers are a wasteful option? Think again. Did you know you could use up to 122 litres of water when washing dishes by hand? Whereas an energy-efficient dishwasher could use as little as 6 litres of water per wash!
We look at whether it’s worth upgrading to a new dishwasher, which model will suit you best and answer the controversial question of how to stack a dishwasher…
What do I need to know when buying a dishwasher?
Before you start shopping, you’ll need to consider:
• Space: Full-size dishwashers are about 60cm wide, slimline models are around 45cm wide and compact models are designed to replace a kitchen drawer or sit on a countertop.
• Freestanding or integrated: There are loads of options if you're after a freestanding model that can go anywhere, but if you're fitting your dishwasher behind kitchen cabinets, integrated is the way to go.
• Capacity: Bigger may seem better, but it's always best to work out how much you actually need to wash - since you shouldn't run your dishwasher when there's not much in it. If you live alone or with one other person, a smaller dishwasher may be a better option than a full-size model.
• Budget: Buying a higher end model might seem like a lot to fork out, but they're often much more energy-efficient - so can save you money in the long run.
Do I need to upgrade my dishwasher?
If you’re finding that your dishwasher just can’t cope with crusty pasta bakes and day-old porridge, it may be time to upgrade. Plus, dishwasher tech has come a long way in recent years, so you might be missing out on a lot of great features that can make your life easier - like quick wash or being able to control your dishwasher from your phone.
Top dishwashers for every kitchen
Whatever your kitchen or family size, we’ve got a dishwasher to suit.
1. The easy stacker
Trying to cram everything into your dishwasher is never a good idea - since your plates and cutlery are unlikely to get clean that way. Plus, every load is different. Sometimes you may need to do a load of plates and wine glasses after a family meal. Other times, it could all be about the pots and pans.
Having flexible baskets is a gamechanger. One option is the BEKO Pro Fast45 Dishwasher. The upper basket can flex to 3 different heights and you can move it easily even when fully loaded. The plate supports fold down and the cutlery tray can be adjusted on both sides. This means you can finally have the space to make everything sparkling - even those extra tall wine glasses you's previously never dared put in the dishwasher.
Dishwasher stacking can be a touchy subject. If arguments on how to stack the dishwasher run rife in your house, it’s time to settle things once and for all…
5 commandments of dishwasher loading
1. Mugs and glasses on top, plates underneath. Hopefully this is one we can all get onboard with.
2. Don’t let your spoons spoon. If you have a cutlery basket, forks and spoons should go in handle down (to get them cleaner) and knives handle up (for safety). Or make life easier and buy a dishwasher with a cutlery tray.
3. Anything that collects water should be upside down – bowls, cups, pans and ladles all fall into this category.
4. Tupperware on the top. The heating element in most dishwashers is at the bottom, so it’s better for plastics to be on the top rack.
5. Don't let glasses touch – Rattling glasses right next to each other are a sure fire way to cause cracks. So space them out a bit. Porcelain mugs and cups on the row between them are a good buffer.
2. The energy-efficient glass sparkler
Older dishwashers often struggle to dry dishes thoroughly, leaving plastic items wet and water stains on glass and china. Not any more. The Bosch Serie 8 dishwasher dries as well as it cleans, meaning your dishes, glasses and lunchboxes can go straight from dishwasher to cupboard without going near a tea towel. It dries plastic items too – no more time wasted drying all your tupperware.
It's also got those flexible baskets, which is a great way to get more out of your wash. And its B rating makes it top of the efficiency list, helping you save money on your bills.
You can even hook this dishwasher up to your phone and smart home - and just ask Alexa to start your dishwasher for you. Welcome to the future!
3. The small (but perfectly formed) dishwasher
With a slimline model, no kitchen is too small for a dishwasher, and you’ll never have to play dirty-dish Jenga on the countertop again. The HISENSE Slimline Dishwasher is exceptionally quiet, making it ideal for small kitchens and open-plan apartments.
Although it takes up less space than a standard cupboard, with a capacity of 11 plate settings, it’s big enough for families or dinner parties and you can adjust the height of the top shelf to fit large trays or tall glasses. And once it's tackled Sunday Roast washing up, its Selfcleaning filter will save you getting your hands dirty too.
Hopefully, these dishwasher ideas will get you started. But you can also check out our Dishwasher Buying Guide or ask a ShopLive expert to take you through our huge choice.