Choosing The Right Dishwasher

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If you are renovating your kitchen or just looking to replace your old dishwasher, there are some things you need to consider before you put your money down. What looks like a good deal may not be so good after all, once you spend a little time doing your homework and shopping around.

Sure, one model might have all the bells and whistles you’re looking for or is available in the exact shade of cherry red that perfectly matches your cookware, but looks can be deceiving. We are going to show you the features you should be looking for instead.

how to choose a dishwasher

Price

Knowing how much you have to spend before you begin your search for a dishwasher or drawer dishwasher can cut down on time wasted looking at products that are out of your price range. Once you find some dishwashers that are within your budget, then you can focus your attention on other important features to narrow the selection further.

Size

You need to know how much space you have to work with before you decide which dishwasher to buy. You have a few different options, depending on your floor plan. Traditional sized dishwashers that fit right into your cabinet design range between 24in and 30in in width and are about 34in in height. Compact dishwashers are 18in in width and about 32in in height. You can also get drawer dishwashers that are just a little larger than a kitchen drawer, but is just as effective as traditional sized dishwashers when it comes to cleaning dish loads. If you don’t have any extra space in your kitchen for a dishwasher, you can buy a portable dishdrawer one that hooks up to your sink when in use and can be stored out of the way until needed.

Cycles

There are many cycle functions that dishwashers can perform and the basic ones are enough for most consumers. Those are Light, Regular and Pots and Pans. Many of them also have an Econo feature that uses less water and electricity than normal cycles. Fancier, more expensive models will have additional features for glassware, sanitizing and everything in between. You probably don’t need  those added cycles, but they are good to have, if they are within your budget.

Energy Efficiency

Studies have shown that using a dishwasher instead of washing dishes by hand saves an average of 8 gallons of water per wash. However, to be sure you are investing in the most energy efficient machine, you want to look for the Energy Star Rating. The better the rating, the more energy efficient the dishwasher will be – and the less expensive it will be to operate, in terms of water and electricity usage.

As dishwashers continue to evolve, additional features will be added. However, don’t let all the fancy bells and whistles distract you from what’s important. Paying attention to these key features will ensure that you will not only get a dishwasher that’s right for you, but also one that doesn’t break your budget with a lot of extras that you simply don’t need.

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