Dishwashers

Dishwashers are one of the most convenient modern appliances, second only to the refrigerator or water faucet. They spare you the time wasted methodically cleaning dishes, leaving you with more time to do other things.

Size

There are three main sizes available, according to width: 18, 22, and 24 inches. The standard dishwasher is 24 inches wide, while the 18-inch and 22-inch options are used mainly to save space in smaller kitchens, such as in apartments or common work/living areas.

Dishwasher Type

The perfect dishwasher depends on your preferences, your specific needs, and the measurements of your kitchen. Most residential homes use the standard 24-inch dishwasher, which will also give you more features and options than some of the slimmer, space-saving models.

Choose between the following dishwasher types: fully integrated/top control, full console (front control), semi-integrated, and countertop. Fully-integrated, semi-integrated, and full console models are built-in units, while countertop models are smaller and more portable.

The two most common dishwasher types are fully-integrated/top control and full console units. Fully-integrated dishwashers feature an exterior that is complete and compatible with other kitchen appliances. It 'integrates,' or hides in your kitchen as to not stand out. The control console is located at the top of the dishwasher door, where it remains hidden when the dishwasher is closed. No lights or disruptions are in view by room occupants.

Fully-integrated dishwashers are built-in units that are available in many designs, finishes, and matches to complement other appliances. These are operated by buttons which must be depressed when the door is ajar.

Full console dishwashers come in slim and standard sizes, and are very similar to fully-integrated dishwashers, except for a main feature. These built-in dishwashers place the control console in full view on the front, vertical portion of the door. While this is the most traditional type of dishwasher, it can affect the aesthetics if you don't want to see the control panel or blinking lights.

Semi-integrated units are a partially integrable dishwasher that is built-in, but at least part of the control panel remains visible. Sometimes this is done by design to offer a bit of a visual accent. This partial-panel visibility allows you to make changes and control the dishwasher even when the cleaning process is active. You don't have to open the dishwasher to push the panel buttons like you would with a fully-integrated unit.

Countertop dishwashers are an interesting choice, and by far the smallest option. These compact units are made to sit atop your countertop, as opposed to being built-in. This means less interior capacity. However, for those who don't have room for a dishwasher, who live in an apartment, and anyone else whose kitchen cannot accommodate a built-in dishwasher at the time, it is a great option. Countertop models offer the convenience of a full-sized dishwasher available in a smaller, more portable form. This is a great choice for anyone who only needs to regularly wash dishes for one or two people.

Special Features

The decibel range of a dishwasher is one of the first things a buyer should research. Consider a dishwasher with a low decibel level for quieter operation. For comparison purposes, normal conversation has a sound intensity of around 60 decibels, and some of dishwashers on the market boast a decibel level of 39 to 40 decibels. Keep in mind that an increase of one decibel is a 30-percent sound increase. 39 can sound very different from 40, and 54 can sound much louder than 54.

Hard food disposers are a feature you may not want to pass up. If you have a larger family or tend to make foods that stick on your dirty dishes, this feature can help keep your dishes clean. Units with hard food disposers are able to clear off food particles and even chunks of food, and safely dispose of it from your dishwasher without clogging your pipes or breaking your dishwasher.

For the environmentally conscious, there are Energy Star units that use less electricity and less water consumption. Depending on the selected cleaning mode, you can save more water than you would hand-washing your dishes.

With automatic heating and sterilization options, you can skip the manual towel drying of dishes. Go straight to unloading the dishwasher, where you can put your clean, dry dishes away without any additional effort on your part.

The Choice Is Clear...and Clean!

Not only can dishwashers save us time and water consumption, but they're also better for our health. Dishwashers offer a better clean, with sterilization options and cleaning capabilities that aren't typically possible by hand. The scouring hot water features and high-temperature heat help to keep our dishes as clean as possible between meals, sterilizing any germs or food-borne illnesses that can make us sick.

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