How to Buy a Dishwasher
Decide your price range., Measure how much space you have., Make sure you have a good place to put it., Decide where to buy a dishwasher., Read online reviews., Decide if you want to buy a warranty., Choose a standard dishwasher., Get a compact...
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Decide your price range.
Before you start searching for a dishwasher, decide a price limit.
The lower your price range, the simpler your dishwasher will be.
Budget dishwashers can clean dishes very well, but might not have as many features and might be louder.
More expensive dishwashers tend to be quieter and have more features.
Budget dishwashers cost around 200-600 dollars, but more expensive dishwashers can be as much as 2,200 dollars. -
Step 2: Measure how much space you have.
Before going to the store, measure the amount of room you have for your dishwasher.
Standard dishwashers are 24 inches, but there are more compact dishwashers that are 18 inches.
When deciding the size of the dishwasher you will need, consider the size of your family and how often you do dishes.A standard size family should opt for a standard size dishwasher if they have room in their kitchen. , Before you buy it, make sure your kitchen is prepared for a dishwasher.
Make sure the floor is even and that there is enough room for the dishwasher.
If you are installing cabinets, make sure to keep in mind the width of the dishwasher., You can purchase dishwashers in many different stores (such as Sears, Lowes, Costco, and Best Buy).
You can also purchase dishwashers online.
Go to many stores or websites to compare prices to find the best deal.
Some retailers will install the dishwasher for you.
There are also retailers who will take away your old dishwasher.
Contact the retailer if you are interested in finding out about these services., Before you purchase a dishwasher make sure you read online reviews of other customers who have bought the dishwasher.
Find a dishwasher with good reviews about performance and reliability.
Amazon is a good place to find reviews about dishwashers, but also check the website of the dishwasher manufacturer for more input.Consider buying a dishwasher model that has at least 3/5 stars. , You might want to buy a warranty for your dishwasher in case anything goes wrong and your dishwasher breaks.
Your dishwasher might come with a warranty that last from three months to one year.
After that time period the manufacturer is not responsible for any problems unless you buy an extended warranty or service plan.
You might want to consider buying a warranty if your dishwasher costs more than 500 dollars., A standard dishwasher measures 24 inches (61Â cm).
This is the dishwasher that most people with a standard size kitchen need.
If you have enough room in your kitchen for a standard size dishwasher and do regular size dish loads than you should purchase this dishwasher., If your kitchen is low on space you can purchase a dishwasher that is 18 inches (45.7Â cm).
Compact dishwashers are great if you are low on space in your kitchen.
If you have a large family, you might not want this dishwasher because it does fill up faster than a standard size dishwasher., If you do small dish loads and want a sleek and modern dishwasher, consider dishwasher drawers.
You can purchase multiple drawers (usually two) to put your dishes in.
These are best if you are doing a full kitchen construction or renovation., If your kitchen has no room for a dishwasher, but you still want one, then purchase a portable dishwasher.
You can roll the dishwasher into your kitchen whenever you need it and hook it up to your sink.
Portable dishwashers save room but can be a hassle to pull out and hook up whenever you need to use it., When purchasing a dishwasher, you should keep in mind the noise level.
If you often do dishes when you are home or if your kitchen is in the center of the house, you might want to look for an especially quiet dishwasher.
If you always turn the dishwasher on before you leave for work, noise level might not be as important to you.
You will pay more for a quiet dishwasher, but not every expensive dishwasher is quiet., When you look at dishwashers, bring a few of your own plates and bowls to the store to make sure they fit in the dishwasher.
There are machines with adjustable racks available to help make your dishes fit comfortably.
If your dishes don't fit, move the adjustable racks to see how many of your dishes the dishwasher can accommodate., Decide if cycle time is important to you.
For the most part there is not usually a correlation between cycle time and dishwasher performance.
If you find yourself needing items out of the dishwasher often, but it is still running, cycle time might be important to you.
An efficient washer that has a short cycle time is best for people who do dishes often or cook a lot., The decor of your dishwasher is an important part of your kitchen.
Dishwashers come in black, white, or stainless steel.
You can also buy dishwashers with the option to match your cabinets.
The tub inside your dishwasher can be plastic or stainless steel.
Some dishwashers have the buttons hidden on the inside of the dishwasher.
You can get dishwashers that have a window so you can see your dishes being cleaned., When purchasing a dishwasher, you might want to keep in mind the amount of energy and water the dishwasher uses.
Choosing a dishwasher that uses less energy is good for the environment and your utility bill.
Standard dishwashers use no more than 355 kWh per year and no more than
6.5 gallons of water per cycle.
Energy Star dishwashers are more strict and use no more than 295 kWh per year and
4.25 gallons of water per cycle.A dishwasher that uses less energy and water saves you money in the long run because it lowers your utility bill. , You can purchase dishwashers with racks that you can move up and down, movable tines, and silverware holders that you can rearrange.
Being able to reconstruct your dishwasher is great for big loads or when washing strangely shaped dishes.
You can even purchase dishwashers with a third rack for large utensils and small cups., These make your dishwasher's cycle time adjustable.
The sensors change the time and the amount of water used depending on how dirty your dishes are.
This improves dishwasher efficiency but can make the dishwasher more expensive. , If you don’t fill your dishwasher up quickly, you might want to get a dishwasher with a rinse and hold cycle.
This allows you to rinse dishes when it is not a full load to prevent food from setting in and to reduce bad smell., These keep the water that cleans your dishes clean.
This way no old food is getting back on your dishes.
Self-cleaning filters grind food particles and flush them.
They are convenient, but they can be loud.
There are manual filters that don’t have a grinder.
They are quieter but they need to be hand cleaned., Standard dishwashers come with three cycles (light, normal, and heavy).
On newer dishwashers, you can get fast working cycles (such as quick and express).
There are even cycle options on some dishwashers for pot scrubbing, china, crystals, steam cleaning, and sanitizing.
Most people will only need the basic three cycles, but consider special cycles if you have specific needs., Less expensive dishwashers will dry dishes in a few hours using heat in the dishwasher tub.
More expensive models will heat the water during the rinse period to make the dishes dry faster or heat the dishes to dry them.
Opting for these options will save you time, but they do make your electricity bill higher. -
Step 3: Make sure you have a good place to put it.
-
Step 4: Decide where to buy a dishwasher.
-
Step 5: Read online reviews.
-
Step 6: Decide if you want to buy a warranty.
-
Step 7: Choose a standard dishwasher.
-
Step 8: Get a compact dishwasher for a small kitchen.
-
Step 9: Consider getting dishwasher drawers for small loads.
-
Step 10: Choose a portable dishwasher if you have no space.
-
Step 11: Consider noise level.
-
Step 12: Make sure your dishes fit in the dishwasher.
-
Step 13: Consider cycle time.
-
Step 14: Decide the appearance you want.
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Step 15: Compare energy use.
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Step 16: Consider adjustable racks.
-
Step 17: Decide if you need soil sensors.
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Step 18: Get a dishwasher with a rise and hold cycle to prevent odor.
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Step 19: Decide if you need filters.
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Step 20: Consider getting a dishwasher with special wash cycles.
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Step 21: Choose a dishwasher with heated dry to save time.
Detailed Guide
Before you start searching for a dishwasher, decide a price limit.
The lower your price range, the simpler your dishwasher will be.
Budget dishwashers can clean dishes very well, but might not have as many features and might be louder.
More expensive dishwashers tend to be quieter and have more features.
Budget dishwashers cost around 200-600 dollars, but more expensive dishwashers can be as much as 2,200 dollars.
Before going to the store, measure the amount of room you have for your dishwasher.
Standard dishwashers are 24 inches, but there are more compact dishwashers that are 18 inches.
When deciding the size of the dishwasher you will need, consider the size of your family and how often you do dishes.A standard size family should opt for a standard size dishwasher if they have room in their kitchen. , Before you buy it, make sure your kitchen is prepared for a dishwasher.
Make sure the floor is even and that there is enough room for the dishwasher.
If you are installing cabinets, make sure to keep in mind the width of the dishwasher., You can purchase dishwashers in many different stores (such as Sears, Lowes, Costco, and Best Buy).
You can also purchase dishwashers online.
Go to many stores or websites to compare prices to find the best deal.
Some retailers will install the dishwasher for you.
There are also retailers who will take away your old dishwasher.
Contact the retailer if you are interested in finding out about these services., Before you purchase a dishwasher make sure you read online reviews of other customers who have bought the dishwasher.
Find a dishwasher with good reviews about performance and reliability.
Amazon is a good place to find reviews about dishwashers, but also check the website of the dishwasher manufacturer for more input.Consider buying a dishwasher model that has at least 3/5 stars. , You might want to buy a warranty for your dishwasher in case anything goes wrong and your dishwasher breaks.
Your dishwasher might come with a warranty that last from three months to one year.
After that time period the manufacturer is not responsible for any problems unless you buy an extended warranty or service plan.
You might want to consider buying a warranty if your dishwasher costs more than 500 dollars., A standard dishwasher measures 24 inches (61Â cm).
This is the dishwasher that most people with a standard size kitchen need.
If you have enough room in your kitchen for a standard size dishwasher and do regular size dish loads than you should purchase this dishwasher., If your kitchen is low on space you can purchase a dishwasher that is 18 inches (45.7Â cm).
Compact dishwashers are great if you are low on space in your kitchen.
If you have a large family, you might not want this dishwasher because it does fill up faster than a standard size dishwasher., If you do small dish loads and want a sleek and modern dishwasher, consider dishwasher drawers.
You can purchase multiple drawers (usually two) to put your dishes in.
These are best if you are doing a full kitchen construction or renovation., If your kitchen has no room for a dishwasher, but you still want one, then purchase a portable dishwasher.
You can roll the dishwasher into your kitchen whenever you need it and hook it up to your sink.
Portable dishwashers save room but can be a hassle to pull out and hook up whenever you need to use it., When purchasing a dishwasher, you should keep in mind the noise level.
If you often do dishes when you are home or if your kitchen is in the center of the house, you might want to look for an especially quiet dishwasher.
If you always turn the dishwasher on before you leave for work, noise level might not be as important to you.
You will pay more for a quiet dishwasher, but not every expensive dishwasher is quiet., When you look at dishwashers, bring a few of your own plates and bowls to the store to make sure they fit in the dishwasher.
There are machines with adjustable racks available to help make your dishes fit comfortably.
If your dishes don't fit, move the adjustable racks to see how many of your dishes the dishwasher can accommodate., Decide if cycle time is important to you.
For the most part there is not usually a correlation between cycle time and dishwasher performance.
If you find yourself needing items out of the dishwasher often, but it is still running, cycle time might be important to you.
An efficient washer that has a short cycle time is best for people who do dishes often or cook a lot., The decor of your dishwasher is an important part of your kitchen.
Dishwashers come in black, white, or stainless steel.
You can also buy dishwashers with the option to match your cabinets.
The tub inside your dishwasher can be plastic or stainless steel.
Some dishwashers have the buttons hidden on the inside of the dishwasher.
You can get dishwashers that have a window so you can see your dishes being cleaned., When purchasing a dishwasher, you might want to keep in mind the amount of energy and water the dishwasher uses.
Choosing a dishwasher that uses less energy is good for the environment and your utility bill.
Standard dishwashers use no more than 355 kWh per year and no more than
6.5 gallons of water per cycle.
Energy Star dishwashers are more strict and use no more than 295 kWh per year and
4.25 gallons of water per cycle.A dishwasher that uses less energy and water saves you money in the long run because it lowers your utility bill. , You can purchase dishwashers with racks that you can move up and down, movable tines, and silverware holders that you can rearrange.
Being able to reconstruct your dishwasher is great for big loads or when washing strangely shaped dishes.
You can even purchase dishwashers with a third rack for large utensils and small cups., These make your dishwasher's cycle time adjustable.
The sensors change the time and the amount of water used depending on how dirty your dishes are.
This improves dishwasher efficiency but can make the dishwasher more expensive. , If you don’t fill your dishwasher up quickly, you might want to get a dishwasher with a rinse and hold cycle.
This allows you to rinse dishes when it is not a full load to prevent food from setting in and to reduce bad smell., These keep the water that cleans your dishes clean.
This way no old food is getting back on your dishes.
Self-cleaning filters grind food particles and flush them.
They are convenient, but they can be loud.
There are manual filters that don’t have a grinder.
They are quieter but they need to be hand cleaned., Standard dishwashers come with three cycles (light, normal, and heavy).
On newer dishwashers, you can get fast working cycles (such as quick and express).
There are even cycle options on some dishwashers for pot scrubbing, china, crystals, steam cleaning, and sanitizing.
Most people will only need the basic three cycles, but consider special cycles if you have specific needs., Less expensive dishwashers will dry dishes in a few hours using heat in the dishwasher tub.
More expensive models will heat the water during the rinse period to make the dishes dry faster or heat the dishes to dry them.
Opting for these options will save you time, but they do make your electricity bill higher.
About the Author
Sarah Myers
With a background in lifestyle and practical guides, Sarah Myers brings 11 years of hands-on experience to every article. Sarah believes in making complex topics accessible to everyone.
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