Where to start to buy a dishwasher
The first step is to think about practicalities like value for money, your lifestyle and your environment.
Here are four issues to think about as your research your dishwasher:
Keep energy and environmental costs down
Look for a good energy efficiency rating, the more stars (up to six) the better. The higher the energy efficiency means lower costs for you and the environment over the lifetime of the dishwasher.
Do a ‘lifestyle check'
Check the available space in your kitchen, and allow some room at the back for ventilation. Some space at the sides will also help when installing the dishwasher.
Consider whether your normal dinnerware will fit into the dishwasher without crowding or hitting the spray arms. Take some with you when shopping. Consider how many place settings you need to wash every day or on special occassions.
Check that the filters are easy to remove and clean. Keeping your dishwasher filters clean will prolong the life of your dishwasher plus ensure that it continues to work effectively.
Think about your water requirements
Would you prefer to use a hot or cold water connection? Check whether a cold or hot connection is recommended for the machine. If you'll be connecting to hot water, check the recommended maximum hot-water inlet temperature - you may need a tempering valve if it's too hot.
Look for a salt dispenser to soften the water if you live in an area with hard water. The salt dispenser should be easy to refill.
Limited space for a dishwasher?
Consider a slimline dishwasher or a compact model that can be placed on a bench top or built-in. Fisher Paykel offer a "drawer" model to fit neatly into your kitchen bench.
Some models have mobile versions or mobile conversion kits - so you can wheel the dishwasher up to the sink when you need to use it.
Little Extras That Can Make a Difference
Consider things like child safety and ease of use, and how important convenient extras are to you.
Safety Features
Child-safe door locks for a Dishwasher
Dishwasher powders and tablets are extremely poisionous and should be stored safely away from children and pets. Consider if you need a model with door locks to keep little hands away from powder residue, hot water and sharp knives all found in your dishwasher.
Anti-Flood Device for Dishwashers
If you are living in an appartment or value your wood floors, consider getting an anti-flood device that provides protection if there's a water leak in the dishwasher.
Simple Fault Display
Very useful for your next diswasher to help you identify simple problems, such as an empty rinse-aid dispenser or blocked spray arms, and avoid unnecessary service calls; or warn you of a serious problem that does need a service call.
Hidden Heating Element
Consider buying a dishwasher with a hidden heating element - to prevent items from damage if they fall through the basket, and food from being burnt onto the element.
Convenience Features for your Dishwasher
Height adjustable baskets and removable or fold-down plate racks for more versatility.
Optional anti-nesting grids (individual slots for better cleaning) on the cutlery baskets or cutlery trays.
Fan-assisted drying. This can improve drying by removing condensation from inside the dishwasher.
Half-load option adjusts the water and program times for a much smaller load, saving up to 50% in water and letting you wash more economically.
More from Comparison Net
Use Comparison Net to search the latest Dishwashers, shortlist the Dishwashers you want to buy then compare model features side by side.
Add to del.icio.us
