How to choose a dishwasher

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

Capacity, operating modes, leakage protection and other important parameters to consider.

1. Possibility of embedding

All cars are divided into three types:

• fully recessed (Electrolux ESL 94200 LO, Beko DIS 25010, Bosch SPV25CX01R);
• recessed partially (Electrolux ESF 2300 DW, BBK 45 ‑ DW202D, Bosch SPI25CS00E);
• freestanding (Candy CDP 2L952 W ‑ 07, Hansa ZWM 416 WH, Midea MCFD ‑ 0606).

If you are designing a kitchen from scratch in a new house or apartment, it makes sense to pay attention to the first option. These are dishwashers that can be completely hidden behind the kitchen façade without disturbing the design of the room. If the furniture has been installed for a long time, but you are willing to sacrifice a cabinet, you can opt for a partially built-in machine. As a rule, they are placed under the table top: the front panel is visible, but the table top remains unified from above. And if the car cannot be put into the existing kitchen set in any way, you can choose the free-standing option, which is also often called compact, or desktop.

The location of the machine, as well as the sink, in most cases depends on the connection to the water supply and sewerage system. The closer to the water supply and drain points, the better.

2. Ability to work without running water

In the vast majority of cases, of course, buyers are looking for machines for kitchens where there is no problem with the water supply. But if you have a specific situation (for example, choose a dishwasher for a summer residence), it is quite possible to find a device that works without connecting to a water supply.

First, there are several compact dishwashers that do not only require running water, but also electricity. They are based on a simple mechanical force: you turn a knob and the system distills water and detergent inside the container. These include Circo Independent, Wash N Bright and NoStrom EcoWash. There is also the super-compact Tetra Heatworks device. True, these models are more of a design concept than a hot commodity, and it is difficult to find them on sale.

A more realistic option is a freestanding machine, in which water is manually poured into the tank. The most common models on sale in the Russian market are manufactured by Midea.

Size 3

Typically, built-in dishwashers have a standard depth of 50-60 cm. They are usually about 85 cm high in order to take up the entire space under the countertop, although there are exceptions. But in width, the devices are divided into full-size (60 cm) and narrow (45 cm). This matches the standard width of cabinets in most kitchen units.

Compact machines come in a variety of shapes and sizes. This directly affects the next item - the capacity of the dishwasher. If the family has more than two people, and the kitchen area allows you to acquire massive appliances, this is one of the main selection criteria.

4. Capacity

Typically, the characteristics of the dishwasher indicate the number of sets of dishes that can be washed at one time. One set is the items one person needs for a hearty meal: a fork, a spoon, a pair of plates (flat and deep), a cup and saucer, and a glass.

On the market you can find machines with a capacity of 6 to 17 sets. To estimate what you need, multiply the number of households by three. For example, a family of three needs a dishwasher that can hold at least nine sets to load after each meal and run it once a day - or wash the cooking containers along with the plates. A smaller capacity is only suitable for a bachelor apartment - but, in all honesty, dishes for one are much easier to wash by hand.

In a machine that is too large, with less frequent meals, dishes will accumulate (and smell bad). If the device is too small for your family, you will have to do something manually or in several stages - especially since all pans and pots are counted separately from the sets of plates.

5. Modes of operation

Modern dishwashers usually have several modes. If you hate scrubbing by hand on pots, pans and trays, look for an intensive program for heavily soiled dishes. Also useful functions - express program (fast cycle), delicate washing for glass glasses and other fragile items, half load mode.

In some devices, you can wash not only dishes, but also children's toys, cosmetic brushes and other things. Manufacturers provide special programs and fasteners for such purposes. For example, Indesit models have a mode for cleaning baby bottles.

In any case, do not send crystal, aluminum, graters and garlic presses, wooden and cast iron objects, products with paper stickers, thermoses to the dishwasher (at least on intensive and long programs, when the contents of the machine can rinse for several hours in a very hot solution of detergent). They may not be clean enough or deteriorate on their own and damage the device.

Pay attention to the time for washing dishes in the main mode. For different models, it varies from 10 minutes to 6 hours - this is an important parameter if you intend to use the device several times a day.

6. Drying method

Plus the dishwasher - the dishes do not need to be wiped after it. However, drying also has its own nuances. Several technologies are used in modern models. The easiest drying method is condensation. At the last stage of washing, all the dishes are poured over with hot water, then it cools down, the drops flow down and dry, and the excess water is pumped out by a pump. This machine is quieter and more energy efficient than devices with other technologies, but drying can be very long. In this category, you can consider the models Electrolux ESL 94200 LO, Candy CDP 2L952 W ‑ 07, Hansa ZWM 416 WH. You can buy a similar unit for a price within 15 thousand rubles.

Turbo drying occurs a little faster when the dishes are additionally blown with air using a built-in fan and heating element (models Midea MID45S700, Haier DW2 ‑ STFWWRU, Beko DIN48430). Its type is intensive drying with a heat exchanger (recondensation). Such options are more expensive (from 25 thousand rubles), but after a short time you will take out dry dishes from them.

There is also the so-called zeolite drying: a container with a zeolite mineral is installed in the machine, which absorbs moisture and releases heat. This technology saves energy, since it does not require additional ventilation and heating elements. However, this plus is somewhat overshadowed by the fact that zeolite drying is available exclusively in premium models (from 60-70 thousand rubles). Almost all of them on the Russian market are made by Bosch (for example, Bosch SPV66TD10R) and Siemens (for example, Siemens SR 656X01 TE).

It is also useful to know that the drying and washing class is indicated on the machines. Class A means your dishes will always be perfectly dry and clean. Washing and drying the B-class means that after the end of the cycle, a few drops of water will remain on the dishes. Most cars are now Category A. The same goes for energy consumption. In general, manufacturers try to make all models as economical as possible and provide high quality washing. So, if you are not buying a 15-year-old used unit and not an industrial machine for a restaurant, you don't need to bother with this question especially.

7. Protection against leaks

Leakage protection is indicated in the characteristics of the device and can be complete or partial. Partial applies only to the body of the dishwasher or only to the hoses connecting it to the water supply.

Protection against leaks of the housing means that if the sump is overfilled or excess liquid appears inside the chamber, the device automatically turns off, and the already collected water is drained back into the pipe. Hose leakage protection means that the machine shuts down if liquid appears between the double walls of the hose.

Of course, it is better to prefer the option with full protection, since savings can go sideways: it will be more expensive to compensate for the damage to flooded neighbors.

8. Noise level

This parameter is very important if you plan to buy a car for a studio in which the kitchen is combined with the living area. A noisy machine can interfere with sleep and phone calls. The quietest cars - 43–45 dB. When choosing, it should be borne in mind that, for example, most modern refrigerators hum at the level of 45-50 dB.

Machines with an inverter motor are considered quieter (and at the same time the most durable and economical). But the almost silent operation also has a downside: sometimes it is impossible to understand whether the wash is over. In this case, the light indication on the display comes in handy, and some machines project the light or the remaining process time directly onto the floor. However, in recent years, models with a glass door, like a microwave or oven, have appeared (in particular, these are produced by the manufacturers Midea, Haier). The fact that they have finished working can be determined visually.

9. Cost-effectiveness

Almost all modern machines consume no more than 2,500 watts of electricity and an order of magnitude less water than you use when washing dishes by hand. However, before buying, it is still worth clarifying these characteristics.

Some premium models have programs that automatically optimize resource costs. Whirlpool models have technology that, using built-in sensors, recognizes the degree of load in the appliance and how dirty the dishes are, and then selects the most appropriate wash cycle, which minimizes water and energy costs.

10. Protection from children

Very often people think about buying a dishwasher precisely because it is necessary to constantly wash baby bottles and other dishes. Locking the door or buttons comes in handy if a tireless explorer is growing up in your home. Models with this function (for example, Bosch SMV46IX03R, Siemens SR 615X31, Midea MFD60S900X) are insured against the child getting burned, flooded or cut by knives falling out of the car.