A Dishwasher. Is it worth it ?

[JDarvall]

Just because you can't hear the thing doesn't mean it uses less energy than washing by hand. I don't need everybody on the planet to do their dishes by hand, but don't up my back and tell me it's a sunshower. And two hours by machine, thirty by hand? It takes me MAYBE ten minutes to do the dishes, dry them, and put them away. About the same amount of time it does to scrape them, arrange them correctly for optimum machine cleansing, put in soap, and start the machine. And it's done. I don't have to wait for someone to unload them in two hours. Nothing pisses me off more than sending clean dishes back through the dishwasher to justify a full load because the convenience extended to

this sort of stuff is whats going through my head on occation too.

I don't have to dry up either and put them away. Its my 10year old daughters job to dry up for pocket money everyday. It usually a time for us to have a talk too. And I won't her to develop a habit of working without complaint. Lot of kids seem to just grow spoilt and fat. Want to keep her busy.

The other thing is, that I'm not sure about........do all pots and pans fit in it ? .......I was at my MIL's place the other day and had a look at hers, and I swear (correct me if I'm wrong) there's not much space in a standard dishwasher. And I'm worried that some of Esthers baking trays won't even fit. We talking something like 4 loads of dishes for a saturday morning that would take me 45minutes by hands in one go(with everything put away). 2 basins of water....be less than 10L's in that, compared to say 4 x17 L's = 70 L of water ????

The other thing,,,,,I don't think I really want more things to maintain in my life. The more you own the more you have to fix/replace/re-install etc... and there's not enough money about really to do these things. And I'm worried I'm going to choose a dud. And with my track record, I proberly will.

But, thanks for the ideas. Particularily glad it was mentioned to make space for one at least. I wouldn't have thought of that.

[bitingmidge]

It usually a time for us to have a talk too. And I won't her to develop a habit of working without complaint. Lot of kids seem to just grow spoilt and fat. Want to keep her busy.

For that reason alone, you shouldn't get one yet.

Make the provision, because one day really soon, she'll be 18 and out and about, and you'll be talking to yourself fairly regularly!

Cheers,

P

[Bleedin Thumb]

Well Jake its understandable you not wanting one...we all know you're an old hippy.

Anyway if you leave space for one its about 600 wide which is too wide for a single door cupboard and too narrow for a double so how about a wine rack that you can keep your bottles of cranberry juice in..or is it moonshine you make in those hills?

I made this one as a corner unit to make use of the depth.

Attachment 63578

[JDarvall]

yep. she's growing up too fast. (sniff) Wouldn't believe what she told me the other day.

Wine rack ! .....excellent idea. Thanks bleeding thumb. We were thinking of just putting three draws in there. And just remove the runners if the dishwasher comes along. But I like your idea better.

[damien]

I recently installed one in our new house (old), Paid a fair amount for it, but its a Miele and it is FANTASTIC. It is really quiet and does a top job.

definately agree about having the tap and power socket in an adjoining cupboard so they can be shut off if needed without moving the dishwasher.

[gapwedge0]

Interesting thread. I put it off for years and now would never go back. but buy the best. We are currently celebrating our Bosch's 13th (or is it 14th?) year of service with only one visit by the technician. Just do it!!

[Jimmy]

We have just bought a SMEG and after working out which cycle to use which took a few days we now get baked on "crud" off no problem, we used the finish balls but found they did not work as well as the cheaper bulk buy from Godfreys but the rinse aid is a must. We operate it on cold water. Water consumption ranges from 7 - 24 litres and you can do half loads power usage .03 to 1.85 KWh. A normal wash is 16.9 litres which is less water than if you wash and rinse.

[TJAY]

Couldn't live without one, sadly I've been in rentals up until now so I know a cheap one can be fairly useless (but it still beats hand washing). But if you've going to buy one there's only two brands IMHO, Meile (the best) and Asko (2nd).

We couldn't afford/justify the Meile, it might last 20 years but we'll only be in our place for 10 of those, so the 15+ years we'll get out of the Asko will be more than enough.

Think it was about $900 for a fairly basic model, but it cleans brilliantly, and everything is stainless steel (cheaper brands use plastic internally for the water jets etc).

As for being able to hand wash quicker in less time, well god for you. While you're hand cleaning in 30 minutes I'm 29 minutes into a good book, a walk with the dogs or quality time with those I love.

[Gypsy]

Just saw this message. I didn't have one for years. Can't think of how many hours I spent washing ALONE. Everyone had homework etc. Got one a couple of years ago. First night 8 people for dinner. Everyone left the room, quickly stacked my new machine looked at the kitchen and couldn't believe it. It was clean. I would have spent for ever doing the dishes normally when everyone had gone ie 2am! Use it when full. If you decide to get one get one with two drawer and read up on energy ratings etc. Make sure the cupboard that houses the dishes and glasses is close to the machine and not the other side of the room. Fantastic.

[Learner]

We have a Fisher and Paykel double DishDrawer which came with the house (fortunately!) and we would never live anywhere without one now.
As said before, just scrape the plates into the bin, and stck it all in. Press the button, and go do your own thing. This whole business of them taking longer to wash up than doing it by hand is a moot point. All the while the machine is doing it's job, I'm doing something I want to, instead of grumbling to myself by the sink. I'd much rather spend 130 minutes (the longest, heavy wash on my machine, although I usually use the 56 minute quick wash) surfing the net or mooching around the garage than 30 minutes washing up. I guess if you have a passion in life to put dishes away as quickly as possible after using them, then maybe handwashing is the way to go for you!

One thing to remember though: The resultant wash will only be as good as your stacking. It's a bit of an obsession for me, stacking the washer. My wife, on the other hand, well I'm sure she stacks it by throwing the dishes in from the other side of the kitchen. That or she just pours them in from a washing up bowl. Then she complains when she takes stuff out and it's not clean! The only time I've had stuff come out with food on it has been when I've not noticed that something is hanging through the bottom of the plate/cuttlery rack, and it's stopped the spray arm going round.

I agree the Dishdrawer is the best. Plastics cannot be washed in this easily. I use rectangular glass pyrex for food storage in fridge and these wash perfectly in the dish drawer.

I stack then sideways on the sides of the rack in the drawer including their rubber covers.

[Gypsy]

My wife, on the other hand, well I'm sure she stacks it by throwing the dishes in from the other side of the kitchen.
Ha! I dislike stacking also. Made it look like I tossed everything in. My dearest, like you, is obsessed with doing it well (as well I know). I annoyed him so much guess who stacks now? I have tried to let him see how badly I vacuum but he just ignores that one.
My daughter with three under 3 years old at home all day is pulling her hair out almost. Her d'washer died. The amount of time spent washing dishes alone..... such a waste of time. Saving hard to get another, a priority.

[pharmaboy2]

does this thread mean there are people who dont have dishwashers??

wow!

dishdrawer for me BTW - 2 dishwashers has its advantages - like not putting the s...., away! LOL

[Learner]

does this thread mean there are people who dont have dishwashers??

wow!

dishdrawer for me BTW - 2 dishwashers has its advantages - like not putting the s...., away! LOL

Machines put an end to slavery. That is the advantage of western nations. The ability to afford machines.

[Eli]

Choosing and caring for machines is a type of slavery as well. Horses for courses.

[Learner]

Choosing and caring for machines is a type of slavery as well. Horses for courses.

Machines serve you well if you treat them well