Dishwasher

Key Dishwasher Features

• Dimensions

  Often, this is the most important measure. Dishwashers tend to come in standard measurements. In the UK, this is a base of 60 x 60cm, and a height no more than 84.5cm. Anything larger, and you’ll struggle to fit your machine into ordinary kitchen alcoves, although some integrated models come with irregular dimensions to suit particular spaces. You can also find Slimline dishwasher models that tend to be 45cm wide, so you should be able to find one that fits your kitchen.

• Energy Efficiency

  In the UK, you’ll find that dishwashers are graded like school essays, from lowly Cs to stellar A+++. Never go for a B or C rated device. These are becoming completely outdated and their high running costs will outweigh any savings on the device itself. Instead, always try to go for A+ or A++ rated machines.

• Water Consumption

  All dishwashers consume large amounts of water, but some consume more than others, and this can lead to higher or lower running costs. Again, water consumption is graded alphabetically, so opt for A rated devices (which use around 15 litres for a single wash, compared to between 40 and 150 litres for washing the same amount in a sink).

• Capacity

  Even though their dimensions tend to be fairly similar, dishwasher capacities can vary. They almost always use the term “place setting” to describe their capacity, which corresponds to a plate, knife, fork, spoon, cup and saucer and two bowls (so, more than you might think). Between 8 and 12 place settings is adequate.

• Cleaning Rating

  A measurement of how well the dishwasher removes grease and food waste from the items placed inside it. As with efficiency, this is graded, with A at the top and G right at the bottom (don’t think about anything lower than a B).

• Drying Performance

  Another key metric, drying performance relates to how well the dishwasher dries the items inside it. A good rating means less work when you remove items, which can be extremely annoying, having shelled out hundreds of pounds for a dishwasher to do the job for you.

• Noise Levels

  Dishwashers are noisy machines, or at least they can be. The very best models have found ways to dampen the noise they generate, reducing their internal vibrations and running, if not silently, at very low noise levels. Noise is measured in decibels and a good noise rating should be around 30-45. Don’t accept anything above 50 these days. Noise isn’t annoying, it’s often a sign that the machine is operating inefficiently and that it may not last longer than a year or two.

• Racks and Storage

  Always check the range of racks, boxes and shelves on offer when you buy a dishwasher. Every model is subtly different, with varying racks for mugs, glasses, plates, pans, sharp items and pots.

• Extra Features

  Dishwasher listings will always have any extra features listed, many of which may sound exciting, but should come as standard. For instance, “fast cycle” just means an express wash setting. There should be an economy cycle to save water and electricity, intensive washes for caked on dirt, half-load options for smaller loads and options for delicate items like glass. Double check that these cycles are included though, as you can’t take anything for granted – particularly with older, lower-spec models.

• Basin Material

  The basin is the interior lining of the dishwasher and what it is made from makes a big difference. The best dishwashers come with stainless steel basins, while cheaper models will feature plastic basins. Steel basins last far longer and could avoid the need for replacement after a couple of years, saving you money.

• Filters

  On lower-spec dishwashers, dirt and grease filters will be present, but they may need to be emptied exclusively by hand. This isn’t just inconvenient and time-consuming. It’s also a fairly unpleasant chore. More advanced dishwasher models will come with automatic filters – a real godsend if you find that your dishes are regularly caked in tough-to-remove food waste.

• Display Type

  Dishwasher displays are now standard (although smaller models may still just have a few buttons and dials). Look for larger displays with bigger keypads (or touchpads), as these will be easier to customise and navigate. LCD displays are currently the gold standard and are extremely useful when programming your machine to carry out specific cycles.