Tips on choosing a dishwasher
There are still some unbelievers who prefer to stand at the sink and wash every last greasy plate and eggy teaspoon themselves. But their numbers are dwindling, and with good reason, as dishwashers become more sophisticated, environmentally friendly, versatile and efficient. Whether or not you have owned a dishwasher before, here are some of the features that you will come across on today’s models, to help you choose between them.
Fuzzy logic - some machines employ what is termed fuzzy logic, or a hydro sensor. This means they can sense how dirty a load is, and adjust the level of wash to suit. They do this by sampling the state of the water inside the machine, and continuing to wash or rinse until the water is clean, indicating that the dishes are clean. This should result in good cleaning and energy efficiency.
Energy efficiency - modern dishwashers are designed to wash efficiently at lower temperatures, saving heating costs, and also being kinder to your crockery. A temperature reduction of 10% can save 25% in energy consumption. Dishwashers also vary in how much water they use. Models with low water consumption are cheaper to run and more eco-friendly. It’s easy to compare energy efficiency of different models because each is rated for general performance, cleaning and drying efficiency. Like other kitchen appliances, A is best and G is worst, so look for a machine with three As.
Cycles - most dishwashers have a number of cycles which you can select for different types of load; for instance, you can choose a gentler cycle for delicate glasses, or an economy cycle for lightly soiled dishes. Some have half load options, or an intensive program for really gruesome dishes. More cycles doesn’t necessarily mean better, though. You will probably end up only using two or three.
Check size and shape limitations before you start looking for a dishwasher, because this might narrow down your choice. As well as standard sizes, you can buy slimline designs and compact, counter top models. These can be fully-integrated (you can’t tell it’s there once the door is closed, since its front matches your other units), semi-integrated (it sits between other units under a work surface, and you can see the whole or part of the front, and the control panel), or free-standing (it’s designed for the front, sides and top to be visible).
Double drawer dishwashers have plus points: each drawer is naturally smaller than a standard dishwasher, but this can suit smaller families, or a kitchen without much storage space; you can store the cleaned dishes in one drawer, only taking them out when needed. So at any time you have a drawer of clean dishes, and a drawer which you can fill up with dirty ones.
During the design process, much thought goes into how best to use the space inside a dishwasher. Look for one which is flexible, with moveable trays, so that you can fit large or awkward shaped items into it.
Safety - if there are small inquisitive people in your home, check that the machine has a good child-safety lock.
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