Dishwasher

[TheBEast]

So looks like my 20+ year old dishwasher is on it's last legs (great just in time for 10 people over at my house for Hanukkah on Sunday).....and suggestions on make/models? Most people I've talked to swear by Bosch. We were planning to redo the kitche next year any way so would be replacing it but looks like that purchase will be moved up. I'm looking for something more than basic, but not top of the line.

Thanks. I know everyone has snow on their mind (as I do but I'm stuck here in cubicle land)......

 

[hammer]

I bought a Bosch dishwasher several months ago. The model has a stainless steel tub...tub's a bit smaller than my old dishwasher but the Bosch is very quiet. Bought at Lowe's and paid around $600 for it, got a rebate for the delivery and install. Very happy with the purchase.

 

[marcski]

I read good reports about KitchenAid dishwashers. But to be honest, I'm not that impressed. It's not quite as quiet as some of the other newer models (but its still going to be much quieter than your 20 y.o. one). But the thingy where you put the detergent at times doesn't open during the wash cycle so I had to repeat it. One of the plastic ends of the strings that tie the spring to the door snapped and I had to replace it myself. (Great website for those types of things by the way: http://www.repairclinic.com/)

I think for the money (ours was not the top top end model but it was up there) you can do better....

Happy Hannukah as tonight is the first night!

 

[drjeff]

Put a Bosch in 6 years ago when we redid the kitchen. It's been quiet and reliable. Only issue we ever had was when my then 3 year old daughter went to sit on the opened door as my wife was unloading dishes from the upper rack, and one of the plastic housings that provides resistance as you open the door so it just doesn't crash down broke. A quick visit from the service guy and problem solved.

 

[wa-loaf]

I've got a Miele and am pretty happy with it. It was a little quirky to install because it required an odd sized hose attachment. Steel tubs are the way to go. Had a Bosch and Kitchen Aid in the past and have been happy with all of them.

If you have Sears Outlet near you check it out (we have one nearby in Shrewsbury) you can find some good deals on top-end appliances.

 

[deadheadskier]

Faced the same situation a year ago. Went with a fairly basic Maytag, but it's surprisingly quiet. Didn't want to drop big duckets as eventually we will be renting our place. Only complaints are the length of the standard cycle, probably an hour and lack of a time display to know when it's almost done.

 

[skijay]

I had a 30 year old KitchenAid dishwasher that was installed when the house was built. When I needed a new one I went with KitchenAid Pro Line (stainless) 3 yrs ago. I finally go the rest of the matching appliances. Everything else in the kitchen is KitchenAid except the TV and the Keurig. The stuff seems non destructible and well built.

 

[Johnskiismore]

I put a Frigidaire DW in my house and I love it. Very, very quiet, the first few times I actually forgot it was on! Hardly a noise. My only complaint like DHS said is the time, a full load takes about 2 hours.

 

[Geoff]

I bought a Bosch dishwasher several months ago. The model has a stainless steel tub...tub's a bit smaller than my old dishwasher but the Bosch is very quiet. Bought at Lowe's and paid around $600 for it, got a rebate for the delivery and install. Very happy with the purchase.

I last bought a dishwasher about 6 years ago. I did the 1-month online subscription to Consumer Reports and bought a steel tub Bosch that was their highest rated dishwasher. The "normal" cycle is 92 minutes. I have an LCD display that counts down the cycle. It's dead quiet. The dishes come out clean. I have seen no mechanical issues with it.

With something like appliances, I think Consumer Reports does a good job. Unless I have a compelling reason, I'll always buy their top recommendation or their 'best value'.

I just bought a house and I'm putting in a new kitchen. I'm replacing every appliance so I'll drop the $5.95.

 

[deadheadskier]

Where did you buy a house Geoff?

 

[Geoff]

Where did you buy a house Geoff?

South Dartmouth, MA in the village of Padanaram. 5 minute walk to my boat slip.

 

[Geoff]

South Dartmouth, MA in the village of Padanaram. 5 minute walk to my boat slip.

Here's a google satellite image of the location.

 

[SkiDork]

Congrats Geoff:

I have a dishwasher question myself:

I need to replace the supply hoses because I think they've rotted

How do I pull it out of the wall? Is there some secret unlocking mechanism? I've tried pulling on it and it doesn't seem to budge.

 

[o3jeff]

Congrats Geoff:

I have a dishwasher question myself:

I need to replace the supply hoses because I think they've rotted

How do I pull it out of the wall? Is there some secret unlocking mechanism? I've tried pulling on it and it doesn't seem to budge.

Open the door and look up, there are sometimes brackets that screw it up to the counter top.

 

[SkiDork]

Open the door and look up, there are sometimes brackets that screw it up to the counter top.

I'll do that tonight and let you know what I find. Thanks a lot.

 

[Geoff]

Congrats Geoff:

I have a dishwasher question myself:

I need to replace the supply hoses because I think they've rotted

How do I pull it out of the wall? Is there some secret unlocking mechanism? I've tried pulling on it and it doesn't seem to budge.

I've done it a few times.

There are usually 2 metal tabs at the top. If you open the dishwasher door, you can see them. Sometimes they are screwed into the bottom of the countertop. You have to bend those down so they are completely out of the way. (Straighten them out before putting the dishwasher back.) At the bottom, there are two adjustment feet. You have to retract those so the dishwasher drops down and so you have enough room to clear your flooring. You need to disconnect the drain line before sliding the dishwasher out. Most of the time, it drains into the sink at the garbage disposal. Close the door. Tilt the top part forwards. Gently work it out making sure the drain line isn't hanging up.

There's normally enough slack in the power cord and hot water line to get the dishwasher all the way out. Hopefully, you have a shutoff valve for the dishwasher hot water feed or you'll have to shut off the hot water at your hot water tank.

 

[SkiDork]

excellent, thanks Geoff. I'll have to print that one out.

 

[Geoff]

excellent, thanks Geoff. I'll have to print that one out.

Try pulling the dishwasher out without fooling with the feet. If you have a linoleum floor, you can probably get the thing out by just tilting it forward after you bend the tabs down. If you have tile and the feet are on the subfloor, you probably have to screw with them.

 

[Greg]

One thing I heard about Bosch dishwasher is they do not have a heating element. I forget how the salesman explained how they dry the dishes but supposedly they do a good job. Plastic items may still be wet, but that happens with units that have a heating element. We opted for a Maytag. Got a great deal at Bernie's. Pretty quiet. Cleans great, and dries pretty well.

Congrats on the house, Geoff.

 

[wa-loaf]

excellent, thanks Geoff. I'll have to print that one out.

Some have screws that attach at the side's and not just the top, you may want to look there too.