Dishwashers

[PetMom]

There are some olds thread about these but wonder about the new dishwashers.

At regular big box home repair stores they run from $400.00 (low end) all the way to $700.00.

A few people reviewed that the dishes did not dry well.

Do you still have to pre rinse even if non dried food on dishes.

Also all the dishwashing products - even a product for better drying and spotless finish and other cleaning boosters - are those needed.

Our situation: an old dishwasher that used plain dishwasher powder and left food particles on the dishes - so just don't use it at all.

Any tips on dishwashers?

[Gina23]

I have a dual drawer Kitchenaid and it calls for the use of the powdered detergent.

The only time I have to pre-rinse is if I have left a dish sitting out for a long period of time and something has hardened (basically when it's my own fault). Other than that, I just throw everything in with clumps of "whatever" and it's generally fine.

The drying depends on 2 things - if I have enough JetDry in the container and if I have the dry settings correct for the dishes that are being washed. For example, plates are easy to dry so they can be on the lowest dry setting, whereas cups and things with nooks and crannies need extra time or a different drying cycle.

The only booster I use is the JetDry, otherwise I use the cheap-o detergent and it works fine.

[snafu]

I've had different dishwashers from basic to feature overload in different houses and short term apt. rental that's part of our international contract work. We buy Consumer's 'Best Buy' choosing the model that has the features we use. I don't see the point of paying for features we'll never use! If you buy at Christmas or the end of season you can negotiate the price down or ask for free delivery & installation/take away old machine. Always ask since the worse that can happen is the salesman or manager will say no.

I've tried all types and brands of detergent with mixed results. A few weeks ago I made my 1st batch of home made dishwasher detergent and find it's cheap & as effective the pod samples we tried. It requires using vinegar as a rinse agent to keep our stainless steel interior soap scum free. There are several recipes on-line. Choose the one for the type of water in your community.

I have an HE front load washer and find home made detergent does an excellent job but I get lazy and buy too expensive Tide HE when I'm busy.

[JoeP]

I replaced our old KitchenAid that ran for 18 years with a new KitchenAid, and we really like it: quiet, good performance, dishes dry really well, lots of features for different wash cycles.

Rinse aid is very important, as is a good quality detergent. We've found that the powder works really well, especially when the high temp wash option is enabled. In fact, with the latter, I put in a casserole dish that had very hard burnt on cheese and it came out like new.

[Gailete]

I chose not to get a dishwasher when we built this house even though it is difficult for me to stand and do dishes. I discovered when I had one that I had dishes and glasses breaking all the time. I think it was because they were getting etched in the dishwasher from the fine shaking that happens in there. I never really had a problem with food left on dishes, but I always rinsed things.

[Mjenn]

There are some olds thread about these but wonder about the new dishwashers.

At regular big box home repair stores they run from $400.00 (low end) all the way to $700.00.

A few people reviewed that the dishes did not dry well.

Do you still have to pre rinse even if non dried food on dishes.

Also all the dishwashing products - even a product for better drying and spotless finish and other cleaning boosters - are those needed.

Our situation: an old dishwasher that used plain dishwasher powder and left food particles on the dishes - so just don't use it at all.

Any tips on dishwashers?

We found pretty big energy savings when our dishwasher was swapped out for a new one last year. We usually just run ours in ecofriendly mode - no prewash or anything and regular detergent. Now we didn't but it, our landlord paid for it, so I have no idea how much the thing cost. But have never had a problem with food, only that sometimes even when it is done, dishes are still damp. We solve this by not emptying the dishwasher immediately and letting things drip dry a bit longer or just taking a dish towel and wiping before putting away.

[irmanator]

I have a portable dishwasher that hooks to the kitchen faucette. It cost about 460. Just for curiosity sake I put the plug in the sink it drained into, to see how much water it used. About 2.5 gallons per load. Considering my kids like to run water the whole time they are washing dishes by hand, I don't know what they wasted but my water bill has gone down by about 20 per month. I do not rinse, I do use a rubber spatula to scrape the dishes. I use powdered cascade and a rinse aid. I love it.

[MonkeyMama]

Our home came with a cheaper dishwasher I am sure (bought from builder) - year 2001 - was a GREAT washer. We never particularly rinse our dishes and just use regular detergent.

We replaced it just this year with something much nicer. Is of comparable quality really - but paid most for a quieter model (of extra concern to us because spouse is hard of hearing).

We just air dry our dishes.

I think it's hard to go wrong with dishwashers these days. They are quieter, more efficient, better. Consumer reviews are helpful to narrow things down.