Hand wash or dishwasher?

[lorraineb]

This was another conversation that came up today because one of the group had their dishwasher break down over the weekend. Do you wash your dishes by hand or use the dishwasher? I did a little research and there seems to be some disagreement on which of the two is more cost effective.

I personally use the dishwasher, but that's because I'm lazy when it comes to dishes.

[rennigade]

Both. If you have a well obviously washing dishes by hand would be much cheaper. There are some things that get much cleaner in the dishwasher though. For large things we hand wash, or for things that need some serious scrubbing...for most everything else we use the dishwasher.

[Like2Plan]

dishwasher.

[kork13]

I hate doing the dishes, so I use the dishwasher as much as possible. However, my pots/pans & kitchen knives all need to be hand-washed. For crusted-on bakeware, I'll normally let them soak for a while then hand wash them as well. Cast iron & stoneware also needs to be hand-washed, since you can't really use soap on them (or at least, shouldn't often)

[bennkar]

I have done hand washing of dishes forever (since I was a kid and hated it ). Now I prefer it. If you watch what you are doing, hand washing can be the most cost effective and best method for cleaning dishes. If you look at it as a terrible chore and rush through it, then using a dishwasher will probably give better results.

[Weird Tolkienish Figure]

This was another conversation that came up today because one of the group had their dishwasher break down over the weekend. Do you wash your dishes by hand or use the dishwasher? I did a little research and there seems to be some disagreement on which of the two is more cost effective.

I personally use the dishwasher, but that's because I'm lazy when it comes to dishes.

Dishwasher all the way.

[feh]

Dishwasher. Only when we have a full load, though.

[ua_guy]

Dishwasher. It is an additional expense, but it does save some time, and I'm fairly certain it sanitizes the dishes better. If it's ever saved us sick time at work, then the unit has already paid for itself. Add in the slight amount of time it saves and also the aesthetic and cleanliness value of never having dishes sitting in the kitchen sink, it is totally worth it for our household.

[hamchan]

The only buildings with apartments in our price range are old ones that have not been updated. No dishwasher for us.

[snafu]

Dishwasher, only operated full and after 7 PM when electric rate is lower, mostly for aesthetic. I never use the 'dry' feature, just open the door to 'air' dry. Most people don't realize they use more water hand washing dishes when they run the tap as part of the process.

If you don't have a dishwasher, it's suggsted to fill the sink with the hottest possible water and squirt of soap. Add scraped dishes, cutlery and glassware. When cool enough for hands to tolerate..wipe with a long handled dish washing brush. Fill a dishpan with hottest possible water to rinse + cap full of vinegar. Add glassware, cutlery, dishes. Once cool enough for hands, set in rack or on a towel to dry.

We were told to stack tableware needed for the next meal on the table or a tray before we put the air dried items away.

[disneysteve]

Both. It really isn't an either/or question. Some things go in the dishwasher. Some things need to be washed by hand. You can't (or at least shouldn't) put good knives in the dishwasher. Same for pots and pans and various other cooking utensils (wooden spoons, vegetable peeler, etc.). So we do both.

[Blessed]

I wash as much as I can in the dishwasher.

[debtfreeme]

Both. All dishes go into dishwasher and I run that about once a week when full.

Pots and pans, knives, flatware and good silverware all get hand washed in super hot water and air dried. Except the silverware, get washed and then hand dried to avoid spots and tarnish problems.

[Brad03]

i handwash

[xowinterbabyxo93]

i'd handwash to save money when I move out