STYLE
One of the first things to consider when buying a new dishwasher is how its design will complement your family’s existing kitchen. What colour would go better with your current appliances: black, white, or stainless steel? Would you rather the controls be hidden on top of the door, or displayed across the front? Bar handle or pocket handle? Here are some popular styles to choose from:
TOP CONTROL
The controls are discretely located on the top of the door to create a sleek, easy-to-clean exterior.
- The stylish bar handle effortlessly complements any kitchen, while the hidden buttons provide a sleek, clean front panel
- A top control dishwasher is a perfect fit for your kitchen if you’re looking for a premium look
FRONT CONTROL
The controls are located on the front of the dishwasher, making it easier to select cycles and other settings even after dishes have been loaded.
- Designed with an easy-to-grasp pocket handle, this dishwasher gives you a little more flexibility
WHAT OUR MACHINES ARE MADE OF
Dishwashers are generally made from two different tub materials – plastic and stainless steel – each of which has its advantages.
Plastic tubs tend to be an affordable option. However, they may be harder to maintain as they can be prone to stains.
With the introduction of stainless steel tubs, consumers have more options to meet their optimal cleaning needs. For starters, they tend to be quieter because the tub walls help block the sound of vibrations from the water, allowing you to carry on a quiet conversation in your kitchen even while the machine is running. Additionally, stainless steel maintains heat better which allows the water to reach even higher temperatures, ensuring your dishes are sparkling clean. The stain-resistant interior makes long-term maintenance easier, too.
SIZE
Every family’s kitchen is different. Make sure that the dishwasher you want is available in the dimensions you need, at the height that is right to fit between your floor and countertop. Additionally, make sure you measure properly because tiled flooring or counter redesign can impact the height of the dishwasher cavity and affect installation.
Helpful Tips:
- Common widths 18 inches (46 cm) or 24 inches (61 cm), Common depths 24” inches
- There is a minimum 33.5-inches (85.09 cm) installation height. Pay close attention to the depth requirements of your cabinets – for example, islands are generally deeper
- Most products will have specific guides for dishwasher dimensions that can be found online that help you confirm the dimensions you need for your space
FEATURES TO LOOK FOR
There are a variety of helpful features available depending on the model of the dishwasher. Here are some important features to consider to get optimal cleaning:
Wash Performance
Want a dishwasher that is able to reach every last crumb? After hosting a large dinner party, you shouldn’t have to worry about cleaning the dishes. Here are some things to look for to make sure your dishes end up sparkly clean:
- Heavy & Targeted Wash Zones: A must-have for those who love to bake and cook, dishwashers with heavy wash zones have a well-placed spray zone to tackle your heavy soiled dishes and target deeper and oddly shaped items.
- Water coverage: Additional features such as flexible wash arms and bottle wash sprays allow for greater wash coverage inside your dishwasher so you can reach every last corner.
- Filtered-based systems: Minimize sound and optimize water and energy conservation, some systems require maintenance to sustain optimal cleaning performance. You can also find maintenance-free, filtered-based systems to save additional water and time without having to clean the filter.
- Chopper-Based Systems: The chopper disintegrates stuck-on food particles so they don’t end up recirculating and sticking to your dishes. There is no filter so there’s nothing to clean up afterwards.
- Cycle options: Different options for different dishes. Shorter wash cycles and cooler water will help preserve the integrity of your favourite china and crystal, while still providing the thorough clean you expect. There are also faster cycle options available for those time you need clean dishes in a hurry.
Drying Performance
Tired of seeing spots and having to wipe your dishes dry before putting them away? Here’s how the right drying technology can benefit your home:
- Tub Material: Once the wash cycle is finished, the benefit of a stainless steel tub is that it will transfer heat faster for more efficient drying.
- Fan Assisted Dry: A fan helps remove humid air and introduce room temperature air to accelerate drying performance. This feature is found on more premium dishwashers and offers optimal drying.
- Heated Dry: An option that can be manually turned on after the wash cycle to ensure your dishes are dry to your liking.
Loading Ability
What’s in your dishwasher? Plates and bowls, pots and pans, wine glasses, or baby bottles?No two families are alike when it comes to the types of dishes they use most. That’s why having a dishwasher with interior flexibility is so important. When deciding on a model, consider a dishwasher that offers these features:
- Adjustable/Flexible Racks: Racks that move up and down which allow you to customize the wash depending on the size of your dishes.
- Third Level Racking: A bonus to look for in your dishwasher, a third level rack is a discrete upper rack that allows you to store and wash smaller items, such as cutlery and water bottle lids
- Silverware Baskets: Organization made easy with dedicated storage compartments inside your dishwasher for flatware. No more having to hunt for missing spoons inside your dishwasher once the cycle is done.
HOW TO UNDERSTAND NOISE LEVELS
Families spend a lot of time in the kitchen together, so having a noisy dishwasher is less than ideal. Use this chart to help you identify just how quiet of a dishwasher your family needs.
- Dishwasher noise is calculated in dBA (Decibel Levels). The higher the decibel level, the noisier the dishwasher. That’s why a low decibel level is important to look for when purchasing your dishwasher.
- That being said, most people can only perceive an increase in volume every 3 dBAs, so the difference between models can be minimal.
- If you prefer peace and quiet in your kitchen, most dishwashers offer a “Delayed start” option which allows your dishwasher to start between 2-, 4-, 6-, or 8-hours after you finish loading it. With this option, you can run your dishwasher after you are off to work, the grocery store, or even after you go to bed at night.