Are dishwashers worth it?

[yourdaysa]

We are moving to a new house soon and there seems to be space for a dishwasher

Would you bother? Are they really any good? I've heard you have to pretty much wash up what's there anyway before you put it in

Thanks! I've never had one before, I have heard they're life changing

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MNHQ

@MaMelon

Aldi dishwasher tablets are good but they smell like damp

Eh?! No they don’t!

They do!!!! I honestly thought I'd missed some massive leak and that the cupboard under my kitchen sink was ruined. Nope, just the smell of the tablets not envy. I'd still buy them though, they did a good job, and thankfully they didn't make the dishwasher smell the same.

Life changing and we use dishwasher tabs from the pound shop which are fine. No worse than anything else I’ve tried

Another one here who sacrificed a cupboard to get in my new dishwasher. Absolutely brilliant invention and mine has a boost mode for really grotty burned on pans/cookwear and hasn't failed to get them sparkling clean. I always use Finish tablets and rinsaid.

People spout a lot of crap about dishwashers.

You don't have to 'pretty much wash up what's there anyway', nor do they use lots of water, it's actually far less than washing up by hand. They don't take more time either.

@PurpleDaisies

Why are people talking about dishwashers vs washing machines? That’s not the dilemma.

Quite. Obviously if the question was which would you have then a washing machine would be the choice because otherwise you'd have to find a launderette or hand wash everything and find a way of getting the water out.

When someone says they wouldn't miss their dishwasher then that makes me think they don't make much use of it.

I’ve never smelt damp in all the years of using them! It’s odd things smell different to different people.

It's just me, DH and DS. I don't cook, really ever... But I do wash up. Seems a very good deal if I can outsource this whilst DH still cooks the dinner

I enjoy cleaning but my worst job is washing up. I just find it so tedious because there's always more of it!

I also quite like the smell of damp... I know, I know. Very odd

My ex had an airing cupboard that smelt like a mixture of clean towels and dampness. I loved that smell, and remember thinking when I left that I'd never smell it again. Think that was a damp smell?

The dishwasher is my absolute favourite household appliance, no contest. I am a Fairy liquid aficionado for handwashing dishes, but Lidl W5 tabs are fine for the dishwasher.

@Joolsin Do I need to use anything else to keep the machine running smoothly or will just the W5 Lidl tablets do?

Abso-bloody-lutely !!!
Wouldn’t be without one

I use Wilko tablets, which are fine. Definitely keep the machine topped up with rinse and and dishwasher salt. The eco cycle uses less water than comparable washing up.

I wouldn’t be without one. My dream is to have two dishwashers - one that’s clean and one that’s dirty so you just alternate which one you get your clean plates from/ put your dirty plates with no unloading into a cupboard.

Definitely avoid the tablets that are individually wrapped though. Terrible that it’s even still allowed.

[quote yourdaysa]@Joolsin Do I need to use anything else to keep the machine running smoothly or will just the W5 Lidl tablets do? [/quote]
I don’t use anything extra but we’re in a soft water area, so not sure if that makes a difference?

One million percent. Ours died for a week and it was bloody miserable. There's only two of us and I still don't know how we managed to consistently create SO MANY things that needed washing up 24/7.

For dishwasher tablets I have a Smol subscription, I think you can try 9 x tables for free too.

I've only had a dishwasher for a couple of months and I love it. There's no cups or random plates on the side waiting to be washed up anymore so the kitchen always looks tidier.

It just keeps the kitchen so tidy
I wouldn't run a bowl of water for 2 mugs, my lunchtime plate, tea mugs later in the day etc
Dishwasher hides all this mess while it's filling up rather than dirty crocks waiting to be washed
Also I'm sure it uses less water than repeatedly hand washing stuff

I used to think I didn’t need one. Then I got one abs now I need it like I need oxygen.

I don’t bother rinsing things before, use cheap Aldi tablets and have a budget dishwasher and the stuff comes out clean every time. Go for it OP!

Yes.

Would say the following and forgive me if you already know the basics.

1. Whatever model you choose, try to buy from a local supplier who also does repairs. Cultivate a relationship with them (yes i know it sounds funny) but appliances working properly and beign serviced properly is worth it's weight in gold.

1. Read the manual. Get to know it and load it properly

1. Don't forget to register the guarantee and keep it with the others.

1. Look out for cashback when you purchase. Bosch models had fifty pounds cash back recently.

1. Maintain it properly yourself i.e. learn how and when to clean filter edges etc.

1. Check water and energy consumption before you buy.

1. I order my dishwasher tabs by post.

biodegradable ale packaging. Means I never run out, they fit through the post box so it is one less thing to worry about they just drop through my letterbox every so often. The company is called smol and they do an introductory offer.

Free trial actually

1. Give your dishwasher a name and talk to it lovingly each morning...(lol)

1. If you need to trouble shoot or don't feel that confident with tech you tube vids are sometimes helpful

But as I've said try to find local company to buy from who is reliable and will repair if needed.

They are well worth every penny. Use rinse aid and good dishwasher tablets and you'll get great results.

Whoever told you that you have to virtually wash everything up before putting it in there was talking out of their arse. Just scrape the worst of any leftovers off into the kitchen composter or whatever you normally use to deal with food waste. That is all.

They use a relatively small amount of water compared to washing up by hand. They don't fill right up to the top, just take water into the bottom and pump it around.

Oh and said SMOL tablets do not need unwrapping, you just put the whole thing in and biodegradeable plastic wrap disintegrates.

Probably more expensive than others but eco friendly and you never need to remember when its time to get them so you never run out.

Dishwashers also useful for bathroom stuff like toothbrush holders, etc. even a hairbrush (hair removed). Small plastic toys..

If you live alone, probably not necessary, but for 2 or more people, they are fantastic. Totally worth it OP, although you'll need to buy more teaspoons!

You need to use rinse aid and salt even if you use the 3 in one tablets. They are a bit of a con. But the branded tablets do work better than generic IME. For salt it doesn't matter about the brand.

I would never be without a dishwasher again. I love it. Just hate washing up so much. I sometimes rinse things first but mostly don't bother.

I never understand people who say that they only run their dishwasher every other day or something. Ours is on at least twice, often three times a day, and there is only the two of us. Wouldn’t be without it and haven’t hand washed so much as a teaspoon in years

Only 3 of us and I love my dishwasher for all the reasons above. I just scrape of plates. We are in a soft water area so don't need rinse aid or salt. I use costco own dishwasher tablets and they are fab, less than £10 for 115 tablets and everything is squeaky clean

and yes to rinse aid and dishwasher salt.