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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU not to want a dishwasher?

450 replies

ChloeCC · 19/03/2021 21:22

My DP and I are currently planning our kitchen. We don't have dishwasher in our current kitchen and I'm not too bothered. He thinks it's an essential, and it'll become more essential as our kids grow - they're tiny atm. The new kitchen doesn't have a huge amount of cupboard space so I think we should save the space and go without. What do people with slightly older kids think? Is it something that would put you off buying a place if there wasn't a dishwasher? We might sell the house in a few years. I'm a bit torn - I don't mind washing up - sometimes it feels like a break!

OP posts:
partyatthepalace · 19/03/2021 22:09

You will never look back.

And yes, people buying will want one.

RaphaTwat · 19/03/2021 22:10

Essential labour saving device for us

NotMeNoNo · 19/03/2021 22:10

If the other person wants a dishwasher then it's not fair to avoid one. You don't have to use it. You might be won over, DH was.

partyatthepalace · 19/03/2021 22:11

@CherryCherries

To me a dishwasher would seem more of a hindrance than anything. The reality would be, it would need to be loaded, meaning pre rinsed and stacked properly and be full to be switched on. Then great, it cleans it for you. But then it would need to be emptied and put away. Meanwhile more piles up to be put in the dishwasher.. Much quicker to just wash up, no need to make sure it's stacked properly etc and you can do smaller amounts as you go..
Such bullshit...
Hfjshdhs · 19/03/2021 22:13

My parents got a dishwasher when I was about 12. My mum said that sickness bugs reduced considerably after getting one because it washes things at such a hot temperature. It’s also more environmentally friendly. Am planning on having two in my next house! And would absolutely not buy a house without one.

NumberThirtySix · 19/03/2021 22:14

I keep my recycling and cleaning/ laundry products in mine. Never use it for washing dishes ever-- there are only 3 of us though.

NotMeNoNo · 19/03/2021 22:16

Confused in my 5 years of dishwasher owning we never pre-rinse, clean the filter rarely and unless a "stack error" occurs it works fine. Industrial ones work differently as they have a super quick cycle.

Elletine · 19/03/2021 22:16

If you’re worried about space I echo the pps that suggested a slimline! My kitchen is TINY and we have a slimline, it’s a godsend. I still wash the odd thing up by hand like wooden spoons and chopping blocks but everything else goes in the DW and every day I am grateful for the minimal fannying around.

Could you be clever about storage with stuff like kickboard drawers for pans and baking trays? Or those cupboards that are very narrow and pull out and have stacking space inside?? I would always want a dishwasher.

Tinydinosaur · 19/03/2021 22:17

@maddening

If I wanted a dishwasher but dh vetod it he would be washing dishes alone.
I agree. We got a dishwasher the day after I told DH that washing the pots was his job because I was sick of it.
en0la · 19/03/2021 22:19

I had one but it broke down and hasn't been replaced. I'd rather wash up than ask theDCs repeatedly to fill it. It's something to do when I'm bored anyway, I go and wash up.

heckwarrior · 19/03/2021 22:20

@SchrodingersImmigrant
You don't know what you are missing until you had it and then don't have it🙈

Genuinely not being a Luddite here - DM had one as do most friends but it just seems an extra chore (prep, loading, unloading) that it’s easier to wash up by hand.! DM runs out of everything as she uses up all cutlery and crockery to ensure she gets her monies worth before turning dishwasher on! And they always smell of stale milk 😀

Justgorgeous · 19/03/2021 22:20

My dishwater is essential, it’s on twice a day.

Shrivelled · 19/03/2021 22:22

Why do people pre-rinse their dishes? It’s as pointless as pre-washing clothes by hand before they go in the washing machine. It makes a load of wet sloppy food mess in the sink and takes loads of time. Just scrape the plates, shove them in the dishwasher and rinse the filter once a month.

CasperGutman · 19/03/2021 22:22

If I looked at a house with no space for a dishwasher in the kitchen, I'd mentally price for fitting one ASAP, and would find it really off-putting, to be honest.

We're planning our new kitchen at the moment. I really want two dishwashers.

Ugzbugz · 19/03/2021 22:23

Why would anyone choose to wash up when a machine can do it for you?

Graffitiqueen · 19/03/2021 22:24

It's an absolute essential. First thing I bought with my first ever wage.

SchrodingersImmigrant · 19/03/2021 22:24

[quote heckwarrior]@SchrodingersImmigrant
You don't know what you are missing until you had it and then don't have it🙈

Genuinely not being a Luddite here - DM had one as do most friends but it just seems an extra chore (prep, loading, unloading) that it’s easier to wash up by hand.! DM runs out of everything as she uses up all cutlery and crockery to ensure she gets her monies worth before turning dishwasher on! And they always smell of stale milk 😀[/quote]
I guess i just don't see it as a chore? Takes me couple of minutes to load in total. Dh unloads.
Would take much longer to wash. It did take much longer to wash.

3JsMa · 19/03/2021 22:25

I just moved to a property without one.
First I panicked as I used dishwashers for the last 10 years and there was no space for one.But it seems like I quite enjoy washing up and it usually takes me less than 10 minutes to wash ( 2 adults,3 DCs).Takes less time than loading it properly and nothing stinks if you have to wait until you have full load.

Fuckingcrustybread · 19/03/2021 22:26

What does pre rinse actually mean, do you rinse before you rinse? All food should be scraped off, rinsing is not recommended because the detergent needs something to work on.
I'd rather lose cupboard space than not have a dishwasher.
Rinse is now looking like a very silly word.

SchrodingersImmigrant · 19/03/2021 22:26

There is a rinse to make it stop smelling if it takes long to load. Though wa have it on every second evening and it never stinks stinks

bluebellation · 19/03/2021 22:28

Going against the grain here - ours was broken for 4 months last year and I didn't miss it at all. Just two of us though, no kids, but when mine were at home dishwashers were an unheard of luxury, so I 'm used to washing up . I find it a relatively small task compared to others; I'd definitely prioritise a tumble drier over a dishwasher.

NoBetterthanSheShouldBe · 19/03/2021 22:28

Don’t have one, have money, have plumbed in space, don’t want one. One more unnecessary thing to go wrong.

Killerqueen2244 · 19/03/2021 22:32

I’m thinking of getting 2 once we’re allowed to mix with our families again....Blush

Minniem2020 · 19/03/2021 22:32

Even if I had the space for 1 I would never have a dishwasher. The smell they leave on dishes puts me off so much that I can't drink out of cups that have been washed in 1

PlanetPuddle · 19/03/2021 22:32

Definitely look at the slimline ones