To think a dishwasher will change our lives?

[Question285]

Never had a dishwasher before and never thought I needed one. But now, with two small DC, I think it would make a world of difference. DH, who does most of the washing up, disagrees.

So, does anyone have any input? Does having a dishwasher make life better? Is it worth the investment? Will it be so life changing that even my reluctant DH will be persuaded? 😄

Also, any brand suggestions? Is it better to spend more for a top brand? I’ve narrowed it down to two models, a Hisense and an AEG. It’s about £250 difference between them.

If your DH is happy to continue washing-up by hand, why not put the money towards something you'd both appreciate?

Absolutely life changing, I don't know how people cope without one! Can't really comment on the brand although we have had some AEG appliances over the years and they have been good.

It's definitely life changing. I wouldn't be without mine. The kitchen and sink stay so clean. Not sure about expensive ones. We just have a Bosch but it's been great!

Yes it is completely life changing. Go for it!

It did for us. One less chore and more hygienic and somewhere to put dirty dishes straight away that they can’t be seen. I love ours. I think living without one for years makes us appreciate it more than if you always had one.

Yes it makes life easier. Ours is a bosch. Be sure to get one with a cutlery tray, rather than a basket. Adjustable racks a must too.

It saves you time, about 45 minutes each day. Buy if you need to gain time. Personally I hate washing dishes by hand so I'd get one.

It’s not something I would ever consider living without. In fact, I have two dishwashers in my kitchen so we never even have excess pots to wash by hand.

My dishwasher and tumble drier are my best friends.

I love ours. But I could happily wash up by hand too.

It's just nice to have the option to quickly tidy up of an evening when you're both dead tired or if everyone's ill. Just because you have one doesn't mean you need to use it every night so if DH wants to wash by hand he can still do that.

And as pp says, if I had the room in our kitchen I'd have two of them!

Yes, life changing.

Same. My dishwasher just makes dirty dishes disappear, the kitchen is always tidy. If it broke tomorrow I’d order a new one immediately.

A dishwasher was our "congrats on the new baby" present from my grandmother (ie the new Great grandmother). Definitely recommended.

In contrast to the PP, avoid cutlery trays at all costs. It means you can't get glasses and plates in at the sane time - or at least not our plates and glasses. Drove me to distraction when we ended up in a rental with that configuration for a while.

Yes, I think this is key. It’s not even just that you don’t need to handwash your dishes, it’s that they aren’t piled up visibly by the sink waiting to be washed.

I don’t remember a time without one. I’m 34 and through high school maybe even earlier we had one growing up and as soon as I got my own place we’ve had one. Non negotiable for me

Converted DH to dishwashers about 15 years ago. The first time you put drinking glasses through one you’ll never go back.

It is life changing for me, because it means the “washing up” chore can be done in a few minutes here and there instead of needing a 15 mins block of time with wet hands!

I load and unload the dishwasher while doing other jobs. In the morning I am making coffee, tying ties, clearing the breakfast table, packing bags etc and also unloading the dishwasher. In the evening I load the dishwasher while I cook/set the table/help with homework/wipe faces/change batteries in toys etc etc.

During both loading and unloading I am available to do other things without drying hands and the washing up water going cold!

It gets things much cleaner than hand washing ... I don't know how people can wash glasses properly without a dishwasher.

If I had a DH who was happy to take responsibility for washing up by hand, then I wouldn't be overly bothered either way. If I didn't, I'd have a Miele.

We do still have to wash all our glasses by hand, except for the cheapy ones from the supermarket. But that's okay.

Oh definitely get one if you’ve got the space. As for brands/models, I always thought a dishwasher is a dishwasher is a dishwasher. So when we did the kitchen we replaced the existing Miele one (previous owners choice) which was very old with a new fitted Ikea one. Well, turns out that all dishwashers are not equal. The new one is shit. Doesn’t always clean properly and half the stuff is wet and drippy when it’s finished. Next time I won’t be a cheapskate.

A dishwasher is my most favourite appliance. I’ve had one for years and years. Definitely a game changer.

im in my 50’s and we lived in a tiny flat all 4 of us for 15 years with no room for one. I always dreamed of getting one, so when we moved last year, we got one for the new kitchen. At first I was in love with it! I used it all the time. But we didn’t really fill it until the evening by which time I’d already had to remove certain items to wash as we didn’t have enough dishes or cutlery etc.
I do use it but maybe once a week - usually weekends when we eat together a lot etc. But generally I still wash up in the sink and I’ve not really got used to or I suppose adapted to having one.
It’s my personal take, maybe you generate more dishes than us, maybe you have more stuff available to be able to fill it up without needing to wash certain things. I mean, if you hate doing dishes then yes, get one. But emptying it is a pain, and the kids still dump their dirty dishes on the side next to the sink in the sink because they’re not used to having a dishwasher.
I know people who can’t live without one. Personally my washing machine is my one essential, I could be fine without the dishwasher.

Yeah spend extra. The extra £150 felt too extravagant at a time when we had lots of outlays moving in... But I regret it every day!