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.

Another vote for it being an absolute game changer!
I live alone, I don't particularly dislike washing up by hand but it's astonishing how even with just one person, dirty dishes somehow multiply and daily washing up to keep the kitchen in a reasonable state is a bit of a drudge.

I had a new kitchen fitted three years ago and treated myself to a dishwasher (IKEA, slimline, no issues at all so far) - Would hate to be without it. Makes it so much easier to keep things clean & tidy.

If you can, would suggest having multiples of the dishes/cutlery/bowls etc. that you use most often, so you're not having to dig around in the dishwasher to retrieve and wash your favourite spatula (everyone has a favourite spatula, right? Right...?)
Also, if you can get a model that safely fits taller (wine) glasses (my only gripe) and make sure it has automatic door release on completion of the cycle.

And... Accept that no one else will be able to stack it to your standards. Just accept and let it go.
😉

We have one with a tray and one with a basket and I definitely rate the basket for easy of emptying. Plus it means the top rack can fit larger items such as tall wine glasses that don’t fit in when it’s the middle rack.

It's like having a small miracle in your kitchen. Switch on, leave, open and in front of your eyes it's all clean! What's not to like?
When we had our kitchen virtually demolished, our builder somehow managed to keep the dishwasher plumbed in for us in all the chaos. I was pathetically grateful.

Word of warning - your DH may quickly turn into 'the only person in the house who knows how to stack it properly'. That's fine - leave him to it. I do!

To add, my mum kept house with three children and a less-than-domesticated husband for years and years, finally getting a dishwasher about 10 years ago, long after we'd all left home... Will happily tell you it's one of the best things ever invented!

My guess is it costs something like 50p-£1 more per cycle to run a dishwasher than wash up by hand once you take into account stuff like cleaning, salt and detergent tabs. Plus electrically heated water for me is very expensive compared to gas.

It's probably very cheap when the time used for washing up by hand is priced in at minimum wage labour for the same job though.

Again, it's mostly about how you value your time against the (relatively small) amount of money you save.

Do it. They're not even expensive - I've bought cheaper end models with good reviews and they've been great and lasted.
So satisfying to hide dishes away after a meal and just put it on when it's full.
I'd have two if I could!

We love ours so much we got two. I do not want to go back to a world of washing dishes 🫠

I have never had one of my own. Small kitchen but double sink and nice view out the kitchen window, always use rubber gloves. I would probably want one if I didn’t have the nice view and double sink.

I'm a bit meh about them... we had one then didn't and now have one again (house moves!)...

I find emptying it all annoying (why is tupperware never dry?!) and having small DC there still seems to be plenty of things we can't whack in there so end up washing some things by hand anyway...

It's handy for quickly making kitchen surfaces clear I guess!

Definitely wouldn't be bothered if we didn't have one again tbh... now the tumble dryer on other hand is definitely my best ever appliance

Thanks everyone, I wasn’t expecting so many replies. It seems the consensus is to get one asap 😄

I think we would have to get more bowls and cutlery (my DH’s main argument is that we don’t have enough stuff to fill a dishwasher).

But I absolutely want it because of time saving (there’s always something else that needs to be done instead of spending 20-30 minutes washing up). But more importantly, I hate the drying rack next to the sink with a passion. It’s always full of dishes, gets grimy (and I’m the one who usually ends up cleaning it) and looks a mess. I fantasise about getting rid of it.

It’s THE most life changing thing I’ve ever invested in!
Go for it.
If you can afford a Bosch, they are the best make we’ve had.

Any thoughts on Hisense? With DH not fully on board I’d rather not spend extra, but also want a decent dishwasher that won’t break after a year and hear ‘I told you so’

I wouldn’t be wo one.

It’s a very weird thing to be so attached to washing dishes tbh.
It’s like, fur some people, it’s still the whole ‘rich/opulent/unnecessary’ appliance even though it has been there for generations. And I mean generations. My parents have always had one and I’m over 50yo.
Im not sure where the hangups are coming from really.

I’ve never had any Hisense appliance, so can’t help there, sorry x

Oh my god get the dishwasher!

If he wants to keep scrubbing away, leave him to it.

Most men don't like change - unless it's vaginas.

Ours was cheapish - we've never spent huge amounts but we don't buy right down the bottom either, and we've only had good experiences.

I actually find washing up quite relaxing now, because I don't have to do it all the time. I also stand at the window looking out.

We have Bosch and they’re both 5+ years old now and still going strong. My mum had the same Miele for 25 years and only replaced it because she wanted integrated when she was redoing the kitchen! No idea on Hisense though sorry.

I had a dishwasher when dd was small
i didn’t bother replacing it
o was doing the washing
i dont regret it

think logically - why will havibg a dishwasher make your life better especially of you don’t do the dishes ?

They make glasses go cloudy though so be careful

Get one. Ours was out of action for a 3 days recently with sink plumbing issues and my god the hassle of having to do everything by hand was grim. I love it. I treat it like a queen with regular salt and rinse aid, deep cleans, checking the filter and regular compliments. I promise he’ll be pleased and grateful!

It is life changing for sure. Get one!!

Going against the grain here but I'm not that bothered about mine. We do use it but I just feel like it drags the job out, loading it then waiting for it to finish to then go and empty it! Always something not dry (I'm looking at you Tupperware and mixing bowls) so it just feels like what could have been done and dusted straight after dinner drags into the evening.

Hisense are a cheapo generic brand. Save yourself the grief and get a Bosch. Excellent aftersales, and they just work.

We only got one a couple of years ago. Its great and saves time but we have some cast iron stuff that can't go in it, neither can wooden chopping board so there is always a bit of washing up to do which I don't mind. I still have to unload it and put everything away which I hate more than washing up.

It does make a big difference when a lot of stuff has been used and I love it at Christmas!