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.

Surely that would take a lot more time than washing up though.
I suppose if you have endless time to sit in the launderette then it's not a problem.

I use one of these; the glasses stay clear.https://www.finish.co.uk/products/dish-glass-protector?srsltid=AfmBOooX42yTndn3PyYZJfXd6JALVs7INpf7RhedNAi3Tj_-V8o0-tCD

Gosh I'll happily put mine on twice a day if it means I don't have to wash a single dish.
had a dishwasher for easily 35 years +, never had my own home without one.

Some people actually like doing stuff like ironing and cleaning, rather than slobbing in front of the tv.

Weird I know but still. Different stuff for different people.

Never had a dishwasher but always wanted one as I cook from scratch a lot. I have OCD with washing dishes, have to wash each individual thing and run hot water over it until no suds. I can't stand when anyone just dips dishes in and out of a sink full of dirty dish water.

I think it just comes down to personal preference - similarly to how many people have one household chore that they absolutely detest. At a launderette you can sit and read or go out for a mooch around town in the meantime, for example, whereas washing up just means endless drudgery to some people.

Agree with majority opinion that if ours broke tomorrow I’d have a new one ordered by bedtime. Love it and it’s used every day sometimes twice e.g Christmas Day. And yes it makes your sink side look so much tidier too.

Couple of tips -

I clean mine once a month by putting a ramekin of soda crystals on top rack and 500ml white vinegar in a Pyrex jug in bottom then whack on hottest setting. When done leave it shut and powered off so steam can carry on sterilising. Then just takes a few minutes to soak and clean the filters etc. No idea behind the science of any of this but heard it on MN so 200% it’s fact 😁 and my DW is always lovely and clean.

If you juice a lemon don’t chuck the remaining fleshy half just stick in cutlery rack. Next time you use it so it helps clean and makes it smell nice and fresh.

I honestly can’t believe there are people that don’t have one!! Yes of course get one, just don’t buy into the American online bullshit that says you have to wash everything first!!

Oh and take care with cooking trays that are dishwasher safe … I’ve found that unless I take these out IMMEDIATELY and hand dry they will absolutely start to rust. Thinking it’s because the jets push water into all the tiny nooks and crannies

Replace them with Pyrex. It’s another life changer.

I would argue there are very few people with families who have the time to spend what would be hours and hours a week to spend at the launderette.

Well I think the pp who said that probably knows what time she has and what she'd prefer to do with it...maybe she'd quite like a few hours out of the house on her own for some peace and quiet. I don't really see what there is to argue about.

Or stainless steel

Oh yes, you will never regret it, OP. What a wonderful thing a dishwasher is! My fantasy dream kitchen - which may become reality one day - will have two dishwashers. I much prefer a cutlery basket to a cutlery shelf, find it much more convenient.

I'm 66 and had one scince l got my first home.
I hated washing up at home.
Only me at home now.. but I couldn't do without it.

Didn’t have one until I moved to current home. So was 30 when I first had one.

I would not be without one anymore. Ever. Would rather be without my washing machine than the dishy.

kitchen always looks clean (store dirty dishes until a full load). So much cheaper in terms of energy and uses less water too.

I think I save 45 minutes a day not handwashing (if you think about that being 3 times a day for 3 meals)

dishes get much cleaner versus hand washing.

The only thing we ever used to argue about was washing up.
Dishwasher was a game changer. We rented for years and a dishwasher (or space / plumbing for one) was on my essentials list.

Of the less expensive brands I rate Beko. We have a dishwasher, washing machine, dryer and fridge-freezer from them, ranging from 3 to 10 years old, and never had an issue with any of them. Obviously they'll all break tomorrow now I've said this, but still.

Non-stick ones are a problem, but stainless steel or enamelled are fine in our experience.

Same

My household loves our dishwasher, even my DP, who previously did most of the washing up and actively likes doing it. For me it's fairly necessary because I have a painful physical condition and need to minimise work with my arms and hands.
I'm surprised that with two small children you don't think you'd have enough to fill it, but if that is the case you could get a slimline one; it would save space as well, obviously.

Never had a dishwasher, we redone our kitchen a couple of years ago and the designer said there’s normally 2 categories….people who have never had a dishwasher don’t know the difference between having one or not and the people who have always had a dishwasher and can’t live without it. I do prefer having another cupboard!
We don’t mind handwashing.
I would find a dishwasher a faff, you still have to rinse the plates etc like you would before handwashing then you have to fill it precisely, wait for it to be finished, then unload it.
When it can be done and put away in 10 mins by handwashing.
If your husband is ok to continue with handwashing then just stick with that.

@Question285 we have a tabletop one, great for the 3 of us, goes on 2/3 times a day

I have had a dishwasher for about two weeks now, and I will never, ever go back. Washing up is my most hated housework task by several orders of magnitude, especially as my husband works from home and I’m a housewife - so two or three cooked meals a day. I have a half-sized compact tabletop dishwasher passed on from my grandmother, who was using it to hide cakes from her younger grandchildren 😂 I really recommend the smaller size to anyone who doesn’t have a spare cupboard to sacrifice. I mean a proper half-sized one, that’s as wide as a normal appliance, not the tiny little things with the glass windows and water tanks I often see people buying. They would definitely work for a one or two person household who doesn’t do much cooking, but I wouldn’t be able to get half of my cookware in them. Mine is essentially just a single normal dishwasher shelf, and I can fit my 30cm pans and cast iron pots in just fine.

I never, ever rinse anything. It all goes straight in. You stack it as you go, then go away and do something more interesting while it washes - I go to bed. It’s taken me three minutes to unload and put away this morning.