Considering how skint we are.........would you replace your dishwasher if it broke? Is it a necessity?

[LoveMyGirls]

Our's is broken but we are very skint (working really hard to try and reduce our overdraught) BUT I'm a childminder and am cooking dinner for 7 of us during the week and that's a hell of a lot of washing up!

If we replace it we would have to buy a 6 place setting table top one as our workbench couldn't fit a full size or even a slim line model but it irks me that we would have to pay almost the same for a small one as we would for a big one and part of me is thinking we don't have the money for this and people used to manage.

What shall I do?

I personally would not be without one. There are 7 in our family and the thought of going back to washing up by hand-well I just couldn't! Logistically it is difficult anyway-you need a lot of space for all those dishes to drain!

Mine broke a year ago and I haven't replaced it. Only used it now and again when I had guests. If a get a new kitchen I will replace it then.

I really really love mine, and would probably borrow money to replace it I hate washing up, and don't wash anything at all apart from crystal glasses.

If I do wash up (at my parents) I use loads of hot water, and rinse everything, so I'm sure I save water and elec with the DW. I also only heat my water twice a week now for the DS's baths (it's still hot a few days later) as we've got an immersion shower.

Mine is probably supposed to take 8 peoples dishes for a 3 course meal, but I find with two kids it goes on full once a day.

i've never had one! can't be doing with something that may flood/break down easy to just do it by hand.