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Original poster

Can we add a dishwasher to this kitchen?

27 replies

Fuckedoffat48b · 28/07/2018 16:45

We have just done a pre-exchange visit to a house we are trying to buy, and I have realised it may not be possible to add a dishwasher. I had assumed we could add one next to the washing machine, but the cupboard next to the washing machine has all this gumph in it. It is at the bottom of the pic and looks like a cross between some sort of motor and engine:

Under the sink obviously has the u-bend under it, so that isn't an option, though that is quite a big cupboard.

Can the motor/engine thing in the cupboard be moved to under the sink and a dishwasher put in that cupboard instead? What is it?

There is also an under the counter space on the other side of the kitchen, obvs no plumbing there, though there are electrical sockets.

OP posts:
Original poster
Fuckedoffat48b · 28/07/2018 16:46

Sorry, DH took pics. It is tge thing at the bottom.

Can we add a dishwasher to this kitchen?
OP posts:
wowfudge · 28/07/2018 17:23

That's the gas meter. The red lever to the left turns the gas off should you ever need to. You can get it moved, but it'll cost a bit - it could go on the outside wall instead if appropriate.

Original poster
Fuckedoffat48b · 28/07/2018 17:32

Bloody hell, it does look like it will cost a bit. Like £500-£1000.

Is that not a bonkers place to put a gas metre? Does anyone else have one there?

OP posts:
Original poster
Fuckedoffat48b · 28/07/2018 17:39

Any chance that is a really old gas meter that is defunct?

OP posts:
wowfudge · 28/07/2018 17:41

That sounds cheap compared to some quotes I've heard of! It's now the norm that meters are mounted outside - it means they're accessible when the occupants of the building are out and the supply can be cut in the case of an emergency.

Have you noticed that the cupboard is not full depth? You'd need to find out what's behind the cupboard back before you could decide whether the meter can go outside instead.

OliviaBenson · 28/07/2018 17:43

I was also going to say that the cupboard isn't full depth so that could also be an issue.

wowfudge · 28/07/2018 17:45

Highly unlikely it's defunct - they usually are moved or replaced if there's a problem with them. Ask the vendors via the EA if that is the current gas meter.

Looks to me as though there are pipes behind the cupboard back, is the boiler nearby?

wowfudge · 28/07/2018 17:47

Actually pipework behind the cupboard back wouldn't stop the meter being moved but it could prevent you fitting a dishwasher there.

Original poster
Fuckedoffat48b · 28/07/2018 17:47

Not really, the boiler is on the other side of the kitchen! Which is why I am so shocked. Is this the kind of think that should have been flagged on a survey or gas service?

There are pipes behind the cupboard going to the washing machine, which is why I thought it would be a good place for a dishwasher.

OP posts:
wowfudge · 28/07/2018 17:50

Why would it be flagged in the survey or gas service? Perfectly acceptable location as fast as I am aware. I suspect there are water pipes behind the cupboard and those pipes go upstairs behind the boxing. There's probably somewhere else a dishwasher could go - can you post a photo of the kitchen so we can see?

Original poster
Fuckedoffat48b · 28/07/2018 17:51

Could a dishwasher go beside the oven perhaps? (clasps at straws)

I am assuming there isn't enough space under the sink due to u-bend.

Can we add a dishwasher to this kitchen?
OP posts:
wowfudge · 28/07/2018 17:54

Post a photo as no one can tell what the layout is, etc.

wowfudge · 28/07/2018 17:55

Sorry OP - your photo didn't show when I first read your post.

BubblesBuddy · 28/07/2018 17:56

A sink is deeper than the worksurface so a dishwasher can never go directly under a sink.

I would give a thought to where else might be possible for water supply and space. Some dishwashers are 450 wide but will need full depth. Can you replace any cupboard with a d/w or put the washing machine elsewhere. Garage for example.

Original poster
Fuckedoffat48b · 28/07/2018 17:57

This is the other side of the kitchen, there is undercounter space, but no plumbing and I was planning on putting an under counter fridge and freezer under it (as there is also no room for a full, upright fridge freezer in this kitchen, it is currently situated in the living room!).

Can we add a dishwasher to this kitchen?
OP posts:
wowfudge · 28/07/2018 17:57

Hmm - that corner's odd dead space and the boxing seems to stick out a long way. You could possibly put a single sink in the corner and put a dishwasher where the sink is currently.

wowfudge · 28/07/2018 17:59

Is that a dishwasher cutlery basket on the worktop in your photo? Is there a dishwasher somewhere in the place now?

AtreidesFreeWoman · 28/07/2018 17:59

What about a draw dishwasher?

I have 2 that together are the same size as a standard dishwasher but they are installed as separate units and function as such.

I love them. It normally takes so long to fill a standard one that I used to take things out and hand wash them.

Tbh I rarely use both - we tend to just use both when we have people for dinner so I can start washing stater/main course and then load up the other one after dessert/coffee.

A single one would take up far less space and assuming you have the depth you'd fit one in above the gas meter.

So something like this but just one of them.

Can we add a dishwasher to this kitchen?
Original poster
Fuckedoffat48b · 28/07/2018 18:02

Wowfudge yes there is a lot of odd dead space in this kitchen, it is an ex-tenancy property so pretty standard for a landlord installed kitchen. We knew that all along and I had clocked the odd layout and pipework, but not the sodding gas metre taking up half a cupboard.

DH noticed the dishwasher cutlery basket. No there isn't a dishwasher in the kitchen but DH suspects tenants might have had one there before and have taken it with them. But where though….

OP posts:
wowfudge · 28/07/2018 18:13

It's possible to connect a washing machine or dishwasher to the sink - they could have had either under the counter opposite the oven and rigged up whatever it was when it was in use. Or maybe they had a counter top one in the dead corner?

titchy · 28/07/2018 18:15

It looks like your soil pipe is boxed in where that cupboard is so you haven't enough depth.

You could move your sink slightly over to the right, with drainer on left not right, and put a narrow dishwasher under the draining board.

wowfudge · 28/07/2018 18:19

Good call on the soil pipe @titchy. With the right sink set up I think you can get a dishwasher in there.

Original poster
Fuckedoffat48b · 28/07/2018 18:32

If I were to get a professional opinion on this, who would I ask? A plumber or a kitchen fitter or both? How willing would they be to assess the situation considering the answer may well be 'no you can't have a dishwasher', and therefore won't get a job out of it?

OP posts:
wowfudge · 28/07/2018 18:53

Ime anything can be done, but trades will suck their teeth, tell you it can't be done or give you a ridiculous quote if it's going to be a fiddly pain in the butt - which this might well turn out to be. A handyman who can do some plumbing is probably a better bet. It's the kind of job my DP would do himself.

BubblesBuddy · 29/07/2018 01:51

What is on the wall opposite the breakfast Bar? Oven and hob and what else?

I think that breakfast Bar is a terrible waste of space. I would get a dishwasher on the opposite wall and build in a whole wall of storage and worktop but around a fridge at eye level! Built under fridges are a total pain. You can easily gain the storage you would lose by putting in a dishwasher on the opposite wall where water is readily available.

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