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Original poster

Buying my first dishwasher

46 replies

Globalpandemicmum · 06/12/2020 22:12

Never had a dishwasher before so currently researching to find the best value for money product but I have no idea what sort of thing I should be ensuring the dishwasher has.

So, what are your requirements of a dishwasher?

OP posts:

Ariela · 06/12/2020 22:43

Miele last forever. I bought mine 20 years ago, on strength of the fact my parents one was already over 20 years old, never seen an engineer. Sadly theirs has outlived them and is now my brother's. So the cost per year is minimal.

What I like about it is the tray in the top for cutlery, leaves more room in the bottom for post & pans.

Voice0fReason · 06/12/2020 23:00

I love my Bosch.
The top cutlery tray is a must.

MollyButton · 06/12/2020 23:07

Top Cutlery tray is great, and I'd go for Miele if I could afford it, if not a good Bosch.

GLTM · 06/12/2020 23:55

I like a short wash option, my Bosch has a 45 min wash. Cutlery tray to - better for me as toddler sometimes runs in when unloading and avoids them falling on it. Miele very good to

meOwe · 07/12/2020 00:10

I love my Bosch because of the top cutlery tray (and it cleans really well)

PastMyBestBeforeDate · 07/12/2020 00:13

Top cutlery tray and quick wash.
If you have an open plan layout, check the decibel rating. DH is obsessive about noise and we got a Bosch Ecosilence. You can talk over it in the same room.

tobee · 07/12/2020 00:15

Why is the cutlery tray good? (apologies for butting in)

HeddaGarbled · 07/12/2020 00:20

If you’ve never had one before, you’re going to be thrilled with it whatever you get. You don’t need to spend a fortune on a top of the range one.

Can you plumb it in yourselves or do you need someone to do it for you? If you need someone to do it for you, don’t get it over the internet, go to an electrical retailer and pick the second or third cheapest in the colour you like best and go for the option where they install it for you. If you can plumb it in yourselves, do the same, but don’t buy it in store, write down the model number and then order over the internet where you can usually get a better deal.

They’ll try and sell you an extended warranty. Don’t buy this. This is where they make their biggest profit.

PastMyBestBeforeDate · 07/12/2020 00:22

If you have the basket you either have knife blades facing up which means people accidentally grab or fall on them or down in which case they don't clean as well. The tray separates items without pointing up.

Simbidian · 07/12/2020 00:23

Buy a dishwasher that is quiet. My Bosch whispers!

MiniMum97 · 07/12/2020 00:28

I have a Bosch with a cutlery basket. It's brilliant and we have no issues with dirty cutlery.

WitchesBritchesPumpkinPants · 07/12/2020 00:59

@tobee

Why is the cutlery tray good? (apologies for butting in)

Everything gets clean as you lay the cutlery out individually.

Easy to unload (if you train everyone to load it properly

The cutlery basket isn't in the way on the bottom rack.

If you have small kids it's a bit safer.

SauvignonGrower · 07/12/2020 04:04

This is funny. I hate the cutlery tray at the top because it places dirty cutlery in the coolest part of the machine. And it reduces height left for the other trays so that glasses don't fit well.

Each to their own!

Dotinthecity · 07/12/2020 07:05

We have a Miele which we love but have a cutlery basket. I prefer a basket as I can lift it out and take it to the cutlery drawer to unload it. We always put our knives sharp side down in the basket and they always come out sparkling clean.

Original poster

Globalpandemicmum · 07/12/2020 08:11

Thanks everyone, very useful.

Can I ask what may be a silly question... if you buy the dishwasher tablets which are 3 in 1 do you still have to use salt and rinse aid?

OP posts:

ByTheStarryNight · 07/12/2020 08:18

@Globalpandemicmum

Thanks everyone, very useful.

Can I ask what may be a silly question... if you buy the dishwasher tablets which are 3 in 1 do you still have to use salt and rinse aid?

Depends where you live. In East Anglia, yes, you need it all as the water is so hard. I get dishwasher salt cheaper online (big catering bag). Rinse aid stops everything havibg white tide marks on.

LaurieSchafferIsAllBitterNow · 07/12/2020 08:36

you don't have to buy salt and rinse aid, but you will find the machine clogs and breaks down more often and the dishes won't feel right

Our water is very soft so technically no need, and if I 've run out it can be a while before I remember to buy any, but you can notice the difference esp on glasses and cutlery

PresentingPercy · 07/12/2020 09:26

I now have a cutlery tray in a Miele and talked glasses do fit!

The main requirement is dBA. How quiet is it! People barely know my Miele is on. I have an AEG in my holiday house and it’s noisier. As in the Neff in my London flat. Miele is definitely the best.

Always check the dBA because most dishwashers from German manufacturers work well but some are better and quieter than others!. Also sign up to Which!

PresentingPercy · 07/12/2020 09:27

talked - taller glasses ....

MrsJamin · 07/12/2020 13:23

Get a good named one and get an extended warranty, we've used ours to get a service several times as dishwashers are the most likely large electrical item to go wrong.

murbblurb · 07/12/2020 14:53

ah, so that's the reason for a cutlery tray. You will need a wife, though, as it is a really dull and fiddly job laying it all out. Baskets are much easier, just put spoons in different sections and put sharp knives point down.

3-in-1 dishwasher tablets are as much of a lie as anti-wrinkle cream. If you have a Wilkinsons or Poundland, rinse aid and salt don't cost much and should always be used.

PresentingPercy · 07/12/2020 16:55

The great thing with the trays is that you just use the cutlery handles to lay out the cutlery. Not just cutlery either. Ours takes carving knives, slices and even bbq tongs. It’s a better layout and works extremely well. My other dishwashers have cutlery baskets and I know where the most cutlery goes and how clean it is. We use higher quality tablets but always buy in bulk when there’s an offer. Use the rinse aid etc too.

thegcatsmother · 07/12/2020 18:00

I moved back to the UK last year having had built in Siemens dishwashers in all three rentals abroad, which were very good. I bought a Samsung from AO. Cutlery basket, which I prefer, as kitchen knives are either washed by hand, or put in a rack to one side; space for chopping boards; the plates are stacked from side to side, not back to front (which is real PITA), and the racks at the back fold flat for larger pots.

Roselilly36 · 07/12/2020 18:24

I have had a lot of dishwashers over the years, Iook at energy rating, the length of time of the programme, noise, litres of water per cycle etc I use good quality all in one tablets but I still add rinse aid & salt at I live in a hard water area.

Beebumble2 · 07/12/2020 18:29

Amoy vote for Bosch, my last one was 20+ years. Don’t get a lot of fancy programmes, such as glasses only. We use ours on quick wash with a hot long one every month to flush through.
Also we use the Fairy Platinum tabs. No need for salt or rinse aid.

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