Using the Charts | Cooking | Dishwasher | Dryer | Heating/Cooling | Microwave | Refrigerator | Washer

General Tips:

Dishwasher lifespan has been compromised by the lack of quality of components, and most machines are lasting only five to seven years.

• Most manufacturers are producing a tall tub design.  This means that the door is all one piece and is hinged closer to the floor allowing more accessible space. It is more expensive to buy, more expensive to install, and more expensive to repair.
• Machines with a double level wash have two spray arms (one under each basket). This greatly improves washability over wash tower designs.
• If you are buying a dishwasher to replace an existing unit made in the USA,  do not purchase Bosch, Ariston, Meile, Asko or Fisher/Paykel. The connections for water and drain will be in a different location and will result in expensive installation costs to convert over.
• Note that the Sears Kenmore label has multiple manufacturers, as listed below.  When purchasing a Kenmore product, check model numbers to determine who manufactured the product.

Look for machines with two wash arms, one under each basket. Spray arms at top of machine are worthless, since they rinse only the outside of items

Wash towers which eject from lower level spray arm are ineffective since placement of large items will obstruct water flow to upper rack. Avoid tall tub design machines with wash towers that eject from the center. Dishwashers that are tall tub design utilize smaller motors. They are quieter, but jam easily because of lack of power. The wash cycle time is long (about 3 ½ hours) since motors are very small and ineffective, but they do offer more dish loading area. Service on tall tub machines require removal from cabinet and is more expensive to install.

Standard machines (non-tall tubs) offer better washability and the wash cycle is approximately 45 minutes. They work well and are less expensive, but are a little louder. I recommend this type.

The dish drawer system by Fisher Paykel, Kenmore and Kitchen Aid has proven to be most troublesome and expensive. It has limited space for large items and has frequent breakdowns. They are difficult to service and, for these reasons, is not recommended.

Powdered and block soap (like Electrosol) is recommended for all dishwashers. Liquid or gel soaps create wash ability problems, leaving soap film on glasses and causing dishwasher door leaks.  Pillow pack soaps are not recommended by manufacturers because all the soap enters the tub at the same time.

Choose Whirlpool non-tall tub models for fastest and best performing machines. These machines offer the best wash but are louder.

Machines by Asko Bosch and Siemens are extremely expensive to service.

Standard tub on left       Tall tub on right
				Double level wash:  Separate spray arm under each basket allows for proper wash regardless of loading

Single wash tower only  has one spray head;  results in poor washability			Standard motor on left (the preferred design)	Tall tub motor  on right