Decades ago dishwashers were luxuries reserved for the super-rich. With today’s advancements in technology, dishwashers have become a necessity in a typical kitchen and they are remarkably affordable. The prices of dishwashers can vary by a wide margin just like other high-tech items. Three factors determine the pricing, the capacity of the washer and its special features along with the material used to make the dishwasher.
Other than the pricing, a dishwasher’s functionality is affected by features such as the capability to save energy and whisper quite running. Therefore, it is important to put into consideration these features when purchasing a dishwasher.
Consider the Capacity – 24” and 18” are the Standard Compact Size
The first thing to consider while purchasing a dishwasher is its capacity: An 18-inch dishwasher is great for 2 to 3 persons and has the capability to handle at most six to eight standard place settings. A regular 24-inch dishwasher is made with a capacity for between 12 to 14 standardized place settings. Note experience shows the number of place settings can at times be deceiving. For this reason, it is recommended that you settle on the standard 24-inch dishwasher for a family. A compact 18-inch dishwasher is good for a small kitchen or a couple for occasional use.
Type of Dishwasher – Portable, Countertop, Drawer or Built-In?
The option of buying a portable, countertop or built-in dishwasher is a matter of convenience rather than pricing. Consideration should be taken for these options whether you are renting or you actually own your home.
A permanent home calls for a built-in dishwasher while a rented home calls for the purchase of a portable model.
In pricing terms, the most economical dishwasher is the countertop version. Portable dishwashers tend to lie between affordable and luxury while built-in models require a larger investment. The pricing of higher-ends portables and built-in dishwashers tend to be influenced more by features and styles.
Dishwashers and Energy Saving Considerations
Dishwashers are becoming more efficient every day but with a disappointing increase in the length of the cycles. An efficient dishwasher will have the energy star inscribed on it. Some dishwashers come with a low water feature or ‘quick wash’ washing option these are useful if you are on a metered water usage or an RV. Another energy saver found in some dishwashers is the ‘delay start’ feature that is really useful if your electricity consumption is calculated rates of time-of-use enabling you to set your dishwasher to start washing later on when energy is considered cheaper.
Garburator Feature
The garburator feature acts as a scrape food feature which serves to remove grease and food scrapings so that they don’t stick back on the dishes after the cleanup process. Some dishwashers come with self-cleaning filters while others need to have filters cleaned after a given period of time.
- Other factors you need to consider include;
- Dishwasher washing cycles
- Dishwasher performance features
- Stacking and racking features
Appliance Repair Manhattan
Appliance doctor for dishwasher repair Manhattan, we will be glad to diagnose your faulty equipment and schedule a house call.
