Integrated Dishwasher

Dishwashers save time in cleaning dishes and also help sanitize dishes and reduce the risk of illness from bacteria and germs. According to the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers, a dishwasher can save up to four hours a week over hand-washing dishes.

Apart from variety of styles, dishwashers also come is varying degrees of portability and installation requirements. You can pick up an appliance that meets the efficiency guidelines set by the United States Environmental Protection Agency and the United States Department of Energy. Newer models have sensors that adjust the amount of water used to the level of soiling of the dishes.

Types of Dishwashers

Integrated Dishwasher: These dishwashers can be fitted into the cupboard or the space dedicated to keep the same. In other words, the whole appliance including the control panel can be concealed within a furnished door. There are three types of integrated dishwashers:

• Fully integrated Dishwasherscan be completely concealed in a kitchen cupboard. The control panels of this unit are positioned on the top of the of the dishwasher door.
  
  
• Semi-integrated Dishwashers can be covered by a kitchen door up to a drawer line height, above which the control panels are visible.
  
  
• In-Column Dishwashersare designed to be built-in at chest height to ease the loading and unloading process.
  
  

Slim Line Dishwashers: These dishwashers are best suited for smaller households or smaller kitchen. Contradicting the full-sized dishwashers, slim line versions occupy as little as nine feet space of your kitchen. However, the features including electronic controls with delay timers, wash programs, temperature, salt and rinse indicator lights, adjustable baskets do exist in this model too. Energy efficiency and performance are also on par with the full-sized counterparts.

Compact or Counter Top Dishwashers: As the namesuggests, these dishwashers occupy lesser space than a slim line dishwasher. Compact or countertop dishwashers have minimal wash programs and are less energy efficient than larger machines, especially in the drying cycle. This is ideal for women who have difficulty bending. Operating connection is a simple faucet hook-up and units generally run as long as the faucet is turned on.

Portable Dishwashers: The market has a variety of portable dishwashers varying from the cheapest to the expensive ones. The more expensive models have all features found in a standard version. Portable dishwashers are best for small families living in rented home or apartments as they do not require any special plumbing installations. Castors enable easy movement of this dishwasher. Portable dishwashers are also fitted with special adapters and drain hose for easy movement.

Built-in Under-Counter Dishwashers: The built-in units are best in terms of operating convenience since they can be permanently located near the kitchen sink. Also, the absence of any hook-up to the faucet enables the concurrent usage of kitchen sink. However, these dishwashers require plumbing installations. Instructions for the same are available on purchase.

Remember, the built-in units occupy considerable amount of space in your kitchen cupboard with the standard width being 24". The compact versions have 18" width. Hence this is ideal for the kitchen which has enough dedicated space for a dishwasher. If you are in a rental home or apartment, do not opt for built-in dishwashers as they are permanently attached to your kitchen area and cannot be moved anywhere.

Dish Drawers: These are stylish and elegant dishwashers that come with drawer access system. The drawer system provides increased capacity and convenience to place the dishes. However, the style and outlook makes this unit expensive. Installations for the same also differ from the standard versions. The extended version of dish drawer is a two drawer dishwasher. As the name suggests, this unit is split into two, with each compartment or drawer accommodating 6 place settings.

The use of two drawer dishwasher is multifold. You can use it like a standard dishwasher by filing both the drawers. On the other hand, you can also load the two drawers with different types of dishes like glass and dinner plates in one and pots and pans in the other. The other way would be to use one drawer to load the dishes for rinsing and use the other to wash the same. A double drawer dishwasher is usually costlier since the uses of the same are multifold.

Commercial Dishwasher :Ideal for hotels and other larger units like church groups, social club and residential care facilities, they are much more powerful than domestic dishwashers. Available in upright and under-counter models, these dishwashers operate at much higher temperatures. Also, they have much shorter wash cycles ranging from 90 seconds up to several minutes. These units come with racks designed to take a combination of plates, cutlery and glassware.

Dishwasher buying tips

Energy Efficiency: With so many environmental issues affecting our lives, ensure that the model you have chosen is energy efficient.

Noise: No one would spell out dollars on a noisy machine. Almost all modern machines are quiet while running. Remember, more quiet the machine, costlier it is. As a thumb rule, 50db or lower is generally considered an appropriate noise level. Thicker insulation will make the dishwasher quieter.

Guarantee: Check the guarantee for your dishwasher. All manufacturers provide twelve month parts and labor guarantees. Few offer extended part guarantees, however with a condition that you use their own engineers whose cost is higher than independent engineers.

Program and Temperature :Check for the programs and temperature controls in your dishwasher.By default all machines offer regular cycles. Few have rinse-only as an additional option. Remember, the maximum temperature should be 55 degrees Celsius.

Reliability:Check for the best market brands with your friends and neighbors.