Before You Buy A Dishwasher

Before you buy a new dishwasher it is very important to address a few key elements. If you take care of these issues now you should get many years of satisfactory service from your new purchase.

Measure your dishwasher space

Before you buy dishwashers online it is vital to measure how much space you have to work with. You should be careful to measure not only the width of the space but also how tall and deep it is. This will be important when selecting a dishwasher so as to not have it sticking out into the kitchen itself.

What workload will you give the dishwasher?

If you have a family with lots of children or if you normally cook a nightly meal that uses lots of baking trays, pots and plates then you are going to want a heavy duty dishwasher that is able to handle that workload. If, however, there are not many people in your household you might be able to save some money by getting a less powerful washer that does the job in a more efficient way.

This will also impact on the type of programs that your dishwasher will need to have.

Do you want to save power?

If you are trying to cut back on your electricity bills or make your home more environmentally friendly then you should make sure your dishwasher has a good energy rating and has a range of washing options. Many dishwashers now offer an environmentally friendly “economy” wash that uses less power. These dishwashers also use a lot less water which is a high priority for any Australian.

What dishwashing powder does it take?

Some dishwashers are designed to be used with a dishwashing liquid whilst others are more suited to powder or tablets. This is an important thing to establish before you buy dishwashers as each of these items are greatly varied in price. A lot of dishwashers also need rinse aid liquid.

Most dishwashers today will use either a certain amount of powder or a tablet for each wash. If you are on a budget you might want to find out whether your new dishwasher will work effectively with the cheapest type of cleaning product.

Does it match your home’s structure?

Before buying a dishwasher you need to make sure your kitchen is “dishwasher ready”. For example, you will need to have a nearby power point plug, flexible pipes to pump water in an out as well as a waterproof area in case of any leaks. Those homes with grey water systems will also need to make sure that the dishwasher is built for such features. Finally, you should check what temperature water the washer requires and make sure it matches your hot water output.

One should also make sure that the new dishwasher matches the style of the home. Stainless steel or glossy white finishes are two of the most popular options.

What colour dishwasher will suit your kitchen?

Traditionally dishwashers are available in white or stainless steel finishes, though some brands are starting to sell other colours such as black. It is usually best to match your new dishwasher to any other fitted appliances, such as ovens and stove tops. So if you have all stainless steel appliances in your kitchen it would look odd to buy a white dishwasher.

For some dishwashers you can have special integrated door panels made so your dishwasher is seamless with your kitchen cupboard doors.

Also consider whether your dishwasher is visible from the main living room or dining room, if it is on display to guests maybe you might want to invest in an either an integrated dishwasher or a nice looking dishwasher.

How big are your plates or wine glasses?

Many people forget to select a dishwasher that has rows tall enough to fit their plates in, or a top drawer that is either tall enough or can be adjusted to fit long stemmed wine glasses. Every dishwasher is different and it is not guaranteed that every plate or pan will fit inside the way you had hoped.