Any good recommendations? I remember a thread on this a while back but can't find it. I recall that Bosch was generally approved of. Anybody have input?
15 years in 2 residences, we now have a Sauter "smart" model and I think it kicks ass. Better than the Bosch machines by some margin, and quieter by a lot. Very efficient water use.
I'm rather limited to big box stores for this purchase. Any particular reason to avoid Lowes or Sears? Also, any brands which are to be avoided? I currently have a Kenmore Ultra Wash Quiet Guard 4. It's alright but nothing great and probably not the best at water conservation.
do yourself a favor and get one with a 3rd rack on top for silverware, it makes a huge difference.
My buddy has one - I don't. Both Bosch -- his is a lot better with capacity. Mine is ok overall - have to put it on the max cycle every time.
My maytag at my old place was actually a better machine. Wasn't quiet or as nice looking - but you could put in a filthy full load and they came out spotless every time.
RE: RE: I love my new Bosch, best dishwasher and very quiet
My buddy has one - I don't. Both Bosch -- his is a lot better with capacity. Mine is ok overall - have to put it on the max cycle every time.
My maytag at my old place was actually a better machine. Wasn't quiet or as nice looking - but you could put in a filthy full load and they came out spotless every time.
It probably wasn't the machine - it was the detergent. An EPA ban on phosphates in dishwasher detergent took effect a year or two ago. Dishwashers don't clean as well as a result, especially if you have hard water.
Does any brand make and sell dishwashers in the US that heat their own water and also that hold refillable salt "filters" for in situ softening? Here and in Europe those features ate de rigeur and really make a difference when you have hard water.
Does any brand make and sell dishwashers in the US that heat their own water and also that hold refillable salt "filters" for in situ softening? Here and in Europe those features ate de rigeur and really make a difference when you have hard water.
All dishwashers heat water, as hot water from the tap is insufficiently hot to clean dishes well. Whether they can be connected to the cold water line is another matter. I know many European models can be, but not sure about US brands. They might not be programmed to heat water during the pre-wash cycles.
Since the phosphate ban in detergent took effect I have seen some higher end washers for sale here that have built in water softeners. My next dishwasher will definitely have one.
I imagine with any hi end brand, you'll get a stainless steel tub. But if you're looking middle market machines, make sure you get something with a stainless steel tub.
I have a Kitchenaid that bought from Lowes and installed myself. Probably paid around 500 five yeats ago. I'm wicked fucking handy and every time I work on this dishwasher I imagine how much people who aren't handy must spend fixing this same model. I've changed out almost every part on this thing. And I take it apart to clean about every six months. Thing gets nasty.
Anyway, on the upside, parts are relatively cheap and easy to get and its easy to work on. On the other hand, it's broken fairly often. I'm no expert but I think I read somewhere that a lot of the various brands like Kenmore, Kitchenaid and Whirlpool are made by the same manufacturer. I know alot of the parts share skus and such.
And Sears doesn't manufacture appliances, so all Kenmores are made by someone else. They buy from several manufacturers including Whirlpool, GE, and Amana. If you search online you can find a chart that shows you who makes which Kenmores based on the model number. Anyway, I'm pretty sure all or most of their dishwashers are made by Whirlpool.
I like it in general. No problems with it, it's quiet. It took me some getting used to how much longer it took to wash dishes compared to our old one.
The only problems we've had was that the glasses come out all foggy with a cloudy coating sometimes. I think that might be the detergent we use though.
I like it in general. No problems with it, it's quiet. It took me some getting used to how much longer it took to wash dishes compared to our old one.
The only problems we've had was that the glasses come out all foggy with a cloudy coating sometimes. I think that might be the detergent we use though.
Most likely you have hard water. Glass fogging has become more common since they removed the phosphates from detergents.
Suggestions:
1) Try a different detergent. Finish tabs are very highly rated.
2) If you don't use JetDry, try it.
3) Clean your dishwasher using a tub cleaner product. You run an empty load with it.
4) Try Lemi Shine. It softens the water in your washer, solving a lot of problems. However - CAUTION: read the warnings. It will strip paint off of glasses. Dishes too if not well glazed. I've never used it because of this, but many people swear by it.
can Lemishine remove old hard water stain from glasses? My new glasses don't have this problem with my Israeli dishwasher, but we've got some badly stained wine glasses that IIRC happened when washing them in our CA residence with a US (no water softening salt container) model Bosch dishwasher.
I've tried everything to this point to remove the hard water stain cloudiness with no success.
My buddy has one - I don't. Both Bosch -- his is a lot better with capacity. Mine is ok overall - have to put it on the max cycle every time.
My maytag at my old place was actually a better machine. Wasn't quiet or as nice looking - but you could put in a filthy full load and they came out spotless every time.
My buddy has one - I don't. Both Bosch -- his is a lot better with capacity. Mine is ok overall - have to put it on the max cycle every time.
My maytag at my old place was actually a better machine. Wasn't quiet or as nice looking - but you could put in a filthy full load and they came out spotless every time.
It probably wasn't the machine - it was the detergent. An EPA ban on phosphates in dishwasher detergent took effect a year or two ago. Dishwashers don't clean as well as a result, especially if you have hard water.
All dishwashers heat water, as hot water from the tap is insufficiently hot to clean dishes well. Whether they can be connected to the cold water line is another matter. I know many European models can be, but not sure about US brands. They might not be programmed to heat water during the pre-wash cycles.
Since the phosphate ban in detergent took effect I have seen some higher end washers for sale here that have built in water softeners. My next dishwasher will definitely have one.
It's expensive though, so I buy it only when on sale.
I have a Kitchenaid that bought from Lowes and installed myself. Probably paid around 500 five yeats ago. I'm wicked fucking handy and every time I work on this dishwasher I imagine how much people who aren't handy must spend fixing this same model. I've changed out almost every part on this thing. And I take it apart to clean about every six months. Thing gets nasty.
Anyway, on the upside, parts are relatively cheap and easy to get and its easy to work on. On the other hand, it's broken fairly often. I'm no expert but I think I read somewhere that a lot of the various brands like Kenmore, Kitchenaid and Whirlpool are made by the same manufacturer. I know alot of the parts share skus and such.
Also, Whirlpool owns Kitchenaid.
The only problems we've had was that the glasses come out all foggy with a cloudy coating sometimes. I think that might be the detergent we use though.
I think that it was very as a CR recommended buy (maybe best buy).
It got dings for not being the quietest or fastest but it is surprisingly good.
The only problems we've had was that the glasses come out all foggy with a cloudy coating sometimes. I think that might be the detergent we use though.
Most likely you have hard water. Glass fogging has become more common since they removed the phosphates from detergents.
Suggestions:
1) Try a different detergent. Finish tabs are very highly rated.
2) If you don't use JetDry, try it.
3) Clean your dishwasher using a tub cleaner product. You run an empty load with it.
4) Try Lemi Shine. It softens the water in your washer, solving a lot of problems. However - CAUTION: read the warnings. It will strip paint off of glasses. Dishes too if not well glazed. I've never used it because of this, but many people swear by it.
I've tried everything to this point to remove the hard water stain cloudiness with no success.