How to choose a dishwasher for home: selection rules and tips

The modern kitchen pleases the housewives with its technical equipment: today, almost every process associated with cooking and maintaining cleanliness in the house can be automated. And it is even more pleasant that the process of washing dishes and kitchen utensils, which is not beloved by many, can also be entrusted to a special unit - a dishwasher. In this article, we will give tips on how to choose which models are and what to look for when buying a dishwasher.

Do I need a dishwasher in the house?

Almost all experts are unanimous in this matter: if there is an opportunity to purchase and install a dishwasher in the house, it is necessary to do this. It will be especially useful in such cases:

• If you like to cook or strive to make cooking a matter of your life.
• If you have a large family and the number of dishes used is very large.
• If you have children and you need to keep the utensils clean.
• If you like to invite guests, after all after a feast or tea party there are many used plates, dishes or cups.

But the options when the dishwasher does not help speed up and facilitate the washing of dishes, much less: unless you constantly staying on trips or business trips, eating out, prefer to order ready-made food, or in your house there is simply nowhere to install such device. And in this case, compact models with a small load will be a good help in everyday life.

The principle of operation and the basic functions of dishwashing units

The dishwasher operates quite simply:

• After loading, the machine draws the required amount of water from the water supply.
• The water in the dishwasher is heated to the desired temperature, which is determined by the selected washing mode.
• From containers for special cleaning chemistry products are dispensed metered to water and pumped into spray guns.
• Sprayers located in the upper and lower sectors of the machine pressurize dishes with high-pressure washing solution. Sometimes plates and cups are also filled with hot steam.
• The used water is drained, after which the rinsing process takes place.
• Sometimes when choosing deep cleaning programs, the washing and rinsing process can take place in several cycles.
• The last stage is drying, which is carried out by turbo blowing.

Depending on the model, some of the steps can be simplified: for example, in more budget options there may be no steam treatment or drying system, and in more expensive functions, water ionization or preliminary soak.

Responsible for the full cycle of working with dishes in the dishwasher are water and air temperature sensors, as well as electronic control, ensuring the passage of each stage of the washing program.

Of course, all these manipulations with the dishes can be performed manually. But the obvious advantages and benefits of dishwasher household appliances include:

• For its operation, the mandatory presence of hot water in the water tap is not required - the machine heats it itself.
• Save time: the technique will cope with washing even in your absence, and most of the models can be configured to start the timer wash.
• Detergents used in this equipment are much stronger than standard washing liquids used for manual washing. They launder an order of magnitude better.
• By rinsing in high temperature, all residues of washing solutions are washed off the dishes, which is difficult to achieve by hand rinsing.
• Dishwasher is economical! She spends three to five times less water than when processing dishes in the sink. Moreover, the cost of electricity in class A models is much less than heating the same volume of water with electric heaters.

All these advantages significantly simplify life and allow you to spend much less time on household chores.

How to choose the right one: tips and options for choosing a dishwasher for the kitchen

In order to choose the right equipment for your needs and for the requirements of the kitchen, it is worth paying attention to several parameters at once. And first of all it concerns capacity.

Dishwasher capacity, recessed and freestanding models

There are three standard types of this equipment, depending on the load:

• The standard capacity of the dishwasher is 10-15 sets. This is the optimal amount for a family of 3-6 people. Most often, these are multifunctional machines with many additional modes.
• Compact options are designed for 5-8 sets of dishes. In addition, they are small in size and can easily be installed in a closet or simply on a table. They are good for a small family, one person or as equipment for a country house.
• Narrow dishwashers are a compromise between high loading capacity and compactness. They fit up to 13 sets, and the dimensions allow you to place them even in a small kitchen space.

In addition, pay attention to the fact that there are both stand-alone models, as well as built-in kitchen units. If you are planning a purchase in a ready-made and equipped kitchen, it is better to choose a free-standing machine. And if you want to fully equip the kitchen space, it is better to choose the built-in model for the dimensions of the future headset. By the way, built-in appliances also have several modifications: partially built-in dishwashers leave the loading panel visible, while in fully built-in dishwashers it is masked behind the facade of the kitchen.

Water and electricity consumption

One of the most important indicators when choosing such an expensive equipment is the economy in the consumption of water and electricity. Indeed, in addition to the initial cost of the product itself, you have to pay bills for the consumption of water and light.

If we talk about energy consumption, pay attention to the marking of the model you liked. It is usually presented in the form of Latin letters - from A to G. At the same time, the A-class is the most economically resource-using units whose consumption does not exceed 0.8-1.5 kW / h per cycle. In addition to class A machines, more energy-consuming class B and C machines are often found on sale: they consume from 1.06 to 2.99 kW / hour during operation. If we talk about the rest of the classes, then there are two options:

• Or it’s obsolete models created without the use of modern energy technology.
• Or it is professional equipment for catering establishments, workshops or combines, which is much more powerful than domestic dishwashers, but also consumes more energy, respectively.

As for water consumption, the standard washing cycle consumes no more than 15-17 liters, which is much less than with manual washing. A little more can use an intensive wash program or extra rinse.

Sets of programs and options

The basic set of functions of any dishwashing device usually includes:

• pre-soaking or washing,
• a package of standard modes for certain types of dishes (glass, plates, pans),
• rinse with detergents
• blowing hot air to dry.

In the expanded version, they can be supplemented by express mode, intensive washing program or a special mode for delicate washing (for example, fine ceramics, porcelain or crystal).

As for the nice, but optional options: in a good technique there may be a waste crusher, child protection mechanisms, start timer, self-filtering water system and self-diagnosis malfunctions. Each of them will help to save time and money on fixing the car in case of unforeseen situations, so you should choose the most functional model within your budget.

Noise level

For dishwashers, a single noise level standard is established: in different models it can vary from 37 to 65 dB. If you have a kitchen isolated from the rest of the house, a car with any level of sound insulation will suit you. Often, modern manufacturers make equipment with minimal noise reproduction, but for combined rooms, for example, studio apartments, kitchens located next to children's rooms or bedrooms, it is worth paying attention to this parameter.

If we talk about the type of dishwashing equipment, then the fully integrated machines work almost silently, unlike stand-alone ones. This is due to the fact that part of the sound is extinguished by the facade of the kitchen and its walls, including the panel masking the lid.

Types of Detergents

For a dishwasher, specialized detergent compositions are required. To use for them the usual household chemicals or folk remedies in no case!

All dishwashers compounds can be classified according to their environmental friendliness:

• Ordinary funds are based on complex chemical compounds, they can cause respiratory irritation and allergic reactions. But their cleansing effect is high.
• Funds have a mild effect, composition with a minimum of chemicals harmful to humans, hypoallergenic characteristics. But it’s more difficult to wash heavily soiled kitchen utensils with them. Sometimes it will take several washing cycles.

According to the form of release, the means for automatic machines differ by:

• Gels - Liquid formulations that are optimally suited for everyday use. They are economical, easy to use, clean even delicate material, do not contain abrasive particles that can scratch glass or porcelain. For a normal cycle, 30 ml of gel is enough.
• Powders - the most common type of detergent for PM. Among the disadvantages: they do not soften the water and require the use of additional salts or rinses, they it’s easy to spill past the container, and due to hard particles the dishes may be clean, but scratched.
• Pills - a universal tool, convenient in that it is dosed for the wash cycle. Often tablets contain immediately and salt with rinse aid. Disadvantages: high price compared to other types. In addition, the tablet may not completely dissolve on the express-wash, and some outdated machines simply do not perceive them.
• Salt (softener) is an indispensable tool for our realities. If you want your unit to serve for a long time and not suffer from scale, be sure to use salt - it softens the tap water.
• Rinse aid - It is worth using complete with powder or for separate rinse programs. It not only permanently eliminates particles of detergent composition, but also protects glass products from stains, gives them shine.
• Flavoring - You can add if you do not like the initial smell of chemistry for washing dishes.

Before buying household chemicals, be sure to read the instructions for your model - there may be indicated recommendations or restrictions on the use of certain funds.

Washing quality

To make your car happy with the high quality of the sink, it is not enough just to choose the right model and correctly install it.

The quality of washing is also affected by such factors:

• Composition of tap water: too hard can quickly damage the machine, leave traces on the dishes. In turn, too soft is also not the best solution, it launders dirt much worse.
• Affect the quality and design features (shape and location of the spray guns, basket level control).
• Another factor is the quality of the detergent compositions. If they are improperly selected, used in the wrong quantity or simply of dubious quality (unverified manufacturer, counterfeit products), high quality cannot be achieved.
• Do not forget about the correct loading: the dishes evenly distributed in the baskets will be washed much better than if they are folded somehow in a heap.

Drying type

With a reasonable approach to choosing a dishwasher, it is worth paying attention to the type of drying used in the model.

In total there are three varieties:

1. Turbo dryer - the most common option, in which the fan starts at the end of washing. He blows the washed dishes with a stream of heated air, due to which it dries quickly. The disadvantage is greater energy consumption.
2. Condensation drying - previously used everywhere. This is a natural process of drying items after the end of the cycle. In order to speed it up, in the end the baskets with the contents are poured with very hot water or steam. Disadvantage: takes longer than turbo mode. This type of drying is easiest to use if you plan to load the dishwasher at night.
3. Intensive - A new type of drying that is becoming increasingly popular. Its essence is that air circulation is created inside the machine due to the difference in pressure. Advantages: energy efficient and fast enough option.

Child protection

One of the most important functions in a dishwasher bought for a family with young children is protection against their curiosity. To avoid traumatic situations, manufacturers offer several options for such protection:

• A key lock that is activated by dialing a specific combination described in the instructions. Such a safety measure is suitable for cars in which the control is placed on the front panel and can attract kids with a backlight.
• The removal of keys on the front panel of the door is typical for embedded options. Since the door of the machine itself is heavy, access to the buttons will be problematic.
• The program automatically stops and drains when the door is opened at the time the program is executed. It will help to avoid steam burns if the child nevertheless opens the door during operation of the device.

It is best if in the selected model these types of protection are present in combination, so the probability of an unforeseen situation will be minimal. In addition, it is worthwhile to additionally purchase mechanical door locks in order to surely protect the child.

Installation

The installation of a dishwasher is best left to the masters. The fact is that there are certain rules that regulate both the connection to the power supply and the connection to the water supply and sewage.

In general, the connection process is reduced to the following actions:

• Preparing a place for installation (you need to correctly mark the future location of the machine to provide access to water and electricity, fit into an existing environment or adjust the kitchen to fit its dimensions (for built-in models).
• The acquisition of additional components.
• Connection to the sewage system.
• Connection to the water supply (by the way, you need to connect only to cold water, connection to hot is strongly not recommended by manufacturers).
• Mains connection.
• Leak test.
• Verification of work.

Proper installation is a guarantee of the long life of your dishwasher.

Which is better to choose: an overview of popular models of dishwashers

If you look at the ratings of the most popular models of dishwashing equipment, you will notice that European brands such as Bosch, Hotpoint-Ariston, Electrolux or Whirlpool. This is understandable, because they are famous for their high quality products and thoughtful functionality.

So, one of the most popular was the built-in Bosch SPV 43M20 - a narrow, only 45 cm wide model with 9 sets of loading, energy consumption of class A + and consumption of only 10 liters of water per cycle. It has functionality for 4 standard programs, condensation drying, water pollution sensors and partial load. This is a great option for a small kitchen.

And if you need a compact car, pay attention to Bosch SKS 62E22 - it holds up to 6 sets, has 6 programs in the preset, sensors for recognizing water contamination and type of detergent. This model has only one drawback - the price, which hardly fits into the middle segment.

The budget segment will also allow you to choose a good technique. For example, Candy CDP 4609 - at a low cost, this narrow machine works silently, holds 9 sets of dishes, has 5 programs and the ability to choose one of four temperature modes. It has a timer and protection from children, which makes it a great choice for a large family.

And for those who want to choose a premium dishwasher, the model from the Scandinavian manufacturer is the best choice - Asko D5536 XL. It not only holds from 13 to 15 sets, but also has super-economical energy consumption (class A +++), a wide selection of programs, turbo-drying, water supply options, self-cleaning function and protection against leaks.

Video: how to choose a dishwasher 

Choosing a dishwasher is a responsible matter, but once done, it will facilitate your homework and save you from a not-so-pleasant occupation for many years.