New Dishwasher Appliance Time

Here's something I've not heard discussed. What is your favorite dishwasher appliance brand and/or model? What's the good, bad, and ugly? Best place to get one? Best features? Must have features? Useless features? Price range v. value?

Thanks in advance for the advice.

 

Well the GE stuff the builder put in our house were POS.

 

we changed to LG from the GE builder stock, and like it a lot with just a few minor issues. i wish the dishwasher had a lock on it while it runs- since the panel is hidden for a seamless stainless look, and it's so dang quiet- i forget it's running sometimes! but that's a good thing...

we need a part replaced on the dishwasher and outside contractors provided by LG so far have been less than stellar. we're on the 3rd company but so far they are on task...

It is harder than i expected to keep stainless steel streak and fingerprint free. we'll see if they complete and fix it. the stove, fridge and microwave have been completely perfect. and all of the appliances are purty.

 

Come on Flynnibus, that's no help.

So redon, you think "quiet" "a lock" and being able to clean stainless steel is important, right? Sounds like service on LG is an issue.

 

I think your best bet is to do some research and see what brands and models typically get the highest ratings. Consumer Reports magazine will have reviews of features, repair histories, and prices as will many online sites. When I'm looking to buy something I usually look it up on Amazon, Buy.com, and epinions websites to get an idea of what owners of the product think. I may or may not agree with what they like or dislike about the item but it gives me a feel for whether the overall opinion is good or not.

As far as features of a dishwasher, we bought a new one last year and my research then said that some of the best dishwashers had minimal extras. Essentially the machine either cleans your dishes or it doesn't, right? Options for sanitizing, potscrubber, glasses only, special silverware drawers, etc. might be convenient if you feel you'd use them but don't make the difference between a good wash and a bad one. Even the ones with stainless steel interiors which are touted as being better than the plastic ones aren't necessarily any better for the overall life of the dishwasher.

If you typically use the "normal" wash cycle for your dishes and let them air dry, then don't bother paying for extra features you won't use. If you want stainless steel exterior to match your other appliances, go for it since from a real estate perspective they have a good value these days, but other than that go with what gets good reviews for getting dishes clean.


Dishwashers from Sears were more than some other places but Lowes, Home Depot, and Best Buy had some good prices.

That said, Consumer Reports lists the following dishwashers as being very good to excellent (no one brand was consistently lower or higher - they all seemed to vary by model). Some were as low as $450:

• Kenmore 1374
• Bosch SHX98M0[9]UC
• Kenmore (Sears) Elite 1378[2]
• Whirlpool DU1055XTS[Q]
• Bosch SHE33M0[2]UC

 

Villager, thank you for taking the time with an indepth response. Very helpful.

 

sears will price match and beat the price...plus if they put it on sale within 30 days of your purchase you can go in for a price adjustment. i bought a fridge from "Mo" at Dulles Town Center. He was very helpful! I have found that GE stuff sux...in my experiences...

 

The Bosch DW by far is the best, but pricey - the 'upper jet', silence and cleaning ability are a few reasons we purchased one.

When we gutted our kitchen, we had one put in and then we moved a month later to B'lands where I have 2 GE dishwashers.

(FWIW - we are happy with the GE Monogram - GE Builder's stock stinks)

 

i like kitchenaid

 

you are correct on all fronts. the GE used to click and grumble, so i walwaysknew when IT was on. plus you had to lock it to start it- good safety feature.

we got some Method SS cleaner, it works all right. could be operator error- i HATE to clean therefore do a pretty lousy job most of the time...

they contract out the service here to various appliance repair companies and 2 so far have done absolutely nothingto help us, claiming AFTER they began service for us they had a falling out with LG and could no longer assist us. mind you- we only found out after WE called THEM repeatedly for follow up...

 

Flynnibus has a point about finding a specific model. It seems that one tiny option can be different and they'll give it a different model number. Or they change the model number slightly for certain stores. It's weird.

Dishwashers seem to be something that a lot of people complain about in reviews so it DOES make it hard to get a consensus of which ones are best. Same goes for washing machines, BTW. Also keep in mind that something that some people complain about you might could care less. If you want an ultra quiet machine, go with the best reviews with that feature.

Checking the overall repair histories of different brands might be the difference for you between brands. Generally you'll be most happy with one that has a low average of repairs. Consumer Reports says that the following brands have the lowest incidence of repairs (in order of least to most):

Whirlpool
Miele
Bosch
Hotpoint
Amana
Kenmore
GE
Jenn-Air
GE Monogram
Frigidare
Kitchen Aid
Asko
Maytag
Fisher & Paykel

The first 7 brands listed were very similar in ranking, after that the repairs starting increasing.

 

Jerks.

 

so what's the answer flynn- a massive block of ice instead of a fridge and wash the doggone dishes by hand? lol

 

Aint that what the women are fer?


<ducking>

 

flynnibus, the more I research the more I feel your pain.

 

Also keep in mind that like any appliance or electronics, the more the machine does, the more potential for problems. The simplest items often work the best. We replaced a GE (it had been recalled) with another GE and I don't have any problems with it. Hey! I even installed it myself - and I'm a chick!