Kitchen Design Site

Dishwashers are in the majority of homes in the UK, saving people time and money. Buying a dishwasher can be confusing though with so many on the market, but there are ways to identify the better dishwashers.

The best dishwashers have different functions and modern features that allow you to determine how your dishes are washed. Never buy a dishwasher that doesn't have at least three different wash settings. The standard three are intensive wash, normal wash and economy wash. This not only allows you to decide how long you want the washing to take but also how much water you want to use.

Modern dishwashers will also have a half-wash function. This is where dishes in only the top or the bottom draws are washed, saving on the amount of water used.

Most new dishwashers now have concealed heat elements, meaning that when you come to unload your dishwasher, there won't be any parts that can burn you if you touch them. Also look for anti-flood mechanisms that cut off the dishwasher in the event of a leak being detected.

Removable baskets are incredibly useful for loading and unloading dishwashers. Nearly all dishwashers come with a basket to put your cutlery in, but there dishwashers that allow you to lift out other parts for ease of loading.

Make sure to see if the dishwasher you're thinking of buying has a filter fitted at the bottom. A filter can stop any large chunks of leftover food getting into your pipes and causing a blockage.

Digital display dishwashers are generally better than those with dials and push buttons. This is because digital dishwashers will display exactly how long the wash will go on for and generally offers more control options.

If you're on a real economy drive, then a timer-delay function will help you save a lot money over time. You can set the dishwasher to turn on at night, when electricity rates are often cheaper meaning you save on energy bills.

Condensor drying is another feature to look out for when shopping for dishwashers. Even though nearly all dishwashers will dry your plates, some will leave pockets of water in areas that mean you still have to do some drying. A dishwasher with a condensor dryer fitted will leave your dishes completely dry, every time.

We have more information on dishwashers listed below and can also divert you to some of the best online retailers of dishwashers currently available.