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Advice on new Dishwasher Features randy.bates 11-15-2006
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Posted by Edwin Pawlowski on November 15, 2006, 1:17 pm



>
> 1) Is a stainless steel tub better that a plastic tub? I've had both
> in the past, but don't really know if the extra money for a SS tub is
> worth it.
>
> 2) Self Cleaning screen with impeller or not? I'm looking at the
> Bosch and Kenmore dishwashers and each has a manual clean filter vs. an
> impeller/self-cleaning one.
>

Start with the basics. Any DW today will clean better than any DW from 15
years ago. If you are upgrading, most any appliance will be at least
satisfactory.

Next is features. How many cycles do you want? We have a lot of them, but
only use the sani-clean 99% of the time.

The more expensive models often have better soundproofing. Our Kitchen Aid
can hardly be heard.

Getting back to your questions, SS has the benefit of being stainless.
Some plastic interiors have discolored over time, but this does not affect
performance. If it does not leak, it does its job. I've heard of some
plastic housing cracking over the years.

I like the ability to be able to clean the filter. That is not a big deal
and a once or twice a year thing. Most disposers can get rid of soft food.
I'm old school and don't want a lot of crud in the DW. Scrape and sometimes
give s one second rinse.

We bought a Kitchen Aid (third one in 40 years) and like it a lot. We
looked at Bosch. Our local dealer said they are one of the best for
cleaning, but they have had more service calls than any other brand they
carry. Kenmore can either be made by Whirlpool or Frigidaire. The
Whirlpool ones are very good; the Frigidaire are cheaper and less reliable.



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Posted by Spare on November 15, 2006, 2:22 pm


I have a high end KA, but not with the impeller. I'm amazed at how
well it cleans dishes and pans. It's almost a game that I play, trying
to stump the machine with baked-on, caked-on food, and I pile dishes on
top of dishes, on TOP of more dishes (we have a large family, and cook
every night). It's amazing, it gets them all clean, every single time.
We installed a top of the line GE in our last home five years ago, and
it didn't clean as well as the KA.

Definitely get something with a deep tub. They are bigger inside.

The only feature that looks interesting on newer models is the
automatic detergent dispenser. That seems like it would be handy. Not
sure what make(s) have this feature yet, I wish mine did.

Also, I'd like to find the mesh envelopes for small items (like child
sippy cup gaskets). Our D/W came with one, but it's worn out. I'd buy
5 if I could find them somewhere.

By the way, avoid the Fisher &P(?) dish drawers at all costs. It seems
that they have horrendous reliability problems, clogging problems, etc.
etc. My parents have replaced theirs three times in as many years, and
have to prewash their dishes prior to loading to the point where they
could pretty much bypass the DW with not much more effort.

On Nov 15, 10:39 am, randy.ba...@vanderbilt.edu wrote:
> Hi, Guys.
>
> I'm considering a new DW soon and wanted your opinion/experience with
> the following:
>
> 1) Is a stainless steel tub better that a plastic tub? I've had both
> in the past, but don't really know if the extra money for a SS tub is
> worth it.
>
> 2) Self Cleaning screen with impeller or not? I'm looking at the
> Bosch and Kenmore dishwashers and each has a manual clean filter vs. an
> impeller/self-cleaning one.
>
> I know most people like the convenience of a self-cleaning filter, but
> my personnal experience with an impeller is that it's something to
> eventually go wrong or break. They either get jammed with an object or
> just fail. I don't mind periodically cleaning a manual filter. Is one
> superior over the other??
>
> Thanks to everyone for your time and help,
>
> Randy


Posted by on November 15, 2006, 2:53 pm



Spare wrote:
> I have a high end KA, but not with the impeller. I'm amazed at how
> well it cleans dishes and pans. It's almost a game that I play, trying
> to stump the machine with baked-on, caked-on food, and I pile dishes on
> top of dishes, on TOP of more dishes (we have a large family, and cook
> every night). It's amazing, it gets them all clean, every single time.
> We installed a top of the line GE in our last home five years ago, and
> it didn't clean as well as the KA.
>
> Definitely get something with a deep tub. They are bigger inside.
>
> The only feature that looks interesting on newer models is the
> automatic detergent dispenser. That seems like it would be handy. Not
> sure what make(s) have this feature yet, I wish mine did.
>
> Also, I'd like to find the mesh envelopes for small items (like child
> sippy cup gaskets). Our D/W came with one, but it's worn out. I'd buy
> 5 if I could find them somewhere.
>
> By the way, avoid the Fisher &P(?) dish drawers at all costs. It seems
> that they have horrendous reliability problems, clogging problems, etc.
> etc. My parents have replaced theirs three times in as many years, and
> have to prewash their dishes prior to loading to the point where they
> could pretty much bypass the DW with not much more effort.
>
> On Nov 15, 10:39 am, randy.ba...@vanderbilt.edu wrote:
> > Hi, Guys.
> >
> > I'm considering a new DW soon and wanted your opinion/experience with
> > the following:
> >
> > 1) Is a stainless steel tub better that a plastic tub? I've had both
> > in the past, but don't really know if the extra money for a SS tub is
> > worth it.
> >
> > 2) Self Cleaning screen with impeller or not? I'm looking at the
> > Bosch and Kenmore dishwashers and each has a manual clean filter vs. an
> > impeller/self-cleaning one.
> >
> > I know most people like the convenience of a self-cleaning filter, but
> > my personnal experience with an impeller is that it's something to
> > eventually go wrong or break. They either get jammed with an object or
> > just fail. I don't mind periodically cleaning a manual filter. Is one
> > superior over the other??
> >
> > Thanks to everyone for your time and help,
> >
> > Randy



The advantage to stainless steel, as Edwin pointed out, is that it
can't discolor. Some plastics can be discolored over time by stains
from things like tomato sauce. How big a deal that is, is open to
debate. Stainless also looks much better.

As far as a manual clean filter, I wouldn't want one. My GE Profile
doesn't require any normal manual cleaning. I just scrape all the main
food off and in the dishes go!

I would definitely get a flat front panel, with no exposed switches. I
think some of the Bosch units have the old type switches that are
impossible to clean.


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