Which Type of Dishwasher is Right for You?

Dishwashers are a tremendous help in the kitchen, not only as time-saving appliances, but also to help sanitize dishes and reduce the risk of illness from bacteria and germs.

There are dishwashers on the market to suit different lifestyles, with varying degrees of portability and installation requirements. So before you start shopping, it is advisable to know exactly what type of dishwasher is right for you to ensure it will fit nicely in your home and provide you many years of convenience.

Built-in Under-Counter Dishwashers and Dish Drawers

These built-in installed units provide the best operating convenience, being permanently located for easy access with no need to relocate it to the kitchen sink every time you need to use it. Since there is no hook-up to the faucet, your kitchen sink can be used for other purposes at the same time your dishwasher is running.

These dishwashers do require a plumbing installation to your home's waterworks, and instructions are usually available with the purchase, or through the manufacturer or dealer.

You will also lose a fair size cupboard for this installation, with the standard width of dishwashers being 24", and compact ones that have an 18" width. If you have ample cupboards in your kitchen, the convenience of a built-in dishwasher will quickly outweigh the loss of storage space.

After installation, if perchance you have a 6" to 8" width of cupboard space left under-counter, this provides a terrific narrow storage cupboard for cookie sheets, trays and muffin tins and a custom hinged door is easy to cut and hang for this size of cupboard.

Dish drawers are a wonderful dishwasher style providing a very stylish look for any decor with ease of drawer access and increased capacity convenience. However this newer styling comes with a higher price tag, and installation may differ slightly from a regular built-in model.

Keep in mind that if you are planning a move in the future, a permanently installed dishwasher would be expected to remain with the home. For this reason, built-in dishwashers or dish drawers are not advisable for a rental home or apartment.

Portable Free-Standing Dishwashers

Suitable for a family and with no special plumbing installation required, portable dishwashers are a great option for apartment and rental home dwellers. They only require a parking space in your kitchen, and operation requires relocating it and connecting with an adapter to the kitchen hot water faucet when required.

These units generally have the same features and capacity as their built-in counterparts, and they also provide additional counter workspace since most have a butcher block or durable counter top. There is also no storage space sacrificed for these models, but it is advisable to review your kitchen format for the most convenient location for it. At one time these units were higher priced, but now they are comparable in price to built-in models. It's the capacity and additional features that mostly affect price.

Countertop or Tabletop Dishwashers

These are the most economical of all models and require a counter space to locate them close to the sink. Operating connection is a simple faucet hook-up and units generally run as long as the faucet is turned on.

I have used a countertop dishwasher for several years with a small family, and found it cleaned well as long as dishes were rinsed or food residue removed, and the unit was operated immediately after a meal. Capacity is usually a place setting for four and cookware or serving pieces would require handwashing. Dishes can either be air or hand dried. However, these are impractical if counter space is at a premium and inadequate for a large family.

Dishwashers have become very economical to purchase and energy-wise to operate, making them a valuable time-saving and must-have kitchen appliance. Now that you've decided what type of dishwasher is right for you, Before You Buy a Dishwasher will provide other buying tips and considerations.