Dishwasher verses Washing-up

3KIDSNOMONEY

Got three kids, 10, 8 and 3, got my dishwasher just over a year ago. LOVE IT. When I think of all the hours I have spent washing up! I let the kids bake more now because I haven't got to hand wash the pots. Wish I had got one when the kids were younger for baby bottles, etc.

Sea78

johnjp wrote:

DW on during off peak is much more economical and alot less time consuming.
Would you wash your clothes by hand?
By the way, as long as your meter is correct, off peak in winter months (GMT) is between 10.30 pm and 7.30 am. In summer 11.30 pm to 8.30 am. I try to stick to using those times for all the machines.

Thanks for this - is this true even if you don't have different on/off peak bills? Sorry if I'm being a bit thick!

CLARABEL

hiya

I ALSO AM A DISHWASHER LOVER. WHEN WE BOUGHT THIS HOUSE 6 YEARS AGO, ALL COULD TELL PEOPLE WAS THAT THERE WAS A SAPCE FOR A DISHWASHER!

I think it's a matter of opinion as to which is better, but one tip I alsways do is if I'm in, I stop it when it starts the drying cycle as that is the bit that eats the electricity! I just turn it to stop, open the door, and the dishes are dry within a few minutes.

love my DW...woudln't be without it. Like the idea of using washing powder...I always thougt that it would be too sudsy for that...I use cover washing powder...how much do people put in their dw's?

clara;)

LyndsayJ

My dishwasher broke down before xmas (turns out it was my 18-month-old pushing buttons!) and at first I though 'this'll be fine, I can do without it!'. Wasn't long before my knuckles were cracked, my hands were permanently dry and sore (don't get on with rubber gloves) and I was spending about an hour and a half a day washing up, staring out of my kitchen window at the fence, instead of playing with my 3 children (or sitting down with a cuppa)...
Now it's repaired, I've recently started using own brand powder instead of fairy tablets (tho only bought those when on special offer but still pricey) and was interested to read above that someone uses vinegar instead of rinse aid... would like to try that - anyone know if it's just any vinegar? Doesn't it make the place smell chip-shoppy?!

To be honest I don't know which is cheaper, but like others I wouldn't be without a DW - it's a quality of life thing for me. I must admit to envying apple_mint's description of catch-up time with OH though - mine works away during the week so not an option!

spendthrift66

Are you referring to washing powder for clothes? I like the idea of that too. Does it mean you have to use rinse aid with it? Thanks.

Lazy_Ike

johnjp wrote:

DW on during off peak is much more economical and alot less time consuming.
By the way, as long as your meter is correct, off peak in winter months (GMT) is between 10.30 pm and 7.30 am. In summer 11.30 pm to 8.30 am. I try to stick to using those times for all the machines.

I use both DW and hand. Use DW more since receiving authoritative advice that a full DW more cost effective than hand washing. Always preferred DW results.
Word of warning about these times. They will vary by supplier, and the deal you are on.
Off peak times are conspicuous by their absence from Invoices and the supplier websites.
I have just phoned the following and was quoted for Economy 7. (Johnjp possibly quoting for deal other than Economy 7 but expect times will vary by supplier which ever deal you take.)
British Gas: Times vary according to area, and whether or not you have a Time Switch or Tele Switch Meter. No change to period in summer and winter, or so I was told.
Time Switch = 1:00am to 8:00am
Tele Switch = 12:00 to 7:00am
Powergen: Times vary according to area, and with Time/Tele Switch meter. Change in summer
Time Switch: 12:30am to 7:30am, both times advance an hour in summer
Was not given Tele Switch times as they identified my meter as being a time switch
(meter serial number with an F in it denotes Time Switch apparently)
Npower: Times vary with Time/Tele Switch meter. Change in summer.
Time Switch = 12:00 to 7:00am both times advance by one hour in summer.
Tele Switch = 12:30am to 5:30am (NOT 7 HOURS) both times advance by one hour in summer.

Jet

I love having a dw but don't think mine is a very good model.

It was cheap to buy and I find I can't use the quick wash at all as it doesn't get anything clean, leaves deposits of food over everything and leaves the dw tablet sitting amongst the dishes undisolved.

If I use the longer wash, things turn out fine.

Dishwashers do give your glasses salt damage and turn them cloudy, but I only buy cheap glasses so I don't mind replacing them now and again.

I would hate to have to wash up by hand.

moanymoany

I have used a dishwasher for 25 years and I would not be without one. My first was an indesit and lasted 10 years and my latest is a John Lewis cheapest (they give two years guarantee and cheap continuing insurance). It has a 30 minute cycle which gets dishes very clean. I use it all the time, it is very economical. Every two months or so I use one of those dishwasher cleaners to get rid of grease and gunk - I use the Tesco one, half the price of the others and has approx the same stuff in it.

At first the reaction of people when they discovered that I had a dishwasher was one of rather posy superiority. It is all very different now. I do wash up by hand if the dishwasher is broken and I am waiting for repair or the new one to be delivered. I wouldn't want to do it permanently. I think it is funny when people say they have no room for one as I would make room.

It is cheaper and cleaner than washing up by hand. Especially this 30 minute cycle. I can fit a lot of dirty dishes and pans in my machine. It would make up perhaps four or five separate lots of handwashing.

Cytos

Further to the post above linking to a DEFRA article, research from the University of Bonn, Germany indicates that dishwashers are more efficient than handwashing:

http://www.treehugger.com/files/2005/08/dishwasher_vs_h.php

dalore

This post is to all the people saying dishwashers don't clean the dishes as well as a handwash. Your stacking the dishwasher wrong (or your dishwashers on the fritz).

You need to make sure the spinning water things can actually spin water up into/onto the surface of your plates.

I usually have to chide the missus when she just stacks it any which way.

Found this link to help people: http://www.appliancesonline.com.au/page/appliances_online/CTGY/Stacking-A-Dishwasher-Guide