Dishwasher verses Washing-up

spendthrift66

I love my dishwasher too - it is only a slimline one so it gets used every day ... I'm sure it's not more economic but it sure beats washing up. And my kitchen is miniscule so it means I can put the dishes out of the way. Someone mentioned using washing powder... is this clothes washing powder?? Does this work as well? Ta

jojilufc

wouldn't be without my dishwasher. Only use it on 30 min quick wash now and every thing comes out great.

When I bought new pans hubbie chose dearer ones( "you get wot you pay for"), found a little note saying not suitable for DW as may discolour them...
Still put them in and never had a problem

Do make kids wash up sometimes tho...:D,

johnjp

Lazy_Ike wrote:

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.

I had my electricity meter replaced two weeks ago. The meter has a small label showing the off peak times in GMT(Greenwich Mean Time). The guy who installed it explained how it works. I have two fuse boxes. One is for general lighting, sockets, cooker and convector heaters. This fuse box works 24 hours so the cost is normal tarrif during the day, then off-peak from 10.30pm to 7.30am in winter(GMT) and 11.30pm to 8.30am in summer. Fuse box number two only works during off peak hours, whenever that is, triggered by the meter. It is for storage heaters and off peak hot water. If I were to use the immersion heater that would be on 24 hours. So if I only use my DW, WM, Cooker, power shower and other high rated machines during off peak hours I will only pay for the off peak cost. I am a British Gas customer so have been supplied with a meter by them.
You can change your supplier, and upgrade your meter, at any time, as Martin is constantly reminding us, so if you are not getting the best deal, switch you supplier, it`s a no brainer.
Incidentally my old, but up to now, reliable DW, has decided to go on the blink so it looks like I might be handwashing for a little while. I can`t stand the thought of leaning over the sink, which is too low for my 6`, for about an hour, worsening my sciatica, when I could be taking a midnight stroll!.

confused1

The DW is a godsend when entertaining. But for me it's most useful function is the heat sterlising, esp of parts which can't be reached from handwashing.
Handwashing in a bowl of stagnant water and then wiping with tea towels is not quite hygienically friendly.

chinagirl

belfastgirl23 wrote:

It's easier to motivate myself to do a cook-up if I know I won't have a pile of washing up at the end. Also don't think I could cope with dishes sitting around waiting for the one wash up in the day I use Lidl dishwasher tabs broken in half and just the 30 degree wash - works fine!

I hear dishwashers are more environmentally friendly than handwashing and I think it probably makes v little difference cost-wise. But sometimes convenience is worth paying for and I think a dishwasher is one of those places where it is worth it.

Exactly! My slimline dishwasher is ample for the 5 of us, and I did not reallise just how much free time I would have by using a dishwasher instead of washing up 4/5 times throughout the day, like I used to!
I am keeping it now!
Also, by the same standard, would you want to go back to washing your clothes by hand, and trade-in your washing machine? I think not!!!

jinkssick

I love dishwashiers. Only thing I could say negatively is that they start to smell when, theres only two of you and Im not putting on a wash for 3 plates, so we wait till its basically full and this could take 2 to 3 days. Smelly dishwasher becomes to be 'not nice'.

Justamum

specsappeal wrote:

Now i spend 99p a fortnight for washing up liquid and have perfectly clean dishes!!

Which washing up liquid do you use? I usually use Ecover (the large bottles) costing £1.67 and it lasts me 2 months as I find you don't need much of it. The last time I decided to try the Co-op animal-friendly one but it's wrecking my hands, so it's back to Ecover next time for me (also the Co-op one isn't lasting anywhere near as long).

Tuesday

I had a dishwasher when I had my kitchen redone. I found the tablets had hazard warnings on them (except Ecover), I couldn't bear the taste of salt on the cups, it never got things really clean, the glasses went cloudy... A friend developed a throat problem and the doctor told her to rerinse everything she'd washed in the dishwasher. So load dishwasher and then redo everything! I informed the kids they would be washing up from now on, stuck a rota on the fridge and never used the dw again. Result - my kids actually know how to wash up. If they do the cooking, we'll wash up. No problem.

Kathy12345

Working full time and also being a single parent I wouldn't be without my DW.

I've never really looked into the cost side of things - time is precious and I'd rather spend that 30mins or so with my son or walking the dog.

I can't wait until I've saved enough for a robotic vacuum cleaner too!!

:j

neilg_2

I have a cold feed dishwasher but it is connected to the hot feed. This saves on time during the wash cycle and energy to heat the water. Water is heated on a cheaper tarrif and generally I have more hot water than I use. Additionally the water temperature is set to 60C so saving on the usual installation which can be at 80C.