Fitting a dishwasher, help appreciated

chickaroonee

We really would like a dishwasher, but not sure how we are going to fit it in our kitchen. If anyone can advise, it'd be appreciated.

On the back wall, the sink is above a double cupboard (is that the right description? i.e. two doors, one opens left, one right). The sink is a 1.5bowl, with plumbing underneath. To the right of that cupboard is the washing machine, then on the end a very small cupboard.

To the left of the sink is a vertical set of draws, then a corner cupboard on the left of that.

On the opposite side of the kitchen (i.e. backing on to the lounge wall), there is a gap for an appliance where we used to have a fridge.

Any ideas what would be best? I don't think putting a dishwasher away from the sink is a good idea, but don't see what else we could do, unless the washing machine was moved to the other side. Is this feasible?

We have laminate flooring which would have to come up to fit anything on the other side, which may prove difficult but not insurmountable I suppose. Any ideas gratefully received!

phill99

Putting the DW on the opposite wall is really a non starter. Its almnost impossible to get rid of the waste water unlessmajor works are involved.

Your best bet is to utilise the side of the kitchen where the sink is located.

You need a 600mm opening for a standard sized DW and 450mm for a slimline.

If the drawers are 600 wide, you could get a full sized DW in there (ie remove the drawer cabinet completely) or if it is a 500mm wide drawer pack, you could get a slimline DW in there.

Alternative is to remove the cupboard under the sink, replace it with a 500mm unit under the sink bowls and put a slimline DW in the spoace under the draining board. You will probably need to do some repolumbing, but it isn't insurmountable.

chickaroonee

Sounds like it's a bit of a pain then! Not measured the drawers, but they're standard size so sure a dishwasher would fit, but then that leaves no drawers - we want to sell in the next year or two, I wonder if that would put people off? Think it might but I don't know.

We have an old MFI kitchen so fitting a cupboard to match is a big problem. I take it moving the washing machine on the other side gives the same problems as moving the dishwasher?

(these are all the reasons why we've never had a dishwasher before now)

chickaroonee

Silly question, but I wonder if the drawers could be moved across? I'm such a DIY incompetent I have no idea.

phill99

chickaroonee wrote: »

Sounds like it's a bit of a pain then! Not measured the drawers, but they're standard size so sure a dishwasher would fit, but then that leaves no drawers - we want to sell in the next year or two, I wonder if that would put people off? Think it might but I don't know.

We have an old MFI kitchen so fitting a cupboard to match is a big problem. I take it moving the washing machine on the other side gives the same problems as moving the dishwasher?

(these are all the reasons why we've never had a dishwasher before now)

1) there is no such thing as a standard size, so get your tape measure out.

2) just because its a an old MFI kitchen, shouldn't mean fitting a new cupboard from a different supplier is a problem. Get a single cupboard from say b & q and just use one of the doors from the existing cupboard.

3) Put the rdrawers into the space on the other side of the kitchen.

4) If its an old kitchen from MFI, whoever buys your house off you will look to ripping it out and starting again any way so whether it has a DW or not is irrelevant.

ikati5

A dishwasher has the same fittings as a washing machine, if you want a dishwasher for your own personal use, you can pull the washing machine out and use the fittings for the dishwasher then put washing machine back when done, I know that sounds like a complete faff and it was when we only had one place for plumbing but not nearly as much of a faff as washing up!!!

Failing that you can buy an on the counter dishwasher for less than £100.

chickaroonee

That's really, really helpful, thank you. Will measure the drawers later, but I think that may well work. It would be brilliant if it did, will just leave the problem then about the electric to it, but sure that is easily fixed on installation.

I meant would a buyer be put off by no drawers, not a dishwasher. I don't think they probably would rip the kitchen out (could be wrong tho), it's an entry level house and kitchen is in good nick (it's 9 years old, so nowhere near new but not ancient yet) and still looks modern (or at least, in keeping with the house). The reason we want a dishwasher is because I'm in poor health and it would help us out quite a bit. Just don't have the time/energy for a huge kitchen re-fit though.

chickaroonee

ikati5 wrote: »

A dishwasher has the same fittings as a washing machine, if you want a dishwasher for your own personal use, you can pull the washing machine out and use the fittings for the dishwasher then put washing machine back when done, I know that sounds like a complete faff and it was when we only had one place for plumbing but not nearly as much of a faff as washing up!!!

Failing that you can buy an on the counter dishwasher for less than £100.

We can't do either unfortunately, not enough counter space free, and definitely couldn't physically move the washer either (and the toddler would be a nightmare with it )

Steve_the_fitter

Ive fitted plenty of kitchens without a dw but never fitted a kitchen without kitchen drawers. Phil99 gave the best advice take the drawers out and put them on the other side where the fridge used to be and put a dw there. You will have to cut the plinth and extend it on the other side.
Must admit if i was selling in a year or so Id leave it as it is.

victor2

I really wouldn't bother unless the dishwasher can be fairly close to (and on the same side as) the sink.
It's inevitable that you'll want to rinse some things a bit before sticking them in the dishwasher, where they can fester for a day or more. Quickly and easily done in a nearby sink, but not if it means dripping dirty water across the floor.

chickaroonee

Thanks for all the helpful advice. I don't know why we didn't think of moving the drawers before, it's really obvious now!

Measured the drawers and it is a 60cm gap, they look like an easy job for DH to move across, they just slot in.

You will have to cut the plinth and extend it on the other side. Sorry I don't understand (told you I was a DIY incompetent), is that the underneath bit - think it will work if we cut it then put it in on the other side? (If that's what you mean)

Take your point about moving, but getting a DW will be a big help for us. I have long-term health problems, a toddler and we're struggling massively with everyday tasks. Doesn't sound like much but removing the washing up will help us a lot. Not enough to destroy the laminate floor etc, but if it can fit in where the drawers are, it doesn't seem too big a job. Moving house isn't guaranteed either given my health probs.