Dishwasher vs manual

Ian_iD

Good afternoon!

I am vaguely thinking about getting a dishwasher but trying to work out how cost effective they are against manual washing. I have always through they are too expensive to run with electric and water etc so have never really thought about it before, but recently a few people have said they are not as expensive as you might think.

I live alone at the moment and generally end up washing up every other day or so, generally filling up a bowl in the sink of a mixture of tape hot water and kettle hot.

Has anyone done any research into this at all please or have any info that might help?

Thanks in advance

SuzieSue

I used to think the same as you until I got a dishwasher when I re-did my kitchen a year and a half ago. There are only 2 of us, so I only need to run it every four days whereas I was washing up every day before I had a dishwasher. I haven't compared the costs, but the time saved is worth every penny if it isn't cheaper than hand washing (which it well might be).

sunshinetours

Modern dishwashers only use around 12/13 litres of water I believe on certain wash cycles. Not sure about power draw but they certainly don't costs a fortune to run especially if you buy tablets/salt on offer. The biggest cost will be the initial outlay to buy one

Having had one you won't want to be without again though!

ic

I can echo above, once you have one you wonder how you did without. They're supposed to be more economical than hand washing, and are more hygienic as stuff is washed at far higher temperatures. Also when you're stacking stuff up ready to be washed, its out of sight in the dishwasher, rather than sticking out the sink. Keep an eye out for offers on the tablets - you should be aiming for less than 7p per tablet. Standard prices can be as much as 20p per tablet. You could get a slimline dishwasher - though I did and even on my own wished I'd gotten a bigger one. Cook a proper meal and use lots of pans and you'll wish you had the capacity. The cost differences are fairly minimal.

Also make sure whatever you put in it is dishwasher safe.

A.Penny.Saved

A dishwasher can be cheap to run especially if you buy the cheaper dishwashing tablets from places like Aldi. Wilkinsons do cheap tabs and so do Sainsbury but Aldi are about the cheapest I have found.

Then I use a kitchen brush and quickly brush over things under a cold tap and then put it in the dishwasher which means only the shortest wash program is needed. It's great for clearing the sink drainer and I only put the dishwasher on when it is full. Then only a for a quick wash of around 48 mins which cleans any remaining dirt from the dishes. This means it's very cheap to run, less bother than washing up and I have a clear sink drainer because the dirty dishes are stored in the dishwasher until the dishwasher is full.

Errata

I'm a one person household and bought a DW 18 months ago. I use it once a day and haven't noticed any difference in my utility bills.

lilac_lady

I have a smaller dishwaher as I'm the only one in my house. My kitchen is small so it looks tidier when the unwashed dishes are hidden in the DW. I use it once a day or every second day when I've less dishes.

No change in my electricity bills. I wouldn't be without one.

A.Penny.Saved

lilac_lady wrote: »

My kitchen is small so it looks tidier when the unwashed dishes are hidden in the DW.

That is one of the best things about a DW IMO, having a place to store dirty dishes so you can have them cleaned when your ready. However, letting food dry on dishes will make it more difficult to clean them which is why a quick brush over under the tap helps and reduces the electric usage using the shortest DW washing program.

I wouldn't be without one.

I wouldn't be without my Miele, well worth the money and they are not cheap either.

maypole

I just wouldn't want one. I see it as another appliance that might go wrong.
I have had experience of one when staying with my family and I couldn't be bothered with all the stacking and emptying.......... I could wash the dishes by hand in that time. Family say they wouldn't be without one though.

flashg67

Mine uses 11L of water & 1.1 Kwh of electricity on a 'normal' 50 degree wash. I use the cheap tablets, rinse aid lasts for ages and no salt needed as soft water where I am so 40p per load all in approx (I'm on a water meter)?



The convenience is worth that to me - hate washing up!

devotee

I wouldn't be without one, the dishes just don't feel as clean anymore when washed manually. Especially true if you live in hard water area like I do. When they come out of dishwasher, the dishes are clean, dry and sparkling. Plus as someone said, when they are dirty they are simply hidden away and the kitchen looks tidier.
Mine is currently disconnected as we're having a new kitchen fitted, I count days until it's back on!