Dishwashers...

gabyjane

how do i know what can and can't go in them?

Whats the best soap to use in them..tablets or powder

Do they use loads more water than doing washing by hand (we wash up about 3 times a day!)

Thanks.

Need_More_Money_2

gabyjane wrote: »

how do i know what can and can't go in them?

Whats the best soap to use in them..tablets or powder

Do they use loads more water than doing washing by hand (we wash up about 3 times a day!)

Thanks.

I don't know the answer to your soap question, but modern dishwashers use less water than washing by hand.

windym_2

Most things can go in them. Obviously nothing electrical. I put more delicate items on the top shelf, like tupperware and nice glasses. The only problem I have ever had is with knives getting slight rust marks and glasses do get a bit cloudy. But I've since bought a new Miele which has a separate shelf for cutlery (not a basket) and have not had a problem.

I use tablets, only because there is no mess and you know how much to put in. Buy them when Tesco have BOGOF or similar and they work out very cheap.

Dishwashers are far more hygienic than washing by hand, and use less water load for load.

You will get pretty adept at loading it to capacity. But you may find you need to buy more cutlery and tea/coffee cups/mugs as the dishwasher will take a huge amount of these and you may run out before they are washed.

gabyjane

windym wrote: »

Most things can go in them. Obviously nothing electrical. I put more delicate items on the top shelf, like tupperware and nice glasses. The only problem I have ever had is with knives getting slight rust marks and glasses do get a bit cloudy. But I've since bought a new Miele which has a separate shelf for cutlery (not a basket) and have not had a problem.

I use tablets, only because there is no mess and you know how much to put in. Buy them when Tesco have BOGOF or similar and they work out very cheap.

Dishwashers are far more hygienic than washing by hand, and use less water load for load.

You will get pretty adept at loading it to capacity. But you may find you need to buy more cutlery and tea/coffee cups/mugs as the dishwasher will take a huge amount of these and you may run out before they are washed.

Thanks! we are moving shortly so wanted to get clued up on them before we buy! We have bought extra glasses etc and now seem to have 3 cutlery sets!! oh and 2 dinner sets!

soappie

I always use Finish soap powder and separate rinse aid and salts. I did use the powerball all-in-one type tablets for a while but found the dishwasher didn't work quite so well with their prolonged use.

I put ordinary glasses in the dishwasher but never lead crystal ones - I found they tend to break - I think it might be the heat of the water.

moonrakerz

I find the adverts for dishwashers a bit misleading, they always show a proud housewife gazing in amazement at a gleaming wine glass.

Never put glasses in a dishwasher - it ruins decent quality glassware and cheapo glassware is so "squeaky clean" it is horrible to hold !!

But other than that they are great !

loracan1

I'm cheap, so I use half a tablet, no salt (soft water area) and rarely bother with rinse aid. I'll buy supermarket own brand dishwasher tablets when they're on offer and so far the only ones that've been rubbish are aldi's own. If I'm stuck, I've been known to use laundry washing powder. Main thing is to keep the filter clean. If I were buying another I'd buy a quieter one, worst thing is how noisy they are.

I'd not be without mine.

Emmett

Aluminum stuff tends to go very dull in the dishwasher. Also wooden items won't stand up to prolonged dishwashing and will start to disintegrate. Apart from that I find most other things go in (except my wok which goes really rusty!). Love my dishwasher - I wouldn't be without mine either. £50 well spent on ebay :j

milkydrink

I use them Quantrum tablets, when they are on offer I stock up. Because the tablets are so expensive I just use cheapo rinse aid & salt (I think you don't have to bother with then with the Quantrum tablets).

My friend has the Miele DW, mine is a hotpoint. I love her cutlery drawer, much more space saving than my basket.

MsA_2

I use Finish Tablets too... more recently stocked up on the new Quantum ones. I always buy Salt and Rinse Aid even though it's supposed to be included. The cheap stuff works fine.

We are on our 3rd Dishwasher. 1st one was old, replaced it with one I broke

Dishwashers are like washing machines and fridge/freezers. They have a rating based on performance etc. Always best to go for a AAA at minimum. I believe they have A+ these days.

kwatt

Some of the common issues are covered in this article which should help, there are links to others there that will answer most, if not all, of the questions. However, if you've any specific ones I'll try to answer them.

HTH

K.