Dishwasher - luxury or necessity?

moneypanicker

Hi all, i've been an avid lurker for a while here but do not post very often. I am wondering what all you guys think about dishwashers. I don't have one at the mo but i'm thinking of getting one.

I have 2 small children and I work shifts and I always seem to be doing washing-up and I hate it!! :eek: At the mo I see getting a dishwasher as the answer to most of my problems something of a miracle worker. I know it won't do all the other housework for me (unfortunately) but i'm trying to get myself sorted with the rest. I'm wanting to ask you guys if:

Could you live without a dishwasher?
Have you recently had a dishwasher and has it made much of a difference?
Do you still do lots of washing up i.e pans etc?
Am i right in thinking it uses less water? (I do about 3 lots of washing-up a day at mo)
Does it make everything a lot cleaner?

Sorry for all the questions i want to make sure that if i do get one it won't be a waste of money - i've also got to weigh up the fact that i'll also loose a cupboard. I'm hoping to get one as a belated birthday pressie!

Thanks all for advice
MP

kazmeister

Morning,

Its a personal thing, if you think you can manage better with one then get one. They are handy but instead of the kids arguments over who washes and dries it a case of I'm not unloading it ! They are more economical than washing up if you run them full. I personally could manage without one, but I could not manage without my tumble dryer - wet washing all over the house UGH.

angelavdavis

Hi MP,

In your shoes (kids, shifts, etc) I would definitely get one. It is a luxury but for me, I think life is too short for washing up dishes.

moneypanicker wrote: »

Could you live without a dishwasher? I do when I stay with my OH as his kitchen isn't big enough for one - and I hate it, luckily he does the majority of washing up whilst I cook. I have found too that I need more cups, etc so you can still have some while they are building up in the dishwasher.
Have you recently had a dishwasher and has it made much of a difference?
I have had a dishwasher for a few years - I love weekends when we go back to my house and can load up the machine (when we have a full house-hold to wash up for).
Do you still do lots of washing up i.e pans etc? If I am using the odd cup then yes I still do a lot, but with regard to pans, it really depends, anything burnt on gets put in soak first. Generally, I leave my pans in the dishwasher until they come out clean (even if not first time!)
Am i right in thinking it uses less water? (I do about 3 lots of washing-up a day at mo) It depends on the model and cycle you use - a lot have eco washes now. Also, remember it does use electricity too. I would shop around for a eco friendly model as they are out there.
Does it make everything a lot cleaner? Because it uses hotter water, it can get to higher temperatures which kills more bacteria, however if you are not great at maintaining it, it will harbour a lot of bugs. There are lots of tips on here for looking after your dishwasher though.

Sorry for all the questions i want to make sure that if i do get one it won't be a waste of money - i've also got to weigh up the fact that i'll also loose a cupboard. I'm hoping to get one as a belated birthday pressie!

Thanks all for advice
MP

Hope that helps

jaytar

I wouldn't be without mine. Even if I lived alone I would still have one, cos I loathe washing up.

Bambywamby

I don't have a dishwasher as I see it as more expense.
Dish washer tablets & salt, maintainence, insurance etc

I do work full time as does my partner, however there is just the two of us.

I think if it will give you more time in a hectic and stressful day, then you should buy one.
Your mental health and the time it wll free up is more important than the overall cost.

Bams x x

paddy's_mum

I had my first dishwasher 23 years ago when I knew I was going to have a caesarean birth and had a partially disabled toddler to care for too. I would never be without one and haven't been since!

If nothing else, a dishwasher acts as a dirty dishes cupboard and so helps to keep the worktops cleaner/tidier since you won't have stacks of dirty dishes waiting for you. I think that it is more hygienic as the dishes are washed at much higher temperatures than your hands could possibly cope with.

I do, on occasion, have to scour out a pan but usually because it is one of the few I have that won't fit into the machine - my big stockpot for example.

My dishwasher does a great job on anything pyrex and I regularly get given it by my daughters to 'just run through the dishwasher, Mum".

ceebeeby

I'm with kazmeister. The dishwasher does clean better, economical when run full. I do put my pans in it as well (stainless steel) but give them a wee scour first if necessary. I loathe washing dishes, so for me, it was worth having (and was a prezzy!!)

mumoftwo

I am like you, don't have one but desperately want one, I even have the space now, (moved washing machine to the garage) I hate the stacks of dishes too, OH said that washing dishes could be his chore but he never feels like doing them straight after tea so they just sit there. I have told myself that if I don't buy too many craft things and other impulse buys and we save enough for the kids' christmas this year I will get one before Christmas, Bliss.. no Christmas dishes to handwash. GO FOR IT. It is a modern appliance and fits in with your hectic lifestyle so why not?

moneypanicker

Thank you all for your replies,
mumoftwo, i'm just like you my husband says he wil do it and then it sits there till the morning (when he usually does do it) but it is so depresing first thing in the morning going into a kitchen full of mucky dishes. I don't have time for craft stuff anymore so i'm going to get rid of it all boxes and boxes. Now i'm no longer buying craft stuff i can just about afford a dishwasher.

paddy's mum - that is one of my reasons for a dishwasher to be able to load the dirty dishes away - out of sight out of mind!!!;)

Can anyone recommend a good dishwasher or are they all the same? Also any advice on what salt etc. to use would be good (if i can persuade my DH)

Linda32

I can't advise on what sort as I don't have one, these only two of us here though.

I think from what you say, you ought to have one to make life easier, after all you do go out to work, so you can afford the luxuries or essentials depending on how you look at it.

One thing I have heard said though, and it does make sense. Thrifylady said it recently, make sure you have enough plates to last you through the day without washing them up

misswig

I class it as a necessary luxery;)