Dishwasher - luxury or necessity?

lemontart

I could not live with out mine have had one for years - going camping next week so will have to wash up...........ugh ugh ugh

newlywed

Could you live without a dishwasher?
Yes of course. But life would be busier as I'd be washing up all evening.

Have you recently had a dishwasher and has it made much of a difference?
I never had a dishwasher before getting married (OH had one). It's a huge difference - never liked washing up anyway but after a sunday roast it's lovely to put it all in the dishwasher and then sit down Also, during the day I put things straight into the dw ready for a load so no dirty plates and cups cluttering the worksurface (kitchen isn't that huge).

Do you still do lots of washing up i.e pans etc?
I put them in the dishwasher anyway - only have a couple that are non-stick and you can't dw. The rest are stainless steel and have been fine. I tend to put them in the dw and then if they don't come out fully clean, give them a bit of a scrub and rinse the rest off.

Am i right in thinking it uses less water? (I do about 3 lots of washing-up a day at mo)
Sorry not water metered so can't say.

Does it make everything a lot cleaner?
Well possibly - but it has made some of our plates and mugs fade!!

emmie1234

Hiya, I bought a second hand dishwasher recently. I'd always wanted one. We have a six year old daughter who is disabled and has learning difficulties so it is a godsend for us as she has to be constantly supervised and I couldn't risk leaving her for ten mins to do the washing up - she gets herself into all kinds of mischief if I'm out of the room for a few minutes it's made things a lot easier at home for us. The only thing I occasionally rinse out in the sink is cups, as I don't have enough to get through the day. With pots and pans, I tend to just bung them in as long as nothing is burnt on, then I tend to give them a quick once over with a scourer first. I'll second that it brings Pyrex up lovely too.

I buy the five in one tablets form lidl that do everything so you don't need to buy salt, rinse aid etc I think they were two pound something for 40 tabs - someone plz correct me if I'm wrong, I didn't keep the receipt. They bring everything up really sparkly and shiny. The first time I used the DW, I was amazed at how shiny it bought up our glasses too.

I'm after any tips for cleaning ours if there are any out there. I forked out for finish DW cleaner last month, I wanted to give it a good clean as it was second hand and wanted to make sure there were no nasties lurking, but I won't pay that kind of dosh again.

HTH

Em

moanymoany

I've had a dishwasher for more than 20 years. I could live without it, but, I wouldn't choose to.

I use cheap tablets. My machine is a John Lewis cheapie, very basic. It has a 30min quickwash which works very well. I clean it from time to time with a cup of white vinegar in the bottom on a hot wash when it's empty.

I hate to see dishes left after a meal, I stack them in the dishwasher until it's full then run it. I don't run it unless it is full.

It washes dishes clean because of the high temperature and the strength of the tabs.

I wash very little by hand. I am careful not to get citrus pips in the dishwasher because they can block the holes on the arms. I rinse porridge dishes and pans. I rinse big bits off things, but mostly I put things in as they are.

I have only seen one posting where someone has got rid of a dishwasher in the threads that have been started about having one. On the other hand there have been dozens of 'love my dishwasher' posts. Says it all!

lil_me

Could you live without a dishwasher? Never had one apart from when I lived at 'home' 14 years ago
Have you recently had a dishwasher and has it made much of a difference? Not got one
Do you still do lots of washing up i.e pans etc? my pans are dishwasher safe but handwash is recommended
Am i right in thinking it uses less water? (I do about 3 lots of washing-up a day at mo) yes modern ones I am informed use less water and cost less enviromentally than heating water for hand washing
Does it make everything a lot cleaner? My Dad's old one things used to come out dirty, but I am sure 'new' ones are much better.

I would LIKE one but don't NEED one. If there was more than just me who did the washing up in our house I probably wouldn't be as bothered. I am considering buying a second hand one, my main problem with washing up is having to put the water heater on just to do dishes which I hate as it heats up upstairs, plus it's probably costing me a fortune! I'm going to measure up next week and consider getting one when the kids are back at school, also need to get 'permission' to put one in.

Austin_Allegro

LOL some oldstylers you are! You'll be wanting cars and televisions next! :rotfl:

I've never had a dishwasher and couldnt' anyway, as I can't even fit a washing machine in my kitchen!

I don't really see the point, as I live on my own and it only takes ten minutes or so to wash up. I suppose it makes more sense with a large family, as realistically only one person can wash and one dry at the same time.

susank

Would not be without one now - only 2 of us left at home and wash the lot in it. Dont buy tablets thats the expensive way of doing it- buy the powder its cheaper and lasts longer and if anything really burnt on put in a little washing soda with the powder too.

shelly

I love having a dishwasher even though there is only 2 of us at the moment. Oven trays and plastic storage containers are the only things I wash by hand.
I currently use Finish 3 in 1 or 4 in 1 (can't remember) tablets as I got lots on a very good deal one week. When these run out I think I will try Lidl ones as emmie1234 recommends.

Before we moved house recently I noticed the glasses coming out really cloudy. Needed some salt but forgot every time I went shopping to get some. So even though the tabs are meant to have everything added they might not have enough in them for your water hardness.
My new dishwasher brings glasses up beautiful now, like new. Not sure if the water is softer so the tabs work better or if there is some salt left in from the previous owner.
We have been here 3 months now so would the salt have run out by now? How long does it last, roughly? I use it 3 times a week maximum.

Thanks

moneypanicker

I'm going to John lewis now to have a look at 'dishwashers':j Probably won't buy from them but they generally know their stuff.

Then i'm going to cook my husband a nice tea and then work my magic!!! Very excited about the prospect of not much washing up!!

I think we can definately afford one, I been lurking here for a few months and since then i've been meal planning and general only buying on line - i'm saving a fortune.

thanks all for input!

a66y31

lemontart wrote: »

I could not live with out mine have had one for years - going camping next week so will have to wash up...........ugh ugh ugh

we are going camping this weekend and are taking paper plates...saves washing up....:rotfl:and I wouldnt be without my dishwasher...got mine 7 yr ago...when I work full time and just had my child...saved me from doing them didnt have alot of spare time...:rotfl: