Dishwasher newbie

10_66

OH & I are considering buying a dishwasher, never had one before. Usual use would be for 2, sometimes 3. I have the space for full size one but, looking at various guides, some say buy a narrow one to suit number it'd be used for, when others say get full size if you want to include pots and pans. Any advice would be appreciated, please.

maman

I'd definitely go for a full size one if you have the space. Provided you have enough crockery, you can don't have to run it every day if it's not full.

I've had various Bosch machines over the years which have been excellent, far better than the AEG I have now.

vacheron

We have a full size, my parents have a narrow. They have had up to 14 people round for christmas dinner and have still managed to get all the washing done in just a couple of cycles and a bit of hand washing.

As above, the benefit of the full size is lost if you only own a small amount of cutlery / crockery as you will need to keep raiding the dirty dishwasher for items, or putting on a partial load. This is the reason that the 3 of us in our home now own about 20 forks and coffee spoons, as otherwise they all end up sitting in the dirty dishwasher! 😁

We inherited a Bosch from the previous owner when we moved here in 2010, and it was still working in 2019 when we replaced it with a NEFF simply because we were replacing the whole kitchen. We gave the Bosch to a friend who installled it in their kitchen, and as far as I am aware, it's still going strong!

flaneurs_lobster

I'd agree about getting a full size, with the provisos that have already been stated - you really need to have place settings for 6+ and want to get your pots & pans in there too.

Bosch have been good for us too.

Top tip, empty/clean the crap filter after EVERY WASH.

Albermarle

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82104769#Comment_82104769

As above, the benefit of the full size is lost if you only own a small amount of cutlery / crockery as you will need to keep raiding the dirty dishwasher for items, or putting on a partial load

Although if you use the quick wash, you are not supposed to have the dishwasher full anyway.

OP - Be aware that the problem with dishwashers, is the arguments about who empties it !

Rodders53

Full size are often cheaper to buy than the slim ones. Slim ones are for where the space in the kitchen dictates the smaller size. Bosch/Neff/Siemens are the same group… try to find all stainless steel tubs rather than the 'plastic' inners if you can afford them.

We are two and do two or three washes a week. Have plenty of plates and cutlery.

Big issue is disagreements over how to stack the items. Not who unloads.

We still hand wash favourite cups* and 'best' cutlery/china/glassware. * 'cos there aren't enough to last between washes (lightweight bone china mugs in particular).

Albermarle

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82104862#Comment_82104862

Also you are not supposed to put highly sharpened steel knives in the dishwasher, or they lose their ability to hold a sharp edge ( in theory anyway) .

ka7e

My slimline dishwasher takes 10 place settings + space for small serving dishes/airfryer liners etc. So it goes on every 5 days or so for 2 of us. I have a dozen dinner plates, side plates and bowls, so never quite run out. You can put stainless steel, glass or enamel cookware in there, but non-stick surfaces get abraded over time.

Many dishwashers have the option to wash just one rack at a time, but I don't think it would be very economical.

I tend to hand wash my stainless steel pans as they are so easy to clean. Sharp knives will blunt, wooden utensils may split and Pyrex jugs with the measurements marked on them fade with constant dishwasher action.

10_66

Thank you all so much for your input, it's been more helpful than the guides I've read 🙂

otb666

We bought

Hoover HDP2D1049B_BK
Slimline Dishwasher in Black

in 2017 We have it on at least once a day for 2. I only hand wash air fryer inserts and tuberware. We live in a hard water area and spend a bit on salt but apart from that its been a good machine it cost us 233 and now 278

Albermarle

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82104900#Comment_82104900

There are only 2.5 of us, and our full size dishwasher is on pretty much every day,and we still hand wash a few items.

Breakfast, lunch and dinner item, plus cups and glasses for drinks. It soon seems to add up !