Kitchen Essential

Dishwashers are no longer considered luxury appliances. They are near-necessities in the modern kitchen.

If you still feel traces of guilt about using a dishwasher, take heart: it is a much more hygienic method of washing up - tea towels and dish cloths are perfect breeding grounds for germs - and, if you choose the model with care, it uses no more power and water than washing up by hand.

A few checks will make sure you are happy with the model you buy. First, find out the length of the shortest and the longest cycles, and the amount of water used - the lower the numbers, the kinder it is to your pocket and the environment. Does the machine have to be plumbed to the cold water supply? If you have abundant gas-heated hot water, it seems silly to pay for the machine to heat water from cold electrically. Some machines can be plumbed into the hot water system, a few models are both hot and cold fill. If you have a kitchen that is too small for a plumbed-in machine, there are worktop models and machines which can be stored elsewhere and then connected to the kitchen tap.

Dishwasher Capacity

Dishwashers with no central column are the most spacious. Most standard 600 mm models will hold 12 or 14 international place settings - that is, soup, dinner and dessert plate, glass, cup and saucer, soup spoon, knife, fork, dessertspoon and teaspoon - plus serving dishes.

If your service has oval plates or unusually large dishes, or you have very long-stemmed glasses, there may be problems fitting them in. Look for adjustable baskets and racks - on some models the upper rack can be lowered to accommodate tall glasses. Sliding racks facilitate loading and unloading; a removable bottom rack makes it easier to reach and remove the filter for cleaning.

Taking control

Washing programs are selected by dials, push buttons or touch controls. Some machines indicate what stage of the cycle has been reached; others have helpful warnings when water softeners or rinse aids are running low. Some sort of childproofing is a worthwhile feature if there are likely to be toddlers about.

The number of programs varies. While the idea of having several options is appealing, in practice most people end up using only one or two on a regular basis. Short economy cycles are invaluable for lightly soiled crockery or if you need dishes quickly - at a dinner party, entree dishes can be washed during the main course and re-emerge as dessert plates.

Another feature worth looking out for is a drying cycle that can be turned off: most dishes will dry in residual heat, albeit more slowly.

A noise annoys

A dishwasher that sounds like a jumbo jet taking off and can only be used when the family’s gone to bed or left the house is hardly a modern convenience. Unfortunately, the noise level is one of the hardest aspects to check - although manufacturers of quiet machines are very keen to tell you about it - and all machines will grow noisier as they get old and worn. Machines that are built into a run of units, with insulation around them, tend to be quieter than free-standing models.

Tips for top Dishwasher performance

• Follow the manufacturers’ instructions regarding the type of detergent to use. Preferably, use the same brand of detergent and rinse aid.
• Don’t use too much detergent - excess suds will stop the machine from operating efficiently and can leave a chalky film on china and glass.
• If a film still starts to appear, check the level of the rinse aid and try a different brand of detergent.
• Follow instructions about loading: dishes should face the spray and large items shouldn’t shield smaller ones.
• Glass, plastic and wooden handled cutlery should be washed at a low temperature.
• Cups, bowls and glasses should have their rims tilted downwards so that they don’t fill with water.
• Don’t wash stainless steel and silver together - the silver can be stained and pitted. All cutlery should be removed as soon as possible when the cycle is complete.
• Don’t put plastic items near the heating element as they may distort or melt.
• Secure plastic and lightweight items (like lids) with other dishes so they don’t fall and block the filter or jam the runners.
• Make sure large items like baking trays don’t hamper the action of the jets - the arms should be able to rotate freely.
• Do not wash thin plastic, valuable glassware or china, antique or hand- painted china, china decorated with silver or gold (it will gradually wear off); crystal (it will turn opaque), lacquered metal, pewter, iron, or wooden dishes.

Possibly related posts: (automatically generated)
Necessary Kitchen Appliance Dishwashers

• Decisions about Kitchen Units and Appliances
• Creating a new kitchen: How to Do It Part 1
• Space for Storage, the Single-Line Kitchen
• THE Perfect Kitchen Layout (Major Traffic Position)
• The Ultimate Kitchen Planner Part 3 (Appliance and Decoration)
• Kitchen Renovation, relocate Cabinets and Appliances with U-shape Kitchen Design
• Practical storage in the Kitchen, Pots, Pans, Bags of Groceries and Delicious Comforting Aromas
• The Ultimate Kitchen Planner Part 1 (Appliance)
• The Working Kitchen continue…
• What's Right for You Equipment Design? Part 3

Trackback URI | Comments RSS