The Basics: Dishwashers

The dishwasher has taken its place alongside refrigerators, ovens and toasters as a common appliance in American households. There are three main types of dishwashers: built-in, portable and the relatively new drawer dishwashers. We've also seen ultra-compact models that can be placed, for example, under kitchen sinks, but these seem to be falling out of favor.

Built-in dishwashers can be placed under countertops and into kitchen islands and are permanent additions -- until the unit needs to be replaced, of course. Portable dishwashers usually come on casters for ease-of-movement. A portable dishwasher can be stored out of the way until needed; to operate, the dishwasher can be plugged into an electrical outlet, and then hooked to a kitchen faucet to access water. Dish-drawer dishwashers work best for smaller loads and are often faced with cabinet panels to match their surroundings. Early reports of leaky dish-drawer models have been replaced by more positive findings.

An increasing number of Energy Star rated dishwashers are available to consumers. Energy Star appliances meet energy efficiency guidelines set by the United States Environmental Protection Agency and the United States Department of Energy, which means these dishwashers use a significantly lower amount of water and energy than traditional models.

The newest attempts at innovation in dishwashers involve cosmetics, sanitation, energy savings and novelty. Cosmetic improvements include hidden controls located on top of the door, inside the unit, and an increased variety of door colors and panels. Some dishwashers offer a sanitation feature that provides an extremely high temperature rinse. Remember, that the dishes will no longer be "bacteria free" once you touch them.

Another newer feature is the sensor. The role of the sensor is to increase energy efficiency by adjusting the amount of water used in the machine to the soil level of the dishes. In many cases this feature has not lived up to its expectations. Paying a lot extra for this feature is no guarantee of long term cost and energy savings. In the interest of energy savings, delay start features are available on some models and will allow you to run the unit when energy costs are lower. This feature is also useful in limiting noise in the kitchen.

Trends such as adjustable racks, removable top racks and fold-flat tines offer increased versatility. In addition, there are models with three racks rather than the traditional two. This truncated third rack is ideal for cups or other items that don't need much headroom. Several models also have better-designed flatware baskets that can be split into two or three separate pieces for maximum space efficiency.

If you're in the market for a dishwasher, spending more doesn't necessarily mean getting more. There are a number of moderately priced dishwashers that have as many -- if not more -- features than some models with steep price tags. For example, we tested a luxury brand's entry-level model that didn't perform as well as an economy brand model that was half the price. In general, we discovered that dishwasher pricing followed these generalities: No-frills models can be purchased for less than $300, models with more features and better performance cost $300 to $800, and you'll pay up to $2,000 for luxury brands with all the bells and whistles.

When it comes to a dishwasher's warranty, be sure to get all the details. Most dishwashers have a one-year warranty that covers parts and labor. Some brands offer a two-year parts and labor warranty, while a few select brands have a three- to five-year warranty. Nearly all brands offer an extended warranty for an additional cost.

How to Shop

What makes a dishwasher worth the money? Clean dishes. This purpose-driven appliance is an important purchase. It makes sense to find a model that will do a good job of cleaning, rinsing -- and in some cases sanitizing -- dishware.

When checking out a variety of dishwashers, a checklist can help. We suggest dishwashers with multiple spray arms, a high-temperature cycle, an internal water-heating element and a built-in food disposal. Energy Star rated dishwashers will help cut operating expenses. Certain options also make useful additions, such as rinse-and-soak cycles (these keep soaking dishes out of your kitchen sink and hidden in the dishwasher) and adjustable racks with fold-flat tines.

When shopping, look for dishwashers with the maximum number of spray arms. Budget models will have one, while more expensive models may have up to three arms. Some models even have spray jets in addition to rotating arms. Think of it this way: The more water that reaches your dishes, from more directions, the cleaner they are likely to be.

It's also important that the water a dishwasher uses reaches really hot temperatures. In fact, the Soap and Detergent Association recommends a water temperature of more than 130 degrees Fahrenheit, and other sources recommend temperatures up to 160 degrees Fahrenheit. While all dishwashers offer a variety of cycles, some also have a high-temperature cycle (or rinse) to sanitize the dishwasher's contents. You can also look for dishwashers with an option called NSF sanitizing rinse. The NSF national standard establishes evaluation criteria to ensure residential dishwashers clean and sanitize dishes effectively to help prevent foodborne illness. Many of our top-rated models have internal water heaters that raise water temperatures to 160 degrees Fahrenheit or more. This means a household can still keep the water heater turned down to an energy saving 120-degrees and get the desired results from a dishwasher.

Looking for more energy savings? Select a model with a delayed wash feature and set it to run automatically during non-peak hours. Typically, most households are full of inhabitants during non-peak hours, so be sure to find a well-insulated model that will run quietly.

Before you walk down the appliance aisle, ask yourself a few questions about your kitchen habits:

How many times a day will you operate the dishwasher? If your dishwasher will be used often, buy one with an accelerated wash cycle and a thermal heating feature to quickly dry dishes.

Are you a baking enthusiast or a frequent host? Choose a model with adjustable racks to fit baking sheets and party platters.

How long will it take you to fill the dishwasher under normal conditions? If it takes you a week to dirty enough dishes to wash one load, look for a model with the option to wash the top-rack only or the bottom-rack only.

Are you feeding a relative army? If you're at the helm of a large family, select a dishwasher with a higher capacity, such as a tall tub design. You may also want to consider a dishwasher that has adjustable racks, fold-down tines and the capacity to wash up to 16 place settings at a time.

We found a number of models -- at nearly all price-points -- that include a built-in food disposal. Some models paired this built-in food disposal with other features such as multidirectional spray jets and rinse-and-soak cycles. Why is this important? It can save you the hassle of hand-rinsing dishes, glasses and flatware before placing them into a dishwasher. But, according to a study by the Center for Real Life Kitchen Design at Virginia Tech, it also makes a surprising difference in water and energy usage. If dishes are pre-rinsed using a dishwasher pre-rinse cycle, approximately one gallon of water is used. Pre-rinsing in the sink under running water, however, uses up to 25 gallons of water.

There are a few dishwashers with self-cleaning filter systems, but the majority of dishwashers don't have this feature. Keep in mind that if your dishwasher has a filter that isn't self-cleaning, you'll need to manually empty the filter periodically. Failing to do so can negatively affect daily performance, as well as increase the likelihood of long-term repairs.

When comparing brands it may be useful to know that GE, Whirlpool and Maytag make the largest number of dishwashers. The Whirlpool company makes KitchenAid and Roper models; Maytag makes Jenn-Air and Magic Chef; and GE manufactures Hotpoint. Sears brand, Kenmore, dishwashers are made by both General Electric and Whirlpool. In addition to these brands, a number of European brands, such as Asko, Bosch and Miele, are showing up in stores. Typically the foreign brands will cost substantially more. And finally, before making your final choice, be sure to find out how your unit will be serviced by finding out if there is a local company who can handle any potential repairs.