The Kenmore Elite Double Drawer 13343 dishwasher reflects a great concept with an equally exceptional appearance. The design offers some appealing benefits from a company with an excellent reputation in the appliance business.

Although the same size as a standard dishwasher, the Elite Double Drawer offers two drawers that operate independently while providing tremendous flexibility. Smaller loads can be run using only one drawer, or two loads can be run simultaneously for dishes with differing soil-levels. Furthermore, the dishwasher is Star-K Kosher certified so that meat and dairy dishes can be washed separately. The drawback to the design is that the Double Drawer does not offer double capacity. In fact, each drawer can accommodate only five place settings.

The Elite Double Drawer 13343 has a SmartSense feature that monitors soil levels and adjusts the wash time and water temperature accordingly. SensorDry regulates the drying time based on the water temperature used. The dishwasher's QuickWash program offers a 35-minute wash cycle for lightly soiled loads. An especially handy touch is the Add-A-Dish feature that pauses the cycle to allow you to load forgotten items.

Fans of Kenmore may be disappointed by the performance of this product, which lacks the company's powerful TurboZone wash system found in other, less costly models. While the UltraWash system utilizes powerful spray jets and three-stage water filtration, dishes require more pre-load rinsing and soaking than with other Kenmore models.

Kenmore's Elite Double Drawer dishwasher is sleek, sophisticated looking and complements kitchen drawers and cabinets so well, that it barely resembles a dishwasher. Three LED lights on each drawer indicate the status of the washing/drying cycle.

Fairly costly compared to other Kenmore models, the Elite Double Drawer is manufactured by Maytag to Sears specifications. For best value, be sure to price-compare the 13343 against similar products from its parent manufacturer.


Pros: Great concept, exceptional appearance, is really two dishwashers in one
Cons: Mediocre capacity, high price tag, does not hold some large dinner plates and platters

Warranty
1 year; 5 years, drawer racks (limited)