The LG Electronics LDF9810 dishwasher relies on the new and somewhat trendy steam technology for cleaning dishes. First used in washing machines, this technology is now cropping up all over the appliance industry.

Designed to substitute the traditional power of scrubbing, steam cleaning is gentle yet effective. This feature is said to help clean stubborn and even baked-on stains while utilizing less water. It can even be effective enough to allow you to limit your use of caustic detergents. Try using one of the natural non-phosphate, non-chlorine dishwasher products in this model.

Steam isn't the only unique feature of this LG unit. The LED interior lighting is a feature that you wish you'd find in every dishwasher. The tub lights help to make loading and unloading, even in the dark, a breeze. They also help to illuminate dishes that might not have been fully cleaned.

The LG Electronics LDF9810 boasts a large capacity, accommodating 14 place settings in its stainless-steel tub. The dishwasher's Design-A-Rack system includes an adjustable upper rack. Move it up or down to accommodate stemware or large casseroles, platters and cookie sheets. Folding and removable tines, as well as stemware holders, add to the overall versatility of this model's interior. Building on an idea popularized by Miele, LG has included a third rack to hold utensils and cutlery in addition to the usual silverware basket.

Yet another unique feature of the LG Electronics LDF9810 is the Dual Intensity Water Cycle. With it, you can customize separate wash cycles for the upper and the lower racks within the same load. This means that you can wash fragile crystal in the top rack, while attacking more heavily soiled and sturdy dishware in the bottom.

The green-minded among us will appreciate the LDF9810's sensor as much as the steam cleaning technology. Appropriately named, the SenseClean utilizes turbidity monitors to determine when the dishes are clean and then sets the number of rinses necessary for the most efficient rinsing of the load.

The LDF9810 has a built-in disposer with a self-cleaning filter that minimizes the amount of pre-rinsing necessary before loading. In spite of the disposer, this dishwasher is the company's quietest. Its LoDecibel Ultra Quiet technology has it operating at an impressively low 45dB.

Discreetly placed controls give this dishwasher a look that's sleek enough even for the demands of a kitchen designer. Add to this the clear and well-lit display and the controls become some of the best we've seen.

Although it remains to be seen how well steam-based dishwashers perform over the long run, we find the concept to be a welcome and sensible one. LG's LDF9810 is certainly an innovative and unique model, but it bears a particularly hefty price tag.


Pros: Quiet, offers interior lighting, sensor, load customizing, third rack for utensils, steam limits water usage and may allow for use of non-caustic soap alternatives
Cons: High price tag, steam technology is new and unproven over the long term

Warranty
1 year, labor; 2 years, parts; 5 years, control board and rack parts (limited); lifetime, stainless steel tub