The Whirlpool DU850SWPB dishwasher is an economy model. It costs about $300, but can be purchased for as much as $65 less when part of a special promotion. This model covers the basics only -- it has four wash cycles and few extras.

The Whirlpool DU850SWPB has an Energy Star rating and features a black-on-black finish with external controls. The controls include a rotary dial that is used to select the wash cycle, and this is something to consider if you prefer pushbutton controls. There isn't a child-lock to prevent little fingers from dialing in new rinse/wash combinations. Inside, this model has a top and bottom rack, but they are not adjustable. The top rack does not come out and the tines do not lie flat. This probably isn't the right choice for avid bakers who want to fit larger items, such as cookie sheets or platters, into a dishwasher. That said, the capacity is decent; it can hold about 10 place settings.

This model does have, however, some standard interior features such as a flatware caddy and a rinse-aid dispenser. More importantly, it does an adequate job of cleaning. Dishware comes out clean, but often needs a towel-dry to remove leftover condensation. We blame the dishwasher's economy/air dry function for the soggy results. Because it doesn't have a thermal dry function, the dishware often remains wet for much longer than we'd prefer. In fact, busy families who need to run a dishwasher multiple times throughout a day are sure to be frustrated by this economy/air dry feature. It's also important to note that this model does not have a built-in food disposal. We found ourselves thoroughly rinsing dishes and flatware before putting them in the dishwasher. This served two purposes: The extra hand-rinsing eliminated running the dishwasher twice to clean stuck-on foods, and it helped prevent clogging of the dishwasher's filter.

The four cycles -- pots and pans, heavy, normal and rinse-only -- are adequate for most household use. In addition to the four cycles, there are three options, including a high-temperature rinse that can help reduce spotty glasses. The dishwasher runs relatively quietly, but is a bit louder than pricier models that are better insulated. In addition to the black model, this built-in dishwasher comes in white, biscuit and stainless steel.

Although the Whirlpool DU850SWPB dishwasher cleans well, it is a generic model. If you are interested in doing some comparison shopping, there are feature-rich models that offer better performance for about $100 more.


Pros: Energy Star rated, price
Cons: Lacks features that are standard on other models

Warranty
1 year, limited