Would anyone know of a source of unbiased ratings of dishwashers, other than Consumers Reports? We have that one. Looking for an under-the-counter model in the in the $400-600 range. We'd be interested in cleaning efficiency as well as reliability and repair frequency, particularly pointing up the ones that are making the appliance repair guys rich. (We think that GE has got to be near the top of that list.)
I would get a Bosch or Maytag. I bought the Maytag and my parents the Bosch and both are fine. Do not get Askow unless your spouse is a Askow repair person. Also people have complained abouit Kitchenaid issues lately. GE used to make the best dishwashers but they seemed to have lost their touch years ago. They automated a plant a couple of decades ago spending tons of money but then found automated plants are difficult to modify for product enhancements. Don't know if that is a factor in their failure to keep up.
Maytag 3 level is nice but don't figure using the middle level in its lowest position. They have a design screw up that the weight of heavy dishes allows the middle level when in the lower position to bang into the lowest rack. Not a major problem but inconvenient. You can test it in the store by putting the middle rack in its lower position and leaning on it and you will see it touch the lowest rack. Very stupid but in reality there is plenty of room with the middle rack in its upper piosition so there is never a reason to lower it and having 3 racks is great.
I find my parent's Bosh top rack a pain to load. Depends on yiour dishes but both are overall great dishwashers. I'm being very picky and telling you what Consumer Reports missed.
I highly recommend Bosch -- they're quiet and, above all, they work. You don't do anything, and I mean ANYTHING, to the dishes, and they come out sparkling clean.
I bought a Kenmore Elite nearly 3 years ago. No problems at all and it's very quiet. We went to Sears and they had all of the brands there, including Bosch and Askow as well as Kitchenaid and Maytag and GE. We looked at all of them and the features each had. The Kenmore and KitchnAid looked very similar though the Kenmore had the edge in adjustable shelves. Also the stainless interior seemed to be of sturdier build than what the KitchenAid had . The Kenmore was over $250 cheaper because of the sale they had but Sears always has a sale don't they? Our friends purchased the Kitchenaid and were shocked at how much quieter the Kenmore was over theirs. In fact the KitchenAid was noisier than the KitchenAid they replaced which was 10 years old. They were not happy. YMMV, TKidd
The Bosch can take a long time, too, depending on what cycle you use. However, in my "new" house, I don't use the dishwasher because it doesn't get stuff clean. You have to prewash the dishes. But the Bosch gets stuff clean without doing anything. So, I'm saving for Bosch again.
My parents use their Bosch exclusively in quick cycle and the dishes are always clean. I use my Maytag in auto which takes 90 minutes to wash most of the time and 30 minutes to dry without heat. The auto cycle allows it to sometimes save a fill by using the initial water rinse as the wash water too instead of replacing it before the soap dish opens.
The quick wash is only 104 degrees, so sometimes I'll use a different wash. One detriment to the Bosch is stuff that says it's "top rack dishwasher safe" might not be with the Bosch. Also, judging by Bosch's website, they've gotten more expensive than they used to be. They're getting into Miele range.
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