Tips on purchasing a dishwasher - Fittings and machine itself

Hi

Hope someone can advise?

If I ask for a plumber to put a new dishwasher (never had one before) alongside the wshing machine will this be a straightforward job?

Also, I live on my own but want the luxury of not washing for a few days so only need a small one I think, Looking at the websites, flexiblle trays seem important, indicators on the front, energy efficiency and anti-flood devices. I have an open mind and ask for what might be important (or not) for me to consider.

Also, anyone recommend a decent model. I am after value for money, will pay what is needed for a machine that best suits my needs.

Finally, is there a particular firm or search engine that is best for white goods such as this?

Many thanks Colin

Reply to
colincurious
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Anti-flood devices are useful if it's not on the ground floor or you have a floor which would be damaged by a flood. They aren't however foolproof.

I wouldn't allow stuff to build up for more than a couple of days -- dirt gets harder to remove. For small ones, there are both narrow types, and types designed to fit inside standard sized cupoards (fitted in to varying extents).

None of the ones around my family get the tray arrangements changed very often.

Not up-to-date with current models. Across the family, we've got a Creda (16 years old), two Whirlpools (6 and 8 years old), Homark (5 years old), and another Homark recently died at about

10 years old and got replaced with an Arthur Martin (a common French brand, believe it or not). All have been quite reliable. I just replaced a split hose on the newer Whirlpool, and I replaced the main pump motor on the Creda at about 3 years old due to water leaking into the bearing. The Homark, Creda and Arther Martin ones are models designed to go into a cupboard. Had a Zanussi prior to the first Whirlpool, and that went wrong quite often.
Reply to
Andrew Gabriel

I have a slimline bosch which has been fine

Reply to
newshound

It really depends how old the water pipes and the drainage pipes connected to your dishwasher are, whether there is enough space to do a neat job, etc. In general, I wouldn't see too many problems though. Only a cold water pipe is generally required for a dishwasher and new models tend to use much less water than older one, so connecting the dishwasher to the existing washing machine piping system should create big water input/output problems.

IMO, you may be better off with a standard model. Unless you have space problems, standard model are generally cheaper (scale economy) and you can choose among a wide range of different brands, models, and prices.

Looking at the websites,

Flexible trays that can move upwards to accommodate "big" pottery or pizza dishes are definitely handy. Indicators are generally on the front as far as I know. Energy efficiency... well I have heard pros and cons about too much energy efficient dishwashers and washing machines... They tend to use less water (other than less energy) and this can be a disadvantage.

Roughly speaking there are three price bands:

(1) cheap & poor (e.g. Indesit, Hotpoint) - not worth the candle (2) Medium band, medium quality (e.g., Candy, Hoover) - generally the best in terms of value for money (3) Top band, burglary price (e.g., Bosch - the bottom of the top band, Miele, several german brands) They tend to cost too much for what they offer - Bosch is definitely the worst of them all despite what people may say, personal experience

Suggestion: go and see all the models on display in places like Comet (seems rather cost-effective as a high street shop), Currys etc, then go to the internet and look for the same model. You will find out that

1) For each apparently unique model there are actually 2-3 slightly different models with minor differences in functionalities but often not-so-minor differences in price (up to =A3 100) 2) Don't be fussed by brands. Indesit =3D Ignis =3D Hotpoint; Candy =3D Hoover (UK); some of the big brands (e.g. Bosch, Whirlpool) have them made wherever it is cheaper (China, Russia) 3) The latest model is always more expensive but there is no need to go for it as dishwasher technology is so standardised nowadays that many price differences do not reflect real functionality/quality differences 4) The simplest it is the less the possibility that the cheap and faulty electronics they now use breaks down 1 day after the guarantee is expired 5) Don't buy extended guarantee. You would be better off (in global terms) buying a new dishwasher even if the older one breaks down at the end of the statutory guarantee.

I'm sure that someone will heavily criticise the above suggestions but that's my experience.

Good luck!

W.

Reply to
Woland

Woland wrote in news: snipped-for-privacy@i12g2000prf.googlegroups.co m:

Agreed. Over the years we've had several dishwashers - more accurately, one in each of the houses we've had over the last 20+ years. The most unreliable was a Bosch which came with a newly fitted kitchen in one house. Although it's fair to say that it lasted 5 years, in that time it had multiple door catches and microswitches, door seals, and an expensive pump. It would have gone in the skip except that the amateurish way the (very expensive) kitchen had been fitted made it impossible to remove without almost entirely destroying the place. Others may have good stories to tell about Bosch dishwashers, but not me :(

Currently we have an AEG (aka Electrolux) dishwasher. About 18 months old (although it was bought 6 months before its first use). Seems fine. This and a matching AEG fridge are so-called 'integrated' models with laid-on false doors which match the rest of the kitchen.

[Aside: We've got a mix of white goods - apart from the two AEG products, we also have a Bosch washing machine, Hoover tumble drier, Whirlpool freezer. These appliances are in a utility room. Purchasing was fairly random apart from the freezer - the largest (ie tallest and widest at 660mm) to give the biggest capacity which I could find in an upright model at the time. Of course being an upright it was still never going to be big enough, but then I knew that...]

Hope this helps

Reply to
Richard Perkin

On Sun, 13 Jan 2008 11:46:29 -0800 (PST) someone who may be " snipped-for-privacy@hotmail.com" wrote this:-

Probably. However, as we have not seen the intended location we cannot say anything more with confidence.

Very sensible. You would need a lot of crockery to fill a big one and might only run it once or twice a week.

A slimline or small one would undoubtedly suit you better, though there is less choice, especially in the latter. You would be less tempted to run them part full and avoid buying extra crockery. Smaller dish washers are also no cheaper than big ones, though first cost is not the only cost of a gadget.

Reply to
David Hansen

The message

from " snipped-for-privacy@hotmail.com" contains these words:

If there are no other constraints, go for a Miele -- claim a 20 year design life and it may just be true.

Reply to
Appin

I would recommend a Bosch slimline dishwasher, half the price of the Miele (~£270/£500)and I had one that was second hand when I got it, was excellent and has now been passed on to someone else. I would have one again.

You can go much cheaper though. I bought a Beko washing machine for £199 and it's excellent (well, good at any price, excellent at that). You can pick up a Beko slimline dishwasher for £180 from Argos. No reson to suppose it doesn't do a good job of washing dishes.

Reply to
Bob Mannix

And, yes, for a plumber (or a DIY competent person), it should be a straightforward job next to a washing machine

Reply to
Bob Mannix

I like the 29 minute cycle on my Hoover Dishwasher - however this doesn't work with tablets - only with powder and rinse-aid.

Reply to
John

Bosch do a great tabletop dishwasher (Bosch SKT5102GB). Anything bigger would be a waste for you IMHO.

Mark.

Reply to
Mark

We have a slightly similar situation in the sense of needing flexibility. There can be anything from one to four people in the house on a given several days and so looked carefully when it came to selecting the last one a couple of years ago.

Even though you live on your own, do you never have guests? If you will only ever have one person, then a table top model might be a possibility, except that it will be tedious if you cook anything involving too many utensils. For example, some people cook and refigerate or freeze food. Moreover, you will lose a lot of worktop space, whereas an under the counter one, if you have the space, (looks like you do) will be a more sensible proposition.

Given that, we looked for reliability and quality. The other kitchen white goods are made by Miele and have over 25 machine years with only a couple of trivial faults fixed under 10 year warranty. Miele dishwashers carry a 5 year warranty. I haven't found a reason to buy anything other than Miele appliances. Their service is second to none and the lifetime cost pretty good as well. Miele handle service directly with the end customer.

From the feature perspective, we selected one with a range of wash programmes, an adjustable centre basket and most importantly the ability to wash in part of the machine only. This reduces the amount of electricity used which is already fairly low anyway. So on days of just one person, the top part of the machine is used and on others, the whole machine.

I would suggest identifying which machine you want and then just using Google to search on price. You will get several shopping comparison web sites and can pick the best price from there. Obviously if a machine already has the manufacturer's warranty, you don't need to buy an additional one from the retailer. Currys try this one in order to boost margins.

Reply to
Andy Hall

That's poor.. I have just disposed of my 17 year old Hotpoint dishwasher and it never had a repair. It has had to go as the gear box is sticking and it doesn't always stop washing. I even thought about fixing it but the parts are ~£140.

I just hope the cheap Electrolux one with the see through door lasts as long. I wonder why Empire Direct were selling it for £130 less than anywhere else?

Reply to
dennis

It's actually very good. Both appliances are > 12 years old and have had a switch and a lightbulb changed under warranty by the manufacturer.

Plus the time. Not worth it.

Dumping stock probably.

Reply to
Andy Hall

The more modern machines only have one or two programs. You put them on auto and forget about the programs. They measure the amount of dirt in the wash to determine how long to wash for and how many rinses are needed. Its all done with lasers AFAIK.

I just don't wash until its full.. much more economic than washing everyday or using a half load. Half loads are only important if you eat smelly food otherwise its just a con to make you think its eco friendly. As it happens there is little difference.. they all use about one unit of electricity and about 11-14l of water for a full load these days. Much less than doing the equivalent by hand.

Reply to
dennis

Possible but its a new model I think. I don't mind it was £219 and is £350+ on asda and other sites. Maybe people don't like the window in the door?

Reply to
dennis

Depends

I believe so. My current Miele one has settings for temperature and whole/half load. It has sensors for the clarity of the water etc.

I don't care that much about eco-friendly, but it does reduce the consumption and shortens the wash time. I eat quite a bit of oily fish and vegetable items plus things with high Scoville factor, so early washing is good.

That's true.

Reply to
Andy Hall

The message from "dennis@home" contains these words:

Overstock? Large purchase? Special model just for them? End of production run?

Reply to
Appin

On Tue, 15 Jan 2008 19:01:31 +0000 someone who may be Andy Hall wrote this:-

Their dishes can be washed up in a small dishwasher. It may take two loads to do so, but each wash involves little water and thus heating. A little bit of a fiddle, but unless one has large numbers of guests every other day not a great hassle.

That doesn't necessarily mean lots of utensils or dishes.

A small dishwasher does not need to be mounted on a worktop. They can be tucked into cupboards.

Reply to
David Hansen

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