Dishwasher Buying Guide: Capacity, Programs and Water Use

Dishwasher buying guide in short: pick the size that fits your household, choose a model with an auto-sensing cycle and a way to skip heated drying, and measure your kitchen before you pay. Those three steps prevent most regrets.

Start with capacity

Capacity is counted in place settings. One place setting is the set of dishes one person uses at a meal: a plate, a bowl, a glass, a cup and cutlery. A standard-size dishwasher holds more than eight place settings plus six serving pieces. A compact model holds fewer than that.

Count your daily dishes first. A couple who cooks at home once a day will fill a small machine in a day or two. A family of five will want a standard size. Think about large items too. Wok pans, rice pots and big serving bowls take up a lot of rack space, so check that the racks can fit them.

Compact models look like a good deal for small kitchens, but they have a catch. Because of their small size, they may use more energy over time than standard models, so a compact machine is not always the cheaper one to run.

Sources: ENERGY STAR, Dishwashers product page (energystar.gov/products/dishwashers)

Read the label and the spec sheet

Many countries put a label on dishwashers that shows energy use. In the United States, the EnergyGuide label shows a model's energy use and its estimated yearly running cost, which helps you compare two machines side by side. Models with the ENERGY STAR mark meet an efficiency standard set by the program, and the best ones are named as Most Efficient.

Some models sold in Vietnam may be made for other countries and carry that country's label. Do not guess what a label means. Ask the seller for the manufacturer's specification sheet and look for the same few numbers on every model you compare: place settings, water used per cycle, energy used per cycle and noise level.

Compare the numbers only between models rated the same way. A figure measured under one test method cannot be set beside a figure from another. If the sheet does not say which test was used, treat the numbers with care.

Sources: ENERGY STAR, Dishwashers product page (energystar.gov/products/dishwashers); manufacturer specification sheets as supplied with each model

Look at the programs

Cycles decide how much water and power you use each day. Look for an auto-sensing cycle. It uses a soil sensor to read how dirty the water is and adjusts the wash to match. That means less water and heat for lightly soiled loads and a longer wash for greasy pots.

If a model has no soil sensor, check that it offers several choices. Useful ones are a light cycle for lightly soiled dishes, an energy-saving cycle and the option to turn off heated drying. Heated drying uses extra power. Turning it off saves that extra power, and the dishes can dry on their own.

Skip programs you will never use. A long list of buttons does not mean a better machine. A quick cycle, a normal cycle and an eco cycle cover most homes.

Sources: ENERGY STAR, Dishwashers product page (energystar.gov/products/dishwashers)

Water and power in daily use

How you load the machine matters as much as which one you buy. A dishwasher uses about the same energy and water whether it holds a few dishes or a full load, so wait until it is full before you run it.

Scrape food off the dishes instead of rinsing them under the tap. Rinsing wastes water, and a modern machine is built to handle leftover food. If you will not run the machine until the next day, use its rinse feature to keep food from drying onto the plates.

Ask the seller about the extras that go with a machine, such as dishwasher salt, rinse aid and detergent tablets. Check that these are easy to buy near you. A machine that needs a product you cannot find is a poor fit.

Sources: ENERGY STAR, Dishwashers product page (energystar.gov/products/dishwashers)

Check your kitchen before you buy

A dishwasher needs three connections: a cold or warm water inlet, a drain hose and an electric socket. Before you shop, look under your sink. Find a tap or valve where a water hose can attach. Find where the drain pipe runs. Find a socket within reach of the cabinet space, and make sure it is not directly behind the machine where it will be crushed.

Measure the width, height and depth of the gap you plan to use. Add room for the hoses and for the door to open fully. Freestanding models need a flat floor and a spot where the door can swing without hitting a wall or a fridge. Built-in models need a cabinet gap that matches the stated size.

Read the installation pages of the manual before you decide. These pages list the water pressure range, the plug type and the voltage the model is built for. Compare each against your home. This general guidance does not replace the manufacturer's instructions. If you are unsure, ask the maker or a qualified installer, because the energy and water pages that we checked do not cover installation.

Sources: ENERGY STAR, Dishwashers product page (energystar.gov/products/dishwashers), which gives no installation guidance and points readers to the manufacturer

A short checklist

Bring this list to the shop. First, count the place settings your household needs and add a little room to spare. Second, get the specification sheet for each model and compare place settings, water, energy and noise on the same test basis. Third, confirm that the model has an auto-sensing cycle or, at least, a light cycle, an energy-saving cycle and a switch for heated drying. Fourth, measure the space and check the water, drain and power points. Fifth, ask about warranty terms, service centres in your city and where to buy salt and rinse aid.

Then choose the model that fits your kitchen and your daily dishes, not the one with the longest feature list. A well-chosen machine that you run full will serve a household for years.

Sources

• ENERGY STAR, Dishwashers product page, energystar.gov/products/dishwashers