Dishwashers

Definition

Dishwashers are an appreciable home comfort that do away with the need to wash and dry the dishes. Technical progress has significantly cut their water consumption to such an extent that they can even help you to make savings.

Choosing your dishwasher

Installation

Like most large household appliances for the kitchen, dishwashers are either free-standing or fitted. Fitted models blend in with your kitchen better and the door can be covered with a trim that matches the style of the room. Integrated models go even further, with concealed control panels that can only be accessed when the door is open. In this case, the dishwasher is perfectly integrated. Make sure that the dimensions of the model fit into the space where you plan to install the dishwasher in your kitchen. If you intend to install your dishwasher in another room, or if a perfect match with the style of the rest of the kitchen is not important to you, then free-standing models offer the advantage of being independent and easier to move.

Number of place settings

The number of place settings expresses the capacity of your dishwasher. Make sure you choose a model that meets the needs of your household. Remember that the greater the capacity, the higher the water consumption. Very few models are capable of adapting their water consumption to the load.

Water consumption

Water consumption, which is directly determined by the quality of design and the capacity of your dishwasher, is an important factor to be taken into consideration. Modern models consume so little water that they are sometimes promoted by environmental organizations as a means of saving water, compared with washing the dishes by hand. In addition to protecting the environment, low water consumption also drastically cuts the cost of use. To make optimal use of the water, here are a few tips: always remember to select a cycle that is suited to the dirtiness of the dishes, only use the dishwasher when it is fully loaded, or purchase a model that allows you to choose to wash only a single rack.

Energy standard

Numerous labels now exist to encourage consumers to choose the most energy efficient household appliances. In addition to cutting the cost of use, low energy consumption is usually synonymous with appliances that are better designed than entry-level models, use higher quality components and are often more reliable. If you intend to make regular use of your dishwasher, then an energy-efficient model is the right choice for you.

Noise

Dishwashers are often installed close to living areas, so the level of noise they make is another factor to be borne in mind when making your choice. This also applies if you plan to use the delayed start function in order to benefit from off-peak electricity rates.

Which dishwasher for which use?

Since there are no particularly different styles of dishwasher, take a close look at all of their characteristics before making your choice.

If you only make occasional use of your dishwasher, on special occasions or when you have guests, then an entry-level model with a high number of place settings is the right choice for you. While they may not be particularly energy efficient, they are well suited to occasional usage.

However, if you plan to make regular use of your dishwasher, then you need an energy efficient model with low water consumption. You should also take a close look at the dishwasher's auxiliary functions, such as the different cycles, the layout of the racks, a programming function for deferred use or the drying functions.

Certain high-performance models can automatically detect the dirtiness of the dishes and the load, and adapt the cycle accordingly.