June 17, 2024
Dishwashers: Buying Guide
Dishwashers are an essential kitchen appliance in households across the UK. They offer maximum convenience, as well as saving you time. If you are looking to buy a new dishwasher, you will want a model that is packed full of innovative features as well as excellent value for money. But which dishwasher is the right one for you? This guide will walk you through everything you need to consider when purchasing a dishwasher, from types and sizes to key features and energy efficiency.
Types of Dishwashers
Integrated Dishwashers
Designed to blend into your kitchen, integrated dishwashers are built into your lower kitchen cabinets with your cabinet doors attached to the front. There are two types of integrated dishwashers:
Fully Integrated Dishwashers
The dishwasher, including its control panel, are concealed by a custom sized cupboard door. This offers a streamline look that matches the aesthetic of your kitchen perfectly.
Semi Integrated Dishwashers
The whole front of the dishwasher, apart from the control panel, are hidden by a custom sized cupboard door. Semi integrated dishwashers are the perfect balance of aesthetic and convenience.
Freestanding Dishwashers
Freestanding dishwashers can be placed anywhere in your kitchen (with access to a water supply & drainage tube) and will typically come finished in black, stainless steel, silver and white. While they stand out more than integrated dishwashers, freestanding dishwashers offer simple and flexible installation and can be easily moved from one household to another.
DishDrawers
Invented by premium brand Fisher & Paykel, DishDrawers have drawers that slide outwards instead of down like a traditional dishwasher. DishDrawers can be easily integrated into your kitchen design. Single drawers offer a space-saving solution to dishwashing, whilst double drawers allow you to run two separate cycles at the same time.
Sizes and Capacity
While dishwashers can come in multiple sizes, the most common dishwasher width is 60cm, usually accommodating around 12-16 place settings. This is because the standard cutout width and depth in kitchens is around 60cm.
60cm dishwashers are essential for large families and those who have a fast turnover of washing up. You can, however, find slimline dishwashers around 45cm wide. These are great for smaller households and apartments with less space.
Standard Dimensions
The standard height of an integrated dishwasher is 81.5cm to 85cm, with a depth of 55cm, and a width of 60cm. This means that they’ll fit under a standard kitchen worktop with ease.
The standard dimensions of freestanding dishwashers are 85cm tall, 59.8cm deep, and 60cm wide. Freestanding dishwashers are slightly larger than integrated dishwashers to allow the top of the appliance to sit in line with your countertops.
It is important that you always check each dishwasher’s dimensions, as well as your kitchens, before making your purchase. If a dishwasher doesn’t fit in your kitchen, you may have to pay a fee to return it!
Installation
To ensure a smooth installation process, you need to ensure your chosen dishwasher fits the designated space in your kitchen. If you’re replacing an existing dishwasher, you can measure your old appliance to guarantee a good fit.
In short, you’ll want to measure from:
- Edge-to-edge
- Top-to-bottom
- Front-to-back
Be sure to also allow a minimum of around 3cm extra space behind your integrated dishwasher for the water and waste pipes.
Other things you need to consider are:
- It will need to be installed near the water supply in your kitchen.
- A power connection will need to be close by.
Most people will be able to install both an integrated and freestanding dishwasher on their own. If you aren’t comfortable doing this, you can always hire a professional.
Energy Efficiency
Energy-efficient dishwashers save money and reduce your household’s impact on the environment. Look for models with:
- High Energy Ratings: Look for models with an energy rating of around A++ to D.
- Half-Load Options: Ideal for smaller loads, using less water and energy.
- Eco Modes: Uses less water and energy for lightly soiled loads.
Other Things To Consider...
Warranties
Many dishwashers will come with a warranty period where any potential issues & repairs will be covered by the manufacturer. These can be registered for each appliance either for free or for a small fee.
While standard warranties offer around 1-2 years of cover, you can extend them for a fee or take advantage of a brand led extended warranty promotion. These are typically free with the purchase of a new appliance, but you will have to register yours during a specific time window to be applicable.
We highly recommend buying a dishwasher with some form of warranty as longer warranty periods provide peace of mind and protects your investment in the long run.
Price & Budget
Like any other appliance, dishwashers can vary in price. There are budget-friendly models or premium dishwashers with more innovative features. Before you start shopping, determine your budget and research features that you will find most beneficial. Remember, investing in a more energy-efficient model can save money in the long run!
At Appliance City, we stock all types of dishwashers from a variety of trusted brands. Whether you go for something low or high in price, you will only get the very best quality dishwashers when you shop with us.
Quiet Mark Certified
The kitchen is the social hub of the home, so you will likely want a dishwasher that isn’t too disruptive. This is why we are proud to supply Quiet Mark Certified dishwashers. These dishwashers have been professionally tested and rated as the quietest models on the market, operating at a lower, non-distracting noise level. This is ideal for open-plan kitchens, or when you run your dishwasher overnight.
How Heavy is a Dishwasher?
The weight of your dishwasher will largely depend on the type of dishwasher you’ve purchased. Expect a integrated dishwasher to weigh around 15-30kg, a slimline dishwasher to be between 30-40kg, and a full-size freestanding dishwasher to be anything from 40-60kg.
Transporting a New Dishwasher
Due to their size and weight, it is likely that you’ll want your new dishwasher delivered to your home instead of dealing with the hassle of picking one up from a shop. With Appliance City’s delivery service (that is free to the majority of UK residents!), you can have you new dishwasher delivered to your front door by our expert delivery team. For a small fee, we can also take away your old appliance and recycle it responsibly for you.
If you’re planning to transport a dishwasher yourself, there are a few things to remember:
- If transporting a used dishwasher, remember to drain the pump!
- When possible, transport your dishwasher upright.
- If upright isn’t possible, lay it on its back with the door facing up and latched.
- Ensure the dishwasher is secured inside of any vehicle to prevent it from sliding around.
Will a Dishwasher Fit in My Car?
The dimensions of a dishwasher make manoeuvring and lifting a dishwasher very difficult. Thanks to their angular shape, you will struggle to fit a dishwasher into a smaller car or hatchback. This is why we recommend transporting your dishwasher in a small van or large car with a big boot. The lower and bigger the boot space, the better. You will also benefit from asking a friend or partner to help you with any lifting.
Of course, you don’t have to transport your dishwasher yourself. There are moving professionals that are trained to lift and move large and bulky items. If you are moving from one home to another and are taking your appliances with you, having someone do this for you will make the move a lot easier.
Can I Lay a Dishwasher On Its Side?
When possible, you should transport a dishwasher upright. If this isn’t possible, it’s better to transport it on its back, rather than its side. This is because dishwashers tend to be a little top-heavy, so they’ll be more likely to roll and become damaged if transported on their side.
