Dishwasher Buying Guide

Modern dishwashers use much less water and energy than hand washing dishes—saving you time, money on bills, and Australia’s precious water. So what’s the best dishwasher? There’s no one size fits all answer—it will be the one that ticks all your boxes in terms of size, style, price and important features. To choose the best dishwasher for your needs just follow these simple steps.

1. Measure your Space

Use a tape measure to write down the exact dimensions (width x height x depth) for the space where the dishwasher needs to go, and remember you’ll need to leave room for ventilation at the back. Don’t make the (potentially very expensive!) mistake of guessing or trying to remember them. If you’re one or two centimetres out it can be a disaster. Always double check your measurements are 100% correct before buying, and make sure your water supply can reach where you want your dishwasher to go.

2. Load Capacity

Once you’ve measured the space for your new dishwasher, you need to consider.

• The maximum capacity inside the dishwasher for each wash load.
• The maximum dimensions the dishwasher can be to fit into the space.

Internal Capacity

Dishwasher capacity is measured by the maximum number of place settings that can fit in each load, with each place setting including everything one person needs for a three-course meal (one soup bowl, dinner plate, dessert plate, cup and saucer, tumbler, knife, fork, teaspoon, dessert and soup spoon).

Not many of us have three-course meals every night, so how many place settings will you need? That really depends on whether you work from home, eat out or entertain a lot, but here’s a rough guide:

2 people: 1-2 people: 6 - 9 place settings

4 people: 3 - 4 people: 9 - 12 place settings

5 people: 5+ people: 12+ place settings

External Dimensions

There are three main options in terms of dishwasher dimensions (but these vary between brands and models so make sure you confirm the exact dimensions):

Full Sized Dishwashers

• 600mm width x 820-850mm height x 600mm depth
• With extra depth at the back for ventilation
• 12-14 place settings
• For households that generate lots of dishes

Slimline Dishwashers

• Same height as a full-sized dishwasher but narrower
• 450mm width x 820-850mm height x 600mm depth
• 9-10 place settings
• For households with small kitchens where space is limited

Compact Dishwashers

• Same width and depth as full-sized dishwashers but half the height
• 600mm width x 430-460mm; height x 600mm depth
• Up to 8 place settings
• For small households who do small loads or have limited kitchen space

3. Types of Dishwashers

Freestanding Dishwashers

Freestanding dishwashers have a standalone design so don’t need to be built into your kitchen.

Benefits:

• Available in a variety of sizes that suit most kitchen dishwasher spaces
• You can choose the style of finish you want (stainless steel, white or black)
• Can just be positioned anywhere in the kitchen—wherever there’s space
• Great if you’re renting because you can take it with you when you move

Built-in Dishwashers

Built-in dishwashers are (as the name suggests!) built into your kitchen.

Benefits:

• The dishwasher fits perfectly into your kitchen without gaps for a clean look
• You can choose the style of finish you want (stainless steel, white or black)
• Can also be hidden behind cabinetry (fully integrated or semi-integrated)

Integrated Dishwashers

Integrated dishwashers are hidden behind a panel matching your kitchen cabinetry.

Benefits:

• Creates a sleek, minimalist, streamlined kitchen look
• Can be fully integrated so the dishwasher is completely invisible
• Can be semi-integrated so only the dishwasher controls at the top are visible

Drawer dishwashers are installed at waist height and slide out like a drawer.

Benefits:

• The ergonomic design sits just under the kitchen benchtop for easy access
• Easier on backs because there’s no bending down or awkward lifting
• Available in a single or double DishDrawer design
• With a double DishDrawer you can:
• - Do a delicate glass wash in one and a heavy duty pan wash in the other
• - Fill one drawer while the other washes so dishes don’t pile up on the sink

4. Energy Efficiency

When comparing different dishwashers it’s important to check the energy ratings (shown as stars) and how much energy they’ll use (shown in Kwh per year).

The more energy star ratings a dishwasher has the better it is for the environment and the less it will contribute to your power bills, so investing a bit more in an energy efficient dishwasher could save you money over your dishwasher’s lifetime.

Some models also have special features to help you with utility bill savings:

• Delayed start option—to run the dishwasher during off-peak power periods
• Half load/load sensing/eco/economy settings—use less electricity and water

Today’s dishwashers use about 40% less energy and 50% less water than dishwashers made in the ‘90s, so it’s worth replacing your old dishwasher with one of the newer models.

5. Water Rating

All dishwashers have a WELS star rating, and more stars means more water savings. A wise dishwasher choice can use up to 50% less water so it’s really worth paying attention to these ratings when comparing different dishwashers.

Australia’s droughts have made our water an extremely precious resource, so we have some of the best water-saving dishwashers in the world.

Today’s dishwashers use less water than washing by hand and are designed to give great results without rinsing—even eggy plates and cereal bowls! Don’t waste water by rinsing before stacking, just scrape food scraps into the bin or compost and stack everything straight in the dishwasher.

6. Design and other considerations

Wash Cycles

Most dishwashers have normal, delicate and heavy wash cycles, while some have an extra-hot hygienic/sanitisation wash that kills germs (great for baby bottles), or a quick wash for small loads. Dishwashers with intelligent sensor technology apply the perfect amount of pressure and water based on how full the load is and how dirty the dishes are so you get sparkling clean results every time.

Drying Cycle

Some of the latest dishwashers can wash AND dry the dishes for you thanks to new drying system technology. No more drying all the glasses and cutlery before you put them away! More expensive models tend to have better drying systems, and keep in mind that most dishwashers with a drying cycle will use more power.

Delayed Start

Having a Delayed Start option on your dishwasher means you can set it to start during off-peak power periods for utility bill savings, or program it to start washing after you’ve left the house so the dishwasher noise doesn’t disturb anyone.

Self-Cleaning Filter

All dishwashers have a filter that can become blocked by food particles, causing unpleasant odours. The filters in less expensive dishwashers need to be manually emptied regularly (ideally after every wash), but if you invest in a dishwasher with a self-cleaning filtration system the dishwasher cleans the filter for you.

Anti-Flood Protection

No one wants the hassle of an unexpected leak at home. Some dishwasher models have an anti-flood device which stops the flow of water from the tap if there’s ever a leak. Just make sure your anti-flood dishwasher is on at the mains to protects your home from dishwasher leaks 24/7.

Smart Fault Finder

Why waste money on a dishwasher repairer when you can fix a simple problem yourself? Some dishwashers have smart technology that identifies minor issues like blockages and tells you what you need to do to fix it, and alerts you if there’s a bigger issue that requires a professional repairer.

• Dishwasher Fault Finder
• LG Smart Diagnosis
• Quiet Dishwashing

Some dishwashers are much noisier than others due to their motors and insulation, and these are often the dishwashers with the lowest price tags. Investing in one of the latest “whisper quiet” or “silent” models means you can put the dishwasher on without disturbing anyone’s sleep or whatever you’re watching on TV.

Flexible Shelves

Some dishwashers have cutlery drawers for pristine clean results, wine glass racks to prevent breakages, extra little racks for utensils and short cups, and adjustable shelves that lift up and down to fit large items and odd shaped dishes. Dishwashers with more flexibility allow you to change the way you stack everything based on your different dishwashing needs so you don’t have to hand wash anything.

7. Installation & Premium Delivery

There are three different dishwasher connections that need to be set up: the power supply, the washing water supply and the waste water drainage. Having your dishwasher installed by a professional plumber is definitely the best option.

The Concierge Home Installation service can organise a reliable, licensed and insured professional to do your dishwasher installation so it’s all set up to do your dishes. No stress and no mess, and all work is guaranteed. Please note: any cabinetry work that’s required is not included in these Concierge installation services.