How to choose a dishwasher: step by step instructions

Step #1 Decide on the model: built-in or freestanding

This is a matter of aesthetics, but it will help to immediately delineate the sample. Built-in cars are good because they easily fit into any repair - the facade closes the technique. But such models are usually more expensive. Freestanding ones should be considered if the budget is limited or there is no special niche for the dishwasher in the kitchen set. You don't have to worry about beauty. There are models of different colors and configurations on the market, so it’s quite possible to “make friends” with technology and design.

Step #2 Choose the size according to the possibilities of the kitchen and the volume of dirty dishes

Think about how much space you are willing to allocate to the dishwasher - its size will depend on this. You will have to choose from four options.

• Full size. As a rule, models are 60 centimeters wide and 85 centimeters high. These become flush with the countertop.
• Narrow. Their height is standard, and their width is 45 centimeters. A good option when you need to squeeze out the maximum space for neighboring lockers.
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• Compact. Here you can win due to the height - as a rule, it does not exceed 55 centimeters. Such a model can be built into a small niche above the cabinet. And freestanding ones are often placed directly on the work surface or under the sink.
• Desktop. Close to compact or even smaller. The difference is that they do not need to be connected to the sewer: dirty water goes down the sink through a hose.

Another important parameter is capacity. It is measured in sets of dishes.

Deep and flat plates, a salad bowl, a saucer, a cup or a glass, a spoon and a fork - this is how, according to the calculations of the manufacturers, one set looks like.

Frying pans, pots and baking dishes do not count, but you can estimate how many standard sets will be forced out of the tray by the overall utensils. As a rule, full-sized machines can hold up to 15 sets, narrow ones - an average of 9-10, compact ones - up to 8, desktop ones - no more than three.

Usually for a family of 2-3 people recommend take models designed for 6-8 sets. But situations are different, therefore, in order to finally determine the capacity, remember how often you cook at home and how many dishes get dirty.

Ideally, the car should be run once a day. Less often - unhygienic, because on the second or third day, dirty dishes will start to emit an unpleasant smell. More often - irrationally, you will spend more water and electricity.

Step #3 Count the number of baskets

When everything is clear with the dimensions and capacity, you can move on to the details. For example, to a complete set. First, let's deal with full-size and narrow cars.

In budget models, there are usually two baskets and a tray for cutlery. The dishes in such are laid out according to the principle "as it will turn out." This is not very convenient, if only because glass glasses under the pressure of water may not withstand the proximity to a heavy baking dish. But for many users, this configuration is enough for everyday washing.

More expensive models have a third basket. It is located at the very top and is designed for every little thing: spoons, forks, ladles and spatulas. There you can put cups or small saucers. And you can also find cars with clamps for bottles or glasses.

With compact machines, you can’t go around much: they fit one full-fledged basket, in rare cases - two. But you can look at the useful details. For example, does it come with a cutlery tray or a fruit washing section.

Step #4 Make sure the model has an intensive wash mode

To do this, you do not need to understand the designs of sprinklers and google what nozzles are. It is enough to look into the technical specifications and check if the model you like has such a mode.

Another option is to check the maximum water temperature. If the machine “accelerates” to 70-80 ° C, then you don’t have to worry about complex pollution: it will wash both the greasy walls of the pan from under the borscht and the grate after the baked boiled pork. By the way, intensive washing at high temperature is useful to disinfect baby bottles or sterilize jars during harvest season.

Step #5 Select the energy and water consumption class

With the first, everything is simple: the higher, the more economical. The most energy-efficient models are labeled A+++. Less benefit, more cost. Sometimes you can still find class B cars on the market. They are cheaper, but more energy-intensive, so it's easier to look for an A-class for the same money.

Water is worth dealing with if you lead an eco-friendly lifestyle and care about natural resources. Information on consumption can be found in the technical specifications of any model. Manufacturers usually indicate a specific volume per wash cycle, and the size of the machine does not play a big role here. For example, what is narrow, what is full-size can consume 10 liters. If you keep in mind that it is best to run the machine once a day, then it is not difficult to calculate the expenses per day, month or year.

Step #6 How annoying are wet dishes?

The appropriate type of drying will depend on this. In modern devices, you can find three varieties.

• Condensing. After washing, the contents of the machine are poured with hot water, the steam rises and gradually settles on the walls. The longest, but economical option for the electricity meter.
• Turbo dryer. The built-in fan blows the dishes with hot steam. It dries faster, but it also uses more electricity.
• Intensive drying. Something in between the first types. The machines are equipped with a mechanism that creates a pressure difference during drying and drives air inside. Such models are more efficient than condensing and more economical than turbo.

Step #7 Estimate what additional features you will definitely use

In the descriptions for dishwasher models, there is a whole list of different options that can make kitchen life easier. However, not all of them will be useful for you. Here are the most common ones.

• Autoprogram. Smart mode, which itself selects the cycle and adjusts the intensity and temperature of the water in the process. Useful when you load dishes with different types of soiling, from light deposits to burnt grease stains.
• Floor indication. Important for quiet built-in models when the display is hidden behind the facade. Without it, it is difficult to determine whether the wash is over or not. The beam on the floor changed color - the car can be unloaded.
• Internal lighting. It will come in handy so as not to lose cutlery that accidentally fell to the bottom of the machine.
• Child protection. This is a control panel lock program that will not allow a child to accidentally press something extra or open the door of a running machine.
• Delayed start. This feature is generally useful in regions where electricity is cheaper at night. You don't have to get up at midnight to start the car wash.
• Built-in waste shredder. Saves a little time loading dishes. Leftover food can not be cleaned in the trash can.