The Dirt on Dishwashers: The Handy Appliance

Dishwashers are one of the appliances you’ll find that homeowners swear they can’t live without. Built for ease of use and efficiency, dishwashers have become commonplace in North American kitchens since the 1970s. But how much do you really know about dishwashers? And what type is the best for your lifestyle?

A Quick, Clean Overview

Did you know the first patent for a dishwasher was made in 1850? It was for a rudimentary hand-turned splashing device, but it was the start of something great.

Nowadays, we all know that dishwashers are kitchen appliances used to clean dirty dishware. Simply load the dishes into the built-in racks and baskets, add detergent, and select the proper cycle. But here’s what happens after you close the door and press start:

1. The basin at the bottom of the dishwasher fills up with water
2. Heating elements heat the water
3. The detergent you added is then mixed in with the water
4. A pump propels the water into water jets
5. The water is forced out of the jets and sprayed against the dishes
6. The dirty water is then drained
7. Clean water refills the basin and is heated again
8. The dishes are rinsed again
9. The water collected in the basin is drained for a second time
10. Hot air or steam is then used to sanitize and dry the dishes

Did you know there’s actually a right way to load the dishwasher? Find out if you’ve been doing it the right way all along by reading this helpful blog: How to Load a Dishwasher

There's a Sensor for That

While all of this is going on inside your dishwasher, a timer that’s been built in is used to regulate the length of each phase of the cycle. Sensors also pick up the temperature of the water and the air/steam. There’s also a sensor for determining water levels that will trigger the draining function when necessary. In advanced models, sensors can also determine the cleanliness of the water and dishes, as well as the load size.

Today’s dishwasher features can be tailored to suit the style and function needs of any household.

More Than Just a Dishwasher

Technology is always changing, and that means new functions for us to enjoy as consumers!  What’s your lifestyle? We’ve gone through our hottest dishwashers to make recommendations for your next upgrade:

• Entertainers
• If you’re the type that likes to host dinner parties, chances are you’re going to be left with a fair bit of stemware at the night’s end. Some models boast expandable racks capable of handling two dozen wine glasses. And if you happen to realize you’re running low on glassware when the party’s just getting interesting, the Thermador Sapphire series can run a complete cycle in 20 minutes. At a whisper-quiet 42 decibels, your guests won’t even notice it’s running.
  
  
• Families
• Large families create a surprising amount of dirty dishes. By the time breakfast, lunch and dinner have rolled by, you might need an engineering degree to squeeze in those final few utensils. The biggest hiccup is space; an average dishwasher can hold 12-14 place sets. If you have more than four people in the family, it’s going to take you at least two loads to cover all the dishware and cookware! Take a look at some of our large-capacity dishwashers. A Bosch 300 Series featuring flexspace™ and the RackMatic® system means your dishwasher space crisis is solved.
  
  
• Singles
• If you’re cooking for one, you’re not likely going to use a conventional dishwasher. It’ll take you a week to fill the thing, and by then, you’ll be out of dishes. You could just run it half-full, but that’d be a waste of energy. One option you likely won’t find at a Kamloops appliances store is the Danby Countertop Dishwasher. As the name suggests, this dishwasher is designed to sit on the counter when you need it. At a compact 22” wide (that’s 56 cm!) it can hold six place settings. The smaller size means it uses less water and energy to run – saving you money and space!
• The Busy Bee
• If you lead a busy lifestyle, setting aside your precious free time to do a load of dishes can be an additional step that you just want to remove from your day. Even worse, realizing that you forgot to hit the “start” button before you left in the morning. Good news – there’s a slew of wifi-enabled dishwashers on the market now!  You can monitor the wash cycle and even start it remotely on some models!

Are Dishwashers Environmentally Friendly?

Quick question—which uses more water? Hand washing or running the same size load of dishes into a dishwasher? A study done in Germany found that dishwashers only use half the energy, less than one fifth of the water, and even less soap than the good old hand method. Now, it is important to differentiate that in the realm of energy efficiency, the newer your machine is the better off you'll be. Dishwashers from 1994 use 26 to 38 litres of water per cycle. If you have an older machine, expect it to use 30 to 56.   

Where does this energy use reduction come from? Most newer dishwasher models actually heat the water themselves, sparing your household water heater from working overtime! Furthermore, with innovations in basket and machine design, newer models are able to hold even more dishes while having an even smaller form factor! This also reduces the amount of water needed. Unless you use cold water sparingly when you hand wash, you'll be using more energy to get that hot water through the tap.  

If you do happen to have an older machine, it's best to wait until you have a full load to run. Otherwise smaller loads will take up more energy and water than hand washing them.

If any of the above situations intrigue you, but you’re worried about the challenges of hard water on dishwashers, take a gander at this post: Use Well Water in Kelowna, Vernon, or Kamloops? Here’s a Dishwasher You’ll Love.