DISHWASHER BUYING GUIDE

Transcription

1 1 DISHWASHER BUYING GUIDE A step-by-step guide to choosing the perfect dishwasher for your home Published by Yale Appliance + Lighting Updated November, 2017

2 What s New 2 Silence Rating You will most likely care most about quietness. Dishwashers have become even quieter; as low as an inaudible 37 decibels (dba). Typically, anything under 50 dbas is relatively quiet. Three manufacturers are now lower than 40 decibels. So there are plenty of good choices. Wash Systems KitchenAid, Samsung, and Frigidaire, among others, have updated their wash systems to increase their cleaning power and efficiency. While the average wash time is 2 hours and 10 minutes, most brands now offer a wash under 1 hour or less. Power Washing: Many dishwashers have a concentrated wash for sports bottles and other bigger types of glasses. KitchenAid s Pro Scrub and Samsung s Storm Wash features are excellent examples. Third Racks: Not to mention, third racks are now available in lower prices starting at $600 rather than $1,100. Photo credit: The Kitchen Source / Houzz Photo credit: Samsung Canada via Houzz

3 Table of Contents 3 Click the circles to move between sections American vs. European Two different styles with different priorities Terms All the terms used to talk about dishwashers

4 4 Cycles The most common dishwasher settings explained How to Buy How to compare and choose dishwashers About Yale A little about us

5 5 AMERICAN VS. EUROPEAN Two different styles with two different priorities Photo credit: Jodi Foster Design + Planning / Houzz

6 6 American Style Brands: GE, Maytag, Whirlpool, Frigidaire, Amana, Samsung, LG, Electrolux, Viking, Jenn-Air and KitchenAid. Key Differences: American dishwashers have a grinder at the bottom rather than the removable filter of the Europeans. American models also tend to have more cycles and options and are typically less expensive. KitchenAid has actually moved away from the grinder to the filter. I suspect more high-end American brands will follow for better quietness. Photo credit: Hanson General Contracting via Houzz

7 7 European Style Brands: Bosch, Asko, SMEG, Gaggenau, Blomberg, Dacor, Thermador and Miele. Key Differences: European models have stainless tubs and are typically quieter than their American counterparts. They also use less water and energy by heating the water hotter. With the exception of Miele and Asko, the European brands do not have a true drying cycle. They utilize Rinse-Aid and generated steam from hot water. Heated dry uses more energy and is only marginally better. The key difference is a European dishwasher will sit flush in a 24 deep cabinet even after accepting a custom panel. Photo credit: Mary Ellen Kowalewski Architect via Houzz

8 8 TERMS Talk like an appliance pro and learn the key dishwasher features and trends Photo credit: Dvira Interior Design / Houzz

9 Dimensions 9 Most commonly 33 7/8 tall x 24 wide x 24 deep. Both sizes are available as builtin or portable models. Miele, Bosch, GE, and Frigidaire also make sizes in 18. Photo credit: Rossington Architecture, Ivon Street Studio, GE, via Houzz

10 Plastic vs. Stainless Steel Tub 10 VS They both hold water. The quality perception certainly favors stainless. Stainless is non-porous and germ and odor resistant. Clean plastic tubs with citric acid a few times every year.

11 11 Quietness This has become a bigger issue as most living spaces have opened up to kitchens. However, almost every dishwasher is quieter than years past. Buying a dishwasher on quietness alone is not a cost-effective idea. Every European and better American dishwashers are extremely quiet. The differences between the quietest are not detectable by the human ear. For that reason, no dishwasher can claim to be the quietest. Tip: Anything under 47 dba will be more than adequate. Do not buy a dishwasher under 44 dba just for quietness alone. The price will increase dramatically. The really quiet dishwashers will be between decibels. Bosch currently has the quietest at 37 dba. Photo credit: Quality Custom Cabinetry via Houzz

12 Integrated vs. Regular Controls 12 Integrated dishwashers are the newest, coolest dishwashers with controls on the top of the door. In other words, you don t see the control panel. However, it will cost $100-$200 more for an integrated model with the same features as a regular dishwasher with controls on the face.

13 13 Racks Racks and cycles are the only features that change between dishwashers. The better dishwashers will have an adjustable top rack and adjustable tines to accommodate bigger pots and pans. Others, like Miele, Bosch, Jenn-Air, GE Monogram, KitchenAid and Asko will have a rack exclusively for silverware. Photo credit: Bosch USA

14 14 18 Dishwashers What s true of a 24 dishwasher is not necessarily so in the smaller version. Companies like Frigidaire and even GE Monogram manufacture a very competitive 18 dishwasher with good features and stainless steel tubs. Read: The Best 18 Dishwashers Photo credit: Old World Kitchens & Custom Cabinets via Houzz

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16 16 Custom Panels Placing panels on a dishwasher is a great design idea. The dishwasher becomes seamless and indistinguishable from the actual cabinets. American models will protrude 2 from the cabinet, ruining the aesthetic. In this one instance, consider European models only. (There is one GE Monogram and Jenn-Air model that will sit flush) Photo credit: Mullet Cabinet via Houzz

17 17 CYCLES The most common dishwasher settings explained. Photo credit: Bret Franks Construction / Houzz

18 Cycles 18 Photo credit: Florida Builder Appliances / Houzz Cycles only change time and temperature of the washing, rinsing and drying functions. Unlike clothes washing machines, dishwashers do not alter the velocity of the water. In other words, there is no true gentle cycle. The china and crystal cycles are quite simply shorter washes and longer rinses at a lower temperature.

19 19 Cycles Pots & Pans: Extended wash cycle with regular heat ( ). Normal: Cycle without the preheat of the above. China / Crystal: Shorter wash at a lower temperature. Silverware Racks: Can be placed on the door or as a third rack on top of the glasses. Photo credit: Richlyn Custom Homes via Houzz

20 20 Cycles Autowash: Cycle uses a soil sensor to adjust the water use. Half-Load: Cycle for washing the top rack only Sanitize: Heats up the rinse part of the wash to remove bacteria. Temperature: 120 to 160 depending on the cycle and brand of dishwasher. Photo credit: Keller Studio Inc. via Houzz

21 21 Drying We alluded to drying when discussing American and European models, but there is a notable difference: European models use Jet-Dry (or any other rinse aid) plus a combination of heat and steam to dry the dishes. Americans have a separate heating element to assist drying. However, because water doesn t condensate on stainless steel interiors, all brands recommend a rinse aid. Miele and Asko will both have a fan assisted drying cycle. Depending on the model, Miele will pull air to the side wall and the steam will dissipate on the colder perimeter of the dishwasher. Some Miele models feature two fans and a temperature sensor to control the drying cycle. Photo credit: Christine Nelson Design via Houzz

22 22 HOW TO BUY How to compare and choose a new dishwasher Photo credit: NARI Silicon Valley Chapter / Houzz

23 How to Buy 23 I m a firm believer in buying a really good dishwasher with just the main cycles. For that reason, I like the basic Bosch because it s quiet, water efficient and reasonably priced. For racks and overall quality, look at the Miele. However, the American brands are also competitive; especially KitchenAid or Jenn-Air. Miele KitchenAid Bosch

24 How to Buy 24 Samsung manufactures a very great machine with decent features. Even GE, Whirlpool, and Maytag can be competitive. Some high-end brands like Thermador and Jenn-Air are giving away dishwashers in certain packages. Samsung Whirlpool Jenn-Air

25 25 Reliability Overall, dishwashers are more reliable than most appliances. Look at the reliability statistics of American style and European style dishwashers. Read: The Most Reliable Dishwashers for 2016 Photo credit: Old World Kitchens & Custom Cabinets via Houzz

26 Conclusion 26 Choose a quality brand Check out online reviews of the product, brand and who you re purchasing from Don t overbuy for quietness Most new dishwashers will be quieter than your current dishwasher dba is very quiet. Buy features you use Only pay for the cycles that you ll use the most. Check rebates Time purchases around major holidays where brands will promote rebates up to 30% Photo credit: jg interiors via Houzz

27 Buying Strategies Wisdom of Crowds 27 Buy where you re comfortable There are tons of stores and products, but a limited number of consumers. Check review sites like Yelp, CitySearch, Google and the Better Business Bureau before you purchase. Remember, any store can sell an appliance; the biggest issues are shipping and service.

28 Exclusive Offer Appliance Delivery Checklist 28 Our free checklist will help you avoid a delivery nightmare. At the end, you will know what to ask from your local, national, or box store appliance dealer. Delivery is one of the biggest causes for your dissatisfaction. You need to be prepared. In the Delivery Checklist you ll learn: How to choose a dealer with a first class delivery experience Which questions to ask to spot a quality delivery team The importance of online reviews to help your appliance search Get the Free Appliance Delivery Checklist

29 29 ABOUT US Proud to be family owned and operated since Photo credit: J.S. Brown & Co. / Houzz

30 About Us The Yale Difference 30 Sales Delivery Install Repair Browse our two 15,000 sq. ft. showrooms guided by our sales staff with 269 years of combined experience We bring the products right into your home, not just to the curb. Every delivery includes removal of the old appliance Our professional install team can hook up your new dishwasher or reconfigure your cabinets to accept a new wall oven 20 service techs on the road every day backed by our Yale Warranty. Service is the largest department at Yale

31 About Us 31 Since 1923 Family owned and operated since Now with two locations. Yale has been based in Boston for over 90 years and operates two showrooms; in Boston and Framingham. We operate the largest independent service and repair department in New England with 50 people and 21 service technicians. Our sales staff has an average of 7 years experience, and our staff chef can help you learn to use your new appliances.

32 32 VISIT OUR STORES Now you can schedule a free, private showroom visit to go over the needs of your project. Choose a time that works for your schedule to visit our Boston or Framingham, MA showrooms. Schedule a Showroom Appointment

33 Contact Us 33 Showrooms Boston 296 Freeport St Framingham 215 Worcester Rd Contact Us yaleappliance.com Social Media Facebook.com/YaleApplianceLighting Twitter.com/MyYale YouTube.com/yaleappliance