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Like all home appliance investments, you’ll need to do your homework to make sure you buy the right dishwasher for your needs. With so many models to choose from, you'll be primed and ready to buy the perfect dishwasher with our handy buyer’s guide.
When it comes to choosing a dishwasher, the first question is: freestanding or built-in? The right choice will suit your daily dishwashing habits, kitchen design and style preference. All going well, your days of furious pot scrubbing will be far behind you.
“For renters or frequent house flippers, freestanding dishwashers make a lot of sense because they are portable,” says Geraldine Gillespie, Cooking, Dishwashers and Kitchenware Buyer at The Good Guys. “They are also easy to install and can be positioned anywhere in the kitchen as long as it’s near a water connection and drainage point.” Unlike built-in dishwashers, they are not designed to fit under a bench and come with sides and a top cover. Choose from full size, slimline and compact models.
A more seamless option, built-in dishwashers are built into your kitchen cabinets – just as the name implies. They fit snug under the bench and you can choose a finish that best suits your kitchen style. “Alternatively, you can choose a model without a front cover so you can match it to your cabinetry for an integrated look. Your cabinetmaker is the person to call for that,” says Geraldine Gillespie. Choose from fully integrated, with the control panel fully concealed behind the door, or semi-integrated, with the control panel visible at the top of the door.
Easy on your back and on the eye, dishdrawers are built into the kitchen bench at waist height and slide out like a drawer. “Tall people or those with bad backs love dishdrawers, because the ergonomic design means no more bending over to stack and unload dishes,” says Geraldine Gillespie. You can opt for a single drawer unit or a full-sized double drawer. The drawers operate independently, which means no more turning on a half-empty dishwasher to do the breakfast dishes – and greater energy efficiency as a result. As a bonus, dishdrawers are also super-quiet – at or below 45dB, which equates to the hushed tones of a public library.
Dishwasher manufacturers measure a dishwasher’s capacity in terms of the number of place settings it can hold. One place setting equates to one small and one large plate, a bowl, cup and cutlery. Dishwashers come in three sizes: full-sized (12 to 14 place settings); slimline (nine to 10 place settings); and compact (up to eight place settings). When working out how big your dishwasher should be, it’s a simple matter of averaging the number of regulars at meal times. If you are a regular entertainer, factor that in too, to ease the load after weekend gatherings. As a general rule, one to two people will need a dishwasher capacity of six to nine place settings; three to four people will need a dishwasher capacity of nine to 12 place settings; and a household of five or more people will need a dishwasher capacity of 12-plus place settings.
“Stainless-steel, white and black are top of the pops when it comes to dishwasher finishes,” says Geraldine Gillespie, Cooking, Dishwashers and Kitchenware Buyer at The Good Guys. “That said, white works with pretty much any kitchen style, from modern to traditional. White also visually recedes – something to keep in mind if you want to make a smaller space appear bigger.” Stainless-steel is another timeless choice and will make your appliances a focal point. Love a touch of drama? Go dark with gloss black, black stainless-steel, matte black or deepest-grey anthracite finishes for your dishwasher. Or, go bespoke by integrating your dishwasher’s front panel with your chosen kitchen cabinetry.
“Dishwashers with silent technology cost a bit more but are worth it if you don’t want background rumbles while you watch your favourite shows on Netflix or are putting the kids to bed.” – Geraldine Gillespie, Cooking, Dishwashers and Kitchenware Buyer at The Good Guys.
“Smart tech is changing how we use all our major kitchen appliances, including dishwashers,” says Geraldine Gillespie. “High-end brands offer built-in internet connectivity, so you can control your dishwasher via smartphone or tablet. You’ll receive notifications once it finishes a cycle, if you are running low on detergent tablets, or if there’s a leak. Wi-Fi is definitely worth considering if you want to future-proof your kitchen.”
Feeling guilty about not washing dishes the old-fashioned way? Don’t. The fact is, hand-washing uses six times as much water as a modern dishwasher and the energy it takes to heat the water in the sink uses nearly double the amount of energy that your dishwasher would use. “With a dishwasher, you also have the option of not turning it on until you have a full load, which delivers further water and energy savings,” says Geraldine Gillespie. That said, it’s also important to buy the most energy-efficient and cost-effective dishwasher you can afford.
On the front of any new dishwasher, you’ll find a sticker displaying its Energy Rating. The more stars on the sticker – out of a possible 10 – the greater the savings you can expect in future running costs. To maximise energy efficiency, aim for a minimum 3.5 star Energy Rating. You can also use the Australian Government’s Energy Rating Calculator to help guide your choice.
Saving on water consumption starts with checking the WELS Water Rating, which is also displayed on a sticker on all new dishwashers. The water efficiency rating is from one to six stars. The more stars, the less water the dishwasher will use, and the less water you will pay for. Again, aim for a minimum rating of 3.5 stars to minimise water consumption and running costs.
Modern dishwashers have all the tricks when it comes to keeping running costs down. “Be on the lookout for models with half-wash or economy programs and a delay start function, so you can take advantage of off-peak electricity tariffs,” says Geraldine Gillespie. If you are struggling to fill your dishwasher with a full load, consider upgrading to a smaller machine that’s cheaper to run.
Not into noise? Then a “whisper quiet” dishwasher is for you. “Dishwashers with silent technology cost a bit more but are worth it if you don’t want background rumbles while you watch Netflix, or if your kitchen is near bedrooms,” says Geraldine Gillespie. “The quietest models have a 40-45 decibel rating.”
Prices start from about $400 for an entry level freestanding dishwasher and go up to $4000 for a fully-integrated, smart appliance that matches the rest of your kitchen cabinets. Shop the biggest range of dishwashers from the best brands, including Asko, Miele, Bosch, Smeg, LG, Dishlex, Fisher & Paykel and more, in-store and online now at The Good Guys.
Before you hit the shops, be sure to measure the space where your new dishwasher will go. Depending on your dishwasher and the building code where you live, you might also need to allow for an air gap at the back of the machine. Your dishwasher will also need to be connected to power, water and waste water drainage, and it’s best to have a professional plumber install it. “If you are renovating or designing a new kitchen from scratch, you might want to select your dream dishwasher first – along with all your other kitchen appliances – and then incorporate its dimensions in your design,” says Geraldine Gillespie. “That way, you’ll ensure a perfect fit and avoid any nasty surprises on installation day.”
The Good Guys Home Services take the stress out of installing a new dishwasher by organising a licensed professional to do it for you. We’ll hook up your new appliance in a flash and take away your old one, plus all the bulky packaging. All work is guaranteed and you can pay for the installation with LatitudePay in 10 weekly payments.
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