Large families spend a of lot of their time, cooking and cleaning a sink full of dishes. We still need to manage other household chores such as dusting and washing clothes, but no one really likes doing the dishes. Dishwashers are a thing, and they can do your dishes, saving you a lot of time and effort. They are just as confusing to buy as most home appliances tend to be, if you don’t do your research. There are several models, which look alike, so how do you pick the right one? Let’s find out.
What is a dishwasher and its types?
Dishwasher was once considered to be a luxury product, which has now evolved into a must-have kitchen appliance. It’s primarily used to clean dishes, cutlery and crockery. They can be more effective and help hygiene too, compared to scrubbing dishes by hand. They are quite compact and can fit even into a small kitchen.
There are two types of dishwashers. The most preferred ones are called the free-standing dishwashers. They are flexible in design and can fit beside the kitchen cabinet. The other type is called built-in dishwashers. These can be installed under the kitchen counter and can be covered with the kitchen cabinet material at the front, to match your kitchen’s aesthetics.
What size and capacity should you consider?
Choosing the right size of dishwasher is important. The full-size dishwashers are approximately 35-inches in height and 24-inches in width. They are ideal for a large family of 6 to 8 members. There are 18-inches, compact dishwashers too, which are adequate for a couple or a small family of 3 to 4 members. If you happen to visit a store like Reliance Digital, look inside the dishwasher. Check the number of racks, the arrangements and if they are movable. Also check the total number of dishes it can fit, and the size of the tub
Standard dishwashers usually have two dish racks, while the more expensive models have three. These racks are designed to accommodate tall glasses and oddly–shaped utensils. Most dishwashers, across every price range have height adjustable racks and removable lower baskets. The technique of adjusting and removing them may differ from brand to brand. Some washers need you to remove the lower basket to set the height, while others use a clip.
What tub type is better?
Most of the affordable dishwasher models use plastic tubs, while the higher-end models use stainless steel tubs. In some dishwashers, you’ll find plastic tubs coated with a stainless-steel finish, just to match the interior. Stainless steel tubs are more durable than plastic ones, but that doesn’t affect the wash performance.
How do you use a dishwasher?
Understanding how to use a dishwasher can help you get most out of every wash. The first thing to check are if the dishes and crockeries are dishwasher-safe. You may refer to the manuals provided by the official product page online. This is important because very fragile dishes may crack or bend.
Dishwashers use spray nozzles, called ‘spray arms’ to disperse water throughout the cleaning cycle. Most standard dishwashers use two spray arms, while higher-end models feature three arms. They are really powerful so make sure you don’t obstruct the spray nozzles to let them swing freely and spray water on every corner of the washer. To get a clean result, place dishes in an orderly manner. If the dishwasher comes with a cutlery drawer, use it. In addition, scrapping off food from plates and crockery can help stop food particles from blocking the filter. It’s also a good idea to segregate dishes and other crockery depending on how delicate they are and how much washing they need. Place the less soiled dishes in the top rack and the heavily soiled ones at the bottom for a more intense wash.
Some dishwashers are equipped with self-cleaning filters, known as food disposers. They have a small grinder to thrash food, which is later washed away through the drain.
What dish washer features should you consider?
Most dishwashers offer a range of features, but the important ones are dishwashing programs and cycles. The most common dishwashing cycles are light wash, regular wash and heavy wash. Dishwashers also have options to adjust the temperature of the water and steam. Hot water helps clean oily and greasy stains from dishes. However, these options vary from model to model. Some of the latest dishwashers let you select just the upper or the bottom rack to wash.
Just like washing cycles and programs, dishwashers also have a steam drying option for dishes. This gives you ready-to-use utensils and doesn’t require wiping dishes with a cloth. You will find other options such as child-safety lock and anti-flood feature.
Is the dishwasher energy and water efficient?
A dishwasher with a star rating label is certified by the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE). More the stars, lower will be your electricity bill. These washers use less power and water compared to the older models. There are dishwashers with features that detect the load in the washer and help choose quick wash cycles. This way the washer consumes less water. This is handy if you reside in an area with metered water.
Do they make noise?
Just like star ratings, dishwashers are also sound-rated. The noise rating of the dishwasher is important and it directly relates with the price. Dishwashers are not as loud as you think, but if you want a quiet one, you may need to consider premium offerings. There are plenty of premium dishwashers rated at 30dB and 42dB, which are barely audible even in the same room. The basic and mid-range washers rated above 50 dB are somewhat nosier, but you might not hear them if you were sitting in the adjoining room.
Which design and colour to pick?
It’s entirely up to you. Dishwashers typically feature a box-designs. You can check out the designs of handles and whether they are squared or rounded. You can also check the display and the control panel on the washer. Decide on physical buttons or touch controls. The control panel in most cases will be at the front or on top. Some manufacturers offer unique shades such as silver, slate, smudge-proof stainless and black stainless, if you don’t want something very plain like black or white.
List of dishwashers at Reliance Digital
Dishwasher can be a star appliance at your home only if you choose the right one. If you are looking at a premium dishwasher, look for the most features and a superior design. We would recommend researching before jumping to any conclusion. There are many other factors such as your kitchen space and budget. When you’re ready, head over to your nearest Reliance Digital store or login to www.reliancedigital.in to choose one.
