Choosing a built-in dishwasher
If previously not everyone could afford to have a dishwasher at home, now it is much more common. A wide range of modern models, the possibility of embedding and an affordable price played a significant role in the growth of popularity.
Now another problem arises - how to choose the right built-in dishwasher in order to free up your time and ease everyday difficulties, rather than washing dishes behind the appliance. Knowing the optimal characteristics and proven brands will help you avoid unnecessary expenses and narrow your search field, which will be discussed below.
Machine selection criteria
When choosing a dishwasher, it is extremely imprudent to be guided by appearance and price. Many devices have an unreasonably high cost due to sophisticated functions and options that are not used at all in everyday life.. It’s better to immediately determine a list of practical and useful parameters and not overpay for “empty” devices. So, be sure to pay attention to the following characteristics:
- type of instalation;
- device capacity;
- number of available programs;
- energy consumption and water consumption class;
- degree of protection against leaks;
- noise level;
- washing class;
- control type.
You can also focus on the presence of a drying mode.
It is enough to familiarize yourself with the listed parameters to understand how reliable, safe and efficient the purchased unit will be. But it will not be possible to draw final conclusions about the functionality and capabilities of the device without deciphering each item. Therefore, we consider in detail all the operational characteristics of a good dishwasher.
Installation features and loading capacity
When choosing a built-in model, the dimensions of the equipment and installation features play an important role. It depends on them how harmonious the appliance will look in the kitchen, whether it will be possible to place it in the set and how much dishes can be loaded in one cycle. Therefore, first we pay attention to the type of installation of the machine and the size of the working chamber.
With embedding, everything is simple: either we choose fully built-in models and “hide” the dishwasher behind the cabinet door, or we agree to partial “peeling through” from the ends of the front control panel. In the first case, the appearance of the unit is unimportant - you won’t see such a machine from the outside, but in the second case it is better to take care in advance about the color and material of the part peeking out from the furniture. As a rule, it will also be a matter of price, since semi-built-in appliances are more individual and cost a little more.
Next, look for information on the labeling about the dimensions of the loading chamber. There are three common sizes:
- Standard – 60/60/85 cm.
- Narrow – 45/65/85 cm.
- Small-sized – 45/45/50 cm.
There are also atypical sizes of dishwashers designed for non-standard sets.
To correctly determine the depth and height of the dishwasher, you need to find on the price tag how many sets of dishes can be placed in the machine at a time. This number is the first thing to look at when considering the appropriate size of equipment. On average, we are talking about 4-18 sets, each of which includes a soup, salad and flat plate, saucer, mug, spoon and fork.
If it’s difficult to count in sets, we go the other way and add up the number of cups soiled for 1-2 meals. This figure depends on the number of people living in the apartment and the frequency of washing. Let's focus like this:
- For 1-2 people, the machine will be more than enough for 4-6 sets.
- For 3-4 people, it is better to take a model with a capacity of at least 6-10 sets.
- For companies of up to 5 people, dishwashers with 8-14 sets are optimal.
- Loading 16-18 sets is necessary for large families with 6 or more people.
Pots, spatulas, cutting boards, baking sheets and stewpans are not included in the generally accepted set of utensils, so it is recommended to take 1-2 sets “with a reserve”.
Let’s not forget about the manufacturers’ recommendations, who advise not to stack dishes in dense rows, but to give water the opportunity to wash them from all sides. But you shouldn’t blindly trust spatial cameras either. Some machines do not start when the load is incomplete, which forces you to accumulate dirty plates to fill the multi-level grid.
Modes and efficiency
To vary the duration and intensity of washing, when choosing a good dishwasher, you should evaluate the available modes. More often there are machines with 4-12 programs, but you can also find more functional examples. Don’t forget that the price of a dishwasher depends on the number of buttons. The simplest and cheapest ones have 4 basic keys.
- A quick wash that allows you to clean lightly soiled dishes in a short period of time.
- Normal cycle, considered a universal mode.
- Intensive washing designed for heavily soiled and greasy utensils.
- Soaking is necessary to pre-soak food that has dried on dishes.
Owners of more advanced models are additionally offered:
- Express wash. For surface washing of lightly soiled cutlery, glasses, lids, jars.
- Delicate program. It is distinguished by gentle cleaning and is chosen for fragile materials.
- Bio.Special enzyme-based cleansers are needed that can remove dirt without harm to human health when water is heated to 30-40 degrees.
- Auto mode. During auto mode, the system scans the degree of contamination and sets up an individual cycle.
- Variable wash. Makes it possible to set different cleaning intensities on the first and second levels, which allows you to simultaneously wash heavily soiled and semi-clean dishes.
- For children's dishes. It involves thorough rinsing with water heated to 60-80 degrees and steam treatment.
In addition to the main modes, many machines have additional options. These include a delayed start, control panel backlight, timer, cleanliness control sensors and other “tricks”. Most often, these additions do not greatly affect the quality and speed of washing, but significantly increase the price of the device. Therefore, it is better to decide for yourself which functions will be in demand and useful, and which ones are more profitable to refuse.
It is much more important not to save on energy and water consumption classes. By paying more once when purchasing, you can make each wash several times cheaper in the future - the final utility bills directly depend on the resources spent during cleaning. It’s easy to navigate: the consumed volume is always indicated by the manufacturer on the label in the form of an assigned class. Water consumption is of the following classes:
- A is the most preferred option with an average consumption of 5-15 liters per wash (the final value is determined by the specific mode).
- B - about 15-20 liters are spent. for the washing machine wash.
- C – more than 20 liters are consumed. at a time.
Electricity consumption is also represented by the letters A to D.It is most profitable to use economical machines marked “A+++”.
The lower the water consumption, the less energy is spent and vice versa - both indicators are interrelated.
It is a mistake to think that dishwashers require a lot of resources every day and are expensive in everyday life. In fact, a lot depends on the class of their energy and water consumption, and current machines are capable of cleaning plates and pots no more expensive than a manual wash. Experts even give a clear example, equating the cycle of a dishwasher with two boils of an electric kettle.
Security of the machine and its noise
It is not recommended to skimp on the safety system - it will help avoid flooding if the dishwasher breaks down. No one is safe from a suddenly broken hose or a slipped clamp, so protection against leaks will not hurt. It promptly reacts to foreign water in the pan and blocks the machine. There are complete and partial protection, and the first is considered more reliable and safe.
The noise level of the dishwasher ensures comfortable operation of the machine. If the apartment is small or you don’t want to listen to the sound of water, it is better to choose cameras with a noise level of 37-45 dB. And vice versa - the closer the value is to the maximum mark of 57 dB, the louder the machine will work.
Washing quality, control and drying availability
One of the most indicative parameters for housewives is the quality of dishwashing. Here, too, a special scale is provided with classes from A to D. Level “A” guarantees ideal cleanliness after each program, and the rest allow for the presence of small particles of dirt on the washed plates. True, it is almost impossible to find units with markings lower than A - such machines are no longer produced for home use.
The situation is similar with management.Mechanical switches are quickly becoming a thing of the past, and electronic panels with buttons and a sensor have replaced them. Many expensive models also boast built-in “intelligence” that can scan the download and automatically select the optimal program.
Not the last “plus” will be the presence of drying. In inexpensive dishwashers, it is of the condensation type, when the machine pours boiling water over the contents before completing the cycle, after which the utensils dry faster, but not completely. Expensive models are equipped with a turbo dryer, which is a special full blowing system.
Review of machines that meet the criteria
Knowing what parameters to choose a dishwasher for, it’s easier to decide on the model and not waste your money. Therefore, we do not neglect the listed recommendations and look for the most suitable option. In conclusion – the top 5 best dishwashers in terms of price and quality.
Among the budget models, the BEKO DIS 25010 stands out. This is a narrow and fully built-in machine that can wash no more than 10 dish sets at a time. Among its advantages are low power consumption of class A+, washing and drying at level A, as well as noiselessness and electronic control with a touch screen. Safety is ensured by complete protection against leakage using the Aquastop system. We are pleased with the presence of 4 standard programs: intensive for thorough cleaning, express for rinsing, delicate with gentle care and economical with reduced water consumption.
Consumers also note the useful half-load option, which allows you to start the cycle at reduced speed.
The list of inexpensive dishwashers continues with the Weissgauff BDW 4004. Another narrow model that is completely built into the kitchen unit with a working chamber designed for 9 sets.It is considered economical due to class A++ energy consumption and water consumption of up to 10 liters. The lack of many modes and functions also had a beneficial effect on the cost of the machine: the device offers only 4 main programs and a timer from 3 to 9 hours.
If you choose among full-size dishwashers, you should consider Bosch Serie 2 SMV25EX01R. Its capacity is 13 sets of dishes, and resource consumption classes are not lower than A. There are five programs, including a mode automatically adjusted by the system. There are also distinctive points: sound signals, a beam floor indicator, a tray for spoons, forks and night silent operation. Another “trick” is VarioSpeed technology, which allows you to speed up the cycle several times without sacrificing quality.
One of the most expensive models is the Schaub Lorenz SLG VI4600. The high price is due to the child lock, 8 programs, 6 temperature settings, water purity sensor and more efficient turbo drying.
The small-sized dishwasher is represented by MAUNFELD MLP-06IM. Despite its compact size, it allows you to wash up to 6 sets at a time and offers 6 modes, including delicate, fast, economical, standard and intensive. The timer can be used to schedule a start within 24 hours, and a sound will notify you when the cycle ends. But there is also a drawback - partial protection against leaks.
A built-in dishwasher will become an indispensable assistant in one case - if it is chosen and installed correctly. And we told you how to do this without doubt and unnecessary expenses.
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