Tired of washing dishes by hand? The dishwasher will be a great helper for your family.
Five reasons to buy a dishwasher
- the dishwashing process takes place while you are away from home;
- hot water is not required;
- dishwasher water consumption is reduced by three to five times, compared to manual washing of the same volume of dishes;
- strong detergents may be used that are not suitable for hand washing;
- rinsing at a high temperature to completely rinse the detergent off the surfaces of the dishes.
Dishwasher dimensions
- standard dishwashers can hold 10-13 sets of dishes. Suitable for a family of 4-5 people. They have many modes and additional functions;
- narrow dishwashers are designed for 8-10 place settings. Ideal for small kitchens. Cheaper than full-size ones by 10-15%. The largest selection of narrow dishwashers is offered by market leaders - Bosch, Siemens and Electrolux;
- compact units are designed for less than 8 sets. Good for small apartments and summer cottages. They can be installed on a table or built into a wall cabinet. They have a minimal set of functions and are cheaper than standard and narrow dishwashers. Ideal for small families.
Dishwasher types
Dishwashers are divided into two types - built-in and free-standing. Embedded, in turn, are divided into partially embedded and fully embedded. The difference is that on partially built-in machines the control panel remains visible, while the control panel of fully-built machines is located on the top edge of the door.
Power consumption of economical dishwashers
According to European standards, there are 7 energy consumption classes, denoted by the letters of the Latin alphabet from A to G. The higher the class, the lower the electricity consumption. Classes A, B and C indicate high efficiency of the machine, D and E - average efficiency, F and G - uneconomical models. Dishwashers of classes "D" - "G" are used in older models.
Dishwasher power consumption:
- class “A” - 0.8-1.05 kWh / cycle;
- class “B” - 1.06-1.09 kWh / cycle;
- class “C” - 1.1-1.49 kWh / cycle.
Please note that a class “A” dishwasher can reduce energy consumption by up to 30% compared to a comparable class “C” dishwasher.
Functionality
Dishwasher standard functions:
- preliminary washing of dishes: the remnants of food are washed off with cold water;
- washing: washing with hot water using detergents;
- rinsing: rinsing off the detergent;
- drying dishes: drying with hot air.
In expensive models of dishwashers, the range of programs is expanded in addition to the standard ones:
- intensive washing: very high tº - up to 75 degrees;
- program for fragile dishes: water temperature - from 30 to 40 degrees;
- quick wash: rinsing dishes after liquid food and immediately after eating.
Most dishwashers consume 14-17 liters of water per wash cycle at 60-65 ° C.
Additional functions
A variety of dishwasher models involves a set of additional functions, giving each housewife the opportunity to choose an assistant for herself, based on her own requirements and desires:
- filters and elimination of product residues - models with a self-cleaning function, filtration systems, and a waste crusher, allow you to load dishes without cleaning it from food debris. Filters and crushers for food waste eliminate it ideally without clogging the drainage system of the dishwasher;
- child protection - new models are equipped with a digital display that includes a childproof door lock;
- delay start - most dishwashers are equipped with a delayed start function. Washing pre-loaded dishes is possible at the most convenient time or when you are away from home;
- variable height of the upper basket - dishwashers are equipped with several baskets, their height is adjustable. The upper basket has cup holders and compartments for small plates. The cutlery is placed in a container that is safe for loading and removing piercing and cutting objects. The lower basket is intended for large dishes;
- Aqua Stop - in case of leakage or overfilling of the washing chamber, the water supply is shut off and drained into the sewer. Notify about the incident with a sound signal;
- half load mode - the dishwashing cycle is shortened in time. Due to the absence of additional rinses, the consumption of water and electricity is reduced.
The dishwasher is connected with hoses to the water supply line and the sewage system for draining the dirty water. The distance to the sewer should not exceed 1.5 m.
Convenient features of popular models
Adjusting the height of the baskets increases the possibilities for washing large items. Changing the tilt of the basket creates additional convenience:
- interior lighting of the machine chamber helps when loading and sorting dirty dishes;
- fixing the door at different levels chooses a position convenient for you;
- the heat exchanger in the car is used to save energy;
- Removable water spray nozzles effectively wash large items. Streams of water penetrate into hard-to-reach places;
- Self-cleaning filter saves water through repeated use after cleaning for dishwashing. Reduced energy consumption for water heating. Clean filters ensure good cleaning performance without stains or streaks;
- stainless steel is used to make internal parts in contact with water. Extends the life of the dishwasher;
- the screw feet help to keep the machine upright in case of noticeable unevenness in the floor. The height adjustment of the legs fits the dishwasher perfectly into the interior of the kitchen furniture.
Dishwasher Care
For the machine to serve for a long time, it is recommended:
- periodically clean the filter, regularly wash the baskets for dishes;
- use additional dishwasher care products to remove accumulated grease from the interior of the machine;
- once a week, wipe the dishwasher body with a damp cloth and inside the machine, not forgetting the door seal.
Watch a video review of dishwashers from the German company Bosch.
