Types of Dishwashers

Choosing a size of dishwasher for some can be an easy choice while for others it's agonisingly painful as any space used by a dishwasher will mean less space for other appliances or storage. This article will give you the lowdown on what's available and how much dish washing each kind can realistically achieve in a normal kitchen environment.

The smallest option which is suitable for tiny kitchens, for instance in small flats such as studios or for situations where you won't be sticking around for long enough to want to spent money or time plumbing such as a student flat, is the counter top dishwasher. These can be as small as taking up a 50cm by 50cm (20 inch by 20 inch) space on your work surface and won't require you to move your kitchen appliances around. Some even allow you to simply attach your kitchen tap to them so you don't need to plumb, although this isn't suitable for everyone - especially as you'll lose your ability to use the kitchen tap while the dishwasher is on. They can wash a surprisingly large amount, at between four and six place settings, although you might be restricted on what can be placed in them with bigger serving plates and larger pans and pots often unable to fit. Countertop dishwashers are also great for those who go on holiday in, or live in, mobile homes and caravans and if you're renting can easily be taken with you if you move home.

If you've got a bit more space the next step up is the slimline dishwasher. These tend to be about 45cm / 18inch wide and will typically fit in a spare space under your kitchen work surface, although if none is available they can easily be placed elsewhere as long as you're able to fit the appropriate plumbing in. Many new flats and houses come with this type of dishwasher built into their fittings already and the sizes are standardised so if yours needs replacing you can find many manufacturers offering suitable dishwashers. Typically they can fit 8 to 10 place settings in them, depending on how much cooking is done in the preparation of those meals. They're great for couples and small families, although if you've got more than a couple of kids you'll find you're running a slimline dishwasher far too often and have dirty plates hanging around waiting to go in.

Which moves us onto the largest household option, the full size 60cm / 24inch dishwasher. These are necessary for medium and large families if you don't want to be doing some of the dishwashing by hand, as well as smaller families or even couples if you prepare and cook most meals yourself rather than relying on ready meals or other pre-prepared foods. The downside of course is the amount of space these take up, requiring a lot of kitchen appliances to be moved to fit in. A good option can be to move your washer and dryer out of the kitchen to a dedicated room or the garage or basement freeing up space for the dishwasher.