How to check the dishwasher before buying: recommendations for buyers of dishwashers

A considerable number of housewives want to quickly forget about washing the dishes and get a miracle of household appliances, which will save them from this unpleasant procedure. However, not everyone even imagines how to check the dishwasher before buying. You should not rely on consultants, their main goal is to sell. So how do you choose?

We will tell you what actions to take and what to carefully inspect before buying a dishwasher. In the article we presented, the process of visual inspection and a detailed study of functional units is described in detail. Based on our recommendations, you can purchase a perfectly functioning dishwasher.

First steps before buying

The first thing to do is to find out if the model you like has all the necessary characteristics. To do this, we determine:

Comparison of the dimensions of the PMM and the dimensions of the kitchen

It is very easy to do. Even before going to the store, you need to carefully measure the place where the unit will be installed. The manufacturer offers full-size devices with a width of about 0.6 m, among them there are models up to 0.9 m. The second group of dishwashers is narrow. Their width is not more than 0.45 m.

For rooms where there is no place for floor installation, you can purchase desktop equipment. It is very compact and comparable in size to a microwave. Another important point is the type of dishwasher. It can be built-in or freestanding. In the first case, two options are assumed.

Fully built-in equipment is distinguished by a door prepared for hanging the facade. The control panel in this case is located at the end.To put such an appliance without finishing will not work, it will spoil the interior of the kitchen.

Partially built-in machines are designed for installation in furniture niches, so their doors have a finished finish. The control panel is also located here, which is very convenient. Freestanding dishwashers can be placed where it is convenient for the owner. The main thing is that the installation site should be equipped with a water outlet.

Fully built-in dishwashers have doors prepared for hanging the façade. For this reason, they have a somewhat unpresentable appearance.

Determining Optimum Capacity

The dimensions of the device determine its capacity. Compact desktop appliances can wash 4-6 sets of dishes, narrow - 8-9, and the most voluminous full-size - 14-16 sets. Often, these numbers say little to the potential buyer. First of all, you need to determine what this notorious set of dishes is.

Each of the dishwashers is characterized by the number of sets, which at one time enters the working chamber. Desktop appliances, for example, are not able to accommodate more than six sets at a time

Manufacturers believe that at one meal a person uses:

• three plates of various sizes;
• cup and saucer;
• a glass;
• fork and knife;
• three spoons.

It is these 11 items that are considered to be a kit. However, besides this utensil in the kitchen, there are many other items used throughout the day: pans, pots, stew-pots, baking trays, and others. It will introduce next article, which we highly recommend reading.

All this also needs to be washed somewhere, which must be taken into account when determining the desired capacity of the device. It is optimal that the dishes accumulate during the day, and in the evening the machine launders it.

Choosing the best connection option

There are two possible connection options. Standard - to cold water. The main disadvantage is the need to heat the water entering the apparatus.

To do this, it is equipped with a heating element, which consumes quite a lot of electricity. It may seem that the second option - connecting to a pipeline with hot water, is much more economical. Machines in this case are not equipped with heating elements; accordingly, they spend less electricity.

Perhaps the best of the existing options for connecting a dishwasher is the installation of a special mixer, which will allow the machine to work alternately from cold and from hot water. But it will cost a little more

However, you need to understand that choosing a device of this type, the user becomes completely dependent on the supply of hot water. If frequent interruptions occur, it is worth thinking about this. Units that work with hot water are optimally installed in houses with autonomous water supply and heating.

As an option, you can consider buying a special mixer that allows the machine to work with both hot and cold water. But it will cost extra money.

A set of programs and features

Practice shows that basically all dishwashers perform approximately the same operations. There is even such a concept as a “basic function”, that is, what any unit performs.

Four modes belong to them:

• Standard. This is a daily wash, the temperature of the washing solution is 50-60ºС.
• Intensive Used for very dirty dishes. It suggests stronger heating of the composition to 65-75ºС and longer wash cycle.
• Express. Shortened cycle. It is applied to ware with a small amount of pollution.
• Soak. It is used to soften food debris that has dried up on objects.

Actually, these functions will be quite enough for efficient and economical dishwashing.

As practice shows, several basic modes are sufficient for washing dishes efficiently, but the presence of additional programs makes the operation of the equipment more convenient

However, the manufacturer did not stop there. It offers all kinds of additional modes that may be useful to the consumer. These are programs for washing fragile glass, use for cleaning products with enzymes, automatic determination of the degree of contamination, etc. Whether it is worth overpaying for them is up to the buyer.

Drying specifics

To get dry dishes you need to choose the type of drying. The cheapest and also the least effective option is condensation drying. The last rinse in this case is carried out with very hot water, almost steam.

It is assumed that the walls of the chamber, which are colder than the dishes, will become a place where water vapor will condense. The resulting moisture flows down through special grooves and is removed.

Such drying takes time and there is no guarantee that the kits at the end of the work cycle will be perfectly dry. Hot air drying is more efficient. It is assumed that the fans supply heated air to the chamber, due to which the dishes are dried.

In this case, only dry items are removed from the dishwasher. You need to know that machines with this type of drying have a higher price and consume more electricity.

The specifics of active drying will be presented by the video:

Classification of a dishwasher

Each machine is characterized by a class of washing, drying dishes and energy consumption. These indicators are determined by special industrial tests, on the basis of which the device is assigned a class. It can be seen as a letter mark on the case or in the technical documentation.

The quality of washing can vary from A to F class. Devices labeled A or B are best washed. They should clean any dirt cleanly. Class C units can already leave minor contamination on the dishes. Machines belonging to lower classes wash even worse.

The classification of the drying quality implies that the units marked A completely dry all objects and, depending on the model, can heat them. This quality provides only blow drying.

The information necessary for the proper selection of a dishwasher is focused on the labeling of the appliance. It shows the capacity of the device, its energy efficiency class, water consumption, etc. (+)

The designation class C and B indicates the presence of condensation drying, respectively, the dishes may remain wet or even wet. The energy efficiency class shows how economically the device consumes resources.

The higher the class, and it can be not only A, but also A + or A ++, the less equipment will spend resources on the work cycle. This applies not only to electricity, but also to water, the high consumption of which entails an increase in energy use.

Attention to details

Having found out that the device you like has a set of all the necessary and desired characteristics, you should pay attention to its practicality. That is, how much the model is suitable for your kitchen, can you competently use dishwasherobserving the rules of operation and loading.

Only the owner knows what kind of dishes to be washed in the apparatus. Maybe his household has a lot of fragile glass, there are large pans and pans or baking sheets of complex shape. All this will be washed in a dishwasher, which should be able to ensure that all dishes are cleaned.

Container design

Standard equipment for the dishwasher - two baskets that are used for loading utensils into the hopper and fixing items. The lower one has maximum capacity. It is designed for plates and large items. The top is used for washing smaller dishes.

Here you can wash the glasses if you fix them with special holders. Some machine models are equipped with an additional third container, which is intended for cutlery.

It is very good if the plate holders located in the lower container have a folding structure. In this case, if necessary, it will be possible to place large items in the basket

You need to know that the quality of washing dishes by the unit is largely determined by the design of the container. Proper loading makes it possible to get rid of all contaminants.

What to consider. It is very good if the lower container is equipped with folding holders. This will make it possible, if necessary, to "tune" the basket for washing any size dishes, including large baking sheets and dishes.

Having a third basket is also highly desirable. Practice shows that cutlery are much better laundered if they are loaded in the tray intended for them. In addition, knives that wash with plates can scratch and spoil them. In addition, in the third basket you can also wash small dishes, which is convenient.

Some more significant nuances. It is very good if it is possible to change the height of the upper container. Thus, it will be possible to increase the height and capacity of the bottom.

The working chamber of the dishwasher is made of stainless steel, but some of the accessories can be made of plastic. The latter are not very resistant to aggressive environments, so the less plastic, the longer the design will last

The plastic inside the cooking chamber should be as small as possible. This applies to trays, various holders and latches. Plastic in an aggressive environment, namely the detergent composition, quickly deteriorates and becomes brittle. Which leads to the breakdown of parts.

Availability of additional accessories

The manufacturer can complete the device with all kinds of additional accessories, the use of which makes the operation of the machine more convenient.

What could it be:

• Holders designed for small items. Most often they are made in the form of hooks of various sizes and shapes, on which container covers, baby bottles and any other trifle are fixed.
• Holder for tall glasses. A stand where four glass glasses are fixed on a high leg. Allows you to wash such dishes without the risk of breaking it.
• Bottle holder. Brackets that enable reliable fastening of baby bottles and other similar utensils.
• Box for devices of the folding type. A kind of symbiosis of boxing and tray. Equipped with locks that turn the structure into a closed container. In this case, cutlery can be washed here. If necessary, it is laid out in a flat tray.
• Nozzle for cleaning baking sheets. A sprinkler of a special type, worn in place of the standard. It makes it possible to clean large kitchen utensils as clean as possible.

These accessories may be included in the package, it is possible that they will not be.

Racks for washing glasses can be very useful if the family has glassware on a long leg. They can be bundled with the device, but more often they have to be purchased separately

In the latter case, if necessary, they can be purchased additionally.

Visual inspection of future property

Before you take the equipment home, you must definitely inspect it carefully. Do not rely on the fact that the device is new, therefore, everything is in order with it.

Unfortunately, factory marriage has a place to be, and nothing can be done about it. In addition, some not-so-honest merchants for personal gain can replace parts or elements of the device. Therefore, inspection and thorough inspection of the unit are very important.

Impeller or sprinkler quality

Impellers are called elements through which water enters the working chamber.In large aggregates, parts are located under the upper container and at the bottom of the equipment. In compact and narrow - only the bottom.

Work specifics dishwasher the impellers rotate inside the sealed tank, but they are not connected to the motor. The holes in the sprinklers are made at a certain angle.

Water flowing under high pressure, in elastic streams, flies out of the holes of the impeller and thereby makes it rotate. If the sprayer has a crack or any other defect, the water coming under pressure will break it.

It is very important to consider each impeller for integrity. It is easy to remove, so you can ask the consultant to remove the sprinklers and carefully examine them.

The impeller must be inspected, for this it must be removed. The picture shows a sealed sprinkler, which unscrupulous sellers gave out as a new part. Such an impeller will not last long

This is especially important if the model or manufacturer of the dishwasher is not the most common. In this case, not the most honest sellers can replace the original impellers with those already used and repaired. Rather, hastily sealed at the seam. It is clear that such details will last a very short time.

Condition of dishwashing baskets

It is important to find out how freely they slide in and out. It is worth testing all the possible provisions. That is, push / pull, raise / lower everything that should move.

Ideally, containers change their position freely, no effort is required. The machine door closes tightly and snaps easily. If you have to put pressure, this should alert.

Now it’s worth checking how easily both baskets snap into place. Considering that the upper impeller is fixed to the container, it is very important that it adjoins the water supply tube as well as possible.

This is what ensures the correct position of the basket. It should snap into place. This must be checked, then remove it and inspect the latch itself. Its petals must be intact, not bent, without defects.

In order to subsequently have no problems with the water supply to the impeller, it is worth carefully inspecting the latches of the container. They should not be bent or damaged, the basket should snap in easily and freely.

If the container is equipped with folding holders, you should check how they work. To do this, it is enough to fold and extend the elements once. The rules are the same - everything moves without unnecessary effort and jerking, very smoothly. If there are additional holders in the kit, it is worth trying to fix them on the container. Everything should be easy and securely installed.

No mechanical damage

Before buying, you should very carefully inspect the unit for possible mechanical damage. Chips, cracks or dents should not be. It's not even that they spoil the appearance of the device. The presence of dents, for example, directly indicates that the car was falling or something weighty was dropped on it.

Before purchasing household appliances, it should be carefully examined. It is possible that any of the elements of the mechanism or case during the period of transportation is damaged, which will result in malfunctions during operation

The power cord should be intact, without tears and creases, all visible sections of the wiring too. You can ask a consultant to connect the machine to the network to make sure that the electrician is working. The LEDs should light up on the control panel. If there is a display in the model, it will also come to life.

Options of your favorite model

It is very good if the dishwasher has the so-called rich equipment. This means that the manufacturer supplemented it with several accessories, a water filter, etc., but this does not always happen.

If you don’t have any accessories you need, you should immediately buy them. You need to study the configuration of "your" model and make sure that everything listed in the list is present in the package.

In the store, you must definitely check the equipment. Everything that is indicated in the technical documentation must be present inside the box. It is desirable that the equipment was as complete as possible

Another important point. It is necessary to determine what is needed to install the device and whether these elements are present in the kit. If something is missing, buy one too.

It is worth paying attention to the length of the hoses and the power cord. It may not be sufficient for a specific connection. If so, it is necessary to correct the situation by acquiring additional elements.

A bit about security systems

The manufacturer integrates several security systems into its units. First of all, it is protection against leakage. Two options are possible here. The first involves the protection of hoses and housing, this is considered a full protection. The second is partial, it only “works” with the body, the hoses remain unprotected.

In the second case, it makes sense to change the standard hoses to double hoses before connecting the device, which ensures leakage prevention.

If the model you like is not equipped with complete leakage protection, it is advisable to immediately replace the standard hoses with double ones. They will help protect the house from the flood.

Another system is child protection. It involves locking a running machine. This is very important, because if a child opens the door of a working unit during a high-temperature duty cycle, it can be seriously burned.

For families with children, such a system is necessary. The electrical safety system assumes maximum protection of the user from electric shock when all the rules for connecting the device are strictly observed.

After purchasing a dishwasher, the selection questions do not end there. Next, the happy owners should decide on best remedy for the operation of the machine, cleaning compound equipment that normalizes the composition of water regenerating salt. The solution to these issues will be introduced by our recommended articles.

Conclusions and useful video on the topic

Tips for choosing a dishwasher:

The dishwasher helps housewives save their time and energy. The unit perfectly copes with various types of pollution and completely launders any, even the most fragile dishes.

All this provided that the equipment is correctly selected. In addition to the right choice, it is very important to check the device at the time of purchase. Defects that are not noticed in time will interfere with the normal operation of the unit and can significantly reduce its service life.

Tell us about how you checked the dishwasher before making a purchase. Share your own criteria, on the basis of which you determined the suitability of the unit for operation. Please leave comments in the block below, ask questions on controversial issues, publish photos on the topic of the article.