Built-In Dishwasher
Built-In Dishwasher : Dishwashing Perfection with Maximum Convenience.
A built-in dishwasher is the standard amongst dishwashers. The typical model is about 24 inches wide and is sized so that they fit conveniently under a kitchen counter or work surface. They are permanently installed into position. This includes the plumbing connection and power. Being the most common type of dishwasher means that there is a huge selection of manufacturers to choose from with price ranges and options to suit everyone. With all of this choice, you can end up with a dishwasher that gets your dishes cleaner than you've ever seen them, and does it without wasting money.
As new homes are built, and existing ones have their kitchens remodeled, the normal practice is to include space in the design for a 24 inch built-in dishwasher. This is the industry standard size for a dishwasher. Although 18 inch Dishwashers are available, you usually only choose one of these when you do not have the space for the traditional 24 inch model.
The Best Dishwasher Ever
Even though the built-in dishwasher is the industry standard, this does not mean that they are all the same. The opposite is true, because the greatest variety of styles and features is available for this type. You can buy stainless steel dishwashers, or models that have a pallette of different front panels to suit the color scheme of your kitchen. You can have custom made front panels that match the construction of your cabinetry to give you that integrated look, which can totally hide the fact that the dishwasher even exists.
Most people will already have an existing built-in dishwasher and they will simply be looking to upgrade to a newer, more advanced model. The average lifetime of a dishwasher is between 9 to 12 years and a huge number of advances have been made over this time. So anyone looking to replace their old model is in for quite a shock when they start looking. That is one of the reasons that I created DishwasherGuru. I've been where you are now, looking at all of the many confusing features and choices and trying to figure out what I needed and what was just a waste of money. The good news is that with only a small amount of work on your part, it isn't hard to understand the features and be able to make the right decisions.
If you haven't got a dishwasher already then you are in for a treat. Research has shown that dishwashers save about 4 hours of handwashing each week, which adds up to 26 full working days saved each year. Modern dishwashers really do clean dishes very effectively. They can have multiple wash arms and other jets that blast dishes with water that is heated up to very high temperatures. Detergents used today are specifically designed for these higher temperatures and easily dissolve food and grease. Both of these features alone mean that an average dishwasher only uses around 4 gallons of water per load compared to handwashing dishes which uses about 10 gallons each time. Over the years, this cost saving can add up significantly. A lot of manufacturers even have a wash cycle that sanitizes the dishes - try doing that by hand!
If you are worried about your favorite dishes being damaged then do not worry. Dishwashers come with lots of different wash cycles or wash programs to suit different types of dishes. Ranging from soft and gentle cycles that are designed for china and crystal through to cycles that are intended to scrub out heavy pots and pans.
Yes, there's even more to Consider
If then advantages and selection mentioned above wasn't enough to convince you that modern dishwashers are your friend then read on.
Families with children might be concerned about the super hot water. There are several safety features to give you peace of mind. Most models will shut down automatically if any leak is detected or if someone opens the door. A lot of them also have child safety locks to prevent little fingers doing any damage to themselves (or your kitchen floor). The ability to sanitize items is also useful for families who want to ensure that lunch containers and 'sippy cups' are germ free.
Although sophisticated, a dishwasher is really just a big box that holds dishes while they are being cleaned. You can equally look at it as just another cupboard in your kitchen to store plates and bowls in between cleaning. A feature that makes this easier is a 'rinse and hold' wash cycle. This simply gives the dishes inside a quick rinse off to remove food and then lets you leave them in the dishwasher until you've had a chance to fill it up fully for a normal wash cycle. So you can leave the breakfast bowls sitting all day until you clean the dinner dishes without any smells or germs.
An advantage of a built-in dishwasher that is often overlooked is the noise. Other types, such as portable dishwashers or the smaller countertop dishwashers, are typically quite noisy because they are out in the open. A built-in model can be far quieter since there is a whole cabinet surrounding it which can be further insulated against noise. Noise can be a real concern in an open plan kitchen where people will be sitting nearby in a 'great room' or dining area. It is worth noting here that dishwashers that have food grinders instead of just a filtering system will be noisier.
They can't really be Perfect, Can they?
Whatever dishwasher you buy will always have the potential to be a problem. The goal of this website is to help you to understand what those problems might be and guide you away from them.
More features is a good thing but it does mean that there is possibly more things that can go wrong. It is important to read all of the details about the warranties offered for the model that you buy. Also check with the US Consumer Protection Safety Commission to see if there have been any recalls for safety reasons.
Although very convenient to use once it is in place, a built-in dishwasher still has to be installed before it can be used. This task is really not that difficult and most householders can tackle this without problem. If you are at all unsure then try visiting some of the merchant websites that sell dishwashers and look to see if they provide the option to read the User Manual or Installation Instructions online. This can give you the confidence boost that you might need to try this for yourself. Ultimately, you can choose to have it installed professionally and a lot of online merchants will provide this service in addition to the delivery of the dishwasher. Again, do your homework before you buy.
Buying a Built-in Dishwasher Online
As stated earlier, the number of options and features available for built-in dishwashers is staggering. You will see this if you visit any good store. The sales people will show you lots of cool looking features and you will be very tempted to think that you've seen everything possible. However, there is no store that can give you the range of choice that the internet can offer.
So, even if your heart was set on a model that you saw in the store, your best decision is to come home and see what else is out there. You might find a better model with more features that you need. Even if you end up choosing the exact same dishwasher, you might find it cheaper online or avoid paying sales tax or get free shipping. Sometimes you can get deals online from the website of the very store that you were going to buy from originally. So, do yourself a favor and take the time to get a good deal.
Featured Merchants
Sears is the leading home appliance retailer in the US with over 2,500 stores.
They have won many industry awards including the 2011 ENERGY STARŪ Retail Partner of the Year. Sears have many of the top brands of dishwashers including their own range of Kenmore appliances.
Look at the large selection of Built-in Dishwashers from Sears.
AJ Madison is based in Brooklyn, NY and has an enormous presence in the online world for home appliances. They have a very large range of dishwashers and handle most of the big brand names. They are backed by the Better Business Bureau and have great customer service that can help you through the purchasing process.
Check out a Built-in Dishwasher at AJ Madison.
Abt Electronics has been around since 1936 and has grown from a family owned business into the leading US independent retailer of high quality consumer electronics and home appliances. They regularly win awards for Customer Service and Technical Support from institutions like the Better Business Bureau.
They offer a wide range of Dishwasher brands at good prices, plus:Buy a great Built-in Dishwasher from Abt Electronics.
- Free technical support for as long as you own the dishwasher.
- No Sales Tax (for most of the US).
- Low Price Guarantee
- Exceptional Return Policy (they even pay for return shipping).
- Various Financing options.
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