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Remember when you used to have to wash your dishes before sticking them in the dishwasher? Not anymore. Today's advanced dishwashers not only sanitize your dishes better, but they are quieter, sleeker, and can blend into your kitchen as a drawer or cabinet or sink. Here are the main types of dishwashers available:
Types: Built-in standard dishwashers | Compact dishwashers | In-sink dishwashers | Drawer dishwashers | Portable dishwashers
These models are standard fare. They take up permanent space in your kitchen and are built in with a drop-down hinged door. They now come in stainless steel or can blend into your cabinetry style. Most standard-size dishwashers take about 2.4 gallons of water to wash a load.
Price: $250 to $1,600
Who it's best for: People who have room in their kitchens, wash large loads of dishes, and want the standard pull-out dish racks
Average size: Width: around 24 to 30 inches; depth: around 25 inches; height: around 34 inches
Whether you need a small dishwasher for your apartment or RV, compact dishwashers offer many of the same features as basic standard models but are simply smaller. They can hold around eight place settings.
Price: $350
Who it's best for: People with limited cabinet space
Average size: Width: 18 inches; depth: 22.5 inches; height: 32.50 inches
This dishwasher literally fits inside your sink. It handles small loads quickly--like dirty glasses during a cocktail party--and it can also act as extra counter space or a cutting board because its top becomes a flat stainless steel surface in most cases. Because the loads are smaller, these models use less water.
Price: $1,800
Who it's best for: People with big budgets who do small loads of dishes and have limited cabinet space
Average size: Width: 34.5 inches; depth: 22 inches; height: 21 inches
While traditional dishwashers have two primary racks inside a large enclosure, drawer dishwashers have an enclosure around each rack. By splitting the capacity into two units, you can do smaller loads or use both drawers but with different settings to maximize your energy efficiency. Drawer dishwashers usually have an array of adjustable racks and cycle options.
Price: One drawer: $700; two drawers: $1,200
Who it's best for: People who want extra dish storage and energy efficiency
Average size: Width: 23.5 inches; depth: 22.5 inches; Height: around 16 inches;
These compact- or standard-size dishwashers don't have to take up permanent space in your kitchen. Some even come in a countertop version that hooks up to your faucet and look like a microwave.
Price: $400 to $600
Who it's best for: Renters or homeowners who don't have room for a built-in model
Average size: Width: around 24 inches; depth: 28 inches; height: around 36 inches
Depending on whether you go with a standard, compact, or drawer model, in general, dishwasher capacity is measured based on how many place settings you can fit in a single load. Here are the basic capacity ranges:
Standard
Capacity: Up to 12 five-piece place settings
Compact
Capacity: Up to eight five-piece place settings
Tall tub
Capacity: Up to 14 five-piece place settings
Even basic features have gotten an upgrade in newer models. Here are the basic features to review and consider.
Wash and rinse cycles: For starters, there are three basic wash cycles for most models: light, normal, and heavy for pots and pans. Advanced dishwashers can offer up to 19 cycle options in addition to the basics, like one for crystal and china, a pot scrubber, soak/scrub, heavy duty, quick clean, steam clean, a high-temperature sanitizing rinse, rinse and hold, or half-load cycles. Some models even offer high-pressure washing to blast away stuck-on food.
Dry settings: There are also dry settings, such as to dry with or without heat. Economy or air-dry settings allow you to save energy but may mean that dishes aren't exactly water-spot free.
Filters and food disposal: Models can come with self-cleaning features, filtration systems, or food disposers that allow you to put dishes in the dishwasher without rinsing them first. The filters and food disposal features remove food particles and dispose of them ideally without clogging your dishwasher's drain system.
Displays: Newer models have ditched the dials and now include digital displays to tell you how long a cycle takes and to select your washing, rinse, or drying cycles. Also, some models contain the controls inside the dishwasher on the top ledge of the drawer or door for a sleeker outside appearance. Many include child locks for the door.
Delayed start and noise insulation: Most models also have a delay-start setting so you can time when you want a cycle to begin during low-rate electricity times or after you leave the house. Because dishwashers can be one of the loudest appliances in the house, look for models that have heavy insulation to minimize noise. Each manufacturer will have a branded name for this feature but the key is to look for the decibel setting, which, for quieter models, should be around 47 to 57 decibels.
Flexible racks and tubs: To accommodate different dish sizes or large pots, models often contain dish racks that split or fold or can be removed to make more room. Cutlery trays and cup shelves are a common feature, too. Nylon is a popular material used for racks for durability and flexibility. Tubs come in plastic or stainless steel.
The technology in each model is branded by the maker, but here are the advanced features you'll generally find:
Sensors: The buzzword in the appliance world is definitely "sensors." Dishwashers come with sensors that detect how dirty dishes are (i.e. the "soil" levels) and to make sure that really dirty water is recirculated through the wash cycle. Temperature sensors to determine how hot to make the water (anywhere from 135 degrees to 145 degrees for the best cleaning). Other sensors determine how much water to use to get a load of dishes really clean. And sensors are also used to monitor how much detergent to dispense.
Jets and steam: Some models now come with numerous jets--up to 30--to saturate dishes with water and blast off food particles. Other models offer a steam-clean option to help remove food and shine silverware.
Advance drying: Some dishwashers feature a drying system that doesn't use outside air to dry dishes, which makers claim is more sanitary.
Advanced detergent: To streamline the loading process, some models hold the entire bottle of detergent in the unit and use a sensor to dispense the necessary amount based on the wash settings.
Dishwashers are among the appliances that are regulated by government energy standards. Here's what to look for:
Energy Star label: Qualified dishwashers use at least 41 percent less energy than the federal minimum standard for energy consumption, according to the Energy Star Web site. That translates to about 4 gallons per cycle versus nonqualified dishwashers that use 6 gallons a cycle.
Scrape don't rinse: If you really want to save energy, don't prerinse dishes before loading them, which can waste up to additional 20 gallons of water according to Energy Star. Also avoid half-load cycles, which can still be wasteful, even if a washer has that special setting.
Use phosphate-free enzyme detergent: Phosphates are bad for the environment, and phosphate-free detergents used with rinse aids clean as well as regular detergent.

