The dishwasher is becoming an essential part of every modern household. Gone are the times when we were washing and putting away the dishes after lunch long into the afternoon. The fast tempo of life propels us into other duties and challenges, so we can now simply let our dishwasher handle this chore. Not only do they wash and dry dishes, but also saves us effort, time and, last but not least, money. To fulfil all of the above, however, you should select your dishwasher carefully and correctly. Below we offer some tips on how to choose just the right dishwasher for you. When buying a dishwasher, you should take into account several factors that affect the final decision and contribute to making the best possible choice. The first decision is directly linked to the purpose of use, as well as to the location and installation of the appliance. How many dishes you usually wash and how often you will use the dishwasher depends on the size of your family, individual habits, and needs. If you want your dishwasher to complement the overall look of your kitchen, it is essential that you also consider where you want to put it and choose the right size and dimensions. If you want to integrate it among existing kitchen elements, you will have to measure the height and width carefully. If you do not want an in-built appliance or do not have this option, you can choose a free-standing dishwasher. In this case, the design appearance of your chosen dishwasher is even more important. From a user’s viewpoint, a dishwasher’s interior is also essential: a flexible arrangement of baskets and shelves is necessary to organize dishes correctly and can simplify everyday use. In recent years, we developed a truly rich assortment of high-quality dishwashers for the market. They come in various designs and dimensions, and their price ranges vary according to technological sophistication, performance, and features.
Your decision should take into account all aspects: purchase, installation, and use.
When purchasing a dishwasher, you need to acquire all the available information and compare the dishwashers available on the market before you make the final decision. If you really want to be happy with your choice and have the selected dishwasher fulfil all your expectations, you need to consider as many factors in your final decision as possible: the main purpose of your purchase is crucial. If you need a dishwasher for everyday use and your household has many members, it makes sense to choose one that can wash as many place settings as possible, at the lowest expense. You should also keep in mind your budget and define the highest price you are willing to pay for a dishwasher. Before making a decision, you should enquire about the likely costs of the dishwasher’s operation, as well as its water and energy consumption. The next important piece of information is the space you have available because it will affect the type (integrated, free-standing) and the desired size or the dimensions of the selected dishwasher. You should also pay attention to the quality, warranty period, and options of servicing your chosen model.
Types and dimensions of dishwashers
We distinguish between several types of dishwashers: integrated, semi-integrated, and freestanding. All of these are available in various dimensions; thus, every user can find the one that best suits their individual needs. The most widespread and most-liked dimensions of dishwashers range from 45–60 cm in width and 82–86 cm in height. In larger dishwashers, you can wash 12 to 16 place settings, while smaller ones accommodate 9 up to 11 place settings.
Slim dishwashers
Slim dishwashers are suitable for people who live in very small apartments and who have to make the most of every inch of space. They can be freestanding or integrated and are a perfect solution for anyone who spends a lot of time away from home, rarely prepares meals, and would thus never fill a full-size dishwasher to its capacity. The good news is that these models have all the advantages of their larger counterparts, just more compact. A slim (45 cm width) dishwasher is an ideal solution for people living alone who do not use many dishes yet are thoroughly uninterested in washing them every day by hand. A mini dishwasher is also a suitable choice for those who do not want to overexpose their sensitive hands to water and chemicals, either for health or aesthetic reasons.
Integrated dishwashers
Integrated dishwashers can be built in under a countertop which means that you gain valuable working space. You can hide the door of your dishwasher behind the kitchen façades to blend in seamlessly, so you would not even notice it was there. It can be either fully integrated so that the control panel is hidden, or it can be integrated in a manner so that its control panel is visible.
Freestanding dishwashers
Freestanding dishwashers are independent household appliances. You can install them in the desired place alongside other kitchen elements. You can choose one that is visually appealing and fits nicely within your kitchen. Because every freestanding dishwasher has the option of having the top panel removed, it can also be installed under the countertop. However, you cannot place them behind other kitchen elements or façades.
How does a dishwasher work?
In case you ever wondered how a dishwasher works, we would like to briefly describe its basic operation: at the moment you turn it on, the tub of the dishwasher starts to fill with water. The water then heats up to the desired temperature, ranging from 40 to 70 °C. The next step is the automatic opening of the compartment where you put your preferred detergent, which then starts to slowly dissolve in the water. A rotating pump at the bottom of the dishwasher makes sure that the soapy water is sprayed over the dishes inside the dishwasher. The dishes are then washed in soapy water for around half an hour. In the next step, the dishwasher pumps out the dirty water and pumps in new clean water for rinsing. The rotating pump, by spurting the water around, makes sure that the dishes are thoroughly rinsed. Then, the water is pumped out and hot air is circulated in the interior of the dishwasher to dry the dishes. Although it might sound unusual, dishes washed in the dishwasher are cleaner than if they would be washed by hand because the high operating temperatures efficiently remove all impurities and destroy the majority of bacteria.
Dishwasher products
To keep our dishwasher in optimum running order and to ensure that your dishes come out looking like new, as well as to prolong its lifespan, you should invest in its maintenance and suitable dishwasher products, such as dishwasher salt, high-quality detergents, rinsing solutions, etc. Dishwasher salt is an active ingredient added to the dishwashing process to soften hard water. It contains natural ingredients, mostly sodium chloride and often also citrus oils. The water that comes out of water supply networks is usually hard, consequently causing limescale deposits on various parts of a dishwasher as well as the dishes. Dishwasher salt does not enter the dishwasher but instead flows through its softener unit, providing sodium for the dishwasher’s ion-exchange resins that are in the softener unit. When regenerated by the sodium, these work to attract and trap the magnesium and calcium ions in the hard water. When dishes are washed with soft water, fewer chemical agents are needed. Dishwasher salt is, therefore, a necessary ingredient when washing dishes in a dishwasher. Most modern dishwashers have an in-built sensor that detects low levels of salt and warns users when they should top it up. You should know that the dishwasher salt is not the same as the kitchen salt we use when preparing food. Dishwasher salt granule size is larger and ensures that the salt dissolves slower, while it is also free of other admixtures contained in table salt (sodium iodide, magnesium chloride, and other anti-caking agents), which can damage the ion exchange unit or inhibit its performance. It is therefore not recommended to use kitchen salt in the dishwasher. In addition to dishwasher salt, rinse aids also ensure that after washing no water spots remain on the dishes, which we otherwise notice mainly on glasses and stainless steel pots. Modern dishwashers automatically notify users that they should add a rinsing solution. By choosing the right one and taking care of it, a dishwasher will serve you well for many years, regardless of how often you use it. By choosing a Hisense dishwasher you will gain an indispensable assistant that will do all the heavy lifting in the kitchen for you while you can relax and spend time as you wish.