Dishwashers

No one looks forward to after-dinner cleanup, but with a brand-new dishwasher, you can ease your chore load and spend more time on the important things.

Whether you’re considering a built-in or portable dishwasher, we’ll help direct you to the best dishwasher that meets your cleaning needs.

Are built-in dishwashers better than portable dishwashers?

“Better” depends on you; built-in dishwashers and portable dishwashers have key differences that suit everyone in different ways.

Standard built-in dishwashers install under the countertop, are 24-inches wide, and wash 12 to 16 place settings in a single load (note: tall tub built-in dishwashers can wash extra-tall items). Portable dishwashers hook up to your kitchen faucet, have caster wheels, and wash 8 to 12 place settings.

So, if you have the space and plenty of dishes to wash, a built-in dishwasher is the best choice for you. But if you live in an apartment, RV, boat, or are a home renter and don’t have many dishes to do, then a portable dishwasher is your best choice.

Whichever dishwasher you choose, check out our blog to discover the 10 things you should never load in your machine.

What is the difference between a compact dishwasher and a portable dishwasher?

Compact and portable dishwashers are both small dishwashers.

However, compact dishwashers are 18-inch built-in dishwashers that fit 8 to 10 place settings per load whereas portable, or even countertop, dishwashers can be put away in a closet or garage when not in use, or can be used on a camping trip.

How much water does a dishwasher use?

Most dishwashers use about 3 gallons (or 12 liters) of water per cycle. But if you want to save even more on your utility bill, we have a few tips:

• Don’t pre-rinse: Avoid soaking or pre-rinsing dishes before loading the dishwasher.
• Run half-load or top-rack wash cycles: Wash only part of the dishwasher at one time, which uses less water.
• Shop for soil sensors: Models with soil sensors only use how much water is needed depending on the amount of grime detected.
• Run eco wash cycles: Save both power and water by using lower temperature water and less water.

You can always use the air-dry feature to save on energy as well.

How do you clean a dishwasher?

That’s right—even the dishwasher needs to be cleaned occasionally, especially if there are less-than-pleasant odors.

We recommend washing the removable parts first (racks and utensil holders), scrubbing the tub and the inside of the door with a solution of your choice, cleaning out the filter and drain, and then wiping down the outside.

Have any questions about dishwashers? Did you know you can cook with a dishwasher? We have the tips to get the most out of your dishwasher!

Are you leaning towards the quiet promise of Bosch dishwashers? Want to know how the right way to load a dishwasher? Check out our guides, gives us a call, or stop by your nearest store—the unbeatable customer service you can’t get anywhere else awaits you!