Last Updated on July 9, 2022
The Complete Dishwashers Buying Guide
If you’re looking to purchase a dishwasher in the near future, you’re going to need to know what to look for. Not all dishwashing units are created equal, and there are some definite manufacture’s brands and options that you should be looking for. Many people have learned the hard way and made a purchase before doing proper research. By reading this article we’re helping you to not make the same mistake.
Things To Look For In A Dishwasher
1. Energy Star Rating
This is a very attractive option for people that are looking to save on energy costs. On average, an energy star compliant dishwasher will save you $16 a year in energy costs. Multiply this by 15 years, which is the average lifespan of a dishwasher, and you’ll come to $240 in total savings. You can spend the extra money you want to on fancy options like a beautiful stainless steel interior or pocket the saved cash for other uses.
2. Quiet Operation
Most people use their dishwashers on a daily basis and spend a lot of time in the kitchen. If this sounds like you, then you’ll probably want to buy the quietest unit possible to spare your ears. A dishwasher shouldn’t sound like a jet taking off inside your kitchen. They should be very quiet and not disturbing to your senses. Read our reviews to see which dishwashers are stacking up in terms of quiet operation. his is especially important if you are looking for apartment sized dishwashers since your space will be smaller so sound, or lack of, is even more important.
3. Upper/Lower Rack Wash Feature
Some dishwashers will have this feature on their machines to help owners conserve water, which saves on total costs. Not all machines have this functionality, so be sure to take a closer look at the features of all the units you’re considering. This feature really does save a lot of water and that means extra cash in your pocket.
4. Stainless Steel Interior
As mentioned above, a stainless steel interior is a fantastic option. Let’s take a look at why. A stainless steel interior won’t get stained by anything, no matter what. It’s durable and will last without problems for the lifetime of the machine. It’s a quality material used in certain dishwashers that set them apart from the rest. It may cost a little more to get a stainless steel interior, but most owners agree that it’s worth it. You can check out our best kitchenaid dishwasher reviews here.
Why a Compact Dishwasher?
The addition of a compact dishwasher to the household can greatly enhance the kitchen experience. They have many great benefits, including but not limited to the following. Ease of delivery and installation, minimal space requirements, relatively modest pricing and – perhaps the most critical item of all – elimination of the chore of scrubbing dishes.
Ease of Delivery and Installation
Due to their small size, when you purchase a compact dishwasher it is very easy to load it in you vehicle and take it home. This is is contrast to a full size dishwasher, which you will more than likely have to arrange a delivery, at the cost of both your time and money.
Also, due to the simpler hookup, the installation of a compact dishwasher is considerably easier. You can potentially save yourself even more hassle by eliminating the need for a plumber from the installation equation. A compact countertop dishwasher is easily installed with minimal handyman (or handywoman) skills.
Minimal Space Requirements
A compact dishwasher has a footprint only marginally larger than that of a microwave oven or sausage stuffer, and many homes do not have room for a full sized integrated dishwasher. These two facts when combined create an ideal situation for installing a compact dishwasher, you do not have to go with out.
It is also true that in some kitchens, a homeowner may want a compact tabletop dishwasher to supplement their integrated dishwasher. Again, in this situation the small space requirement of the compact dishwasher is a positive.
Relatively Modest Pricing
It’s possible to find quality compact dishwashers for well under three hundred dollars, brands worth investigating are Koldfront, Haier, Welby, and Danby. This compares favorably to the pricing of full sized integrated dishwasher, plus you have the aforementioned savings of not needing to pay for delivery and installation.
Another way that a compact table top dishwasher saves you money is by a reduction in your water bill. These units use less water than a full size dishwasher. If you run your dishwasher daily, the water savings from the smaller unit will add up fast.
No More Scrubbing Dishes
All dishwashers will eliminate the tiresome task of cleaning dirty dishes wooden cutting boards by hand each day, and you will be able to say goodbye to dishpan hands. The purchase of a compact dishwasher will generally give you the capacity to wash at least four place settings, which is ample for a small household. The time you save not washing the dishes can be spent performing your other chores, or better yet, enjoying time with your family or making frozen drinks for your guests.
Dishwasher Buying Tips – Save Money
Buying a new home appliance is never a fun task, as the costs seem to skyrocket year after year for appliances that you really do need in modern life. Finding a reliable but cheap dishwasher can be a somewhat difficult task, but the good news is that modern technology gives the consumer many options when it comes to finding the best deal on dishwashers. These options make it even more likely that no matter what you’re looking for, you will be able to find an inexpensive appliance that suits your needs.
Check Out Local Ads For Cheap Dishwashers
While the first instinct might be to jump online (and we will cover that in a bit) when it comes to finding a good cheap dishwasher the first place you should look are in the local classified ads. The reason for this is simple, which is that used machines will be far less expensive than brand new ones, but you generally will want to be able to check out a used dishwasher in person in order to make sure the appliance works the way it is supposed to. Checking out local ads can give you a chance to check out a lot of these machines in person, and you might even get to see them in action so you can make sure they work and aren’t too noisy.
Check Online Sites For The Best Cheap Dishwasher
Many consumers look online at the websites of major appliance stores to get an idea of what the ideal price range of each store will be. The problem is, you need to make sure that shipping actually is an option and if it is then you need to figure out what the shipping charges are going to be in addition to any extra labor, installation, or delivery fees. These can often easily add up to more than enough to wipe out any type of a sale or what seems like a good deal early on.
There are many different types of sites to look at online, and this can range from major national chains like Wal-Mart, Best Buy, or Sears; or include more localized stores and chains that are only found in your area. The other option is to check out the online websites of locally owned stores. Whether you find a coupon or simply use online search results to comparison shop, this can help you to find a good deal on a cheap dishwasher, or at least a less expensive one.
Haggle In Person For Dishwasher Discounts
Haggling is much more difficult in chain stores, but it’s not completely unheard of. While this might come as a surprise to some people, many consumers have received discounts by simply saying something like: “Is this really the best price you have to offer?” or “Store X was $50 cheaper, so I’m probably going to buy it there.” If you have a privately owned local store, you have an even better chance of being able to haggle down to a much better price on any dishwasher. Start with a dishwasher that’s already a good deal and see if you can haggle down to a price that would make it actually cheap. And have them throw in some dishwasher soap and other tid bits if at all possible.
There is a right way and wrong way to haggle, but the most important aspect of getting a good deal from haggling is that you need to start out negotiating away from other customers. If you try negotiating with six other customers around, most likely the business owner will not only deny you, but also possibly ask you to leave. Negotiate away from other customers that way the owner isn’t under any pressure at all and can negotiate with you.
Finding Cheap Dishwashers, In Conclusion
Follow these steps and you’ll be using all the best tools available to you in order to find the best deal on cheap dishwashers. While it’s likely you’ll still have to pay a few hundred dollars for a good model, you never know what deals you can find. You might get a hundred or more dollars off, or you may get lucky and find a relatively new dishwasher being sold new from a couple who needs to move and doesn’t have the space to take the machine with them. Follow all these tips and most likely you’ll find a great deal on cheap dishwashers.