These days none of us have much spare time! With increasing bank balance strains, rising childcare costs, daily chores and the need to work more hours just to get by, it’s no wonder we’re all left feeling lucky to have a five minute break before bed at night.
Did you know that the average person spends 200 hours a year washing up? When you think about how precious time is, it’s really irritating to know you could save 200 whole hours (over 8 days!) by using a simple machine.
The humble dishwasher can also offer you great energy savings as well as the satisfaction of a clean and tidy kitchen. Did you know over 40% of all UK homes contain a dishwasher? If you’ve ever spoken to someone who has one they will usually describe is as a godsend because it saves them so much effort and time!
The demand for dishwashers grows all the time. With this growth in the industry comes a whole new list of exciting features which have been added to make the dishwashing process quicker, more efficient and more energy efficient. Here are some tips to help you find a dishwasher right for you:
Full Size , 45cm, 60cm, Slimline or Compact – Which dishwasher size is best for you?
A full sized dishwasher has a 60CM wide gap and is the most common sized dishwasher sold in the UK. Expect capacity for 12-14 place settings and an easy fit into the British standard gap for appliances. If space is an issue or you simply want to save space then you should consider a 45CM slimline option which still has the capacity for up to 10 place settings and suits families without children or properties with small kitchens. If you really don’t want a slimline or full sized dishwasher or simply don’t have the cabinet space for one there is still an option for you; the compact dishwasher. Designed to be used anywhere with an electric source these tabletop machines can hold around 4 – 6 place settings.
Integrated , Semi-Integrated or Freestanding?
Did you know that there are three different types of dishwasher integration? As well as the flexible size differences there are also different ways to integrate your dishwasher into your kitchen space:
Fully integrated dishwashers are fantastic because you cannot see them! The fact they are tidily hidden away behind a cabinet door also means they make a lot less noise than a free standing dishwasher. You are unable to see the control panel at all which means you can only turn the device on or off by opening the drawer (great protection from little hands!).
Semi integrated machines have a visible control panel which is the same height as the other kitchen goods such as the oven or the washing machine. They are still integrated in that they tend to have a wooden panel on the front (with the colour of your choice), they just have an exposed control panel at the top in addition to this.
Free standing dishwashers quite literally stand alone and will only fit under suitable cabinet space. You cannot place a cabinet door onto the front of them, although they do come in a range of colours and designs to suit the modern kitchen.

Energy Labels
These labels are substantially more important than they used to be. Today’s shopper is more ECO friendly and energy savvy and demands a more detailed look at how energy efficient any new purchases are. All dishwashers are now graded according to their energy efficiency, washing efficiency and drying efficiency. These grades range from very good (A) to very poor (G). Dishwashers that have achieved the highest grades come with an efficiency sticker which is worth looking out for if you’re having trouble establishing the best brands.
Most dishwashers come with different wash systems depending on what you are washing (IE dirty pans, dishes etc). You can select the wash that most suits your load and let the machine do the work for you. The water amounts, temperature and soap integration will have all been pre designed.
Now all you have to do is load up, switch on and relax!!
Thanks:
thanks to the staff at www.appliance-world.co.uk for providing advice and information.