How to Analyze Dishwasher Specs

Before you buy a dishwasher, you will have to look at the dishwasher specs of the models you're considering. Those specifications can tell you a lot as long as you can actually understand them. Knowing how to analyze dishwasher specs means you can get beyond the pitch of the sales person and have a better idea of what the dishwasher will really do.

The specifications mean you can compare one particular brand and model directly against another. This is valuable in deciding which dishwasher to buy.

Step 1 - Size

The very first thing to look at in dishwasher specs is the size of the dishwasher itself and the minimum height, depth and width  needed for it to fit in your kitchen. This will immediately let you know whether it’s feasible for your requirements and the opening you have available, or whether you will need to look at alternative models.

Step 2 - Capacity

All dishwasher specs will state how many place settings the dishwasher will hold. In a full size dishwasher this should be between 12 to 14 settings with each setting being a dinner plate, side plate, bowl, cup and saucer. You should have a good idea how often you’ll use the dishwasher and what kind of capacity you need to cope with your dishes. In most instances a normal dishwasher will be ample for the needs of most families, even when having dinner parties.

Step 3 - Drying Method

There are 2 main drying methods classified as thermal and condenser. The condenser method is better and will use less energy. The dishwasher specs will state which method applies to the dishwasher you’re considering. If saving energy isn’t a huge concern, you’ll find that the thermal method tends to be used in cheaper dishwashers.

Step 4 - Cycles

Looking at the dishwasher specs will tell you how many cycles it takes for the dishwasher to wash and dry your dishes. In most cases, this means anything up to 3 hours since they use less energy than older models. However, in some instances a full wash can last up to 3 hours on very low energy. Knowing how many cycles are involved in the wash and how long a wash takes is important since it could influence your buying decision.

Step 5 - Decibel Rating

All dishwasher specs should include a decibel rating. This will indicate how loud the dishwasher is and how much you’ll hear it. The very best dishwashers, especially those that take longer for a full wash, have an extremely low decibel rating to the point you’ll hardly know they’re working. Always take special note of the decibel (db) rating.

Step 6 - Energy

You should only buy a new dishwasher which is an Energy Star qualified model and this will be stated in the dishwasher specs. This is important because models with this rating are, on average, 20 percent more efficient in terms of both energy and water usage.

Step 7 - Special Settings

The dishwasher specs will state whether the machine has any special settings such as for sanitization or for crystal usage. Some of these settings might not be important to you, but understanding them will help in making your decision on a particular model.