Looking for a good dishwasher - any models to suggest/avoid?

[john dough]

Our dishwasher, according to our handyman (he worked in appliance sales) is about 12 years old, and in need of either repair or replacement. I don't know if that is old for a dishwasher but in the last year, our dishes are not coming as clean as they were in the past (all other variables - brand of detergent, cycle length - are the same).

Instead of a spring road trip to San Diego, we decided to put some money into our house instead. We are not looking to re-do the kitchen, but to replace/repair a few things (new heating element on the stove is a possibility). Basic white is fine (actually it is preferred) and it is important that it is quiet and holds a good amount of dishes.

Any brands to look at? Any to avoid? My sister-in-law has a Bosch and she said it has been repaired several times in the last 5 years (under warranty, but that cannot be a good thing). The budget is about $700 total (less is better).

[Grateful11]

We bought a Frigidaire Stainless Steel, their so called Professional line, the first one had to go back, the tub
leaked and the repairman said it couldn't be fixed. The second has been great so far. You hardly hear it
running at all. The noisiest part is when it pumps water out into our plastic drain pipes. It cleans way better
than our Kitchenaid ever thought about cleaning. We wound up paying like $575 for it. Here's a link:

http://www.frigidaire.com/products/kitch...fphd2491kf

One thing you need to know about Bosch is that according to our electrician, that bought one, said it doesn't
have a drying element in it and the dishes never get dry, you end hand drying them, it's part of Bosch's
Green thing. Frankly we like our dishes sanitized, we were used to it with our old Kitchenaid and it was
something we wanted with our new appliances. Will the Frigdaire last 15 years like our Kitchenaid I doubt
it, didn't like the idea of it being made in China either but good finding appliances made in the USA. We
bought all Frigdaire Professional appliances, slide-in range made in Canada, Fridge made in Mexico and
Microwave over the range made in Indonesia I believe. Even the most expensive refrigerators made by
Kitchenaid are now made in Mexico.

Here's a link to Best Buy for $595
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Frigidaire+-...8138183189&skuId=9652565#tabbed-customerreviews

I read some of the reviews and I don't know what these people are using for detergent but this thing
cleans. My wife came into the Den carrying a white Pyrex thingy casserole dish that she had cooked
Lasagna in and the thing came out totally spotless she was shocked beyond belief, that had never
happened with our old one. She uses some sorta tablet with a red dot in the center I think. We figured
with as quiet as it was the first time we used it there was no way the stuff was going to come out clean
but it did.

[jdc]

after my bocsh washer/dryer blew up in just over a year, Im not a fan anymore

kitchen aide makes nice stuff.

[Frank]

The Asko in our kitchen is 14 years old and still works fine. Its also very quiet. Kinda pricey though.

[Shakes]

I've had 2 Asko that were great. This last December I needed a new one after 13 years so I bought a bocsh.
I wish I could return it and get the Asko again.

[Dick Moore]

We have a 15 YO Bosch that has been fabulous, but I wonder about them now. Everyone still raves about the Miele, and Asko always seem to gret great revues. Both pricey, but worth it. Like hearing about the pro series Frigidaire. I worry that the old Bosch will go bottom up and then I will have to decide, too.

[Fritz]

We have a 5 yo KA that we're pretty happy with. Set it on heavy duty pots and pans it'll take the chrome off your bumper. If we get 10 years I'd be satisfied.
I wouldn't buy a Bosch after what I've been told in the last 5 years.
But of course that could be any appliance. Too bad we don't manufacture much anymore.
We kicked butt!.
We looked at Asko but decided not based on local support and parts.
We bought all US badged appliances in our kitchen redo except the cooktop.
The cooktop is the one dawg of the bunch… knock wood (veneer).

[tenders]

Very happy with our Miele which has a third rack for silverware - a good feature.

[OWC Jamie]

I have a cheap Maytag.
Plastic, plastic, plastic.
You know when it's running.

It works.

[Grateful11]

tenders wrote:
Very happy with our Miele which has a third rack for silverware - a good feature.

We looked at a KitchenAid that had that 3rd top thin rack for silverware but once we had decided on
the Frigidaire range, we decided to stick with all Frigidaire. The KitchenAid with the 3rd rack was in $1300
range. We spent about $4800 on all 4 appliances including tax and a 5 year warranty in each one, which
cost $120 something per appliance when we broke it down, normally I don't buy extended warranties but
with the range of places of manufacture we decided it was that much more per appliance to do so with
these. We dealt with a small local chain and got some really good discounts on the appliances, the range
was $2K MSRP and we got for a little over $1400. My sister couldn't believe we bought something besides
a KA dishwasher because we had had the other one for 15 years and it never missed a beat. My late Mother's
first KA lasted almost 25 years and her next one is still going with the current owners of the home.