Guide To Buying A Dishwasher

Shopping for a dishwasher can be challenging. This guide will help you determine what's important to consider and highlight Maytag dishwashers.

A GUIDE TO DISHWASHERS: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW WHEN DISHWASHER SHOPPING

Your kitchen should reflect your cooking needs and style prefenences and your personality as a maker. A dishwasher is an opportunity to enhance all these things.

Often, people look for dishwashers that are a certain size, have features that fit their cooking styles and have an appealing appearance.

There are a lot of available dishwashers on the market making finding the ideal match rather difficult. A popular strategy is to start by asking yourself these questions: what is most important to you? Is style the top priority? How important is versatility?

Above all else, remember that it's your kitchen so you hold the keys to making every decision. It's your choice.

DISHWASHER SIZES

The first step is to accurately measure the space for your new dishwasher before making your purchase. Keep in mind that most built-in residential dishwashers are either 18” or 24”.

Style and performance are usually the two most heavily considered factors in the decision-making process. Condo and apartment owners, though, should give thought to the noise level a dishwasher produces when in operation.

A common misconception is that a small kitchen can only accommodate a small dishwasher. While you should pay attention to size, you might also want to consider how much space there is between rooms. If your kitchen is close to rooms where you entertain or relax, the noise level of your dishwasher could be a disturbance. For instance, a loud dishwasher could mean you have to watch TV at a higher volume. If this is the case, you might want to look at quieter models that are under 50 dBA. Don't worry, you'll have a lot of options to choose from. 

CHOOSE A DISHWASHER BY ANSWERING THESE QUESTIONS

What budget have you set? How much space is available?
What style intrigues you?
What does your average wash load look like?
Is noise level a big consideration?

NOISE LEVEL

A dishwasher's noise level is measured in decibel levels (dBA). The main thing to know is that the higher the decibel level, the noisier the dishwasher.

A slight difference of 1 dBA is virtually impossible for most people to detect. The human ear will usually pick up a difference starting at 3 dBA before. A 40 dBA and below rating is considered to be nearly silent while in use, whereas ratings of 50 and higher could produce a higher noise level similar to a normal conversation. 

DECIDING ON AN EXTERIOR STYLE

A dishwasher’s exterior can help complement or heaighten a kitchen's aesthetic. The available options include Console, Pocket, Towel Bar, Panel-Ready and Semi-Integrated.

Ask yourself these questions to start determining which exterior style you prefer:
Do you want one cohesive look for your dishwasher and cabinets?
Do you prefer the controls to be hidden?
Do you like a recessed handle more than a towel bar? 

SEMI-INTEGRATED OR FULLY-INTEGRATED DISHWASHERS

Semi-Integrated Dishwashers are defined by having visible controls that are accessible and flush with the dishwasher door. The cycle process is conveyed via exterior status lights for easy tracking.

Fully-Integrated dishwashers feature hidden controls. Instant feedback is provided via status lights with an exterior cycle indicator with changing colours.

FINISHES

Options for finishes were once limited to black, white or stainless steel. Options have since evolved to include fingerprint resistant stainless steel, black stainless steel and also customize cabinets to match a kitchen's current look.

WHAT DOES PANEL-READY MEAN?

Panel-ready dishwashers are customizable, featuring an unfinished door so you can match a dishwasher to your cabinetry to achieve a uniformed appearance.

DECIDING ON A DISHWASHER INTERIOR

A dishwasher's interior configuration ultimately determines how items are loaded. To figure out which interior would work best for your household, give thought to how many people live in your home, if you own awkwardly shaped items like trays and platters and how often you entertain guests.

Interiors are made of either plastic, stainless steel or a hybrid of these two materials.

Plastic tubs can be more affordable but that comes at the expense of a higher noise level.

Stainless Steel tubs can be more adept at resisting stains, are considered to be the quieter optoin and are better equipped to withstand higher drying temperatures.

Hybrid interiors combine plastic and stainless steel.

*Maytag only offers dishwashers with a stainless steel interior. 

CHOOSING EITHER A BUILT-IN DISHWASHER, PORTABLE DISHWASHER OR COUNTERTOP DISHWASHER

Built-in dishwashers are permanently installed right into a kitchen's current layout and structure.

Portable dishwashers are intended for kitchens that lack the space to install a built-in or countertop model. Most portable options can be moved outside the kitchen if needed.

Countertop dishwashers are designed to fit the majority of countertops and are considered by many to be great for condos or small kitchens.

*Maytag does not offer portable or countertop dishwashers 

THE BASICS OF BUILT-IN DISHWASHERS

24” width can be a suitable option for families or for those who frequently use their dishwasher. 18” width can work for smaller kitchens or for households who use their dishwasher less often. Tall Tub configuration can accommodate taller items. Built-in dishwashers can typically be installed underneath counters and between cabinets for a cohesive look. Some built-in models are panel-ready, allowing owners to customize them to their existing cabinetry. These dishwashers all need permanent plumbing to be installed. 

FIRST TIME INSTALLING A DISHWASHER IN YOUR HOME

It's always best to hire a trained and certified technician to install a new dishwasher.

You must confirm that your home’s electrical output has all installation requirements, most likely including a grounded electrical outlet (no extension cord or adapter) and a dedicated 15 amp circuit.

Consult your dishwasher’s Use & Care Guide for all installation requirements and guidelines.

How Much Does Installation Cost? Speak to the manufacturer's service network to get more details about the cost of installation as prices may vary. 

VALUE OF HAVING ALL APPLIANCES BE ONE BRAND

There may be some benefits to buying all major appliances from one brand. These benefits may include handles, finishes and aesthetics being more likely to match so if you want a uniform look than you may want to consider this option.

DISHWASHER PERFORMANCE

Heavy & Targeted Wash Zones: Dishwasher models featuring a heavy wash zone have a spray zone to clean heavily soiled dishes and items more awkwardly shaped than plates like trays.

Water Coverage: Can include flexible wash arms and bottle wash sprays both of which provide improved water coverage.

Filtered-based systems: Engineered to generally minimize the sound output and contribute to water and energy conservation.

Cycle options: Some models customize washing based on the wash load to preserve fragile items like china and crystal. 

DISHWASHER LOADING ABILITY

Dishwashers are typically employed to clean plates, cups and cutlery. Most households, though, have to sometimes wash items like wine glasses, chopsticks or platters.

Certain models have features designed to improve loading capacity and versatility:

Adjustable/Flexible Racks can be moved from one position to another inside the dishwasher. By customizing a particular wash, owners can load large or awkwardly-shaped items.

Third Level Racking is a rack specifically designed for items like cutlery, spatulas and chopsticks.

Silverware Baskets are a dedicated flatware area. 

DRYING TECHNOLOGY OPTIONS

Tub Material: Stainless steel is most adept at retaining heat from the wash cycle resulting in more efficient drying.

Fan Assisted Dry: Utilizing a fan, this feature accelerates drying performance by removing humid air and replacing it with room temperature air. This feature is most common in high-end dishwashers.

Heated Dry: Works to ensure that dishes are “cabinet dry” after the wash cycle. This is a manual option so owners can choose to turn it off as the default setting is ""on"".

What Is A ""SMART"" Dishwasher? Some dishwashers come with the modern ability to connect to the internet. The benefit is that owners can receive data and enjoy features like downloading additional cycles, monitoring the remaining time on the cycle, and eventually, voice compatibility. Features may vary and can be subject to change.

*SMART dishwashers are not offered by Maytag 

DISHWASHER CYCLES

Most dishwashers have normal and light wash cycles.

Many models also offer Quick Wash, Rinse & Hold, Steam, Delicate Wash, Heavy Duty and Sanitize.

Some feature additional cycle variety, including options like ultra-quick for less dirty items, a top-rack-only for glassware and a heavy duty option for pots and pans.

MOST DISHWASHERS OFFER SOME COMBINATION OF THESE CYCLES IF NOT ALL: QUICK WASH, RINSE & HOLD, STEAM, DELICATE WASH, HEAVY DUTY AND SANITIZE 

FEATURES TO CONSIDER

DÉTECTEURS DE SALETÉ

Also known as turbidity sensors, this feature monitors the level of tiny substance particles that tend to be present in wash water. It allows a dishwasher to recognize when items are heavily soiled and subsequently adjusts the cycle time to achieve optimal performance. 

DELAYED START
Imagine being able to run your dishwasher despite your busy schedule or during off-peak hours. Many dishwashers have the ability to delay the start of a wash cycle. This enables your dishwasher to start between 2-, 4-, 6- or 8-hours after it’s been loaded. 

FILTERS
Filters are vital to ensuring items can get their cleanest. They help prevents food from finding their way back onto dishes and other items while being washed. Dishwashers usually have either a self-cleaning or manual filter.

Manual filters are considered to be the quieter than self-cleaning ones. They do need to be regularly cleaned by hand. Some self-cleaning systems have a grinder powerful enough to pulverize debris and then discard it. There are also systems that increase the motor power to discard debris and maintain a filters' cleanliness in the process.