Software
Houzz Logo Print
rogerv_gw

Dishwasher, Bosch or KitchenAid?

17 years ago

We need to replace the dishwasher that came with our house...it is about 16-18 years old, we're not sure.

The models that we're considering are:

Bosch SHE45M02UC or SHE55M02UC

KitchenAid KUDK03CTWH

Is there any advice that would be useful in choosing between these, or any personal experiences with these models? Or another model in this price range that is better?

We are both concerned about water and energy, so like being able to dry dishes without a heating element, the ability to wash partial loads using less water and energy, etc.

But most of all, we want clean dishes and a reliable and quiet dishwasher that will last a long time.

Thanks.

-Roger

Comments (14)

  • 17 years ago

    My vote is for the Bosch. We've had one going on 15 years with nary a problem. Not your listed model, of course. Most DW are pretty close when it comes to performance, energy usage, etc. Most are also quite reliable, except for KitchenAid, Asko, Maytag, and the worst by far, Fisher & Paykel. Good luck on your decision!

  • 17 years ago

    Bosch. I have had mine for 6 years with not a problem (knock on wood). It is extremely quiet, has a stainless steel interior, and heats its own water. KitchenAid has had reliability issues and is now owned by Whirlpool, whose customer service has gone waaaay down.

  • 17 years ago

    I have a Kitchen Aid Architect that is fabulous at getting the dishes clean. I had an older Bosch at my old house. It did not clean as well as my new KA does, but that could just be the age factor? The bosch I had left a lot of dishes still wet, but my KA gets everything dry. Also, I would get a lot of residue in the bottom of glasses and cups with the Bosch - I get none with the KA.
    Again, the newer Bosch DWs may not have any of these problems. I don't know. I do know that I really love my KA. I also have an Icon DW in my kitchen (yes two DWs) and it works beautifully, too.

  • 17 years ago

    The now 4 year old Bosch I have is the best cleaning DW I've ever had. And having hopped from house to house to house for a while, I've seen numerous, including a KA. I've never seen dishes come out so perfectly pristinely clean and gleaming as I've seen them come out of mine. Obviously, not all the dishwashers were of the same vintage but I am still simply delighted with my 500-series Bosch. Looks good, cleans brilliantly, dries really well (upturned cup bottoms notwithstanding). I'm happy with it.

  • 17 years ago

    Get the Bosch. I have the Integra 500 SHX55Mo6 and love it. It does a fantastic job of cleaning just about anything you can put in there.

  • PRO
    17 years ago

    having owned that exact kitchenaid, I'm a big fan of it, it's quiet enough and a very large capacity.

    Having worked with appliances for almost 10 years, I know bosch dishwashers are excellent and cleaning results are just as good. It'll be more water and energy efficient as well.

    And its made in the US, which is nice these days

  • 17 years ago

    The Kitchenaid has a dry cycle the Bosch does not

  • 17 years ago

    I've been highly disappointed with our KA dishwasher. I don't know if we just got a lemon. It is noisy, it has concealed controls where the buttons wore out and stopped functioning and we had the panel replaced, then we had the control panel fixed again and the detergent dispenser replaced. One of the racks is broken. It's a mess, and it's only about 5 years old. The pump seems to be going and instead of a repair, I'm going to get a new DW, likely a Bosch or Miele.

  • 17 years ago

    The Bosch doesn't need a drying cycle. Because the interior is stainless steel, the steam condenses on the stainless steel, instead of the dishes, and then drains away. Much more fuel and water efficient. It's not that it 'lacks' the function - it doesn't need it, because it's designed not to need it.

  • 17 years ago

    sara, FYI KitchenAid washers also have stainless interiors and they dry very well with the heated dry turned off, in which case there's not a lot to choose between Bosch and KA for energy efficiency. Since I don't use the heated dry, I'd agree that having that option isn't particularly important but then there's nothing wrong with options. One difference between the two that hasn't been brought up here: the KA is a couple of inches deeper than the Bosch, which for us seem to make for more loading options. I know it made a big difference with loading our particular dinner plates. I'd encourage the OP to take some plates to the appliance store and try them out.

  • 17 years ago

    Good information, I wasn't aware of KitchenAid quality problems. We did plan to take a couple of plates and bowls to the store when we look at the Bosch...I'm sure that the KitchenAid would be fine in that area. My only reservation about the Bosch at this point is the stories that I've heard about the dishwasher smell problems. We do have an air gap installed now, though, so that may or may not prevent us from getting that problem...

    We never use heated dry on the GE that we have that we're getting rid of, just "flash dry". That leaves plastic somewhat wet, so whichever of the above that we get, Bosch or KitchenAid will most likely be somewhat better *smile*.

    Thanks.

    -Roger

  • 17 years ago

    Checking back, we ended getting the Bosch SHE55M02UC. Much quieter than the old GE (no more banging and squeaking *smile*). So far we've used the Quick Wash cycle, everything clean and dry after "flash dry", and the "Auto Wash" cycle with "half load", again everything clean and dry.

    We can definitely tell that it's running, but it is much more background sound that we can tune out than our previous one.

    Got a long ways to go before we see how reliable it is, or see whether it gets noisier as time goes on, but very happy so far.

    Thanks for the information.

    -Roger

  • 17 years ago

    I am considering a KitchenAid dishwasher for my remodel. I noticed the vent on some of the nicer models is on top, which means it vents under the countertop. Does anyone have problems with this vent? Does is cause moisture to migrate to cabinets, or ruin anything? Just wondering! I'm new to this forum. Still deciding what to buy for the remodel....It's maddening.

    Thanks

  • 17 years ago

    I have a Maytag QuietSeries that vents on top and now underneath our new countertop is bulging. I'm in the market for a new dishwasher that doesn't vent out the top. Also, this quietseries isn't very quiet!

    It is very maddening.