OOPS...of *course* I meant to type 18 *inch* dishwasher, not 18 foot!

I have had two of them because my kitchens are so small it made more sense in both to have a 30" range and an 18" DW than a 24" range and 24" DW.

I did Not like my loud, featureless,apartment grade 18" DW. I Really Like my 18" Miele Slimline DW, and there are now some less expensive 18" options than Miele with some nice features and SS interiors.

I had one in my old house, and got rid of it when I re-modeled that kitchen. I didn't like it (was too small for the 2 adults living in that house). I also think it could negatively affect re-sale -- it would not work (IMO) with kids, and if I were looking at a house to buy now that only had an 18inch, I would be factoring in the cost of a re-model to my offer price. Good luck with your decision!

smbh: I considered the re-sale factor, which is my main hesitation, but I'll be dead at the time and don't think I'll be caring all that much. In thinking about it, the potential buyer could also take exception to the fact that there'll be only a 36" refrigerator (biggest one I've ever had personally, but small by today's standards). If my kids get a low-ball offer on the house, so be it! In the meantime, I'll have a symmmetrical layout and won't run out of clean dishes and flatware. As it stands now, I'm either running the thing half empty or, in the alternative, removing the dishes/flatware I need for a meal, hand-washing them, then returning them once again to the dishwasher.

palimpsest: I have looked at the Miele and the Monogram. Loads of features on both, more cycle options than I'll ever use, just like their 24" counterparts. Never change settings to anything other than regular wash anyway.

Thank you both for your responses!

Love our Miele, esp. the top rack which gets run daily & takes but a few minutes to empty. We would end up washing items in the 24"er b/c we would need them before it became full. We are a family of three in a two bdrm house. If you entertain a lot, you might want a bigger DW; we entertain close to not at all. Absolutely no regrets for getting a DW this size, but if we didn't have that third top rack, I might think otherwise.

I have had an 18" GE for the past 2 years (down from a 24") and really like it. Like you, I will be leaving this home feet first, so I'm not as concerned about resale as others might (and should) be. With the handwashing you do with the pots & pans, without having kids as an issue, I'd say go for the 18" and enjoy the symmetry!

I put an 18" Bosch in for my mom a couple years ago and she loves it

We're a family of 2 with a small galley kitchen. I could've fit a 24" model but would have given up cabinet space which was more important to me. I'm happy with the capacity of 18" model. No regrets so far. Like you, I handwash pots and pans and how many plates and forks can 2 people use?

No regrets with an 18" DW. Very happy with the Bosch. We're a family of 3. I have a long narrow galley style kitchen and didn't want to give up cabinet space for a full size model. The compact size is large enough for holiday feasts. I handwash pots and pans also.