I wouldn't classify dishwashers as being absolutely necessary - it's more of a nice to have with our busy lives but many people don't have the luxury and still manage.

I have a dishwasher and use it all the time. Saying that, when my dishwasher broke and I was without one for a few days, I found hand washing and drying dishes kind of cathartic! It was a good time to reflect on the day or enjoy the view out the kitchen window of chickadees in the bushes.
Also, I know this may sound strange, but I think hand washed dishes smell better.

We lived in a rental without a DW and fought over dishes. In the end, we asked the landlord if we could buy one and install it. It cost $300 and greatly added to marital harmony.

Try selling even a dump without a dishwasher installed.

son's and daughter in laws new house has no dishwasher, so it happens. they are looking forward to an eventual kitchen redo.

Another argument is that hand washing dishes does a much more thorough and cleaner job as dishwashers tend to leave behind "spots."

I won't even consider moving into a place without one that works.

Its not an absolutey essential...
but very nice to have...it frees a person to do other chores while the dishes are being washed..but not dishes go in the dishwasher..xxx

I mean not all..dishes

Yes, yes, yes...I have more interesting things to do than wash the dishes...

Had one in my previous home, don't one in my current home. I thought I would miss it, but I don't. I don't find having one really saved me any time, though it probably saved me water. May eventually add one to this house, but it really isn't a priority.

As gruesome as it may be, I would much rather be hiding my dirty dishes somewhere that isn't visible rather than having them pile up in the sink where everyone can see them!

I have lived 12 years with out one and never really let doing the dishes by hand bother me... Other than ruining a manicure quick! Our kitchen remodel is only a few weeks from getting underway and a dishwasher was on my must list... Even after out cabinet maker tried his darnedest to talk me out of it. Like others have said, just to get the dishes out of sight!

HI -- For re-sale absolutely , but personally I could do without one most of the time except holidays when extra people are over . They do prevent the spread of cold germs and sickness . We are currently looking at a 5 th wheel and it has a dishwasher drawer that I like the idea of that . And I would use it too . If you are doing a new kitchen either put one in or have a space for one to be put in later . I never had a dishwasher for years and managed . Never had one where I grew up ... Mom and I had a routine when hand washing the dishes and we would sing together ... best times !!

With our drought in Cali a newer dishwasher uses much less water, can sanitize dishes, and in the crazy market is a must if you are selling.

Yes! Emphatically, yes! Call me weird, but I absolutely cannot stand to put my hands into that water with food remnants...ewww! I have a long-handled brush for pre-cleaning before the dishes go into the dishwasher. And for me, everything goes in! If it's not dishwasher safe, I don't buy it!

A dish washer is a must have for me. I think dish washers do a far better job than washing dishes by hand. Since it's fairly new I never get any spots on glasses, utensils or dishes. It's so quiet we sometimes can't tell if it's on. If I have a lot of pots & pans, I'll run them through the dishwasher on a scrub setting if needed. Then run it again for the dishes. It's a huge help when entertaining. Once in awhile I'll do a high powered wash & have options for all types of cleaning choices. Frequently we just set it on air dry. We have lot of dishes & wait until it's completely filled. For the two of us it means running it every few days. Love my dishwasher!

well tried to have a poll on this once. It appears most of the world still washes their dishes before putting them in. which would do me no good at all. but I did finally get a great vote for 2 of them, one was a maytag (I think) The important one was a Bosch, costs less, and supposedly leaves no dried on particles - yeah! i would really like one of those countertop ones, but have no info yet.

Lisa, ewww!, why would you not rinse your dishes first? And according to the new rules, you are not supposed to preclean?!

I have owned 3 homes, no dishwashers in first 2. bought one once, guys insisted, no matter what we did after first year, stuff kept sticking. And yes, tried lemon and vinegar and all of it! Moved here, figure this one was a lot newer, same problem. So since, I am a bit desperate I am gonna save my pennies and try a bosch.

i got a new dishwasher 3 years ago. For 30 years I washed dishes, pots & pans by hand. Having a dishwasher that you don't need to pre-rinse is truly a miracle. All the time it has saved has given me the opportunity to eat bon bons whilst watching soap operas.

long time no see schmoo, so what kind is it?

kitchen aid <3

A number of years ago we were visiting a family, and the man of the house explained to us in great detail why dishwashers are unnecessary. After quite a while, my husband asked: "Who washes dishes in this house?" His wife's answer: "Not him!". It was rather memorable. For our household, a dishwasher contributed to much marital harmony.

Hi havingfun, I do rinse my dishes first, hence the long-handled brush so my hands don't touch the food. Since I am a renter, I don't have the latest dishwasher which allows you to skip the rinse/preclean. Maybe one day, when I'm a homeowner again, I'll have that luxury :)

Oh, and when I get to choose, it will be the quietest model available. Ours now is annoyingly noisy! And we all know what happens next, the TV gets louder :/

I bought a dishwasher but found it much more time consuming and annoying than washing dishes by hand. Can wash dishes quicker by hand and more cleanly than it takes to stack dishwasher. It really is the most useless invention ever.