Would you consider fixing the touchpad on the unit you currently have? Or is the dishwasher not performing to your expectations then it would make sense to replace it.

Non-electronic controls limits the choices although there are some available. They're typically lower to lower-middle line models, which is not to say they can't do a reasonable job.

For a good performer with physical buttons and a low to mid price point, you might try one of the Bosch 300 series D/W's

We've had to have it fixed numerous times already. It's not worth it. I finally got it to run a cycle today but only on heavy duty.

Understood. As Jakvis mentioned there are few options in the middle range of dishwashers without touch controls. Would you be ok with buttons? I am not clear if your current model is buttons or touch controls.

Good luck!

Aren't the Bosch pushbutton models still electronic (control board and such behind the buttons)? Is RuthZ looking for an electro-mechanical, fully non-electronic unit?

I'm not sure anyone is making a 100% mechanical button & timer anymore.

I read RuthZ's post and thought her concern was the sensitivity of the capacitance touch pads. "I would like one that does not have the electronic touchpads." So I assumed that physical Push to engage buttons is what she is looking for regardless if they have a PC board behind them.

Yes Jakvis, that is my biggest concern. I'm looking for something with buttons or knobs. Yes, I did find one with a real knob that you turn, although I don't think I would like it. I'm sure they all have a PC board somewhere, but I'm hoping the touchpads is the biggest problem.

The Bosch 300 series looks like one I would like, but some reviews complained about dishes still being soapy and not clean.

Are you maybe thinking that there is an endemic problem with Bosch 300 dishwashers because some folks have complained about "soapy and not clean" dishes? If so, maybe I can offer some reassurance.

Some people do run into those kinds of problems and you certainly can find bitter posters who are absolutely convinced that Bosch is deliberately palming off defective pieces of $h!+ and they're never going to buy anything from that #@$%&&ed company again!!!!!!

Some folks certainly have received defective units. Sometimes a component or pump may fail so that a cycle does not complete. Some of those failings are inevitable: lemons escape quality control with every manufactured product. That is what warranties are for.

If you are reading reviews on vendor sites, be aware that a lot of DWs get sold every year and that unhappy customers are more likely to post something than satisfied customers.

That said, problems like "soapy and not clean" can have and often do have causes other than bad DW design. From postings here, such problems (with various brands of DW) often turn out to be related to the chosen brand of DW detergent. For one thing, detergent formulations have been changing over the last decade, and some brands have taken wrong turns for a while with their new formulations. Sometimes, the problem has been a particular combination of the local water with particular detergents. For "soapy and unclean" problems, a change of detergent brand often solves the problem.

Sometimes folks have been using too much detergent. (Just because the dispenser can hold three or 4 tablespoons of detergent does not mean that one should use that much.) Other folks, appalled at the very idea of rinse aids, have refused to use them which can sometimes impede the effectiveness of rinsing.

Sometimes the cause of problems has been installation mistakes and/or drain clogs which keep the dw from draining properly. Sometimes, it has been something else like inadvertently tilting an adjustable rack or otherwise leaving something hanging that blocks a spray arm.

I could go on, but the point is that there does not seem to be a widespread design problem with the Bosch 300 series DW design leaving dishes soapy and unclean.

FWIW, I've had one of the new 300 series models for three months now and
have never seen anything like "soapy and not clean."

On the subject of overly sensitive controls, my new 300 model is one of the models with the buttons on the face of the front panel. That portion of the panel is angled back into the door front, enough so that it is protected from being "brushed" by a passerby or somebody leaning against the counter. Not that brushing the buttons does anything. Also, once a cycle starts running, only two of the eleven buttons can affect anything. Those are "on/off" (leftmost button) and "start" (rightmost button.) You must actively depress them to accomplish anything. Mere brushing does nothing. Depressing the "on/off" button is what you do to temporarily stop the machine when you want to open the DW to add or remove something from the DW while running a load. The "start" button can be depressed to cancel a cycle and drain the DW, but you not only have to actually affirmatively depress it, you must hold it down for at least 3 seconds before anything occurs. Does that sound like what you are looking for?

Would you consider the buttons on the top (fully integrated)? Then you couldn't be bumping the controls while it is running unless you open the door -- in which case it will be opening the door that stops the DW from running. It has the bonus of giving a smoother appearance on the front.

Buttons on top are okay as long as it's real push buttons and not a touchpad.

I looked at different models and decided on Maytag model MDB8959SFZ. I came home and read reviews on it and too many complaints on door not closing good, leaks, and long wash cycles.

So it's back to looking. I've never owned a Kenmore dishwasher, but have been happy with their refrigerators and washer/dryer. So I think that's where I'll look next.

Ruthz,

What is your budget? Before you make a decision, take your dishes to a local showroom that carries the dishwashers you are interested in and test them out. This will help narrow down the choices. I think the Bosches are have different baskets available in the different models similar to the Miele. I personally would not buy a dishwasher that did not have a cutlery drawer since I have had one for over 20years and the organization and cleaning of the utensils is much easier. It also makes more room available in the lower baskets. What are your requirements for a dishwasher? This will help narrow down your choices too!

Good luck!

Even if you find buttons, you are relying on electronic switches behind them. I think you are limiting your search in a way that may not assure you the quality you desire. Buttons with gaps around them are more prone to moisture and "gunk" getting behind them -- not good for the electronics, and they rely on physical motion pieces (springs, etc) that are additional parts that can wear out. My new Bosch has a solid control strip with no bottons, no elevated areas at all. I kind of preferred the control panel on the lower model --more like the buttons on my old one, but that moddel lacked features we needed. And DH Liked the clean strip control panel, so we went with it and trusted Bosch to make it work. It does work well -- and stays neat and clean. It will never stick because somone's wet hands or a gunky plate or bowl dripped something into the edge of a button -- had that happen with an older one. Remedied with a cleaning, but something that's easier with the new one. I wouldn't hesitate now.

You say your KA has been a problem from the beginning. They call that a lemon. It is not neccesarily and not usually and indication that the general design concept is bad -- especially one used so broadly in the industry. The source of the problem may be in the orgingal build and be behind the control panel. Electronics can be goofy that way and the repair industry doesn't generally look beyond the first tier of replaceable parts. Ditch the lemon, but get something solid.

Kenmore doesn't make anything -- they are all applainces made by manufacturers, usually with a feature or two different from the name branded model, and sold under the Kenmore name. That doesn't mean do or don't buy them, but keep it in mind when comparing features, prices and service issues (Sears uses A&E for warranty repairs and in my area they are beyond bad).

You guys are so helpful. Thank you.

No set budget, but I'm sure we won't go over $800.

lascatx, (Buttons with gaps around them are more prone to moisture and "gunk" getting behind them -- not good for the electronics, and they rely on physical motion pieces (springs, etc) that are additional parts that can wear out.) good point. I had not thought of that. There are some that have the panel with slightly raised touch controls. Maybe that would be a good alternative.

Is moisture not an issue with the controls on top??

I often open the door about ten minutes after the dishwasher stops running a cycle. It seems to help with the drying process.

Ruthz, I have touch-controls on top of my Bosch 800 series and I also leave the door cracked to help with drying. I have had that DW for 2.5 years with absolutely no issues. (It replaced a 20-yr old GE that wouldn't die... until it did.) List price was >$1000 but I got it at a price within your budget during a local promotion.

Note that the touch controls on top really can't get bumped - even when the door is cracked, they're recessed about an inch below the top of the door - so the problem you were having with your current DW shouldn't be an issue.

I have a ten year old Bosch 800 series with the top buttons that have some gap around them. I have had one get slightly stuck, but not to where a firm push and a wipe with a damp cloth didn't resolve the issue. I have a one year old model (Benchmark) with the solid strip panel that has had no issues so far -- just a llittle learning curve to figure out how to best load the 3 rack model as opposed to the two rack model. That happens with every new DW -- the racks get revised, but we are going back and forth on a daily or every other day basis.

For a Bosch under $800, the options are the new 300 series models. These have features comparable to the previous 500 series; tall tub, three racks (silverware rack on top but comes with with an optional tableware basket in case you prefer that.) You can get a 300 with top-of-door controls, with front of door controls, and/or with a panel ready design. At places like Lowe's, the white and black versions are running about $675, stainless models about $720, and the stainless models or panel-ready models with the on-top-of-door controls are, IIRC, about $765.

You might or might not need to buy a couple of accessories depending on the kind of waterline connection you have and whether your existing dishwasher is hardwired or plugs into an outlet. If you do not already have a "3/4"-hose-thread-to-3/8"-compression fitting" --- not sure if KA had them six years ago --- appliance vendors and hardware stores stock them for $10 to $12. For the electrical, Bosch supplies a box and cord for a hardwired connection but, if you need an outlet connection, there's another $20 charge for a plug-in power cord.

I really wouldn't worry about top buttons because all the manufacturers have thought about the water around the buttons so they have seals under them to keep the water out of the switches and electronics

I just bought a new Whirlpool Gold (WDT720 PADM) about three weeks ago. It replaced a Maytag that barely rinsed dishes (forget about actually cleaning dishes) with rusted racks that I had suffered with for way too long. I've had it about three weeks and, so far, I'm thrilled with it. Quiet (51 dBA). Cleans crusted peanut butter off spoons and bowls. Heated dry option.

Control panel is on the top edge of the door (not the front). Very intuitive & easy to use. I'm leary about the electronic controls but I decided to just accept that they're pretty much a fact of life anymore.

Home Depot has it on sale for under $400.

Whirlpool Dishwasher

I bought mine at Menard's when it was priced on sale at $395. I had a gift certificate and a bunch of Menard's rebate checks to redeem so I was out of pocket only around $150. I hope it holds up because I love how quiet it is and how well it cleans.

Don't give up on electronic controls because a manufacturer may not have executed yours well enough. I have the lowest end Miele and after 3-1/2 years it has been flawless. Bosch also gets rave reviews here. If you are a do-it yourself guy, there are a few things to investigate first prior to going Miele.

Laundryvet

I am not surprised to read ruthz's complaint about those Kitchenaid touch sensitive buttons. There are quite a few owners complaining about those type of buttons in online reviews for Kitchenaid dishwashers.

If I hadn't bought my Bosch 2 years ago, I would have gotten the same dw ci_lantro got: the whirpool gold. Top rated by consumer reports for longevity, performance, and value. And <$500.

Like cil-antro and salex, I have been thrilled with our Whirlpool Gold for the last three years. It was $400 and could not clean any better. It fits a lot of dishes. We don't use the heated dry option. We "select" until neither drying option is illuminated, which allows the "air dry" option. Never had a problem and hopefully I am saving energy.

Just an FYI, while those domed "tactile feedback" buttons feel great in the showroom floor, those types of devices have a small fraction of the life of a standard vented spacer switch, the ones that are flat and without a bubble above them.