aftermarket dishwasher rack?

8 years ago

I have a Bosch 500 DLX series dishwasher that works great - it cleans well and it's very quiet. However, I really don't like something I never really thought about when I was shopping.....I hate the arrangement of the tines on the lower rack. They're all angled and short - great for plates, but not great for tall things like pitchers, jars, mugs, serving pieces, and even pots.

Someone suggested I check to see if it's possible to buy a replacement rack with a different arrangement. Obviously I don't want to get a Bosch replacement, as this one is virtually new.......are there any aftermarket alternatives?

Featured Answer

barryv_gw

8 years ago

I don't know if I can help with your situation, but have a Bosch I liked, but hated the bottom rack because all the tines were close together and could not handle bowls. I did a ton of research by checking ebay, and found a Bosch rack from a different model that was the same dimension as mine, but a different layout, it allows deeper bowls on the left hand side, small plates on the right hand side, and large plates along the back, with a utensil rack along the right side. I bought that, and sold my original one on ebay, and have been much happier. It is a pain to do the search because everyone lists racks by model number or part number, not size, but if you send requests to sellers, some will measure them and let you know the size. I think there were less than a half dozen sizes, but numerous layouts over the years, and some were the exact size but have different options, such as allowing you to lay down some of the tines. Just checked ebay and saw there are many available - look for the location of the silverware tray in the photo, that should give you an idea of the layout.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (14)

bpath
8 years ago
I have a Bosch 800 series, and I agree, I really don't like the bottom rack! But I don't think racks are interchangeable, are they? They should be! Even my parents late great KitchenAid didn't accommodate newer racks.
Sammy
8 years ago
They don't have removable components that make way for, either be being removable or by folding down, large items and/or for accessory pieces? That seems odd given that Mieles are so flexible.
Related Professionals
Gainesville Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Milwaukee Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Chatham Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Lafayette Bathroom Remodelers · Eau Claire Bathroom Remodelers · Boise Bathroom Remodelers · Sheridan Bathroom Remodelers · Decatur Kitchen Remodelers · Tallahassee Kitchen Remodelers · Greenfield Kitchen Remodelers · New York City Kitchen Remodelers · Provo Kitchen Remodelers · Everett Kitchen Remodelers · Amherstburg Kitchen Remodelers · Vancouver Kitchen Remodelers
mtnfever (9b AZ/HZ 11)
8 years ago
do you think that a rack from a higher level Bosch might have differently arranged tines that you would like? If so, maybe you could "upgrade" just the bottom rack. I guess Bosch would have to agree to sell one separately or else maybe from a parts place like repairclinic.com (NFI).
Toronto Veterinarian
Original Author
8 years ago
" But I don't think racks are interchangeable, are they? They should be!"

I agree! I should be able to buy one to fit the size.....After all, it just rolls in and out on a metal ledge; it's not like the wheels fit inside a tunnel or anything.

Sammy, I have removed the cutlery basket already (and use the third rack for cutlery) - that helps a little. It might be all I can get. Maybe I need to measure the wheel base and then haunt a few used appliance places or something.
fillmoe
8 years ago
bpathome, were you snooping into my brain? I was just griping about our Miele not accommodating anything but flat plates, top or bottom. There is room for cups and a few glasses, but we use lots of shallow and medium depth bowls. It is difficult to arrange them so that the inner surfaces are exposed to water. I told my husband that we should try a Bosch next time; but, maybe not.
kris_zone6
8 years ago
Some of the tines in my Bosch fold down allowing for large or irregular shaped items.
Jakvis
8 years ago
The Bosch racks are interchangeable with only this exception. All the US built full Stainless Steel tubs racks are all interchangeable and all the US built Bosch Hi-Bred tub racks are interchangeable but you can't use the all SS tub racks in the Hi-Bred tubs or vice versa.
Toronto Veterinarian
Original Author
8 years ago
thanks, barry - I didn't consider ebay
bpath
8 years ago
Thanks, great idea! (The independent repairman who kept my folks' 1970 KitchenAid alive found some of its replacement parts on eBay...until he didn't.)
barryv_gw
8 years ago
At some point the parts supply does dry out. Actually, I got the idea from someone here posted about checking ebay for a rack. I didn't even realize they made different racks that were the same size but different layouts. It ended up not being very expensive, because I just reused the box the other one came in , and sold my used one and recouped some of the expense.
Susan Ellor
4 years ago
Great news! i ran into the same thing. I Hated that the tines on the bottom rack were bent at an angle because it really limited what I could use that whole section for. searching for a workable replacement online was onerous, so out of desparation I tried bending the tines… and it worked! I straightened them with my bare hands (no tools required) and they stayed how I put them. just saved a couple hundred and a lot of time.
User
4 years ago
Susan Ellor - how is that working out for you? I'm worried bending the tines would cause the protective coating to flake off. now that you've been using it like that for a few weeks, is the coating showing signs of cracking or anything? (look closely at the joints.) I want to do this so bad but I'm hesitant!
HU-789256251
7 months ago
I feel seen! HATE the bottom rack!!