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Dishwashers Demystified: Your Definitive Guide
Get the facts on pre-rinsing, loading, time-saving innovations and more, brought to you by Miele
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We take kitchen appliances for granted, but they’re so important to our day-to-day lives. Fridges keep food fresh, stoves and microwaves heat it up in a hurry, and dishwashers make cleaning up a breeze. In a 2015 poll on dishwasher versus hand-washing, 67 percent of more than 7,000 Houzz users said they used the automatic type rather than the manual method.
Back to basics. OK, so you probably have a dishwasher, but do you really know how to use it — that is, aside from the obvious steps of putting your dirty dishes in it and running a cleaning cycle? Did you know that you can use it to clean doggie toys (but not your steak knives)? Or that some models even let you monitor them from your smartphone?
Keep reading for the latest info and features from Miele, a global manufacturer of high-quality appliances, to get the most out of your dishwasher.
Keep reading for the latest info and features from Miele, a global manufacturer of high-quality appliances, to get the most out of your dishwasher.
Pre-Rinsing and Loading
Are you the type of person who thoroughly rinses every dish, fork and water glass before placing it in the dishwasher? (Editor’s note: guilty.) If so, we have great news for you: You can stop. Pre-rinsing isn’t necessary with higher-quality models, as the combination of the dishwasher’s water flow and one of today’s effective detergents is all you need to get things clean. Simply scrape off the solid bits before placing items in your dishwasher; it’s that easy.
Now that that’s been settled, let’s talk loading. Everyone has their own method, as those of us who’ve ever dared to place an item in someone else’s dishwasher know. There’s no official consensus, so keep doing what you’re doing. To get your dishes as clean as possible, look for a dishwasher with three independent spray arms.
As for the great silverware debate — handles up or down? — there’s also no consensus. A 3-D cutlery tray, such as the one seen here, allows you to load your silverware sideways and is adjustable by height, width and depth. If you have a traditional cutlery basket, be sure to put knives pointy side down for safety. As far as what you should and shouldn’t put in your dishwasher, see below for more.
Are you the type of person who thoroughly rinses every dish, fork and water glass before placing it in the dishwasher? (Editor’s note: guilty.) If so, we have great news for you: You can stop. Pre-rinsing isn’t necessary with higher-quality models, as the combination of the dishwasher’s water flow and one of today’s effective detergents is all you need to get things clean. Simply scrape off the solid bits before placing items in your dishwasher; it’s that easy.
Now that that’s been settled, let’s talk loading. Everyone has their own method, as those of us who’ve ever dared to place an item in someone else’s dishwasher know. There’s no official consensus, so keep doing what you’re doing. To get your dishes as clean as possible, look for a dishwasher with three independent spray arms.
As for the great silverware debate — handles up or down? — there’s also no consensus. A 3-D cutlery tray, such as the one seen here, allows you to load your silverware sideways and is adjustable by height, width and depth. If you have a traditional cutlery basket, be sure to put knives pointy side down for safety. As far as what you should and shouldn’t put in your dishwasher, see below for more.
Wash This, Not That
Unless you haul out heirloom china, sterling silver and crystal goblets on a regular basis, you probably wash most of your dishes and mixing bowls (ceramic, Pyrex, stainless steel), flatware and drinking glasses and cups in the dishwasher — and that’s fine. Other items that get the green light include stainless steel, silicone utensils and plastic cutting boards. Don’t forget to think outside the kitchen: Plenty of other household items — such as sponges, plastic toys, baseball caps and brushes (hair, tooth, makeup) — also can be cleaned in your dishwasher.
In general, wash any items by hand that are delicate or could be marred by strong detergents or high heat, including:
Unless you haul out heirloom china, sterling silver and crystal goblets on a regular basis, you probably wash most of your dishes and mixing bowls (ceramic, Pyrex, stainless steel), flatware and drinking glasses and cups in the dishwasher — and that’s fine. Other items that get the green light include stainless steel, silicone utensils and plastic cutting boards. Don’t forget to think outside the kitchen: Plenty of other household items — such as sponges, plastic toys, baseball caps and brushes (hair, tooth, makeup) — also can be cleaned in your dishwasher.
In general, wash any items by hand that are delicate or could be marred by strong detergents or high heat, including:
- Sharp knives
- Earthenware
- Lacquerware
- Aluminum cookware
- Insulated cups or mugs
- Wood utensils or cutting boards
- Nonstick, copper, cast iron or enameled pots and pans
Save Time, Water and Energy
Today’s dishwashers are a lot smarter than those made even a decade ago. Many are Wi-Fi-enabled and offer mobile apps that let you monitor your dishwasher’s progress from your smartphone or tablet. Some can even keep track of when supplies (such as detergent) need to be reordered. Flexible-timing features let you decide precisely when to start or finish a cycle. Look for a dishwasher that offers a quick-wash cycle; some can take less than an hour.
Recent studies show that dishwashers save water over typical hand-washing; some newer machines use less than 3 gallons per cycle. To save even more money and conserve water:
This story was written by the Houzz Sponsored Content team.
Today’s dishwashers are a lot smarter than those made even a decade ago. Many are Wi-Fi-enabled and offer mobile apps that let you monitor your dishwasher’s progress from your smartphone or tablet. Some can even keep track of when supplies (such as detergent) need to be reordered. Flexible-timing features let you decide precisely when to start or finish a cycle. Look for a dishwasher that offers a quick-wash cycle; some can take less than an hour.
Recent studies show that dishwashers save water over typical hand-washing; some newer machines use less than 3 gallons per cycle. To save even more money and conserve water:
- Don’t run your dishwasher until it’s full.
- Get a smaller machine, especially if you have a small household.
- Get one with “eco-friendly” or “economical” options.
- Look for Energy Star-certified machines.
This story was written by the Houzz Sponsored Content team.
Founded in Germany in 1899 with a single promise of Immer Besser a phrase meaning Forever Better, Miele has... Read More
Founded in Germany in 1899 with a single promise of Immer Besser a phrase meaning Forever Better, Miele has... Read More
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I love the Fisher and Paykel dishdrawers instead of a traditional dishwasher. I have two units which operate independently, they use only 2.4 gal per cycle, I don't have to wait to fill a big space to save water, plus they open like drawers so there is no more bending down, reaching back, or banging my shins into the open door. Lots of options exist for wash cycles, they are Energy Star, and super quiet. What's with only Miele being featured?
I have a new Miele dishwasher. Things I like: silverware drawer on top holds utensils horizontally, plus smaller items away from the heating element. It uses very little water. It’s very quiet. Things I don’t like: it takes a very long time to run-well over 2& 1/2 hrs- 3 hrs. Even though you don’t HAVE to rinse , I always rinse any dishes that had tomato sauce as everything comes out orange-tinged if I do not. Dishes that had fish on them will make the whole dishwasher smell like fish if not rinsed. Dishes are occasionally not as clean as with my old dishwasher (Bosch-before they got bought out). Dishes do NOT come out dry-no matter what cycle I run. It was very, very expensive.
Kathryn Ikeda - We use Miele dishwasher tabs (bought cheaper on ebay) and we have a whole house water softener. Our dishes come out the cleanest and shinyest of any dishwasher we have ever owned in 55 years of having a dishwasher. Now I also wash off the dishes before putting them in the dishwasher. My reasoning is that it is a dishwasher and sanitizer not a dish scrubber. Using a dishwasher on dishes with dried-on foods leaves spots using any dishwasher.