Dishwasher Tips For The Buyer

So, you think you need a new dishwasher, but you don't know the why, where or how. Lucky for you we have a few basic pointers as to what to look for in a new dishwasher. So whether you've never owned a dishwasher before or are an old pro at buying dishwashers, there should be a few handy tips in here. Let's just start off by saying, that you've made a great choice in getting a dishwasher at all. The modern models available are very water and energy efficient, plus have the extra benefit of being able to disinfect your plates and cutlery in a way you could never do by hand.

The Many Types Of Dishwashers

Actually, there really aren't that many basic dishwasher types. There are two basic types, and they are portable, and undercounter. The manufacturers will hype a bunch of differences between the two, but there's only one good reason why I would buy a portable. If I was living in a rental accommodation like an apartment, and I wanted to take the dishwasher with me when I left. Otherwise, an undercounter takes less space, and blends in much better with your existing kitchen. I suppose if money is a concern, then a portable wouldn't have the installation costs that an undercounter would have.

Does Your Dishwasher Perform?

One of the biggest factors to influence the performance of your dishwasher, is the temperature of the water it is using. Manufacturers usually recommend that the hot water a dishwasher uses, be around 135 to 145 degreesfarenheit . If your water heater is not sending water to the dishwasher that is at least 120 degrees your dishwasher will under perform. Check the water at the tap nearest to your dishwasher with a thermometer to find out what temperature your dishwasher is using.

Size Does Matter

Consider the size of the dishwasher you'll need. A family of two will need a smaller dishwasher then a family of six. Even if you have enough dishes to allow a family of two to wait over a week to run the dishwasher, it's probably a bad idea to buy a bigger model. Dishwashers should be run at least once a week to keep them lubricated, and to prevent the seals from drying out. A smaller family should just get a smaller dishwasher, and run it more frequently.

Running Out Of Gas

In these days of energy conscious thinking, we should all do our part in minimizing our energy uses. While all dishwashers are required by law to meet minimum federal energy requirements, some do even better. Dishwashers with the ENERGY STAR logo, will use a minimum of 25 percent less energy than those who don't. Your great great great grandchildren will thank you.

So, that should be enough to get started in the wonderful world of dishwasher shopping. Keep looking around till you find the one that fits your needs and lifestyle.

Read more great information on your kitchen design and kitchen cabinets , visit http://foolishmumbles.com/2006/09/29/dishwasher-buying-guide/

How To Save Big Money On Fridges, Dishwashers, Washing Machines, Tumble Dryers

Everyone likes to feel that they have got a bargain when they buy something new, particularly if it’s something expensive like a fridge or washing machine. One tried and tested method is to shop around, and the Internet has taken a lot of the hassle out of this. You can now compare prices at several different retailers from the comfort of your own home. As well as specialist on-line retailers of domestic appliances, most high-street retailers now have an Internet site where you can check their prices.

However, when they are buying a fridge or washing machine, most people only factor in the up-front cost, and don’t think about the cost of the electricity that it takes to run the appliance over its lifetime. And this can add up to a surprisingly large amount. In fact, sometimes the savings from an energy-efficient fridge or other appliance are so great, they will almost cover the cost of buying the appliance in the first place! So when it comes to replacing appliances, you can actually save the most money by buying an energy efficient model.

Take fridges and freezers, which are the hardest working appliance in your home. They are on all day, every day of the year. They can account for a quarter of your electricity bill. If your fridge or freezer isn't energy efficient, you could be paying through the nose. New energy saving fridge freezers use two thirds less energy than other models and can save you up to £45 a year on your bills. So when buying a fridge freezer, you should look for the most energy-efficient.

Dishwashers are now thought to have about the same environmental impact as washing up by hand. They use electricity, but use less water and water heating. The balance is tipped in the dishwasher’s favour if you use an energy saving dishwasher. To run a cycle on an inefficient appliance costs around 16p but to run the same cycle on an energy saving machine will cost you only 9p. A difference of 7p per wash. Energy saving dishwashers use 40 per cent less energy which should equate to around £20 off the average electricity bill each year.

The average washing machine does around 1 wash every weekday, and wastes a very large amount of energy. Buy an energy saving washing machine and you can use a fraction of the energy of old energy-hungry models. Again this can equate to a saving of around £20 from your electricity bill. The same applies to a tumble dryer, where the most energy efficient models will save you around £15 per year over standard models.

Alex Perry is a founder of DownwithCO2.co.uk, which helps people cut their personal contribution to climate change through providing information and contacts.

The Benefits of Counter Top Dishwashers

Counter top dishwashers are obviously small and compact and the ideal appliance when having a high turnover of plates and cutlery on a daily basis, warranting daily operation of the dishwasher.

The advantage of small versus big is that it uses less energy, and water, besides the fact that it come in handy to clean smaller loads as opposed to regular sized dishwashers whose capacity will require rinse and hold options, to be able to work a full load.

Counter top dishwashers tend to be that much cheaper since they are meant for light washing of plates and crockery and the occasion pot or pan. Singles and small families living in tight spaces can best answer the question why buy a counter top dishwasher, these appliances fitting into small spaces and providing effective cleaning solutions for every day use.

Of course, these top counter dishwashers may not exactly come with the complex and sophisticated computerized controls seen in regular free standing or built in dishwasher models. Regular cleaning and routine maintenance will obviate the need for features like water softeners, water cleanliness sensors etc.

Understanding the processes in a dishwasher is a good way to ascertaining causative factors when your compact dishwasher is functioning at less than optimal levels, with most problems occasioned by mineral build up from hard water, or clogged filters easily fixed with cleaning. Mostly working with a mechanical dial and timer, these countertop dishwashers problems are incapable of developing complex problems and repairs can easily be undertaken without the need for professional service.

Semore Bernstein

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5 Commercial Dishwashers To Consider

There are dishwashers designed for home use and for commercial use. Not only is the price significantly different the level of work they perform is too! So what are your choice? Here are 5 commercial dishwashers to consider.

1. Jet Tech 747 High Temp Dishwasher
This dishwasher comes in around the $6000 mark and it is completely automated. The wash cycle occurs at 150F and the rinse at 185F so it meets all the health regulations. It has a dual thermostatic control and it is capable of 50 racks per hour so this will keep up with your demands.

It has double wash motor pumps which give it the extra strength. All components are stainless steel including the wash tank and hood and it is thermically sealed. The insulation will keep the heat confined in the dishwasher and it also keeps it quiet. It has a 6000 watts booster element.

2. CMA Under Counter Low Temp Dishwasher
This dishwasher has 24 racks with as much as 96 covers per hour. It's extremely economical to use because it uses only 1.7 gallons of water each cycle. The stainless construction will offer a long life with trouble free operation.

It has a unique spray arm system that has a reinforced end cap. All the electric components are found in the drawer and the pump drain is designed for flexible installation.

3. CMA High Temperature Under Counter Dishwasher
This high temp dishwasher costs around $3500 and it will sanitize as it washes and rinses with the built in 6 kw booster. It has an external scrap accumulator, pumped drain, filters and traps for debris, and it all lands in a drawer that is very easy to remove and clean.

It has an upper and lower rotating wash arm so your dishes get excellent coverage. There are no plastic parts to break. This one is definitely designed to last.

4. Fargo Under Counter Glass Washer
This high temperature glass washer has a built in boost. You can wash up to 30 racks per hour so this is a great choice for the smaller demands. And it costs only around $2500 which is considerably less than some of the slightly larger models.

It is made from heavy duty stainless steel with sanitizing wash, and a cool water rinse system. The drain pump is built in and there is a valve to prevent overflowing. It comes with an electric tank heater and low water protection so you won't damage it when the water stops flowing. The wash and rinse cycles are automatic

5. Fagor Commercial All Purpose Dishwasher
Sells for around $3400 and this heavy duty stainless construction won't let you down. It has a built in detergent pump, electric booster heater, and it has a hot water rinse. The electric tank heater will ensure an optimum hot water supply at all times.

It has a built in rinse dispenser, door safety, and it can do as many as 280 trays per hour or 1400 cups and glasses so this will meet the needs of a medium size venture.

These 5 commercial dishwashers are definitely worth considering. Of course there are plenty of others that are worth looking at so set your budget and start shopping online.

Dan is a part-time appliances repairman and with his dishwasher website at http://www.alldishwashers.com , he gives reviews of both commercial and residential models and states common problems that he encounters with each one, with solutions! To learn more visit the dishwasher reviews website.

How to Repair Your Dishwasher

 

Your dishwasher isn’t measuring up to the price you paid for it. The dishwasher might not even turn on, the dishes aren’t getting clean, or the machine won’t even drain. What do you do? Instead of calling the repairman, you can save a bundle and try servicing it yourself. Open up the kick panel in back and get to work, carefully following these dishwasher repair tips:

1) If your dishwasher doesn’t seem to be working at all, first check the plug and the circuit breaker. If these are working, check the door switch, timer, and selector switch. If any of these three items are broken, replace them. If all of these check out, the problem is internal and the wiring must be replaced. Call a technician.

2) If the dishes aren’t getting clean, there might not be enough water coming into the machine. There might even be no water at all. Check the water shut-off valve under the kitchen sink to make sure it’s on. Otherwise, the machine might have a faulty internal water valve and will need professional service. Before you call to get the internal water valve serviced, however, try checking the spray arms for clogs, and unclogging them by hand if necessary. Once you’ve done this, see if the water is hot enough. Cool or cold water won’t clean dishes. Be sure the water temperature is at least 120°. If your dishes still won’t get clean, try adding soap to both soap cups. Furthermore, if there is a smoky film on your dishes, it means your water is “hard”. You will need to clean your dishwasher with a dishwasher cleaner. Use one that is specially formulated by your dishwasher’s manufacturer, or use a quality cleaner such as Washer Magic, Dishwasher Magic, Glisten (which also acts as a deodorizer and can be used in any porcelain-lined machine or tub), or Glass Magic.

3) If your dishwasher won’t drain, there are seven lucky things you can do before calling an expert. First, check the air gap of the sink, near the faucet, and unclog it if necessary. Unscrew the top cap and rinse it well. Second, check the drain hose leading from the air gap to the garbage disposal. Clean it out and reattach it. Third, if your dishwasher uses a belt to drive the pump, and the pump doesn’t seem to be working, try replacing the drive belt. It may be broken or stretched out. Fourth, for models that have both a wash impeller and a drain impeller, the drain impeller might be broken, either at the shaft or at the blades. Replace the broken parts of the drain impeller. Fifth, some dishwashers use a drain solenoid to drain the water. This might be stuck. Try loosening it by hand. If that doesn’t work, replace the pump assembly. Sixth, perhaps the motor is stuck. Try getting the motor going by spinning it by hand. If that doesn’t work, replace the motor. Finally, if the wash timer is busted, you’ll have to replace it.

If you follow these basic tips, you’ll have a good, solid start in becoming a dishwasher repair expert on your own.

Dishwashers Info provides detailed information on standard and portable dishwashers, dishwasher parts and repair, and reviews of the best dishwasher manufacturers and products. Dishwashers Info is the sister site of Water Softeners Web.