The dishwasher is a must-have kitchen appliance. It saves you time when you are meal prepping, having large dinner parties or after feeding the family. Plus, the dishwasher never argues over whose turn it is to do the cleaning! Before you purchase your new appliance, consider which type is required. With a wide selection to choose from in either freestanding models or fully-integrated models, deciding can be difficult. Check out our top buying tips below, including videos on Top 5 Tips and the Dos and Don'ts in choosing the perfect machine:
Size
Be sure to measure your kitchen space before you go to the store to choose a dishwasher. A standard dishwasher is 60cm wide, with slimline options of 45cm. A slimline option is perfect for a small family or an apartment setting where your kitchen space is limited. A 60cm model can typically fit 12 or 13 tables place settings while a 45cm model can fit 9 or 10. Just note, you may struggle to fit some larger pieces of cookware in a slimline dishwasher. So, if your home does a lot of baking or meal prepping then a larger unit may be useful if you want to use the dishwasher to clean all your utensils in addition to the everyday dishes. Also, be sure to check if you need an integrated, semi-integrated or freestanding model. If in doubt take a photo of your current model or the space you want to put it in. Bring this with you to the store and our staff will be able to advise you.
Cycle Options
The cycle programmes you require will depend on your lifestyle. Quick wash options are great for entertaining, you can put the dishwasher on between courses to help keep the kitchen clean as you go. Longer eco washes use less water, electricity and are more economically friendly. You can also opt for an appliance with rinsing options for pre-wash soaking for very greasy items.
Auto/Smart Wash |
Eco Wash |
Quick Wash |
| The name of this feature can vary between appliances, but whatever you call it, it’s a very economic feature. The washer does a basic analysis of the load and adjusts the programme settings where appropriate. This is particularly useful for homes that need to run half loads. You save energy and water where possible and it helps to keep your bills down. | This wash is usually the longest programme to run on your machine. It will have the same results as the standard wash but uses less water and energy. As a result, they can take a considerable amount of time to complete. This is a good cycle for after the dinner is over, and you are about to put your feet up for the evening. Be sure to allow the cycle to fully complete the drying phase before you start to empty the appliance. | The quick wash is very useful for any home. It is particularly handy if you are entertaining and need to reuse dishes quickly. The wash cycle lengths vary between machines, but is usually about 20 mins. This is appropriate for lightly soiled dishes. Heavy dirt and grease should be soaked off beforehand or kept aside for a longer wash cycle. Also, the quick wash may not include drying the dishes so be sure to factor this in. |
Extra Features
Dishwashers often have some great extra features which may not be obvious when you first look at each model. Be sure to ask about any features that you feel would be beneficial to you. Our online and in-store staff will be able to give you advice on what each model has to offer.
Steam cleaning |
Delay start |
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| This is great for cleaning utensils, dishes and pots/pans and begins loosening soils before the powerful wash cycles begin to help eliminate stuck-on food or grease. Steam is introduced into the dishwasher during the Pre-wash part of the cycle. | Available on some models, the Delay Start option delays the start of the wash cycle with the time frame varying per model. This feature is great if you want to have the wash finishing just as you return home or wish to hold off starting until later in the evening. | ||
Pause-wash |
Time remaining indicator |
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| This feature lets you stop the wash mid-cycle to add an extra dish or a forgotten glass. Keep in mind that the dishwasher will only let you open the door when it is safe, so if you wait too long then you will still be stuck washing those dishes by hand. | This is very useful if you have a busy schedule. The time indicator will give an idea of the full time of the cycle, but depending on load conditions and the level of dirt, you may see the time "jump" as the dishwasher may find it only needs a shorter cycle to complete. | ||
Load sensors |
Water sensors |
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| This feature can adjust the length of your cycle depending on the load. So if you have a half load you won’t have to waste energy (and money) on a full-length wash cycle. | This feature senses the level of dirt particles in the water throughout the wash cycle and adjusts the rinsing as required. This along with other factors will help to save water, energy and money! |
Maintenance |
DID Protection Plan |
DID Installation Service |
| It is important to maintain your dishwasher regularly to ensure you get the best results when washing your dishes. Be sure to clean out cutlery baskets and drawers for any loose food particles that may have been lodged there during a wash cycle. You should also wipe down the seals of the machine with a warm cloth regularly to ensure no food has been trapped there. | Choose a DID Protection Plan powered by AIG and save yourself time and expense if an issue arises. Avoid having to pay for any large repair fee and service calls, get a replacement if your product cannot be repaired and minimise all stress or anxiety should anything happen to your appliance with our Protection Plans. DID Protection Plans are a complete warranty offering unlimited value for money. | Our fast, professional installation service is second to none. After all, 'install' is our middle name! Our team of experienced installers will complete your installation from start to finish ensuring the best performance from your appliance. Our installers are fully insured to provide this service and installation is available in most parts of the Republic of Ireland. |
FAQ
What’s the best way to load a dishwasher?
It Is generally best to keep the bigger items on the bottom and smaller ones on top. Plates, pots and oven trays can be arranged in the bottom of the appliance while cups and glasses and small cereal bowls can be positioned in the upper shelf. Be careful not to pack your bowls too tightly, this can prevent the spray arms from effectively cleaning them and you might end up with soiled dishes even after a full wash cycle. Also, be sure to check if your new appliance has a cutlery tray or basket. The trays are useful as they maximize space within the appliance while the baskets use space in the bottom shelves. Top Tip: When loading a cutlery basket be sure to put knives in facing down. This helps to prevent injury when emptying the appliance or reaching in to remove something.
How do I know what can be washed in a dishwasher?
Most kitchen items will have a label on their packaging letting you know if it’s dishwasher safe. Fine china, decorated ceramics and certain plastics are not recommended for dish-washing, so should be cleaned by hand. Check the markings on the underneath of the item if you are unsure.
How do I ensure glasses don’t get spotty or cloudy?
Too much detergent can cause spots and cloudy glassware. If glasses emerge cloudy or spotty, try halving the amount of detergent before the next cycle. Also, be sure to rinse excess food from dishes before you add them to the dishwasher. Very greasy dishes can also cause problems. If you have some greasy things try soaking them before the wash or pop them in first on a rinse cycle before adding all your glassware. Not allowing the drying cycle to fully finish can also cause spots on your glasses.
Why does the Eco Wash have the longest cycle time?
The length of a wash cycle does not necessarily determine how economical it is. The quick wash cycles can often be some of the most expensive to run and you may need to rinse dishes to ensure heavy soiling is removed. The eco wash saves energy by heating the water slowly over longer periods. This lengthened the overall wash time, but it is the most economically efficient way of washing your dishes. In some models, the appliance can use sensors to determine load sizes and monitor the dirt in the water. This allows them to adjust cycle times to accommodate smaller loads or heavily soiled items.
Do I need to put salt in my dishwasher?
If you live in a hard water area, yes, salt is important for your dishwasher so lime deposits are not left on your dishes or pots and pans after a cycle along with preventing limescale build-up in your machine, causing issues later on in the life of the dishwasher. Using all-in-one detergents with salt is beneficial but if you live in a very hard water area, it is advised to add extra salt separately.
Do I need to use Rinse Aid?
If you are not seeing any water spots left on glasses or dishes and have a dishwasher with good drying abilities, then Rinse Aid is not required. However, as wet dishes coming out of the dishwasher can be a frequent complaint, using Rinse Aid is beneficial to you. Rinse Aid acts as a water repellent on the surface of your dishes, so when it comes to the drying cycle, all water will have rolled off and your dishes and pots will have no water retained, making it quicker to re-use them after a wash cycle.
