Officially proven. If you wash at least 10 dishes in a sink per day, you use more water than the largest dishwasher. A dishwasher is a great way to save, so it is just essential in your home.

How to choose a dishwasher? What to look for when looking for the right model online? We will answer these and other questions in this article.

Where to build a dishwasher? 

One of the essential issues. You can smile when you hear it, because the answer "so in the kitchen" is not enough. First, find out where you will be building the kitchen. Whether you need to change your kitchen furniture or just park it near the cabinets.

Dishwashers come in three sizes: 

1. Compact. These are small table or floor dishwashers for 5-6 sets of dishes. They are very small, so they can be used in a farmhouse rental apartment or just built into furniture in a small kitchen.
2. Narrow. These are 80-90 cm high dishwashers for smaller quantities of dishes. It can wash 9-10 sets of dishes. They are usually built into furniture in small kitchens that save space. Ideal for a 2-3 person home.
3. Standard. Standard 80-85cm. Height. Standard width 55-60 cm and depth. They hold 13-15 sets of dishes.
When purchasing a dishwasher, pay attention to its future parking space. Then you can realistically see what you can choose from the dimesnions.

How do I put the dishes?   

Compact dishwashers have only one drawer to accommodate the pot, plates, poisons and glassware and cutlery. Sometimes you need to turn your head to fit everything so you don't have to wash your hands. Standard height dishwashers usually have two drawers. The lower one is for pots and pans and the upper one is for pots, glasses, small saucers. Tools are usually packed in a plastic bag. Dishwashers with three drawers may also be available. The third one is usually very narrow at the top and is exclusively for cutlery. Then there is more space at the bottom where the cutlery bag is usually placed.

Some models have adjustable drawer height, so if you do not have large saucers and lids for the pots, the second drawer can be slightly lowered. This would allow space for larger plates in the second drawer.

Why this strategy? In large families, such a dishwasher is highly appreciated, as there are 10 plates and several pots in the afternoon. 

How much water and electricity do I use? 

The pattern is clear - the longer you wash your dishes, the more electricity you use. Also with water - the longer the program runs, the more water. As a result, you should look not only at the energy class but also at economical water consumption. Some models may have 8 liters, others 11. When the dishwasher is able to save water and consume less water, the price is likely to change. When choosing dishwashers, consider how often you wash your dishes. Large families use the dishwasher almost daily. Medium (2 adults, 2 children) families - 3-4 times a week. A small family can benefit 1-3 times a week. This will calculate how much water you use per month for dishwashing alone. Of course, hand washing will make even more use of it... 

What programs should I use to wash dishes? 

All dishwashers have at least 5 standard programs:
1. Washing of very dirty dishes and pots with soaking in 70 degree water;
2. Standard washing at 60 degrees for one hour;
3. Eco Wash - Half an hour wash at 45 degrees Celsius;
4. Washing of glassware and glasses - lasts for 1 hour at 60 degrees;
5. Rinse with cold water - do not heat water, rinse and soak in 5-15 minutes. 

But that's usually not enough. Some dishwashers also have 8 programs. This means that some models have additional applications. For example, one of the most useful programs is silent washing at night. Before going to bed, you put in this long mode, which uses water and electricity sparingly, and works almost silently. Another function that is required in all dishwashers is dishwasher cleaning (disinfection). It shall be started up at least once a month, with the dishwasher empty.

The water is heated to 80-90 degrees, killing all the bacteria that builds up. Special dishwashing detergents can be used, which clean all grease not only from the dishwasher itself, but also from the drain system. Useful for frequent dishwashers with lots of food leftovers.

There may be additional drying programs, although drying is usually used in most standard programs. Such a drying function is needed when you are washing dishes during the party. You need to remove them and put them on the table, as you will no longer need to wipe the dishes. 

How do I control my dishwasher? 

There are two types of dishwasher controls - inside or outside the door. The control inside the door is for built-in dishwashers. In addition, there may be a special laser at the bottom of the door that shows the rest of the wash on the floor. Freestanding dishwashers are usually controlled by a control unit on the outside of the door. It can be button, wheel, or touch sensitive. On the small screen you can see the time remaining until the end of the wash, program selections and other information. An audible alarm will usually notify you when the wash is complete, but there may be other smart solutions. 

How much does a dishwasher cost? 

The answer is quite simple - 350-500 euros costs a big energy-efficient dishwasher. There are cheaper ones, but they don't have a lot of apps, not always conveniently controlled drawers. Manufacturers also save on certain parts, so cheap dishwashers may fail before the end of the warranty period. Of course, there are also more expensive dishwashers, costing more than 800 euros. It should be greatly appreciated if it is really worth paying for additional features that you may not be using. Of course, they look stylish and use quality materials. The fee for brand awareness should not be overlooked either. Miele, Siemens, Samsung are considered elite dishwashers. Candy, Whirpool, Electrolux, AEG, Beko, Bosch - medium and economy class dishwashers.

If we answered these questions, you can probably already decide what kind of dishwasher you need. Check your budget and get ahead. It pays to buy online more than in a real shop. By the way, online shopping is also a bargain!