Progress does not stand still, and more and more often technology appears in a person’s life that can make housekeeping easier. Such a device was once a washing machine, and more recently a dishwasher was added to it. There is a lot of controversy surrounding the new device. Do you need a dishwasher? It is impossible to answer unequivocally.
The role of dishwashing equipment
Dishwashers appeared only forty years ago and have not yet managed to penetrate into every home. Many people think that this thing is not entirely necessary. Why buy expensive equipment if the same work can be done by hand? The logic is impeccable, but this is also what people in the past thought when they refused to use a washing machine. Nowadays it’s difficult to find a house where you can wash by hand.
The dishwasher is now in the same situation. According to researchers, a person using the machine frees up to a whole week a year, and using it for five years will save at least a month of life.
Advantages of a dishwasher
The dishwasher is underrated, and over manual labor it has many advantages arising from its functionality:
- Freeing up time.Now you don’t have to spend several minutes a day struggling with dishes, because in just an hour of cleaning in an accelerated mode, they not only have time to wash, but also dry. The machine operates in the background, so you can go about your business throughout the day and not be distracted by washing glasses.
- Unprecedented cleanliness. A person is not a dishwasher, and he tends to make mistakes, not noticing small stains and grease. With particular frequency, problems arise with washing away brown fragments from tea plaque. For the machine, all the dishes are “one size fits all”, thanks to which it is always kept perfectly clean.
- Hygiene. Washing dishes at a temperature of seventy degrees is not the most pleasant experience, but it is at this temperature that all bacteria die in a few minutes. The dishwasher copes with this task perfectly.
- An end to domestic squabbles. Now you don’t have to argue with your partner and explain to him whose turn it is to wash the dishes, because there is an assistant in the house.
- Consequences of feasts. Everyone wants to have a good time, but no one likes to spend several hours putting the house in order. The next day after the holiday will no longer be so terrible, because all you need to do is load the machine before going to bed, and take out the clean plates and glasses in the morning. The only thing left is to throw out the trash and continue to enjoy the saved weekend.
- Allergic reaction and skin diseases. Many housewives have problems with washing because they have to work with gloves. The reasons can be different: from an allergy to a chemical to skin diseases. There is no need to talk about manicures and extended nails; ordinary household chores turn into hell.The dishwasher does all the unpleasant work automatically and protects your hands from contact with reagents.
- Saving. Many people are put off by the price of a dishwasher, but in a few years the miracle of technology will more than pay for itself. The point here is not only the effort expended, but also the price of utilities. When a person is washing, he does not turn off the tap, and water flows continuously for several minutes. The dishwasher works differently: it simply circulates water in a circle, changing it only when rinsing.
- Summer wash. During hot seasons, utility workers love to turn off hot water. Freezing your hands in ice water is still a pleasure, especially when faced with an abundance of fatty residues.
- Quiet wash. Despite common misconceptions, a dishwasher does not create unnecessary noise. Of course, you can hear how it works, but the sounds produced are monotonous and do not get on your nerves with sudden creaks and crackles.
You can experience all the delights of a dishwasher only after purchasing it. The device has many time-saving advantages. Does the miracle device have any disadvantages? Alas, there are many of them.
Disadvantages of a dishwasher
The main difficulties arise with the washing process itself; it is quite subjective and largely depends on the quality of the dishes being loaded and the unit. In addition, future owners of the machine are faced with the unpopularity of the device, which makes choosing a model more difficult. The main disadvantages include:
- The machine is not omnipotent, and heavy contamination requires initial manual processing. It is worth inspecting the dishes and under no circumstances putting in plates with leftover food; they must be removed first.
- In normal mode, washing takes about two hours, sometimes it’s easier to wash a couple of glasses yourself. As a solution, we can propose the use of an accelerated cycle, reducing the operating period by an hour.
- Most classic kitchen sets have a standard layout. They are not designed to integrate a dishwasher, so before purchasing equipment you will have to think about its placement once again. Many people don’t realize, but the machine doesn’t have to be placed in the kitchen.
- Buying additional products, because detergent alone is not enough. The owner will have to stock up on mouthwash, tablets and salt. Together it will cost about a thousand rubles.
- The dishwasher is not the most common product. There are few proven brands; if you decide to save money, you can easily run into a cheap fake. Therefore, you need to approach the choice of device carefully, weighing the price and quality, understanding the functionality and reading several reviews on the Internet.
- The equipment is not able to cope with some contaminants. Traces of foam remaining on the pan can become problematic. In such cases, a steady human hand and a brush are needed.
- The energy consumption will horrify many. Even budget options can waste up to 100 W on washing. One more coin to add to the piggy bank's value.
- A dishwasher is in many ways similar to a washing machine: both in its advantages and disadvantages. Many people know that printed T-shirts run the risk of losing all their beauty after being automatically cleaned. A great analogy is mugs with stickers and prints. When mechanically processed they become pale.
- High price. No comments here. Many people are not ready to pay a couple of tens of thousands of rubles for something that they can do on their own every day.
Although there are disadvantages, they are not significant. To ensure that the dishwasher does not fail, it is enough to respect the equipment. It is important to understand that she is an assistant, but not a full-fledged housekeeper.
Who needs a dishwasher?
Based on user reviews, you can derive some statistics and determine for which groups of the population a dishwasher can make life easier:
- Young family. There are many reasons to buy a newly formed cell. Usually, young spouses have a growing child who needs close attention. There may not be any extra time left for washing dishes, so technology comes to the rescue.
- Big family. Having many children is not a vice until it comes to washing the dishes. Constant quarrels and disputes over cleaning have a sad effect on the interpersonal climate, so buying a dishwasher will be beneficial. The worst thing in such a situation is for a housewife who is forced to spend hours at the sink.
- Clean people who cannot stand the sight of dirty dishes. It is unpleasant for such people to dig through scraps and touch grease stains; it is much easier for them to pay for comfort and never think about the mess in the kitchen again.
- Owners of catering and small cafes. If there are few staff in the kitchen and they cannot cope, purchasing special equipment may be a good solution.
In addition to the groups listed above, the device can be a godsend for those who love to organize parties. Having gathered a dozen relatives at the table, the owner will no longer have to wash mountains of dishes. You will have to get a little dirty, but such sacrifices are not comparable to spending many hours cleaning used dishes.
A dishwasher will also be a lifesaver in the summer. During this period, the water is turned off with particular frequency, which forces you to wash dishes in ice water.It’s not a pleasant task; it’s easier to throw the kitchen utensils into the washing mashine and wait for it to be cleaned.
In what cases is it better to refuse to buy a dishwasher?
There are advantages to using a dishwasher that outweigh the disadvantages. Even the issue of price is called into question, since buying a device already costs a pretty penny, so it won’t be difficult to stock up on products that cost several hundred.
Despite its advantages, this miracle device is not suitable for everyone, which is why expensive equipment risks becoming a dusty piece of furniture. In a number of cases, you should refuse to purchase:
- To begin with, it is better to dissuade those who live in a private house. Often they do not have constant access to water, and the elixir of life has to be drawn from a well. With the installation of the machine, you will have to think about organizing the sewer system. These are unnecessary expenses that can complicate the life of more than one person.
- A dishwasher will be a useless acquisition for those who don’t really like to cook or are rarely at home. This is especially true for single people who do not have time to accumulate a mountain of dishes in a day. For a couple of two people, a compact model designed for desktop placement would be an excellent choice.
- The device is not suitable for those who have a small living space. The dishwasher is “cramped” in a small apartment, and after a few weeks the owners will begin to feel that buying another bulky device was a mistake.
So, if you don’t have a large family, you shouldn’t think about a dishwasher.
What are the most useful features?
All dishwashers, even the most budget options, have several operating modes. They may vary and change depending on the model, but the basic programs are available on almost any device. These include:
- Intensive wash.It takes about two hours, the water heats up to 70 degrees.
- Hygienic cleaning. In this mode, no detergent is used. The entire cycle takes 90 minutes. The water temperature stays between 60-70 degrees.
- A gentle cycle designed for washing fragile dishes. For example, from crystal. The water doesn’t heat up that much, the ceiling is 40 degrees. The whole process will take 95 minutes.
- Pre-rinse. It will take a couple of minutes.
In addition to performing its main function, the dishwasher is capable of more interesting things:
- Supplements Depending on the type of additional product, the washed dishes may look different. There are several acceptable combinations. For example, thanks to acidifying substances, a shine will appear on the crystal. On some models, it is possible to use a rinse aid, which allows you to completely rinse off the detergent and give the dishes a pleasant smell.
- Custom setting. Despite the fact that technology has several programs, the functionality of which covers most life situations, the owner always has the opportunity to personally configure the device. Not only the washing time, but also the water temperature can be programmed.
- Filters. Their use allows you to extend the life of the dishwasher. Three degrees of purification remain the most optimal.
- Basket. The quality of a dishwasher directly depends on the design of the loading part. Its design affects not only the cleanliness of the dishes, but also the comfort for which the device was purchased. A good basket includes various trays, compartments, and mechanisms that allow you to adjust the degree of tilt.
- Fast drying. It will be a revelation for those who cannot stand the formation of condensation on plates.
A dishwasher is an easy-to-use and incredibly useful appliance in everyday life. With the advantages and main functions clear, what about choosing a model?
How to choose a dishwasher
The first step is to decide on the type of model. There are usually three types of dishwashers:
- Built into furniture.
- Partially built-in.
- Stand-alone – tabletop or floor-mounted.
If there is little space in the kitchen, it is better to look at compact models. It is important to consider that not all headsets provide for the installation of additional equipment. In this case, it is worth looking at a separate option. Dishwashers have several main parameters that you need to focus on:
- Washing program. The best models have an accelerated and economical mode. The presence of the first is mandatory, since it allows you to spend half as much time on cleaning.
- Drying. Rather, it is in the nature of a pleasant bonus, but the presence of a “Turbo” mode is desirable.
- Basket capacity. An important criterion that determines the volume of the dish-holding structure. The best option would be from six to eight sets of dishes.
- Leak protection. This option is available on almost all modern models. The machine uses a lot of water, and no one wants to flood their neighbors. Breakage is unlikely, but anything can happen.
The choice of manufacturer remains equally important. If you believe user reviews, household appliances from Candy, Korting, Bosch, Weissgauff and Electrolux remain in demand.
Thus, a dishwasher is an excellent assistant, allowing you to save up to 8 thousand liters of water per year and up to 168 hours per year. Its use will eliminate contact with chemical reagents, which will have a positive effect on hand health.