Countertop Dishwashers - The Right Choice for You
Posted: Saturday, July 04, 2009
by Tameka Norris
Furniture for Small Spaces
Dishwashers are an essential and convenient part of a modern kitchen. They save time and are able achieve a constant standard of germ free cleanliness in contrast to manual washing. Due to their utility and subsequent demand dishwasher are available in a variety of styles and brands. They can be differentiated from each other by their suitability to different lifestyles, portability, technology, and installation requirements, including that of space.
Once you are clear about your requirements, you should do some research online as well as offline to find the basic as well as advanced features available in a modern dishwasher and their price ranges. Here we will provide a comparison of main types of dishwashers available.
Built-in Dishwashers
Built-in under the counter dishwashers provide easy operability and permanence. They are always connected to plumbing so does not require hooking up and does not monopolize faucet attached to kitchen sink when used. Given their location and options they can be made to jell with the rest of the kitchen décor stylistically.
There is a flip side to this however. They require special and expensive installation and may even require remodeling of kitchen in some cases. They take up space since they can range from eighteen to twenty four inches in width. Given the limited space available in a typical kitchen once this kind of dishwasher is installed the user may end up with hardly any free cupboard space below the counter. Additionally because they are not portable they are not suitable for people who rent their homes. They also consume large amount of energy and water.
Free standing dishwashers
Portable free standing dishwashers in contrast do not require special plumbing and installation. They can be hooked to any type of faucet when required using an adapter. They also have the same capacity, proportions, and options, as built-in dishwashers. They also increase the counter space, but they take up floor space. You must decide whether their advantages outweigh the cramping of kitchen space. Given their capacity they too consume large amount of energy and water.
Countertop dishwashers
Countertop dishwashers also called tabletop dishwashers are usually economically cheaper than both built-in and free standing dishwashers.
They do require some counter space close to the sink when used. They are normally so constructed as to fit between the counter and the standard overhead cupboard. This compactness allows for unencumbered usage of your kitchen and avoids any need for remodeling
While their capacity is limited, it is generally more than adequate to serve singles and families up to four, or in the standard measurement used in the dish washer comparisons, they have the capacity to serve four place settings, after a meal.
Countertop dishwashers like the freestanding dishwashers can be hooked up to any faucet using a simple adapter. In contrast to both manual washing and other dishwashers water consumption is comparatively low in a countertop dishwasher, amounting to about 2 gallons of water in an average run. Energy consumption is also low compared to other dishwashers.
Most countertop dishwashers have the usual washing options expected from a modern dishwasher; several wash cycles, ability to increase the temperature of generally unreliable home hot water supply to around 140 to 160 degrees to ensure sanitation, automatic rinsing, efficient rinse aid dispensing mechanisms, ability to program a delayed start so that washing will be done at the optimum times, stainless steel durability, and quietness, among others. They are also available in variety of exterior styles so that consumers can select one suited to their own kitchen décor.
Any downside to countertop dishwashers will depend on your personal requirements and capacity of your home. If you have the required space in your home you may be better off buying a built-in dishwasher with bigger capacity even if it will cost more. This is especially the case if the built-in dishwasher brand has energy saving features so that it can wash smaller amount of dishes with less water and energy.
However given the average size of a modern kitchen and the average needs of a small household, countertop dishwashers deliver great value for money for most people.
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