Whirlpool Dishwasher AdviceWHIRLPOOL DISHWASHER BUYING ADVICE Will your machine fit? Always check the available space where you intend installing in your kitchen and make allowance for some space at the back for ventilation. Will all your normal dinnerware fit into the dishwasher without crowding or hitting the spray arms. Dishwasher manufacturers have standard sizes that may not be yours, so extra large dinner plates or square plates may be a problem, so check. Remember that a full dinner party place setting comprises the large dinner plate, the soup bowl, a bread and butter plate, a saucer, a tea or coffee cup, at least one glass and usually a water plus one wine glass, two knives, forks, dessert spoon, soup spoon and a tea spoon. So will the machine fit 4 or 6 settings? Good question!
I suggest that you carry some of your normal dinnerware items to the store with you such as a large dinner plate and a tall glass, and do a practical test to make sure they both fit at the same time. Also rotate slowly by hand then spin the spray arms to verify that they will not strike the plate or glass. Do a practical check to see that the filters are easy to remove and also clean. Check the your dishwasher has all of the washing programs you intend using regularly. If you tend to use enzyme-based dishwashing detergents, then check the machine bio or an economy program that will wash dishes at about 50°C for the best cleaning results. Do you intend using a hot or cold water connection? You should check if a cold or hot connection is recommended for the dishwashing machine. If you will connect to hot water, then check the recommended maximum allowable hot water inlet temperature. You might actually require a tempering valve if the water is too hot. Sometimes a salt dispenser is required to soften the water if you happen to reside in a hard water area. Always check out the machine for a good energy rating. The more stars or higher the number the better it is. Also check what the star rating means, such as whether the rating is based on a normal wash, or actually based on a special or an ‘eco’ program that you will probably not use very often. Do you have limited installation space? Then perhaps consider a slimline machine that is narrower than a standard machine, or consider a compact dishwashing machine that can be actually be placed on a bench-top or built-in. The fact is that many people that have small kitchens tend to avoid the installation of a dishwasher. Some research suggest that the use of a dishwasher can cut your water use and costs in comparison with hand washing. WHIRLPOOL DISHWASHER BUYING ADVICE FOR THE DISABLED If you have problems with your hands or strength, then check out whether machine has light weight doors with latches that are easy to open and close. Test them yourself. Are the controls easy to turn and press, if you are sight impaired this is an issue, also if you have to bend down to do this it might be hard. Do the baskets slide in and slide out easily, and will you hurt your back doing it. Are the filters easy to remove, clean and replace? If you have poor vision, look for controls that are easy to read and that are large, well spaced and have a good contrast and well labelled so that you can ready them. Look for positive feedback functions such as lights or audible beeps along with any other tactile, audio and visual feedback that will make life easier for you.
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