Once you’ve had a dishwasher, it’s like torture going back. It doesn’t matter how messy a cook you are; you just pile all the dishes in and press the magic button. If your budget allows it and your kitchen has space, a dishwasher is a must.
There are several kinds of dishwasher: The most common type is built into kitchen counters and often has a front panel that matches the other kitchen units. But there are also portable models that you can wheel in when you need them, as well as “drawer” style dishwashers and even compact counter-top dishwashers for smaller kitchens.
A basic dishwasher will cost up to around 300 USD, and will focus on the important task: cleaning dishes. Pricier models offer all kinds of luxury features and more-elaborate cleaning programs, and can cost anywhere up to 2,000 USD. You just have to decide which features you really need – common options include adjustable racks, variable shelf heights, pre-rinse cycles, and self-cleaning programs. The number of spray arms is one of the factors that directly affect the dishwasher’s cleaning ability: The more spray arms, the better it cleans.
Eco-friendly models have emerged in recent years, so if you want to save energy, buy a more-recent model with an eco mode – or a delay timer so that you can set the wash to run during the night when electricity is cheaper.