Discuss Two dishwashers, anyone? on IKEAFANS.com. We're Personalizing the IKEA Experience. Two dishwashers, anyone? - Need help with planning your remodel? Want a kitchen planner to review your ideas? This is the happenin' spot!.
DH
and I have said that if we every redid a kitchen, we would put in 2 dishwashers. So, as I pursue this kitchen redo, he reminded me last night of this vow that we've made for the past 22 years, ever since the purchase of our first house (that kitchen was redone to get ONE dishwasher). Before children we would have many people over for dinner: the one washer never held all the dirty dishes -- now it just seems that we take the clean dishes out of the washer to set the table. The concept is to use the "clean" washer as a cabinet, the dirty one to load, wash and become the clean"cabinet" the next day.
Anyone out there who has done this? I believe one of our bloggers (?DanielCastro) took out one of 2 dishwashers. And yes, if I pursue this, I will be posting plans for suggestions for placement. Maybe concerning one full size and one 18"? Anyone out there with an 18" they are impressed with?
Thanks
DH definition
DH usually means Dear Husband (or, pick your own adjective starting with D).
My usual solution to the dinner-dishes problem is to make sure the dishwasher is empty before I clear the table...usually I run the cooking dishes while we are eating, then empty the
DW
and clear the dinner dishes into it. That gives me room for everything. Perhaps a single dish drawer in addition to a regular dishwasher would give you the flexibility you require?
DW definitions
DW can mean Dear or Darling Wife (or substitute your expletive), or alternatively DishWasher. Take your clues from the context.
I was in dishwasher world over the holidays (double dishdrawers in the kitchen, full size bosch in the pantry, single dishdrawer on the lanai), doing dishes every day after some very large parties. Here's what I thought:
--If you're going to have multiple dishwashers, be very very picky about where you put them. While you might have the energy to put the dishes into a remotely located dishwasher after a party, you will not unload the dishwasher if the clean dishes have to be hauled around to put them away. This was repeatedly proved out.
--A single dishdrawer is not that big. You could put 10-15 large glasses in it. That's some expensive washing.
--The double dishdrawer had trouble with larger plates and platters were a no go. If you entertain a lot and use platters or have oversized plates, I don't recommend the dishdrawer. I did not see how it performed on pots, etc., becuase we weren't doing heavy cooking.
--If I entertained as much as our hosts did (and you should NOT try this at home), I would have gone with two standard dishwashers in the kitchen- or put the second standard dishwasher in a concealed but much closer location that was not around a corner. I would also have put a single dishdrawer in the indoor bar area where a lot of glasses collected, but not out on the lanai where far fewer ended up. How does this apply to you? I don't know, but I needed to tell someone.
--I would also use integrated panels on two dishwashers flanking a sink to cut back on the appliance overload.
--I don't know how well an 18" performs- and I literally mean I don't know.
--I would have two dishwashers before I would have a range and double oven PLUS a warming drawer (different house). That bugs me.
Loading dishdrawers is a tricky skill, I'm told, but people I know who have them say that once you get it, you can put an awful lot in them:
The image I've linked (not mine--it's from a thread on loading DDs on another forum) shows 19 glasses of various sizes, 8 dinner plates, 6 dessert plates in one drawer.
I've had an 18" dishwasher before. The cheap ones are totally useless, but I believe the Mieles and such are supposed to be pretty good. I think there are a few people here who have smaller DWs who are pleased with them. My old Kenmore and the Roper that replaced it were both senseless.
EDIT It's true, though, that if you have large platters or chargers you should try them out before you buy, to be sure they'll fit. The drawers aren't as flexible as most of the newer regular DWs with adjustable racks and such.
Here's a link to dish drawer reviews- a mixed bag. If you have plates and glasses that are the size in the photo Harpy posted, they seem to fit okay- and that's what I experienced. If you have larger glasses and items that are larger, or more bowls, apparently not every one is doing a happy dance.
Only get two if you can afford two good ones. My in-laws got a "bargain" so they got two. Not such a bargain when you still have to rinse/scrub before washing! Consumer Reports tests dishwashers by cooking food onto plates, then sticking them straight in. Good plan .
Yeah, with the drawers you need to think about whether or not you can stand having to sort of plan where everything is going to go. If you'd rather just be able to sling it all in there, a regular
DW
will make you happier.
And I totally agree with NBeth about getting a quality one. The current crop of DWs all have their own little quirks, though, so I'd research them to find out what suits you the best. Some are quieter because they don't have any kind of grinder/disposal, for example.
DW definitions
DW can mean Dear or Darling Wife (or substitute your expletive), or alternatively DishWasher. Take your clues from the context.
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