5 Essential Questions to Ask Before Buying a Freestanding Dishwasher
While good old elbow grease and soapy water up to your armpits may still be the way things are done in your parents’ house, modern kitchens benefit from the much-loved dishwashing machine!
Once thought to be a luxury appliance, integrated or freestanding dishwashers have become one of the most must-have kitchen appliances.
They are not only a time-saver, but they also offer a superior clean for your dishes - much better than a wash and dry with some tepid water and that old dish towel you keep meaning to toss!
Whether you are in the market for an upgrade, or new to the wonderful world of dishwashers and have been contemplating the best dishwashers in South Africa, you have come to the right place. Keep reading as we put together a list for you of the essential questions you should be asking when buying a new dishwasher.
1. How Does it Fit?
You may be looking at your kitchen space and pondering the fit of a freestanding dishwasher. After all, if you have an older house, it was not designed to take all the modern appliances of today.
But don’t despair! A dishwasher, freestanding or integrated, can be fitted into almost any kitchen. You just need to find the right dishwasher for your space - there are such a variety of different size dishwashers to compare, it is only a matter of time before you meet “The One.”
Where Do You Want it In the Kitchen?
First things first. If you could pick any spot, where would you want your dishwasher to go? Think carefully about the flow of your kitchen here, as a dishwasher needs to be easy to access but also not be tripped over if left open.
Once you have settled on a location, you will be able to judge what size dishwasher you can fit into the space. Maybe it is a 14 place setting model, maybe it is a compact dishwasher that sits on your countertop.
You are about to significantly reduce your manual dish wash times no matter what you choose!
Smaller Sized Kitchen or Utility Area?
If your space is on the smaller side, then a fully integrated dishwasher may be a better idea. Popping your new appliance somewhere such as under the sink or a kitchen countertop is a great space-saver.
Corner spaces are another area that often goes unused in a kitchen because of accessibility but may be the perfect spot for your new machine.
Another idea is to hide your dishwasher inside a cupboard - this works particularly well with a slimline dishwasher and is a nice way to integrate it into the kitchen design. (Also may come in handy when your mother-in-law comes to visit and turns her nose up at your “lazy” washing up style!)
Colour Me Outstanding
Colour plays a big role in how kitchen appliances fit into a room. If you have a clean modern kitchen and want to keep the theme with your dishwasher white or stainless steel are good choices. Stainless steel has the added advantage of being easier to clean!
If you tend towards the statement look, then opt from something that will stand out visually without standing out physically! A Beko dishwasher like the BDW 100 Black Glass 15PS is the perfect statement dishwasher.
Beautiful, right?
2. Do Freestanding Dishwashers Need to be Plumbed In?
The best thing about a freestanding dishwasher is that it can be placed just about anywhere you want it. If you have a drainage point and a water connection, the how-to of hooking up a freestanding dishwasher is simple - there is no direct plumbing is needed for these nifty units.
How Do You Hook up a Freestanding Dishwasher?
You can install your new best friend yourself with a few simple steps to guide you. Make sure you read the manual first in case there is anything extra you need to know.
Turn off the water
Connect the cold water -identify the cold tap, turn the valve to pause the water, and connect.
Connect the waste pipe - this can be done through a normal standpipe or to the water connection beneath the sink
Check the pipes for kinks and that they are all properly secured before turning anything back on
Check the appliance is level and stable
Plug the dishwasher into a standard socket
Run a rinse cycle to check for leaks or issues with settings
If you are not comfortable doing the installation yourself, or short of time look around for a plumber who offers dishwasher installation services- sometimes customer service can even point you to an accredited installer.
3. What Do the Energy Ratings Mean?
With the energy price constantly on the rise, you are asking yourself what is the best dishwasher to buy in South Africa? The answer is any model with a Class A or higher energy rating. Standard dishwashers in South Africa cannot be sold without an energy efficiency label. So you always know what you are getting.
How To Read Energy Labels
These labels are much simpler to read than they look. Here is a brief break down on what you need to know:
The colour lines on the left side are the energy efficiency classes
The black arrow with a white letter on the right is the class of that model
The first block is the performance of your chosen dishwasher
The second block is the number of place settings that the machine can take
The third block is the water consumption per cycle
The last block shows the noise level your dishwasher offers
Once you know where to find it, you can easily see if this is going to be the right dishwasher for you.
4. Cutlery Basket or Cutlery Tray?
Everyone has their way of loading the dishwasher. (Yes, it is a sore subject in many homes that result in the “do it yourself if you want it done right” approach!) Do the knives point up or down? Do the glasses need to go on the top or bottom shelf?
You can solve part of this argument, however, or even prevent it entirely by opting for a dishwasher with a cutlery tray instead of a basket! But what do you need to know about each?
The Basket
Baskets are quick to load and completely removable so makes getting them out of the dishwasher a breeze. Unfortunately, the sorting of random cutlery from there is time-consuming, and if you have an old appliance, or run a quick wash or half load, not everything comes out sparkling clean!
The Tray
A newer dishwasher feature in your trusty kitchen appliance is an added cutlery tray. While it takes a bit longer to load, unloading is much easier because you can see each item. Just remember no more chucking your cutlery in willy-nilly!
It is also a great place to stick all those randoms such as ladles and dishing spoons that end up rattling around on the top shelf because they don’t fit anywhere!
5. Is a Freestanding Dishwasher the Same as a Portable Dishwasher?
If your parents were keeping up with the times and had a dishwasher installed when they first came out (Shock, horror!), you may be wondering can a dishwasher be freestanding? Simple answer? Yes.
Are freestanding and portable dishwashers the same thing? Also, yes!
The traditional integrated dishwasher, while being conveniently located and tucked away neatly in your kitchen, is becoming less and less common. Freestanding dishwashers can be moved anywhere you want them to go if you have the correct connection points.
Why do Dishwashers Need Salt and Rinse Aid?
Integrated or freestanding, dishwashers will benefit from the occasional TLC. Dishwasher salt and rinse aids help you get the best out of your dishwasher by softening the water, meaning the detergents work better. Rinse aids help with drying dishes, while salt helps with general dishwasher upkeep.
Freestanding Dishwashers for the Win
Don’t know where to start? Luckily, the team at Beko knows dishwashers and is here to answer any questions you may have.
Choosing an integrated or a freestanding dishwasher can seem overwhelming. Contact us today for friendly and professional advice.
