If you don’t own a dishwasher, you’ve probably become accustomed to the nightly routine of hand-washing and drying dishes. And, since buying one will cost $200 at minimum, purchasing a dishwasher is a lot more expensive than simply picking up a bottle of Dawn and a dishrag. But did you know that not only is handwashing tedious, it’s also a huge waste of water, requiring about 27 gallons for a typical load of dishes vs the 3 gallons a typical dishwasher would take to wash the same load?
In certain instances, you may feel that your option for owning a dishwasher is limited. Whether you’re a renter or just short on kitchen space, adding a major appliance can be an intimidating one, until you consider all the options available to you.
Here are a few different types of dishwashers you may want to consider. They will not only make your life easier by ditching the after-dinner hand-washing routine, but can also save you money on your water bill.
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Built-in Pros
Most standard dishwashers are 24 inches, require connections to kitchen plumbing, and are considered “built-in” models. If you already have all necessary plumbing connections but don’t own a dishwasher due to lack of space, consider purchasing a compact built-in dishwasher. Built-in dishwashers are already space saving, as they fit directly into your cabinetry, unlike portable models which are freestanding. Compact built-ins work just like full-size models, but are only 18 inches in size, making them the best choice for a tight kitchen.
Built-in dishwashers also rely on their own water line, hence the need to have proper plumbing in place prior to installation. This means, once your dishwasher is installed, you’ll still be able to use the kitchen sink simultaneously, something that isn’t possible with portable models. And, since built-in dishwashers are a permanent kitchen fixture, you won’t have to worry about moving them around or re-configuring them in certain situations. Instead, they simply stay in place and wait for their next use, allowing for effortless ease of operation.
Built-in Cons
You won’t want to purchase a built-in dishwasher unless you already have the proper plumbing in place, otherwise it won’t be usable until you’ve had connections installed. Even if you already have all necessary connections in place, the initial install process of a built-in dishwasher can be a little tricky, so unless you’ve had some plumbing experience you may have to pay for installation. And since they’re designed to run automatically without the need to plug in each time, not only are built-ins more difficult to install, they’re also more expensive to purchase.
Portable Pros
If you’re a renter, you’ve probably decided that you’ll never purchase a dishwasher until you own a home. After all, why would you pay to install an appliance that you won’t get to keep upon moving? Or, maybe you simply don’t have existing connections in place, and don’t want to go through the time or expense of contacting a plumber.
A portable dishwasher offers the perfect solution for renters and those limited by lack of kitchen plumbing. Portable dishwashers work by hooking up directly to the faucet of your kitchen sink, so there is no complicated install process.
Portable dishwashers come with wheels, and can be easily moved around the kitchen and stored away in a closet when not in use. Best of all, as their name implies, portable dishwashers can be moved from one home to the next, so they are easy to take with you once you move.
Portable Cons
Before you rush right out and purchase a portable dishwasher, be aware of their one, significant limitation: You won’t be able to use your kitchen sink simultaneously with the dishwasher. Since portable models rely on the faucet to supply the water that washes the dishes, your access to your sink will be limited until you’ve unhooked the dishwasher.
Also, you’ll have to hook/unhook the dishwasher every time you need to wash a load, instead of just filling up a machine with detergent and pressing “on” like you’d get with a built-in model.
Our Takeaway
It’s easy to see that built-in and portable dishwashers are designed to meet different demands and life situations. While as a whole, neither type is “better” than the other, you’ll need to evaluate your living situation in order to determine whether your best fit would be a built-in or portable model of dishwasher.
