Dishwashers Buying Guide

The guide to capacity is the number of place settings, i.e. the maximum number of plates and eating utensils the machine can wash (excluding any serving dishes, saucepans or utensils). A typical 12 place setting capacity would include:

• 12 x 24cm dinner plates
• 12 x 23cm soup plates
• 12 x 18.5cm dessert plates
• 12 tea cups and saucers
• 12 tumblers
• 12 knives, forks, soup spoons, teaspoons, dessertspoons

If a full-sized dishwasher seems too big, then your other options are a slimline model (usually around 45cm wide taking around 9 place settings, but the same height and depth) or a compact model if you have very limited space and a dishwashing load of around 4 place settings will be adequate.

Programmes will vary slightly depending on the machine, but there will usually be at least three and often a rinse only cycle. The main wash programme with generally be at 65ºC, particularly useful if there are saucepans included in the load; usually there'll be an economy programme for normal washes, and a light or delicates programme.

Top of the range machines sometimes offer a glasses programme too, or a half load option where you only need to use one of the two levels in the machine.

Some machines will offer a rinse and hold function for very heavy soiling. A rinse only setting can be useful which you can select if you don't have a full load and don't want food debris to create odour or harden on plates and utensils.

Most machines have particular sensor features designed to adapt the programme to the load in the machine, e.g. by assessing how soiled the load is and reducing or increasing the amount of water or rinses needed.

There are several ways in which dishes are dried in the machine; simple residual heat (heat created from the washing process), heated air or some kind of fan assistance. The
latter are the quickest methods and serve to save energy because of their speed.

Bear in mind that not everything is suitable for dishwasher treatment. Most china, cookware and utensils you buy will state whether they're dishwasher safe on their labelling, but if not avoid taking chances with the following:

• Patterned/decorated fine china (may fade)
• Gold or silver-trimmed china
• Lead crystal glasses
• Cast iron cookware (may rust)
• Cutlery with wooden, plastic, bone or pearl handles (may crack or loosen)

You will need to site your dishwasher as close as possible to your kitchen sink for ease of plumbing (approximately 1.2m). It should be plumbed in before a water softener in order to maintain the performance of the machine.

All dishwashers require you to use dishwasher salt (to help with the water softening process), rinse aid (helps to reduce drying time and leaves dishes shiny and smear free) and of course detergent in powder, tablet or liquid form. There are now '4-in-1' and '3-in-1' tablets on the market but the efficiency of these may vary in hard water areas. Many machines also have additive indicators on the control panel which will show you when you need to refill the salt or rinse aid reservoirs.

Every dishwasher receives an energy efficiency grading ranging from A - G, with A being the most efficient and economical. Standardised tests, monitored by Trading Standards, are carried out across the industry and manufacturers are responsible for grading their own machines, taking into account water consumption, washing and drying performance.

The issue of water consumption may be of particular interest if you're on a water meter. All dishwashers are cold water fill, and some have time delays so that you can set the machine up to switch itself on during the night to take advantage of cheaper electricity.

All the dishwashers we stock have built-in protection against flooding activated by a sensor which closes off the inlet valve.

If you live within the delivery area of a John Lewis shop (you can check your postcode on the specific product page), your new appliance will be delivered by one of our vans. You will also be able to arrange for collection and recycling of your old appliance (at a cost of £9) so that we can dispose of it safely.

Disposal must be booked and paid for when you place your order, and we can only remove the old appliance if it has been disconnected. Once your old appliance has been removed, it is deemed of no value and we will be unable to return it to you.