Dottie, I'm on my 2nd d/w in 29 yrs..... the first was 11 yrs old when I moved (and it was still going strong) ; and this one is almost 18 yrs old and (unfortunately) still going strong... both were/are Kitchenaid......... the only reason I say "unfortunately" is that the new ones are sooooo quiet and this one isn't!!!!! I keep on hoping that it will stop working, but it just keeps on going (and washing!!) My main suggestion would be to go for "basic"... my first one had all the bells and whistles, which added $$$$ to the cost, and most of those features were used only once (or not at all!!!), the current one is quite basic... and no problems (no additional electronics to break, either!!)
I had no dishwasher for almost all the years our girls were young. Then, when we finally did get one, we moved before I had a chance to use it very often. Now I've had one in this house for 7 years and with just the two of us, I rarely use it. It only gets used when we have company which isn't very often....maybe every two months or so. I guess after washing dishes by hand for so many years I just can't grasp the concept of stashing dishes in the d/w until I have a full load. It's also terribly noisy and I usually wait until our guests have left before turning it on. It's called Concept II but it's probably a Norge like our other appliances...also all very noisy especially the fridge. They should have try before you buy in appliances. Heck, even my jetted tub is a noisy son of a gun.
Our condo has a Hotpointe and it doesn't do a very good job. Of course it also ancient, so a new one probably works better. It isn't noisy though, not compared to others I've had.
Dottie - just saw you Corian question on the challenge thread. I work for an architecture/design firm and the Corian reps have told a co-worker (who's redoing her kitchen) that Corian is way overpriced and your stuck with one color forever, because it's too expensive to change out. We usually recommend a product that is generic, like the home depot brand of corian, or a laminate that you can change every 5 years to update your kitchen without a lot of expense. Just repeating what I've learned at work, I have a laminate here, although I saw really cool polished concrete countertops, that I'd love to get.
Because of an alergy to dishwashing liquid, and other harsh soap products, I have used dishwashers forever. The one I have now is absolutely the best. (my opinion) It is a Frigidaire Precision model, not overly expensive, but doesnt come with a lot of the extras either. Really don't use anything except the pot scrubbing feature and my dishes really come out nice. I have used many brands but found that the most important thing is to use a good dishwashing powder/liquid.
Our dishwasher that we now have was purchased at the Sears scratch and dent. We have not had any problems with it, it has one feature that I love. It has a built in food grinder/disposal thingie. Hubby and I have never told the kids it's there. We know our kids to well, they would leave hunks of meat on their plates thinking the disposal thingie would take care of it.
I guess it's a Kenmore, pressed for time and to lazy to get up and look, but I will later.
I LOVE my new (2 years old, so that's still new) dishwasher. You don't even know it's on it is so quiet, but I don't remember what kind it is. I think it's a GE, but I'll check when I get home and edit my post.
I finally remembered to look at my dishwasher. It's a MAYTAG. It's called jet power Plus., and like I said it's about 2 years old. we bought it from LOWE's
Ladies, I have the answer!!! My DH has been an appliance repairman(not the maytag man) for 20 years....he swears by Kitchenaid and Whirlpool, all of my appliances are one or the other.....and they never break down!!!!!!!
thanks guys! I am heading for Lowe's next week for a little more shopping around before deciding.
I like the Kenmore, and the Kitchen Aide both but think I have to look a little more- And I'm pricing solid surface counters there also- the Not-Corian brand. Thanks for your input!
I have a whirlpool, we just bought it a year ago, its GREAT and very quiet (you might hear the water slurping down the drain now and then but its not real loud). The machine is so quiet you forget its even on.
LOVE IT LOVE IT LOVE IT !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
love or hate your dishwasher?
My main suggestion would be to go for "basic"... my first one had all the bells and whistles, which added $$$$ to the cost, and most of those features were used only once (or not at all!!!), the current one is quite basic... and no problems (no additional electronics to break, either!!)
