Mercedes55 Posted March 22, 2011 Share Posted March 22, 2011 My OH has always said he would never buy a dishwasher as being just the two of us we didn't need one. However, having read an article in the Daily Mail last week about a Bosch one that apparently uses less water than it takes to wash dishes by hand, he has ordered one for me. So it's coming on Thursday and I have to say I have absolutely no idea at all what I can and cannot put in it. When I went onto some websites to see how much the stuff is to wash the dishes I couldn't work out what on earth I am supposed to buy to clean the dishes. There seems to be a myriad of products, from powders and rinse aids, salt, all in one tablets and I'm totally and utterly confused. I can't even find a dummies guide to using one Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abwsco Posted March 22, 2011 Share Posted March 22, 2011 I have a Miele and they don't recommend the all in one tablets or if you do use those you still need to add salt and rinse aid. I'd say check the manual that comes with it and go with that I've had a dishwasher for 21 years and wouldn't and couldn't be without one. Infact when my old hoptpoint went to dishwahser heaven we only lasted three days before DH said we were getting another one-lol Don't put wooden handled knives in them as they dry them out and I also can't put my anodised pans in it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HarrisonFamily Posted March 22, 2011 Share Posted March 22, 2011 I love my dishwasher and use the ecohome all in 1 sainsbury tablet - I do not add salt or rinse aid and they work fine... I put everything in my dishwasher and so far everything is OK...... I would love a dishwasher that puts the stuff away as well....but my children earn there pocket money with that job..... Enjoy your dishwasher... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mercedes55 Posted March 22, 2011 Author Share Posted March 22, 2011 I have a Miele and they don't recommend the all in one tablets or if you do use those you still need to add salt and rinse aid. I'd say check the manual that comes with it and go with that I've had a dishwasher for 21 years and wouldn't and couldn't be without one. Infact when my old hoptpoint went to dishwahser heaven we only lasted three days before DH said we were getting another one-lol Don't put wooden handled knives in them as they dry them out and I also can't put my anodised pans in it. Thanks for that, honestly I never realised before how many different products there are out there. I feel a right idot for not having a clue! Give me a smart phone or computer and I'm in the loop straight way, but oh my the more I read about dishwashers the scarier they seem Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mercedes55 Posted March 22, 2011 Author Share Posted March 22, 2011 I love my dishwasher and use the ecohome all in 1 sainsbury tablet - I do not add salt or rinse aid and they work fine... I put everything in my dishwasher and so far everything is OK...... I would love a dishwasher that puts the stuff away as well....but my children earn there pocket money with that job..... Enjoy your dishwasher... Now if only I had children at home still to empty it, I never even gave that a thought Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snoxy Posted March 22, 2011 Share Posted March 22, 2011 I have a Bosch dishwasher and I LOVE IT! It is so quiet you don't even know it is on...seriously! It turnes itself off when it has finished too...saving energy. I have had it since just before Christmas and have only filled the salt compartment up twice! My husband chose it because it uses half the amount of water per wash compared to most other dishwashers. 7 litres compared to 13 litres. We use the Eco programme which takes 29 minutes...fantastic! Don't know without checking how many litres that programme is but less than 7. Happy dishwashering! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lavenders_Blue Posted March 22, 2011 Share Posted March 22, 2011 Don't worry, there is absolutely nothing scary about dishwashers! Once you have yours, you'll wonder how on earth you managed without it MIL had to have her dishwasher repaired a little while back, she used to use the three-in-one tablets. The repair chap told her they were a total waste of money, keep the salt and rinse aid compartments topped up and just use el-cheapo dishwasher powder/tablets. Personally, I prefer powder to tablets as to be quite honest, you can use half the amount recommended and still get perfectly clean dishes. Much cheaper I also use plain white vinegar instead of rinse aid as I'm a cheapskate. It works just as well and doesn't taste vinegary so don't worry. I put pretty much everything in my dishwasher, including quite a few things that claim not to be dishwasher safe. Just read the manual when your new machine comes and you'll soon work out what's what. One word of warning, it will seem like a total wonder gadget and lifesaver to start with, but it won't be long before filling and emptying the dishwasher will seem like a total chore... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
majuka Posted March 22, 2011 Share Posted March 22, 2011 You'll never look back after getting it! We probably wouldn't have brought one when Dave and I moved in together, again there was just the two of us, but my sister and B-i-l had their kitchen done and were given a free dishwasher as part of the deal, despite their kitchen being too small for it so they gave it to us! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HappyhenSG Posted March 22, 2011 Share Posted March 22, 2011 it uses half the amount of water per wash compared to most other dishwashers. 7 litres compared to 13 litres. We use the Eco programme which takes 29 minutes...fantastic! Don't know without checking how many litres that programme is but less than 7. What model is it Snoxy? Mine gave up the ghost last week and I'd like to stick with Bosch. I'm starting to get a bit cheesed off with standing at the sink several times a day! Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted March 22, 2011 Share Posted March 22, 2011 I'll be the devil's advocate here... I have a dishwasher and I hate it!I only have it because it came free with the kitchen, otherwise I wouldn't have bothered as it takes up valuable room; it doesn't even wash very effectively and I'm just looking for an excuse to get it taken out and replaced with a cupboard With only Rosie and I, I have no need for it and can wash the dishes cleaner and more quickly myself. Worst decision I made when i got the kitchen re-fitted Sorry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chicken deficient Posted March 22, 2011 Share Posted March 22, 2011 Don't forget - you can put your Grub and Glug in it. They come out so clean that you'll wish you could get the whole Eglu in! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jools Posted March 22, 2011 Share Posted March 22, 2011 I've had one for about 20 yrs, well not one, lots of ones actually There's only the two of us and at first I had a table top one from Zanussi, which fitted very neatly into a kitchen cupboard and took four place settings so it didn't take an age to fill. I think I may have had two or three of them as they expired, then when we moved to this house I had a slimline one built in. I tend to wash up some things myself, like glasses, mugs, cutlery and also when I'm here alone as it seems frivalous to use it just for me. I have to say though that I wouldn't be without it. It's a choice thing - when it's not working I miss it like you wouldn't believe and hate washing up! I try to remember to refill mine with salt every now and again. Sometimes I add rinse aid (the Ecover one). My preference is for Ecover dishwasher tablets. That's about it really. And the best thing?? It does a triffick job on chicken feeders and drinkers and dog bowls .... when the husband isn't looking! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted March 22, 2011 Share Posted March 22, 2011 I got my first dishwasher about six years ago, and wondered how I'd ever lived without it! It gets things really clean and I love it. I live alone, but it takes just as many saucepans to cook a meal for one as it does for three or four, so mine is used regularly; it means there's never crockery standing around waiting to be washed up, and I would replace it like a shot. I use Ecover tablets and rinse aid, and loose salt. Don't put wooden-handled saucepans in (you can get away with it a few times) or wooden chopping-boards, and generally put lighter stuff on the top, and more heavily-soiled stuff at the bottom. You will learn by trial and error, a few lightweight plastic things may get bent out of shape but most things thes days are dishwasher-safe. I wouldn't put old china in there (not that I have any!) nor crystal glassware (don't have any of that either). A few mugs have faded, and some cheap glasses have ended up rather smeary, but everything else has been fine. My old dishwasher had separate programmes so you could run just the top shelf, and that was great if I had lots of mugs that needed cleaning but not much else. It also had a timer, which meant I could set it to finish when I got up. If you want to save money, interrupt it before the drying bit starts - mine has a short 35 degree Eco programme, but I don't find it gets things clean properly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted March 23, 2011 Share Posted March 23, 2011 I wouldn't be without my dishwasher. If nothing else, it helps keep the kitchen tidy(ish). The cups come out sparkling, with none of the dreaded tea stains, so that is enough for me. I use Finish Powerball tabs. Probably not the greenest, and quite expensive, but they are up to most tasks, and are the best on glassware. I wait till there is a BOGOF at the supermarket. and then stock up. As for rinse aids, salt etc, I never bother, but we live in a soft water area. I expect it would make a difference if you lived in a hard water area. A couple of times a year, I use one of those dishwasher cleaning thingies through the machine to clear the pipes, and it does make the inside sparkle even more. Clean your filter regularly, and don't put your Waterford crystal, bone handled butter knives or silver fish knives through it, and you'll be OK. Oh ... and it warps and splits wooden spatulas. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mercedes55 Posted March 23, 2011 Author Share Posted March 23, 2011 Thank you all so much, your replies have been very helpful. MY OH and I have very different ways of doing washing up by hand. I fill the sink with really, really hot water then use gloves to wash up. However he tends to wash up in what can only be described as lukewarm water and can't seem to understand that you need to use hot water, so at least I will be able to get my dishes really clean once it comes. I do have a fair amount of crystal glasses but I tend to keep them just for special occasions, so they won't be a problem. Good idea to wash the hens glugs in there as they are very hard to wash in the kitchen sink Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoid Posted March 23, 2011 Share Posted March 23, 2011 If you live in a hard water area, rinse aid and salt is essential, otherwise the glasses will come out covered in limescaley stuff. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mercedes55 Posted March 23, 2011 Author Share Posted March 23, 2011 As far as I know where we live the water is about as hard as it can get Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craftyhunnypie Posted March 23, 2011 Share Posted March 23, 2011 I would never have a dish washer! I only see them as laziness. Every persons house I've been to that has one - always has either dirty pots in it (left) or they live out of the dishwasher! They just leave the clean pots in it until they need them. The only useful thing about them is for cleaning chicken feeders & roosting bars. If you have a large family like 4 children, then maybe - but give me my fairy anyday! Emma.x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
..lay a little egg for me Posted March 23, 2011 Share Posted March 23, 2011 We wash our crocs in the dishwasher too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Margalot Posted March 23, 2011 Share Posted March 23, 2011 You may also need extra mugs / cups! Its no good when you go to the cupboard and find none there because they are all in the dishwasher waiting for a wash! We had to double our mug supply! I too could not live without mine even if we book a villa or cottage for a holiday, thats one of the first things I check! essential!! Also keeps stuff out of this sink and your kitchen from looking messy. We put ours on last thing before bed and its gets emptied fist thing in the morning, Glasses come our beautiful! Not sure I could put my glug and grub in there though !! Chris Tarrants wife used hers to cook a salmon I believe! she wrapped it tightly in foil?!? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snoxy Posted March 23, 2011 Share Posted March 23, 2011 We are a family of 6...a dishwasher is very useful in this house... When our last dishwasher wasn't working properly I discovered just how time consuming washing-up can be...it interferred with my 'Omlet' time Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jools Posted March 23, 2011 Share Posted March 23, 2011 Chris Tarrants wife used hers to cook a salmon I believe! she wrapped it tightly in foil?!? Hopefully not at the same time as her crocs and roosting bars though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MummyHen Posted March 23, 2011 Share Posted March 23, 2011 I love my dishwasher - well hubby loves his dishwasher. We've had our current bosch dw for about 6 years now and the repair man is coming on Friday to fix it. Hubby wouldn't be without it. We have used it to poach a whole salmon - wrapped in parchment paper, foil and clingfilm - we put the dw on a full cycle and it came out lovely. My MIL has one and she's on her own - puts it on everyother day; she can''t understand why it took her so long to get one. You'll wonder how you managed without it - a great household helper Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted March 23, 2011 Share Posted March 23, 2011 I wouldn't be without mine either...................in fact if it came to a toss up between my Dishwasher & my Husband I think I might have a tough time choosing I use whichever tabs are on offer in the Supermarket at the time. Don't think I have ever bought any that weren't on BOGOF, & they all seem to do a good job to me. The little Fairy ones are pretty,but if one gets wet in the box,the whole lot start to dissolve,which is not ideal Once a week all the removable bits from my cooker go through the DW too, so it really pays its way Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ClaireG Posted March 23, 2011 Share Posted March 23, 2011 We're going to be looking to get one soon to The house we've just moved to has space for an intergrated one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
