Buying guide for best kitchenaid dishwashers
There are plenty of tedious household chores, but washing the dishes definitely holds a spot at the top of the list. That’s why a dishwasher is an essential appliance in most homes, and it’s hard to find a better model than those from KitchenAid, a trusted kitchen appliance manufacturer.
KitchenAid offers dishwashers with both front controls and fully integrated controls that are hidden on the top edge of the door. They all offer multiple wash cycles for a variety of situations, such as scrubbing pots and pans with a cooked-on mess. The dishwashers feature a stainless steel tub, too, which is more durable and doesn’t absorb odors the way a plastic dishwasher tub can.
But there are many KitchenAid dishwashers to choose from, so finding the right model can be tough. Our buying guide is full of tips to help you choose the best KitchenAid dishwasher for your kitchen. If you’re still not sure, we’ve also offered up some specific product recommendations to jump-start your shopping.
Key considerations
Size
All KitchenAid dishwashers are built-in models. That means they’re installed beneath the kitchen counter. KitchenAid dishwashers range from 23.5 to 24 inches wide, 23.25 to 28 inches deep, and 33.75 to 35 inches tall. Depending on which model you choose, the dishwasher can typically accommodate 12 to 16 place settings at a time.
Controls
KitchenAid offers dishwashers with front-panel controls and those with fully integrated controls.
Front-panel controls: The controls on these dishwashers are on the front of the door. That makes it easy to check the settings or status while the dishwasher is running. These models typically feature a recessed handle.
Fully integrated controls: These dishwashers have their controls hidden along the top edge of the door. They’re not visible when the door is closed, which gives the dishwasher a sleek, clean look and keeps you from accidentally changing the settings. Some models have indicator lights to let you know when the dishwasher is on or a cycle has finished. These models typically have a pocket or towel-bar handle.
Features
Adjustable racks
All KitchenAid dishwashers have adjustable racks, but some are more versatile than others. You can find some models with racks that move up and down to accommodate larger items, while others have tines that you can adjust to change the layout of the rack. Some KitchenAid dishwashers even have a third upper rack for better organization. However, the additional rack does affect the size of the items you can place in the second rack.
ProScrub
Some KitchenAid dishwashers feature distinct wash zones, which are special areas for particularly dirty items that require special washing. Thesel cycles don’t run the entire time that you’re washing a load, but the few minutes that they target heavily soiled dishes usually does the trick. Wash zones can be particularly helpful for pots and pans that have cooked-on food that needs to be scrubbed away.
Cycles
Rinse/Hold cycle: While all KitchenAid dishwashers offer multiple wash cycles, only some models have a Rinse or Hold cycle. If you’re not ready to run a full load of dishes, it allows you to rinse dirty items to prevent food from sticking to them while you’re waiting to fill the dishwasher. By holding the dishwasher until you have a full load, you’ll save water and electricity to keep your utility costs down.
Wash cycles: KitchenAid dishwashers feature a range of special wash cycles that can help make cleaning your dishes more efficient, but they vary from model to model. All models have basic cycles like light, normal, and heavy, but you can find some with an Express Wash cycle that can clean a load that isn’t very dirty in as little as 20 minutes. You can also find some KitchenAid dishwashers with cycles for china or crystal, soaking, pot scrubbing, steam cleaning, and sanitizing.
Heat Dry cycle: Most KitchenAid dishwashers offer a heated drying cycle, which significantly cuts down on drying time. It uses heated water and a fan to circulate warm air throughout the dishwasher, so your dishes don’t require hours to fully dry after a wash cycle is completed, and you’re able to unload your dishwasher that much sooner.
PrintShield
Many KitchenAid dishwashers have an attractive stainless steel finish that looks great in a kitchen with modern décor. The drawback to a stainless steel exterior is that it shows fingerprints very easily. Choose a KitchenAid dishwasher with PrintShield, a fingerprint-resistant stainless steel finish, to avoid having to continually clean smudges off the door.
KitchenAid dishwasher prices
KitchenAid dishwashers vary in price based on the type and the features. Most models cost between $700 and $1,600.
Inexpensive: The most affordable KitchenAid dishwashers are usually front-panel control models. These offer basic adjustable racks and don’t have as many wash cycles. You’ll pay between $700 and $999 for these dishwashers.
Mid-range: These KitchenAid dishwashers have hidden controls. They typically have three adjustable racks and several special wash cycles. These dishwashers usually cost between $1,000 and $1,199.
Expensive: The most expensive KitchenAid dishwashers have hidden controls and a towel-bar handle. They offer three adjustable racks, targeted wash zones, and up to six wash cycles for greater versatility. You’ll pay between $1,200 and $1,600 for these dishwashers.
Did you know?
Some KitchenAid dishwashers offer a ProWash cycle, which can sense the amount of food on the dishes and adjust the cycle for more effective cleaning.
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Tips
Know when to prerinse the dishes. If you’re not going to leave dishes in the dishwasher to wait for a full load, it’s not necessary to prerinse items before you load them or use the Rinse Only cycle. If you know the dishes are going to sit all day, though, rinsing helps make later cleaning easier and keeps odors at bay.
Don’t stack items inside your dishwasher. The water won’t hit all of the items if they’re sitting on top of each other and they won’t get fully clean.
Position dishes correctly in the dishwasher. Place bowls and plates on the bottom in the dishwasher with the soiled surface facing the floor of the tub. Glasses and cups should go upside down in the top rack.
Don’t overfill your dishwasher. If you place too many items inside, they won’t all be cleaned properly.
Try vinegar for a better rinse. If you live in an area with hard water, it’s a good idea to add a bowl of vinegar to the top shelf of your dishwasher to serve as a rinse aid. It’ll help remove any stains that result from the hard water.
Unload the bottom rack first. When you unload the dishwasher, you should begin with the bottom rack. That prevents water from items on the top shelf from dripping onto the dry items below.
Other products we considered
KitchenAid offers plenty of excellent dishwashers, and we couldn’t include all of them on our short list. We also like the KitchenAid Top Control Built-In Tall Tub Dishwasher. It’s an excellent option if you’re interested in a model with a stainless steel finish. It resists fingerprints, so you won’t constantly need to wipe away smudges, and it features 40 targeted spray jets to remove even the most stubborn, baked-on food.
The 24-inch KitchenAid Top Control Built-In Tall Dishwasher is another high-quality stainless steel model that resists fingerprints and smudges. It also offers adjustable tines in the racks that can be moved into three different positions to accommodate a wide range of dishes and plates.
FAQ
Q. What type of warranty protection does KitchenAid offer?
A. It can vary from model to model, but most KitchenAid dishwashers have a limited five-year warranty on any issues that result from defects in materials or workmanship. The stainless steel tub often has a limited lifetime warranty.
Q. What type of detergent should I use in a Kitchenaid dishwasher?
A. It may depend on the model, so check your owner’s manual to see what KitchenAid recommends. In general, you should always use automatic dishwasher detergent. Powder, liquid, and tablet detergents can all work well.
Q. Are there any items that shouldn’t be cleaned in a dishwasher?
A. There are definitely items that may be damaged in a dishwasher, so you should check labels to see if items are dishwasher safe. For example, you shouldn’t wash crystal (unless the machine has a specific cycle for it), high-quality knives, wooden utensils, insulated cups, silver- or gold-plated items, cast iron cookware, or nonstick cookware in a dishwasher.
