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Release date 02/04/2008
YONKERS, NY — Consumer Reports' tests of dishwashers for the March issue revealed that new steam cleaning and targeted spray jet options — evaluated in models costing from $600 to $1,500 — only offered slight differences in cleaning. Moreover, dishwashers costing as little as $350 can get dishes sparkling clean.
In fact, none of the CR Quick Picks including the top-rated Kenmore (Sears) 1374[2], $650; Bosch SHE33MO[2]UC ($540) and Whirlpool DU1055XTS[Q] ($350) needed either feature to remove the oatmeal, egg, tomato sauce, and other hard-to-clean foods CR's testers allowed to harden overnight on dishes before washing.
The Kenmore and Bosch SHX98MO[9]UC, $1,550 topped CR's ratings of 47 dishwashers and both have been reliable brands. With identically dirty loads, CR compared the wash performances of a Jenn-Air, Kenmore Elite, Maytag, and LG using each dishwasher’s Normal cycle and Normal cycle with steam. The difference in cleaning was slight.
Separate spray jets had a bigger impact on cleaning. In CR's tests, those concentrated jets removed baked-on food better than the Normal cycle alone. But dirty dishes must be loaded in a specific spot. Called TurboZone, PowerScour, or ProScrub, depending on the brand, it’s now available on models costing $600.
“Steam is the latest ‘wow’ feature manufacturers are adding to their products to try to convince consumers to spend more, but consumers can get perfectly clean dishes without it,” said Celia Kuperszmid Lehrman, deputy home editor for Consumer Reports. She adds that steam also lengthens cleaning cycles by as much as 45 minutes. “Spray jets work better than steam and are available on mid-priced models, but, like steam, it’s not a ‘must-have’ feature for cleaning dishes.”
The full report on dishwashers is available in the March 2008 issue of Consumer Reports, available wherever magazines are sold. Portions of the story are available for free online at www.ConsumerReports.org.
Almost all of the dishwashers CR tested cleaned well, were easy to load, and were available in stainless steel for about $100 more than basic black or white. They also use far less water and energy than if consumers were to wash the same dishes by hand.
CR's ratings show that spending more won’t necessarily buy better cleaning or quieter operation. But more expensive models are often more stylish with better loading flexibility.
After months of testing, and almost 9,000 dirty dishes, CR's tests also revealed the following:
Dishwasher drawers deliver little. Kenmore’s Elite Drawer dishwashers, $1,400, ranked last in the ratings. The $1,000 Fisher & Paykel DishDrawer excelled at washing, but is noisier and more repair-prone than models that cost hundreds less. Fisher & Paykel has been the most repair-prone brand during the last few years.
A new name falls short. CR's testers said adios to the $1,000 Fagor LF-A073, a dishwasher from Spain. Two machines that CR evaluated failed to complete a full testing cycle and didn’t make it into the ratings.
Wash cycles get longer. Dishwashers have become more energy-efficient because they use less water. But they need to wash longer to get dishes clean. More than half of the tested models took 2 hours or more to do the job, compared to about 90 minutes needed by the best dishwashers just six years ago.
Proper loading = cleaner dishes
According to Consumer Reports' experts, careful placement of dishes, plus an enzyme detergent and rinse aid, can make the difference between glistening dishes and grungy ones. But skip prerinsing, because it wastes time, energy, and as much as 6,500 gallons of water per year.
The report also offers the following loading tips to get cleaner dishes:
Consumer Reports is a nonprofit membership organization that works side by side with consumers to create a fairer, safer, and healthier world. For 80 years, CR has provided evidence-based product testing and ratings, rigorous research, hard-hitting investigative journalism, public education, and steadfast policy action on behalf of consumers’ interests. Unconstrained by advertising or other commercial influences, CR has exposed landmark public health and safety issues and strives to be a catalyst for pro-consumer changes in the marketplace. From championing responsible auto safety standards, to winning food and water protections, to enhancing healthcare quality, to fighting back against predatory lenders in the financial markets, Consumer Reports has always been on the front lines, raising the voices of consumers.
© 2008 Consumer Reports. The material above is intended for legitimate news entities only; it may not be used for advertising or promotional purposes. Consumer Reports® is an expert, independent, nonprofit organization whose mission is to work side by side with consumers to create a fairer, safer, and healthier world. We accept no advertising and pay for all the products we test. We are not beholden to any commercial interest. Our income is derived from the sale of Consumer Reports® magazine, ConsumerReports.org® and our other publications and information products, services, fees, and noncommercial contributions and grants. Our Ratings and reports are intended solely for the use of our readers. Neither the Ratings nor the reports may be used in advertising or for any other commercial purpose without our prior written permission. Consumer Reports will take all steps open to it to prevent unauthorized commercial use of its content and trademarks.
Consumer Reports is a nonprofit membership organization that works side by side with consumers to create a fairer, safer, and healthier world. For 80 years, CR has provided evidence-based product testing and ratings, rigorous research, hard-hitting investigative journalism, public education, and steadfast policy action on behalf of consumers’ interests. Unconstrained by advertising or other commercial influences, CR has exposed landmark public health and safety issues and strives to be a catalyst for pro-consumer changes in the marketplace. From championing responsible auto safety standards, to winning food and water protections, to enhancing healthcare quality, to fighting back against predatory lenders in the financial markets, Consumer Reports has always been on the front lines, raising the voices of consumers.
© 2008 Consumer Reports. The material above is intended for legitimate news entities only; it may not be used for advertising or promotional purposes. Consumer Reports® is an expert, independent, nonprofit organization whose mission is to work side by side with consumers to create a fairer, safer, and healthier world. We accept no advertising and pay for all the products we test. We are not beholden to any commercial interest. Our income is derived from the sale of Consumer Reports® magazine, ConsumerReports.org® and our other publications and information products, services, fees, and noncommercial contributions and grants. Our Ratings and reports are intended solely for the use of our readers. Neither the Ratings nor the reports may be used in advertising or for any other commercial purpose without our prior written permission. Consumer Reports will take all steps open to it to prevent unauthorized commercial use of its content and trademarks.
