Dishwasher questions - fav features?

amynicole21 wrote: I finally convinced DH that we need a new dishwasher, so I think we're going this weekend to buy one. Anyone have recommendations on features we should make sure we get? The quiet feature is a MUST... our current one is so noisy.

Also, does anyone else notice that plastic does not dry in the dishwasher? I don't want to use the heat dry feature because I'm worried the stuff will melt, but bottles and sippy cups always come out covered in water and we have to sit them out on the counter to dry them... is this just my dishwasher?

booey2 replied: The only thing I stressed was that it was quite, other than that I really don't use the other features, only have 3 choices - heated wash, heated rinse and the heated dry cycle. I never use the heated dry cycle, and have only used the heated wash and rinse if things are really bad and caked on.

As for plastic not drying I think it is the same with all machines, mine have to be set out if I don't open the unit right after the dry cycle. If I forget then my dishes are all a little wet.

julesmom replied: I made sure I got a dw with a keypad that could be locked. There is a little key at the end of the pad with a keylock symbol. I hold that for 3 mins or secs and it locks the keypad out so little figures can't turn the dw on or off!

My plastics come out with water too.

Boys r us replied: my favorite part of my dishwasher is that the inside is stainless steel also AND that the control panel is hidden and inside the dishwasher!

coasterqueen replied: Nope, it's not just your dishwasher, mine does the same thing with plastic. AND I do use the heat dry cycle and it still does that! Maybe mine is broken.

Quiet for sure. I don't really know of any other features that I would get. We usually wash everything on pot scrubber. It's already set so I just have to turn it on so I have no clue.

Jamison'smama replied: My preferences are….a sanitize feature—just for peace of mind when I wash toys or when someone is ill. I also like the utensil holder in the door—seems to save room. The locking mechanism would also be a nice feature—we don’t have that.

Plastic is never dry in my washer either!

jacobsmama replied: I use the heated dry and I don't like it for glasses b/c it leaves spots usually even with rinse agents but no real help. I like the heated dry besides that and have never melted anything yet.... Defiently the safety panel stuff b/c I don't have that and my little one is always trying to push the buttons!!! ahhh

mysweetpeasWil&Wes replied:
We put one in like this in our old house and I loved it!! Stainless steel is the way to go, inside and out IMO. And hidden buttons is nice too! But now in our current house, we have a cheapo older model. It works okay, but I recommend a LARGE one. Size is important for me. (You know what I mean! LOL!) I have everyday glasses that have somewhat of a stem on them and they don't fit in the top glass compartment, so I have to put them on the plate rack part on the bottom...which of course takes up the room for the plates! Drives me crazy!

amynicole21 replied: What is the benefit of stainless steel inside? I love how it looks on the outside, but they are pretty expensive in comparison.

~Roo'sMama~ replied:
I use the heated dry too and my plastic stuff doesn't get dry either. It's even worse if I don't use the heated dry though.

redchief replied: Quiet, stainless steel inside, no center rising sprayer for upper rack (always get blocked).

coasterqueen replied:
Oooh that's actually a good one! I wish ours didn't do that.

moped replied: I like the sanitize feature myself

redchief replied:
Benefits of stainless steel over plastic:

Durability, sound deadening ability, will not warp or crack.

ediep replied: we have a bosch and it is very quiet and stainless on the inside...awesome feature, the only thing I wish we had thought of was to get one with the buttons on the inside. Jason walks over to the dishwasher and turns it on all the time

punkeemunkee'smom replied: Right now my favorite feature would be that it worked! Ours gave up the ghost around the same time the washer did! Since I can wash dishes by hand you know which one got fixed first! I would say from personal experience lately buy the extended extended warrenty we were covered on all things in our new home for 3 years~the washer and dish washer went caput at less than 4(and they are maytag!)

KingMom replied:
I agree. Always come out wet still.

mysweetpeasWil&Wes replied:
I hate that the plastic insides get sorta stained after awhile. Stainless steel doesn't do this. Very durable and quiet. But YEP much more expensive. As far as the outside, I do like the look better, but you do get lots of fingerprints! So outside to me is not as important I guess.

My sister has a stainless Bosch too and I swear you wouldn't even know that thing is on it's so quiet.