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Dishwashers and family

anne

Veteran

DH and I are finally getting a dishwasher. I am excited as I do most of the washing up in the family, and we have people around for meals several times a week, and this should save me lots of time. Getting one was part of the deal for me, when taking my current job

In our last house we got a dishwasher after about 5 years. We bought a second had one from a friend who was moving house and couldn't it. While it was great to have one, it was a cheap brand and behaved like it. So DH and I are united in deciding we want to get a quality brand this time.

My family think (and it was my initial leaning too) we should go second hand. Sometimes people sell really good products for a massive discount on gumtree (I think this is like Craigslist). My family background is definitely on the frugal end of things, but they are are extremely generous to our family, and I wouldn't want them to think I'm extravagent.

DH wants to get something brand new, because you get a warranty and because when you are buying second hand you can't be sure that there isn't a problem. I suspect he also wouldn't want the hassle of buying something, it ending up to be a dud, having to get another one - even though it may still be cheaper overall.

We are not arguing or anything! But I'd be interested in hearing your thoughts as to what you'd do, or have done in a similar situation.

ETA - Would also like to hear your brand/model recommendations (or what to avoid)

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34 replies

Latest reply was from L'Abeille

Peri

Veteran

New for sure. I'd never consider second hand appliances. Things like dishwashers last a long time so it's not like you'll be buying a new one every few years. But if you go second hand you might....you have no way of knowing what condition it is really in and then you waste money having to replace and start over again. Not to mention time and trouble.

Tina

Veteran

I would go with new one unless you know someone personally who is getting rid of theirs and can vouch for it's efficiency. There is little more annoying to me than having to redo dishes after they've been through the washer. Repairs of appliances can so quickly add up and then you still only have a used appliance.

milehighstyle (Linda)

Veteran

New for sure. Ours has been going strong for 16 years, well worth the investment.

rachylou

Veteran

I would lean towards new at this point in time because things have changed a lot recently. You'll get better water and energy efficiency with a new one.

Echo

Veteran

For a dishwasher, I'd go new. Given the things that can go wrong with a dishwasher, I wouldn't want to risk leaks, detergent not dispensing properly, etc. The warranty would make a big difference to me. Sometimes it is worth paying for peace of mind.

UmmLila (Lisa)

Veteran

Whatever you do, do not go for a Bosch dishwasher. I have had two ( one came with current house) and I hate them. Full of little Lego pieces that break, don't clean well....

anne

Veteran

Well lots of advice saying to go new! I'm really appreciating this feedback!!

UmmLila - thanks for that - The reviews I had read so far (not that many) rated Bosch really highly and I was thinking of going with them!!

Will amend my original post to ask for brand recommendations too.

Anonymous

I'd go for new. There is a reason that someone is getting rid of a used one, even if it works. Watch for a good sale. When a model is being changed in some way, the older versions are usually discounted quite a bit. Also, some places have a scratch and dent area, often with the blemish not in a viable place. These are still new with warranty

anne

Veteran

Yes Joy, my Mum got a good deal on a new one when shop was closing down.
I should point out that when I was thinking of getting a used one I was only going to get one with one particular scenario in mind that I had been told of - where someone has a complete kitchen renovation with all new matching appliances and therefore sells the old, but still recent, good, working ones. But DH says you can never tell if that's the real reason!

SW Ann

Veteran

I can't hardly function without a dishwasher, so I would definitely go for a new one. Have you considered the local appliance stores might have a "scratch/dent/ out of box" section? One of our local stores has these at good prices, with full warranty....might save some money.

deb

Veteran

Dishwashers, washing machines, and dryers I always purchase new. If their parts have been sitting too long without use, they will fall apart. Especially hoses. I find refrigerators do well second hand.

Sal

Veteran

I would tend to purchase a dishwasher new. I have had great success with second hand washing machine (old school ones that are mechanical rather than electronic) and dryers....mixed success with fridges. We have inherited a couple of dishwashers over the years, one in a rental and one in our current home.

I have a Bosch and am moderately happy with it.

Look for one that fits what you use ie some families use a lot of large soup/pasta bowls, others use lots of pots and pans, wine glasses etc..

Deborah

Veteran

How exciting! And you can get the girls to go on roster to fill and empty the dishwasher:)

I can't recall the brand we have. It was in the house new when we bought the house. BUT I will say that I am with your husband:) Buy new, for all the reasons he suggests.

anne

Veteran

Yes Deborah, the girls will be helping out - though they already do - will just be a different format. And will lighten the load on DD11 who (usually) does the washing up 2 nights a week.

It is quite gratifying to hear all this support for DH. I didn't really mind going his way, but my siblings are strong arguers!

We'll have to get some cabinet making done, as there is no alcove and we aren't keen on having a free standing one.

carolbee

Veteran

I would also suggest going new, unless you know for sure that the sale is for the renovation reason. When buying something for this amount of dollars I usually check out Choice to see their recommendations -but read it with "your" needs in the front of your mind. I've found sometimes that a reason they give for not buying a particular brand might be the very thing I want in that product. BTW I don't subscribe to Choice, I simply go to the local library and read it there.

Anonymous

Go new and buy an extended warranty. My dishwasher has had multiple problems, and that warranty has covered everything.

Liz

Veteran

New, and the best you can afford -- not at the cheap end of the line. I say that as a fellow frugal person who is always inclined to cheap out. But a purchase like this, that you make rarely and will use daily, makes a big difference in your life. This is where it's worth spending.

texstyle

(website)

Veteran

I'd buy new. We bought a Bosch because sound was one of the top priorities for us due to the open floor plan of our kitchen/living room. It is amazingly quiet but does take a very long time to do a full cycle. The up side is that it is roomy inside and offers a third level for utensils and such near the very top and the middle rack can move to two positions. We are not rough on our appliances so it's been so far so good. The Whirlpool we had was breaking apart (inside pieces) after 5 years.

Aziraphale

Veteran

For a major appliance, I'd go new. (I'm adding a voice to the choir). We have found our KitchenAid to be very reliable. It is sturdy and gets things very clean, and is also quiet. I agree with Liz that because this is something that will get heavy use, you should go with the best you can afford. With appliances, you tend to get what you pay for. I don't think you'd need to get the super-duper top-of-the-line model with all the bells and whistles, but choose one that has a good consumer report rating and doesn't look like it's make of all cheap plastic parts (you can often tell just by looking inside and wiggling things).

kkards

Veteran

so one thing that you could also consider is what we call " scratch and dent". these are new appliances but sold at a discount because they are cosmetically damaged. sometimes they are floor models, sometimes they got damaged in delivery. google to see if anyone sells them near you (for example there is a sear store about 1/2 hour from my city that sells them, they get all the appliances from the surrounding area).

Daria

Interesting, I wouldn't even consider a used appliance, but I'm in the US where appliances are quite cheap.
Right now we have an ancient dishwasher (came with the house :)). I don't even want to know how old it is, although it does work surprisingly well. Once it dies, we'll probably go with Bosch, even though they are not as reliable as they used to be, from what I heard.

DonnaF

Veteran

With all the electronics these days, I would go new. Back in the day when everything was mechanical, my dad would salvage neighbors' old DWs and cannibalize them for parts. We lived in a development, so they were all the same.

Before we bought our DW, I tested my bowls, plates, and glasses in the various brands. Nothing is worse than having dishes that don't quite fit your DW!!! The other thing to think about is how/if your serving and mixing bowls fit. Since we ultimately chose a 2/3 size DW, we didn't have much choice since the Bosch in that size was not yet made. I love, love, love our Miele, however, despite its $hocking price. You'd think it would be 1/3 cheaper! The third rack is great. You never poke your fingers on fork prongs, and the rack fits those weird little odds'n'ends.

Dish drawers are another but more expensive option. Top and bottom are configured slightly differently. If you can't fit everything into your DW by the end of the day, but would fill one drawer at the end of breakfast, for example, they might be a sensible option. Today's DWs, or at least mine, come with a Top Only option so you can do a small load that way as well.

Anonymous

New.

Neelie

Veteran

Definitely get a new one! I have a Miele (it has a third rack on top for cutlery) and love it because it is so so so quiet. If the dishwasher is near the room you hang out in (eg: family room) check out how loud some of them are...it becomes impossible to hear a TV etc over then noise. Miele is known for being quiet.

pil

Veteran

We bought the low end Bosch about seven years ago and have had one service call. My mother bought pretty much the cheapest dishwasher she could find and has never liked it. it's so loud she doesn't run it until she goes to bed.

Gail

Veteran

I would buy new. I have two Bosch Dishwashers. One isn't used much but the other one is a workhorse. It is used for a family of 5 and I have had it for 6 years with no problems ( probably jinxed myself). We bought that brand for the quietness as our house is very open. The old dishwasher was so loud that we could not hear the TV lol.
Could not live without one now.

MsMaven

Veteran

Having moved into houses already equipped with dishwashers and having to replace them (and once having to replace the entire kitchen floor thanks to leaks) I advise to go new. Also, as Rachylou pointed out, you will save energy and water if you do.

Laurinda

Veteran

Just to be a spanner...
It depends on what is available used.

New machines can be lemons too, or not built as well as older models, and buying used can save a lot of money. I do recommend not going too inexpensive for durability and noise levels, i.e. do get a model with a stainless rather than a plastic tub.

To keep any future repair costs down stick with a brand that has easily available repair information and parts.

Rambling Ann

(website)

Veteran

Take some dishes to the store, especially anything you use a lot or might have awkward shapes. Not kidding. We use a set of chili bowls for almost every meal and they only fit in one way. I've heard of other people finding their dinner plates didn't fit in the rack at all. If you are going to be running a load with the pasta pot you use 3x a week, test it before buying! The rated capacity is bogus. My mom's new DW is so small that living alone, she still has to run it every second day.

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