Should I Buy a Dishwasher?
If you’ve always favoured a pair of hands over a dishwasher, it may be time to reconsider your dish-washing game
Vaishnavi Nayel Talawadekar
16 July 2019
Houzz India Contributor. Home Decor Enthusiast. True-Blue Bangalorean. Founder & Chief Content Consultant at Mangomonk. I work for sunshine and sandwiches. Visit me at www.mangomonk.com.
Houzz India Contributor. Home Decor Enthusiast. True-Blue Bangalorean. Founder &... More
For centuries, the tradition of domestic help has been deeply entrenched in Indian households. While washing machines for laundry have become a part of most Indian homes, the dishwasher is still viewed with uncertainty – is it really necessary? Isn’t it a waste of water and power? These and many other questions leave the homeowner sitting on the fence. If you’ve been struggling to decide between using domestic help or a dishwasher for your dish-washing routine, this guide should help make your decision easier.
Installation
Installing a dishwasher is similar to installing a washing machine. A prerequisite for installation is having a piped water connection in place. While river water is preferred, ground water may be a close substitute. In the latter case, it’s worth checking the compatibility of your model to ground water, because the elevated levels of sodium, calcium, iron and other minerals often present in ground water might damage your machinery.
Call in a kitchen designer from the Houzz professionals directory for advice
Installing a dishwasher is similar to installing a washing machine. A prerequisite for installation is having a piped water connection in place. While river water is preferred, ground water may be a close substitute. In the latter case, it’s worth checking the compatibility of your model to ground water, because the elevated levels of sodium, calcium, iron and other minerals often present in ground water might damage your machinery.
Call in a kitchen designer from the Houzz professionals directory for advice
Cost
In India, the dishwasher price range is ₹18,000–1,40,000, the price varying with features. Aside from this, operational costs – detergent solution, electricity and water (negligible) – can amount to about ₹435–3000 per month, depending on the usage.
In India, the dishwasher price range is ₹18,000–1,40,000, the price varying with features. Aside from this, operational costs – detergent solution, electricity and water (negligible) – can amount to about ₹435–3000 per month, depending on the usage.
Indian kitchen items you can safely put in the dishwasher
Porcelain, glassware, melamine, stainless steel and dishwasher-safe plastic are safe to put in the dishwasher. In addition, only use items such as water bottles, strainers and pressure cooker regulators which are marked as dishwasher-safe.
Shop for dishwashers on Houzz products pages
Porcelain, glassware, melamine, stainless steel and dishwasher-safe plastic are safe to put in the dishwasher. In addition, only use items such as water bottles, strainers and pressure cooker regulators which are marked as dishwasher-safe.
Shop for dishwashers on Houzz products pages
Indian kitchen items you should never put in the dishwasher
Given the high temperature (45ºC and above) of wash cycles and potency of dishwasher detergent, it’s best to avoid loading items susceptible to damage or breakage. This includes categories such as silverware, aluminium, earthenware, copper, brass, anodised and non-stick cookware, ordinary plastic or wooden utensils, and cookware with wooden handles. Also, it’s wiser to hand-wash handcrafted or hand-painted articles, and ornate glass items.
Given the high temperature (45ºC and above) of wash cycles and potency of dishwasher detergent, it’s best to avoid loading items susceptible to damage or breakage. This includes categories such as silverware, aluminium, earthenware, copper, brass, anodised and non-stick cookware, ordinary plastic or wooden utensils, and cookware with wooden handles. Also, it’s wiser to hand-wash handcrafted or hand-painted articles, and ornate glass items.
Pros
- The dishes are washed in a high-pressure, high-temperature environment (with temperatures between 45ºC and 90ºC), ensuring a clean far superior to a hand-wash. The process is excellent for treating dishes stained with traditional Indian ingredients, oils and masalas.
- The dishes are sterilised, as the process wipes off bacteria. A study by the University of Louisville School of Medicine revealed that dishes washed in the dishwasher had an average of one bacterium per plate. Conversely, hand-washed dishes had an average of 390 per plate.
- The dishwasher has an efficient drying process, which rids you of the hassle of manually drying dishes.
- As one stacks dirty dishes as they are created, it results in fewer dirty dishes in the sink, thereby minimising odours.
- The loading and unloading is quick and easy .
- Saves water; while hand-washing a single load can consume up to 83 litres of water, an energy-efficient dishwasher can use as little as 11 litres.
- Note: Water savings only apply for full loads. If you have spare capacity, use the rinse-and-hold feature to keep your dirty dishes from drying out, and wait to fill the dishwasher before you run it.
Cons
- Not all items are dishwasher-safe.
- Burnt or charred vessels may require 2–3 washes to assume their original condition.
- Running the dishwasher can add to electricity costs, although this may be offset by a reduction in the cost of manual labour.
The final verdict
A dishwasher may be a worthy addition to your kitchen if you’re looking at reducing your dependency on domestic help and cutting down on the time spent washing dishes (a typical wash cycle, including drying, lasts only about an hour). Also, a dishwasher can deliver cleaner, sterilised dishes and help you save water. Some brands to consider are Siemens, Bosch, LG and IFB.
Read more:
8 Best Kitchen Organisation Ideas
Awesome Plate Racks That Can Sort Any Kitchen
Tell us:
Dishwasher, domestic help or neither – which one has your vote? Tell us in Comments below.
A dishwasher may be a worthy addition to your kitchen if you’re looking at reducing your dependency on domestic help and cutting down on the time spent washing dishes (a typical wash cycle, including drying, lasts only about an hour). Also, a dishwasher can deliver cleaner, sterilised dishes and help you save water. Some brands to consider are Siemens, Bosch, LG and IFB.
Read more:
8 Best Kitchen Organisation Ideas
Awesome Plate Racks That Can Sort Any Kitchen
Tell us:
Dishwasher, domestic help or neither – which one has your vote? Tell us in Comments below.
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How much good the dishwasher is for Indian cooking utensils
i am considering buying a dishwasher. Can you please suggest an inbuilt model of dishwasher? all the models available in my city are quite tall to sit under my kitchen counter.
I have used it outside India and kadhai comes out as is with all the oil...so domestic help is preferred according to me.