Okay, by the time you’ve reached this point you had better have set a price range. Usually, the more you spend, the more options are available to you. Here are a few options that are available today:

Adjustable interior design. Right, that was poorly put, but that’s essentially what it is. Adjustable racks, removable tines, and silverware and stemware options fall under this category. These increase flexibility and are, therefore, usually good options that work great for larger households or for those who entertain frequently.

Dirt sensors. This option can increase efficiency, if it works well. If it does work well, then you’ve got a wonderful option that will eliminate much frustration from your unloading time.

Filters. These keep food from getting back on your dishes after the wash cycle. Most filters are self-cleaning that work with a grinder. This is noisy, but the convenience of not having to clean it every few weeks may over-ride the noise consideration.

Special wash cycles. The most common dishwashers have just three cycles: light, normal, and heavy. These would work well enough for most dishes. Some dishwashers, however, have extra cycles such as: rinse/hold (allows you to rinse the dishes before you’re ready to do a full load so the food that is on the dishes won’t get stuck on), pot-scrubber (obviously for the extra hard stuff), soak/scrub (again, for the difficult, stubborn dishes that won’t come clean), steam clean (??? perhaps it’s for delicate things?), china/crystal (well, you’d think this would be steam clean if my hypothesis is correct…), and sanitizing (this heats the water above the normal 140 °–usually unnecessary, and a rather enormous waste of energy).

Hidden controls. This is just a style option. The controls are mounted on the top of the door, so they’re invisible when it’s closed. The wash cycle progress is also invisible. Some dishwashers have partially hidden controls.

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While this feature is one that is fairly easy to overlook in the buying process, it is one that will have a more immediate impact once you get your new dishwasher home. Lets face it, there are some dishwashers that are just quieter than others. If you bring a dishwasher home and run it and find that you are unable to carry on a conversation anywhere near the kitchen, then you most likely won’t be too happy with it, so obviously this is something to look, or rather listen, for when you’re in the market for a new dishwasher.

I’m not going to go into it much here, but there are places–consumer reports, reviews online–that will tell you if the dishwasher you’ve picked out is actually as quiet as the company claims. Some places that sell dishwashers have ratings or grades for how quiet the dishwasher is, but these aren’t always unbiased…. Your best option would probably be to read actual consumer reviews of the dishwasher you have decided on thus far.

Here are a couple of places that give reviews on the loudness of several dishwasher models:

• NexTag comparison shopping. Not a consumer report site, but…

• ConsumerSearch. Consumers rate the products.

• Dishwashers. Buyers Guide. Just an article reviewing several dishwasher models.

There are definitely more out there, but this should give you some idea anyway.

Perhaps this should be one of the first considerations after capacity needs. Once you’ve figured out your needs in that area, you must determine what type dishwasher will be right for you. There are pretty much just two types: under counter and portable, with variations within those types. Each of them have about the same benefits when it comes to energy savings, so that won’t necessarily help you narrow your options. We’ll look at a few of the defining characteristics of each though.

• Under counter models. This type of dishwasher obviously has the benefit of being capable of holding a larger amount, as well as not adding anything to the top of your counter. It is also more convenient when it comes to operation: you don’t have to hook it up every time you wish to run it. Being rather more common, it is also easier to find more options in these types.

•  Portable models. These dishwashers are good if you don’t wish to have a stationary appliance under your counter. Most models even offer butcher block tops to make it easier to blend into the overall look and feel of your kitchen. Some models are even capable of being converted to run as under-counter models, although conversion kits may be necessary to do this well. This type of dishwasher is especially good for small spaces like apartments and condos. They are fairly straightforward to operate: generally you connect directly to the faucet at the kitchen sink with a hose that is stored in a compartment at the back of the dishwasher when it’s not in use. After connecting it to the faucet, the power supply gets plugged into a standard outlet.

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One of the most important things to consider when you are looking for a dishwasher is the capacity. The capacity will determine how often you run the dishwasher and how efficient it will be.

Most dishwashers come in two sizes: regular and compact. The regular size is usually 24 inches wide, and the compact is usually 18 inches. However, the sizes are not always defined with measurements, but by the overall capacity. A regular-sized dishwasher is one that will hold at least eight full place settings and six serving pieces, while a compact model is anything that holds less than that.

The regular models are usually considered family size. They are better for households consisting of four or more people.

Compact dishwasher models are best for households with three or fewer people. They are often used in small kitchens in places like condos or apartments. This size dishwasher is especially recommended if you plan to use it only occasionally.

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Dishwashers that are qualified for the Energy Star must meet several strenuous requirements. Here are a couple of them:

• They must use at least forty-one percent less energy than the federal minimum requirement.

• Energy Star dishwashers use much less water than standard dishwashers.

There are several things that you can do while washing dishes:

• Always run your dishwasher with a full load. This maximizes your use of the hot water. Heating the water is where the dishwasher is least efficient, so it’s best to get the most out of it that you possibly can.

• Avoid using the settings for heated-dry and extra rinses. Use the air-dry setting instead.

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… for a new dishwasher?

Here are a few things to remember if you are looking for a new dishwasher:

• Energy Star! Number 1 consideration that will save you money in the long run.
• Capacity ~ Just like refrigerators and freezers, dishwashers have a space limit. How much space does your household require?
•  Type ~ Built-in, portable, or counter-top?
• Quietness ~ This is almost essential if you are going to be spending a lot of time in the kitchen while the dishwasher is running.
• Options or features ~ Hard-food disposal, wash cycles, and adjustable shelves and racks fall under this category.

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