Dishwasher tablets - getting the balance right - phosphates

[Dave2002]

I hate washing up. We've not got a dishwasher and I would really like to get one. Problem is, there is insufficient room in the kitchen to fit one in and the desktop and slimline ones are apparently rubbish!

We have had dishwashers for over 30 years. Our very first was indeed a desktop - secondhand - we took a chance on it. It wasn't great, but it worked well enough for a while.

After that we've had floor standers - mostly standard size. One of them did pack up at an inconvenient time, and we stacked up all the plates etc. on the floor until we ordered and had a new one installed. Unlike our normal criteria for replacement or ordering of new items, on that occasion I think we went with the supplier who could deliver at very short notice, so we "only" had to put up with a few days of inconvenience.

If there's room for a slimline one I'd say give it a go, though perhaps look out for a second hand one if you're not sure - some are good. You might pick one up on Freecycle or Gumtree. My guess is once you've had one you'll buy a new one, and not look back.

If you have a sink with floor standing cupboards in your kitchen, check out whether you can get a standard size dishwasher under, in place of one of your cupboards. It's surprising what can be done if you try. Some plumbers and carpenters are really ingenious at fitting them in.

[ahinton]

I acquired my first dishwasher - a Miele - from a salesperson who said that he wouldn't personally buy it because his own Miele dishwaher had already been going well for 30 years without problems (and Miele were one of the first firms to market domestic diswashing appliances way back almost a century ago - and no, I don't have shares in that company!)...

[Dave2002]

Odd info - things you can put in dishwashers

I was at a dinner last night and someone for no apparent reason mentioned that she'd looked up a web page on things you can put in a dishwasher. Try "10 things you can put in dishwashers" as a search term, and you might find this http://www.goodhousekeeping.com/home...in-dishwasher/

or this http://www.womansday.com/home/organi...washer-115717/

or this http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2014/...-other-things/

She did say that putting kid's toys in a dishwasher worked a treat.

I'm not totally sure about some of the suggestions though.

[Jonathan]

We have had dishwashers for over 30 years. Our very first was indeed a desktop - secondhand - we took a chance on it. It wasn't great, but it worked well enough for a while.

After that we've had floor standers - mostly standard size. One of them did pack up at an inconvenient time, and we stacked up all the plates etc. on the floor until we ordered and had a new one installed. Unlike our normal criteria for replacement or ordering of new items, on that occasion I think we went with the supplier who could deliver at very short notice, so we "only" had to put up with a few days of inconvenience.

If there's room for a slimline one I'd say give it a go, though perhaps look out for a second hand one if you're not sure - some are good. You might pick one up on Freecycle or Gumtree. My guess is once you've had one you'll buy a new one, and not look back.

If you have a sink with floor standing cupboards in your kitchen, check out whether you can get a standard size dishwasher under, in place of one of your cupboards. It's surprising what can be done if you try. Some plumbers and carpenters are really ingenious at fitting them in.

Thanks Dave, I will certainly give it some thought - won't be for a while though as we've got lots of expense headed our way!

[french frank]

then a dishwasher is a good thing to have.

Since most of my meals are taken alone, I have developed the habit of washing up each course as I finish it. I start off with a bowl of hot soapy water and it takes no time to all to wash up plates and cutlery, and put them to drain as I'm waiting for the next course to finish. And I have no longer to wait between courses than in a restaurant. If you have a family of 4+ and regularly have 3 or 4 courses perhaps it makes sense to load up a machine and wash everything after each meal but for one or two people????!!!

In any case, I don't have enough plates and cups to fill a dishwasher (mostly two of each, as I got rid of all the rest).

[jean]

The only thing I can really see in favour of dishwashers is that when you're invited to dinner, if your hosts have one you're absolved from the necessity of offering to wash up.

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

I was always against buying a dishwasher in view of my pride in my washing up. Then a friend of Frau Alpensinfonie bought a new house and wanted an all-new fitted kitchen, so offered her dishwasher to us (free of charge). That was five years ago, and it's still going strong.

I'm a total convert.

[ahinton]

She did say that putting kid's toys in a dishwasher worked a treat

But what if anything did she say about putting the kids themselves in the dishwasher?

[Dave2002]

I am intrigued as to how those of you who don't want or don't like dishwashers make food. It's not just a question of clearing up a few plates and dishes at breakfast, but actually preparing food often takes a lot of bowls, pans, etc. These all need cleaning, and sometimes the proportion of preparation vessels and utensils actually used for preparation to those used for the actual eating is very significant.

[jean]

Don't you think anyone prepared food before dishwashers were invented?

[ahinton]

I am intrigued as to how those of you who don't want or don't like dishwashers make food. It's not just a question of clearing up a few plates and dishes at breakfast, but actually preparing food often takes a lot of bowls, pans, etc. These all need cleaning, and sometimes the proportion of preparation vessels and utensils actually used for preparation to those used for the actual eating is very significant.

It's perfectly possible to use a sink and washing up liquid, you know - especially if one has more than one sink (which I don't) and especially if one tries as best as possible to wash as one goes - but I would not be without a dishwasher for all that!

[Old Grumpy]

I am intrigued as to how those of you who don't want or don't like dishwashers make food. It's not just a question of clearing up a few plates and dishes at breakfast, but actually preparing food often takes a lot of bowls, pans, etc. These all need cleaning, and sometimes the proportion of preparation vessels and utensils actually used for preparation to those used for the actual eating is very significant.

Oh dear, the secret is out!...


...Ready meals?

We do have a dishwasher, but use it infrequently - mainly when the kids are home. We do wait for it to be full before setting it off though.

OG

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

I am intrigued as to how those of you who don't want or don't like dishwashers make food. It's not just a question of clearing up a few plates and dishes at breakfast, but actually preparing food often takes a lot of bowls, pans, etc. These all need cleaning, and sometimes the proportion of preparation vessels and utensils actually used for preparation to those used for the actual eating is very significant.

Wash 'em up in the sink as you go along. As things are simmering - still requiring your presence in the kitchen (just in case) but when you have a little time with nothing to do - clean the stuff you've finished using. There's no more ... things to ... wash ... than ...

... than ...

... erm ...



I'm spending time contributing to a Thread on


Dishwasher Tablets






... and I don't have a dishwasher.






WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO MY LIFE???????????????????

[french frank]

Wash 'em up in the sink as you go along. As things are simmering - still requiring your presence in the kitchen (just in case) but when you have a little time with nothing to do - clean the stuff you've finished using.

I consider this part of the art of cooking Sometimes I use things twice - I wash the bowl as soon as it's finished with and then use it again.

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

I consider this part of the art of cooking Sometimes I use things twice - I wash the bowl as soon as it's finished with and then use it again.