The Countertop Dishwasher Market

If you're like me the last thing I want to do after finishing dinner is to wash the dishes. As our lives get busier with work commitments and social events we prefer that machines do the menial tasks, but how do we manage if we are living in a small inner-city apartment with barely enough room to swing a cat? Well for starters we could take a look a buying a countertop dishwasher which will give us all the convenience of a standard dishwasher without taking up the valuable floor space.

These items are not designed for a large family with fifteen greasy plates and six or even cups to clean after every meal, but may be ideal for an individual or a couple who are facing limited living space. Therefore most buyers tend to be in the young professional demographic.

The standard dishwashers that have revolutionized our kitchens have their separate plumbing and usually require professionals to come and install them. The first thing to note with countertop dishwashers is that you do not need a degree in engineering to fit them yourselves. They come already provided with an adapter that will connect to the existing faucet in your sink so that any novice can install them. The only other thing you need for them to work is access to an electrical point to plug them in.

Secondly, anyone who has ever owned a standard dishwasher will have seen that, hugely useful as they are, they do tend to run up the electricity bill, not to mention increase water usage. When we add the additional factor of the cost of detergent we can see that they are not a cheap option, quite apart from the considerable initial outlay.

So the obvious economical advantage of a smaller machine is plainly evident. A countertop model uses less power, water and soap and the original investment will be up to hundreds of dollars less. In these times where people are tightening their belts every little saving counts.

Space-wise you are looking at a device that is around the same size as a microwave oven, though larger ones are also available. Normally they are designed with a small window on the front door too.

Any decent retailer of electrical appliances will stock standard or portable countertop dishwashers. The portable ones have wheels which make it even easier to maneuver them into position when they are needed. Once they have completed the washing and drying cycles and have been unloaded, they are ready to move easily back into a storage position in your kitchen.

If you are a seasoned buyer of goods on the Internet you will probably prefer to take a look at appliance sites and this is a great approach as it will probably end up saving you more money. It depends where you go but I was recently looking at buying a Danby countertop dishwasher and a cursory glance at a few sites showed price differences of up to $65 on the same model. So it definitely pays to shop around.

I have already covered some of the features of the standard dishwasher out there. Now let's focus on some of the best countertop dishwashers and what special value adds they provide.

The best ones have good quality stainless steel interiors. This is important as a cheaper one may be susceptible to corrosion or to the daily bump and grind that the machine is subjected to as it goes through its cycles.

The higher standard ones also have digital control panels that make it easy to program the various functions of the machine; their filter systems are usually more advanced than the cheaper models, resulting in a more thorough clean; they are well designed to allow optimum loads of plates, glasses and smaller utensils, which are loaded onto two levels of baskets; there is usually a third basket to carry the smaller utensils; they are very energy efficient and many carry the Energy Star assurance; rinse and soap dispensers are well positioned; there is a water-softening system that will prevent limescale from forming on your crockery, cutlery and glassware; most will have some kind of locking facility on the door so that the machine will not start unless it is shut; and finally the best ones work quite silently so do not interrupt the movie you are watching after dinner!

It should become clear after a little search of reviews about the various models available, which are the ones you are particularly interested in and will make your shortlist. As with everything check carefully exactly what you are getting for your money.

It is best to go with an established brand even if it means adding a few extra dollars to your budget and be sure to check the refund/return policy of the web site you are purchasing from. Let's not forget that countertop dishwashers are machines and things can and do go wrong with them.

In conclusion, a countertop dishwasher is usually a sound choice if you are looking to get all the benefits of modern convenience and at the same time want to save space, initial costs and ongoing utility costs over a standard washer.