If you’ve been planning a kitchen remodel, the one appliance to which you might not given much thought is the dishwasher. Ovens, stoves and refrigerators all have many features that can be added or subtracted based on personal taste and lifestyle. But the dishwasher has spent much of its career as a humble white box that simply does the wash. Today’s dishwashers, however, are built differently. They’ve been reinvented to not only help enhance the look of your kitchen décor, but they’re also now loaded with practical features that go a long way in making your life easier.
Modern dishwashers have features that allow for both deep, intense cleaning for heavily soiled pots and pans, as well as a gentle “hand wash” cycle for delicate glassware and finer cups and plates. Some of today’s dishwashers even come with dual drawers, so you can wash your toughest, heaviest dishes and those fragile pieces – all at once.
While the dimensions of most modern dishwashers are the same as their predecessors, what have changed are the dimensions inside. The biggest change has been in overall tub height – people wanted an appliance that would facilitate larger pots and pans, and this has been accomplished with the taller tub. Another improvement in modern dishwashers is the touch pad control panel as opposed to the dials. Even thought it would seem the advanced technology of a touch pad would be more difficult to service, the opposite is true because there are fewer moving parts.
Of course, noise has always been a huge concern when it comes to dishwashers, especially with many of today’s homes featuring an open floor plan. Anyone who owns a dishwasher – especially the white box one from the past – knows that running the dishwasher was often a noisy proposition. Almost all of today’s models feature better insulation so that they buffer the noise better than their older counterparts, and new technology has allowed for quieter motors. A bonus of reducing noise is reducing energy consumption and water usage as well.
What makes today’s dishwashers stand out from their white-box ancestors? Sometimes, not standing out at all. New design innovations allow for dishwasher fronts that match the cabinetry in your kitchen, allowing your dishwasher to blend in seamlessly with its surroundings. But if you like a bit more flair, don’t despair – dishwashers are also available in fun, bright colors, and even patterns. If a professional kitchen is what you have in mind, you can also opt for stainless steel. And if you just don’t want to shake things up that much, old, reliable white is still available.
Of course, for the best fit for your kitchen and lifestyle, it’s still a good idea to get help from a pro on selecting the perfect dishwasher for your remodel. That’s where Fahy Kitchens & Baths can help. Our design experts will help you find just the right dishwasher for your new kitchen. Please feel free to contact us at (315) 735-8181 or fax to (315) 735-2829. Fahy Kitchens & Baths is located at 1908 Oriskany Street West in Utica, N.Y. Walk-ins are welcome, but appointments are appreciated.