Did you know that the first mechanical dishwashing machine was invented in 1850 by Joel Houghton? It was made of wood and used a hand crank to spray water on dishes. It’s safe to say dishwashing technology and design have come a very long way since then, evolving with innovations in designs, features, mechanisms, capabilities, and capacity, to add more convenience to our home life, whether you have a portable, built-in, or drawer model. And now, one of the latest advancements in dish care is a dishwasher with a 3rd rack! These dishwashing machines offer more flexibility, space, and improved performance when you wash a load of your dishes, cookware, and flatware.
Have we piqued your interest in 3 rack dishwashers? Read our skillfully created guide below for more details about everything you need to know about dishwashers with a third rack —including their benefits, our top picks, or frequently asked questions you’ve been dying to have answered.
At a Glance:
What is the Third Rack in a Dishwasher For?
Benefits of a Third Rack Dishwasher
Our Favorite Third Rack Dishwashers
What is the Third Rack in a Dishwasher for?
The third dishwasher rack is an extra-level sliding rack at the very top of a dishwasher that sits above the standard silverware rack. It’s the ideal place to organize flatware, small kitchen utensils, and even smaller glasses, cups, and bowls depending on which dishwasher model it is. The third rack provides users with more flexibility when loading their dishwashers and leaves more space in the bottom basket for other larger dishware and cookware items. Most third racks are a sliding tray with a dedicated area for flatware to be placed in an organized and unclutter manner along with additional space for stemware. Small cooking utensils, bowls, and cups can also be placed on this rack for a proper wash that may not be achieved in a crowded lower rack.
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Benefits of a Third Rack Dishwasher
Dishwashers with a 3rd rack have plenty to offer their users in harnessing space, increased washing performance, and more convenience. Below, we have listed a few benefits that are integral to appliance shoppers like you.
- Maximizes space: A third rack has 30 percent more loading area, providing more room for hard-to-place items like long kitchen utensils and silverware. It also eliminates the need for a cutlery basket, making more room for plates and cookware on the bottom rack.
- Improves performance: Flatware always gets a proper clean on the third rack thanks to the tines that prevent them from “nesting” like silverware would in the basket.
- Convenience: Since this rack is located at the very top of the dishwasher, meaning less bending down to reach lower racks and the basket, which your back will thank you for.
Our Favorite Third Rack Dishwashers
Best Overall: GE® 24” Fingerprint Resistant Stainless Steel Built In Dishwasher (GDP665SYNFS)
Model Number: GDP665SYNFS | Controls: Touch | Capacity: 16 Place Settings
Our best overall pick is this GE dishwasher with a third rack that offers all the space you could need to prep-wash for guest dinners and post-wash for the cleanup. With 16 place settings and a third rack to handle your flatware along with your smaller cooking utensils and dishware, you can easily knock out a tower of plates, bowls, pots, and pans with the one-hour wash, steam + sani, or one of the three other cycles. Best of all, the wash and dry systems use dedicated bottle jets to blast the hard-to-reach areas of tall items for the ultimate clean before equipping the Dry Boost with Fan-Assist to dry even the hard-to-dry glasses, plates, or bowls up to three times drier than a standard heated dry cycle.
Features:
- 5 Programs and 11 options
- Noise Level: 45 dB(A)
- 3rd Rack
- Dry Boost with Fan Assist
Learn More: The Best GE Dishwasher Review
Best Value: Frigidaire® 24” Stainless Steel Built In Dishwasher (FDSH4501AS)
Model Number: FDSH4501AS | Controls: Touch | Capacity: 14 Place Settings
This Frigidaire dishwasher will keep a couple more dollars in your wallet while stepping up your dishwasher game. For the most optimal clean, this NSF (National Sanitation Foundation) certified dishwasher is equipped with a BladeSpray arm for a thorough wash, an EvenDry system that circulates airflow for a spot-less dry, and a third level rack that can fit more dishes without cluttering. Best of all, you can even do a much-needed cycle during nap time since your dishwashing machine won’t make a peep operating at a quiet 49 dB(A).
Features:
- 5 Programs and 4 options
- Noise Level: 49 dB(A)
- 3rd Level Rack
- BladeSpray Arm
Learn More: Frigidaire Dishwasher Review for Large Families
Best Splurge: Electrolux 24” Stainless Steel Built In Dishwasher (EDSH4944AS)
Model Number: EDSH4944AS | Controls: IQ Touch | Capacity: 14 Place settings
Invest in your dishwashing future with our Electrolux dishwasher that is more than worth it. You’ll love the third-level rack that offers seamless organization for your culinary tools and silverware for a spotless clean. Plus, loading and unloading each cycle will be a breeze, and your back will thank you. Quietly running at 45 dB(A), your water bottles, pots, casserole dish, stemware, and pans will get a sparkling clean with the help of the LuxCare wash arm and its targeted wash zones. These wash systems ensure your dishes get the best and most efficient clean for all unique shapes and sizes, as well as the dishware that needs some extra elbow grease. But the feature that’ll make you smile the most is the 30-minute clean cycle option, which is perfect for those days you realize last minute you’re out of clean plates and cutlery an hour before your guests arrive.
Features:
- 9 Programs and 3 options
- Noise Level: 45 dB(A)
- Third-Level Rack
- Pro-Clean system
Third Rack Dishwasher FAQs
Q: Can I add a third rack to my dishwasher?
A: It mainly depends on the manufacturer, but there are dishwasher brands like LG, Whirlpool, and GE that offer an optional third rack feature that’s easy to install.
Q: How to load the third rack in a dishwasher?
A: Units with a third dishwasher rack can typically be loaded with most silverware, cooking utensils, small cups, and bowls. For more detailed instructions on how to load your dishwasher’s third rack, visit our blog.
Why Trust East Coast Appliance?
Locally owned and operated since 1988, East Coast Appliance is the largest independent appliance dealer in Virginia. We sell it ALL — from new name-brand appliances to scratch-and-dent appliances to our very own refurbished appliances. Aside from our huge selection of every major brand and everyday low prices, what sets us apart from our competitors is that we service what we sell and that we are locally owned and operated with factory-trained associates. And if you’re a local, great news: East Coast Appliance is committed to providing the absolute lowest prices on the same available brand and model — simply bring in the ad of the local retail competitor while the lower price is in effect, and you’ll receive your price match.
Shop Dishwashers at East Coast
There is a reason we are dubbed “The Discount King” — for unbeatable deals, shop third rack dishwashers online at East Coast Appliance. Our friendly associates are always happy to help you learn more about dishwashers with a 3rd rack, whether you call us or use our online chat feature. Better yet, stop by one of our showrooms to see why we are the best appliance store in Virginia. Visit us today!
Learn More: Features You Should Know Before Purchasing a Dishwasher