When it comes time for you to choose a new dishwasher that will do the bulk of the washing work, you want to make sure it has what you need. Buying a dishwasher that fits your needs can be stressful. There are hundreds of different sizes, models, brands, and styles. But beyond the exterior look, the important elements come down to what can your dishwasher do?
There are possibilities of Wi-Fi connectivity and touch to start elements, but the appliance world moves at a remarkably fast pace, so each year, a new feature comes into play.
In this expert guide, we’ll walk you through the best dishwasher features of 2022, so you know how to navigate the weeds and find the gold. Between discovering the benefits of features and which brand gives you the top dishwashers for what you’re looking for, we have it all.
In This Review:
What makes one dishwasher better than another?
Any dishwasher can clean a milky bowl of cereal or your glass of orange juice – if you have the right type of detergent. That request isn’t something you should be pining over for a new dishwasher. What makes a dishwasher something to drool over are its features. Are you searching for an ultra-quiet dishwasher or a dishwasher with a wide array of cycles?
Instead of going from the outside-in (looks to features), let’s review what dishwasher features can do before the aesthetic. Keep in mind no dishwasher encompasses every element in one appliance, but many showcase great choices that you can easily have at your fingertips. Our goal is to get you chatting with your dinner date, confident your dishwasher is doing the grunt work.
Find what makes these dishwasher brands different in our Bosch vs Frigidaire vs GE comparison guide.
Clean and Shiny Dishes (Sanitizing)
The baseline of requirements for dishwasher features is that it cleans, right? Any plan-old appliance can do that, but any dishwasher can’t guarantee that it cleans effectively. That’s why the first feature on our list is sanitation.
Did you know there’s a difference between cleaning and sanitizing? It’s an important one. While a dishwasher cleans through jets and power, a sanitizing cycle uses hotter temperatures and longer wash cycles to kill bacteria. If you’re looking for an added boost of confidence in cleanliness, a sanitizing feature on your new dishwasher is something to keep your eye out for.
The benefits of a sanitation feature exceed your dishes. If you have kids at home who love to play with Legos, plastic blocks, and dolls- a sanitizing cycle on your dishwasher will do wonders. As kids share, bite, and lick everything, their toys hold bacteria and germs that easily build up. When your children are cyclically sick, take a handful (or a bucket full) of their toys, toss them in your dishwasher, and press ‘Sanitize’. Baby bottles, bathroom trashcans, or any smaller item that won’t melt under high heat, can be sanitized via your dishwasher.
How to use the sanitize cycle on your dishwasher is efficient and user-friendly. Before starting your dishwasher, select the sanitizing option- typically, there’s a button. This will activate higher temperatures to practically boil those germs away.
Newer Frigidaire dishwashers come with a sanitizing cycle that heats your dishes (or toys) for nine minutes at a boiling 155 degrees Fahrenheit. Before you begin your cleaning process, an extra tip to keep in mind is to add rinse aid. This will help your dishes have an even deeper clean. Frigidaire dishwashers feature a sanitizing cycle qualified by the National Sanitation Foundation (NSF). The NSF guarantees that 99.9 percent of any bacteria is removed. We recommend Frigidaire dishwashers for the best sanitizing options.
Recommended Read: Spotlight: Frigidaire Dishwasher Review & More
Power (Jets)
Next in line to keep an eye out for dishwasher features are jets. Power can do a lot for getting those pesky caked-on eggs off, and that’s why specialized jets are on our list. There are a few different dishwashers with bottle jets, and their features vary. Between side, bottom, and top jets, they all reach various areas of your dishware and clean differently. The best analogy for effective jets relates to your car. Have you ever taken your vehicle through a carwash and noticed the rims of your wheels aren’t entirely cleaned? It’s the same effect when a dishwasher doesn’t have jets.
The best thing about jets is you don’t have to do anything. They simply activate when your dishwasher is on. Depending on the brand and model will affect the time and power of this dishwasher feature.
GE dishwashers offer various levels of jet power. They’re the brand we recommend if power is something you’re after. GE’s four bottle wash jets ensure a deeper clean for taller items such as wine glasses or larger Tupperware. The four bottle wash jets aim inside hard-to-reach places with water and detergent. Easily replace components, if needed, by unclipping them from their tints. This option adds an extra 23 minutes to your washing cycle, but for that deeper clean, we think it’s worth it.
Different models in the GE dishwasher lineup have the Dedicated Silverware Jet feature. These are located in the middle and rotate around the silverware container. They are specifically designed to target your knives and forks. High-pressurized water gives full coverage to all the basket areas, so there is no need to worry about where you place your silverware.
Recommended Read: GE Profile Dishwasher Review
Capacity (3rd rack)
Dishwasher capacity is essential. Nobody wants to do two loads of dishes a day or handwash extra bowls that won’t fit. There are a few different dishwasher features that promote larger capacity. For example, nylon-coated racks are sought after more than vinyl-coated options since they cradle dishes better and don’t crack as easily. Adjustable upper and middle racks give you more options to fit different shapes and sizes of containers into your dishwasher. But what’s the purpose of the third rack in a dishwasher?
We won’t say they’re essential, but they help alleviate some of that extra handwashing in the long run. Random lids and items can be thrown on the third rack without cluttering other essential spaces. And we all know how slippery Tupperware lids can be, falling between plates and glasses, never staying where they’re meant to be. A third rack dishwasher relieves these inconveniences with ease.
There are a few different options to choose from when investing in a third-rack dishwasher. Ball-bearing racks make it easier to slide the compartment in and out without sticking and making silverware fall through the cracks. Clip-in wine glass holders give you extra security that nothing will cling against your stemware and shatter it.
Third rack dishwashers are user-friendly and, depending on your preferences, they can be used for various items. For example, easily align your knives next to each other, so you aren’t blindly reaching into your silverware holder. Or place all your oily lids flat so robust jets can clean them effectively. A third rack also brings peace of mind when dealing with larger dishes that take up more space. If you feel overwhelmed your dishwasher won’t hold your silverware in one place, utilize the third rack dishwasher feature to fit every last piece.
KitchenAid dishwashers are our top dishwasher brand for third rack options. Make cleanup an afterthought, and don’t be afraid to make that extra side of mashed potatoes with a KitchenAid dishwasher. KitchenAid features a FreeFlex Rack. Its design fits six-inch glasses, bowls, and mugs on a third rack while rotating jets target hard-to-reach places. And to top it off, a drying bar blows away moisture for a pristine finish. The KitchenAid dishwasher featuring a FreeFlex Rack is angled to fit more bowls and taller glasses for your convenience. On top of all these features for a third rack, KitchenAid dishwashers give you adjustable middle shelves and other advanced features to make cleanup effortless.
Recommended Read: KitchenAid Appliances Reviews + Buying Guide
Automatic Door Opening
What are the benefits of having an automatic door for your dishwasher? This feature allows dishes to release excess steam, bringing glasses into a state of optimal spotlessness. When a dishwasher door automatically opens after a cycle, fewer watermarks are found on glass and silverware since steam is slowly released. Most models implement a fan that keeps moisture from damaging your beautiful countertops and wilting materials.
The best thing about automatic doors on dishwashers is they streamline the drying process, giving you more time to enjoy your day. Don’t wipe off and dry your dishes after the cycle is done- with an automatic door feature, all you need to do is take them from the dishwasher to the cabinet, and you’re done.
Another great thing about automatic dishwasher doors is you don’t have to put any extra thought into this dishwasher feature. Once the cycle is through, the dishwasher will crack the door and release steam. Easily know if your dishes are clean, dirty, or finished washing.
LG gives you the ease of knowing when your dishes are done and gives you confidence in supreme dryness. To enhance drying performance, LG QuadWash dishwashers feature an ‘Auto Open Door’ (AOD). This helps with watermarks and saves on energy by taking advantage of natural drying processes. If you ever get tired of this LG dishwasher feature, simply turn it off by pressing and holding the Energy Star Saver button and the High Temp button simultaneously for three seconds.
Soil Sensors
What’s a soil sensor in a dishwasher? To break it down, it’s a feature that automatically senses and adjusts the cycle to what is needed for your dishes. This innovative technology saves energy and time. If your dishes are relatively clean and need just a light wash, the soil sensing feature detects those elements and adjusts accordingly. Most soil sensor dishwashers are also Energy Star certified, meaning you’ll save money over the long haul.
Bosch dishwashers feature a Precision Wash element that gives your dishware the ultimate cleanliness. Intelligent tech allows sensors to continually scan and readjust what’s needed throughout each cycle. By using powerful and precise spray arms, your dishes will be fresh and clean before you know it. You don’t have to press any buttons or choose a specific cycle to use Bosch’s Precision Wash. It’s integrated into the appliance, so time and energy are optimized for each load. East Coast Appliance features 30 Bosch dishwashers that are Energy Star certified, which means deeper and more effective washes for your dishes.
Recommended Read: Dishwasher Showdown: Bosch vs KitchenAid
Why Trust Us?
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 dishwashers online at East Coast Appliance. Our friendly associates are always happy to help you find the best dishwasher features for you, 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: Facts You Should Know Before Purchasing a Dishwasher