Dishwashing is a household chore that needs to done on a daily basis. Busy days eave your dishes all piled up in the kitchen sink while they patiently wait to be washed upon your return from a hard day’s work. This task is, unfortunately, is part of your daily grind. Truth be told. can be quite tiring!
Enter the thought of owning a dishwasher which can provide you relief from this horrid task! Space, however, is a consideration when comes to dishwashers as many of them can take space in a kitchen. If space is indeed an issue for your, you will be glad to know that there are now tabletop dishwashers available for purchase meant for homes with limited space.
Tabletop dishwashers are pretty compact compared to regular dishwashers. They can be placed on top of any counter near the kitchen sink and connected directly to the faucet of that particularly sink.
Despite their size, tabletop dishwasher do not lack in terms of functionality. They have heating elements and washing cycles which can be comparable to their larger counterparts. They do not lack in organizing racks as well so organizing your tableware won’t be much of a problem.
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Do I need a countertop dishwasher?
For obvious reasons, owning a tabletop dishwasher is not actually a necessity. However, there are many things that can be provided by tabletop dishwasher, enough for you to consider owning one.
Dishwashers , as compared to regular handwashing, save more water and washing liquid. They use approximately three gallons of water per cycle.
For neat freaks, dishwashers are also known to do a much better job at cleaning dishes, leaving them sparkling clean and stain-free.
In terms of price, tabletop dishwashers are cheaper than their regular counterparts.
A disadvantage of tabletop dishwashers though is that they are not able to accommodate larger sized dishes and cookware. This may cause the inconvenience of you needing to move the dishwasher away from the kitchen sink in order to accommodate the dishes you’ve hand-washed.
How do tabletop dishwasher work?
Tabletop dishwashers work pretty much like portable washing machines. They are placed on top of kitchen counter where they can have close access to bot the sink and kitchen faucet.
A hose is attached to the faucet to supply water to the dishwasher. The ideal water temperature for washing is 120 degrees Fahrenheit. Heating elements are installed in tabletop dishwashers to ensure that this ideal temperature is reached for better dishwashing results.
In order to drain the dishwasher during the rinse cycle, another tube is connected to the dishwasher to serve as the drain. This tube is left to hang on the kitchen sink so the used water is drained directly into the sink.
Tabletop Dishwasher Installation and Maintenance
When it comes to installation, not much is to be considered when it comes to tabletop dishwashers. They are simply attached to the kitchen faucet while one other hose is left to hang by the kitchen sink for drainage.
One important thing to consider though is they type of faucet that your sink has. Make sure that your faucet is not a spray type faucet since the water supply hose of tabletop dishwashers cannot attach to these types of faucets.
Measure the space available to make sure that it can accommodate the dishwasher. The width usually ranges from 16-22 inches, while the height usually ranges from 17-20 inches.
Dishwashers always have filters which require regular cleaning. Regular vinegar is recommended as a rinse agent for these filters in order to avoid deposits and buildup of minerals.
Pre-nising is no longer required for these types dishwashers. It is recommended though that large food particles be scraped off used dishes and tableware prior to loading in the dishwasher.
For shorter cycles, packet and tablet types of detergents are not really recommended since they might not totally dissolve during the cycle.
Tabletop or drawer type?
Compact dishwashers may be either tabletop or drawer types. Tabletop dishwashers occupy a smaller space and are cheaper than drawer types.
Drawer types, otherwise known as integrated compact dishwashers, however, may be installed in your kitchen and may add to the kitchen’s design.
In terms of functionality, both will have impressive function and cycle choices.
The choice, in the end, really depends on what you feel will fit your lifestyle and home.
Buying Guide
There are many models to choose from when it comes to compact dishwashers. All will have features that will improve their functionality and efficiency. Below are some guidelines which you can use to help you choose which dishwasher is best for you.
Size and Weight Matters
As compact as they may seem, size still counts when it comes to choosing a dishwasher. You would still have to chose one that is big enough to fit on your counter. Make sure, too, that it won’t be too heavy for you just in case you’ll need to move it around during certain occasions.
Capacity
It would be good to consider your lifestyle too when choosing a dishwasher. How many dishes do you usually use and how many people are there in your household? Do you often entertain guests Would one cycle be enough to accommodate your washing needs in a day or two?
Don’t forget to check for the size of your tableware and dishes to see if they can fit in the dishwasher. There are model that have adjustable racks so you can easily fix the racks depending on the size of the dishes you plan to place in the dishwasher.
Water Consumption
One of the reasons why using a dishwasher is more practical is because of the amount of water you can actually save. Some models, however, use up more water than the others. Check on how much water each model will use and compare.
Energy efficiency
Besides saving on water, you would want to save on electrical consumption as well. Energy stars can be a guide if you need to learn more about the dishwasher’s energy consumption. Higher energy star ratings means more energy efficiency without compromising on functionality and performance.
The Cycles
You would want to look at the different cycles that they dishwasher has so you know you have more options to choose from. Pre-rinsing, soak, quick wash and heavy wash are basic cycles available for most dishwashers. More washing options though means more versatility and convenience so it would be wise to see the other washing options that the dishwasher has.
Ease of Use
User-friendly. This is one feature that people usually look for in any gadget or kitchen appliance. Make sure that the dishwasher has clearly marked buttons and indicator lights.
Try to see if the dishwasher has easy-to-read LED or screen displays so you can easily choose on what cycle you will be using.
How do you clean your dishwasher?
Like all appliances, owning a dishwasher means proper maintenance, especially if you’d want your dishwasher to last a long time.
After using the dishwasher, take out its filter and clean it. Soak it in soap diluted in hot water and leave it there for ten minutes.
Pour a cup of vinegar once a twice a month to the bottom of the dishwasher and allow it to run on heavy clean cycle.
Leave a cup of baking soda at the bottom of the dishwasher overnight and let it run on an empty cycle.
All these procedures will help you clean and maintain the interior of your dishwasher, ridding it of any residue. It will also help maintain the dishwasher’s performance and efficiency.
