The use of household appliances has greatly facilitated the life of housewives, saving them from performing a large amount of routine operations. Washing dishes is a classic example of replacing manual labor with appliances at home. But is the use of a dishwasher so unambiguous? The pros and cons of this equipment will allow us to consider this issue from different angles, taking into account the practical nuances of operation.
What is a dishwasher?
To begin with, it is worth understanding what a dishwashing unit is in a modern design. In its current form, the first models appeared back in 1960, being released from the assembly line of the German company Miele. Until now, the device has retained the basic principles of washing, but with a huge number of optimization improvements and improvements. Today it is an electrical household appliance of mediumsizes, which includes baskets for holding and fixing dishes, upper and lower rocker arms, a dispenser, plumbing infrastructure for connecting to the water supply, sprinklers, a heater, etc. Actually, all the pros and cons of a dishwasher come from its design features, and also basic functions, which include the following:
- Preparing for washing. Crockery and cutlery are placed in the aforementioned baskets. In parallel with this, a program is being selected, according to which the containers will accept tableted or powdered detergents.
- Soaking. Cold water jets are directed into the crockery trays with a minimum amount of detergent, sufficient for soaking. This is a preparatory procedure before the main washing process. Its task is to ensure the soaking of dried dirt on the surfaces of dishes.
- Sink. A basic workflow in which heated water and high-pressure detergent are sprayed onto the dishes from all sides, washing away food and grease.
- Rinse. After washing, one or more rinses are performed with clean water and rinse aid. At this stage, the remnants of washing materials are already washed out.
- Drying. This operation can be carried out in different ways, but in each case, its purpose is to speed up the drying of dishes. Depending on the model, this procedure can be carried out by directing hot air currents or by means of moisture condensation.
Of course, this is not limited to the setdishwasher functions. The pros and cons of operating modern models, in particular, are determined by the presence of software-controlled automation and additional features. For example, some modifications from major manufacturers can be used to wash shoes, toys, and even root crops.
Types of dishwasher
Not so long ago, it was possible to describe the classification of this technique in simple terms of household and industrial models. Today, there are much more differences between different versions, whole form factors stand out, etc. At a basic level, the following types of machines can be noted:
- Front. This is a classic technique for industrial use, which, however, is very similar to household dishwashers. The pros and cons in this case correspond to the classes, but with one exception - industrial front models are more reliable and durable. On the other hand, a more ergonomic and compact technique is offered to a wide audience.
- Dome. Also, the segment was mostly formed by industrial units, but thanks to optimization it became available to the average user. The fundamental difference between such models can be called the absence of a door. This machine got its name domed due to the fact that the washing tank, like a dome, covers the basket with dishes. In the basic configuration with such a unit, a sink and a sorting table are usually offered.
- Tunnel. Outwardly, such machines resemble a conveyor in which dishes move from onetechnological stage to another. Typically, tunnel models are used in hotels and restaurants.
Directly household dishwashing machines have a standard rectangular or square form factor, differing only in size. According to this parameter, it is recommended to select a model based on the possibilities of installation in a particular room. Also, unlike industrial appliances, household units have a wider range of additional functions. The pros and cons of a multi-purpose dishwasher, for example, can be judged by the possibilities of sterilization, child-proof door lock, touch and remote control, half load, etc.
Dishwasher performance
First of all, it is worth talking about the size, since the machine in any case will take up a lot of space compared to other household appliances. Its dimensions can be compared with a small refrigerator or stove. So, a full-size model with average parameters of 60x60x85 cm can accommodate from 10 to 15 sets of dishes. Small-sized models with a body width of not more than 50 cm allow you to load up to 7-9 sets. Today, mobile mini dishwashing appliances for 2-3 sets are also popular, which are the size of a small microwave oven.
Since the operation of any powerful household appliances goes into electricity bills, it will be useful to take into account the energy saving class. For example, classes A, B and C are considered the most economical, while models F and G are the most expensive. It concernselectricity, but also water consumption will affect the financial assessment of the pros and cons of the dishwasher. Characteristics for this indicator are expressed in liters and are also marked with letters. In particular, class A means that the machine consumes 14-16 liters per cycle, class B - about 20 liters, and class C - up to 25 liters.
The main advantages of the dishwasher
Having considered the technical and operational qualities, one can summarize and list its main advantages of the technique as follows:
- Exclusion of hand contact with washing water allows the use of strong, but safe for the dishes themselves, chemical cleaning products. This increases the efficiency of the washing process without harm to he alth.
- It is also possible to use hot water in high temperature conditions up to 55-65 °C.
- The user as a whole only needs to load dishes, select programs and control start/stop.
- The use of abrasives is excluded, which, however, causes both the pros and cons of the dishwasher. On the one hand, work without sponges and brushes preserves sensitive coatings of dishes, and on the other hand, the effectiveness of cleaning from difficult dirt decreases.
- According to various estimates, the level of water consumption in automatic washing compared to manual washing is estimated at an average ratio of 10-20 liters versus 60 liters, if we take into account the maintenance of 10-12 sets of dishes.
The main cons of the dishwasher
Operation of dishwashing equipment alsoaccompanied by negative factors, including the following:
- Productive models take up a lot of space, and, in addition to the design of the equipment itself, space is also required for laying water line communications.
- Regarding the use of hot water, the advantages of the dishwasher are also not so clear. The pros and cons of high-temperature pressure differ with respect to different materials. For example, thin glass, glued crockery, and many items with decorative inserts are not heat resistant.
- Some types of dishes cannot be washed in electrical equipment in principle. This applies to items made of wood, plastic, copper and tin materials. Exceptions apply to crystal and aluminum, which are washed with certain restrictions and special additives.
Pros and cons of the Bosch dishwasher
One of the most famous manufacturers of household appliances has several versions of domestic dishwashers in its assortment. In most cases, their users note the high build quality, the reliability of the power filling, the quality of washing and functionality. Ergonomic nuances of operation, such as quiet operation, well-thought-out design of trays and spaciousness, are also emphasized separately. However, among the reviews about the design characteristics there are both pluses and minuses. The Bosch dishwasher is distinguished by the possibility of adjusting the positions of the trays and baskets with the top basket. This givesadvantages when loading the same type of dishes, but not always convenient when regularly servicing different-sized products. For comparison, you can give examples of universal models with a stationary internal structure that is suitable for all items of utensils. Also, Bosch products are traditionally criticized for high prices. In this case, we are talking about the range of 20-30 thousand rubles.
Reviews about Indesit models
This company does not belong to the premium manufacturers of household appliances, but its products are quite common - both due to reasonable prices, and due to the combination of functionality and ease of use. These qualities are precisely what distinguish the Indesit dishwasher. The pros and cons in relation to this technique are balanced and generally obvious. So, the strengths of Italian cars, in addition to a lower price tag compared to German counterparts, include ease of handling, decent quality of basic functions and modest dimensions with an optimized design. As for the disadvantages, they are high consumption of water and electricity, not always high quality of the element base and a limited choice of models in terms of design.
Reviews about models "Mile"
It is impossible not to mention the brand developer of the first dishwasher in its modern form, although this German manufacturer today does not have such a wide representation in the segment under consideration. One way or another, users generally praise Miele appliances, pointing to the qualitydesign, and functionality with high performance. The company succeeds in powerful modifications, in which friendly ergonomics are also preserved in terms of household use, as evidenced by the reviews. The pros and cons of the dishwasher in terms of the quality of the wash diverge a bit. Basic modes show tolerable results, and problems often arise in the settings and operation of individual specialized programs. This applies, for example, to drying plastic dishes and adjusting the rinse settings.
Reviews of Electrolux models
Electrolux company also offers rather attractive equipment in terms of price and quality. The pros and cons of the dishwasher of this manufacturer in maintenance are especially pronounced. Everything related to the management and maintenance of the working condition of the equipment causes rather positive feedback. Designers strive to provide machines with durable consumables, not forgetting about the technical convenience of handling. If we talk about cons, they are mainly found in the software, declaring themselves in various errors. As a rule, troubles arise with water drain and pressure sensors.
For a small family, cars from Electrolux as a whole can be called the optimal solution, since the equipment quickly copes with its tasks without consuming a large amount of energy resources, which, again, can be seen from the reviews. The pros and cons of a dishwasher of this brand in terms of functionality are largelydepend on the model, but for the most part, the company strives for a utilitarian approach and simplicity. Actually, the presence of program control can be called the technological pinnacle of such models, which is quite welcome by those who want to get an inexpensive and easy-to-use assistant in dish care.
Conclusion
The process of mechanization and even the automated execution of simple household tasks is in full swing, leaving no chance for the preservation of manual labor in the future. We can only talk about the degree of replacement of hands with "smart" technology, but the prospects for the development of this direction are completely predictable. Nevertheless, at this stage it is quite reasonable to consider both the pros and cons of the dishwasher. In an apartment of a small area, of course, dimensions will come to the fore among the shortcomings. At a minimum, you can purchase an embedded model, but this will entail a different kind of hassle associated with installation. Another serious drawback concerns finances. It not only refers to the amount of purchase of the car, but also to the regular costs of its maintenance and upkeep. On the other hand, these and other disadvantages can be compensated by saved free time, hygienic advantages and elementary comfort in housekeeping.
