# Recent(ish) experience with countertop dishwashers? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [August 17, 2022, 4:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recent-ish-experience-with-countertop-dishwashers/969802 "2022-08-17T04:49:26Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Mama\_Zappa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/71e660/32.png) [@Mama\_Zappa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mama_Zappa)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2022, 4:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recent-ish-experience-with-countertop-dishwashers/969802/1 "2022-08-17T04:49:26Z")
A search turned up 3 threads on the topic - two of them 20+ years old, one 8 years old (which I started, actually). > [@Things you never knew existed: countertop dishwasher](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-never-knew-existed-countertop-dishwasher/686839/9): > > I could go for a half-height, full width, fitted dishwasher. I live alone and the full-sized dishwasher takes a long time to fill. As long as it will take normal-sized plates. And it would give me back valuable storage space. The in-laws swear they don’t need a dishwasher. It’s just 2 of them, and they don’t have all that many dishes. 8 years ago, when I started that earlier thread, we’d planned on getting them a rollaway dishwasher, but they keep saying they don’t need one. And lately, we’ve all decided that they’d have trouble reaching the bottom part of a rollaway anyway. Plus the hassle of connecting / disconnecting one. So the latest thought is to get them a countertop one. Possibly with a counter-height utility cart, so it doesn’t take up too much of the fairly limited space. Honestly, when the kitchen was remodeled (before we bought the place), many nice things were done - but a garbage disposal, and a dishwasher, were NOT among them. They really need something. When we visited in April, there were times where we brought in takeout for dinner, and they set out dishes, which had VERY visible crud on them. So - long story short: just wondering if anyone has any experience newer than 2002 with these contraptions. I’m thinking I may order something from Home Depot (or Best Buy?) for store pickup, with whatever extended warranty they may offer. ---
**Author:** ![SmartAleq](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smartaleq/32/163_2.png) [@SmartAleq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SmartAleq)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2022, 5:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recent-ish-experience-with-countertop-dishwashers/969802/2 "2022-08-17T05:00:59Z")
I hope someone has some empirical evidence here too–I don’t need a full size dishwasher but a countertop would be pretty neat. Fairly sure I’ve seen them in IKEA and Europeans are really wizard on eco friendly, space saving appliances. ---
**Author:** ![BippityBoppityBoo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bippityboppityboo/32/5745_2.png) [@BippityBoppityBoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BippityBoppityBoo)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2022, 5:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recent-ish-experience-with-countertop-dishwashers/969802/3 "2022-08-17T05:05:43Z")
Looks like Home Depot has more than a dozen counter top dishwashers. Lowes probably has some, as might Wayfair. ETA: Wayfair has 30 countertop dishwashers. Lowes shows 14. Consumer Reports doesn’t show any reviews of countertop dishwashers. ---
**Author:** ![SmartAleq](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smartaleq/32/163_2.png) [@SmartAleq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SmartAleq)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2022, 5:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recent-ish-experience-with-countertop-dishwashers/969802/4 "2022-08-17T05:07:46Z")
And IKEA apparently has none so I’m off to a flying start here! Well, how about a review link then? Good Housekeeping even! > **[If You Have a Tiny Apartment, You Need a Countertop Dishwasher](https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/appliances/dishwasher-reviews/g33438785/best-countertop-mini-dishwashers/)** > > Kiss your rubber gloves goodbye. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2022, 5:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recent-ish-experience-with-countertop-dishwashers/969802/5 "2022-08-17T05:28:04Z")
There seem to be newer models that look sturdier than some of the old units. I don’t know how well any of them work but units like the [Danby 6 Place](https://www.walmart.com/ip/seort/785251012?selected=true&irgwc=1&sourceid=imp_zLxy5vxaIxyNTNbSFiQyBSYcUkDUWyyNI0byRE0&veh=aff&wmlspartner=imp_3006986&clickid=zLxy5vxaIxyNTNbSFiQyBSYcUkDUWyyNI0byRE0&sharedid=&affiliates_ad_id=565706&campaign_id=9383) look the same as they used to and get highly rated in this category but have some obvious flaws. They don’t dry dishes and there are reports of leaks and problems connecting and disconnecting hoses. A Dish Drawer will be a better choice, it’s really a half sized conventional dishwasher that slides out like a drawer instead of having a drop down door in front. ---
**Author:** ![Mama\_Zappa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/71e660/32.png) [@Mama\_Zappa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mama_Zappa)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2022, 5:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recent-ish-experience-with-countertop-dishwashers/969802/6 "2022-08-17T05:42:59Z")
Yeah, CR doesn’t seem to realize these gadgets exist. The Good Housekeeping article is useful, though they don’t talk about reliability. One limiting factor is it needs to be the sort with an internal tank that can be filled, in case we cannot do a direct hookup (or in case the parents refuse one). A dishwasher drawer would be great, if we were doing a kitchen remodel. I have no CLUE what the previous owner was thinking of when they redid the place. ---
**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2022, 6:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recent-ish-experience-with-countertop-dishwashers/969802/7 "2022-08-17T06:44:06Z")
I have one, and it is quite finicky. There are quite a few times when I will put the detergent pod in the compartment and run a cycle only to find that the pod was quite intact when it was over and the dishes were still greasy. ---
**Author:** ![Mama\_Zappa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/71e660/32.png) [@Mama\_Zappa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mama_Zappa)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2022, 2:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recent-ish-experience-with-countertop-dishwashers/969802/8 "2022-08-17T14:53:10Z")
Useful to know! Do you think a liquid or powder detergent would work better? It’s not unheard-of for the pod to be undissolved in our regular built-in machine, though rare. And what brand do you have? ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2022, 2:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recent-ish-experience-with-countertop-dishwashers/969802/9 "2022-08-17T14:57:58Z")
As someone who has lived their whole life without a dishwasher, can you explain what has led everyone to the conclusion that they need one? Not trying to sound condescending, just curious. My parents - the only old folks I know the dishwashing habits of - DO have one. So I’m not familiar with what might be perilous about older people hand-washing dishes. ---
**Author:** ![Grrr](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grrr/32/146_2.png) [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2022, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recent-ish-experience-with-countertop-dishwashers/969802/10 "2022-08-17T15:08:46Z")
This. It would be patronizing to get them one when they told you they don’t want one. Okay, so you get the dishwasher. It’s just going to sit on the counter and collect dust. That’s assuming they even bother to take it out of the box to begin with. My recommendation is that you respect their wishes. ---
**Author:** ![Pleonast](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pleonast/32/1183_2.png) [@Pleonast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pleonast)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2022, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recent-ish-experience-with-countertop-dishwashers/969802/11 "2022-08-17T15:08:46Z")
> [@ZipperJJ](#): > > As someone who has lived their whole life without a dishwasher, can you explain what has led everyone to the conclusion that they need one? The devil is in the details, but it quite possible that the dishwashing machine: 1. uses less water, 2. uses less energy to heat the water, 3. uses less of a human’s time. Your mileage certainly varies. ---
**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2022, 3:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recent-ish-experience-with-countertop-dishwashers/969802/12 "2022-08-17T15:14:48Z")
Sometimes you may have hand skin that peels when exposed to dishwashing liquid, or you may have a big batch of dishes you don’t want to go to the hassle of of washing by hand before bed, so you have a machine you can just load them into before sleep and snooze off while it runs. ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2022, 3:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recent-ish-experience-with-countertop-dishwashers/969802/13 "2022-08-17T15:20:20Z")
> [@Pleonast](#): > > Your mileage certainly varies. See, as a single person who uses paper plates, and/or re-uses the same rinsed-off bowl, cup and silverware for a week or so, my mileage varies to the side of “uses a little bit of water and a little bit of time every week or so to clean dishes.” There is absolutely no way a dishwasher would save me anything but 20 minutes of time every couple weeks. ETA: And I wear gloves. ---
**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2022, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recent-ish-experience-with-countertop-dishwashers/969802/14 "2022-08-17T15:24:47Z")
Sure, but for people with large families, a dishwasher is totally worth it. You use few enough stuff that you can wash by hand more easily, but a family that cooks a lot can easily get 40+ things dirty in one day - cups, plates, bowls, etc. ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2022, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recent-ish-experience-with-countertop-dishwashers/969802/15 "2022-08-17T15:26:53Z")
Oh yeah absolutely without a doubt!! I am NOT questioning the need for dishwashers to exist, they are indeed an essential kitchen appliance for MOST people and definitely busy households. I was just curious if they are an essential for two older folks who up until now have not felt the need to have one. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2022, 3:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recent-ish-experience-with-countertop-dishwashers/969802/16 "2022-08-17T15:27:12Z")
> [@Grrr](#): > > This. It would be patronizing to get them one when they told you they don’t want one. On the other hand, sometimes people think they don’t need or want something in the house but once it’s there and they understand how to use it, it becomes something they use all the time. Like when my brother set up streaming services for my parents. ---
**Author:** ![Grrr](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grrr/32/146_2.png) [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2022, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recent-ish-experience-with-countertop-dishwashers/969802/17 "2022-08-17T15:41:26Z")
That’s bc on demand streaming services are far superior to scheduled tv or DVD. A counter top dishwasher that takes 40 minutes to wash and can only do a limited amount of dishes. Compare that to being able to do ALL the dishes by hand in 10 minutes; the benefit is not quite as clear. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2022, 3:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recent-ish-experience-with-countertop-dishwashers/969802/18 "2022-08-17T15:43:47Z")
But that forty minutes that the dishwasher takes doesn’t mean you’re tied up for forty minutes. You just have to load the machine, add detergent, start it and come back later. So probably less than the ten minutes to hand wash the dishes. ---
**Author:** ![Grrr](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grrr/32/146_2.png) [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2022, 3:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recent-ish-experience-with-countertop-dishwashers/969802/19 "2022-08-17T15:47:58Z")
And what about the pots and pans the food was cooked in? You’ve already got the sink full of soapy water to clean them, you’re gonna spend time on them anyway. Is it really worth the expense? ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2022, 3:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recent-ish-experience-with-countertop-dishwashers/969802/20 "2022-08-17T15:54:37Z")
We had dishwashers when I was a kid growing up so I know about them and their uses. As an adult, though, I’ve never had one. Can’t say I feel a _need_ for one at this point in my life. Yes, sometimes I can’t get to everything just after dinner, in which case it’s a soak in the sink and I resume after breakfast. If I have friends over for a meal they invariably pitch in to help clean up (I try to maintain quality and not quantity in friendships) so that’s good. The notion of a mini-dishwater is… interesting, but I have so very little counter space in my current kitchen that getting one means I would NO counter space. None. Zip. In fact, I’m not even sure my counter is big enough to hold one of those, it would be partly over the sink or over the stove. Yes, I have a very small kitchen. I think it’s great the option exists, no doubt it’s a great thing for some people. Just not for all of us. And, like some others, I’m not sure why, if the older couple has insisted that they don’t need a dishwasher why the desire to get them one anyway. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recent-ish-experience-with-countertop-dishwashers/969802.md?page=2)