When you’re limited on space, are renting a home or apartment, or maybe just looking to save a little money, purchasing a countertop dishwasher may be the solution to your dishwashing woes. With a countertop dishwasher, you can say goodbye to the majority of hand washing dishes, and save yourself some time, water, and money.
At K&A Appliance, we have a wide selection of top-quality scratch and dent appliances, including countertop dishwashers. Before you make a purchase, here are a few tips and considerations to help you make the best decision possible.
Should I Get a Countertop Dishwasher?
The first thing you’re likely wondering is whether or not a countertop dishwasher is right for you. If you’re not considering a built-in dishwasher, your options are either a portable dishwasher, a countertop dishwasher, or old fashioned hand washing. While similar, portable and countertop dishwashers are somewhat different from each other in overall style, and you should know what to consider when deciding between the two.
What Should I Consider When Comparing Countertop Dishwashers?
Now that you’ve decided you don’t want a full-size portable dishwasher, the next step is figuring out what you need in a countertop dishwasher. There are various types of these versatile machines, but it’s important to rank the following factors against your own personal needs.
Size & Weight
Do you plan on moving your countertop dishwasher or will it stay in the same spot? The answer to this question may have a deciding factor in the weight of your new appliance. If you plan on storing your dishwasher when it’s not in use, you’ll likely want a lighter option so you don’t have to lug a 50-pound appliance around every time you do the dishes.
You’ll also want to consider how much counter space you have available and how much you plan on fitting into your dishwasher. If you’re a family of four or more, a countertop dishwasher may not be for you. But if you only have dishes for one or two people, a smaller model may work out best. Also remember that your dishwasher is going to need access to your sink—it will rely on your faucet as its water source and the sink’s drain for drainage—so if your small kitchen is already tight on space, the smaller the appliance the better.
Where is Your Water Source?
While your countertop dishwasher is going to save you gallons on your overall water usage versus hand washing, you still need to make sure it’s near a reliable water source.
It’s important to remember that most countertop (and portable) dishwashers connect to your sink via the faucet, but if your faucet has built-in sprayers, it may not work. Double check that you’re able to remove the end of your faucet and confirm that the hose from the dishwasher can easily attach to it.
Dry Cycle or Not
Most countertop dishwashers have a lot of the same features as built-in dishwashers. If you like having a dry cycle for your dishes, make sure the model you purchase has that capability. Having this feature can greatly increase the drying time for your dishes and ensures nothing is wet when you’re ready to put the dishes away after dinner.
Popular Countertop Dishwasher Brands
Any countertop dishwasher will certainly get the job done, but there are a few popular brands that we think produce some of the best results. Here are a few of our recommendations.
SPT Countertop Dishwasher
If you want to save space and you’re looking for a simple and sleek solution, the SPT Countertop Dishwasher is a great choice. It can easily fit under most cabinets and has a durable stainless steel interior and spray arm. Despite its small size, it can hold up to 6 standard place settings and also has 6 different wash cycles. The user-friendly controls make it a great appliance for any small kitchen.
Danby Countertop Dishwasher
Most countertop dishwashers are going to save you money in the long run, but the Danby DDW611WLED Countertop Dishwasher only uses 3.17 gallons during a normal dish cycle. This is an Energy Star countertop electronic dishwasher that easily connects to any kitchen tap. With low noise and a clean design, you likely won’t even notice when this appliance is even running.
Edgestar Countertop Dishwasher
Don’t let the compact size of the Edgestar Countertop Dishwasher fool you. It may be small, but it’s just as powerful as any other countertop dishwasher model. With a capacity for 6 standard place settings, 6 wash cycles, an LED display, and a child lock feature, it’s a great option for those looking to save some counter space. It also has a 5-foot hose, making it easier to set up to your faucet whenever you do the dishes.
No matter what model you decide to go with for your countertop dishwasher, you can happily say goodbye to most of your hand washing. The best part? You can save even more money when you purchase your countertop dishwasher from K&A Appliance. You’ll get brand new, top name brands, but at a lower cost since scratch and dent are not sold at full retail price. Come and visit either of our 30,000 square-foot showrooms or contact us today for more information on your next appliance purchase.