The Dishwasher Decision

I bought a new dishwasher last week. They installed it yesterday, and I have to say this was the first time I’ve ever bought an appliance entirely on my own. A few years ago, I replaced a clothes washer, but that doesn’t count. That was like buying a new pair of slacks — same size, same color, same everything. You don’t “shop” for slacks; you just grab a pair that fits.  But a dishwasher? That’s a whole different thing.

There’s choosing a store, comparing brands, and then discovering that every brand has a ton of options: plastic tub, stainless tub, two racks, three racks, jets that spray from the ceiling, jets that spray from the floor, and on and on. All of them come in stainless steel except some show fingerprints and some don’t. I still don’t know who wants the fingerprint version.

Back in September, when I first returned to Florida, I tried to buy one. I went to my favorite store, but the salesman acted like I’d interrupted him from something more important.  I asked a few questions. I thought they were reasonable.  Apparently, he didn’t like questions. I had several. We weren’t a match.

I did learn one thing; plastic tubs don’t dry well. Good to know. Not helpful for buying a dishwasher that day, but good to know.

So, I kept digging. Turns out if you want strong drying and sanitizing, you go with Whirlpool, Maytag, Kenmore, Amana, or Frigidaire. If you want quiet and gentle, you go European. Bosch is a good option. Heating elements need metal tubs. Condensation drying needs patience. And if you want to melt your plastic Tupperware into modern art, put it on the lower rack over an exposed heating element.

Armed with all this knowledge. I decided on a stainless tub and made myself a solemn vow: No plastic on the lower rack. Ever.
In the end, I bought a Whirlpool. I already have a Whirlpool refrigerator, stove, and microwave, and my old dishwasher was a Whirlpool too. Apparently, I’m in a long‑term committed relationship with the brand and didn’t know it.

As the salesman and I were talking, he asked if matching handles were important. He said his wife insists on matching handles. I told him I lost my wife three and a half years ago, but she would’ve agreed with his wife. Ruth believed design and function were equally important. Me? I just want the thing to work. Handles are handles.

But when I got home, I noticed something.  The new dishwasher does match. The old one had that little indented scoop for opening. The new one has a proper handle and the same style as the stove, microwave, and fridge. That’s when I thought, “Alright, Ruth. I see what you did there.”
She always had an eye for these things. I think she nudged me toward the right choice, just to keep me from committing a design error.

And you know what? I learned something in the process.  Avoid shortcuts.  Do the homework. Make the informed choice, even if it costs a bit more.
And yes, design matters.

I’ve got to remember that.