Our Top 5 Stainless Steel Dishwasher Recommendations for 2021
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Posted On April 6, 2021
When it comes to selecting appliances for your home, you have many different choices to make. If you are talking about dishwashers, you might want a machine that holds a certain number of place settings, or you may have special wash cycles or cleaning features that appeal to you. As a further choice, you also have different finishes to consider.
While white does happen to be the most popular finish for dishwashers, you have some other options. If you look around, you will find that you can choose from a good selection of machines in colours like black, grey and silver.
Beyond the range of colours, you also have stainless steel dishwashers, which are proving a popular choice among some homeowners. People like stainless steel appliances because they have a slick, industrial kind of look to them, but their popularity goes beyond mere aesthetics.
Stainless steel tends to be more durable, and it is resistant to staining (the name is a bit of a giveaway), so for many, it is also a more practical choice than going with a machine that has a painted finish.
With white being the most popular colour for appliances, you’ll find that it offers the widest selection to choose from, but there is no need to worry if you want a stainless steel dishwasher.
Most of the top manufacturers make at least a few models in stainless steel, and you can find models that have all of the different features you may want. In addition to that, you can find stainless steel appliances that come priced to fit every budget.
Once you know that you want a stainless steel model, you will need to consider all of the same points you would have when selecting the one that comes in any of the other colours or finishes. With that in mind, let’s take a quick look at some of these points below before moving on to our picks for the top stainless steel dishwashers.
What To Look For
Whether you are choosing stainless steel for the practical benefits or because you like the way it looks, there is more to getting the right appliance than just selecting a finish.
This section will provide a quick overview of some of the most important points that go into finding the right dishwasher for your home. To get a more in-depth view of buying a dishwasher and the points that should be considered, head to our dishwasher buying guide for more details.
Stainless Steel Tub
A stainless steel tub will definitely prove an advantage; however, it will cost a bit more than a standard plastic tub. A plastic tub can help you spend less, but it won’t improve your dishwasher’s cleanliness or performance. A stainless steel tub is stain resistant and can help improve and quicken the drying process.
Drying Performance
While it is critical that your dishwasher cleans dishes, you also want to find one capable of drying your dishes. Do you know how frustrating it can be to open the dishwasher after a wash cycle only to find wet dishes? It is almost like the dishwasher only did half the job, and you have to go through and dry each item by hand.
The most advanced way to dry dishes in a dishwasher is via the stainless steel tub. A stainless steel tub allows for condensation based drying. It is safe for drying your plastics and won’t bake on any food that may have been left behind. At the end of each cycle, it effectively removes the moisture from the dishes.
Cycles and Options
When looking for a new dishwasher, consider the cycle duration, water temperature, and the intensity of the water pressure being used during each cycle. Water consumption is important and varies between brands. Remember, even though the dishwasher has many cycles to choose from, it doesn’t necessarily mean that the dishwasher is of a higher quality.
Some of the more popular dishwasher cycles include the normal cycle, quick cycle, heavy, auto, energy-saving, glassware/delicate, sanitise, and pre-wash.
Noise
Quiet performance is another important aspect to consider, especially if you live in a smaller home or have household members that are more sensitive to noise. You want to be able to operate the dishwasher without interfering with anything else going on in the home.
When comparing decibel levels, it is good to know that a normal conversation between two people is around 55 to 65 dB. A library is usually around 40 dB. So, you want to find a dishwasher with a quiet performance that falls between these ranges. A dishwasher between 44 dB and 49 dB is considered moderately quiet, while one less than 44 dB is considered extremely quiet.
How to Clean a Stainless Steel Dishwasher
When cleaning your stainless steel dishwasher, you want to avoid using any steel or wool brushes, abrasive cleaners, bleach, and cleaners with chlorine. Use a soft cloth dampened with warm water for general cleaning as this will not damage the dishwasher like the other items can and will.
Once wiped down and clean, you can towel dry your dishwasher to prevent water spots from popping up. If you notice some heavy-duty stains, you can use a commercial cleaner to remove stains, if needed. However, if using a commercial cleaner, make sure to do a spot test to ensure that it won’t damage the stainless steel appliance.
You should also never leave dirty water or any cleaning solution residue to sit on your stainless steel dishwasher. Doing so can create a dull finish and even leave a permanent stain behind.
When cleaning your stainless steel, try to use distilled or filtered water instead of tap water to avoid spots and stains.
Vinegar and Olive Oil
Distilled vinegar, olive oil, and microfiber cloths can be used to remove dirt, grease, and grime from your stainless steel dishwasher. Let the vinegar dry, and then use a second microfiber cloth with olive oil to rub into the stainless steel. This will protect and shine your appliance.
Dish Soap and Baby Oil
You can also dilute one teaspoon of dish soap in less than one litre of warm water. You can then use this solution to clean your stainless steel dishwasher and keep it looking shiny and new.
Our Top 5 Recommendations for the Best Stainless Steel Dishwasher
1. Whirlpool WFC3C33PFXUK Standard Stainless Steel Dishwasher
Key Features
- Dimensions: 85 x 60 x 59 cm
- 14 Place Settings
- 30-Minute Quick Wash Cycle
- Natural Air Drying
- Sensors for Customized Wash Cycles
- A+++ Energy Rating
- Cutlery Tray
This is our top pick for the best stainless steel dishwasher simply because of its larger capacity and the myriad features it offers. Among its many premium features, you will find anti-flood devices, a childproof lock, push-button controls, a cutlery tray, 24-hour delay timer, rinse and salt aid refill indicators and a Time to End programme.
The Time to End programme is a countdown shown on the dishwasher’s display, so you can see how much time is left in your wash cycle. The 6th Sense Power Clean feature helps ensure that even the toughest stains are removed from your dishes easily.
The intelligent sensors will detect your dishes’ soil level and then adapt the water pressure to suit that soil level, making sure your dishes are squeaky clean every time. It also helps minimise how much water and energy are wasted during each wash cycle.
The rapid 30-minute wash cycle is great if you find yourself short on time. Even in such a small amount of time, you will find that your dishes will be cleaned perfectly each time. It boasts of high performance, even with a reduced wash time.
One of the downsides to this dishwasher, however, is the lack of a half load function. But what it lacks there, it makes up for with its other features, including the open door drying process. The dishwasher door automatically pops open at the end of each wash cycle to speed up the drying process.
2. GRUNDIG GNF41821X Full-size Dishwasher – Stainless Steel
Key Features
- Dimensions: 85 x 59.8 x 60 cm
- 14 Place Settings
- Quick Wash: 30 Minutes
- Noise Level: 43dB
- 9.5 Litres Per Cycle Water Consumption
- A++ Energy Rating
- 8 Programmes
- 6 Wash Temperatures
The Grundig Full Size Stainless Steel Dishwasher is a good choice for a larger household as it can comfortably hold up to 14 place settings worth of dishes. It also has a much quieter operation than some other models at just 43 dB.
This stainless steel dishwasher has eight programmes to choose from, including ALLinWash, Auto, Eco, GlassCare, Intensive, Mini, Prewash, and Quick Wash. For the quick wash time, it is just 30 minutes for the entire load.
This stainless steel dishwasher also features a height-adjustable top basket, pull out and lift lower rack, adjustable racks, adjustable glass holder, a child lock, control lock, overflow protection, removable third rack, and even a folding wine glass basket.
The digital display is easy to read and easy to use. It also has a rinse aid and salt indicator, letting you know when to refill.
3. Fisher & Paykel DD60SDFHTX9 Single DishDrawer™ Integrated Dishwasher, Stainless Steel
Key Features
- Dimensions: 47.8 x 59.9 x 57.3 cm
- 6 Place Settings
- Cutlery Basket
- Noise Level: 45dB
- Child Lock
- Quick Wash Cycle
- Dish Drawer
- Rinse Aid Indicator
- A++ Energy Rating
This Fisher and Paykel stainless steel dishwasher is a compact and space-saving model if you lack kitchen space and have a smaller household. It can hold up to 6 place settings at once, including tableware, cutlery, and glasses. It features adjustable racks, making loading and unloading easier on the back.
The delay start of up to 12 hours is ideal if you have a busy schedule. It allows you to set the dishwasher to start when you want it to.
It utilises a condenser drying system and a rinse aid indicator. Unfortunately, this particular model does not have a salt level indicator.
4. Hotpoint HIC3B19C Integrated Dishwasher – Stainless Steel
Key Features
- Dimensions: 82 x 59.8 x 55.5 cm
- 13 Place Settings
- 2 Temperature Settings
- Top Adjustable Basket
- 8 Programmes
- A+ Energy Rating
- 40 Minute Quick Wash Cycle
If you are looking for a larger dishwasher for your household that also uses a lower energy consumption rate, this Hotpoint integrated stainless steel dishwasher is a good choice. It can hold up to 13 place settings at a time and has a sleek and stylish design. There are 8 wash programmes to choose from, including a 40-minute Quick Wash cycle if you are short on time.
The dishwasher’s top rack is adjustable, making it easier to load in dishes of all sizes and varieties. It also features an LED display, a 24-hour delayed start timer, and rinse aid and salt refill indicators. Unfortunately, it does not have a time remaining indicator, and there is no half load function.
This stainless steel dishwasher has a filter system, uses residual heat drying, and can be filled with hot or cold water. It is designed to be built into your kitchen and has overflow protection.
5. Hoover Freestanding Dishwasher- Stainless Steel
Key Features
- Dimensions: 85 x 60 x 60 cm
- 16 Place Settings
- Hoover Talks Feature
- A+ Energy Rating
- 12 Programmes
- Noise Level: 45 dB
- Up to 23-Hour Delay Timer
- AXI Intelligent Washing
- Hoover Wizard App
If you are looking for the right combination of technology and functionality in your stainless steel dishwasher, then that is definitely what you will get with this Hoover dishwasher. It has a large 16 place setting capacity and a more than flexible internal space so you can arrange your dishes as needed to get everything to fit.
With Hoover Talks, you can actually control your dishwasher with just your voice. This includes launching programmes, receiving updates, and even asking for customised advice on which programme you should use for the load. You can also use the Hoover Wizard app to control your dishwasher remotely anytime you want.
The Total Care Basket is adjustable and has special hooks with a soft material, making it ideal for glassware and other delicate items. The lower basket is spacious, and the third basket can easily accommodate smaller utensils and items.
With only a 43dB noise level, you can be assured of its quiet performance. You have 12 wash programmes to choose from, and it uses a condenser drying method.
With all these stainless steel dishwasher options available, you are sure to find something that suits your household’s needs while providing you with all the premium features and programmes you are looking for in a new dishwasher.
