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Whirlpool Review

Tuesday, March 19th

2024 Dishwasher Reviews

Whirlpool Review 3 Star Rating

Whirlpool

3 Star Rating
  • AnyWare silverware basket that can attach to the door
  • Fan Dry option
  • Soil Sensor
  • Smart features

Whirlpool is a well known American-made brand, they are budget-friendly, and they are reliable. They may not have all the fancy features that the European brands offer, but you won't pay the fancy price either. And if you do ever need customer service, it also comes at a reasonable price.

Traditional drying method

Whirlpool dishwashers still use a heating element at the bottom of the tub, while European machines are discarding this for a condensation method which uses a hotter final rinse cycle to encourage condensation. However, although their new method uses less energy, they may leave your dishes moist and can take up to 30 minutes longer to dry than Whirlpool's traditional method. Be aware, though, that if plastics fall on Whirlpool's heating element, they could stick and stink as they melt onto it.

AnyWare silverware basket

This is the only silverware basket that allows you to place it in either of two places inside the tub or attach it to the door for saving even more space on the bottom rack.

Fan dry option

One of the options you can choose is a fan dryer. It speeds up the drying process by circulating the air inside the tub, allowing the appliance to run more efficiently. It is offered on only one of the models.

Soil sensor

All the Whirlpool dishwashers offer this feature which determines how dirty the dishes are and adjusts the water use and cycle time accordingly. It's easy to use, as it's a one-button feature.

Sensor cycle

This is similar to the soil sensor, but saves even more on water and energy by self-determining the size of the load and adjusting the temperature of the wash. Most models come with this feature.

Smart features

Some of the newer models come equipped with smart features and wifi connectivity. With this option, you can remotely lock your control panel, download specialty cycles from the app, troubleshoot and request support, and automatically replenish supplies through Amazon. You can even use your Alexa Assistant, Google Home, or Nest. Currently, only two models include this feature, but we imagine that as smart technology becomes more and more common, this feature will be more prevalent with Whirlpool dishwashers.

Best Dishwashers

The base models

The models for under $600 come with a pocket handle, have a plastic tub, can be almost conversation-loud at around 50 decibels or higher, and their appearance can look dated. With the noise level of these models, they would be better matched in a home where the kitchen is isolated from the other rooms in the house. If you have an open-concept home, the noise of a running dishwasher could definitely compete with your conversations, disturb your concentration while reading, or you may have to turn up the volume on your TV. The exterior can come in black, white, or stainless. The interior offers a cost-effective plastic tub which can deteriorate faster, retain odors, and keep the noise level higher. Their racks are more basic as well. The tines are further apart, but if you have mostly large pots and pans or stoneware dishes, this type of rack may be for you. These base models do have sensor wash, a sanitize setting, and a one-hour quick cycle.

Cost

  • From $499 to $1,199

Mid-range models

The models that cost between $600 and $800 have upgraded features such as fingerprint-resistant finishes, sleeker handles and control panels, a stainless steel tub, a top third rack, and they run quieter at or below 50 decibels. The models in this price range fare similarly to the base and mid models in other brands, in both price and features. The third rack allows placement of silverware and long or oddly-shaped utensils, and it frees up space on the bottom rack for cooking vessels or more dishes. The front is more modern, with a sleeker pocket handle or a contemporary bar handle, a fingerprint-resistant front, and the controls can be hidden. Some of the models in this price range have tines that raise and lower for a better fit for some of your dishware and glassware, and the upper rack can be raised or lowered if your bottom-rack dishes are taller or the glassware and vases need more space.

Premium models

The models that cost between $800 and $1,000 offer at least some of the high-end features of other brands. The elegant black stainless door front is an option. Their total-coverage spray arms have 21 nozzles for better coverage, and there's a top third rack. For better drying results, you can select heated and vented drying - the European-type offerings- that allow the steamy air to escape during the dry cycle. These models are the quietest Whirlpool offers at 41-47 decibels. According to industry standards, 44 decibels is officially considered in the quiet range, so at that level, the dishwasher shouldn't compete noise-wise with your activities or conversations. These models can also be equipped with smart features to monitor or control the appliance from your smart device.

Look to the mid-range appliances

We suggest the mid-price dishwashers. They offer quite a few nice features for a good price. Unfortunately, with the base level machines, you get what you pay for. They look antiquated, they are loud, and offer only minimal features. The premium models can compete with other American-made dishwasher brands, but other brands, especially the European ones, can offer much more: more spray nozzles, a corner-to-corner spray range, more rack features, and more choices all around, for not much more money. With Whirlpool, we suggest their $600-$800 range models.

Our favorite

We like the mid-range fingerprint-resistant stainless steel model WDT730PAHZ. It has five wash cycles and cycle memory so it can run the last cycle you chose, allowing one-button ease. There are two separate sensors for soil and wash load to maximize performance. The drying cycle improves performance with a fan to circulate the air while pulling in dry air. There's a short, one-hour wash cycle to finish the load quickly. This model comes in black, white, stainless, and black stainless, though we choose stainless as our favorite option as it is a common finish for most kitchens.

Budget-friendly and American made

Whirlpool is reliable, American made, and has a long-standing name and reputation. It is a great, budget-friendly brand. If you're not on a tight budget and would like to consider more features and quieter options, there are other brands that offer additional features for not much more money. And if you really want to get the most up-to-date features, try the European brands we highly recommend.

Which Brand of Dishwasher is the Best?

Most of us don't think too much about our dishwasher. We load the dishes, it cleans, we empty. But when the dishes aren't coming out as clean as they should, it's taking more rinsing to get all the food off, you're drying your dishes by hand because the machine doesn't, or if the coating on the tines is chipping off, you might start thinking about replacing your appliance for one that holds up and maybe has some nice features that you deserve.

Did you know there are three types of dishwashers? There's built-in, countertop, and drawer. Built-in dishwashers are the traditional dishwashers most of us have had in our homes. They are full-sized or even narrow and apartment-sized, and are slid in below the counter. Counter-top dishwashers can be found in Europe and are just that - they are small and fit on the counter. The drawer models are shallow and fit below the counter. Because they are the most common type, we will look at only the built-in models.

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Dishwasher FAQ

Most homes have the space for a 24" dishwasher. Dishwashers come in 18" , a shorter below-counter model, or a countertop model, but they are quite rare in the US. The most standard color front panel these days is still stainless steel. Stainless looks nice and can blend nicely with other stainless appliances, regardless if your dishwasher is a different brand than your other appliances. Another common door is fingerprint-resistant stainless. It can be a slightly different sheen than traditional stainless, but is much easier to keep clean.
Dishwashers can run from $250 to $2,000. Your cost will vary, based on the brand, size, and features you select. Installation is another factor to consider with dishwashers. With big box stores, the install fee seems to be between $150 and $300, and includes the parts for the installation kit. It's wise to get a professional plumber's help with water hookup as you could pay dearly in flooring costs if there were a leak due to human error.
Entry-level machines may have an outdated front panel, may run loudly which could compete with the noise level of your conversations, have a limited number of tines to hold dishes in place, and a plastic tub which can rust more easily and radiate the noise from the sprayers. The higher-end dishwashers may offer interior lighting to see way back in the machine so you don't miss unloading any dishes, a smart feature so you can monitor and control the appliance from a distance or order detergent on a regular basis. They can feature more than 100 spray jets, jets that focus on specific glassware or specific pots and pans for a super clean load. They can feature grinding of leftover food so as not to clog your drain, soft water for a spotless finish even on plastic containers, and sprayers that change direction to get to every nook and cranny. These models may cost more, but the options may seem endless, and can have quite good user reviews.
Some brands have had complaints that their model can break within months. On the other hand, some can last more than ten years. Check the warranty of the brand you think you'll purchase. Most offer a one-year limited warranty with an extended warranty on some of the parts, up to usually five years. It's possible that your appliance has a ten-year warranty on some of the parts, so be sure to read our reviews for those details and also check for even more details from the manufacturer.
Most dishwashers will fit 14 place settings, which includes dishes, glasses, and silverware. Some dishwashers can hold 15 or 16 place settings, which is great for a large family or for parties so you're not waiting for one load to finish before you wash the rest of the place settings. Having a third rack and eliminating the silverware basket will add room to the bottom rack for more dishes or cookware.
The newer feature that's becoming more standard in dishwashers is the third rack. It's a shallow, top rack that fits silverware so you don't have to use the silverware basket. Or, keep your silverware basket and use the 3rd rack for long utensils like tongs, small plastic lids that might otherwise fit between the tines, small appetizer utensils that are hard to dig out of the silverware basket, or steak knives that might otherwise poke your hands if you wash them pointy-end up. Also, adjustable racks throughout the dishwasher make it easy to accommodate stemware, cooking pots, water bottles and more.
Some dishwashers can be barely audible, at below 40 decibels. These dishwashers usually include a smart feature so you can monitor and control the cycles from your smart device since you may not even hear the appliance at all. If your dishwasher has a 44 decibel rating or lower, it is considered by the industry to be a quiet dishwasher, so check for that. But, other dishwashers can be noisy and compete for your attention whether you're in a conversation, trying to watch your movie at a reasonable volume, or reading. The more inexpensive models may be at 50 decibels or higher, and we suggest avoiding those if you have an open-concept house where you for sure could hear the wash and rinse cycles.
Depending on the store you choose, delivery fees will vary. Our research finds that if you live within a reasonable distance from the store, the delivery could be free if the dishwasher costs $400 or higher. Since a majority of the dishwashers cost above $400, you can hope for free delivery. If your dishwasher is less than $400, you could pay $100 for delivery, so rather than spend your money on delivery, add the $100 or so to the price of the dishwasher to get more and better features plus free delivery.
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Continued from above...

Think about what you want in your new appliance. You'll obviously want a dishwasher that does a good job of washing your dishes. There are a lot of fun features you can have, such as a third rack, lights, and smart capabilities, but if the machine doesn't do a good job of actually washing your dishes, what's the point of any of the bells and whistles?

So once you choose a brand that you like, you can select your wish list features such as the third, top rack; a quick-wash cycle; a delay start; self-cleaning filters - yes, you should know if you need to clean your filters for maintenance, which is typical; food pulverizers; interior components made of stainless steel to promote longevity; child locks; sanitizer settings; sustainable materials; special jets under the silverware caddy; and smart capabilities, so you can control the dishwasher from your phone or smart home system.

And that's just the beginning. Here are several other criteria to keep in mind as you shop for your new kitchen appliance:

  • Average price range. You can spend anywhere between $250 and $2,000, depending on the brand and the features you're looking for. The less expensive, lower-end models may require you to rinse your dishes more, and the more costly, higher-end models can have smart features, meaning you can control the machine with your phone.
  • Installation. Be sure to ask if there's a fee for installation. Installation rates can vary, but expect an additional $200 for install.
  • Finishes, handles, and control panel visibility. Dishwashers, like most kitchen appliances, come in white, black, and stainless steel. There are two additional styles, which are finger-print resistant stainless steel and black stainless steel. The black stainless is a darker stainless, and the finger-print resistant looks like traditional stainless, but resists the dreaded finger prints. If you can be open to something besides stainless steel, white or black should save you a couple hundred dollars. If you choose the pocket handle over the bar handle, that could also save you some bucks. It's nice when the control panel hides when the door is shut. But if you don't mind looking at it, you can save yourself some money here, too.
  • Detergent. No matter what, use the right detergent. Using a poor quality dishwasher detergent, no matter the brand you choose, can make the best brands have poor quality output, due to no fault of the appliance. This is a simple, good decision everyone should make. Once you receive your new dishwasher, the manufacturer will probably recommend a detergent for optimum cleaning and drying results.
  • Noise. Most of us don't want to hear the dishwasher running its cycles as we are moving throughout the kitchen or resting in a room nearby. Most models are rated in decibels to convey the cycle's quietness. A machine rated lower than 44 decibels (dBA) is considered by the industry to be officially in the quiet range. Machines in the mid to high 50s are louder and could definitely compete with your conversation or for your attention.
  • Rack style. Racks are important features and should be carefully considered. Nylon-coated racks are the best because they are less likely to crack over time. Tines in rows that fold down are great for items that are large or unusually-shaped. Look for at least one folding row of tines. Having a top rack with an adjustable height is beneficial so you can lower it for taller glasses, vases, or stemware, or raise it if your cookware is tall or bulky.

    The best top racks have three adjustable heights where you can set both the right and left high or low, or one side can be high while the other is low, allowing space for taller cookware on the bottom rack. A third rack is becoming a more common feature, even with the more reasonably-priced appliances. This third rack is above the traditional top rack and is shallow, so it allows plenty of space for the glasses below it. Some people like to line up their silverware in between the small tines. It can fit shallow, awkward items like cup lids, tongs, long-handled serving/cooking utensils, where in other places in the dishwasher, they might be a hard fit. Not everyone is a fan of the third rack as it does take up space, but it is a feature that is growing in popularity. If, however, you end up not liking it after trying it, it's easy to remove.

    Consider even the little things like clips to hold delicate glasses in place, to make sure your glassware doesn't bang against anything else during the wash cycle. Ball bearings in the racks make the racks move more smoothly and don't jerk around the dishes as you pull or push the racks. A fancy, new feature is an interior light in the dishwasher. It certainly isn't necessary, but it's nice for seeing all your items as you load and unload. These are in the more expensive lines, of course. Now, imagine what you will load in your machine, especially on the bottom rack.

    Some dishwashers have their tines far apart, allowing space for pots, pans, bowls, and larger pieces. Others have several tines that are closer together for thinner salad plates and dinner plates. Still others have wide tines with additional tines that flip up or down, depending on the load. Check the thickness of your plates and think about if you want your plates closer together or far apart - tine width is a personal preference, but important in your dishwasher-buying decision making.
  • Available space. Be sure to measure the space you have. Most dishwashers come in 24" , so that's easy, but if your kitchen is on the small side, the space allotted might be only 18" . Save yourself a restocking fee and extra delivery charge by making sure the dishwasher will fit your kitchen space.

To help you make this important purchasing decision, Top Consumer Reviews has evaluated today's most popular dishwasher brands. If you're done spending too much time pre-washing your dishes, continually re-arranging them because the rack and tine design is poor, drying them after the dishwasher supposedly dried them, or re-washing after the clumps of old food just don't come off after a full cycle, do consider a new dishwasher. You can save a lot of time by not pre-washing, post-washing, and drying. And with all that extra time, you could relax reading a book or watching your favorite show while a super quiet dishwasher does all the work while making virtually no noise.

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