Dishwasher Brands and Links

What's with my smelly dishwasher?

Run a Google search for "smelly dishwasher" or "why does my dishwasher smell," and you'll find dozens of pages on this issue, with tips for removing a smell that some say has a sulfur- or sewer-like quality. It can happen in all brands of dishwashers. In our research, we found that the problem has less to do with the dishwasher and more to do with installation, particularly with the placement and height of the drain hose in relation to your sink drain and its garbage disposal.

Dishwashers can also smell because of caked-on food if you don't use them every two or three days. We found several suggestions for refreshing a smelly dishwasher. Although commercial products are available, many owners report success from running the washer with a cup of vinegar every few weeks. Another suggests adding lemon peels or a few capfuls of bleach to a load.

Dishwashers and energy use

Modern dishwashers use much less water and energy than dishwashers that are 10 years old or older, but you can increase energy efficiency by following a few helpful hints. Wait until you have a full load before running your dishwasher. Most dishwashers today are powerful enough to clean just about anything off your dishes, and you can save water by not prerinsing by hand. You can save electricity by shutting off the heated-drying feature and opening the door after the dishwasher has stopped, allowing dishes to air dry. Here are some other helpful resources.

Discovery's TreeHugger website includes the article "How to Go Green: Dishwashers," which provides tips on saving money and staying green when using a dishwasher.

TreeHugger.com's Collin Dunn answers the question, "Built In Dishwashers vs. Hand Washing: Which is Greener?"

"How Dishwashers Work," by Ed Grabianowski of HowStuffWorks.com provides a good overview of the inner workings of a machine.

The U.K. site Dishwasher Care offers troubleshooting tips on caring for dishwashers.

The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy has tips for buying a new dishwasher in their consumer guide to home energy savings.

Dishwasher brands

Asko

Bosch

Fisher & Paykel

Frigidaire

LG

Kenmore

Maytag

Miele

Whirlpool