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Do I need heated dry or food grinder in my dishwasher?

14 years ago

Looking to purchase a new dishwasher for new construction home. I'm looking at Bosch mostly. I noticed that Bosch's do not have heated dry, but instead "sani dry". I understand this won't get things as dry as my Whirlpool does now. I do use the heated dry. Will I miss that?

Also, I was looking at a Kenmore Elite today that has a food grinder/disposer inside. Is this necessary? Will I need this?

Any comments on either of these features? I'm nearly decided on the Bosch Integra 500 and want to make sure it will be a good purchase.

Thanks!

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Comments (11)

weissman
14 years ago
If you're used to heated dry, you might miss it. If you get a DW without it, you'll need to use rinse aid for sure. I have heated dry and use it all the time. A grinder is not really necessary - you still need to scrape your plates - without a grinder you'll have a filter that might need to be cleaned out now and then.
leel
14 years ago
I have a new top of the line Kenmore Elite which has heated dry, but I never use it--never used it in my previous machines either--and my dishes were always dry the next morning. With the new machine, they're dry even at the end of the wash, meaning immediately.
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Having just regrettably disposed of a "going strong" Kitchen Aid dishwasher of 15 years vintage, because somebody not me dropped a steel jewelry chain into it's maw, thereby ruining the masticate-or blade drive mechanism... I have learned , too late, that I should have repaired it. Y'see, replacing the masticate-or assembly did me no good: the plastic drive nub on the end of the main motor shaft was worn away.. and replacing the whole damn motor for a 15 cent part just seemed foolish, so I junked it out for a MODEL: FGID2477RF frigidairre, which was such a piece of crap as to excite me out of my usual equanimity, into a rage of "WTF"??? and similar expostulations. So, I have nothing to add to the conclusions expressed above: but remorse that my ignorance blew away a better dishwasher than I'll likely ever have again. FYI, I swapped it back for a K A KDTE254ESS, which still has a heater coil: but I'm suspecting I'll still be disappointed. Woe..
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"bleaching salts" That's rather loose terminology. The component of dishwasher detergent that can etch glasses is the strong alkaline salt(s) that are there to destroy organic materials, such as fats and oils. This is the same principle as the washing soda (sodium carbonate) used by our ancestors, and the lye (sodium hydroxide) used in some drain uncloggers. Dishwasher detergent also contains components (such as hydrogen peroxide aka "oxygen bleach") that are intended to remove stains and kill bacteria. These are what I would describe as "bleach". Of course, there is considerable overlap in functionality between the two groups, but I think it is misleading to use the word "bleaching salts" in this context. Much better to stick to "strong alkaline salts". This leads us to a solution for the pathological dish rinsers amongst us: add a small amount of vinegar (acetic acid) to your wash to neutralize some of the alkalinity. ("Lemi Shine" is a commercial alternative that uses citric acid.) Here is a link that might be useful: Finish Quantum ingredients.
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We own a Bosch 300 and I hate the filtering system. The filter is a basket about 3” deep in the base of the tub. If a sticky label comes off something and gets down in the basket, it’s basically impossible to get out. We’ve owned the Bosch six months, and I’ve already purchased two replacement filters, because I couldn’t get junk out of the old ones. I also dislike getting on my hands and knees to remove and reinstall the filter.. The filter works ok to remove some food particles, but it doesn’t catch oil and grease in the water. If I wash a pan used to cook bacon with the drippings still in it, all of the dishes end up oily at the end. It doesn’t do enough water cycles with fresh water.
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Heated-dry always felt like a cop out to me. A well-designed dishwasher can dry dishes just fine without having to resort to a heated dry cycle. It might require having a mechanism to open the door or having a fan and properly implemented air flow patterns. But it absolutely is doable. Most European brands have been doing so for decades now. The benefits aren't just in lower energy consumption, but it also has the very tangible advantage of never risking the life of heat sensitive dishes (e.g. anything made from plastic). In our Miele dishwasher, I can set plastic parts on any of the three shelves and they never are any worse wear. And while there sometimes is a little water that pools in plastic parts, dishes are generally very dry. All I have to do is pour out any of this pooled water (if there is any at all). That's a trade-off I am happy to make.
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gizmonike
14 years ago
What I like about not having heated dry (Miele dishwasher) is that we can put any item anywhere in the DW without concern that it will melt or deform. We check & rinse the filter about every three months -- no big deal, and I certainly don't miss the noise of previous dishwashers (with grinders).
monicakm_gw
14 years ago
I have but don't use the heated dry cycle. If you're used to it and like it, I think you'll miss it. If you're looking for a quiet dishwasher, you'll want to avoid one with a food grinder. My top of the line KA doesn't have it and my dishes are amazingly clean every time! I'm still in awe of it's cleaning power, how much it holds and how quiet it is :)
Monica
mcmann
14 years ago
I have heated dry on my GE Profile and use it all the time, but I can also turn it off and let things dry overnight. I've never done that in the 2 years I've owed it.

Think of how you use your dishwasher- do you ever run it twice in one evening? Then you might want a heated dry to speed things up. And I can't hear the food grinder on mine.
yellowdog51
14 years ago
I have a Bosch now and love it. I don't miss heated dry - the only issue is that a concave bottom on a bowl or cup may retain a little water. I just dab it with a dish towel as I'm unloading the d/w.

And I'll echo gizmonike: I really like being able to load Tupperware-type stuff in the top or bottom.
User
14 years ago
Ditto yellowdog51...you might have residual drops of water on plastic containers to wipe off...no big deal.
faith2009
14 years ago
I was also sure I wanted the Bosch until I got on this forum and decided for me I wouldn't like it. I called my sister in law as she just got a new Bosch and she didn't like it either. Her complaint was after each load she had to open the door and let it dry. I decided to go with the KA no disposal and heated dry if you chose to use it. I haven't got it yet so not sure how it works. Check on this forum for all the comments on the Bosch and see if for your needs it works.
booboo60
14 years ago
I know this is primarily about Bosch but I just wanted to give my 2 cents on my Kenmore. I realize it isn't a "big ticket" dishwasher but it is awesome!! It is a stainless, no stainless inside but it is quiet, every option you would ever need and it cleans really well! I use the "smart cycle" feature where it conserves water and does have a heated dry. Anyway, it is not a "designer" brand but I am really impressed by its efficiency!!
shelly_k
Original Author
14 years ago
Ok, so now I'm a little more confused. Should I look more at the Kenmore without disposal? Or at a kitchenaid? I've never even seen a kitchenaid dishwasher in a store? Where do I go look at one?
faith2009
14 years ago
You can buy KA at Lowes,Sears ect. Look at the inside of the Bosch also and see if it seems small to you and would fit your dishes. It seemed small to me inside. My new KA isn't hooked up yet so I can not vouch yet on if it is good or bad. Just going on all the comments from this forum and others is what made me switch to the KA from the Bosch. If money is no object everyone on here raves about the Miele.

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