If you don't want to use a rinse agent, you're probably going to have some trouble finding a modern dishwasher that will deliver satisfactory drying results. Nearly all modern reduced-energy dishwashers depend on rinse agents to aid in reducing spotting and to enhance rapid evaporation of water on the dishes . Have you tried using different brands?

Consumers Reports says that nearly all new dishwashers perform well at getting dishes clean, provided that you use a modern ENZYME-based detergent and the machine is properly loaded. Enzymes will soften and dissolve all but the toughest burned-on crud. Older chlorine-based detergents are not nearly as effective.

I'm not sure why deep bowls won't fit in a European machine. I have a Miele dishwasher and I'm quite positive that anything that will fit in an American brand dishwasher will fit in my Miele. I wash things in all sorts of shapes and sizes, including the electronic air filters from my furnace. All fit in just fine.

As for quietness, not all machines are created equal. Generally, top-of-the-line machines are pretty quiet. Some more than others, but still quiet. Lower-end machines, however, don't come with much sound insulation so they can still be obtrusive when in use. When it comes to noise, you will get what you pay for.

You can still get diswashers with heated dry elements such as
KitchenAid or Whirlpool that will dry your dishes without rinse aid. I've had a top-of-the-line KA for over 6 years now and it cleans and dries extremely well as is very quiet.

Kenmores are typically Whirlpools or Boschs depending on the model number. A friend of mine has a Kenmore Elite DW (made by Whirlpool) and is very pleased with it.

I've been very happy with our Bosch dishwasher. Consumer Reports rates them very highly. Our dishes are sparkling, it takes all kinds of dishes, and it is QUIET! I do use a rinse aid since I don't use the dryer function to save energy. I can't speak about wood panels added to the dishwasher but I know you can change the front. Mine is black and it goes with anything!

Which detergents are enzyme based?

I appreciate the feedback! My friend has a TOL KA Superba, and hates it. I have the Kenmore Elite DW now and have issues with granules seemingly melted on the glasses, which I understand is undissolved detergent. Hence the (wasteful) need for the extrahot water.

Look at the list of active ingredients on the detergent box. If you see the work chlorine, it's NOT an enzyme-based detergent. Enzymes and chlorine are not compatible. Some brands, like Cascade, make both types of formulations. You need to read the list of ingredients.

I use Electrosol 3-in-one tabs. These are being re-branded now with the "Finish" brand name, so you may see them either way. I get them at Costco, but they're available everywhere. I think that Cascade Complete is also an enzyme-based formulation.

Some enzyme-based formulations don't include the word "enzyme" on the packaging (they use euphemisms like "food softening agents" or other terminology), but if you don't see chlorine in the list of active ingredients, it's pretty safe to assume it's an enzyme-based formulation.

If you're finding granules deposited on your glasses, it's probably not undissolved detergent. More likely there's something wrong with the soft food disposer (sometimes referred to as a grinder) or the drain pump in your machine and ground up food debris is being redeposited on the dishes. If water containing ground up debris isn't pumped out of the machine completely, the debris will be redeposited on your dishes.

This is where most European machines have a big advantage. They employ micro-screen filters so that water pumped through the machine doesn't contain any debris. All debris is captured by the filters and then the filters are sluiced clean as the machine drains. You still have to periodically check and clean the filters (a task that takes under a minute) for any debris that's to big to be sluiced out, but at least you won't have tiny ground-up bits of debris being recirculated in the wash and rinse water.

I thought "phosphates" were the evil chemical that got dishes clean.........I've heard "enzymes" are the next best thing and that when the phosphates will ultimately be banned in all dishwasher detergents in the future, that will be the main ingredient in dw detergents. I will say this, my whirlpool 4 yr old mid range dishwasher didn't do as great of a job as the cheaper one that it replaced until I started using cascade complete powder and citric acid..............Now the dishes are fabulous even on the normal cycle without the high temp option...........I think it's more of what kind of detergent you use as opposed to the dishwasher...........Just like the reviews u see on some consumer sites for a certain brand of the same dishwasher......Some love it, and some can't stand it. It makes you go hmmmmmm

all i can say is that i love my new viking dishwasher. i don't remember the model # right now, but its the newest model in the professional line. it consistently and quietly cleans anything i put in it, even the nastiest, and most greasy broiler pan with blackened gook on after roasting a chicken on it.

Yeah........Dishwashers AMAZE me sometimes. I've put things in there that just wasn't fair to the dishwasher and it came out clean..........Something that would have taken time to soak and a lot of elbow grease. I think it's more a chemical reaction than anything

The biggest component in dishwashers not cleaning well (unless it is a sudden changed from previous performance) is improper loading. As odd as it seems, different manufacturers will have you align your dishes differently. The average American "knows" how to load a dishwasher and never bothers reading the info that comes with their new units...