I love my KA "S" series and chose it over Bosch for the heated drying, food disposer, shorter cycle times, and larger interior. However, there are many posters here who love their Bosch DW's as well, especially those for whom quietness is of utmost importance. It just depends on which features are most important to you. I don't really think you can go wrong with either brand. I've seen complaints about KA service on this forum but my personal experience with KA/Whirlpool service (with other household appliances) has been excellent over the years - this may depend upon the area you live in. My appliance repairman likes KA and Bosch best of the DW's he works on.

I agree, it does get confusing. It is correct that KA is made by Whirlpool. However, at least some of the Kenmore Elite models are made by Bosch. I personally don't see a big advantage in buying Kenmore appliances, I'd rather just go directly with the manufacturer's models.

One really good feature of the Bosch is the Aqua Stop to prevent water leakage. That might be especially useful for your hardwood floors. The reviews regarding the drying performance seem to be controversial. There are many people saying that it does clean as well as DWs with the heating element. I'd rather not have the heating element on the bottom of the tub. We currently have an old GE with that "feature" and it has destroyed a few of our plastic containers and lids. No, they didn't completely melt, but they got out of shape enough to be useless.

We are going to buy a new DW in November and I am fairly sure that we'll go with a Bosch. It gets confusing to even pick out the right model even after you picked out the brand...
Good luck!

On my 2nd Kitchenaid. Due to moving and new construction. We reselected the latest model that was similar to what we had before. It looks great, cleans well, quiet and very easy to load the oversized racks and silverware baskets. Dries very thoroughly too. The drying heat is low enough that heavy plastic items(Tupperware-Rubbermaid) can be safely loaded in the lower rack without fear of damage.

We just had a dinner party Thursday evening. Several of our guests were amazed at how easily large cookware and food preparation bowls, utensils, precessor parts, etc, just drop into place. My machine ran 3 times that evening and no one knew it was on.

C

Charlyinfl, which model KitchenAid do you have? S series? U series? Thanks.

alias, it is a KUDS03FTSS.

We're very pleased with KA (Architect Series) Model KUDPO2CRBS (with Whisper Quiet Plus, 5 cycles, 5 options, sani-rinse). Can't hear it when running and cleans really well. Heat dry. Bought in June $770.

We've had our Bosch for 2 and a half years now. No problems and no smells. Stainless steel inside and out. Controls are on the outside. The dishwasher is very quiet and does an excellent job of cleaning and drying. Every once in a while there is a small amount of water of the tops of the coffee mugs. But this is not major at all.

We have white oak hardwood floors in the kitchen and have no fear of the dishwasher causing any damage.

Enjoy the journey.

eal51 in western CT

I just bought ours tonight...we got a GE Profile PDW9980..it retails for over $1300 but we got it for $1050 with a Sears discount and matching offer...we have a Bosch right now and love the quietness and how it cleans, never had a problem with smells...did have a broken shard from a plate lodge in it's rotator at the bottom, just a few hex screws later and we fixed it ourselves...very easy to access...

I was complaining about our hard wood floor cupping underneath it and we've only had it for a year (we're moving and remodeling our next kitchen, hence the need for a new one)...it was explained to me that the Bosch heating element is located at the bottom of the machine, underneath the box...so there is no insulation between the heat and the floor...whereas with other makers (KitchenAid Ge Profile...etc.) their heating element is contained within the box of the machine and is better insulated...it's really the change in humidity/temperature that cups wood...so I just didn't want to risk it without next house...
The GE Profile I bought has a db rating of 47 which is very quiet, our kitchen is all open to the great room so we liked this feature....good luck!
Tara

With your budget being $1200, you may want to look at the Miele line as well.

I believe that Miele's water protection is better than Bosch's (I'm researching both and prefer the Miele's water detection/protection system).

Food for thought.

I replaced a Maytag and went with the LG SS with hidden controls for $735 I liked it over the Bosch and KA. I try to find things that meet my needs (Bosch slide in range, KA fridge etc). I took my dishes with me to see what fit and they fit best in the LG, plus I wanted the hard food grinder and three spray arms. Its been in since July 1 and so far I really like it. Its super quiet - sometimes I am not sure if I had actually started it, cleans well and dries good.

We have a Bosch and just love it! Very quiet, washes the dishes beautifully AND doesn't seem to use much soap to get the job done. We bought it because it doesn't have the dry cycle - I didn't want to waste the energy with a dry cycle when evaporation would do most, if not all, of the job. We have hardwood floors and have never had a problem.

We (with our $1200 budget!) went out over weekend and Purchased a Miele Optima at $1800 plus. And cancelled it today. I swear, I thought I just had to have that dishwasher.

But, better sense prevailed. Must cut cost in this kitchen remodel somewhere, or at least try to stick to budget.

Really, us working empty nesters really don't need that Optima. Need basic, decent dishwasher.

I'm thinking a KA might fit the bill. I'm reading many good reviews...

This part of the remodel is driving me crazy.

I had a Bosch and returned it within 2 weeks. It had an odor and the dishes wouldn't get nearly as dry as previous dishwashers. And it was installed correctly . . . so don't believe the odor is going to be avoided by that. I think it may be the luck of the draw.

Replaced it with a Kitchenaid KUDS03STSS. Love it, love it, love it. To my untrained ear sounds just as quiet as the Bosch. Gets the dishes totally dry and not a whiff of an odor.

I truly believe that all appliances can have issues. So it will just depend on what happens in your case.

My one absolute firm recommendation is to take your dishes and try them. My tall wine glasses did not fit in the Bosch but fit wonderfully in the Kitchenaid. My dog bowls (and I wash lots of them) did not fit well in the GE Profile (they wouldn't have stood upright so would have gotten filled with water) but fit perfectly in the Kitchenaid.

oh, and the one thing that I did not care for on the Kitchenaid was the utensil caddy, so i went on sears and ordered a replacement utensil caddy for the Kenmore. I had verified that fit at the store. And it comes apart in 3 pieces and had covers with utensil slots in all pieces (in the removable lids).

Probably hard to envision. But bottom line is that those parts can be interchangeable since they are all really made by whirlpool.

We are Fisher & Paykel fans- have (two) singles on either side of the sink. Love the easy un/loading, quiet operation and clean dishes.

However, after spending the summer in a vacation place equipped with a Bosch, I am now a Bosch fan as well. Silent operation (seemed to take a long time, though) and unbelievably clean dishes.

I was lazy one time and stuck a lasagna dish in- then washed on regular. Perfect. Bosch has my vote.

Everything KitchenAid in my fairly new kitchen (2-3 years?) has broken at least once. I couldn't recommend it...

Miele Optima at $1800 plus?

I bought mine for $1500 (no discounts, coupons etc.).

I'm very happy with my Optima, just read all related threads, all MieleÂs DW line demonstrates outstanding quality, well ahead of other brands.

IÂm still wondering, where did you get all these prices?

Miele price line (with free delivery):

Miele Optima $1549.00

Miele Inspira $1229.00

Miele Advanta $1099.00

And believe me , they all provide almost the same DW quality!

Here is a link that might be useful: US Appliances

We currently have Fisher-Pykel drawers (2 separate) and a full size ASKO. We had a Bosch for 2 years and I hated that machine - no drying and long, long cycles. It really depends on what you are doing; if you have little children (like I did with the Bosch), and use a lot of plastics, the condensation drying may not be for you. I love the ASKO for the number of cycles and the all over great design (everything fits). Good luck; the board folks all love the Miele too.

I have a Bosch too and I am happy enough to advocate it, too. Must say I don't understand what people do not to be able to get their dishes dry. I just do not have that problem - even with my tupperware (I have rubbermaid). I like the quiet operation and I love how clean AND dry the dishes come out. Like pecan, I too have put in dishes with stuff crusted on 'em such as dough stuck on after making dough for bread or cake batter or something, thinking that I may as well let the DW have a whirl at it and if the DW got 'em clean, great, else I'd have to scrub 'em anyhow. Everything always comes out perfectly completely clean. And dry. And quietly. I picked a mid-line Bosch so spent about $1K on mine.

I have a Bosch Integra and wrote about the smell issue. For us, it was one night of dirty dishes left in there and 95 degree heat, not a good combination. I have not had the problem since running it empty on Pot Scrub. So, I think you can safely rule that out as an issue of, well, poor appliance hygiene!

It is a great DW, but I think I have to agree with you on the interior space issue - it is hard to fit a lot in and the Kitchen Aids we looked at may have had an edge in this area. Now that I may have cleared up things a bit for you, I will now muddle it again! :-) My neighbor has a new KA and complains about spotty glasses despite repeated calls. My Bosch glasses are spotless every time. One more thing. I love the fact that the Bosch has no labels or anything on the door.