skip to main content

Fully Integrated Dishwasher Question!!!

12 years ago

My cabinet maker is discouraging me from getting a panel ready disherwasher. He claims the panels often warp or go bad due to the steam and heat. Anyone have any experience in the long term with this?

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (15)

palimpsest
12 years ago
5+ years and no problems with my fully integrated Miele's wood panel.
User
12 years ago
If you have a careful adult loading the DW, sure, you won't have problems. If you have careless pre-teens doing it, skip the wood on the DW or fridge.
Related Discussions
What differentiates Fully Integrated Kitchen-Aid Dishwashers
Q
Comments (4)
Not much is the answer. Rack doo-dads that you won't use and might break. Cycles you don't need and won't use. Perhaps slightly quieter because, for example, the higher-end models ship with an extra rubber pad for the DW to sit on. All are essentially the same machine. Best advice: if you want KA, integrated, stainless (I believe all KA qualifies there), buy the least expensive model that delivers those.
...See More
Miele fully integrated dishwasher question - handles
Q
Comments (10)
I think I want a stainless Miele dishwasher with hidden controls, but I don't like any of their handle options. In my quest to decide on visible vs. hidden control dishwasher (see my earlier post), I discovered the option mentioned in this post: Order a Miele fully-integrated unfinished dishwasher along with the optional "blank" (no holes, no handle) stainless front panel, no-holes (Miele part number 21995337D). However, I've looked at the cartoon installation instructions referred to above, and I can't quite figure out how this works with a stainless panel. The instructions seem to show how it works with a wood panel, but I'm unclear on how my own handle would attach to a stainless panel. I realize you can drill through the stainless (well, I can't, but my installer can), but I'm not sure what a handle would "grab onto" in a stainless panel, because I'm not sure what the stainless panel looks like out of the box. If you order part number 21995337D, do you get 3/4-inch thick stainless steel? The install instructions say the panel has to be 3/4 inches thick, but if it were pure metal that would weigh 100 pounds! Or is it a thin sheet of stainless over some type of wood? My problem is that I can't figure out if I need some special type of handle with special dimensions, or if this stainless, no-holes, no-handle panel from Miele is engineered in some way to grab onto any handle that can be screwed in from behind. Has anyone ever seen this panel, and can you explain how it works to install a custom handle onto it?
...See More
Integrated Refrigerator & Dishwasher Questions
Q
Comments (7)
I've had an upright freezer for about 15 years, and only used the freezer in my old refrigerator for ice cube trays and stale bread for croutons, crumbs or pudding. In my previous house the freezer was in the laundry, which was a similar configuration to a mudroom, without the mud. It was great. In my current house, it was in the kitchen proper, but on the outside of the G shaped cook area. It was great. In my new kitchen, I have the Miele 30" all fridge and all freezer next to each other. I'm not in yet, but it seems great. The old freezer is going in the garage downstairs, for holding stock, spaghetti sauce, and other high volume, low turnover stuff. That doesn't seem great, but I don't have anywhere better to put it. It's a marvelous freezer. Re integrated: You don't want a bit of stainless poking out of it. If it's purposeful stainless, like a frame, or handle, that's fine. You do not want to be seeing the unit itself, however. There will be a little sight of the gaskets through the cracks, and the color you see on opening, but that's another story. With the Miele coolers there's white plastic trim. My Marvel fridge drawers came with an option of white or black for the unit. The toekick vent on that is white on the white one. The Viking panel ready DW is black and came with a black toekick panel with the light on it. My GC and tile setter discussed redoing it in tile but decided instead to paint it. The Monogram warming drawer is stainless. I don't get excited over what shows in the cracks. There's a certain point where you have to just accept things as they are. But when you have your units installed, your integrated fronts should be flush with the rest of your cabinetry. Make sure your cabinet people understand the specs of your appliances going in, and account for them. They may want you to have the appliances on site so they can be sure of the In Real Life measurements. Mine wanted the DW, cooktop and fridge drawers while they were installing the cabinets, but not the fridge/freezer or ovens. So then they had to delay oven installation while the cabinet maker came back and fixed the opening which was a teeny tad small on the front frame. The specs are very available online. Miele tells you very clearly that the integrated depth is 25", for instance.
...See More
Custom Hood insert question, and G.E. Integrated dishwasher?
Q
Comments (0)
Hi, I'm trying to figure out which range hood insert would be best for a custom copper hood. I'm going with a Bosch electric smooth top. I have looked online and found a Kobe IN2730sf, with 4 sones, and CFM of 500. I picked this one due to 2 20w Halogen lights, and being on the quite side. I like the G.E. PDW 9700NII fully integrated dishwasher, mainly because it allows you to fill the soap dispenser with a full bottle of soap. Does anyone have this model? If not, which fully integrated dishwasher do you reccomend? Thanks!
...See More
loucie
Original Author
12 years ago
Humm...3 boys 6 and under. I dream of the day they will load the dishwasher, but I'm not sure it will come to fruition!
I wonder if the type of dishwasher matters?
rococogurl
12 years ago
I think the quality of the cabinet panel is what matters. These are now standard and done every day without incident. Odd that the cabinet guy doesn't want to do it.
dilly_ny
12 years ago
My cabinet guy is hesitant to make me one because it is difficult to get them to the exact specs and I live far from their wood shop.

My Mom has has a paneled DW for 25 years and it still looks great.
loucie
Original Author
12 years ago
He is actually the 2nd cabinet maker that has tried to talk me out of one. That is why I was wanting others' experiences.
User
12 years ago
Re getting the size exactly right, mine is a little off because the cabinet guy did not read the dishwasher specs. If they were followed exactly, the panels would have fit exactly. After 6 years there are no problems with warping.
chibimimi
12 years ago
It may depend on what kind of drying cycle your dishwasher has. If it has a heated cycle (with the heating element in the bottom of the washer) , it does cause steam and might be a problem. But a dishwasher with an air-circulating drying cycle should be okay. I would talk to an appliance store about this.

I've had fully integrated dishwashers in my last kitchen and in this one. Both were Askos, with the air-circulating drying. I've had no problem with warping.
User
12 years ago
I have had a wood panel on the dishwasher and a teenager that has to help loads dishes, no problems whatsoever.
User
12 years ago
Posted too quickly, meant to say that I have had the paneled dishwasher for almost 3 years. My stainless fridge drives me crazy so I am really glad that I do not have a stainless dishwasher to keep fingerprints off of too.
loucie
Original Author
12 years ago
Thanks everyone! I'm going to get the panel. I am so tired of my stainless stuff too! Six grimey hands are impossible to keep off of appliances.
Fori
12 years ago
Mine was fine--but it wasn't one of the heated dry models.

My cabinet maker did not even measure for the panels until the DW was in place so that he could get them to look nice. Then we had to wait for them, but it seemed like a good idea.
plllog
12 years ago
What Chibimimi said makes sense, but I've never heard of it happening, though there were some issues with a KitchenAid model about cabinetry in general.

There are no problems with my own integrated DW and I use every heat cycle it has!

What are these guys making their panels out of to have such problems?
loucie
Original Author
12 years ago
They are made out of wood...mine will be maple to be specific. I'm thinking they don't make a lot of them. I only know of one other person around me that has an integrated dw. I do feel better now, thanks.
jalsy6
12 years ago
Just ordered my panel-ready Bosch today...sure hope the panel holds up!

Related Stories

SMALL KITCHENS The 100-Square-Foot Kitchen: Fully Loaded, No Clutter

By Mitchell Parker

This compact condo kitchen fits in modern appliances, a walk-in pantry, and plenty of storage and countertop space

KITCHEN DESIGN Kitchen of the Week: A Part-Time Space Fully Satisfies

By Vanessa Brunner

A scaled-down approach doesn't mean sacrificing, in this heavenly white kitchen with all the modern conveniences

REMODELING GUIDES Planning a Kitchen Remodel? Start With These 5 Questions

By Tiffany Carboni

Before you consider aesthetics, make sure your new kitchen will work for your cooking and entertaining style

REMODELING GUIDES Considering a Fixer-Upper? 15 Questions to Ask First

By Sarah Phipps Design

Learn about the hidden costs and treasures of older homes to avoid budget surprises and accidentally tossing valuable features

HOUSEKEEPING Tackle Big Messes Better With a Sparkling-Clean Dishwasher

By Bonnie McCarthy

You might think it’s self-cleaning, but your dishwasher needs regular upkeep to keep it working hard for you

HOUSEKEEPING Dishwasher vs. Hand-Washing Debate Finally Solved — Sort Of

By Mitchell Parker

Readers in 8 countries weigh in on whether an appliance saves time, water and sanity or if washing by hand is the only saving grace

DESIGN DICTIONARY Integrated Kitchen

Appliances and millwork come together in this sleek approach to kitchen design

0

LIGHTING 5 Questions to Ask for the Best Room Lighting

By Karen LeBlanc Design TV Host & Writer/Blogger

Get your overhead, task and accent lighting right for decorative beauty, less eyestrain and a focus exactly where you want

GREEN DECORATING 8 Questions to Help You See Through Green Hype

By Laura Gaskill

With the ecofriendly bandwagon picking up some dubious passengers, here's how to tell truly green products and services from the imposters

GREEN BUILDING Considering Concrete Floors? 3 Green-Minded Questions to Ask

By Melanie Loftus

Learn what’s in your concrete and about sustainability to make a healthy choice for your home and the earth

Sponsored

RTS Home Solutions

3 Reviews

BIA of Central Ohio Award Winning Contractor

More Discussions

Silver colored drawer pulls and faucet

1

help with kitchen design!!

1

Kitchen Undermount Sink

11

What are these above my cabinets?

10

MSI Quartz Anyone?

2