I used my initially, but now I never do. It is cool though, and if you are an OCD type, you can put your cutlery in there "just so." It does cut down on available height, but it can be removed.

I don't know which model I have, but I don't have the countdown timer on the door. I'd get that.

I use mine all the time and now know longer use the cutlery basket. I have the KUDE70 version of the KitchenAid dishwasher and I love it. I love how easy it is to load, how clean the cutlery come out, and how easy it it to put the cutlery away. I ended up washing pots and pans today and used the cutlery rack for spatula's and other big cutlery items with only a few forks, spoons and knives since that was all I had today.

We are wondering the same thing. Our current dishwasher is ~10 years old and is not the 'tall tub' type, so I think even with the 3rd tray we will still have about the same room as our current DW in the top rack (we have adjusted all the way up because our plates in the bottom rack are tall).

We are pretty certain that we will get the 3rd rack and will usually just have 1/2 of it in place. I like the flexibility of it and how you can lay it side-to-side or front-to-back (it is lower in the side-to-side configuration giving you more height in the 3rd tray but less in the normal top rack).

I removed mine. Don't use it at all. I agree w/ the salesman just takes height space.

I got the model without the cutlery tray, and I am glad. Too much of a pain for me. I can't imagine myself placing silverware rather than throwing it in the basket. lol! there are little fold-down flaps on the top rack that you could lay spatulas, etc., on though. I got the model where you can see the buttons on the front, not hidden. I like it very much, and it does a great job on the dishes.

I've had the KUDS50SV which displays the cycle time on the front and has hidden controls, for two weeks now. I use the top rack only on the days I cook or bake. For me, that's most days! I am surprised a sales person told you that a feature Kitchenaid offers, is useless.

I spoke with a sales person who owned the 70 series model. She explained how she used and enjoyed all the features. [Smart sales tactic.] She asked me a few questions about my cooking and entertaining and said I would really like the cutlery tray when I use my mother's silver for holiday dinners and for long-handled utensils required by my cookware.

Most days I use it for: long plastic cooking utensils, spatulas, measuring spoons, small measuring cups, flat plastic lids & contact lens cases. This frees up space in the middle rack for glasses, cups, medium plastic bowls and coffee maker parts.

The tray has small prongs designed to hold silver and cutlery which limit placement of long-handled utensils.

I was replacing a 12-year old appliance and found the new D/W has more overall interior space with more height on the racks and a bit more width than the old appliance. The sales person had told me this and it's true.

With the top rack lowered and the cutlery rack in place, I place cups or lids up to 6.5 inches tall in the middle rack and plates that are 10.5, to 10 - 5/8 inches on the bottom. If you have 11 inch plates, you would need to raise the middle rack to avoid the spinning arm. I have some 7-1/4 inch plastic liter cups that I put on the bottom with this arrangement.

I hope this information helps you make an informed decision. -- Julie

Ok, so I'm probably a weirdo but I have the KA dishwasher with the top cutlery tray and I use it. What I to is toss the spoons/knives and spatulas in the baskets on the bottom but the forks go on the top. It means the cutlery is not as crowded and seems like it gets washed better (we normally run the dishwasher every 3 days cause there's just two of us). I find it also makes it easier and faster to put stuff away because I know what's where.

I don't have any problems fitting tall glasses or wine glasses in the middle rack though. It seems like most of the tall things we use go on the bottom rack anyway (cookie sheets, pizza pan, large plates).

I'm not even considering a dishwasher without cutlery trays. The KA racks are removable, so what's the problem? Put them in your trays storage cabinet when not in use. I like that they're removable for putting things away.

I think I'll use them all the time, my utensils (spatulas, plastic cooking spoons, etc.) are always cluttering up my top basket rack now. I can't wait to have the cutlery trays. And the KA has both the top trays and the regular flatware baskets. The very best of both worlds and totally flexible.

But if you think you won't ever use the cutlery trays, choose a DW without them.

I am getting the KUDS50SVSS. One of teh top reasons for choosing this model was the cutlery trays, and the fact that they are removeable.I cannot wait to use this feature, adn I love that you can use both, in 2 different positions, or remove one, or both. Great flexiblity. I researched dishwashers for years, and I feel pretty comfortable with the one I chose. So, here is a question? Who has the best price? I tried to order one already from Home Everything, and was told that my credit card would was not able to be processed. It was not denied, but unable to be used. I think it was a sales tactic that they wanted me to switch the form of payment because it was an Amex (which carries higher merchant fees). Annoying.

I have a brand new kitchenaid with top utensil tray when I pull it out, and try to push it back in, it gets hung up on the rotating water sprayer. I have to reach back in and around and turn it so it is straight across, side to side, to push back in anyone else have a problem with this?

I have the Bosch brand with the top cutlery tray. I love it and use it all of the time. I actually enjoy putting the silverware in the slots and knowing that each piece will get clean. It does cut down on the available height, but I feel that the trade-off is worth it. The middle rack is adjustable on mine, and that helps.

I've have the KitchenAid KUDE70FXSS dishwasher for almost 2 years now and love it. We always use the cutlery tray. My husband wanted a Miele with that feature but our tall cups would not fit in the upper rack. Even with the cutlery tray our tall cups fit in the KitchenAid. I suggest you bring some plates/bowls/cups to the showroom and try out how your stuff fits in there. We like that spoons don't get stuck together anymore and leave dirty spots. It really isn't that much harder to lay the cutlery down on the tray. However, it's just the 2 of us, so a large family with kids that don't care about it may not see the benefits.