I, too, am exceedingly interested in responses to this post. I had been all set to go with FP DD but then I read some scary things about service and breakdowns and some other scary things about the company going defunct. I have not followed in a bit of time so I am interested to hear what everyone knows and thinks about this company NOW. My hubby and I have no kids and it takes us days to fill a conventional DW. Also we were interested in the loading and unloading from a better position (not so low) that DD offers. But, if service and reliability are issues or if the company is going to go kaput then we were scared off. I hope it's better?

Rene

I bought my F&P drawers in July so not quite a year but so far so good. I made my choice partially based on feedback I got here when I asked for people to post about DWs they loved. My KA almost-bottom-of-the-line model gave out after about 5 years. It leaked.

Anyway, we are empty nesters which also partially drove the decisions. We always ended up either waiting days to do dishes or doing partial loads, neither of which sits well with me. We no longer have that issue with the drawers. I also love not having to open the door and have it pop 1/4 of the way back up before I can get the lower shelf out. I'm a huge fan of drawers instead of cab doors/pull outs so this is basically the same concept.

We were told by at least a couple of appliance stores that the vast majority of the problems associated with the drawers is because of incorrect installation. Don't know how true that is but I do think it can have some effect.

We have been using ours for about a month--have the Double Dishdrawer/Tall Model: DD24DCTX6. I absolutely LOVE them. Like lowspark, I love the drawer concept--so easy to use. Having two separate drawers is awesome. We are a family of three, and either single drawer gets us through about two days of dishes. I love that I can start loading dirty dishes in the second drawer before emptying the first--sounds silly, but on mornings when I'm trying to get out-the-door to work, it's great not to have to unload dishes or leave dirty dishes in the sink. I have been told that the main problems people have are due to incorrect loading--you have to be sure to keep things below the inside cover, so that the seal stays tight. Anyway, so far, they are probably my favorite new appliance!

Here is a link that might be useful: FP Double Dish Drawers

For our two person household, these drawers have worked very well, but only in use for 2 months.

We have the FP DD24DCX6 double dish drawer (this model does not have the tall top drawer). I purchased it from an appliance store (ABL) in NJ. I hovered over the installer to make sure that it was installed with the proper high loop and we alternate using drawers, two recommendations from the appliance forum.

It has worked perfectly (clean dishes, glasses and sometimes pots and pans) and is very quiet. It took a couple of weeks to get in the groove of how to load the drawers, as there are a number of options and pieces that can move inside to accomodate various size glasses, plates, etc.

If you do not want to bend low, you may want to reconsider as the lower drawer is low.

Hope this helps.

Hi Bee - I had a very large posting on F&P drawers on the appliance forum. LOADS of information if you read all of it.
http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/load/appl/msg1012100317004.html

My installer said most of the problems with these are due to user error. They take some getting used to because they load differently. I love having that top drawer - so easy to load and unload. I don't use the bottom drawer that much. Given a choice, I'd have 2 top drawers, but of course, you can't do that unless you're building or totally remodeling.

Are there rumors F&P is going out of business?

I have F&P dish drawers and have mixed feelings. The drawers themselves have been fairly reliable after an odd issue was repaired by F&P after using for a month.

The tall tub model would probably be better than two equal size drawers - the original drawers won't fit larger items like cookie sheets or chargers.

My complaints are that they don't wash well without pre-rinsing. Often, I put pots in and they aren't clean at the end - even with pre-rinsing. Before everyone jumps in - its not a stacking issue - generally I'll run a load of pots in one drawer but that amounts to 3 or 4 single layered pots and nothing else in the drawer. And it isn't the enzyme detergent needing dirt on the dishes either. We've tried that too.

I think it's because of the single arm at the bottom and relatively low pressure squirts from one direction only. Well, that and I am totally unwilling to run loads for more than an hour. Sometimes, I think we'd be better off with a small dw that had a hard food disposer.

On the positive side, you really can just unscrew a couple of things and completely clean it out periodically if you need to. I learned to do a rinse load empty but adding some product with citric acid - like tang, etc. and that keeps up with normal crud accumulation. It is just like its new again.

Ergonomically, it's great. Even tho I have mixed feelings about them, it would be very hard to convince myself to do a non-drawer dishwasher.

prill!! what a thread! Thanks so much. But I have one question, what is that reference about "noise"? I have a Bosch-absolutely silent. I lean on that thing while it's running and don't even realize it's on. The kitchen is open to family room, so noise is a concern.

Thanks everybody!

I knew I wanted the DW drawers as there are only the two of us now. I went back and forth with F & P, KA, and Kenmore Elite. All my past appliances have been Kenmore and have never had any breakdowns with any-stove, ref., DW, washer, dryer. So, even thought the Kenmore was just a wee bit more $$ we bought the Elite model that has the taller top drawer. Initially, I was concerned as after removing a clean load noticed some droplets of water in the tub. Posted on appliances forum and was told that was normal. Then, I remembered that when I unloaded my regular door DW, I used to keep it open a crack to let the steam escape, etc. I do that now and no more water droplets. This DW is so quiet you don't even realize it's on. Dishes very clean-no pre rinsing. No etching. Very happy and it even has handles where I can hang a dishtowel!! Mine also has an upper wash arm paddle and the bottom of the tub spray arm in each of the drawers.

In my research, I heard good and bad about all the models of DW drawers. There are always going to be lemons in the bunch so it may be a crap shoot.
I chose the Kenmore due to past experience with this brand, wanted the top taller tub, more than one spray action in each tub, easy way to have service if needed, and the clincher-place to hang a dishtowel!!

The DW drawers are really nice for small families. Good luck with your decision.

We are a two person household also and have had the FP DD model DD603I FPU for about 3 1/2 years. It is the double (equal size) drawer model. We LOVE them! I do pre-rinse but that's just out of habit (needed to with my old, old, very old, prior dishwasher). We use the eco-wash cycle all the time and love how little water it uses. We have none of the problems others mentioned in prills appliance post. We alternate use of top and bottom drawers, not because anyone instructed us to, but just because we figured they'd wear evenly that way. We run both drawers at the same time on holidays, etc. and they work great.

They are not perfectly quiet though. In fact, when first installed I thought something was wrong with the bottom one because it was quite a bit noisier than the top one. Called and FP sent out a repairman. Ours are installed over porcelain tile flooring and, in the end, they said that's just the nature of the machine - so I've gotten used to the bottom drawer being a bit noisier. If you want perfectly quiet operation, it sounds like Chris' Kenmore Elite might be the ticket.

I like the ease of loading the top drawer very much and if I were doing another kitchen and it was feasible, I would do two single DDs - one on each side of the sink at the counter top level. That would be awesome.

Bee - when the drawers are washing, they are pretty quiet. They do make some noise when the covers inside close and open. But that is VERY short. Not as quiet as a bosch, but quiet.

I just have to say "ARGHHHHH"

I called another dealer that is a supplier, this one is the "specialty" appliance store, in fact it's where we bought our range and vent hood. Still none on display. Then he very bluntly told me he would advise against them! I tried to defend the drawers based on all the great information I have heard from you guys. He said that their ratio of happy/unhappy customers is 50/50. He said he would love to sell me a dishwasher but the serviceablity (is that a word) is not very good. I tried to explain that those whose dishes aren't coming clean must be doing something wrong, and the learning curve, etc. etc. (What am I a F&P salesperson?)

He is having his parts department get me a price on a ss door skin and handle for my Bosch. He thought the estimate to reface it of $377 from Bosch was too high.

Hey, a salesman who isn't in a hurry to take my $1300 and just wish me luck, maybe he truly believes he has my best interest at heart.

I'll wait for the parts department's estimate.

I was looking into these as well. A trusted salesperson said that since we are a family of four if he sold me these I would come back and throttle him.

For a family of 2 they are OK, but not for a family with lots and lots of dishes and plates. It's better suited for cheeseplates and wineglasses.

He also noted that with two drawers (two separate units) there are twice as many things that can go wrong/break.

Good luck! So many choices and decisions.

I guess I should rethink it. I mean, we are only empty nesters come the fall because the last kiddie is off to college...but that doesn't mean we won't explode back to a family of 5 (or 7 with boyfriends) for holidays (and some of the boyfriends enjoy staying here a little too much ;(

The salesguy I did talk to did say they are excellent for glasses.

Just want to reiterate that with double drawers I've done dishes for holiday dinners using both drawers and with 14 people and it was not a problem...

I think Maytag makes one now. That may be easier to find.

how 'bout the KA double drawer washer that's out? anyone have it?

I have the F&P DD24DCHTX6, it has a tall drawer on top and a regular one on the bottom. I think it's great; no splashing, no open door to block traffic or bash in your shins again.

Like Bireland it took awhile to learn how to load it. Unlike Bmorepanic I've found the cleaning to be great. Some things are much cleaner than ever before. Tea strainers etc. very nice. Coffee and tea stains never on mugs anymore. Tired old wineglasses so sparkly. For the first little while I tested it daily with incrementally cruddy pots and plates and it always got them clean.

Like Kimkitchy, if I could do it over again I would put a single drawer on either side of the sink. I love not having to bend over at all to load or unload the top drawer which I use most of the time. I live alone but I cook & bake all the time and there are always lots of dishes. If I could do one on either side of the sink I'd select a tall single and a regular one and put pot drawers underneath them.

Others have mentioned how useful the 2nd drawer is for loading when the first one is already full or running. I do that as well but also love it for a drain-board for hand-washed items. No stupid ugly rack on the countertop.

With regard to the noise I think they are very quiet and friends have commented on just how quiet. There is some sound but it's not annoying at all. Silly to admit but I wait until bedtime to put them on because then, when the house is completely quiet, you can hear them and I like the lulling swishing as I drift off to sleep.

Ok, I'll chime in again. Yes we are empty nesters but the kids do come home sometimes (they're both still in college, and were home for a month on winter break for example) so SOMETIMES we're a family of four. I don't get why a family of four wouldn't be happy. In fact it was even better because as soon as you have enough to run one drawer you run it. Then if you want to load more in the second drawer, you don't have to wait for the first to be finished.

We just hosted Passover with eleven people and using both drawers, it didn't take any more loads to do the dishes than it would have with the old style DW. In fact, it was great because I was able to run a drawer of pre dinner stuff and it was finished by the time we were done with dinner, so I unloaded and ran both drawers. Old days, that stuff would have sat till after dinner and then I'd have only been able to load whatever room was left.

And I agree, they are very quiet. MUCH more quiet than my old KA.

Oh, and I forgot to say... I'm sure the appl salesman has good intentions. I met lots of people during my remodel who had good intentions, trying to talk me into or out of something that THEY thought was right for me. But in the end, only I got to decide that.

If he doesn't want to sell you what you want, can't you just go elsewhere and get it? You do want to buy it from someone who is going to do the install correctly too.

He will sell it to me. This was a conversation, over the phone we had. I was just calling to see if they had them in their store. They are sort of a gucci appliance store, if you know what I mean. After he said they didn't have them in stock, he advised me that 50% of the customers were happy and 50% unhappy. He did say he would be happy to sell one to me if I wanted.

We have always installed our own dishwashers, etc. Is there something odd about the drawers that would limit us from doing so? This would be the ONE place I would trust to install these correctly (certainly not the Lowe's guys).

I guess I'm just going to remain confused. The KA (regular) that I'm reading good things about is on sale from AJ Madison, with shipping it is about the same price as the F&P drawers. We are going on a kitchen tour this weekend. Perhaps I will pay particular attention to the dishwashers (probably most appliances on the tour will have come from this shop), and poll the homeowners if they are present! (As if polling you guys isn't good enough), but these folks maybe could recommend an GOOD installer if needed.

I'm not even allowed to say the word "dishwasher" in my house. It's going to put my dh over the edge.

The installation of the F&P wasn't that tricky. They come with explicit instructions and clear drawings.

My DH installed ours so it can be DIY. However, it did take longer than when he installed the door DW. DH is very handy but he hates plumbing-he was so happy to see no leaks and the drawers working perfectly!!