I would hate to do dishes on vacation with company.How about an 18" DW

Can you live using plastic or paper forks, cups and plates? I wouldn't mind doing a few dishes, like pots or pans, if I could toss everything else!

When I built this new house, I wanted a really nice Bosch DW. We moved in on Christmas eve. You want to know how many times I have used that DW? Twice. I have found it is very easy to just wash dishes as I use them. I do not miss using a DW one little bit. It's only two of us though...if there were kids I might feel differently.

We had a cabin/vacation home (owned by my parents) when I was in college and a little beyond. Dish doing was just another group activity and not that horrible...Not that fun, either, I suppose. I would encourage you to plumb in a way that one can be added, and also plan your cabinets so it'll be easy to switch one cabinet for a dishwasher if you want to later.

Ikea Butcher Block is pretty cheap. You could put in the Ikea cabinet boxes, but no doors - which is really inexpensive - and just use fabric curtains or leave them open temporarily.

Cheapest DW on sale @ Best Buy right now is $212. That's not too bad. Or you could get a freestanding one, if you need the space? I don't know how much an 18" one costs.

No way! The last thing I'd want to do on vacation is dishes!!!! A DW is at least as important in a vacation home as a primary home!

18" DW?? (But they may be more expensive than a 24")

If your idea of vacation runs toward camping, I think it would work fine. Paper plates and napkins burn in the firepit. Me, personally, I *hate* doing dishes. I think I'd rather give up the stove than the dishwasher!

No, basic 18" apartmentdishwashers are inexpensive. Doing dishes by hand takes more water per dish than in a loaded dishwasher, and an 18" fills more quickly.

Dumping a lot of disposables every weekend because you don't feel like doing dishes is not very environmentally friendly.

In addition to what others have said, remember it won't be *major* cost cutting, because you'll have to buy a cabinet to go in that space, so you need to take that off the savings you'd make by leaving the dishwasher out.

Compact Appliance has some 18" DW. Also look at Sears and BestBuy. This one is $323
{{!gwi}}

Here is a link that might be useful: Some 18

Momof3kids, since you are a SAHM, I'm sure you know that when you go on vacation, it's not a true vacation, it's an off-site. I guess you need to examine how averse you are to doing dishes. Personally, I don't think doing dishes is that bad, especially if you have a nice sink and a helper to dry and put away (hmm, can 2 people fit in this kitchen?). I would skip the DW, and put a deep sink in a 30" base. I'd use the Ikeafans mod of putting pullouts below for trash and recycling. Or, you can use the drawers beneath the sink for something else, like cutting boards, or pots, or whatever. If you ever have a crowd, you can use paper plates and burn them in the camp fire afterward.

Here is a link that might be useful: Sink with trash and recycling pullouts

I couldn't go without a DW, but my in-laws don't have one at their mostly weekend cottage and my MIL has never complained about the lack of a DW. They go the paper plate in the firepit route. Not terribly enviro-friendly, but it's their place so I would never comment on that. They have plans on building an addition and converting it to their permanent home when they retire in a few years. The new build will have a DW and all other amenities that you would expect in a full time home.

So the short answer to your q is if you're planning on tearing down in 5 yrs, don't put any $ in a just for now DW. PA has pretty liberal burn ordinances, go the paper plate firepit route.

Is the dishwasher a cost or space saving measure? You can definitely get a 24" for less than an 18". I don't even like putting dirty dishes in the dishwasher - let alone actually washng them myself so you can probably guess what I think about no dishwasher. I think 18"'s are cute (and plan to have one) but for 5 or more they are not the way to go - if your going to end up doing a bunch of dishes anyway why not do them all?

I am not sure about the liberality of burning laws in all parts of Pennsylvania. Where I grew up it was illegal between April and October.

Ah! I still don't know! You all bring up the points I've been dodging back and forth in my head. writersblock... excellent point about having to pay for a cabinet instead - the cabinet would be $196, not much less than a DW -- I didn't think of that.

caryscott, I don't know if it's so much space saving vs $$, I just figured I'd want the space in drawer storage -- you know, now that I just wrote that "drawer storage", I just realized something. I did all my cabinet figuring based on all drawers. My current kitchen is all drawers and I love that and just assumed I would do the same, but in running the numbers I can save $300 by switching some to shelves.

Ahhh! I think I have to step back from this. I think I'm overwhelmed. My main angst is that the entire place needs an overhaul. It's a dark (70s dark walnut paneling), dingy, dirty (heavy smokers), trailer that hasn't been touched since it was built in 1974! We set a $5k budget to do the whole darn thing - I want to rip out all the old disgusting carpet, scrub and paint the entire interior, then install new carpet - laminate/vinyl in kitchen area. But we also need (want) two bunk beds (twin over full), so we've got to buy that and all the mattresses and bedding, and a queen bed for the master! Just tonight I trash picked a vacuum... that's how bad it is!! Last week, I trash picked a grill!

I desperately want to do the kitchen, but is it 100% necessary in the grand scheme of everything else... no. But I have crunched the numbers and I do have 1k to spend on the kitchen, so I'm going for it. I say we'll be there "mostly" on the weekends, but this summer I plan on being there much much more than that - 2 weeks at a time, and the month of August.

Maybe I shouldn't worry about it so much. I don't plan on well stocking the kitchen, I'm almost positive I won't be baking there, just simple dinners and the weekend breakfast - that probably will be the extent of my cooking. morton5, you got that right that it's "not a true vacation"!

I just want it to be a fresh clean place to be -- I get stressed from dirty and unorganized environments.

We've just been caught off guard with this opportunity to get this house. We've been watching/waiting for years, and nothing ever comes up for sale at this lake, then *boom* we decide to do our kitchen, then our perfect location lakefront home right next door to my brother comes up. We just had to do it -- we just don't have any money now!!!!

Oh, and I probably wouldn't burn anyway. I'll most likely be lugging recyclables home - I don't think they even have trash collection there!

We have a vacation home where we have visited many times before my kid, and after. Even though I never much cooked (we visit there because we really enjoy the seafood) -- I have always found at least a couple of utensils to throw in the dishwasher.

Overall, I think things to toss in DW pile up sooner than you think. Little things like eating cereal for breakfast or making morning coffee will create heaps of cups and bowls, even w/o cooking.

I would buy the cheapest dishwasher possible, if needed get a 2-burner electric range or camping stove to cook (especially with BBQ grilling, you will not use stove/range much) and a microwave -- coz you may not use range much.

Since your budget is so restricted, just try to find out used appliances from Craigslist etc. to keep the costs down. Check out your local Ikea's As-is dept first; because you might find some real good prices on cabinetry. With a tight budget as yours, just try to stretch your $$'s more.

We moved into a mobile home while we built. It was 35 yrs old and the kitchen was GROSS. Thankfully, DH can build cabinet boxes, so he ripped out the old and put in basic white melamine boxes without doors on any but the sink cabinet for us to make it through. Have you thought about open cabinets or just shelves for both lowers and uppers? It sounds like you just need something clean and that will hold things in a reasonable organization. In the cabin I mentioned above, the sink counter was something my dad built of 2x4s and a plywood top with a plastic tablecloth tacked over for water protection...then the self-rimming sink went over and through, as if it were laminate counter. It had open shelves underneath with a curtain. Not fancy at all, but clean, organized, and with a neat and tidy look. We thoroughly enjoyed the place as a get-away, including a big family and guests, even though it was simple. If you get into a project that ends up costing money you could better use elsewhere, especially if you need appliances, some of the enjoyment of the place may be dimmed. There are some cool looking ways to do it up simple, I think, and for less than the cost of IKEA. --Just a suggestion.

Best wishes!

mom-o-3: here's where you need Craig's List! There are currently about a hundred used dishwashers on the Pennsylvania CL, from $50 to $200. I've linked just the Philadelphia listings, not knowing where you live.

If you look for a reputable brand and check it out before buying, you can get an amazing deal. That goes for cabinetry and a whole bunch of other stuff, too (bedframes, shelving, lino/vinyl flooring etc).

Have fun with your new place!

Here is a link that might be useful: Philly CL dishwashers this week

I have a lakehouse with no dishwasher. It's not so bad doing dishes. We do burn paper plates in the firepit alot. In a perfect world I would have one but....what I really miss having there is a washer and dryer. I don't mind lugging back a big bag of trash but the wet dirty towels and bedding is a drag. Guess what though, I'm not complaining, in the scope of things it's a good problem to have. Enjoy your new place!

I have lived without a dishwasher and, while not an absolute necessity, I would not redesign a kitchen without one if given the choice.

Not only were the dishes a pain, I found myself not wanting to cook as much due to clean up.

yeah, the more I think about it, I think I should get one. Although it's a small kitchen, I think I have a knack for maximizing space and like I said, I'm not going to have the same amount of stuff that I have at my primary house, just the bare basics. I think it will be worth it in the long run.

Thank you all so much! I'm sure I'll have more questions too once I get into the specifics. This feels so much more challenging than my recent kitchen remodel! Inspection should be very soon so I'll try to take some pictures.

We just need to be ready on Settlement Day 1, as my husband and I and brother and friends will rip the house apart and try to complete the whole thing within a few days!! Then, HELLO, summer on the dock!

Thanks again!!

My Mom has a vacation place that we use about 6 times a year or so, and there's no dishwasher there. Like mdev said before me, I wouldn't redo a kitchen without one, but it's not terrible not to have it. I generally either prepare food ahead of time to bring along (casseroles, lasagna etc.) or get take out. I also bring 3 dishwashers along with me. :) The boys don't seem to mind, I decided since those kinds of trips are not truly holidays for me, they can pitch in with some of the work, and they don't really mind all that much, in fact they've come to expect it. They're nearly all teenagers now (12, 14 & 16) so they do an acceptable job of it.

I just did my condo kitchen. Everyone thought I was crazy not getting a dishwasher. I never had one, even when the kids were still living at home, and don't miss it.

When I go to friends homes, by the time they rinse the dishes before going into the diswasher they could have them washed.

They only reason I would like to have one is so I don't need to have a dish drainer on the counter.

My thought is, it takes only a couple of mintes to rinse the dishes, if I have company and use my good china and crystal, I wouldn't put it in the dishwasher anyway, and if a have a lot of company I use paper plates. I really wanted the extra 4 drawers for storage. If sometime down the road I change my mind, the kitchen was designed with an 18" cabinet that could be replaced with a diswasher.

A grand total???? I'd buy 2 gallons of paint, and spend the rest on really good booze. That way I could enjoy the place through numbed sensitivity. Guests will really like the awesome cocktails too.

Mom,

It's not only the actual cost of the DW, but all the plumbing/connections too. I assume someone can do the labour involved for free?

I dont' get why washing dishes by hand is such a big deal? I have five sisters, and our vacation home was a hobby farm with a tiny tiny kitchen. Minimium of eight of us, and usually lots of guests (there was a large guest/bunkhouse). When we first built our last home we roughed in for the DW, left the space bare (kids toys were stored there for years) until we COULD afford a DW. My sister has a gorgeous lake house and purposefully has no DW. If there are lots of us there, and many times there are (well you do the math- six girls and we all have 2-4 kids)- just means more hands to do the dishes- no big deal- and we just chat while doing it!

Congrats and enjoy the new place (even though it's old and gungy :>)

I have a lake house. When our dishwasher broke for the 3rd time we chose not to replace it. We don't get to go up there often enough and apparently the pumps dry out from not enough use. I'm on vacation when we are there so I don't have to cook much :). I don't mind doing the few dishes we do dirty.

Have you looked at Ikea freestanding kitchen pieces? I think they are very nice and if you decide at a later date to remodel they can be sold or donated. Also, does your area have a Habitat For Humanity store? We have one and builders donate excess and leftovers. There are usually cabinets and appliances there at really cheap prices.Good luck. You will enjoy it no matter what you decide.

your budget range of less than $50 for a new sink and faucet makes me think, take the cheapest ikea cabinets, screw them together upside down and you'll have a closed top for free. Add drawers with Blum metal fronts and you have a "full functionality" kitchen with full extension drawers. Add a wood countertop if and when you can afford it. Get a $100 portable induction cooktop instead of a range, and take it home every time you leave the cottage.

HTH

A few thoughts...

Environmental issues -if you have a double bowl sink that you can fill with soapy water for washing. then place int he other bowl and rinse a bunch at a time (instead of constantly running the water). It uses less water than the DW. If it is a large single bowl, you can always put a plastic tub in there as the wash water bowl, esp. if there isn't a lot of pans. Saves on your water bill too.

IMHO, you should deal with the horrendous kitchen and put the 1K aside toward rebuilding the whole thing later. I have lived with possibily the worst kitchen ever for about 6 years (I think my cubicle at work is larger than my kitchen.) We put off all upgrades until now in order to have more $ for the big remodel. Otherwise, it is a little like throwing away the 1K.

The rebuilding thing is a big IF. It depends on way too many factors, but since it may be a possibility in 5-10-15 years, I don't want to spend that much on this kitchen. But I can't really have open bottoms -- I'd be freaked about mice or bugs, as well as my 2 year old emptying them every chance she gets, or no countertops - not when Ikea sells them for $60!

The inspection is scheduled for Friday. I need to measure the space and I also want to find out if having a private well effects a dishwasher in any way - that might help me decide.

Thank you so much for all your input!

We have a private well and septic system...no public water at all in our area...and we've had a DW for almost 14 years now. No problems having a DW w/a private well or septic system.