Does anyone have a dishwasher at the corner end of a cabinet run?

11 years ago

I've decided to go with a "regular"dishwasher in the house we're building for various reasons, but I've been spoiled by having the Fisher Paykel dishdrawers in the current house. I *love* not having to bend over to load and unload! So... I'm thinking of raising the DW. To do that, I'd have to move the DW over to the end of the cabinet run, at the corner. (Right now I have planned a 15" cabinet there so there's room for drawer/cabinet clearance.)

Iknow there are DWs out there with recessed handles, so that should take care of the obvious clearance problem, but... would it be awkward there anyway? Does anyone have this setup?

Thanks,

Burntfingers

Featured Answer

Bunny

11 years ago

I have a corner DW and don't mind it at all. It's immediately to the right of my only sink, so it's perfect for loading. Unloading is a two-step process but I honestly don't understand why it's such a pain for people. Things go onto the counter, then into the overhead cabinet.

The only gripe I have is, I wanted a new DW just so I'd have a handle for dish towels. Now I realize it would interfere with my silverware drawer at right angles to it.

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Comments (10)

breezygirl
11 years ago
My DW was in a corner next to the peninsula in my old kitchen. I didn't particularly enjoy it, but the storage and appliance layout was far from ideal so that contributed to my feelings. My glasses and mugs were stored above the DW. I wouldn't suggest organizing storage like that if you can avoid it. Overall, I'd say there are far worse things you could do with your layout. If everything else really, really works, I think you'll be fine.

And yes, you need a DW without a handle to avoid a major hand to forehead slapping moment. Trust me on this one. :-)
andreak100
11 years ago
Our DW is in the end of the cabinet run, at a corner right now and I don't care for it at all, but when we moved here, there wasn't a DW, so we had to cut out a cabinet and place it in where we could. The corner was the only place. We have a handle on ours and there's no problem, but if we had cabinets on the other side of the corner (without any room for fill to the corner side), it probably would be with the other cabinets having handles.

Part of the reason I don't care for it is because all of our dish and glass storage is directly over top of where the DW resides, so I'm always stretching to put things away. Or I have to put it on the counter, shut the DW and then put the stuff away. If that weren't the case, I probably wouldn't dislike it so bad.

Not seeing your overall plan, keep in mind that when it's open, it will/can impede flow, so plan appropriately for that.
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SparklingWater
11 years ago
I have a left corner 24" DW run and don't mind it one bit. It's right next to a large single sink and below upper cabs (one holds plates etc, other glasses). When I get my kitchen redone, I plan on double drawers cab bases to right of sink so I just swivel for the plates. One nice feature of the corner DW is that when open, it when open with prep, cooking etc.
andreak100
11 years ago
linelle - in regard to the reason it's "such a pain for people" - I've had DWs that have been in better locations in other kitchens and I've never had to do the two-step process before to put things away.

I don't like it because I know better ways. I don't like it because as much as I love my DW, I'm not particularly enamoured with spending more time unloading it and putting dishes away than absolutely necessary...I don't like the two-step process because I have limited counter space and it's rarely completely clear when I need to unload the dishwasher. I don't like it because it wastes my time and it's something that I deal with all the time. Something that wastes time but is only an occasional hassle isn't so bad, but when it's something that happens regularly, then it becomes an issue.
slonewby
11 years ago
My dishwasher is in a corner..plate rack right above the DW. I don't mind it at all. It has a handle and there is just enough clearance for the opposite corner drawer to open to miss the handle. It is set just 5 inches from the corner and, believe it or not, there is enough room to stand there to reach the far end of the plate rack if need be. I haven't had a problem with it yet.

I suppose if I had a choice, I might have changed the location but, with two large windows in the kitchen, our layout was constrained. I'd take my big windows over a different DW location any day.
Bunny
11 years ago
andrea, a regular occurrence and limited counter space would definitely make a difference. On average, I run my DW once a week, so the two-step process takes maybe two minutes per week and the counter space involved is always available. It's not a perfect arrangement for best efficiency, but I can live with it. :)
tracie.erin
11 years ago
Disclaimer: I have no input on your question and am going to try to change your mind because I think you will regret the normal DW. Are you SURE you can't get the DDs? If it's a budget issue, what if you cut one of the bathroom vanities with a $39 version below and replaced it later when funds allowed? I offer this suggestion because it's just what we are doing as part of a super low-budget, super necessary bath remodel. :)

It's just.. I would never give up my DDs! Even if it were raised, I hate unloading an entire DW at once instead of one drawer at a time, not having an empty DD to put stuff into while one is running and having things pile in the sink, having to pull down the door THEN pull out the rack.. you get the idea!

Sorry if this is helpful, I just wanted to offer you a possible way to keep the DDs. Good luck!

Here is a link that might be useful: Lowe's $39 bath vanity
lascatx
11 years ago
I had a DW on the end of a run before and it was fine, but I also ask why you are giving up the drawers if they worked so well for you.

I hate raised DWs -- the look and the break in the counter line. Never seems right to me to hive a higher space next to your sink where dishes tend to land and it takes away the option of doing other things in that space.

If your reason is budget, keep in mind the extra finishing that might be required on your counter edges, the cost of raising the cabinet, additional charges for service calls on the DW (for pulling it out and lifting it -- more work, more risk and may require 2 men where one would have sufficed) and the damage to whatever is below your DW if it leaks. Personl preference, but I'd pay more to not have the raised DW -- and I am extra tall. ;)
burntfingers
Original Author
11 years ago
Thanks all! It's interesting to hear how many folks have end-runs and have no problems with it (despite what all the KDs say!).

Tracie and Lascatx - I do love my DDs, but alas, in the new house the issue is noise. Fisher Paykel doesn't seem to have kept up with the rest of the industry in reducing the operational sound levels. The DD aren't LOUD, but they are noticable - you have to talk over them if you're in the room. The new house is small and open open - DR and kitchen are one, and they're both open to the LR. We could justrun the DW in the middle of the night the way we do now, but it would be nice to be able to run a quiet load during a meal so that there are actually enough dishes for dessert when we have company!

That said, I am still struggling with the decision. DH says "go for quiet" and I say....I love not having to bend! but quiet would be nice.

Decisions, decisions.

Burntfingers

Does anyone have a dishwasher at the corner end of a cabinet run?

Bunny

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Does anyone have a dishwasher at the corner end of a cabinet run?

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