A bigger question is would GE's steam function be any better than the Miele's basic functionality. While GE has gotten bad press on and off, some Miele owners are not too happy either. Is the silverware tray that much better than a normal basket. Also, I noticed the normal racks on the Miele are better constructed and more adjustable than the GE Monogram ones.

When we purchased the current house in 1996, it had the original GE builders grade dishwasher from 1985. It was very loud and didn't clean well, so we never used it. When the kitchen was remodeled in '06 we went with a new GE Profile dishwasher, as we also were buying a GE washer & dryer. That dishwasher only lasted us a year and was repaired several times (rolling racks and noisy water intake valve), but it cleaned fine. We replaced it with an Electrolux Wave-Touch, but only had it 60 days due to installation issues that could not be resolved, through it cleaned better than the GE. We were then without a dishwasher for about 2 years before we got a Miele Diamante Plus in 2009. In the two years that we've had the Miele, it has cleaned everything well. We don't pre-wash, but do rinse some dishes, pots/pans in the sink so piece of food would go in the garbage disposal, but we don't wash them with soap. On occasion, we will soak and hand-wash an item that may have heavy baked-on food, but that's like once or twice a week. Regardless, on the Miele we use the Normal mode or the Pots & Pans mode and everything comes out clean. Only use the China/Chrystal mode two or three times a year. The Express mode we don't use, since it only washes for 5 minutes and then does two 5 minute rinses (we found this 5 minute wash is not long enough to clean a full load). I check the bottom filter once a week and clean it out, but it hardly ever has anything in it.

Soak, prewash and profile wash all do different things. Not unlike wondering whether to get a stove, refrigerator or water heater! For *my* washing needs, a soak does more than a prewash. The only time I do a "prewash" is a "postwash"! for the occasional time I had to use a lot of additives or something and wanted additional rinsing, then the short prewash works nicely as a quick extra double rinse. A profile wash starts cold and raises the temperature so some of the stain and dirt can be lifted out in colder water before the stain sets in by hot water which helps remove different aspects of the soiling and stains. There's time I do an imitation profile wash by doing a quick cold wash then do a warmer or hot wash. A true profile wash option would be very nice to have in those rare situations but is it worth the premium price? Only the individual can answer that. That's the tough part of deciding on a washer. I don't care how many people scream buy a brand X, if it doesn't meet your price point or do what you need it to do, then it's not a good choice! The trick is to determine price and needs. *Then* shop! Although it's good to learn while shopping too. Good luck.

What do you mean by German machines? Are you referring to the brand or location of manufacture? The Kenmore HE3/HE5 and sister Duet machines are made in Germany by WhirlpoolÂs German subsidiary, Bauknecht. The Bosch Nexxt machines are made in the USA. Unlike Rick's experience, my first generation HE3t does not twist clothes. The only time there was some twisting of the legs of pants and sleeves of long-sleeved shirts was when my friend used the machine and shoved a big load into the washer all at once. I think they were already twisted before going into the machine. When I load the washer, I put loads with lots of pants and long sleeved shirts into the washer in smaller bunches. Maybe that makes a difference. The current Kenmore HE5t, made in Germany, does offer the option of either a prewash or a soak before the main wash. Joe Link shows German Version of the Kenmore Elite H35t/Whirlpool Duet/Maytag Epic. Here is a link that might be useful: