I’m planning a paneled DW. Incase you aren’t aware, Sears declared bankruptcy last week.

Two paneled DWs in two homes. Both Miele, one with no problem for 14 years, the other is newer but I expect zero problems with the panels.

There have been threads on this forum in the past along the lines of "contractors/salespeople say the darndest things". Your in-house maintenance technician would fit into that. He is incorrect.

17 years and never had an issue with the panel front dishwasher. The only issue I would raise is that when the time comes to replace it, the panel may not fit the next dishwasher. A few years ago we discovered this problem when we replaced our fridge. The original fridge panels wouldn't fit any new fridge. Even the same brand/model type could not use the original panels.

Unfortunately our cabinet maker retired so new panels were not possible.

A good quality DW that accepts panels is engineered to deal with the weight of those panels. (The inexpensive ones do have some issues and may need more fine tuning for the weight.) The weak point with panel ready isn't the DW hardware. It's the wood panels around the water of the DW.

If you are the typical kid on punishment doing the rinse and load type of DW load, instead of just scraping and loading, you will drip enough water doing so that it eventually damages the wood around the edges of the panel. I'd suggest a behavior change to scraping only. And the purchase of a second panel, to be placed in storage, just in case.

No problems with mine.

However I wouldn't get slate appliances. They've had issues with scratching!

35 years with paneled dishwashers, (KitchenAid) ...have never had a hinge problem.

An adjustable spring takes the weight. Pretty low tech. No problems.

Also, if a future replacement DW doesn't take the same panel, you could always opt for a stainless steel DW in your replacement. It might not be a perfect fit for your desired look. But it isn't the end of the world, either.

No issues with my paneled Miele DW. Door is perfectly adjusted and balanced.

I have had a paneled Bosch for almost five years, no problem. Do search the archives, however, if going with Bosch or maybe Miele as folks on the AP used to say the panel template runs small for US installs. I believe it. You do see a gap around mine. If I were to do it again, I’d have the cabinet maker enlarge it a bit.

No problem with Bosch panel ready door for 10 years. And, btw, a good cabinet maker can replicate most any cabinet door style if you need to replace your panel ready dishwasher or refrigerator.

Ours is almost 13 years old and (knock on wood) no problems.

No problems here with our paneled front dw.

Our cabinet maker prefers not to use them for the same reason.

I've had several Asko dishwashers throughout the years in different homes with no issues due to a wood panel. Get your paneled DW and enjoy!

I wouldn't buy a Sears DW at all. They filed bankruptcy on Monday Oct 15 2018.

Get your paneled DW elsewhere :)

Sears Bankruptcy is a Chapter 11 Reorg bankruptcy. It shouldn't affect the stores that remain open.

I hear you tiggerlgh, but the service that Sears has been providing has been terrible over the last few years so even if the OP continues with a Sears purchase s/he will live to regret it. JMO. Support local business. Check your local appliance store.

Kenmore appliances are sourced from various manufacturers (Whirlpool, Frigidaire/Electrolux, Bosch, LG, Samsung) ... Sears itself doesn't manufacture anything. It's not an overly serious risk to buy a Kenmore product if the aesthetics of one catches your fancy, and bank on not having trouble with it during the warranty period ... after which any competent independent appliance service can do repairs.

Bosch paneled dishwashers since the 80s with no problems whatsoever.