girl - the sump of a DW needs a given amount of water to even run at all -"the fill". For a miele it's around 7 gallons. It doesn't matter whether it has 1 spray arm running or 5, it still takes 7 gallons to fill the sump. The half load options lessen that , but not by half , down to 3.5 gallons. The arms run on water flow and pressure - not electricity. Sure it takes a bit more to run multiple arms - but not enough more that you'd notice without some sophisticated equip. hooked up to your DW. I'd rank em : 3. Bosch - broader line and more $$$ options especially at the low end. Their entry level DW is nothing like their top of the line model, they aren't even made in the same place. The top models are quite good but are just as expensive as a miele so there's not a great reason to select it of that brand at the upper levels. 2. Asko - high quality across the line, but not as big and not as widely distributed. Started to produce some/all models outside home country. 1. Miele - high quality from entry level to top of range. The only difference is more insulation, more adjustment in the racks, and more wash programs. The very cheapest model is without a water softener to save $$$. Still made at home in germany.

We have been using our new Asko 5233XXL for 6 months now. Here's what we have to report: It is very quiet in operation. We have an open floor plan, so this was one of the most important considerations. It does make a loud belching sound when the drain kicks in. I have considered plumbing in a separate P trap for it so I don't hear the gurgling coming from the sink when this occurs. There simply isn't a good place on the rack to place the bowls we use. The tines on the Asko racks are more numerous and closer together than on our old dishwasher, which had fit our bowls great. I'd suggest bringing in a place setting or two to the showroom and making sure you can find a place on the racks for them. I will say that the materials on this unit seem top notch. It is all stainless on the inside, even the spray arms. I was initially worried about noise from the dry cycle fan, but it isn't audible. No repairs to speak of yet. -Michael in Portland OR

I check my filter on my Miele, once a month. Its rare that anything is in there. It takes about one or two minutes of your time. I like to open up the basket on the filter and squeeze some dishwashing liquid on it and then run it under the hot water tap. Close the basket and insert the unit back into the dishwasher. You literally pop it in place and turn and that's it. Its truly no work or no hassle nor gross. I also just scrape my dishes, you really shouldn't be rinsing them off. The enzymes in the detergent need some debris to work properly. Before my Miele I owned 2 Maytags for a total of 30 years. They obviously had macerators that ground the food. I would never go back to a North American dishwasher, not ever.

suevani, No experience with Asko to know how to recommend you go other than that I've heard very good things about it. I have a 4 year old Bosch SHX46???? and have had a very good experience with it. dmgabriel, It used to be true that Viking DWs were rebadged Askos. I think I have read that that is no longer the case and that Viking is making their DWs themselves. If that is the case, based on Vikings reputation for reliability with everything else that they make, I'd have even more serious misgivings about their DWs. But look into this deeply rather than just the salesman pitch.