Interesting i missed the hard water softner in it... seems like it maybe salt based just like the miele not 100%. Sorry not really answering your question but adding some more info about the model. only one handle available no ultra handle and no panel avail... has lcd also. from the official sales brochure: Available 1st Quarter 2011 Architect� Series II KUDE60SX � 43 dBA** Performance � EQ Wash System � Targeted Wash Zones � Hard Water Softener � 6 Cycles (ProWash�, Heavy Duty, Normal, One Hour Wash, Light/China, Rinse Only) � 7 Options (ProScrub,� Sani-Rinse, Hi-Temp Scrub, ProDry,� Top Rack Wash, 4 Hour Delay, Control Lock) � Dedicated Drying System with ProDry� Option � Optimum Wash Sensor � AquaSense� Fill System � Whisper Quiet� 43 Sound Insulation System Craftsmanship & Design � Fully Integrated with Display Console � Architect� Series II Handle � Tall Tub with Stainless Steel Interior � 16 Place Setting Capacity � Light-Touch Controls with Audio Feedback � LED Status Display � Culinary Tool Rack � Flood Protection Technology � ENERGY STAR� Qualified � CEE Tier 2 Qualified Upper and Lower Racks � DuraKote� Nylon-Coated Racks � Cushion-Tip� Tines Upper Rack � Adjustable with SatinGlide� Max System and Premium Adjusters � Robust Handle with Stainless Steel Insert � 2 Fold-Down Rows with Two-Position Tines � 6 Sure-Hold� Light Items Clips � 2 Fold-Down Plastic Cup Shelves with Integrated Stemware Holders Lower Rack � 2 Fold-Down Rows with Two- and Three-Position Tines � Culinary Caddy� Utensil Basket � Exclusive Silverware Basket Design with Four Sliding Covers Color � Stainless Steel (SS)

Our local SZ repair place is already getting parts in for this dishwasher. Although I find the name to be dumb, apparently they guarantee every single dish will be completely dry-not even the little dimple in the coffee cup will be wet. Not Miele or any other high end brand dishwasher currently offers this. I might be willing to work overtime to pay for this! With all my kids, half my dishwasher is plastic which means it's all wet and then has to sit all over my overpriced island to dry. 2,000 for all dry dishes might need to happen for me-now to just get my husband to agree!

Zero stars. Do not recommend a Cove. We replaced a perfectly good Kitchen aid (had 4 years, ZERO issues) with this when we upgraded our appliances to sub Z. Within 3 months of install it stopped draining: "call service" - after 2 months of waiting for service and living with a mildew stench, they came out and determined it needed to be completely rebuilt ("defective") so Sub Zero replaced it with a new one. Well, here we are 6 months later, the pods stopped dissolving completely and now it no longer drains.... "call service". Will request a trade in for thermador or Asko..or IKEA LOL. I wish this on no-one. For the price I paid it is painful to stare at as I stand there doing dishes by hand. Think hard about replacing a dishwasher that isn't broken with one of these ...esp not now with all of the supply chain issues and lack of service pros, repairs/replacements take months. I've heard up to a year. Updated post to include the model: DW2450 Manufactured 1 year ago, exactly! Happy anniversary! haha

I have been watching this Cove debacle for a long time, hoping that a US manufactured dishwasher that would take my existing (Miele Optima) overlay door would be available when I needed it, and would be higher reliability. (In all fairness, the Optima reliability has become excellent since i replaced the feed water solenoid with my own parts.) I wonder if the problem starts with being late to the dishwasher business such that the forest of existing patents is almost impossible to get around without paying a lot of royalties, or being very limited in design approach. Long in the business companies can trade patent rights for patent rights and keep royalty costs to a minimum. At this point, given the price and history of issues, every delivered Cove dishwasher should have been factory tested under the water chemistry and dish soilage conditions (surely known by Cove) that most strongly correlate with the conditions present at the residences where complaints ultimately lead to dishwasher replacements. I don't see how the present situation maximizes cost containment, much less customer satisfaction.