The Great Dishwasher Debate: Miele Versus Bosch
As we’ve mentioned before, we’re currently subletting a desk in an architecture office, so occasionally there’s some chit-chat going on around us that is relevant to the blog. Yesterday, a debate broke out about dishwashers. After the dust settled, the clear consensus was that Miele (pictured) is far and away the best, both in terms…
As we’ve mentioned before, we’re currently subletting a desk in an architecture office, so occasionally there’s some chit-chat going on around us that is relevant to the blog. Yesterday, a debate broke out about dishwashers. After the dust settled, the clear consensus was that Miele (pictured) is far and away the best, both in terms of function and noise. Bosch, which is what we have in our kitchen, was the second choice. So that got us wondering what readers experiences have been with these two brands as well as other, less expensive ones. We’ve set up a brief poll to see what brand readers have at home and encourage people to discuss the pros and cons in the comments section.
Dishwasher Poll [Survey Monkey]
Our Bosch just died. For years the soap dispenser didn’t work. There were always filter issues (smell? clean?). Then recently the timer went and it would run all night if we didn’t monitor it. Finally, after a party, we decided to give it a try and it flooded our tenant downstairs. Dead, dead, dead.
We learned our lesson getting the trendy appliances when our top of the line Neptune clothes washer died a few years back (remember them?) and we got caught up in their class action suit. Now we buy the better rated untrendy Consumer Reports recomendations.
Tomorrow we’re getting the Whirlpool DW installed (CU Reports “Best Buy”). When we replaced the clothes washer we went with another CU winner (a Kenmore, I think). Got the clothes cleaner than anything and was much “greener.” The Bosch was never better than ok.
BTW, washing dishes with a DW is greener than doing it by hand. Uses less water and energy (according to Consumer Reports). Technology like that makes me pleased to use a labor saving device.
We have an Asko and it is much better than either the Bosch or Miele. I especially would not recommend the highly tempermental Bosch.
a friend gut reno’d his 700SF apt, has an 8ft x 8ft kitchen fabulously custom architect designed that combines the fisher paykel single drawer with these beauties from sub zero: http://www.subzero.com/subzero/description.asp?id=700BR
both appliances fitted with face panels that match the cherry cabinets
Fisher & Paykel single dish drawer is one-of-kind for tiny kitchens, cost $800, nothing compares
Miele vs. Bosch? This is a somewhat TIRED bourgeois debate that was deemed IRRELEVANT a few years back when Fisher & Paykel’s “Dishdrawers” came out.
Unlike Miele & Bosch, which offer products that are “high end” versions of ordinary dishwashers, F&P Dishdrawers are a completely new animal because they are essentially two 1/2 height dishwashers that take up the same space as an ordinary one (great for retrofitting). And they have all the high-end bells and whistles. I’ve also seen them installed side by side, and in smaller kitchens, I’ve seen only one dish drawer installed next to or under the sink.
I would never use another product before checking these out, and in a new, large kitchen, I’d use two dish drawers side by side, rather than the upper lower configuration (for ergonomic reasons). Your back will thank you.
Have a miele in the kitchen in my browstone and like the quiet way it runs and how it cleans. Out choice was also driven by the ability to completely cover the front panel and hidden controls.
However, less than 3 years after installation, the drain hose (a flexible plastic pos) cracked and several dishwasher loads of water drained into the plaster ceiling of the rental unit below. We did not notice until water dripped through and then the ceiling eventually collapsed. Expensive repairs ensued.
So much for the reliability of a “high-end” product. I guess that what happens when they skimp on components.
Consumer Report Quick Recommendations Dishwashers
Almost all of the dishwashers we tested scored at least very good overall and are available with stainless-steel exterior styling. All are from historically reliable brands. While you’ll typically pay more for folding racks and other flexible-loading features, some of the tested models offer them for far less than others. Indeed, several high-scoring models cost roughly $500, rather than $800 or more.
While all tested models have a heavy-duty or pots-and-pans cycle, special cycles such as the concentrated Turbo Zone and Pro-Scrub on some Kenmore and KitchenAid models come at a higher price. But as we found, the KitchenAid KUDP02CR[WH], KitchenAid KUDI02IR[WH], Asko D3122XL, Amana ADB1500AW[W], and GE Monogram ZBD0710K[SS] did especially well in our trial baked-on brownie-mix tests using their normal cycles.
You can also save money if you’re willing to live without the eye appeal and stain resistance of a stainless-steel tub. Other features, such as fully hidden controls, can actually make using a dishwasher less convenient.
The Ratings rank models by overall performance. Decide how much quiet you need and whether the kind of dishwashing you do warrants paying more for fold-down racks and other flexible-loading features. Then see our Quick Picks for high-value dishwashers that come from reliable brands.
Best for most; fine cleaning, flexible loading, quiet running:
• Bosch SHU43C0[2] , $580
The Bosch SHU43C0[2] is well-equipped and scored very good for energy efficiency. Consider the Bosch if you don’t mind paying extra for its stainless tub and periodically cleaning its manual filter.
If a low price is more important than flexible loading:
• Whirlpool DU1100XTP[Q] , $435, CR Best Buy
• Amana ADB1500AW[W] , $400, CR Best Buy
• Maytag MDB4651AW[W] , $430, CR Best Buy
The Maytag MDB4651AW[W], Whirlpool DU1100XTP[Q], and Amana ADB1500AW[W] are all fine performers at a relatively modest price. The Whirlpool is a quieter and more energy-efficient dishwasher than the Maytag for roughly the same money. The Amana gives up some energy efficiency, but it costs $100 less, placing it among the least expensive models that we tested. All three are CR Best Buys.
love, love, love my kenmore bottom-of-the-line. not super quiet but it does a perfect job (no rinsing, minimal scraping) and fits tons of stuff (much more than my relatives’ mieles and boschs).
I bought a Kitchen Aid dishwasher with a titanium finish and it is very good — quiet, works great and is beautiful.