Number of place settings
The maximum number of dish sets that can be loaded into the dishwasher at one time. A set is considered a set of dishes for one person: four plates (for the first course, for the second course, salad, bread), a plate for dessert, a cup, a spoon and a fork.
The large capacity allows you to wash numerous dishes in the device at one time without starting the washing programme again. At the same time, excess capacity is just as undesirable as insufficient. Firstly,
a capacious operating chamber affects the dimensions of the entire device. Secondly, such units consume more water. Thirdly, if there is not much dirty dishes, you either have to wait until it accumulates, or start an underloaded device, wasting water and detergents. Therefore, when choosing according to this indicator, real needs must be taken into account and not chase after the maximum capacity.
Dryer type
The dishwasher has a drying function. Drying can occur both due to the natural evaporation of water from the surface of the dishes (
condensation drying), and due to its
blowing with heated air; the first option is more economical, since it does not require energy and there is also an improved one —
with a heat exchanger; the second, in turn, provides faster drying. The recently introduced new type of
Zeolith drying combines two methods, as it first collects residual moisture and then converts it into heat, which dries the dishes and belongs to premium segment models. Note that not all dishwashers are capable of drying dishes to dryness; see drying class for details.
Cutlery tray
Separate
cutlery tray for loading (spoons, forks, knives, etc.) into the dishwasher. Such a device is more convenient than a common basket: it allows you to load cutlery separately from the rest of the dishes, while the contents of the tray are compactly located in the “seats” specially designed for this. And the quality of washing is often higher than when using a common basket.
Energy class
The energy efficiency class characterizes the the economy of a dishwasher's electricity consumption. Initially, the classes were denoted in Latin letters from A (high degree of economy) to G (high consumption). But later, with the development of energy saving technologies, more advanced classes than A appeared. They are denoted by the letter A with a certain number of pluses (
A+,
A++, etc.); the more benefits, the higher the economy. Most modern built-in dishwashers comply with energy classes from A to
A+++(the last is 30% more economical than the original class A). More high consumption models, such as classes B and C, are much rarer and gradually disappear.
More economical models cost more, but the difference can be recouped in energy savings. Also note that the energy consumption class does not describe efficiency in general, but in comparison with other similar models; therefore, the actual consumption of a small class A device may be lower than that of a large class A++ model.
End-of-cycle signal
Sound signal, indicating the end of the dishwasher operating. Many dishwashers work quietly and without a special signal, it can be difficult to determine whether the programme has ended.
Dimensions (HxWxD)
Dishwasher dimensions in height, width and depth. An obvious parameter; we only note that when determining the amount of space required for integration, the width and height of the unit are important.
In most modern built-in dishwashers, the width corresponds to one of the standard values (about a centimeter):
45 cm for narrow models,
60 cm for standard ones and
55 cm as a compromise between these dimensions. As for the second dimension, dishwashers with a height of up to 60 cm inclusive are usually classified as
compact, they require installation at a certain height above the floor.
Full-size models, with a height of more than 60 cm, can also be installed at floor level.
Country of origin
The country in which the model is manufactured. Despite the fact that most of the capacities are concentrated in China, European factories (
Germany,
Italy,
Poland,
Turkey) for the production of household appliances have not gone away. And certain models can be produced on them. In general, such a division into a Chinese or European factory should not particularly affect the quality of products, but still the stereotype of a reliable European assembly is present in us. However, it is possible that the model may have a country of manufacture, for example, Poland, and in the store under the same article you will meet China.