Our low mid end generation dw is on its last legs. Starting to research replacement options.

Want to get something a little nicer. Want ss tub. Debating on the third rack option. Have been looking at the mid range Bosch models and kitchen aids.

Have had bad luck recently with whirlpool and ge. So those are out. (not sure who actually make kitchenaid)

Want to stay under 800. Seems possible with decent sales and not being in a hurry.

We have a Bosch we purchased at Lowes. I'm not up on dw's as ours is 10 years old. Still very quiet and no issues. It does not have a heating element which took a little getting used to but haven't ruined anything in it.

The third rack is ridiculously useful.

We have a newer Bosch (2 or 3 years old). Can't hear it when it's on.

Bosch, got it at the beginning of the year when we remodeled the kitchen. 3rd rack is surprisingly always used and just like the others, very quiet. It has a red light that shines on the floor when running....otherwise you usually wouldn't know

With the Bosch, make sure you leave the door cracked between uses. The smell is something awful if you don't.

03_Aggie said:

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With the Bosch, make sure you leave the door cracked between uses. The smell is something awful if you don't.

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I was wondering about that. We got a KitchenAid earlier this year and that has been an issue at times.

We purchased the KitchenAid earlier this year and love it. It was about the same price as the Bosch, but it has a heating element in it. I think the only regrets are that it has top controls.

Love my kitchenaid with heated dry. Lowes puts all their appliances on sale in November so you should be able to get a good deal. Between their sale and ebates I got mine for less than $600.

03_Aggie said:

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With the Bosch, make sure you leave the door cracked between uses. The smell is something awful if you don't.

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Never had this issue with mine.

histag10 said:

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03_Aggie said:

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With the Bosch, make sure you leave the door cracked between uses. The smell is something awful if you don't.

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Never had this issue with mine.

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Never been an issue with ours either.

It certainly doesn't impact 100% of them but I believe it's a fairly well known issue with them. Some think it's related to the fact they don't use a heating element and some moisture remains in the bottom of the dishwasher.

I like ours but it definitely suffers from the issue. All we do is crake sure the door doesn't latch when we close it and it's a non issue. Close it all the way though and it's going to stink when you open it.

The LG I installed in a house we sold in SA a few years ago was like that for sure. No heating element and no means of venting = stinky if closed all the way. I think some models that don't have a heater have a ventilation fan or some way of moving air around. Our Miele opens a few inches automatically and I hear a faint humming sound if I listen closely - I assume that some of the non-stinky Bosches do something similar.

What is the advantage to not having a heating element? Are all the dishes wet at the end of the cycle?

Texker said:

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histag10 said:

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03_Aggie said:

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With the Bosch, make sure you leave the door cracked between uses. The smell is something awful if you don't.

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Never had this issue with mine.

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Never been an issue with ours either.

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Mine either, but we use ours 2-3 times a week

Why would you buy a DW without a heating element?

jamesf said:

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What is the advantage to not having a heating element? Are all the dishes wet at the end of the cycle?

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Just an energy thing. To be honest I had no idea that dishwashers were even allowed to come with one any more.

And the wet at the end of the cycle thing depends. For example with the LG I mentioned you had to come along not long after it was complete and open the door. Our Miele on the other hand opens the door a couple of inches automatically and a fan or something causes them to dry out on their own.

We went with the kitchen aid over the Bosch for the heating element.

Only thing I don't love about it, are the location of the controls (you'll touch with your legs while loading unloading if you stand in front of the door). The heating element is great but does get the dishes and flatware super hot at the end of the cycle.

Quiet as a mouse!

I guess there's the advantage of not have to worry about "top rack only" dishes. You can put plastic items on the bottom rack without fear of melting them.

I'm not sure how the technology works, but it uses hot water and steam to create the heat to dry the dishes. It works well except for plastic items. Those tend to still be wet after a cycle.

Had a Bosch in my old house. Best dishwasher we've owned. quiet as a mouse.

New home was supplied with whirlpool, brand new build and it crapped out after 1 year. replaced it with an LG and the washing motor had to be replaced under warranty because it started making a high pitched whistle that drove everyone in the house crazy. new motor is quiet (for now). it has the 3rd rack which is awesome.

I should have bought another Bosch. Worth the money for sure.

And use the jet-dry, it works for drying plastic stuff.

Bought a 3 rack Bosch about 6 months ago. Thing is great. Can't hear it and it definitely doesn't smell.

Third rack is awesome and all our dishes are always dry just make sure you keep the jet dry filled up.

Our top rack is for forks, spoons and things like that. Is that the same kind of top rack that Bosches have?

It's built to hold silverware but I've never used it for that. It still comes with the traditional moveable basket that fits multiple places in the bottom rack for silverware.

We've always used ours for spatulas, tongs and lids for the kids' cups.

one of my customers owns a high end appliance repair company and he told me to go w/ kitchenaid. Easier to get parts and easier to repair compared to Bosch. Very quiet, does a great job cleaning, and everything comes out dry!

This was another reason we went with the KA.

Just FYI, Whirlpool makes KitchenAid appliances.

Yet the whirlpool dishwashers are all rated WAY below the high end KA ones...

Last summer we put in the Kitchenaid with the gear driven bottom spray arm and I'm about to spend my morning taking it apart. It quit working this week and there are remnants of a paper towel or maybe a paper napkin in the strainer but it turns out the micro filter is only accessible by removing and disassembling the motor. Hopefully I can clean that out and that's it. Other than this incident, the unit has worked well. It is extremely quiet, you really only hear the draining action back through the sink.