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Manufacturers of household appliances claim that a dishwasher is almost an obligatory attribute of a modern kitchen. But upon a detailed examination of the operation of the device, it turns out that there are many nuances in its functioning. We will try to find out if a small family of 3-4 people needs a dishwasher.
Should I buy a dishwasher for a small family?
If people in the family eat out and hardly cook, you can do without a dishwasher. It is easy to rinse two or three plates under the tap. In a family of several people, where it is customary to cook full meals and wash dozens of plates, cups and cutlery, large utensils every day, the issue is already more acute.
Disputes often arise in families due to washing dishes. And the desire to have a dishwasher (PMM) looks vital. Let’s find out how profitable this acquisition will be and whether it will solve the pressing problems of the family.
When is PMM needed in the kitchen?
It is useless to argue and argue about how best to wash dishes – by hand or in a typewriter. It is better to see when a dishwasher for a family of several people is a necessary thing.
The decision whether to buy PMM or not depends on the following factors:
- Water. If there is no hot water in the house or there are frequent interruptions in it, hand washing is a real test. Hands freeze, pollution with cold water is washed off worse. In the machine, the water is heated by a heating element and all fatty and complex contaminants are perfectly washed off. You can put a boiler, but washing the spoons-cups will take time, a lot of water and electricity.
- Time. Washing dishes for 4 people takes a lot of time, especially if you have to wash pots, pans, ladles, etc. After dinner, plates are collected for a full load of a large car. If you wash it all with your hands, it takes half an hour or more. The evening wash looks especially problematic – everyone is tired and wants to relax, but you don’t want to leave a mountain of plates in the morning. Someone has to spend the evening near the sink. If there is a PMM in the house, then the solution to the problem will take several minutes – you just need to arrange dirty plates in baskets.
- Health. There are people who are contraindicated in fussing with dishes – because of allergies to detergents, sciatica, diseases of the musculoskeletal system, osteochondrosis, rheumatism.
- The frequency of meals. In families where it is customary to eat at home and prepare fresh meals, a huge number of plates are dirty per day, there can be 2-3 dozen of them. Without a dishwasher, the cycle of dirty dishes will reign in the house – you will have to wash them several times a day.
- Hand beauty. “Communication” with detergents does not give anything good for the skin of the hands. It is recommended to wear gloves, but few adhere to this rule.
How does the number of people in the family affect the purchase of PMM?
The more people in the family, the more dirty dishes. But this factor is not decisive when buying a dishwasher. A married couple can actively prepare food, and the dishwasher becomes an effective assistant. And it happens that everyone wash the dishes themselves and don’t really need a dishwasher.
The composition of the family is also important. If they are adults, then washing a couple of dishes behind you is really easy. With children of adolescence and primary school age, it will be more difficult – they usually wash the dishes reluctantly and of poor quality. And with a small child, let alone two, washing dishes turns into hell. So if half of the family is children, PMM is really necessary. In addition, bottles can be perfectly sterilized in hot water, which is very important if there is a newborn in the family.
How good is a dishwasher?
There is a constant debate about the cost-effectiveness of PMM. Let’s see how they spend resources:
- Water. When washing by hand, the average water consumption is 60-80 liters. The machine spends 12 liters. Consumption is reduced through the use of special sprinklers and sprayers.
- Electricity. The device heats cold water using a heating element. Good models consume approximately 0,8 kWh. The average monthly electricity costs are 65 kW.
To calculate how much you can save by having a dishwasher, you need to compare the cost of water – hot and cold, with energy costs. But even if the use of a dishwasher does not bring economic benefits, it can still be worth buying. And the biggest savings is your time.
In any case, household appliances will not “eat” much – all devices have a high energy consumption class, and they spend many times less water than when washing by hand.
Bad moments:
- The dishwasher requires service.
- Special detergents are required. They are more expensive than hand washing.
- May break. You will have to temporarily take up sponges and brushes, and besides, spend money on repairs.
What to look for when buying?
The success of the PMM and the justification for its acquisition depend on the correct choice:
- Camera capacity. This option is called “load”. It is measured in “sets of dishes”. Specified in the technical specifications. The average is 9-14 sets. There are mini-cars for 6 sets – but such a load is not enough even for 3 people. The average “cell of society” needs a machine for 9-10 sets, no less. There are models that are more spacious – for 12-17 sets, but they also cost more. The price of the model also depends on other characteristics and on the brand.
- Dimensions. If there is not enough space in the kitchen, then you have to take into account the dimensions of the device. With a shortage of space, it makes sense to limit yourself to a narrow model, the width of which is 45 cm – 15 cm less than that of a full-size one. In a cramped kitchen, it is better to use built-in modifications, rather than freestanding ones.
- Wash duration. Cycles on basic programs last 2-3 hours. But little energy and water is spent, so you should not worry too much about this. It is convenient to run the program at night – in the morning all that remains is to get clean and dry plates. It is desirable that the machine has an automatic door opening – if the drying is condensation, this will avoid re-wetting the surfaces.
- Number of programs. From the abundance of programs, you can choose the best option. There is a glass washer, pre-soak, rinse and others.
- Wash class. Characterizes the quality of washing. You need to buy class “A” models, no less. They have programs at 70 degrees. It is impossible to wash the plates with such hot water by hand. At this temperature, effective disinfection is achieved.
- Drying. Unlike washing machines, dishwashers have a dryer in all modifications. Drying differs in the principle of operation – there is a condensation and a turbo dryer. The second option – hot air blowing, is considered more efficient, but also more costly.
Additional options are also useful. Some PMMs can sterilize glassware, disinfect toys, some are controlled from a smartphone.
Conclusions
Summing up:
- The decision to buy or not to buy a dishwasher is made spontaneously or on the basis of analysis and reasoning. If you did not buy a PMM in response to a momentary desire, you will have to evaluate all the pros and cons of purchasing a dishwasher.
- The need for MMP depends more on the diet of the family, and not on the number of its members.
- Do not focus on the reviews – they are radically opposite. Some use the device to its fullest, others only launch it “on holidays” – after a big feast. When making a decision, you should take into account the peculiarities of your lifestyle, diet, habits, etc.
If you decide that you need a dishwasher, look for high-quality appliances – only it will become a real helper in your kitchen, and not a source of problems.