Dishwashers: Program choices
If you use lots of pans, look for a model with a pre-wash option
Most machines have a choice of different programs, but you should choose a machine that best suits your lifestyle. For example, if you use lots of pans, search for a model with a pre-wash or soak option which will help to loosen dried on food.
The type and number of programs vary slightly between models, but most Which? members just use the main program (usually 65°C) and the Eco program (usually 50°C) so you don't have to buy a dishwasher with lots of different programs to get a good machine.
Settings for combination tablets
Some models include special programs for combination (three-in-one, four-in-one or five-in-one) dishwasher tablets. It's important to select these if using combination tablets as they alter the normal program to ensure the tablet activates correctly.
These tablets do tend to cost more but save you the trouble of having to load the dishwasher with separate rinse aid, salt and detergent.
Programs on a typical dishwasher
- Economy (Eco) programs are meant to save water or electricity, but many have much longer program times. Bear in mind there's no standard definition of an 'economy' program; one machine's standard program may be more economical than another machine's economy program
- Intensive programs are designed to clean extremely dirty pots, pans and dishes that would normally need soaking, rinsing and extra wash cycles to get them sparkling and clean. Intensive results are generally impressive but come at a price – intensive programs use more energy and water than either the main or the Eco programs
- Delicate programs prevent damage to fine china or glassware. You can also help to avoid chipping by ensuring china and glass items don't touch any other items
Lower-temperature programs are intended to save electricity or for use with delicate items - Half-load programs save only between 10 and 25% on water and energy – so they're much less efficient than waiting until you've got a full load
Intensive programs are for very dirty loads - Automatic programs can detect the amount of dirt on dishes by how much there is in the water and then change the program length and water and electricity used accordingly
- Extra drying increases the temperature the contents of dishwasher are dried at and can often shorten the length of a program