Pros and Cons of a Built-in Dishwasher

If you're planning to buy a dishwasher, you need to choose between a portable design or a built-in model. These two kinds of dishwashers have their pros and cons. Today we’ll be considering the main benefits and drawbacks of the built-in dishwasher so you can decide if it’s the best option for your household.

Pros

Dedicated Plumbing

Built-in dishwashers need dedicated plumbing to receive water and drain out the wastewater after cleaning the dishes. Unlike portable models that are connected to the kitchen faucet, the built-in model only requires a one-time connection to your plumbing system. As a result, it allows you to continue using your kitchen sink and faucet any time the dishwasher is in operation.

Integration With Kitchen Cabinetry

Built-in dishwashers don’t need to be wheeled around each time you want to use them. Instead, they are installed along with the kitchen cabinets. So, you don’t have to find floor space each time you need to wash your dishes. This offers you a much neater kitchen design, makes the appliance less conspicuous, and gives the kitchen a more attractive look.

Quiet Operation

One of the major advantages that built-in designs have over portable ones is low noise. Built-in dishwashers are always surrounded by cabinetry, meaning their operating noise is muffled by insulating materials. But the portable dishwashers stand alone, so they cannot work without producing a substantial amount of noise.

Adequate Place Settings and Specialized Cycles

Standard-sized built-in dishwashers usually hold about 12 to 14 place settings’ worth of dishes. They are good for use in kitchens designed for homes with two or more people. This means the dishwasher will be able to handle most, if not all, of the dishes that need to be cleaned at once. Also, built-in models come with special wash cycles like heavy, rapid, and glass.

Cons

Takes Up Valuable Space

If you have a relatively small kitchen or your home is quite small, a built-in dishwasher will occupy precious storage space. Once it’s installed, it cannot be removed or placed in another location. This makes it unsuitable for a person who likes to move regularly from one location to another.

Plumbing and Electrical Work Is Required

A built-in dishwasher must be connected to your kitchen’s plumbing, meaning a professional plumber will be required to help you install it. Although this is a one-time task, it will still cost you money to call a professional plumber for the job. You’ll also need to hook up the appliance to your home’s wiring.

Conclusion

Those are the main pros and cons attached to using a built-in dishwasher in your home. If you live in a home designed for a family of two or more and you’re not planning to move often a built-in dishwasher will be more beneficial than a portable design.