Since its invention in the late 19th century, the dishwasher has evolved significantly. In this article, we will explore the history of dishwashers, offer tips for their use, and talk about smart dishwashers.
The history of dishwashers
The first dishwasher was invented by Josephine Cochrane in 1886. Josephine, tired of her dishes breaking during washing after social events, decided to design a prototype dishwasher that consisted of a copper boiler and a series of compartments with metal mesh to fit dishes and cutlery of various sizes. Although she discovered that another inventor had created a machine with the same function three decades earlier, the patent for it had been rejected for being too complex and impractical. Josephine began selling dishwashers to her circle of friends and created her own company, Garis-Cochran Dish-Washing Machine Company, which later became part of Whirlpool Corporation’s KitchenAid brand.
Although restaurants and hotels welcomed the invention with open arms, individuals did not receive it enthusiastically because electricity had not yet reached all homes and dishwashers were large and cumbersome to have in a home. However, with the economic boom that the United States experienced and the excessive increase in leisure consumption in the mid-20th century, dishwashers became popular.
Tips for using dishwashers
To get the best cleaning results and prolong the life of the dishwasher, it is important to follow some tips:
- Clean food debris before putting dishes in the dishwasher.
- Separate dishes well so they do not touch each other.
- Check that the blades can rotate smoothly.
- Check product levels (salt and rinse aid).
- Use Eco or low-temperature programs.
- Wait half an hour before opening the dishwasher once the washing program has finished.
- Remove and clean the filter once a week.
- Regularly clean the detergent dispenser.
Smart dishwashers
Smart dishwashers are a new generation of appliances that offer a range of advanced features. Although most of the functions of smart dishwashers are limited to remote control, this can be very useful for checking the status of the dishwasher, choosing a program and putting it into action, pausing it, programming it, etc. In addition, connectivity also allows downloading different programs than those that come by default, which allows keeping the appliance updated and personalized according to our needs. It is also common for us to receive notifications of incidents, maintenance reminders, and self-diagnosis in case of problems from the application.
Featured models
Below, we present a selection of featured dishwasher models:
| Model | Features | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Candy Brava HCF3C7LFW | Capacity for 15 place settings, 9 programs, A+++ energy efficiency, Wi-Fi connectivity | €599 |
| Balay 3VS6361BA | Capacity for 13 place settings, 6 programs, A++ energy efficiency, Wi-Fi connectivity | €499 |
| Bosch SMS4EMI00E | Capacity for 13 place settings, 6 programs, A++ energy efficiency, Wi-Fi connectivity | €599 |
| LG DF455HSS | Capacity for 14 place settings, 9 programs, A+++ energy efficiency, Wi-Fi connectivity | €799 |
| Siemens SR65ZX11ME | Capacity for 14 place settings, 8 programs, A+++ energy efficiency, Wi-Fi connectivity | €899 |
| MIELE G 6000 EcoFlex | Capacity for 14 place settings, 8 programs, A+++ energy efficiency, Wi-Fi connectivity | €1,299 |
Our advice
If you are looking for a dishwasher, we recommend that you consider a smart model. Although they are more expensive than conventional models, they offer a range of advanced features that can be very useful in the home. In addition, newer models are becoming increasingly efficient in terms of energy and water, which can help you save money in the long run. Remember to follow the tips for using the dishwasher to get the best cleaning results and prolong the life of the appliance.