How Much Water Does A KitchenAid Dishwasher Use?

While dishwashers take out the hassle of keeping your dishes clean and safe for reuse, you might be worried they consume too much water, making you hesitant to use them. However, that is not the case, as most dishwashers are designed to help maintain cost-effectivity. Thus, we're here to ease your worries since we've narrowed down how much water a KitchenAid dishwasher uses. 

Older dishwasher models can end up using up to 14 gallons of water, whereas newer and modern models that are Energy Star-certified are designed to use less than 4 gallons per cycle. KitchenAid is known for producing dishwashers with the AquaSenseâ„¢ Recycling System, which helps yield up to 33% less water usage by reusing water from your previous cycle while delivering top-notch performance.

Whether you're looking to replace your trusty old dishwasher or making the switch from washing by hand, we're here to help you decide. Keep reading to know more.

Opened dishwasher filled with kitchen utensils, How Much Water Does A KitchenAid Dishwasher Use?

What uses less water—dishwasher or by hand?

Believe it or not, dishwashers are frankly more cost-efficient than washing by hand, as they are designed to spray a calculated amount of water. Scrubbing the dishes clean using your own hands only forces the faucet to discharge as much as 27 gallons of water in one session.

Woman washing the plates

Furthermore, most dishwashers already have integrated water heaters, saving you time and energy. These water heaters come with sensors that determine when the desired heat levels are achieved and will automatically turn themselves off, leaving the rest of the unit to do their job.

Should you rinse dishes before putting them in the dishwasher?

While it may be tempting to do so, it is highly recommended to skip this part as it is considered to be counter-productive and only wastes more water. Simply wipe off any food bits to prevent clogging your dishwasher filters.

It's also unsafe to put extremely clean dishes in the washer as the detergent could cause the material to wear out. Most models already have features meant to address the need for pre-rinsing, so do not fret about it.

How does a dishwasher use less water?

Dishwashers are utilized with a set of pumps, filters, spray jets, and heating elements that operate on a system designed to continuously reuse water, unlike hand washing, where you have to keep the water running so you'll end up using clean water all the time.

How long does one dishwasher cycle last?

Washing kitchen utensils inside a dishwasher

Older dishwasher models are often the ones with cycles that can last for over two hours, while modern ones have been constructed to have shorter cycles to save energy consumption.

A typical dishwasher usually has three cycles to choose from: light, normal, and heavy, which are all designed to cater to different washing needs. However, newer and advanced models can have more cycle options designed for convenience, ranging from customized settings for specific dishes to energy savers.

One example is a KitchenAid dishwasher with a ProWashâ„¢ Cycle feature which can be operated with just a single tap and automatically adjusts its cycle time and usage of water and energy based on what it thinks is best for the dishes you are about to wash. It makes such adjustments after detecting the load size and the dirt and grime accumulated by the plates and utensils.

There's also the ProScrub® feature in KitchenAid products which utilizes the spray jets to target chunks of food leftover, reducing the need for a pre-scrub.

Now that we've established these, you may still have some lingering questions about the future of your dishes, so we've answered some of them. Do note that each dishwasher model is different, so be sure to read up on all of their features before making the big splurge.

Tips for Efficient Dishwasher Use

Firstly, avoid overloading the dishwasher racks and be sure to stack them accordingly. Bowls and glassware should be placed facing down, and silverware should be stacked with pointed ends facing upwards. Plates should also go at the back of the bottom rack, along with other bigger items.

Secondly, use only an appropriate amount of dishwashing detergent, as some of these might be formulated to be abrasive, damaging the quality of your kitchenware. Dishwasher detergent is also different from the formulas used for dishwashing liquid, so always check the product label before buying.

Using the wrong types could wear out your kitchenware, rendering the purpose of your washing appliance useless.

Lastly, be sure to not let the dishes stay in the washer for a long time to prevent bacteria from building up. Dishwashers aren't exactly meant as a storage space for your plates and utensils. Keeping them inside to dry for a short while should be fine.

Can you use your dishwasher for all kitchenware?

An opened dishwasher filled with kitchen utensils

Unfortunately, there are some limitations as to what your dishwasher can handle.

  • Cookware such as pots and pans—especially cast iron and non-stick—should be hand-washed as their quality could deteriorate in the washer.
  • Wine glasses and wooden materials are also a no-no.
  • Plasticware should be fine, but it might take a while for them to dry.
  • Since they come with heating units, washing baby bottles in the dishwasher is also safe, as the heat helps in sterilizing each product.

Conclusion

Opened dishwasher filled with kitchen utensils

To sum things up, owning a dishwasher is a huge step up from the good ol' sponge and detergent combo. Gone are the days when dishwasher models exhaust too much energy, causing a lot of households to be hesitant in using them. When you choose the right one for you, you can definitely see the difference it can make in making work in the kitchen a seamless and hassle-free process.

Don't let the wide selection of models set you back in making the switch, as they are only made with your convenience in mind. Plus, you might be surprised that your dishwasher of choice is smarter than you think it is.

Let us help you troubleshoot your KitchenAid dishwasher with these related articles:

KitchenAid Dishwasher Stops Mid-Cycle – What To Do?

KitchenAid Dishwasher Not Drying – What To Do?

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