Dishwasher Use

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

I've often heard that it's less expensive to use the dishwasher than to wash by hand. But, with only two people in the house it doesn't seem that we create enough dirty dishes to justify running the dishwasher daily. In addition we have some items such a a chef's knife that we only have one of so I don't want to throw it in the dishwasher and not have use of it for a week.

Ny question is, is it still more efficient to run the dishwasher when it is not full than to wash by hand?

Do you run your dishwasher every day? If not, how often do you use it?

[outahere]

I have no idea if it is more efficient to hand wash versus running the dishwasher, but we typically run ours every other day. By that point, the dishwasher is not completely full, but close. We only put glasses, mugs, plates, bowls and silverware in it. We do hand wash good cutlery and any utensils with wooden or plastic handles.

[golfing eagles]

OK, who cares??? Whatever the difference in water usage (hand washed vs. half full dishwasher), it is miniscule compared to lawn and golf course irrigation. And before someone states the irrigation is "recycled" water, please remember all water ultimately comes from the same place.

[bagboy]

I'm not sure why we run our dishwasher, our dishes have to be clean before we load them.

[Carla B]

We only use the DW when we have company for dinner. Otherwise, my husband washes them in the sink.

[jnieman]

We run our dishwasher mostly every day because I do a lot of home cooking. I put my pots and pans in there as well as china or whatever. I have nothing I cannot put in there. I do rinse my pots well before putting them in but they are stainless copper bottoms and come out looking great. I do not put dishes in there that have a ton of food on them unless I am running it immediately. Occasionally I will wait to run it the next day if it is not full. I think it all depends on if you go out to dinner a lot. For me not having a dishwasher would be a huge inconvenience.

[Henryk]

I have no idea if it is more efficient to hand wash versus running the dishwasher, but we typically run ours every other day. By that point, the dishwasher is not completely full, but close. We only put glasses, mugs, plates, bowls and silverware in it. We do hand wash good cutlery and any utensils with wooden or plastic handles.

I use the DW about every other day. While I don't ever wash my good knives in the DW, I always wash my wooden spoons in the DW, along with my plastic cutting boards.

Except for the knives, my motto is, "If it fits in the DW, it goes in the DW." You can't imagine how annoyed I was when my refrig shelves didn't fit! LOL!

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

OK, who cares??? Whatever the difference in water usage (hand washed vs. half full dishwasher), it is miniscule compared to lawn and golf course irrigation. And before someone states the irrigation is "recycled" water, please remember all water ultimately comes from the same place.

I care. I'd like to know. If it's minimal as you assert then it won't make any difference. However if I started using my dishwasher every day or every other day and my water bill increased significantly I'd stop doing it.

Lawn and golf course irrigation are completely unrelated to my question so I don't know why you brought it up. I'm not going to stop watering my lawn and it would be irresponsible for The Villages to stop watering their golf courses.

[golfing eagles]

I care. I'd like to know. If it's minimal as you assert then it won't make any difference. However if I started using my dishwasher every day or every other day and my water bill increased significantly I'd stop doing it.

Lawn and golf course irrigation are completely unrelated to my question so I don't know why you brought it up. I'm not going to stop watering my lawn and it would be irresponsible for The Villages to stop watering their golf courses.

Sorry. I took your post to mean you were looking to conserve the environment/water. My bad.

[bluedivergirl]

I run mine every day. I cook dinner almost every night, and often cook breakfast as well.

I don't put my knives, or anything else with a blade in the DW. I also hand wash Tervis cups. They seem to look nice longer when they're hand washed.

[Harry Gilbert]

This is an older study but it may be interesting

Built In Dishwashers vs. Hand Washing: Which is Greener? : TreeHugger (http://www.treehugger.com/kitchen-design/built-in-dishwashers-vs-hand-washing-which-is-greener.html)

[Fred R]

I live alone. It makes no sense to ever run the dishwasher. If I had a gal living with me, it might be different. But then, maybe she would help wash the dishes once in a while.

[spring_chicken]

I use the dishwasher because I don't like eating bacteria for dinner.
Unless You Use a Dishwasher, You'll Probably Be Having Bacteria for Dinner... Again (http://gizmodo.com/5920720/unless-you-use-a-dishwasher-youll-probably-be-having-bacteria-for-dinner-again)

[golfing eagles]

I use the dishwasher because I don't like eating bacteria for dinner.
Unless You Use a Dishwasher, You'll Probably Be Having Bacteria for Dinner... Again (http://gizmodo.com/5920720/unless-you-use-a-dishwasher-youll-probably-be-having-bacteria-for-dinner-again)

Just saute them with lemon and butter----delicious! :1rotfl::1rotfl::1rotfl:

[TheDude]

I've often heard that it's less expensive to use the dishwasher than to wash by hand. But, with only two people in the house it doesn't seem that we create enough dirty dishes to justify running the dishwasher daily. In addition we have some items such a a chef's knife that we only have one of so I don't want to throw it in the dishwasher and not have use of it for a week.

Ny question is, is it still more efficient to run the dishwasher when it is not full than to wash by hand?

Do you run your dishwasher every day? If not, how often do you use it?

Just hand wash the easy stuff (large pans, delicate stuff like a teak block), and put the stuff that builds up (glassware, silverware, plates) in the dishwasher and wash every 2-3 days. If you put something in the dishwasher that you need and it isn't washed yet, just pull it out.

I usually rinse off everything before I put in the dishwasher just because I am like that. I also like to use a dishwasher cleaner (get at publix) every month or so just to keep everything cleaner.

Bottom line, no need to run dishwasher daily. Think of it has a giant sink to put dirty stuff in until you get to it.

Hope this makes sense.

[CFrance]

Just hand wash the easy stuff (large pans, delicate stuff like a teak block), and put the stuff that builds up (glassware, silverware, plates) in the dishwasher and wash every 2-3 days. If you put something in the dishwasher that you need and it isn't washed yet, just pull it out.

I usually rinse off everything before I put in the dishwasher just because I am like that. I also like to use a dishwasher cleaner (get at publix) every month or so just to keep everything cleaner.

Bottom line, no need to run dishwasher daily. Think of it has a giant sink to put dirty stuff in until you get to it.

Hope this makes sense.
Almost exactly what we do. there's just two of us and we usually go two to (mostly) three days between runnings of the DW. Today's dishwashers, and I mean going back 10 years, don't want you to rinse off the dishes so much, bagboy, and you're actually doing some slight harm to the finish on your dishes if you do. Big chunks yes, small stuff no.

We have cutlery and dishware for 8 people. No way would we need to run the dishwasher every day. I like to use the sanitize function when I run it. It does a cleaner job than hand washing.

I've also heard that if you don't run your DW regularly, the seals will dry rot. I've also read that doing a whole load in the DW uses less water than hand washing every day.

[rhood]

When we run out of coffee ups.

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

I'm interested in why people don't wash their knives in the dishwasher.

[bagboy]

Almost exactly what we do. there's just two of us and we usually go two to (mostly) three days between runnings of the DW. Today's dishwashers, and I mean going back 10 years, don't want you to rinse off the dishes so much, bagboy, and you're actually doing some slight harm to the finish on your dishes if you do. Big chunks yes, small stuff no.

We have cutlery and dishware for 8 people. No way would we need to run the dishwasher every day. I like to use the sanitize function when I run it. It does a cleaner job than hand washing.

I've also heard that if you don't run your DW regularly, the seals will dry rot. I've also read that doing a whole load in the DW uses less water than hand washing every day.

lol well, I would do more than slight harm to myself if I didn't do what I was told re:dishwasher. Seriously, I'll pass this on to my better half.

[DeanFL]

A couple here. We cook and eat dinner at home about 6 of the 7 nights. With that we control ingredients (sodium/fat etc) and portion size - as well as save a ton of $$ annually. That said, we have 2 sets of 4 'everyday' dinnerware and silverware.

So, after the home dinners, she washes everything in the sink (using WAY too much water, but shhh - commented a few times, and....yikes). Then puts in our LG dishwasher and runs about every 3-4 days. We have an "instant" hot water system installed in the house so the water is HOT during the cycle. I would hope that sanitizes better than simple sink wash.

Also - knives. I've always seen to NEVER wash knives in a dishwasher. I believe it refers to kitchen knives and not silverware knives. Apparently it expedites edge wear and knives can shift during wash dulling them. I don't put them in the DW.

My 2 cents.

[blueeagle65]

We run ours whenever it is full regardless of the frequency. Special knives are washed and dried by hand when used.

[Barefoot]

Except for the knives, my motto is, "If it fits in the DW, it goes in the DW." You can't imagine how annoyed I was when my refrig shelves didn't fit! LOL!
:eclipsee_gold_cup:

I use the dishwasher because I don't like eating bacteria for dinner.
Unless You Use a Dishwasher, You'll Probably Be Having Bacteria for Dinner... Again (http://gizmodo.com/5920720/unless-you-use-a-dishwasher-youll-probably-be-having-bacteria-for-dinner-again)We run the dishwasher every couple of days using hi-temp and saniwash.

[Carla B]

A friend told me that real silverware with hollow handles can be washed in DW but with the knife blades down. As for hand washing, we add a little bleach to the soapy water to kill the critters.

[bluedivergirl]

A friend told me that real silverware with hollow handles can be washed in DW but with the knife blades down. As for hand washing, we add a little bleach to the soapy water to kill the critters.

Just one caution: don't do it with vintage silver. Pre-1930 or so many vintage blades were attached to handles with pitch. Pitch cannot take high heat.

I have a thing for vintage flatware. :laugh:

[calgone]

The avg dishwasher uses 4-6 gal. The avg hand washing of dishes uses 27 gal.

[msendo]

I live in a three person household and have been running my dishwasher every two days. For me it saves time and water. Like others, I'll wash knives and certain utensils by hand, along with most pots and large items. Before I run it however, I do make sure that it is full by gathering up everything - be it a coffee pot and filter holder (don't own a Keurig), pet dish, tupperware, etc. Presently I am not in TV, but conserving water very much matters to me because we deal with the use of a well and septic system. Contrary to how I have seen others wash dishes, it is possible to adequately rinse dishes without turning the faucet on full blast. Also the water doesn't have to be continuously running if you're washing something and not rinsing at that particular moment. I turn the faucet on and off frequently, rather than waste well water and tax the septic. I do prefer the water to be hot when I wash dishes. In my house, it takes a while for the water to warm up. To do everything by hand in bits and pieces throughout the day seems to me to be a waste of water. Energy wise, I suppose the dishwasher costs more, but is probably negligible if done every couple of days, and using the air dry function.

[CFrance]

lol well, I would do more than slight harm to myself if I didn't do what I was told re:dishwasher. Seriously, I'll pass this on to my better half.
Ha ha, safety (your own) first!:duck:

[kcrazorbackfan]

We use ours to store plastic bowls, baggies and whatever. I do the dishes, don't want the wife to get dishpan hands. 😄

[Jim 9922]

The way I look at it is; If God wanted you to wash dishes by hand, He wouldn't have allowed the dishwasher to be invented!:shrug:

[Brandy4]

Not running anything will cause it to deteriorate and will need repair eventually. Even running faucets/shoiwer/flushing toilet iu necessary in spare bathrooms. I run my DW once week, run faucets, pull plugs in sinks/baths, flush once week at least. Keeps everything working!!!

[Fred R]

The avg dishwasher uses 4-6 gal. The avg hand washing of dishes uses 27 gal.

27 gallons to hand wash dishes! Good God, you must leave the water running as you go to the market!

[Henryk]

I'm interested in why people don't wash their knives in the dishwasher.

My knives (not table-setting knives) were expensive, so I always do them by hand. In addition, some contain high levels of CARBON steel, not stainless. Those would rust.

[kcrazorbackfan]

The avg dishwasher uses 4-6 gal. The avg hand washing of dishes uses 27 gal.


Whaaaaaat? 27 gallons of water used hand washing? No way. I just washed flatware, plates and the pots and pans used to cook today for 4 people and by my calculations of the flow rate, used about 5 gallons of water.

[TheDude]

Boogie, I have a Laguiole style steak knife made in Thiers, France and it cost like 200$ and I put it in the dishwasher and I have 40$ Wusthof steak knife and I hand wash. I don't know why, but it is what I do. I think the Wusthof will go in the dishwasher soon. Worst case is they spot and I have to rewash. Not like the knives will get dull as its water not rocks.

[Yung Dum]

Whaaaaaat? 27 gallons of water used hand washing? No way. I just washed flatware, plates and the pots and pans used to cook today for 4 people and by my calculations of the flow rate, used about 5 gallons of water.
Unless your water is just trickling out, you're using a lot more than 5 gallons. Water flow is deceptively fast.

[circletrack]

OK, who cares??? Whatever the difference in water usage (hand washed vs. half full dishwasher), it is miniscule compared to lawn and golf course irrigation. And before someone states the irrigation is "recycled" water, please remember all water ultimately comes from the same place.

Sorry, the recycled water for golf courses is coming from retention ponds. So it is very different. That's often why you will still see the sprinkler systems running, even when it rains heavily. All water obviously does come from the same place, but I wouldn't advise you to drink or wash dishes with the stuff shooting out of those sprinklers.

[golfing eagles]

Sorry, the recycled water for golf courses is coming from retention ponds. So it is very different. That's often why you will still see the sprinkler systems running, even when it rains heavily. All water obviously does come from the same place, but I wouldn't advise you to drink or wash dishes with the stuff shooting out of those sprinklers.

I guess the post was very poorly worded. For some reason I thought the OP was trying to conserve water for the purpose of the environment. In that case, which was a wrong assumption, it makes no difference whether the water is from the tap or the retention pond. No, you don't drink from the retention pond, but in terms of total water usage, washing dishes is a "drop in the bucket" compared to irrigation. All in all, water is generally a net sum zero game---oceans evaporate, ,forms clouds, clouds rain, water goes to ground. The problem tends to be uneven global distribution.

[circletrack]

I guess the post was very poorly worded. For some reason I thought the OP was trying to conserve water for the purpose of the environment. In that case, which was a wrong assumption, it makes no difference whether the water is from the tap or the retention pond. No, you don't drink from the retention pond, but in terms of total water usage, washing dishes is a "drop in the bucket" compared to irrigation. All in all, water is generally a net sum zero game---oceans evaporate, ,forms clouds, clouds rain, water goes to ground. The problem tends to be uneven global distribution.

Yep, there's plenty of water in the world, but just not in all the right places. Thankfully it's rained in California recently, but they will likely always struggle.

Anyway, I'm learning a lot of dishwasher use. I was under the assumption running it all of the time was wasteful, so I usually hand wash if there's just a few plates and cups lying around. We don't usually run ours until it is full, though. But it's good to know that in comparison it actually uses less water.

[jalopy54]

I'm not sure why we run our dishwasher, our dishes have to be clean before we load them.
Our dishes are clean too when we put them in the dishwashers...LOL