The KitchenAid and Fisher Paykel Two Drawer Dishwasher
85KitchenAid Two Drawer Dishwasher
A New Idea in Appliances Always Intrigues Me
The Fisher Paykel: The Drawers Are Identical
KitchenAid Double Drawer Dishwasher on EBay
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KitchenAid® Stainless Drawer Dishwasher
Current Bid: $599.00
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(2) KitchenAid® Stainless Steel Drawer Dishwashers
Current Bid: $1199.00
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KitchenAid® ProLine® 2 Drawer Panel-Ready Dishwasher
Current Bid: $999.00
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KitchenAid® ProLine® Double Drawer Dishwasher Meteorite
Current Bid: $1199.00
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Fisher Paykel on eBay
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Fisher Paykel DD603 SS Dishwasher Dishdrawer Stainless
Current Bid: $99.00
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FISHER & PAYKEL Black Built-In DISHDRAWER
Current Bid: $554.00
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It Is Two Less-Than-Half-Size Dishwashers
Really what the KitchenAid stacking dishwasher (which is made by Fisher Paykel, and is just about exactly like the Fisher Paykel DishDrawer) is is two separate and stacked small dishwashers. Both drawers, together, do not hold as much as a well designed full size dishwasher. I just spoke to a couple who recently moved into a new multi-million dollar home equipped with the KitchenAid drawer dishwasher. They have had the repair people out twice in a few months. The builder did not do his research, and this couple will probably replace it soon. More aggravating, though, than the need for repairs is the limited height of objects that can be put into the dishwasher. They are very unhappy with it.
I must say that I know another older couple who do little cooking, and, well, do little eating, too, who have the Fisher Paykel. They are satisfied with theirs. They do like the fact that they can wash a half load (something, though, that even lower end dishwashers, like Frigidaire, do now). These are gentle people, and they did not mention if they have had to have it repaired.
Lastly, and this is a bit of an aside, for the builder of the multi million dollar home mentioned above: You created a large home built for entertaining with huge public areas and an abundance of outside space that could easily accommodate two hundred people. The kitchen is spacious and there is a wine cooler, undercounter ice maker, and 48 inch wide professional dual fuel stove. There should have been two dishwashers: A regular high end dishwasher for when just the family is there, and an undercounter commercial dishwasher the help and caterers can use when there is large scale entertaining.
Unfortunately, for most consumers, the KitchenAid drawer dishwasher is not a good choice (This was a little hard for me to write because I like to write about appliances that I like. I did have a request for my thoughts on this dishwasher, so to whoever requested that I write about this, here it is . . . just for you).
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I Want To Know Your Thoughts on Drawer Dishwashers
I agree that the DishDrawer has its limitations (11 1/2 tall items only, small drain tubes that can clog, no heated drying cycle), but it does have some good points too. I would suggest in the future that you should do a litle more research or maybe have a little more personal experience with the product before offering any sort of authoritative review.
Actually, each drawer is about 60% capacity of a regular dishwasher so the 2 together would equal approx 120% capacity. I have found by using mine for several years that we can run both drawers with many more dishes in them than our old regular machine. Water consumption (per drawer) is also considerably less than a regular dishwasher as is overall energy consumption. The flexibility of running a 1/2 load is great for couples that don't fill up a traditional dishwasher very quickly and the convenience of running 2 separate cycles at the same time (one in each drawer) is also a plus.
Brandon,
Although I don't own a two drawer dishwasher, I have spoken to two friends who have them, and they both have been disappointed -- especially by the capacity and by the need for repairs. One friend was initially pleased with it, but then with further experience, her opinion changed. I have also spoken to appliance salemen and repairmen about these machines. The salemen have without exception told me about disappointed customers, and the two repairmen tell me that they needed more repairs than usual.
I had received an email requesting me to write about them. My single door dishwasher has a choice for just one level to be washed as do many current models. Of course, you are right that you can run two loads with different cycles.
I do care about consumer's opinions of appliances, and I am glad that you are pleased with your DishDrawer. I do, however, stand by my review.
I have one of these two drawer models and am now investigating getting a new dishwasher as the F & P version is again on the blink...it has failed before with the hose that connects it to the drain breaking (this is just a plastic hose that is good enough to last till out of warranty but that must move every time each of the drawers is opened and closed and as a result is prone to fatigue and failure...it is very inconvenient to service and was only replaceable with another like it though I requested that they try and find a more durable replacement) Now the lower drawer is making rough sounds if we try to run it ...we have not yet ascertained the exact source of the problem//it has functioned fairly well otherwise and is ~ 6 years old now... not a bad overall record if the servicing was easier and hadn't required three trips by the service guys and that the unit be totally removed from its niche each time to get to the offending hose....we do like the two drawer concept and suspect that if the makers would improve the connector hoses and serviceability that the unit could be a truly good piece of equipment...it seems to wash our dishes just fine for the most part when it is workng
Speaking to the repair person fixing my Fisher Paykel, he says that the Kenmore version has made a lot of improvements in terms of reliability and especially in ease of working on it. Of course, that's not what I have.
But, I still love the dishdrawer. I live by myself, and don't have enough dishes to fill up a regular dishwasher.
I have a DD603 that's 4 years old, never needed any repairs. Being just myself in the house, I rarely use the lower drawer (just when having family or guests over or if I do cooking or baking beyond the norm). I can get a LOT of dishes in one drawer. It's quiet, and efficient with water and electricity. And it looks nice in my kitchen! I agree that the drawer design isn't practical for *everybody*, but for people for whom it does work, the unit is a valid choice.
I am a mum of 6 and am almost completely happy with my nearly 4yo dishdrawer. Yes it's had to be fixed but that's down to user error, like loading the thing too high so the lid doesn't close properly and then it leaks, or not cleaning stuff off properly and then bits get into the rotor motor (which is a piece of cake to replace and cost me £20 for the new part...) The top drawer is used at least twice a day and the bottom one at least once. Our plates are plenty big enough and fit comfortably.
The only reason I'm unhappy *right now* is because the top drawer is leaking rinse-aid and I don't know why, I found this while searching for hints on fixing it myself.
We are building a home - have even purchased the kitchen cabinet which would accompany 2 single drawers - one on each side of the sink.
Are the complaints coming from the single drawer dishwasher as much as the 2 stacking drawer dishwashers?
It seems as if many of the complaints relate to the bottom dishwasher?
Also, I have been reading reviews that complain about the drainage of the Fisher-Paykel - that it doesn't have a disposal. Is that the case?
I have also read the Kitchen Aid does have a built-in disposal. If so, does it have the accomulating filter water problem and the clogging problem the FP does?
I really do not want stagnant water sitting on the bottom of my dishwasher.
Is that problem the same with all drawer models?
Would I have to clean the KA filter like I would in the FP?
Have changes been made in the 08 models?
I have seen Sears has a model as well?
How does the FP, KA, and Sears models compare - are they all high maintenance?
My Sears salesperson suggested Sears is having problems as well?
Do they all have washing 'arms'?
What is the comparison in sound level?
I guess if I had known there were so many problems, I would have just designed my kitchen to accomodate a raised dishwasher rather than the drawers since I have problems bending.
Any suggestions?
p.s. I'm a Calypso Washing machine victim as well - and don't want to make that kind of mistake again.
Bonnie from Kansas - There's no place like home and a working dishwasher.
I
The F.P dishwashers are terrible! first of all,you have to rinse everything off.if you don't , these unlike L.G.and all other dishwashers of the American types,will sour and stink to high Heaven if you do not daily clean their filters.They make the kitchenAid and Sears kenmore Drawer dishwashers as well as the Sears Oasis,Whirlpool Cabrio,and Maytag Epic top loading energy star washing machines.They break down a lot and don't realy get the dishes clean w/out cleaning them first.The idea is great but they need to go back to their drawing board on these.Read last month's issue of Consumer reports and look at who is dead last in frequency of repairs.That in itself would be enough for me to stay away.Way over rated and way over priced.get a GE Triton \tall tub model for just under $500 and do a service for 16 people in one load!Very quiet and great repair record.
I have the single dish drawer here in our small home and it washes the dishes for my family of 4 every night, and has been doing so for the 2.5 years since I installed it, and it has worked perfectly. Because of the limited space here the drawer design is a winner. The typical drop down door wouldn't work in our little kitchen.
You do have to be careful when loading it so that items don't fall into the bottom and jam the agitator.
Of course it's NOT suitable for entertaining big groups. It's been completely reliable and quiet here and our dishes come out clean. It cost a bit more then a standard full sized would have, but for this installation it has been worth every cent.
working
Frank Williams says:
15 months ago
I agree totally with what you've said about drawer dishwashers. We bought a newly-remodeled house with a Fisher and Paykel dishdrawer and it's a piece of crap (the dish drawer, not the house). It won't hold anything of any size (even our dinner plates are too tall for it). Running a meal's worth of dirty dishes means running both of the units where one conventional dishwasher would handle the job. That means I'm paying for twice the water and twice the electricity. And the frosting on the cake is the top unit is stuck open because of a broken part and the repairman tells me they have to order the part out of AUSTRALIA! I'm hoping my home warrantly company will agree to replacing this thing with a conventional dishwasher.