Manufacturers of household appliances claim that a dishwasher is almost an indispensable attribute of a modern kitchen. But upon a detailed examination of the operation of the device, it turns out that there are many nuances in its functioning. We will try to find out if a small family of 3-4 people needs a dishwasher.
Do I need to buy a dishwasher in a small family?
If in the family people eat outside the house and almost do not cook, you can do without a dishwasher. Two or three plates are easy to rinse under the tap. In a family of several people where it is customary to cook full-fledged dinners and dozens of plates, cups and cutlery, large utensils are washed daily, the question arises more sharply.
Dishes often arise in families due to dish washing. And the desire to get hold of a dishwasher (PMM) looks vital. We will find out how beneficial this acquisition will be and whether it will solve the pressing problems of the family.
When is PMM needed in the kitchen?
It is useless to argue and argue on the topic of how to wash dishes better - with your hands or in a typewriter. Better to see when a dishwasher for a family of several people is a necessary thing.
The decision to buy PMM or not depends on the following factors:
- Water. If there is no hot water in the house or there are often interruptions with it, manual washing is a real test. Hands freeze, pollution with cold water are washed worse. In the machine, the water is heated by a heating element and all greasy and complex contaminants are excellently washed. You can put a boiler, but washing spoons, cups will take time, a lot of water and electricity.
- Time. Washing dishes for 4 people takes a lot of time, especially if you have to wash pots, pans, ladles, etc. After dinner, plates are picked up for a full load of a large machine. If you wash it all with your hands, it takes half an hour or more. The evening washing looks especially problematic - everyone is tired and want to relax, but I don’t want to leave a plateau in the morning. Someone has to spend an evening near the sink. If there is a PMM in the house, then the solution to the problem will take several minutes - you just need to arrange the dirty plates in baskets.
- Health. There are people who are contraindicated in fussing with dishes - due to allergies to detergents, radiculitis, diseases of the musculoskeletal system, osteochondrosis, rheumatism.
- Frequency of meals. In families where it is customary to eat at home and cook fresh dishes, a huge number of plates are pickled per day, they can be typed in 2-3 dozen. Without a dishwasher, a cycle of dirty dishes will reign in the house - you will have to wash them several times a day.
- Beauty hands. Nothing good for hand skin "communication" with detergents does not. Gloves are recommended, but few adhere to this rule.
How does the number of people in a family affect the purchase of PMM?
The more people in the family, the more dirty dishes. But this factor is not decisive when buying a dishwasher. A married couple can actively cook food, and the dishwasher becomes an effective assistant. But it happens that everyone is washing the dishes themselves and do not particularly need a dishwasher.
The composition of the family is also important. If it’s adults, it’s really easy to wash a couple of dishes. It will be more difficult with children of teenage and primary school age - they usually wash dishes reluctantly and poorly. And with a small child, or even more so two, washing the dishes turns into hell. So if half of the family is children, the PMM is really necessary. In addition, in hot water you can perfectly sterilize bottles, which is very important if the family has a newborn.
How beneficial is a dishwasher?
The cost-effectiveness of PMM is constantly being debated. Let's see how they spend resources:
- Water. When washing with hands, the average water consumption is 60–80 liters. The machine spends 12 liters. Consumption is reduced through the use of special sprinklers and sprayers.
- Electricity The device heats cold water with the help of a heating element. Good models consume about 0.8 kW / h. The average monthly energy consumption is 65 kW.
To calculate how much you can save by having a dishwasher, you need to compare the costs of water - hot and cold, with energy costs. But even if the use of a dishwasher does not bring economic benefits, its purchase may still be appropriate. And the most important saving is your time.
In any case, household appliances will not “eat” much - all devices have a high class of energy consumption, and they spend several times less water than when washing manually.
Bad points:
- The dishwasher requires maintenance.
- Special detergents are needed. They are more expensive than for manual washing.
- May break. You will have to temporarily take up sponges and brushes, and in addition - spend money on repairs.
What to look for when buying?
The success of the PMM and the justification for its acquisition depend on the correct choice:
- Camera capacity. This parameter is called “download”. It is measured in "sets of dishes." Indicated in the technical specifications. The average is 9-14 sets. There are mini-cars for 6 sets - but such a load, even for 3 people is not enough. The average "cell of society" needs a machine for 9-10 sets, no less. There are models and more voluminous - 12-17 sets, but they cost more. The price of the model also depends on other characteristics and on the brand.
- Dimensions If there is not enough space in the kitchen, then you have to consider the dimensions of the device. If there is a shortage of space, it makes sense to limit ourselves to a narrow model whose width is 45 cm - 15 cm less than that of a full-sized one. In a cramped kitchen, it is better to use built-in modifications, rather than freestanding.
- Duration of washing. Cycles on basic programs last 2-3 hours. But a little energy and water is wasted, so it’s not worth worrying about this. It is convenient to run the program at night - in the morning you just have to get clean and dry plates. It is desirable that the machine has an automatic door opening - if the drying is condensation, this will avoid re-wetting the surfaces.
- Number of programs. From the abundance of programs, you can choose the best option. There is a sink for glass, pre-soaking, rinsing and others.
- Car wash class. It characterizes the quality of washing. You need to buy a class “A” model, no less. They have programs at 70 degrees. It is impossible to wash the plates with such hot water manually. At this temperature, effective disinfection is achieved.
- Drying. Unlike washing machines, in dishwashers drying is in all versions. Drying differs in the principle of action - there is condensation and turbo drying. The second option - blowing with hot air, is considered more effective, but also more costly.
Additional options are also useful. Some PMMs can sterilize glassware, disinfect toys, and some have smartphone controls.
Conclusions
To summarize:
- The decision - to buy or not to buy a dishwasher, is made spontaneously or based on analysis and reasoning. If you did not buy the PMM in response to a short-term desire, you will have to evaluate the pros and cons of acquiring a dishwasher.
- The need for PMM is more dependent on the nutritional profile of the family, rather than on the number of its members.
- Do not rely on reviews - they are radically opposite. Some use the device to the fullest, others launch it only "on holidays" - after a big feast. When making a decision, you should consider the features of your lifestyle, nutrition, habits, etc.
If you decide that you need a dishwasher, look for quality equipment - only it will become a real helper in your kitchen, and not a source of problems.