Really Good Portable Dishwashers?

Karuto

Karuto

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Hello there. I'm looking to buy my mother a portable dishwasher. She's been wanting one for going on almost 30 years, since my parents were married. My dad never bought her one, and actually bought an HDTV for $1600 a month ago. I think it would be a great present so she no longer has to deal with the stress and pain (she has arthritis) she has to deal with every night -- yes, you heard right, she has to do the dishes every night by herself. I'd be helping her right now if I wasn't at college 2 hours away.

Anyway, enough of my family's personal life. Would anyone recommend a really good portable dishwasher? I'm looking for something under $400. Are there any Appliance Review sites you can also recommend? Thanks for any help you can offer. I really appreciate it, since this is for one very special woman. ;)
 
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Well, like I said in my second paragraph (if you can call it that), I said I'm looking for something under $400. Thanks for pointing that one out! I will definitely consider it!
 
i've never heard of a portable dishwasher. whats the concept? is it compact to take camping and stuff? or just able to add to a home without making it permanent under the counter?
 
[quote name='von551']i've never heard of a portable dishwasher. whats the concept? is it compact to take camping and stuff? or just able to add to a home without making it permanent under the counter?[/quote]

It hooks up to the sink faucet and is moveable.
 
Yeah, we don't really have the cupboard space to make it built in unless we attempted to under the sink, and that would require some real effort. However, if the deal is awesome enough with professional installation, I'm sure it wouldn't be that big a deal. It's just that trying to convince 5 other people to shell out $50+ for this deal is tough when you have a family as tapped for money as we are. lol
 
Even a 225 dollar built in is probably going to out perform a portable. I'd re-analyze the kitchen cupboard setup, and try to have one built in. Installation is usually 100-130 at most places, although it may be more if you don't already have one. Go to lowes and talk to a salesperson, they usually can help you out(if they aren't busy).
 
[quote name='superstevedogg']Even a 225 dollar built in is probably going to out perform a portable. I'd re-analyze the kitchen cupboard setup, and try to have one built in. Installation is usually 100-130 at most places, although it may be more if you don't already have one. Go to lowes and talk to a salesperson, they usually can help you out(if they aren't busy).[/quote]
Not necessarily true. I saw a feature on how portable dishwashers are manufactured on the Discovery channel, and portables are made the exact same way as built-ins, they just add the outer shell and drainage parts. Of course as with anything, take quailty into account, whether built in or portable.

Having said all of that, I have a portable Whirlpool dishwasher because I didn't want to lose cabinet space in my house. It works great as long as I use quality detergent, not store-brand gel crap.
 
You should just send your wife over there. However, if you're not married already, that process will set you back much more than $400.
 
I rented a house and had to get a portable one. I found it in the local classifieds (craigslist, or newspaper).
Even though it was used, it worked pretty well. As well as any other.

If you want a new one (as a gift I assume you do), then check out Sears. At Sears.com they list a few for under $400, and your local store probably has them too.
I like getting stuff like that from Sears because I know if there is a problem with it I can go back to to store and talk to a real person, IN PERSON (and they are usually pretty knowledgeable).

It's also not a bad idea to spring for the extended warranty. Pretty much any time water is involved, there are a lot of things that could go wrong.
 
[quote name='techstar25']It's also not a bad idea to spring for the extended warranty. Pretty much any time water is involved, there are a lot of things that could go wrong.[/quote]
Same with washer/dryer... small cap water heater. Always good to get a plan on that type of appliance.
 
[quote name='CanIBDom']Not necessarily true. I saw a feature on how portable dishwashers are manufactured on the Discovery channel, and portables are made the exact same way as built-ins, they just add the outer shell and drainage parts. Of course as with anything, take quailty into account, whether built in or portable.

Having said all of that, I have a portable Whirlpool dishwasher because I didn't want to lose cabinet space in my house. It works great as long as I use quality detergent, not store-brand gel crap.[/QUOTE]

I should have clarified better, it was late(so sue me :) ) Basically the 400 dollar range portable is the low end 225-250 range built-in. Just that it has a chassis. If you can get the 250ish dishwasher installed, and have room to put it in, you'll definitely save some money, even after installation.

At sears, we generally stock 4-5 models of portable, more if the store is larger. If you have more than 1 store in the immediate area, I'd suggest calling all of them, and asking if they have any 991 portable dishwashers. "991" is the code for a product that has been purchased, taken home, and then returned to the store. Or possibly a product that was defective and repaired. While Brand new is always nice, you can often get a 991 item with the 3 year warranty for less than the price of a new item w/ no extra warranty.
 
[quote name='superstevedogg']Basically the 400 dollar range portable is the low end 225-250 range built-in. Just that it has a chassis. [/quote]
Makes perfect sense. Good call!
 
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