DISH WASHERS

They’re quieter, smarter and more efficient than ever – here’s how to choose a new dishwasher with confidence, writes Georgia Madden.

- Georgia Madden

Wifi connectivity, auto-dosing, flexible interiors – the latest dishwashers come packed with cool features. But sifting through the options can be confusing. The key is to focus on your needs, says Geraldine Gillespie, cooking and kitchenware buyer at The Good Guys. “Consider how many place settings you need, which wash cycles you’d like, whether you want a water- and energyefficient model, and your budget.”

There are styles to suit every home and kitchen size, from slender 450mm-wide dishwashers for small kitchens to models that are large enough to accommodate the loads of keen entertainers or big families – and everything in between.

You can also choose from built-in models that go under your benchtop and sit flush with your cabinetry, freestanding styles, fully integrated models that are concealed behind cabinetry and semi-integrated styles where the door matches your cabinetry, but the control panel remains visible for ease of use. DishDrawers, available from Fisher & Paykel, are another option: these built-in models come in single (seven place settings) or double-drawer (14 place settings) models so you can run big or small loads or even two programs simultaneously.