Quiet Dishwashers Under $1000

In my last post, I introduced you to the quietest dishwashers on our sales floor. In this post, I’ll continue with the “quiet” theme, but with one interesting new factor: the following models all come in with a price point in the $1,000 range or less. 

These models qualify as quiet because all have operating levels around 50 decibels (dB). To put it in perspective, an operating level of 50 dB is similar to the sound of running water in a quiet stream. 

Here are a few machines I’d like to tell you about. 

Do I really need a range hood?

A question that customers raise with me from time to time is: do I really need a range hood, or will an over-the-range microwave do? 

First off, I think it is a good idea to get some kind of ventilation directly over your range to remove the odours, grease and steam from the room. A vent system will protect your cabinetry, walls and other surfaces from harmful steam and grease.  These are things that can discolour, de-laminate and cause other expensive damage to your kitchen if it is not properly addressed.  Also, very few people like the smell of fish, onions or other foods to linger in their home.  The vent system removes those odours before they have a chance to spread throughout your home. 

Introduction of Whirlpool's Ventless Dryer

Whirlpool has just launched one of the most innovative clothes dryers to come along in years:  a full-sized ventless dryer.      

The “ventless” feature makes it unique, because – for the first-time ever – there is no need to have this full-sized unit externally vented. This means that you now have the flexibility to put this dryer anywhere you have access to water drain (needed for the washer anyway) and a 220-volt outlet to plug the dryer in.  It has never been easier to bring the laundry upstairs (or anywhere else!) without the added expense of running dryer venting. 

Just what does Microwave Safe Really Mean?

Have you ever found yourself standing in front of the microwave in the great debate of “do I heat up last night’s dinner in this handy dandy Tupperware container or do I switch it over to glass? Is there really anything harmful seeping into my food? … Does it really matter? After all, the container does say microwave safe.” 

If you have done any type of online investigating you will very quickly learn the popularity of this question and just how much it has been researched. Many studies done to determine the safety of plastic in your Microwave and exactly what is leaching into your food. So the question I have is this: “what on earth does microwave safe mean”? 

What are the Quietest Dishwashers?

In the store today, you can find dishwashers with a range of operating sound levels ranging roughly from 39 decibels (dBA) to 63 dBA. I consider any dishwasher with an operating sound level less than 46 dBA to be very quiet. Because some of these dishwashers are so quiet, many manufacturers have implemented lights or displays to show you that, yes, your dishwasher is operating.

Here are some examples of decibel ratings for some common sounds to give you a comparison:

Rustling grass and leaves: 20 dBA

Whisper in library: 30 -40 dBA

Average fridge: 30 – 45 dBA     

Normal conversation: 50 – 65 dBA