No More Washing Up! (AEG Favorit 64070VIL Dishwasher)

Member Name: tb4ms

Product:	AEG Favorit 64070VIL Dishwasher
Date:	07/06/07 (766 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Very quiet and fully integrated.

Disadvantages: Still have to scrub pans before putting them in the machine.

During the course of my kitchen being refurbished I was looking for an integrated dishwasher. I happened upon the local Fenwick Ltd Warehouse sale and came upon this huge bargain. This AEG model is normally priced at 558 pounds and I got it for exactly half of that.
It was still in it's original sealed packaging and ended up in the warehouse due to a customer order that had 'fallen through'.
I have a couple of other AEG household appliances so had no hesitation in buying this one.

During the course of this review I will list a lot of information that you may find useful from the instruction pamphlet but will also point out the good and bad points that I have come across during the course of using the dishwasher.

- The Dishwasher -

This is a fully integrated dishwasher. I had previously thought that there was only one type of integrated dishwasher, but not so. There is the semi-integrated where you can see the control panel below which there is the door that you need to attach and there is the fully integrated type, which is totally covered by the door of your choice, the control panel being at the very top of the door which can only be seen when it is pulled open.

- Inside the dishwasher -

There are the following:
* Water hardness dial
* Salt container
* Detergent dispenser (which I never use as I just put the washing 'tablet' in to the bottom of the machine, under the lower tray / basket
* Upper and Lower spray arm
* Filters
* Rinse aid dispenser
* Lower basket - this is designed to take saucepans, lids, plates etc.
The rows of prongs on the basket to stack plates in can be lowered to allow you to load bowls, pans etc. My little grumble about this part is that these do go down so easily that they tend to flop down when you don't want them to!
* Cutlery basket (for the lower basket) - This has a lid on with holes in for individual items of cutlery to be put in to each slot.
* Removable knives basket. This again is on the lower basket and is a great feature. I used to always just put long bladed, sharp knives on the top basket but they fit in perfectly to this bakset and you have them all together.
* The upper basket is designed for smaller plates, saucers, cups and glasses.
Obviously AEG can't cater for every different size of glassware but mine just don't fit in to the cup / glass area at both sides of the tray. They fall over so have to be positioned on the prongs that are intended for small plates and saucers.
The upper basket can also be adjusted to allow for very large items on the lower shelf. I have yet to use this feature as have never needed to!

- Washing Programmes -

* Automatic - This is for normal soil, duration time is between 90 and 115 mins and can use between 12 and 25 litres of water.
This automatically determines how much washing is needed by how cloudy the water is. The prewash, mainwash and rinse phases are shorter and water consumption lower if the dishes are only lightly soiled and the machine is only partially loaded and vice versa.

* 30 MIN - For lightly soiled items this has only a main wash and a final rinse, lasting between 25 and 30 mins and using only 8-9 litres of water.

* INTENSIV 70 - This programme is for heavily soiled items, lasts between 110 and 120 mins and uses 23-25 litres of water.

* ECO 50 - For normal soil. This programme can last between 155 - 165 mins and uses 13-15 litres of water.

It is very easy to select a programme, one button for each programme.
There is also the option of delaying the start of the programme for up to 6 hours.

I have used all of the programmes which is often the case until you get to know your machine and it's capabilities.

They all, generally do what they say except that is for the INTENSIV programme. This is for heavy soil but I have found that I still have to wipe round frying pans etc with a brillo pad in order for them to come up clean after this programme.

- Salt and Rinse Aid -

There are indicator lights on the control panel at the top of the machine which as the name suggests, indicates when salt and rinse aid have run out.
It's very easy to fill with dishwasher salt. A funnel comes with the machine and it's simply just a case of pouring it in to the appropriate area.

Rinse aid is supposed to ensure thorough rinsing and spot and streak free drying. According to the finish and drying results obtained you are able to adjust the dose of rinse aid by using the 6 position selector. I have found that between 3 and 4 is a good setting to have.

-Guarantee & Contacting AEG-

Like most products, this comes with a 12 month guarantee from the date of purchase.
In the event of it needing a service or for spare parts etc then AEG can be contacted on 08705 929 929.
For general enquiries visit www.aeg.co.uk

- My verdict -

The major plus point is quite obviously that I don't have to wash up after each meal, the 'dirties' can be stacked in the machine until the end of the day.
I always like the look of glassware once it has been in a dishwasher, always so much cleaner looking than when I used to handwash them.

The programmes are very easy to work out and even I can manage it. What I do find slightly puzzling is the fact that the display panel at the very top of the machine does have a timer on it to show you how many minutes are left but this can't be seen as it is fully integrated and sits under the bench. Therefore the only way you can see it is to open the door during the course of the wash. This is therefore in my opinion an unnecessary feature.

What is in my opinion more useful is the little red light at the bottom of the machine which shines on to the floor to indicate whether or not the machine is on as once again because of the fully integrated nature of the product you wouldn't know whether it was on or off.

Another good point is the noise level, it is very quiet in comparison to other dishwashers I have heard.

It is a 'faff' having to wipe down pans etc prior to putting them in to the dishwasher but I think this is the case with many of my friends dishwashers too, they just don't have the scrubbing action that we have!

I'm delighted with the bargain that I got but have to admit that I wouldn't have been overly impressed if I had paid full price for it. The test will come after a couple of years of using it and seeing how long it lasts! I'm hoping quite a while as has been the case with my other AEG appliances.

Summary: A great dishwasher for half the RRP!

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