Quality machine at a budget price (Bosch SGS45C02)

Member Name: Comperchris

Product:	Bosch SGS45C02
Date:	17/09/09 (85 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Reliability, quiet, couldn't be easier to use.

Disadvantages: Drying function could be better

After nine years of faithful service my old Bosch dishwasher started to leak. Not knowing if it was the seals or something more sinister I decided to bite the bullet and just replace it as new seals were £50+ anyway and a callout fee was £100 +VAT.

I managed to acquire an old copy of Which? magazine in which dishwashers had ben reviewed. Which had rigorously tested numerous makes and models of dishwashers and this was their best buy. It was not quite the cheapest but it was by far the best compromise for price, reliability and functions.

All my other appliances are Bosch and all have been ultra reliable over the years so I had no hesitation in following the Which recommendation and purchasing this machine. I was not disappointed.

There are four different programmes, Economy, Intensive, Quick and Pre-rinse; I only really use the Economy setting as that is sufficient for all my cleaning needs, being capable of cleaning pots and pans and burnt on grease. These four programmes offer three different heat levels.
The machine could not be easier to use, literally pick the programme you want with a retractable dial/knob on the front of the machine and turn it on. The machine will then automatically start the chosen programme. There are warning lights which come on if you need to refill either rinse aid or salt, the containers for both of which are easily accessible and you get a funnel to assist in filling the salt.

When the machine is on it is ultra quiet (52db apparently) and won't interfere with a normal conversation being held right by it. The wash function is superb getting everything but very burnt on stains off the load on an economical (colder) wash. I have actually placed things in the machine which, according to the care labels, are not dishwasher safe and these have come out clean and undamaged. Never has this machine broken anything!

Bosch say this has space for twelve place settings and they're not wrong, there is plenty of space for everything inside.
The drying function is sufficient but could be better, plastic lunch boxes and similar will need to be dried by hand so best not throw those tea towels away quite yet. Plates and things which are stacked vertically like that dry without any problems though.

The overall design of the dishwasher is good with crisp clean lines and a minimalist look, the interior design is good but there are a few little niggles. The spikes on the lower basket cannot be folded flat for large items like pots and pans which mean you risk bending them. There is a knife basket attached to the top basket which does not lift up meaning stacking things below it can be a challenge if space in the machine is limited.

This is one of the cheaper dishwashers available and can be purchased for well under £300 if you shop around. It comes with a two year manufacturers warranty so unless you have a family of seven it really has everything you need. Why spend any more?

Summary: A superb piece of kit.

Processing/Quality:
Reliability:
Ease of use:
Cleaning/Maintenance:
warm up/cool down: