No longer the dishwasher just the putter awayer (Hotpoint FDW60)

Member Name: fairdonion

Product:	Hotpoint FDW60
Date:	02/03/09 (250 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: after years of washing up I am sure you can guess the answer to advantages

Disadvantages: takes longer but then it is thorough

You know the old joke of I dont need a dishwasher I have got the Wife.

I havent had one very long, a dishwasher I mean, and I must admit I used to think that by the time I messed around filling it up and sorting it out I could have done all the washing up by hand.
But I was very happy when my husband said about getting one even though by then two of my three children had left home - having said that though they are boomarangs and keep moving back!

Now though I wonder how on earth I managed without one.
We chose this one because it had all the settings and features that we thought that we would need.

I cant say how it was fitted but my husband who is no plumber, did it to the instructions and it didn't take long at all and all done very calmly!
Washes

Intensive - very dirty dishes and pans. The machine will pre wash with hot water at 40 c then go up to 65 c, 2 cold rinses, 1 hot rinse at 70 c and then dry This takes about 100 minutes
Normal - Just your ordinary standard daily wash up. Washes at 55c, cold rinse, hot rinse at 70c and dries. Takes 85 minutes

Eco - Environmentally friendly cycle with low energy consumption levels suitable for normally dirty pans and dishes. 2 cold pr washes. wash at 45 c hot rinse at 65c and drys. This takes 140 minutes
Fast - economic and fast cycle to be used for slightly dirty dishes. Run cycle immediately after use. Short wash at 40c and hot rinse at 62 c 25mins

Pre-wash - Preliminary wash cycle for dishes while awaiting completion of the load with the dishes from the next meal. Short cold wash to prevent food from drying onto the dishes 12 mins
Delicates - Special cycle to be used for more delicate items which are sensitive to high temperatures. run cycle immediately after use. Wash at 50c rinse at 45c hot rinse at 65c and dry 98mins.

I use mostly the normal wash.
Cleaning is a must. If it is not clean this really does affect your wash

Inside you will find like a cup that food gets trapped in. You have to empty this.
To make sure the dishwasher works properly you do have a few musts.

The detergent goes into a little container on the inside of the lid. I use Finish powerball now but will try others. They do sound expensive at about £6 for 28 but for me these would last 28 days so it isnt too bad. There are always offers on these.
You also need dishwasher salt. The machine comes with a cup like thing for easy putting in. If like us you have hard water you do tend to use that little bit more salt than with soft water. You know when the salt is low as a light will flash.

The only other thing you need is a rinse aid. This goes into a little slot near where you put the tablet. It is a liquid and costs about £1.50. Here again a light flashes if you need topping up. This rinse aid is what makes the dishes sparkle and makes the machine dry it perfectly.
The next thing you need to think about is how best to put your dishes in the machine. I thought I would never get the hang of it but after a week I did everything automatically.

You can wash most things in your dishwasher but of course there is always going to be something you cannot.
Cannot put in the dishwasher

Cutlery and tableware made from wood or part wood as they may become faded and unsightly in looks
Avoid horn handles and bronze cuttlery
Delicate/decorative glassware and vases, specially antique or something you really value.
Plastic objects that are not resistant to hot water
Copper and pewter utensils and anything aluminium and silver.
Loading the dishwasher

You have an uper and lower rack with a separate basket for the cutleruy
The upper rack is for the lighter dishware such as glasses, coffee and teacups, soup bowls anything small and dont get too dirty. you face them face downward.

The lower rack is for plates, pots pans and lids. But of course this can vary so that you get the whole lot in.
I cannot fault this dishwasher.

You must keep an eye open though to make sure that there is plenty of salt and rinse aid in it or you will have smeary glasses.
Otherwise definitely recommend this.

also on ciao

Summary: Wish I had got this years ago but then better late than never and I love it

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