What is it?
The dishwasher washes and dries dishes automatically, plumbed into the kitchen's water and waste. It takes a cold feed and drains into the sink trap, the connection covered under the plumbing element, so it usually sits right next to the sink to keep those runs short.
It fits into a standard 600mm space, or a narrower 450mm slimline one, and can be hidden behind a matching cabinet door. Dishwashers are measured by how many place settings they hold, how quiet they are in decibels, and their energy rating.
- 1Base Unit
- 2Plinth
- 3Integrated Dishwasher
What does it do?
Washing and drying dishes
The dishwasher sprays hot water and detergent over the dishes through rotating arms, then rinses and dries them, saving the time and water of washing up by hand.
Connecting to water and waste
It takes a cold feed, heats its own water, and drains the dirty water into the sink trap below, which is why it sits close to the sink.
Hiding into the run
An integrated dishwasher takes a matching cabinet door on the front, so it disappears into the line of units rather than standing out.
Where is it used?
The usual spot, right beside the sink so the cold feed and the drain to the trap are as short as possible.
Built into the run behind a matching door, keeping the kitchen front unbroken.
A freestanding unit is often placed in a utility room, where a finished front on show matters less.
Types
Dishwashers are chosen by how they are finished, hidden or on show, and by their size.
Fully integrated
Completely hidden behind a matching cabinet door, with the controls on the top edge of the door. The most seamless option in a fitted kitchen.
Semi integrated
A cabinet door covers the lower part, but the control panel stays visible on the front, so you can see the programme and time at a glance.
Freestanding
A standalone unit with a finished front, not hidden. Easy to move and a common choice for utility rooms or rentals.
Slimline
A narrow 450mm version for smaller kitchens, holding fewer place settings but fitting where a full width one will not.
Compact
A small tabletop unit for very tight spaces or a household with few dishes, sitting on the worktop rather than under it.
Typical sizes
Dishwashers follow standard widths, and need water, waste and power close by.
| Feature | Typical figure |
|---|---|
| Standard width | 600 mm |
| Slimline width | 450 mm |
| Place settings | around 14 full size, 9 to 10 slimline |
| Noise | around 40 to 46 dB |
| Services | a cold feed, a waste to the sink trap, and a socket |
How to specify
Choose the dishwasher to fit the space and the look, and place it beside the sink so its feed and drain tie neatly into the plumbing.
Size and finish
Decide full 600mm or slimline 450mm, and whether it is fully integrated, semi integrated or freestanding, to suit the kitchen.Position and services
Place it next to the sink and confirm the cold feed, the waste connection into the sink trap, and a socket, all set out with the plumbing.Capacity and features
Match the place settings to the household, and weigh up the noise level, drying method and any third rack or flexible baskets.
Other considerations
Interacting elements
The dishwasher ties closely into the sink and its plumbing.
- Plumbing supplies its cold feed and takes its drain into the sink trap.
- Sink shares the waste trap the dishwasher drains into.
- Base unit it sits in a 600 or 450mm gap in the run.
- Cabinet door an integrated one takes a matching front.
- Electrics it needs its own socket.
Popular manufacturers
Bosch
The world's number one dishwasher brand for many years running, known for quiet, reliable machines with strong cleaning and drying across integrated, slimline and freestanding models.
Miele
A premium German maker built and tested for long life, with features like the AutoDos automatic detergent system and smooth, flexible racking. The step up choice.
Neff
Design led dishwashers from the same group as Bosch, popular in fitted kitchens, with features like an open door drying assist for better results.