One of the challenges of designing or remodeling a small space kitchen is finding compact appliances that will work in tiny spaces. For homeowners who would enjoy having a dishwasher but feel they lack adequate kitchen floor space, you might be surprised to discover that there is a whole line of compact dishwashers designed for all sorts of spaces.
The counter top dishwasher
Wildly popular in Europe, a counter top dishwasher is one that sits on the kitchen counter. These counter top dishwashers are about the size of a microwave, and pack as much power as their larger cousins but at a higher energy savings. In fact, washing dishes in a countertop dishwasher uses less power than washing the same dishes by hand.
Countertop dishwashers are large enough to wash up to four complete place settings yet fit neatly under a kitchen cabinet. These units are also very portable which means they can be taken with you when you move out. Countertop dishwashers operate much like the old portable dishwashers of the 1960s in which the intake and out take hoses attached to the kitchen faucet when in use. These intakes fit all faucets and don’t require any special equipment to use.
Countertop dishwashers range in price from $200 to $260. Compactappliance.com and Countertopdishwasher.com are two sites worth checking out for this style of dishwasher.
The 18 inch wide compact dishwasher
For an under the counter dishwasher that’s smaller than the standard 36″ wide models, a number of companies make an 18″ wide compact unit that is designed to hold up to 8 complete place settings. This units are perfect for tiny apartments, RVs, and small homes.
Some of the more popular makers of this size of dishwasher include Avanti, Haier, GE, Frigidaire, Kenmore, and Miele. Prices range from $341 for the basic Avanti model up to $1529 for a top of the line Miele.
Check out Nextag.com to view and price compare a great assortment of 18″ dishwashers.
GE Under the sink dishwasher
GE makes a lines of dishwashers that are designed to fit in that wasted space located beneath the kitchen sink. These innovative dishwashers are called the “SpaceMaker Under-the-sink Dishwasher” and really do make the most out of an odd shaped space. GE has three different styles of under-the-sink dishwashers; here’s a great review of all three styles from Dishwasherreview.com to help you decide which model may be best for your kitchen.
The GE Spacemaker is available at stores like Sears, Best Buy, or any GE dealer. These units are priced between $550-$737.
In sink dishwasher
One of the most innovative new dishwashers on the market is the KitchenAid Briva In-sink Dishwasher. The Briva is the first of its kind in the industry, and is sized to fit in a standard 42″ or 48″ cabinet. At first glance the unit looks like a double stainless sink with a fully functional sink on the left, and a covered sink on the right. It’s beneath the cover where the dishwasher unit is hidden, making it both compact and very easy to load. The Briva is about 14″ deep and can holds up to 5 complete place settings.
The KitchenAid Briva In-sink dishwashers lists for $1745.00 and can be viewed at Homeeverything.com.
