Choosing And Planning A Location For A Dishwasher

It's hard to imagine a remodeled kitchen that doesn't include this little friendly little box that hums along while it does your dishes. Even if you don't have room under the counter now, you can get a portable unit that can be adapted for installation under the counter when you remodel.

A built-in dishwasher is easy to plan for; except for an occasional 18-inch version, virtually all models are 24-inches wide. Your main decisions involve design, performance, and available features, such as pre-heating units and energy saving

cycles. Color or finish is not usually a problem; their are many choices available to you.

Locating a dishwasher. Try to locate the dishwasher as close to the sink as possible. Allow at least 24 inches of free clearance in front of the dishwasher for door swing. This is especially critical when it is directly opposite an oven with a swing-down door. If you cannot set the dishwasher next to a sink, try to keep them in the same plane so that the door swing will not interfere with the use of the sink.

If dishwasher and sink have to be at right angles, locate the dishwasher at least 15 to 20 inches from the corner so that you do not have to back away from the sink to open the dishwasher door. If you locate a dishwasher at the end of a run of cabinets, there are two ways to cover the exposed side.

One is a plywood end panel that you can order with your cabinets. The other is a side panel that attaches to the dishwasher, available from most manufacturers. When installing a dishwasher in a corner, do not set it so close to the flanking cabinets that the door hits drawers or cabinet doors that are left ajar. Allow at least 2 inches of clearance.