Kenmore Elite February 19, 2011

We were lucky enough to find this in with the used products at a reduced price. I love the silverware holder. It ensures that each piece is washed individually. The machine is very quiet. We hardly hear it run. It cleans dishes wonderfully! I know because my 12 year old is in charge of loading the dishwasher and everything has come out clean. :)

heavy on the pros interesting on the cons lots to get used to July 09, 2010

Pros: It is nice and quiet, the adjustable top shelf lets me get more dishes onto the top rack, and it is easy to use. 

Cons: It melted one of my flexible cutting mats, though that tells me that things are definitely sanitized when they come out.  I'd suggest keeping such items towards the front of the machine.  The stainless steel interior makes it very dark inside so it's a bit more difficult to see in with out pulling the racks out, on the other hand germs don't like stainless so back to nice and sanitized.  The wash cycle is much longer than I'm used to, I used to be able to get a cycle done as I baked a cake, but now I just use more dishes and start it before I go to bed. 

Needs getting used to:  The configuration is almost the same as my old dish washer, but the small differences are taking time to get used to, for example I have yet to find a way to fit the same number of baking pans and bowls I was able to fit before.  But I'm sure with time I'll figure out a new loading configuration.  The new door has more resistance to opening and requires you to pull/push it all the way open...I'd hate to be pregnant or have a bad back and have to bend all the way down to open the washer door.

Heads us:  If you intend to install it yourself, they don't provide one of the elbow pieces that is required to supply water.  You can get it at **********, but it would have been nice to know before we had the houses water turned off and all the tools and helpers in place and the kitchen a mess.

Unbelievably quiet while still getting the dishes spotless!!! April 24, 2010

We took the advice of a previous reviewer and got the 5 year warranty because, although this dishwasher has performed incredibly well and has met our every expectation to date, it is true that it has been cheapened...I don't know if it was made in China or not, but I DO know that the installation manual came with TWO inserts, both of which were changes that cheapened prior versions:

1.) the previous metal fittings for connecting the water line have been replaced with a plastic fitting with plastic threads!!! So be VERY careful you start the threading correctly or you'll easily strip the threads.  

2.) the second change in the installation manual is in the mounting brackets...they are now just flat sheets of metal that you are instructed to take a pliers and bend the ends after slipping them through the slots at the top in order to secure them to the dishwasher...at least you still use screws to secure the other end to the counter top above.  I guess this will suffice, but seemed rather precarious. 

Now, for those reviewers complaining that this dishwasher doesn't clean well, one should point out that there is a reason it has so many different cycles, from "pots and pans" to "normal" to "1 hour wash" to a "China Gentle" wash and there is a reason why you have four options within all of those washes, id est, "Turbo wash", "Hi Temp", "Sani Wash" and "Heated Dry"....HONESTLY!!!!   As Jay Leno would say, "Duh".

If you put in dishes with dried food on them, and don't use these options, then don't blame the machine.   

If you use the pots and pans cycle and click on all four options like I do, since I don't run it every day (but do use the rinse and hold cycle on days I don't use it), this machine will clean everything like Spin and Span....spotless...MARVELOUS...run it while watching TV and you won't even hear it.  I have never heard a dishwasher this quiet.  It's remarkable.   So combine that feature with getting the job done and it is no wonder this model won the JD Powers award for satisfaction by those who own one...and know how to use it.

Very Disappointed. April 22, 2010

     When my maytag dishwasher gave up the ghost I figured time to get me a Kenmore. One came with the house when we moved in and it worked like a charm until it needed replacement (11yrs old). So being a Sears loyalist I shopped around and decided on the Kenmore Elite 24" built in.

     This was the most expensive dishwasher I ever bought, but I wanted a high end product. It had everything we wanted. Adjustable upper rack, stainless tub, quiet and a great energy rating.

     Too bad it doesn't clean as well as my Maytag, or my first Kenmore, and it smells inside even though I rinse out the filter daily, lets hope its that "new dishwasher smell" and fades away. The lower rack is also difficult to load. It is just low enough to aggravate the back. Most importantly the glassware comes out cloudy/hazy. I'm hoping the adjustable rinse agent dispenser helps with that.

     Thank God I bought the extended service plan! I'll be calling soon if there is no improvement in performance.