KBB - March 2009 - (Page 18)

T rends Dishing It Out Today’s advanced dishwashers give their all With signiﬁcant advances being made in wash programs, noise reduction, aesthetics and eco-friendliness, the latest dishwashers are pushing the limits of technology and style, giving designers and consumers greater convenience and more choices. And why not? “If you can add features to the dishwasher without wasting energy and water, or having to reconfigure an existing kitchen, then everyone wins,” said Jamie Gibbs, ASID, IFDA, WCAA, of Jamie Gibbs and Associates. One winner, of course, is the environment. According to Matthew Kueny, senior product manager at Miele, manufacturers have been working hard to “squeeze” every ounce of cleaning performance out of their machines while minimizing energy and water usage. In fact, more models are offering water-saving programs as standard and feature water-conserving improvements to such internal components as spray arms, pumps and basket designs. Similarly, steam dishwashers, which consume less water than traditional dishwashers, have been hitting the market and are expected to become more commonplace. The residential units haven’t been truly tested yet, “but steam is the method of choice for restaurants,” said Gibbs. “The technology has been there for years.” new insulation techniques. The result? While older dishwashers operated at around 60-70 decibels, current models run at a quiet 41-50 decibels. In terms of ﬁnishes, stainless steel remains popular, said Kueny, with black and white gaining momentum. For those who prefer a seamless appearance, integrated front panels and trim kits abound to fully, or partially, blend dishwashers in with surrounding cabinetry. And for added sleekness, many units come with electronic touch pads and/or concealed, integrated controls. SPACE FRIENDLY For larger kitchens where two dishwashers—one for everyday dishes and cookware and the other for delicate wash—are becoming the norm, demand is high for drawer-style units, which provide a spacious and ﬂexible conﬁguration. “Smaller loads can be easily accommodated in just one drawer, cutting down energy and water consumption,” Gibbs said. Another space-saving trend is the growing popularity of compact dishwashers that measure 18 in. in width. According to Gibbs, the narrow models are ideal not only for kitchens with space constraints, but also for other-room applications such as outdoor kitchens and media rooms. And what about the future? Undoubtedly, dishwashers will continue to evolve, providing more space solutions and greener features. “Working with the soap manufacturers, I see dishwasher water being recycled as gray water for irrigation purposes in the future,” Gibbs said. “I see sideby-side units with doors that hinge sideways to complement the side-byside refrigerators.” As far as dishwashers have come, there’s still so much more to look forward to. I —Matthew Marin SOMETIMES SEEN BUT NOT HEARD Technology is also helping to phase out noisy dishwashers—a major concern for homeowners, noted Jamie Piper, senior category manager of premium products for Whirlpool Corporation. “Homeowners want to be able to carry on their daily lives in the kitchen, have a conversation or watch TV without listening to the dishwasher,” she said. In response, companies are reducing decibel levels by incorporating specialized motors or 18 + K BB March 2009 / www.kbbonline.com / The Ofﬁcial Sponsor of K/BIS www.kbis.com July 2004 http://www.kbbonline.com http://www.kbis.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of KBB - March 2009

KBB - March 2009
Contents
Online Contents
Online News
Editorial
Digits
Consumer
Trends
Products
Profile
Design
Family Affair
Runner’s World
Access
Tech
Education
Practice
Ad Index
Editorial Index
Favorites

KBB - March 2009