Appliances: Dishwasher Drawers
From Janet
From Janet and Francesca:
We are happy to report that after a scientific inquiry we have concluded that double dishdrawers are the ideal dishwasher. Why? You get two totally separate and independently operating units that can handle the same capacity as a traditional 24-inch dishwasher. But because each drawer is independently operated, you can wash small loads as economically as large ones. Water consumption (per drawer) is considerably less than a regular dishwasher, as is overall energy consumption. Each unit can also run a different cycle, so you can run wineglasses on a delicate, short cycle and dinner plates on a powerful, longer cycle.
The drawers save on space when compared with the traditional pull-down door. Francesca reports that her Fisher Paykel drawers seem to have the capacity of one and a half conventional dishwashers. The other benefit is you can use them on a floating island and they give a clean look because they don't reach the floor.
Minuses? Some don't like the 12-inch limitations in height (big platters are a problem). Check manufacturers for specifics on the models listed.
Here's a roundup of current options:
FISHER PAYKEL:
Fisher Paykel dishdrawers are available in double- or single-drawer models. Go to fisherpaykel.com for more information and retail locations. Below L: DD605FD in stainless; $1499 at abtelectronics.com. Below R: DD24DCX6 Semi-Integrated Double DishDrawer in stainless; also available in black or white; $999 at AJ Madison Appliances:
Below L: Single-drawer version, $889. Below R: Single-drawer version, $839; both at usappliance.com:
Below: Fisher Paykel integrated (customize with your cabinetry) model DD605I; $1,359 at ajmadison.com: 
DCS APPLIANCE
Owned by Fisher & Paykel, DCS Appliance has added the dishdrawer design to its lineup. Why the higher cost? Higher quality materials used in the upgraded door, handle, and control panel. Go to dcsappliances.com for more information.
Below: DCS Double Dishdrawer DD-224P5; $1,5799 at AJ Madison.
KITCHEN AID
KitchenAid Architect series.
Below: 
KitchenAid Architect Series II 24" Stainless Steel Double-Drawer Refrigerator - KDDC24RVS; $1891 at ABT Electronics.
KENMORE Below, Kenmore Elite Double Drawer Dishwasher; $1402 at sears.com:
January 18, 2008
Related Posts
» 10 Easy Pieces: Refrigerators
» Appliances: Fisher Paykel Tall Drawer Double Dishdrawer
» 10 Easy Pieces: Refrigerator Drawers
» 10 Easy Pieces: Front-Loading Washers
» 10 Easy Pieces: Front-Loading Dishwashers
I recently bought a house that had a Fisher Paykel dish drawer installed by the pervious owner. I was really excited about it for all the reasons listed above. All was great until it started acting up, not draining and not cleaning dishes well, etc. A little research showed that these machines are very well known to be problematic and poorly designed and constructed. Fortunately, I am somewhat handy and have figured out how to fix the thing on my own. The parts to fix them are incredibly overpriced. Now I am just waiting for something major to go wrong with it so I have a good excuse to get a better dishwasher that actually cleans my dishes.
All that said, the concept is great and maybe the KitchenAid and Kenmore machines are of better quality, but beware of the Fisher Paykel.
I'll have to agree with a lot that Nate mentioned; we purchased F-P drawers five years ago and have had similar concerns; our adaptive behavior has reduced problems, though. Our F-P technician tells us the newer models have modified some key issues in newer versions. We are still planning to install dishdrawers in a townhouse remodel, though, and look forward to checking out other options. Would love to hear feedback on other manufacturers' versions.
I replaced my reliable old dishwasher with Fisher & Paykel dish drawers. Really didn't want to replace the dishwasher since it worked great, but the cost to replace parts was more expensive than the unit was worth. So I shopped around and settled on two F-P dish drawers to replace the one conventional dishwasher. Fortunately I bought the 4 year extended service agreement. The first year was problem free. After the 1 year warranty lapsed the F1 codes began. Thankfully I bought the extended service agreement. After 3 years the authorized F-P repair technicians and I are on a first name basis. My household file of repairs on this reminds me of the persistent problems: water burning out circuit boards, new wiring harnesses, new control boards, new everything and still the units can not make it through one year without shorting out. Today the F-P technician showed me yet another burned up circuit board. This is the second time in a row the boards have been on fire.
I asked about the KitchenAid dish drawers and the technician readily replied, "They are made by Fisher and Paykel." So I'm not buying those either. It sounds like the dish drawer concept is proprietary and that means the Sears Kenmore Elite dish drawers are also Fisher and Paykel.
When the units work, they are great. Economical on water and electricity. But they have a poor history of failure.
My extended service contract has also informed me the repairs on my unit are just about at the 85% of purchase price limit, so that means keeping the F-P dishdrawers repairs are now out of my pocket. The last service total (parts and labor) was nearly $360.
I'm remodeling my kitchen and planned to purchase f/p dish. drawers till a friend who has them told me not to because they had given them so much trouble. I will probably purchase a Bosch dishwasher. I love my Bosch dryer.
My F & P 2 drawer dishwasher has been nothing but trouble from day 1 ( I only purchased it 18 months ago).
The newest problem is that the water isn't draining completely from the bottow. Residue is OK in the drain but more than that iremains. I've tried Bicarbonate of soda but it's still giving problems arrgghh
I have had the KitchAid dual drawer dishwasher (stainless steel model) since June 2005. We have not had any problems with it whatsoever, provided we only use three or four times a month on average.
Now we did notice that the bottom drawer was not flushing out the water completely and had bit of smell to it. Upon a warranty tech visit by Sears, we were told that it was not installed properly, the hosing was not done right (something about air gap to the disposal connection). We had not purchased the installation from sears.
After reading the comments here though I might purchase the two yr. extended warranty.
Installed FP drawers about 2 years ago because my Asko was too expensive to repair. Again, as most of you, I love the concept but it doesn't clean the dishes completely unless I run it 115 minutes or more and sometimes even then the dishes are dirty. Have not had any other problems but won't replace it with this same brand or any made by this company when the time comes. Maybe Bosch will read these remarks and come out with the same concept. Have a Bosch in my beach house and it is great. Have a Kitchen Aid in my husband's poker room and it is also great!
Because of space restrictions I was forced to buy a dual drawer dishwasher, I went with the sears model (white is an upgrade). I have had it for only two weeks and want my old broken one back! On sensory mode it takes 3-4 hours to complete the cycles. It doesn't do a good job at washing the dishes, many times there is food film left. Then the food particles accumulate at the bottom of the drawers. And I really haven't figured out where the dishes should even between those little tines. Not a happy camper so far!
To be honest I have not had that many problems with my FP washer. I sometimes find that I have a little water in one of the drawers but if you run rinse it empties. I really like ours.
I love my Fisher Paykel dish drawer. I have had it three years and no problems. I had a wonderful installer and he told me not to overload it, etc. Just recently it started smelling and when I finally figured out I could take out the entire bottom metal panel and clean under it, it now runs like new. It does a great job and I would replace it with another. Most problems with FPK is that the installers are not experienced enough.
When last I looked into it, all drawer dishwashers in the US are made by Fisher Paykel. I bought the Kitchenaid version as my repair man reports that FP parts are impossible to get but Kitchenaid no problems - the same parts! His company won't service FP. My dishwasher has been entirely free of breakdowns, but as in comments above, it doesn't clean worth a darn. You can hear the water inside just barely sloshing around - no wonder it is quiet and doesn't clean effectively. A real disappointment.
Remodeled our kitchen and bought a Sears Elite drawer dishwasher. After 13 months use it started to leak. Called Sears and the repairman replaced the top seal. Very expensive $270.00. That was about 4 to 5 weeks ago and it is leaking again. We are so dissappointed and hubby wants to buy another regular non-drawer dishwasher. I am calling Sears repair again in the morning.
KitchenAid Architect series dishwasher drawers are an absolute nightmare. Numerous service calls and repairs. Upper unit is locked and playing the Star Spangled Banner and Waltzing Matilda. After a whole house remodel, this is the greatest disappointment. Add to that the fact that it is inferior to a standard dishwasher for cleaning and noise, this was a horrible purchase.
