When we were looking at homes to buy I was pretty adamant that our new places must have a dishwasher. I mean, what would we do? Wash the dishes by hand? Now, about two-and-a-half years after moving in, I'm thinking about saying to hell with the dishwasher.
I've been toying with the idea for a few months now. There are a few reasons. First, our dishwasher is a piece of junk so we pretty much have to scrub and scrape all the dishes before they go in the washer so it wouldn't really be that much work to put a little more effort (and soap) in to it and just do the whole job at the sink. Second, I'm curious how our electric bill would be impacted by eliminating use of our dishwasher. Third, water conservation. There are a few things holding me back too. First, the fact that I am just really starting to get in to a routine, back to normal, etc. Second, my kitchen can go from sparkly and shiny to this disastrous mess faster than you would ever imagine possible. Or, maybe it wouldn't surprise you if your household is anything like mine.
Is anyone here dishwasher-less? Did you have one before? Do you miss it?
Well, as someone who just got our dishwasher installed after going without for over a year, our kitchen has looked much better since having one. But we do have a good one that doesn't require too much in the way of pre-scrubbing. So when I was without I totally missed it! But I am coming from the perspective of running a full time daycare and going through dishes like crazy around here. So perhaps it wouldn't feel that crucial to me if it was just us.
ReplyDeleteWe actually went without a dishwasher for about two weeks when we first moved in...I didn't mind it, but I was happy when we got a new one. If you have a dish drying rack and keep on top of it, it's not too bad. My sister and her husband went without one for years. I don't think she minded it, but my brother in law was the one that did the dishes :)
ReplyDeleteWe never use our dishwasher. We do it all by hand. I have been doing it my whole life by hand it really isnt much more work.
ReplyDeleteOur dishwasher is the same way. It is so annoying! One thing I have heard is that dishwashers can actually use less water than hand washing. I don't know how you can tell how much your specific one uses, but it may be worth trying to find out?
ReplyDeleteWe lived without a dishwasher for the first 4.5 years of our marriage. When we moved in here last year, I was ECSTATIC about the dishwasher! I still wash pots and pans by hand, but I LOVE having the dishwasher for the endless cups, glasses, plates, bowls and cutlery we go through. I think with the arrival of baby #3 in November I would go insane without it.
ReplyDeleteBUT, we did survive without one for 4 years! My kitchen often fell behind, but it's possible to live without one!
We, too, said we would never go w/o a dishwasher! But we had to... And we were SOOO happy when we had one again! Even though we had to scrub the dishes first, it was still a big time saver! Now that we're four people, it's even more important for us to have one. I would not give it up voluntarily!
ReplyDeleteWe use it about 50% of the time. I've had the exact same thoughts running through my head...
ReplyDeleteLOVE your blog, by the way!
I wash everything by hand. I feel like all dishwashers leave a film of either soap or other icky residue on the dishes, no matter what kind of soap or dishwasher you have. It really doesn't take much time at all, but I also don't have two small kiddos :)
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