Countertop portable dishwasher?

[Denninmi]

I posted this in the DU Lounge because it gets more traffic, but I was hoping someone here, being the kitchen mavens we all are, would know about these dumb things.

I'm considering getting one for my mother for her 86th birthday. She is still very active, but I'd like her to slow down at times and take it easy. She has mentioned several times recently how much she hates doing dishes anymore.

Just wondering if it's any good at all? I'd be most grateful for any input.

Here's my full post:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=105x9584417

[Warpy]

1. It's huge and heavy and doesn't look like it has that much capacity

If your kitchen is big enough to sacrifice a couple of feet of counter space next to the sink, it's big enough to have a real dishwasher installed, IMO. It's not something you'd want to lift into place after meals and store elsewhere between them unless you put it onto a very sturdy rolling cart and kept it in a closet. If that's the case, you can get full size dishwashers on casters and do the same with them.

The only small capacity dishwasher I would be interested in is the type that is in a drawer, leaving space below it for storage.

[Denninmi]

2. Yup, checked it out in real life today.

In person, it's not much in terms of capacity. I think if I had a motorhome or something and HAD to have one, it would be a logical choice. But, to me, it looked like it would barely hold a standard dinner plate. The online photos in ads must be a "best case" scenario using smaller than normal dishes, to make it look better.

And, to top it off, the salesman was both rude and pushy. I can understand a commissioned salesman trying to up-sell a bit to make more commission, but he more or less kind of said I was stupid for even considering this little model. So, I said adios to him.

Going to investigate the larger portables.

Thanks, all!

[hippywife]

3. Wow! That was really rude of him.

Does your mom still do quite a bit of cooking to warrant a dishwasher? I know she said she hates doing dishes, but how many does she actually generate?

[trud]

5. a single person can actually generate quite a few dirty dishes

even with minimal cooking. 2-3 days three place settings a day, a few pots and pans and bowls, there you go, a dishwasher full.

[hippywife]

6. Well I do know that, as there are only two of us here.

If I stay on top of it and wash them right after each meal, it's hard to need anything more than one of those dish scrubbers with a sponge on the end and soap in the handle.

[Dover]

8. I think it could be more about 'routine fatigue', doing the same thing over and over

again for however many years. And that could be a sign that some kind of change is needed to keep life interesting. Even if we were to be served our favorite meal everyday, it can get boring, and the same with any kind of routine. So it may not be so much about the dishes...

[trud]

4. another type

Is there room for a free standing full sized dishwasher? That avoids the hassle and expense of installing one. I had one of those for years in my old house, and it worked very well. The down side is that you have to connect the hose to the faucet each time. Basically it pushes on with a lever to secure it, which may be hard for your mom. I also had to roll mine 2-3 feet each time I used it to get it close enough to the sink to connect and drain. I was very happy with this.

[Dover]

7. Some thoughts

I agree with everyone about the countertop washers. And who can spare that much counter space?
There are compact drawer type washers now that are much easier and more efficient than the countertop version, which take up half the space of a regular built-in, but they are pricey. http://www.google.com/#sclient=psy&hl=en&site=&source=hp&q=dishwasher+drawer&aq=&aqi=&aql=&oq=&gs_rfai=&pbx=1&fp=7b989c6c17f79c85

And I recall someone posting something fairly recently about a dishwasher designed to fit under the kitchen sink. I think it was posted in the DIY forum. It was designed for small kitchens that can't afford to sacrifice cabinet space.

Taking a whole 'nother tack, perhaps your mother would enjoy a cleaning person or helper once a week? My mother did this for her aging mother which had some very positive and unexpected results.
Not only did she have help with some of the house work, but having the help allowed her to stay living alone in her own house for longer (which was her request), there was another person around
to look after her health/safety which took a little pressure off family, and the two women became good friends. This kind of help is not in everyone's budget, of course, and good help can be hard to find and keep. But just thought I'd toss that out there.

[Dover]

9. P.S. - There are government rebates for EnergyStar - rated appliances

that can be helpful with costs.

[trud]

10. cleaning person

That would be great if it fits budgetwise. It really is hard to do stuff as you get older. Plus a little company once a week is not a bad thing.

[hippywife]

11. Truly...

that is the best suggestion yet. :D